The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated an inquiry into the frequent flyer programmes of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines to protect consumers from potentially unfair practices.
The investigation aims to gather detailed records and reports regarding airlines’ rewards schemes, focusing on issues like devaluation of rewards, hidden pricing, additional fees, and impacts on competition.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the need for transparency, stating that consumers deserve the value promised by these programs, which can change unilaterally unlike traditional savings.
In response to the inquiry, the airlines are required to explain changes to their reward programs over the past six years, disclose reward point values and associated fees, and provide documentation on merger integrations and partnerships related to their rewards schemes.
