US Airways tightens the screws on frequent flyers

USA Today reports that US Airways is toughening the rules for members of its Dividend Miles frequent flyer program, effective March 1. The biggest change is the end of Dividend Miles’ minimum earning level of 500 miles per one-way flight, no matter what the actual mileage. After that date, members will earn actual miles flown for all travel, on both US Airways and partner airlines that let passengers earn Dividend Miles. The new policy could have a big impact on frequent flyers who often use US Airways’ many short-haul routes in the eastern U.S. – like its northeast corridor shuttle service out of New York. USA Today notes that US Airways is the first major carrier to eliminate the 500-mile-per-flight minimum. The obvious implication is that other airlines could well follow US Airways’ lead. Meanwhile, US Airways will also start charging Dividend Miles members a $50 fee when they redeem miles for travel online within 14 days of departure.