Frequent fliers grew accustomed to relaxed rules for reaching elite airline status during the pandemic. Now carriers are raising the bar for earning rewards, leaving casual travelers with little recourse.
As work and international travel dried up two years ago, airlines made it easier for people to maintain and earn status in a bid to retain their business. That meant the number of customers enrolled in loyalty programs ballooned, making it harder for fliers to attain perks like upgraded seats and lounge access.
