After Delta Air Lines and United Airlines announced changes to their respective loyalty rewards programs, most industry analysts predicted the average leisure traveler would lose out.
Both airlines are switching from programs which currently offer rewards based on distance flown to one which is tied to the cost of airfares.
Now flight research company Hopper.com has come up with data detailing the differences for a typical air traveler when the program changes kick in next year.
It says members of United MileagePlus will get 11% fewer rewards miles on average flying on the most popular routes while a typical Delta flyer will accrue up to 22% less miles per flight.
Hopper data analyst Virginia Nicholson says high spending business-class travelers are the priority.
"Routes that benefit consumers the most in the new programs are typically short and expensive targeted toward the business buyer," Nicholson said.
"It’s in the airline’s best interest to get consumers to pay more with extra incentive to have a slightly-higher fare."
"For both Delta and United leisure travelers, it’s a significant drop in the number of miles they can accrue," she says.
The study says the impact for individual fliers varies according to the current tier status and the fares paid and Nicholson says leisure travelers should take advantage of the current system while they can.
"The biggest thing is to consolidate your points now to get higher membership tiers, which will be more beneficial for you in the end."
Once the changes take place for Delta and United, American Airlines will be the only remaining major US airline offering a distance-based loyalty program.
