Airlines' frequent flyer programs are so complicated only half of members understand them

Just 52% of travellers said they fully understand how to redeem miles from their airline loyalty program, according to a survey published Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates. Travellers would be forgiven for not grasping the increasingly complicated formulas airlines use to earn or redeem miles. Overall, it's become more difficult to earn miles on some of the largest airlines, which now reward passengers based on how much travellers spend on a ticket. Previously travellers could rake in the points based on how far they travelled. It has also become more difficult to earn higher statuses on airlines, which grant automatic upgrades and other perks. The survey also found that travellers are more satisfied with their frequent flyer programs when they can redeem points for things other than flights. <br/>