Why Airlines Seem to Hate Basic Economy Passengers

Since December, my American Airlines membership account has been frozen at 55,361 miles. And so it will remain as another basic economy benefit bites the dust.

For more than 12 years, the lowest fare ticket category has been a boon for budget travelers willing to trade comforts for a cheaper price. However, the major airlines have been pecking away at our perks, forcing us to reckon with a hard truth: Our devotion is unrequited.

"What the airlines are basically doing with these changes is telling the basic economy traveler we don't value you or your business," said Henry Harteveldt, founder and president of Atmosphere Research Group, a consulting firm. "The actions will not induce many of these travelers to become loyal."

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.