[jimworcs]

Frequent flyer schemes are essentially a fraud on the public. If airlines posted all the miles earned as liabilities on their bottom line, they would be effectively bankrupt. They rely on these miles not being redeemed. Such is the vast number of miles now owned, they have to rely on such schemes as reducing availability, revised expiration terms, increasing the cost of redemption and introducing charges to use them which renders them nothing more than a minor discount over the available fare.

It is really the best policy to simply shop around for the best available price at the time you wish to travel, consistent with the standard of service you require. Obviously avoiding the main culprits such as Delta and Spirit and Ryanair in Europe. Joing FF programs is a con, which creates an illusion of value. They are primarily of benefit to very frequent flyers, who don't pay the fare, such as business travellers. For the rest who pay their own fares, they don't represent any kind of value.