United's New Status Rules: Smart Business Today, Loyalty Problem Tomorrow?
United's latest MileagePlus changes eliminate a qualification pathway for frequent flyers, making spending an even bigger factor in earning elite status. The decision may make financial sense, but it raises a bigger question: Are airlines becoming so focused on rewarding their highest-spending customers that they're overlooking opportunities to build loyalty with everyone else?
Are (some) Airline Loyalty Programs Rewarding the Wrong Behavior?
Airline loyalty programs are designed to influence behavior. But as airlines invest in sustainability, are some loyalty incentives rewarding contradictory behaviors? A look at flight-segment requirements, frequent-flyer status and what we might reward instead.
The Biggest Loyalty Trends Shaping Late 2025 — And What Will Matter Most in 2026
A look at the loyalty trends lighting the way into 2026 — from unified rewards ecosystems to AI personalization and experience-driven value.