Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Turbulence of Loyalty

by BoardingArea | May 10, 2024 | 0 Comments

Welcome back to our sky-high series, #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we find the humor in the hustle of racking up those miles. This week, we’re navigating the turbulent emotions that come with changes to our beloved loyalty programs. Fasten your seatbelts and stow your tray tables—this is going to be a relatable ride!

A comic strip depicting the various emotional stages experienced by frequent flyers when dealing with changes in airline policies. The comic is divided into six panels each representing different stages: Denial, Anger, Negotiation, Depression, Acceptance, and Change. Each panel humorously illustrates typical reactions such as a traveler in denial saying, "Nooo! They can't be changing the rules!", and one in anger shaking a fist at an airline counter. The Negotiation panel shows a traveler pleading, "But I'm one of your best customers: can't I get an exception?" In Depression, a person is slumped over a bar. Acceptance shows a resigned traveler at the elite check-in, while Change shows someone happily switching to a different airline offering a status match. The caption humorously comments, "They say that acceptance is the hardest stage of frequent flyer grief—thank goodness for status matches!"

What the Comic Shows:

Our comic portrays the “Stages of Frequent Flyer Grief” with sharp wit and inky insight. We see our frequent flyer hero grappling with policy changes at the airline, going through a cycle familiar to anyone who’s lost a treasured status or perk: denial, anger, negotiation, depression, and what looks like acceptance—until a tempting offer appears.

Punchline:

The final twist comes when our traveler, seemingly resigned to their fate at the elite check-in, is lured by the siren song of a status match offer. It’s an unexpected shift from acceptance to opportunistic change—because in the frequent flyer game, it’s all about staying airborne in the best possible way.

Why We’re Chuckling:

It’s a playful jab at the emotional bonds we form with our loyalty programs and how quickly they can be tested. The comic captures the quirky truth of the frequent flyer life: no matter how many times we say we’re done, there’s always a new deal that might just get us back in the air.

Dive Deeper with Us:

  • Loyalty Loop: Does the ‘acceptance’ stage in our flyer’s journey ever truly come, or are we eternally circling the airport of better offers? Share your looping loyalty tales.
  • Point of Diminishing Returns: At what moment does the pursuit of points eclipse the perks they promise? Dive into your experiences when chasing rewards turned into a taxing trek.
  • Autopilot Actions: Have you ever found yourself on autopilot, doing the same travel routines for the sake of status, even when they stop making sense? Let’s discuss when it’s time to switch off autopilot and navigate a new course.
  • The ‘Change’ Choice: Is the real power in acceptance, or is it in the freedom to change loyalty at a moment’s notice? Reflect on what true traveler empowerment looks like in today’s loyalty program landscape.
Frequent Flyer Funnies
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: Choice increased welcome offer, Hyatt points sale, US Bank checking bonus, & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. Almost a dozen deals end this week which includes a couple of Homes & Villas by Marriott promotions. Also ending are the latest Hyatt points sale,...
Live from a Lounge
Changes coming to HDFC Bank’s mid-tier credit cards: BizPower, Diners Club Privilege and Regalia Gold. Some Good, Some Very Good.
HDFC Bank will soon change the way the rewards and perks of their BizPower, Regalia Gold and Diners Club Privilege Card are going to be awarded.
Points With a Crew
4 Reasons to Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Including a New Higher Welcome Offer)
If you are starting out in the world of credit card miles and points, and aren't sure which card you should get - here are 4 reasons it should be the Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 347
I was driving down a street one day recently when I arrived at an intersection — and I was not sure of what to do next. For this edition of this popular game, can you guess what...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: April 4th
How are we already in April? Greetings from the W Hoboken. I’ve stayed at…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Must Shave Off Beards Later This Month As Alaska Airlines Overturns Rare Exemption
Pilots at Hawaiian Airlines will have to shave off their beards later this month as part of the carrier’s merger with Alaska Airlines, as they seek to standardize operations under a single operating certificate. Unlike many U.S.-based carriers, pilots at Hawaiian Airlines have been able to wear beards for many...
Frequent Miler
Too many bananas in your luggage, Southwest’s Streisand effect, Avianca bans and sues an influencer, and rescues on the rise in the UK (Saturday Selection)
Throughout the week, our team shares articles they’ve stumbled upon that may interest our readers, even if they might not otherwise merit a full post. Here are some of the posts we found interesting this week: Too many bananas in your luggage, Southwest’s Streisand effect, Avianca bans and sues an...
Your Mileage May Vary
A Flight Attendant Refused to Serve Alcohol to an Exit Row Passenger—Was That Allowed?
We all know that flight attendants have a hard job to do. They’re at the ready to keep you safe, of course – that’s the #1 part of their job.…
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 5 April, 2026
Greetings from London! I’ve moved on from Prague, which was very cold but fantastic. I hadn’t realised how much early 20th-century architecture there was in the city centre. There is even a Cubist architecture walk!  Once I got over the cold, I really enjoyed myself. The rugging up and de-rugging...
One Mile at a Time
Orient Express Sailing Yachts: New Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line Launching Soon
In recent years, we’ve seen luxury hospitality companies increasingly getting into the cruising industry. For example, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was among the first, then we recently saw the launch of Four Seasons Yachts, and then in 2027 we’re supposed to see the launch of Aman at Sea.
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (4th April)
We’ve reached the first week of April, and for those who celebrate, Easter Weekend (and for some of us, a four-day weekend). Nonetheless, this blog doesn’t write itself, so it must be time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. New Aircraft News Abelo signs for further ATR Aircraft –...
View from the Wing
Pilot Flew A Jet With A Taped-On Tail Number — Then Ignored An FAA Warning And Lost His License For 150 Days
A pilot flew a Cessna Citation with a tail number altered using tape, got a written FAA warning during a ramp check, and then flew the jet home anyway without fixing the problem or getting a permit. The Fifth Circuit upheld his 150-day suspension, concluding that an aircraft can be...
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: April 04, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far, and happy Easter to those who celebrate. I’m at home with family for a couple more weeks, before heading off on my next adventure, so I hope to make good progress getting caught up on trip reports before then. On...
Live and Let’s Fly
What Easter Demands Of Us In A World That Chooses Violence
As we approach Eastertide, I offer a brief reflection on this holiday amid turbulent times in our world. On Easter morning, Christians proclaim something extraordinary: that death has been defeated, that Christ is risen, and that a new kingdom has begun. But what kind of kingdom? That question becomes far...
Points With a Crew
The Most Ridiculous Landmarks in All 50 States
How many of the most ridiculous landmarks in all 50 US States have you been to? Personally, I can only count 2 - can you top that?
Your Mileage May Vary
What To Do When A Rental Car Company Is Out Of Cars
We don’t rent cars all that often anymore. Over the years, we’ve become much more comfortable taking public transportation to and from the airport in major cities like New York…
Miles To Memories
The One Card EVERYONE Should Get (Especially Now)
I go over why the Schwab Checking Account Debit Card is the one card every traveler should have in their wallet.
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Air Lines Cancels Seasonal Los Angeles to Anchorage Route Due to Fuel Costs
Delta Air Lines is giving the axe to its seasonal service between Los Angeles…
View from the Wing
Baby Born As Flight Lands At JFK — Air Traffic Control Says ‘Name The Baby Kennedy’
A passenger gave birth as a Caribbean Airlines flight was landing at New York JFK, with air traffic control expediting the arrival, arranging medical help at the gate, and then delivering the perfect line once the baby was out: “Name the baby Kennedy.”
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Viroth’s Villa in Siem Reap in Cambodia: My First Stay at a Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Property — and The Verdict Is…
My first stay at a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel property occurred while I was at Viroth’s Villa in Siem Reap in Cambodia. The acquisition of the carefully curated and growing collection of greater than 1,500 boutique and luxury properties was officially announced by Hyatt Hotels Corporation on Friday, April...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Served Steak In Economy Class? A Look At A 1966 Easter Menu
A classic United Airlines Eater menu from 1966 showcases how economy class passengers used to be fed on domestic flights. When Economy Class Included Steak: United’s 1966 Easter Menu A Flyertalk member shared pictures of a special Easter menu from a 1966 United flight: Dinner included: Hearts of Lettuce Salad...
Your Mileage May Vary
Airlines Are Quietly Getting Rid of Reclining Seats—Here’s Why
Not long ago, we wrote about why more hotels are no longer offering dressers in guest rooms. You may have noticed the basic reason is similar to why fewer hotels…
Miles To Memories
Flying Blue Status Match, Amex Is Losing Transfer Partner & New Amazon Credit Card
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
View from the Wing
Hyatt Business Card Record 80,000 Points — The Fastest Way To Spend Toward Status
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card now has its biggest-ever welcome bonus: 80,000 points after $10,000 in spending in the first three months, up from the previous 60,000-point offer. The bigger reason to care is that Hyatt makes this its fastest card for spending your way toward elite status.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers