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
(Targeted) Capital One Shopping offering up to 25.5% cashback on British Airways flights
We’ve seen some incredible offers from Capital One Shopping recently, but I received one today which is one of the most eye-catching yet. Hidden at the bottom of an email was a targeted rate of up to 25.5% cashback when booking flights with British Airways. There is a reason to...
One Mile at a Time
Easy Way To Maximize Rakuten New Member Bonus, Earn $50 Or 5K Points
Link: Sign-up for a Rakuten account with a best-ever $50 bonus
View from the Wing
United — “The Only Perfect Airline in History” — Confiscates Carry-On Bag, Tells Passenger to Pound Sand [Roundup]
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading United — “The Only Perfect Airline in History” — Confiscates Carry-On Bag, Tells Passenger to Pound Sand...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 1,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points With Uber — Plus Your Chance to Win One Million Points
You can earn 1,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points with Uber simply by shopping with your first qualifying order from a supermarket or grocery store of at least $40.00 or with your first qualifying Premium ride as an extension to the partnership which launched in Spring 2021 between the lodging company...
Frequent Miler
Wyndham giving status upgrade for all members, or 50x earnings for existing Diamond members
Wyndham Rewards launched a new initiative today that’s awarding every single member of its loyalty program the ability to upgrade their elite status level by one tier through the end of the year. If you already have top-tier Diamond status, you’ll be able to earn 50x on all paid stays...
Live and Let’s Fly
US Economist Claims UK Is “Failing” Because He Got Lost In London Heathrow Airport…
An economist claims the “formerly-developed” UK is “failing” because of the transit issues he had at London Heathrow. While LHR is not a passenger-friendly airport and the signage is tricky, ultimately, this was a very avoidable issue had he just read the signs a bit more closely. Economist Says UK...
The Bulkhead Seat
JetBlue Adds Flights Between Rochester and Orlando
JetBlue is expanding its footprint in New York with the launch of new year-round… The post JetBlue Adds Flights Between Rochester and Orlando appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Traveling For Miles
Marriott Bonvoy Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale for 2025
Marriott has just announced its Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale for 2025 and, a little surprisingly, it's marginally better than any of the Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales that we've seen Marriott release in recent years. The post Marriott Bonvoy Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale for 2025 appeared first on Traveling For...
Live and Let’s Fly
The New Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur At KL Midtown: Great Hotel, Poor Location
Hello from Kuala Lumpur, where I’m spending three nights at three different Hyatt properties. I began at the new Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, which is a very nice Hyatt Regency property, though the location is not ideal for tourists. Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur At KL Midtown –...
One Mile at a Time
Dublin Airport’s US Preclearance Facility: Some Things Confused Me
Several foreign airports have US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facilities, where you clear immigration prior to boarding your US-bound flight. I recently flew Aer Lingus from Dublin (DUB) to Boston (BOS), and Dublin is the only airport in Europe to have such a facility.
TravelUpdate
Chase will soon pull the plug on these two big welcome bonuses..
Two big Chase welcome bonuses are about to end very soon. These bonuses will only be valid until 9 AM EST on November 13, 2025.
View from the Wing
San Francisco Train Driver Fell Asleep at 50 MPH — Video Shows Riders Thrown as Train Blew Through Stop
Video from San Francisco’s N-Judah line shows a Muni driver nodding off as the train hit 50 mph — five times its normal speed — before blowing through a stop and throwing passengers off balance. Investigators later blamed fatigue, not mechanical failure. Continue reading San Francisco Train Driver Fell Asleep at...
TravelUpdate
The hidden fee that we’re all paying on our premium credit cards
While we enjoy carrying shiny metallic premium credit cards in our wallets. However, is there an additional hidden cost in maximizing them?
Economy Class & Beyond
Jet2 to lauch a new base at London Gatwick Airport
If nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday, then for travellers flying from Gatwick, you’re in for a treat, with the Jet2 Plc launching a new base at the South of London Airport. The group will launch both its flights and package holidays from the South of London airport. It marks the...
Frequent Miler
Spending your way to a “free” stay at Atlantis Bahamas with the Caesars Prestige card
The Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature Card is something of a sleeper rewards card. At first glance, it looks great for gamblers, but like a total snoozer for everyone else. However, as I sat at Atlantis last week on my complimentary Caesars Diamond stay, I wondered whether this card may...
One Mile at a Time
My Aer Lingus Flight “Boarded” Really, Really Early… But Why?
After flying in Etihad’s A380 The Residence, I connected onto an Aer Lingus flight from Paris (CDG) to Dublin (DUB). I flew Aer Lingus’ AerSpace product on the A321LR, which might just be the best value premium product in Europe (since you get a flat bed, and it’s only marginally...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Flight Carrying Members of Congress Diverts To Remove Passenger Shouting About ‘Fascist State’
An American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., carrying several members of Congress, diverted to Kansas City after a passenger shouting “we live in a fascist state” was removed by police. Lawmakers were en route to vote on reopening the government — and ended up experiencing a flight disruption...
The Bulkhead Seat
Wyndham Rewards Offers Holiday Gift of Free Status Upgrades for Members
Wyndham Rewards is kicking off the holiday season with a promotion that gives members… The post Wyndham Rewards Offers Holiday Gift of Free Status Upgrades for Members appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Logistics Of Traveling With Two Passports (And Dual Citizenship)
I’m lucky enough to have dual citizenship, as both of my parents were born in Germany, and I was born in the United States. Sometimes I get questions from readers about the logistics of traveling with two passports, and figured that’s worth addressing in a post, given that I imagine...
One Mile at a Time
Myth: Airlines Always Open Award Seats When Schedule Opens
While I try to share tips for redeeming miles & points as efficiently as possible, in this post I’d like to address a common misconception that many people seem to have when it comes to booking award travel.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Minor Hotels Black Friday Members Pre-Sale: Save up to 45% and earn 45 bonus DISCOVERY Dollars
GHA DISCOVERY members can take advantage of the Minor Hotels Black Friday Pre-Sale that is offering up to 45% off stays and also 45 bonus DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) for stays of 2 or more nights. The sale must be booked by November 19 and is good for stays until August...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Housekeeping or a Reward For No Housekeeping: Which Would You Choose?
If you are staying at a hotel property and find yourself with a choice between housekeeping for the room in which you are staying or a reward for no housekeeping, which would you choose? Fewer hotel properties offer daily housekeeping service these days, as that saves money — especially since The post...
Economy Class & Beyond
Singapore to implement a Sustainable Air Fuel depature levy
For those departing Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is planning to introduce a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Levy. The levy will apply to Origin-Destination traffic, cargo shipments, and general and business aviation flights departing Singapore from 1 October 2026, applicable for tickets or services sold from 1 April...
Points With a Crew
4 Reasons to Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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

Leave a Reply

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

Categories

Our Bloggers