Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Way It Is vs. The Way It Ought to Be

by BoardingArea | June 7, 2024 | 0 Comments

Welcome back to another edition of #FrequentFlyerFunnies! Today, we’re taking a humorous look at the contrast between the reality of frequent flyer benefits and the ideal world we all wish existed. Get ready for a laugh as we explore the airline industry’s creative take on “tough times.”

This is a black and white comic strip titled "THOSE FREQUENT FLYER MILES...". The comic is divided into two panels: 1. The top panel is labeled "...THE WAY IT IS!" and shows a woman being interviewed by a news crew. She is holding papers and speaking into a microphone. In the background, there are airplanes on the ground and one in the air. The speech bubble from the woman says, "TIMES ARE REALLY TOUGH FOR THE AIRLINES; THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE TO CUT FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS." 2. The bottom panel is labeled "...THE WAY IT OUGHT TO BE!" and shows several airplanes on the ground and one in the air. A speech bubble from one of the airplanes says, "BOY! TIMES ARE REALLY TOUGH! WE HAVE TO IMPROVE OUR FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS!" Below the comic, there is a caption that reads, "through good times and bad times, the word DEVALUATION always seems to be a method of marketing."

 

What the Comic Shows:

In today’s comic, we see a satirical take on how airlines handle frequent flyer benefits during tough times. The top panel depicts the current reality, where airlines justify cutting benefits by claiming economic hardship. In contrast, the bottom panel humorously imagines a world where airlines respond to tough times by improving benefits for their loyal customers.

Punchline:

The punchline lies in the stark contrast between the two panels: while airlines in reality often cut benefits citing tough times, the ideal world flips this logic on its head, suggesting that tough times should lead to better rewards for frequent flyers.

Why We’re Chuckling:

We’re chuckling because this comic perfectly captures the absurdity and frustration many frequent flyers feel. The idea that airlines would improve benefits during tough times is laughable, yet it’s a reality we all wish for. It’s a clever twist on the usual corporate rhetoric.

Dive Deeper with Us:

  • The Irony of Devaluation: Airlines often talk about loyalty, but the comic hilariously highlights how their actions don’t always match their words. Devaluing points while claiming to care about frequent flyers is a classic example of this irony.
  • The Reality Check: The comic could be seen as a reality check for frequent flyers who are hopeful about program improvements. It’s a tongue-in-cheek reminder that airline priorities might not always align with passenger expectations.
  • Marketing Spin: The comic cleverly mocks how airlines use marketing spin to justify benefit cuts. It’s funny to imagine if other industries did the same: “Due to tough times, we’ve decided to give you less product for the same price!”
  • Frequent Flyer Fantasy: The bottom panel represents every traveler’s fantasy: an airline that actually improves benefits during hard times. It’s amusing to think about how surreal that would be in the real world.
  • Customer Service Dreams: It could be fun to expand on the dream scenario where airlines prioritize customer satisfaction to such an extent that they improve benefits even when it’s tough for them financially. Imagine an airline CEO saying, “Our profits are down, so let’s double the miles we offer!”
  • Devaluation as a Trend: The caption “through good times and bad times, the word DEVALUATION always seems to be a method of marketing” humorously suggests that devaluation has become a trend, almost a marketing strategy in itself.
  • Role Reversal: The comic plays on the idea of role reversal, where instead of cutting costs at the expense of loyal customers, airlines go out of their way to reward them more generously. It’s funny because it’s so unexpected.
  • Sarcastic Commentary: Adding a layer of sarcastic commentary, like “In an alternate universe where airlines value their frequent flyers,” can amplify the humor. It’s a playful dig at the disconnect between airline policies and passenger desires.
  • The Speech Bubble Swap: Imagine if the speech bubbles were swapped. It would be equally funny to see a passenger saying, “Times are tough, so I’m cutting back on flying with you!” and an airline saying, “Oh no, we need to improve our benefits to win you back!”
  • The Loyalty Dilemma: The comic captures the loyalty dilemma faced by travelers: stay loyal and hope for better benefits, or switch to another airline in search of better rewards. This humorous depiction can resonate with many frequent flyers.

This week’s #FrequentFlyerFunnies reminds us that while the journey may come with its fair share of skepticism, a good laugh helps keep things in perspective. Happy flying and keep those eyes on the prize!

Frequent Flyer Funnies
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
New Marriott Bonvoy Exclusively for You targeted bonus points & elite night credit offers
Marriott Bonvoy has some updated Exclusively for You targeted offers that are being offered to select members. These latest set of offers are good for stays until October 31, 2025. Let us know if you have been targeted with an offer different than those listed below and we’ll add it...
Miles To Memories
Wyndham Rewards – The Most Annoying Program Still Worth My Time
The Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program exasperates me more than any other. Still, I just can't quit the program. I consider both matters today. The post Wyndham Rewards – The Most Annoying Program Still Worth My Time appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Frequent Miler
More Easy Rewards: Fee-free Visa Gift Cards at Staples
Staples is again be offering fee-free fixed $200 Visa Gift Cards this week, this time running from Sunday, July 20th through Saturday, July 26th. The limit is nine per customer per day (although some stores may allow more). Different stores appear to have different policies regarding the variable-load cards that...
Live and Let’s Fly
Waldorf-Astoria Latest To Join Luxury Cruise Market (River)
Hilton joins Four Seasons, Aman, and Ritz-Carlton in launching a luxury cruise line, Waldorf-Astoria is joining the party, and it’s coming to the Nile in 2026. A River of Dreams: Hilton Enters the Cruise Market There was a time, perhaps not that long ago, when the idea of a hotel...
Travel Points Playbook
Lounge Review: The Club DFW
The Club DFW is a Priority Pass lounge that is located up on the mezzanine level near gate…
One Mile at a Time
BOOKED: Lufthansa A350 Allegris First Class, And Maybe The Residence?!
I haven’t taken a review trip in a couple of months now, due to a combination of us having a newborn, plus my mom’s health issues. I’ve now gotten through my backlog of trip reports, and that means it’s time to travel. After all, while writing this blog is my...
Economy Class & Beyond
KLM to add Kittilä, Finland
For those who want to head up to Lapland this winter, KLM is adding a seasonal route between Amsterdam and Kittilä, Finland. KLM will offer a weekly Kittilä. The planned operation is as follows: KL1261 DEPART AMS 12:20 ARRIVE KTT 16:20 KL1262 DEPART KTT 1710 ARRIVE AMS 19:20 Operates between...
Points With a Crew
19 Tech and Travel Deals at Amazon This Weekend
Some decent Amazon weekend deals on travel and tech gear going on this weekend, including headphones, luggage, locks, packing cubes and supplies, travel books and ...
Live from a Lounge
Has Encalm’s Meet and Assist at Delhi Airport turned into a Dud?
Overpromise and underdeliver. That is Encalm's Atithya service for you at Delhi Airport. The post Has Encalm’s Meet and Assist at Delhi Airport turned into a Dud? appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
Your Mileage May Vary
How to Access a Chase Sapphire Lounge Without a Sapphire Reserve or Ritz-Carlton Card
For domestic travel, we no longer plan our trips around airport lounges. While visiting a lounge is nice, it’s not a deciding factor when choosing an airline or departure airport.…
One Mile at a Time
10 Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards For Spending: Rewards At No Cost
People have all kinds of different strategies when it comes to picking credit cards. While I think there’s a lot of value in getting a card with an annual fee, I know many people are simply opposed to cards with annual fees.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Exec Admits ‘Reliability Alone Won’t Win Premium Flyers’—Reveals Upgraded Snacks, Fewer Gate-Checked Bags
There's so much to do to improve customer experience at American that the biggest task is prioritization. Continue reading American Airlines Exec Admits ‘Reliability Alone Won’t Win Premium Flyers’—Reveals Upgraded Snacks, Fewer Gate-Checked Bags...
PointsMath
Buy United Miles with up to 95% Bonus [1.93¢ or ₹1.66/Mile] [Targeted]
United MileagePlus used to be a great frequent flyer program from United Airlines. This airline is also part of Star Alliance, the world’s largest Alliance, with many airline partners. So, this program has many use cases. If you are not interested in purchasing these miles, you can always transfer Axis...
Live and Let’s Fly
Will American Follow Delta, United Into Business Basic?
Delta Air Lines and United have both indicated they will unbundle elements of their business class products, will American Airlines follow suit?  Basic Business Class Is Coming, Whether We Like It Or Not Delta first indicated that it would look to unbundle business class benefits from the seat itself. This...
Wingtips
Best UK Travel Cards for Instant Hotel Status (No Night Stays Required)
Because waiting to earn status is so economy class. If you live in the UK and want instant… The post Best UK Travel Cards for Instant Hotel Status (No Night Stays Required) appeared first on Wingtips.
One Mile at a Time
Hilton Aspire Card $400 Resort Credit: How It Works
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (review) is one of the most valuable hotel credit cards out there, thanks to all the great perks the card offers.
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Connection Pilot’s Unfiltered Debrief After Dramatic B-52 Near‑Miss In North Dakota
Delta Connection pilots encountered an unexpected guest on final approach to Minot: a B-52 bomber, which required an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid. Delta Jet Makes “Aggressive Maneuver” To Avoid B-52 Bomber Delta Connection flight 3788 from Minneapolis (MSP) to Minot (MOT), was operated by Endeavor Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of...
View from the Wing
‘The Whole Plane Walked Through It’: Frontier Airlines Flight Attendant Laughs As Passenger Stood Barefoot In Puke [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 ‘The Whole Plane Walked Through It’: Frontier Airlines Flight Attendant Laughs As Passenger Stood Barefoot In Puke...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Peek-a-boo Kangaroo in Australia. Sunday Morning Photograph.
One particular kangaroo in Australia was “playing” peek-a-boo with me at Tower Hill Wildlife Preserve in the state of Victoria earlier this year. We locked eyes on each other for a good old fashioned “stare down”. Legend has it that... The post Peek-a-boo Kangaroo in Australia. Sunday Morning Photograph. appeared first on The Gate.
Points Miles and Bling
Review: Conrad Nashville Falls Short on Elite Perks
Introduction and Booking After spending a night at the 3-star Aloft by Marriott just up the block, I moved over… The post Review: Conrad Nashville Falls Short on Elite Perks appeared first on Points Miles and Bling.
One Mile at a Time
Delta Plane Makes “Aggressive Maneuver” To Avoid B-52 Bomber
A regional jet flying on behalf of Delta Air Lines had to make a last minute maneuver to avoid a B-52 bomber, and the level of detail in which the pilot communicated this to passengers is quite something (thanks to PYOK for flagging this)…
View from the Wing
“Nobody Warned Us!”: Delta Passengers Applaud Pilot After Terrifying Near-Miss With Military B-52 Bomber
Delta Air Lines flight 3788, an Embraer E-175 operated by SkyWest, nearly collided with another aircraft as it flew from Minneapolis–St. Paul to Minot, North Dakota In addition to operating as a civilian airport, Minot is home to an Air Force base where the 5th Bomb Wing’s 26 B-52 Stratofortress...
a man standing next to a bicycle with a tent
BoardingArea
United’s Iconic Sundae Cart Returns to the Skies
Air travel has always been about the thrill of new experiences, and I've found that the small details—like dessert—often spark the biggest delight. In 2025, United Airlines continues to capture that excitement by relaunching its legendary build-your-own ice cream sundae in Polaris business class. A recent industry report indicated that...
Eye of the Flyer
50000 SkyMiles for Missing IFE, Buying an Airline Seat for Your Cat, History of Delta Amenity Kits, New $250 US Visa, Saudi Books Entire Ritz Carlton Cruise Ship and more Cruise and Travel News
Here are this week’s travel and cruise headlines and news from around the web and interweb: 50K miles for no seat-back entertainment!?!! I paid extra just so I could sit next to my cat during the flight. Royal Caribbean Officially Owns Future Site of Perfect Day Mexico French startup unveils...

Leave a Reply

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

Categories

Our Bloggers