Delta Air Lines frequent flier changes? Carrier hints it would likely favor travelers who spend more

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Delta says its frequent flier program will increasingly favor big spenders over people who simply rack up miles.

Most airlines reward how many miles you fly, not how many dollars you spend. But Delta Air Lines Inc. President Ed Bastian said on Tuesday that future changes would likely favor travelers who spend more.

That's Delta's strongest hint yet that it may move the whole frequent flier program further in that direction.

Last week Delta announced that frequent fliers would need to spend a minimum amount of money to earn a higher frequent-flier status.

Travelers prize that status because it moves them to the front of airport lines and lets them qualify for upgrades to first class

Two years ago Southwest changed its frequent flier program to reward more-expensive tickets.