The major airlines have issues over 19 trillion miles to frequent flyer customers over the past 25 years. While this statistic may not blow you way, consider that currently over 14 trillion of these miles haven’t been used by customers yet. These points have created a major burden on the airlines forcing them to make substantial deductions on their balance sheets.

AMR, the parent company of American Airlines listed in their 2006 balance sheet a liability of 1.6 billion dollars due to frequent flyer miles alone. What I don’t understand is, why aren’t people using up their miles? When’s the last time you checked your frequent flyer statement? Who knows, maybe your next trip will be on the airline.