Alitalia’s MilleMiglia .… the worst frequent flier scheme?

We may moan and groan about Avios / British Airways Executive Club at times, but we don’t always realise how good we have it.

Take the email I have just received from Alitalia’s MilleMiglia programme.  I have an account with them because a few years ago they were doing a status match, so I joined and had my BA status matched.  It was handy for SkyTeam flights where I previously had no status.

The current version of the MilleMiglia Program will end on December 31, 2012, as per the program regulations, and a new edition of the MilleMiglia Program, complete with more member benefits and opportunities, will begin on January 1, 2013.  All miles accumulated through December 31, 2012, may be redeemed through June 30, 2013.

Yes, you read that right!

Every few years, Alitalia closes down its frequent flyer scheme entirely and relaunches it the next day.  All of your existing miles, unless redeemed within a very short period, are wiped out!

Truly, it is the banana republic of frequent flyer schemes!

Luckily for me, my mileage balance is nil.  I don’t think I’ve even ever flown Alitalia.

This is just one of the many reasons why the SkyTeam airline alliance is the joke of the airline world.