Time Flies Faster with Airlines' New Rules

"If we did not restrict the seats, there could be the possibility of a completely full aircraft all on reward miles," said Whitney Eichinger, a Southwest spokeswoman. "We wanted to make a change that reeled that in a bit, but still allowed customers to find seats on the flights they preferred."

Winship, the program observer, cheered the extension to two years, but not the restrictions: "Is it a net gain for customers? I don't claim to know. ... What will the airlines do next?"

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