If you’re a frequent flyer or use a credit card affiliated with a particular airline, you may have mileage points that can be exchanged for flights. But with so many restrictions, it seems the job is easier said than done. Mike Laidman has more.

Whether it’s by flying or using an airline-affiliated credit card, there are many ways you can rack up mileage points for flights and flight upgrades. But when it comes to actually using those hard-earned points, well, that’s a different story.

On average, only 5 percent of the seats on flights are allocated for mileage users.
And during peak season, many airlines restrict the use of these points.

SYNC
Airline representative
Our mileage points cannot be used during peak season.
And sometimes get only 2-3 mileage users per day.
<싱크 : A 항공사 관계자>
"(보너스 항공권이) 안되는 기간이 있다보니까 성수기 같은 때는 이용이 안되고. 많지는 않아요. 하루 종일 한 2~3건 밖에 없어요."

Another airline company does let its passengers use mileage points during peak season, but it charges more.


SYNC
Airline representative
It’s 5,000 points for a flight during the off season, and 7,500 points during high season.
<싱크 : B 항공사 관계자>
"비수기에는 5천 마일리지고 성수기에는 7천500마일리지.."

As a result of these practices, passengers are far from pleased.

<인터뷰 : 김헌석 / 서울특별시 구로구>
"공짜의 개념이다 보니까 돈주고 사는 표는 많은데
마일리지 좌석같은 경우는 부족한 경우가 있는 것 같아요."

-----수퍼체인지-----

[INTERVIEW]
Cha Yoo-min / Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
They offer too little. We get almost nothing for domestic flights.
<인터뷰 : 차유민 / 경기도 남양주시>
"너무 포인트가 적어요. 마일리지가 1회당 국내선은 굉장히 포인트 점수가 적어서 국내여행은 별로 도움이 안되죠."

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

Since 2008, mileage points have started to come with expiration dates. This means that if left unused, all your hard-earned points could become unusable.

[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman

The various point systems were created to benefit travelers, but their evolution and strict rules mean that instead of helping travelers, airlines are starting to anger their customers.

Mike Laidman, KCTV