Why are airline miles so complicated?

Thats what I want to know.

Why give it a name like "miles", which clearly implies a standardized unit of measurement ... if you are not going to use said unit? There really should be no need for me to read fine print on conversion factors for miles->trips.

It should work simply. Upon redemption:

Standard Seating Formula:

Flight Mileage Cost = Flight True Mileage Distance.

 

Business Seating Formula:

Flight Mileage Cost = B*(Flight True Mileage Distance)

 

First Class Seating Formula:

Flight Mileage Cost = F*(Flight True Mileage Distance)

 

(where B,F are predefined numbers. Such as 1.25, 1.5 respectively)

 

How easy would that be? And also, how fair would that be?

I understand that the airline would then have to adjust the amount of miles given out upon buying things. But is that really a big deal? The important part for anyone is always how they *redeem* the miles. So that should be the easiest part to figure out.

Alternatively the airlines could rename it. Then I would be happier. Call it Fragogos or something.

So ... 15000 Fragogos = 1 Round Trip within Continental United States.

However, if they *do* choose Fragogos ... I want effin royalties. :) Dibbs!