Imagine saving your airline miles and hotel points with plans for use on a future holiday only to log into your account and find your balance at zero!

Frequent flyer miles have become an invaluable asset for travelers, offering a range of benefits such as free flights, upgrades, and exclusive perks. During my most recent trips I used miles to pay for excursions, lodging and even in-flight Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, with the increasing prevalence of cybercrime, the theft of frequent flyer miles has become a pressing concern. Scammers can easily purchase frequent flyer account usernames and passwords on the dark web due to numerous data breaches in which this sensitive info was compromised. With an estimated 14 trillion frequent flier miles and hotel points floating around unused, scammers have a very large, lucrative target in America’s hard-earned miles. In this blog post, I will explore the growing issue of frequent flyer mile theft and provide you with essential tips and strategies to protect your hard-earned rewards.

Understanding the Threat:

Frequent flyer miles and loyalty points have value, and thieves are motivated to steal them for personal gain. Stolen miles can be used for free flights, upgrades, hotel bookings, or even sold on the black market.

Scammers employ various techniques to steal miles and loyalty points, including phishing emails, malware, hacking into personal accounts, and social engineering. They may trick users into revealing login credentials or gain unauthorized access to accounts through vulnerabilities in security systems.

Loyalty programs like those from Delta and British Airways reportedly account for the majority of the thefts. In one case, a managing partner of a small Chicago-based travel agency was accused of scamming Delta out of nearly $2 million worth of frequent flyer miles. According to arccorp.com, some scenarios have involved criminals posing as ‘travel agents’ using either stolen or illegally bought miles to turn into tickets, which are then sold to unsuspecting customers. Often the customer does not know this is the case until they try to claim the frequent flyer miles earned on the itinerary.

Protective Measures:

To ensure the security of your frequent flyer miles and safeguard against potential theft, consider implementing the following protective measures:

Strengthen Your Passwords - Create strong and unique passwords for your airline accounts. Utilize a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as your name or birthdate, and refrain from using the same password across multiple platforms.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication - Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code sent to your mobile device or email address before allowing access to your account.

 Beware of Phishing Attempts - Be cautious of suspicious emails, text messages, or phone calls claiming to be from your airline or loyalty program. Fraudsters often use phishing techniques to trick users into revealing their login credentials. Avoid clicking on links or providing personal information unless you are certain of the authenticity of the request. When in doubt, contact the airline directly through their official customer service channels to verify the communication.

 Regularly Monitor Your Account - Frequently review your frequent flyer account activity to spot any unauthorized transactions or changes. Report any discrepancies or suspicious activity to the airline immediately.

Keep Personal Information Secure - Ensure that you handle your personal information with care. Avoid sharing sensitive data, such as your frequent flyer number or account details, on unsecured websites or over public Wi-Fi networks.

 Update and Secure Your Devices - Regularly update your operating system, antivirus software a secure and private internet connection when accessing your frequent flyer accounts.

 Be Cautious with Third-Party Services - Exercise caution when using third-party services that claim to help manage or maximize your frequent flyer miles. Before providing your account information, thoroughly research the service provider to ensure their legitimacy and reputation.

 Protect Your Email Account - As email is often the gateway to your online accounts, ensure the security of your email account. Implement a strong password, enable 2FA, and regularly monitor for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access.

 What to do if you are compromised

If you suspect your frequent flier miles or loyalty reward points have been stolen, you should immediately contact the airline or reward program. According to consumerrescue.org, although stealing frequent flyer miles is illegal, there are no laws that compel an airline to restore them if a hacker helps himself to yours. So it’s up to you to protect your account.

Conclusion:

Regardless of whether you are saving frequent flyer miles, hotel points or credit card reward points, these points have value and are often a target of scammers. Protecting them from theft requires proactive measures and constant vigilance. By strengthening your passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious of phishing attempts, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to frequent flyer mile theft. Regularly monitor your accounts, keep personal information secure, and stay informed about the latest security practices. By following these guidelines, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that your hard-earned rewards are safe and secure.

I Think; Therefore, I am…safeguarding my hard earned points and miles.