FEAR & GREED | Business News Five Questions: Airlines, lounges & 30,000-foot etiquette
Feb 28, 2026
Rapid-fire Q&A about airline loyalty, points and whether rewards really shape bookings. A debate on whether loyalty programs are now airlines' core business. Discussion of whether business class is worth splurging or redeeming. Personal best-flight stories, from surprise upgrades to childhood memories. A lively rundown of modern flight pet peeves and 30,000-foot etiquette.
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Loyalty Points Only Tip Decisions At The Margins
- Loyalty programs influence bookings only at the margins, with price being the primary factor for Sean Aylmer.
- Sean will choose a pricier flight for points if the premium is small, e.g., $100 on a $2,000 fare.
Payment Source Shapes Booking Decisions
- Who's paying affects willingness to spend on upgrades or pricier tickets, per the hosts' discussion.
- Sean, Adam and Michael admit personal differences: Adam spends more on himself while Sean is frugal on others' money.
Frequent Flyer Programs Are Real Profit Centers
- Qantas treats its frequent flyer program as a core business alongside domestic, international and Jetstar operations.
- Sean finds the program lucrative for Qantas though he admits he doesn't use partner retail schemes himself.