It’s called a frequent flyer program, but today, many airline loyalty programs have become complex and bear little resemblance to their original forms. Rather than being a simple ‘fly ten times get a free flight’ or being based on how many miles you travel with an airline, loyalty programs have become increasingly spend-based, where you earn miles and benefits based on how much you spend with an airline. In some cases, you can earn elite status without even having to set foot on a carrier’s aircraft.