2 Frequent-Fliers Sue USAir Over Program Changes

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles by two Pennsylvania men alleges that USAir committed civil fraud by making changes in its frequent-flier program.

The plaintiffs--Albert M. Zlotnick of Philadelphia and Antonio D. Pyle of Pittsburgh--filed a class-action suit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday asserting that the mileage credits they had accumulated will become less valuable when changes that the airline allegedly made recently take effect Dec. 31. The suit said Zlotnick and Pyle would represent all USAir travelers with frequent-flier credits of 10,000 miles or more.

The plaintiffs claim that USAir, based in Arlington, Va., misled members of its frequent-flier program, enticing them to travel by offering certain rewards and then changing the benefit package.

As one example of the reduced rewards, the suit said USAir frequent fliers with 30,000 miles have been entitled to a free weekend stay at a hotel and a rental car at no charge for two days. Under the revised plan, members with the same mileage credit would receive a 50% discount on hotel rooms for up to two consecutive weekend nights and would be eligible for a charge-free car for a weekend only if they paid rent on the car for one additional day, according to the suit.

USAir would make no comment on the suit.

The suit was filed in California because the state has strong consumer protection laws and because USAir has a substantial number of flights in the state, said a lawyer for the plaintiffs.