United Airlines has joined some of its competitors in blocking a third-party Web site that helps consumers track their frequent-flyer miles from multiple airlines.
Earlier this year, Bucks wrote about other major airlines deciding to shut out AwardWallet, which pulls mileage information from airline (and other loyalty program) sites so its visible in one place, and others like it.
Last week, AwardWallet notified United customers that it would no longer be able to access their information automatically from United’s Web site:
“Unfortunately, we are writing to inform you that United Airlines has sent us a letter asking to stop accessing information on your behalf from united.com. United Airlines stated that they are happy to discuss a potential business relationship with us but so far we have not been able to formalize anything.”
Rahsaan Johnson, a United spokesman, said the airline issued cease and desist letters to “certain mileage management companies” that market to members of MileagePlus, its frequent flyer program.
“We encourage each of these organizations seeking to extract data from united.com on behalf of our customers to enter into a formal agreement with United in order to ensure compliance with the terms, conditions, and legal notices contained on united.com,” he said.
He added that United is “happy to explore these formal partnerships,” and indeed has such a relationship with another mileage site, UsingMiles.
Mr. Johnson said United has worked with UsingMiles to make sure the site meets “thresholds of member privacy and security and compliance with terms of conditions. We are certainly open to having conversations with other mileage management companies that want to set up similar agreements.”
Mr. Johnson declined to comment on whether it is requiring third-party Web sites to pay a fee to access United’s site but emphasized that its intent is to make sure that any access of its customers’ information “is all done safely and with the right level of security.”
Have you used a rewards-management site and do you worry about it accessing your information safely?
Article source: http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/united-is-latest-airline-to-block-rewards-web-site/?partner=rss&emc=rss