Mar 1983 — Braniff launches their first frequent flyer program, the Metroplex Club, but it is discontinued in less than 12 months.

Mar 1986 — Continental TravelBank members earn 250 bonus miles for obtaining boarding passes from “The Flying Machine.”

Mar 1987 — Delta Frequent Flyer announces that travel agencies could no longer issue frequent flyer award tickets.

Mar 1987 — National Car Rental introduces the orginal Emerald Club which along with express check-out privileges also includes an awards program, members earning one point for every dollar spent renting from National.

Mar 20, 1989 — In January 1987, United increased the number of miles necessary to receive some of its more popular awards. Upon discovering the rules had been changed, outraged Mileage Plus members filed a class action lawsuit, represented by the Chicago law firms of Marks, Marks and Kaplan, Ltd. and Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Eigler, P.C. Cook County Circuit Judge Arthur L. Dunn ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and United revised its Mileage Plus program, allowing members who had accumulated miles under the old system more time to use those miles under the prior award structure.

Mar 1991 — The Pan Am WorldPass program introduces the first awards from the U.S to the U.S.S.R.

Mar 1993 — Northwest WorldPerks introduces the first “Dining for Miles” promotion, which allowed WorldPerks members to earn two miles for every dollar spent at any of 67 restaurants in Detroit, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Seattle. To earn the miles, members were required to present their WorldPerks membership card to the server when placing their order.

Mar 2004 — Japan Airlines creates what it believes is the world’s first frequent flyer program for pets: The JAL Pet Club simplifies fees for hauling pets on domestic flights and allows consumers to earn and exchange points for in-flight cage rentals, pet airfares and pet presents

Mar 1, 2004 — Dividend Miles Preferred members may now upgrade to first class for free when flying in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. This benefit previously was only available to Chairman’s Preferred members.

Mar 1, 2005 — Amtrak introduces a top level — “Select Plus” — to its Guest Rewards elite-level program. Members must earn 10,000 points annually to qualify.

See more milestones in frequent travel history at:

http://www.webflyer.com/programs/timeline