A survey by Frequent Flyer magazine found that a typical reader belonged to five to eight different frequent-flier programs and was in similar programs at one to four hotel chains.

Joe Brancatelli, executive editor of Frequent Flyer magazine, said the arrangement might help British Airways' marketing but might do little for Chase.

"If you have happy employees," said Ms. Goodwin of Frequent Flyer magazine, "you probably have happy customers."

Joe Brancatelli, executive director of Frequent Flyer magazine, tends to agree with Mr. Giannola.

He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts based on his journalistic expertise as co-founder of Flyer magazine.

He has test-flown many aircraft and produced numerous articles for the aviation press and was until 2002 consultant editor of Flyer magazine.

"In some cases, the food is improved," said Ms. Sanders of Frequent Flyer magazine.

Joe Brancatelli, executive editor of Frequent Flyer magazine in New York, said, "Frequent-flier tickets have no cash value."

In any case, what you're looking for is available from Inside Flyer magazine two ways.

The current Frequent Flyer magazine has an article titled "At the Zoo," about the increasing number of bizarre and sometimes violent incidents aboard airplanes.