Video: Frequent flier rules change surprises Bellevue man

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SEATTLE – A Bellevue man thought he had saved up enough frequent flier miles to pay for a trip to Africa, until his credit card company changed the rules.

Rudiger Wenzel spent years trying to reach the 125,000 airline miles needed on his credit card to make the trip. But before he booked the flight, Wenzel discovered those miles he saved up wouldn't get him anywhere close to his destination.

"I just found out by accident. I looked it up online and was checking my balance and I had found out they had changed the rules," said Wenzel, who found out his credit card company, First Tech Credit Union, changed the rules.

"Under the old program, around 50,000 miles would buy a ticket up to $1,000 and I used $819, and according to the new rules, the same miles buys a ticket up to $600," said Wenzel. "So for the same amount of miles, I get less ticket."

First Tech Credit Union tells KING 5 that as a result of rising fuel and airline costs. They did change their airlines rewards points. However, they never told anybody and nothing was sent out to members about the change. It was only posted on First Tech's Web site.

Once we contacted First Tech, they agreed to let Wenzel fly under the old rules.

It's best to regularly check the rules for your frequent flyer miles monthly to make sure they have not changed, and once you get enough miles accumulated, book your trip as soon as possible.