Tickets to nowhere

The problems encountered when trying to use Air Miles were highlighted by Shahesta Shaitly, an office manager working in the West End, who said: "Whenever I have tried to book up a trip, the flight I have wanted to go on has always been mysteriously unavailable or has no seats left. "It has got to the point where I just don't bother any more and I have quite a few Air Miles built up. The Air Miles people are always very helpful but they can never give you what you want. It's not so bad if you want to go somewhere unfashionable but anywhere popular like Rome or Venice is just a nightmare.

"Earlier this year I had to go to Gothenberg in Sweden and that was no problem but when I wanted to go to Rome last year they told me all the seats were taken for the next three months. You have to learn the tricks. I've heard it is impossible to go to Venice but relatively easy to get Air Mile flights to Verona.

"From there it's only another hour and a half on the train. I also think they have got a lot less generous since Air Miles started. You hardly get anything now for short-haul economy flights. If you look at the way the miles are awarded you can basically only build up enough for a big trip if you fly business class intercontinental.

"Ordinary people never seem to be able to get anything from it."