Airlines bring back perks -- for their richest fliers

Updated

The New York Times reports that while even complimentary mini bags of pretzels inch closer to extinction, airlines are dreaming up new elite categories for frequent fliers -- complete with perks and prestigious titles.

A quick sampling of the new clubs: Continental Airlines' Presidential Platinum (customers must fly 125,000 miles or spend $30,000 annually); Delta's Diamond Level (also 125,000 miles per year); Southwest Airlines' A-List (16 round trips in 12 months).

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