The existing Alitalia frequent flyer program, MilleMiglia, is ending on December 31, 2007. A new program will begin on January 1, 2008 — with all old miles available for redemption only through June 30, 2008, unless you take 2 Alitalia flights between January 1 and June 30, 2008.

Details on the new program are sketchy, although one-way awards will be available and premium class tickets will earn miles at a different rate from coach (whether this means fewer miles for coach tickets is as yet unclear, but is my best guess).

A real disappointment… expiring all miles and ending the existing program, creating a whole new program with mileage only in the accounts of those flying new flights on the carrier. Sad, and underhanded.