The Margin's public service announcement for this week: Watch out lads, they're coming for your frequent flier miles. Airline loyalty awards have become an issue in US courts, both in divorce and inheritance procedures, according to the Washington Post.

A Connecticut judge recently awarded a spouse half of her husband's 400,000 miles, as well as the £340,000 house, half of his accrued pension and a quarter of his employee investment fund. Mr John Calarco said: "Do I think she earned the miles? Was she the one who sat on the airplanes and ran through the airports all over the world? No."

"It's the spite factor" says frequent flier expert Mr Randy Petersen, who recalls a recent case in which a wife wanted all of her husband's 50,000 miles. "She hated him so much, she wanted every little thing. It can become a bit malicious."