U P F R O N T

Welcome B-a-a-a-a-a-c-k
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Welcome back to the Crier and the tumultuous world of travel, miles and points.

This issue's news is a mixed bag. There are signs of improvement among the airlines' Dec. traffic reports. And we are being treated to systemwide double-mile offers from Delta and US Airways, the country's 3rd and 6th largest carriers. But in a major setback for frequent flyers in Canada, Air Canada has downsized its mileage payout for advance-purchase intra-Canada flights.

It's a new year... here's hoping it will be a better one.

The Pulse of Travel: December Airline Results
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Just in time for this first issue of the new year, the largest North America airlines have released traffic data for Dec., giving us a sense of their post-9/11 recovery progress.

While the numbers aren't likely to trigger an outbreak of exuberance, irrational or otherwise, there is a kernel of good news here. During Nov. (see http://frequentflier.com/ffc-120501.htm), traffic declines for most of the largest carriers exceeded 20% year-over-year. The Dec. shortfalls came in at less than 20%.

If you can't decide whether to cheer the airlines on or jeer them off, you're not alone in your ambivalence: As travel consumers, we have contradictory interests. On the on hand, the airlines' desperation translates into lower fares and more aggressive mileage offers. On the other hand, if the travel slump doesn't abate soon, the weaker airlines will be driven into bankruptcy, resulting in industry consolidation, higher fares and less compelling frequent-flyer promotions.

It's now time to begin rooting for, and contributing to, the airlines' recovery.

O N S I T E

New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Do you have mileage-related questions, answers, anecdotes? Post them to the FrequentFlier Forum.

M I L E S & P O I N T S

Delta, US Air Begin Year with Double Miles
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Happy New Year from Delta and US Airways. Both are offering double miles for all flights. And if you're traveling on an unrestricted fare (most first- and business-class fares, plus Y/B/M coach fares), the bonus will count toward elite qualification. The executive summary --

Offer: Double Miles
Period: Jan. 10 through Mar. 20, 2002
Miles Qualify for Elite: Yes (unrestricted fares); No (restricted fares)

You must pre-register for both offers, as follows:

> Delta
Online or by calling 1-888-558-3358 and entering promotion code 2023.

> US Airways
Online or by calling 1-800-872-4738 and entering promotion code 8145.

Air Canada Slashes Miles
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Condolences to our neighbors to the north...

Apparently emboldened by its near-monopoly status, Air Canada has reduced significantly the miles awarded for intra-Canada flights. Effective Jan. 1, 2002, Air Canada and Air Canada Regional flights within Canada and between Canada and the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda earn miles at the following rates:

Under the new scheme, Aeroplan members will only earn actual flight miles for the most expensive fares, those typically only purchased for business travel. The discounted fares used for the vast majority of travel will earn only 35% or 75% of the actually flown miles.

> More...

Continental, KLM Expand Mileage Opportunities
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The mileage relationship between Continental and KLM continues to develop.

From Dec. 1, 2001, members of Continental's OnePass could earn miles for KLM flights, and members of KLM's Flying Dutchman could earn miles for Continental flights. Beginning Jan. 1, 2002, members of either program can redeem their miles for award flights on the other airline. And between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31, 2002, Flying Dutchman members earn double points on all Continental flights and OnePass members earn double miles on all KLM flights.

On Jan. 15, the 2 airlines begin code sharing and will offer reciprocal lounge access at Amsterdam/Schiphol and Newark airports.

NW Offers Online Booking Bonuses
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Northwest is extending online-booking bonuses and offering discounts for award trips booked online.

Between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30, 2002, first-time buyers who purchase tickets at http://www.nwa.com will earn 2,500 bonus miles, with subsequent online purchases earning 1,000 bonus miles.

The bonus offer is not valid with CyberSaver fares, E-Biz Perks Reservations or award travel reservations.

WorldPerks members who book award travel at nwa.com through Apr. 30, 2002, will receive the following discounts:

> More...

SkyMiles Card Awards Triple Miles for Delta Charges
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Between Jan. 15 and Feb. 28, 2002, charge the purchase of Delta tickets to your Delta SkyMiles credit card to earn 3 rather than the normal 2 miles per dollar.

This offer is available to corporate, classic, Gold, and Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit cardholders only.

Register here.

Use "Cash & Miles" for NW Tickets
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Northwest is again offering "Cash & Miles," allowing U.S. WorldPerks members to combine miles and cash for travel within the U.S., to Europe or to Asia.

Purchase "Cash & Miles" tickets through Mar. 1, 2002, for travel from Jan. 18 through Mar. 15, 2002, or through Mar. 31, 2002 for travel to Asia.

Sample roundtrip fares: Detroit-Orlando for $209 plus 5,000 miles or $149 plus 10,000 miles; Minneapolis-London for $369 plus 5,000 miles, $309 plus 10,000 miles or $219 plus 20,000 miles; Memphis-Seoul for $519 plus 5,000 miles, $469 plus 10,000 miles or $389 plus 20,000 miles.

Receive a 500-mile discount on the mileage portion of "Cash & Miles" offers when travel is booked at http://www.nwa.com.

> More...

H&R Block Awards Miles for Tax Prep
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America West FlightFund members who have their taxes prepared by H&R Block for the first time can earn up to 2,000 miles.

There are 3 options: earn 500 FlightFund miles when completing a tax return using H&R Block's online tax preparation service; 1,000 miles for filing a tax return at a regular H&R Block tax office; or 2,000 miles for tax returns filed at a premium H&R Block tax office.

Identify yourself as a FlightFund member and ask whether your H&R Block office participates in this promotion when setting up your interview.

> More...

AWA Extends Bonus for Online Bookings
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Earn 3,000 bonus miles for every online roundtrip ticket purchased at http://americawest.com and flown through May 31, 2002.

Again, the bonus is for every online purchase... not just the first one. There's no registration required.

Portland-Seattle Flights Earn Triple Miles
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Mileage Plan members can earn triple miles on all Horizon Shuttle flights between Portland and Seattle through Mar. 31, 2002 (1,500 miles each way).

Register before your first flight at http://www.horizonair.com or http://www.alaskaair.com or call 1-866-604-3275 and enter promo code 170101.

S T E A L S & D E A L S

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

Savings Across America Featuring Florida & California From $68
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Southwest Airlines has released a sale on roundtrip and one-way fares throughout its system, and is offering regional savings from $68 round-trip for travel to/from cities in Florida or California.

> More...

Western Ski Destinations on Sale From United
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Fly for less to ski destinations including Aspen, Durango, and Jackson Hole, with United's fare sale on travel through Apr. 6. Purchase tickets by Friday, Jan. 18. Book online and save an additional 5%.

> More...

S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S

"Hot Link To Paradise" Sweepstakes
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Enter the "Hot Link To Paradise" sweepstakes by Jan. 15 to be entered in a drawing to win a free trip to Florida or a free resort stay. There's no charge to enter, either online at http://www.leeislandcoast.com/features/sweepstakes.php3 or by regular mail.

Grand prize is a 7-day trip to Captiva Island, FL, including roundtrip air for 4; hotel accommodations at the South Seas Resort; a $1,000 shopping spree; luggage from Samsonite; show passes at the BB Mann Performing Arts Hall.

> More...

[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online at http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm.]

R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S

Kellogg's AAdvantage Rule Changes
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"The Kellogg/American Airline 100 mile coupon promotion is having significant rule changes effective 1/1/02. The biggest issue is that from now on, 100 mile coupons can not be submitted in batches larger than 10 coupons at a time, and must be mailed in an "envelope. Certificates received in packages and/or boxes will not be processed or returned." Also, a 200k mile limit per year per account has been added: http://www.kelloggs.com/

"I found no mention of these changes on AA.com and the AA customer service desk did not seem to know of the change yet."

- Greg

Until next week...