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The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics
As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
In the "Airline Programs" Forum, DJHerm shares the following promotion info: "Virgin Atlantic will give you 15% more miles when you transfer AmEx Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club before January 31, 2009." Plus: "When you book your flight using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles before January 31, 2009, you can use up to 50% less miles on Economy and 20% less miles on Premium Economy." So, "by taking advantage of these two offers in combination, you only have to transfer as little as 19,600 Membership Rewards points to enjoy your trip."
And in the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, there's another mention of the Fidelity Investments credit card (with its 2% rebate) in the "Which CC to use for rewards?" thread.
Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!
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Earn AAdvantage Bonus Miles for LendingTree Loan Requests
Through February 28, American AAdvantage members can earn 2,000 bonus miles for completing a refinance, mortgage, or home equity loan request with LendingTree.
Offer is unavailable to residents of the following states: AK, AL, IA, KS, LA, MO, MS, NJ, OK, OR, TN.
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Vegas Room Rates from $39 for OnePass Members
OnePass members can take advantage of specially discounted room rates at the Las Vegas Golden Nugget through May 31. Depending on stay dates, South Tower rooms are priced between $39 and $59. Discounted upgrades to better rooms are also on offer.
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Double, Triple Delta Miles for Latin America Flights
Through March 15, SkyMiles members can earn double miles for coach (Y,B,M,H,Q,K,L,U,T fares) or triple miles for business-class (J,C,D,S,I fares) flights to Latin America and Cape Town, South Africa. Eligible are nonstop or direct flights between Atlanta and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fortaleza, Brazil; Manaus, Brazil; Recife, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo, Brazil; or Tegucigalpa, Honduras; or between New York and Bogota, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; or Sao Paulo, Brazil.
In addition, SkyMiles members will earn 1,000 bonus miles for each qualifying ticket purchased and flown to the above destinations at delta.com during the promotional period.
Registration is required.
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Use Cash and Miles for Northwest Tickets
Probably for the last time before the Northwest program is consolidated into Delta's program, WorldPerks members can combine cash and miles for Northwest tickets. Prices vary by region, beginning at $119 plus 20,000 miles for domestic flights, or $578 and 20,000 miles for flights to Asia.
Tickets must be purchased at least 14 days prior to travel, but no later than February 16, for travel between January 6 and March 6.
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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com
1) Sale Fares on Southwest From $49 Each Way
Southwest has announced a winter and spring domestic sale with fares starting at $49 one-way or $98 round-trip. Cities include Chicago, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and Seattle.
Travel is valid from January 27 through May 20. Book by February 19, 11:59 PM CT.
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2) Europe Spring Sale Fares on United From $426
Spring flights to Europe are on sale from United through Thursday. Fares start at $426 round-trip, and Munich, Vienna, and Zurich are included.
Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays from February 3 through April 2. Book by January 29, 11:59 PM ET.
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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.
Westin/Starwood RIPOFF?
"OK - 75 cents isn't much but I'm still angry about the EXTREMELY small print on my San Diego Westin Gaslamp door key holder which says: "If you wish to call the front desk and pre-refuse USA Today delivery, a $.75 credit will be placed on your bill." Tacky Westin, very tacky.
"I'm paying $289.00 for a room and you want to steal 75 cents? This 'hidden charge' smacks of the scams which Hilton and others tried unsuccessfully about 5 years ago by adding unadvertised 'resort fees' to room charges - even though we business travelers rarely used the 'spa.' 75 cents may not be much but the 'scam attitude' is enough for me to avoid both Westins and the entire Starwood fleet. Room was too small to justify the $289 anyway." [Lawrence L.]
More on Foreign Programs
"Thank you Jeff S. for your comments on the foreign airline program which I made [in a previous newsletter].
"Being a frequent flyer on Virgin Atlantic, I have found that they are more helpful in trying to get a frequent flyer seat and their program also more generous than most. I find that flying an international airline is more civil than on the domestic airlines.
"Unlike many horror stories I have read about the treatment one gets on the American carriers when being stuck on the tarmac due to a problem, I can only say that the care and treatment we got on Virgin Atlantic on my last flight in Oct. when we were stuck due to some mechanical problem was nothing less than tremendous. The captain kept us apprised of all the progress that was going on, the flight crew came around with orange juice and water and we were allowed out of our seats and able to wander the entire plane in all classes and if we wanted a snack all we had to do was ask. We were also able to go to the open door to get a breath of air.
"We were stuck on the ground for 3 hours. No one complained, we all started interacting with each other and the crew interacted with us. It made the 3 hours extremely tolerable and it went relatively quickly because we had the freedom to move around and we weren't left without food or drink.
"The American air carriers could learn a thing or two from Virgin Atlantic as to how to treat the traveler considering that we the passengers are who keep these airlines going.
"Virgin Atlantic is a first rate airline and for all the negatives being heaped upon the airline industry today, Sir Richard Branson has kept to his principles and because of that he has been able to keep loyal travelers. Their frequent flyer program that they have is more generous than most and offering various ways in which one can use their miles.
"It is my hope that this weekly bulletin will be kind enough to start to let us know not only about Virgin Atlantic's frequent flyer program, but that of other foreign carriers as well especially since some of the domestic programs can be used on foreign airlines. I.E. Continental miles can be used on Virgin, American miles can be used on British Air, etc." [Tania M.]
Link to New Airport
"I enjoy your newsletter and your airport directory is a helpful tool, but would be more helpful to me with my home airport. Please add the link to Myrtle Beach airport to your list." [Mary Ann B.]
Until next week...
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