U P F R O N T

FrequentFlier.com Server Upgrade
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Over the past week, we moved the FrequentFlier.com website to a new server. As a result, you may have found the site offline altogether, or operating erratically (broken links, server-error messages, etc.).

After a few hectic days of code-tweaking and hand-wringing, the site is back up and running smoothly.

If you have the FrequentFlier Forum bookmarked, you'll want to change the URL to http://frequentflier.com/forum/index.cgi.

B-A-A-A-A-A-D D O G G I E

In the Doghouse: US Airways
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There was a time when airline mileage promotions were widely communicated and available to all, without registering.

Consider those the Good Old Days, gone but not forgotten. Today, consumers must be ever-wary of the promotions' fine print, which restricts eligibility in manifold ways.

Among the more common variants: offers which are widely publicized and available to everyone, but more often than not requiring pre-registration; offers which are narrowly publicized, but still available to everyone, sometimes with, sometimes without registering; and offers which are narrowly publicized, available only to targeted offer recipients.

It's complicated, and the airlines don't always do their part in clearly communicating the restrictions.

Case in point: the current US Airways double/triple miles promotion, reported in last week's Crier.

It turns out that this was a targeted offer. I.e., Dividend Miles members whose accounts have not been tagged will not receive the bonus, even if they register for it.

Shame on US Airways for NOT making it clear that this offer can only be earned by those specifically targeted to receive it. They know full well that consumers share information about good deals with friends and family. And the media (including FrequentFlier.com) do the same.

In this case, having failed to adequately communicate the restriction, US Airways should honor the mileage claims of everyone who registers and fulfills the offer's other requirements.

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

Air Canada Sells Stake in Aeroplan
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Historically, when airlines find themselves in trouble financially, they shift into sell, sell, sell mode.

Remember Pan Am? Over the course of its long, slow spiral into oblivion, the once-proud U.S. flag carrier put up for sale everything it could to stave off liquidation.

Sold: the Pan Am building, once a New York City landmark (now sporting the MetLife logo). Sold: the InterContinental hotel chain. Sold: Pan Am's Asia-Pacific route network (purchased by United).

In what may be the beginning of a trickle of "sell thyself" activity among the ailing North America carriers, Air Canada will sell 35% of its Aeroplan frequent flyer program for $161 million to Onex, a Toronto-based conglomerate.

The sale of an equity stake in an airline mileage program is an industry first. And it is both reassuring and worrisome.

In the short term, the cash infusion represents both a vote of confidence in the program's future and a substantial investment in its growth and further development.

Beyond the program's survival, there's the question of exactly what form its future development will take. According to executives speaking on behalf of Air Canada and Onex, the investment will fund Aeroplan's continuing evolution from a frequent flyer program into a frequent buyer program. In other words, the program will add more -- many more -- retail partners. That means more opportunities to earn miles. But it also means more demand for awards, and begs the question: Will Air Canada make sufficient extra award seats available to accommodate the growth in demand for them, as more members earn more miles for more transactions?

AWA Offers Elite-Qualifying Bonus
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FlightFund members can earn 5,000 elite-qualifying miles by meeting all 3 of the following conditions by Apr. 15.

1. Fly 4 roundtrips on America West. Tickets must be purchased online at americawest.com.

2. Earn miles for 3 transactions with 1 or more of FlightFund's hotel or car partners.

3. Sign-up with any 2 of the following FlightFund partners: FlightFund Visa Credit Card, Visa Business Card, or Visa Check Card; Sprint; EarthLink Internet Access; PeopleFirst.com; H&R Block; America West Club membership or renewal; SuperShuttle or ExecuCar; Nationwide Advantage Mortgage (effective 02/03).

Registration is required.

> More...

Shop at ShopRite for OnePass Miles
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OnePass members can earn miles at 209 ShopRite grocery stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware, through July 19.

You'll have to spend at least $500 to earn miles. When that threshold is reached, members earn 1 mile per additional $2 spent, and they'll be credited with 250 miles for the first $500 in purchases.

To participate, enroll both your Price Plus club card and OnePass number at http://www.shoprite.com or in a ShopRite store.

> More...

Bid OnePass Miles for GRAMMY Tickets
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Want to attend the 45th annual GRAMMY awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 23?

Got OnePass miles?

If you answered "yes" to both questions, bid your miles at the OnePass Online Auction for the GRAMMY Awards package including tickets to pre- and post-GRAMMY receptions and the awards ceremony itself.

The last day to bid is Feb. 14. Current bid as we go to press: 305,000 miles.

> More...

Miles for Domain-Name Registrations
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NetworkSolutions, the largest provider of domain-name registration services, now offers frequent flyer miles in the programs of American, Delta, United or US Airways.

Receive 1,000 bonus miles for new domain name registrations of 3 years or more; domain name registration renewals of 5 years or more; domain name registrations transferred to NetworkSolutions for 3 years or more; selected other NetworkSolutions services.

(I just re-registered the FrequentFlier.com and FrequentFlierCrier.com domains, earning 2,000 miles in the process. Poetic justice!)

> More...

United Offers Bonus for Denver Flights
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Between Feb. 1 and Mar. 31, Mileage Plus members will earn 1,000 bonus miles for qualifying United or United Express roundtrips between Denver and the following: Atlanta, Austin, Billings, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Madison, Moline, Oklahoma City, Pasco, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Spokane, Tulsa, Washington Dulles, and Winnipeg, in first class and selected coach fares.

Bonus may be earned a maximum of 3 times per route. Registration is required.

> More...

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...

Valentine's Day in Europe from $188 R/T
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With Valentine's Day approaching, time's running out to plan a romantic trip to Europe. American and Northwest are making it easier with roundtrip sale fares for selected dates in Feb. starting under $200.

American's sale fares are for departure through February 28, with return by Mar. 5. Book tickets online only, at least 3 days in advance, and by Monday, Feb. 3.

Northwest's fares are valid for travel from Feb. 7 through 23. Book tickets online only and by Friday, Feb. 14. A 7-day advance purchase is required.

> More...

Fares to/from the East and Southeast from $98 R/T
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The largest U.S. airlines are trying harder than ever to keep up with profitable companies like AirTran and Southwest. Delta has matched AirTran's latest systemwide sale for travel to/from Atlanta, and just announced that it will start up its own low-fare carrier, "Song," on the East Coast.

AirTran's latest promotion is valid throughout its system, including to/from Florida, for travel through June 11. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance and by Tuesday, Feb. 11. Other airlines have matched this sale where they offer competing service.

> More...

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

This Week's E-mail Bag
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"I am writing to thank you.

"I have been receiving your newsletter for quite some time now. I don't always have time to look at it. But, if I am looking for travel opportunities, I take the time to read it thoroughly.

"I have found it to be very useful. I believe it has also saved me a lot of time, money, and potentially missed frequent flier points. Two examples follow:

"I recently read about United's double mile offer and was able to book with them and gain 18,000 additional miles by registering for a promotion that I heard about only on your site.

"Today, I found the site Hotel Wiz in your newsletter and located a hotel in Auckland that I have stayed at before at a very reasonable rate. I had been looking, but could not find this hotel listed on several of the "big name" airline/hotel travel sites.

"So, I figure everyone gets complaints and it was about time I remembered to say thanks for the great job you folks are doing."

- Bruce

"I have known instances of airlines being nasty and doing power trips--creating no-win options in terms of frequent flyer rewards. However, in the times we are living, I think we need to encourage people to fly and to support our airlines. Your tone regarding the code share of Continental, Northwest, and Delta painted them as enemies to all, including their employees.

"I am a Silver Elite with Continental and I find them most gracious, e.g., for reward travel including changes. I understand CO has just renegotiated labor contracts to everyone's satisfaction. I do not know about Delta and NWA. I am not a stock holder in any of these airlines. Bottom line: I think we need to praise the positive efforts and be careful of a harsh or negative attitude. This is your bread and butter also. I want them to survive for the sake of their employees and also to take advantage of the frequent flyer miles I have acquired."

- Michael

Until next week...