US Air Bails; Delta Exhales

US Airways called off its hostile takeover move on Delta earlier today, delaying at least for the time being the wave of airline consolidation many industry-watchers have been expecting. The about face follows a decision by Delta's creditor committee to reject the US Airways offer.

Delta partisans, who dreaded the unwanted reinvention of their full-service airline in US Airways' discounter image, can breath a sigh of relief. But Delta's future as a stand-alone business is by no means assured. A Delta-Northwest marriage has always seemed like a natural combination, and might be pursued after both Delta and Northwest exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection later this year.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, FlyGuy poses a question that has been known to baffle rocket scientists: "Why do fares typically rise astronomically as departure time nears? Obviously, I'm no industry analyst, but I am curious (with news of financial woes) why an airline will sell a seat for, say, $189 one month before departure, then $650 the day before departure, with the inherent risk of not selling the seat at all due to the high price."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, QF WP has updated his helpful listing of Priority Club promotions.

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Bonus ATA Points for Lending Tree Loans

Members of ATA's Travel Awards program will earn an extra 1,000 points after closing a refinance, mortgage or home equity loan with Lending Tree by March 31.

To qualify for the bonus, use reservation code ATA3-10.

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Choice Triples the Rewards

Between February 1 and April 30, members of Choice Privileges will earn triple points or airline miles for their second and subsequent stays at Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites or MainStay Suites hotels in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico.

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Faster Hyatt Elite Status

Through March 31, Hyatt Gold Passport members will earn double credit toward achieving elite status for eligible stays at Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites.

Registration is required.

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Midwest Discounts Award Tickets

Midwest Miles members can redeem 5,000 fewer miles -- 20,000 instead of the normal 25,000 miles -- for award tickets between Milwaukee and Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., and between Kansas City and Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.

Discounted award travel must be booked by February 14 and travel must be completed by March 31.

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Starwood Bonus for West Coast, Canada Stays

Through April 30, Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn up to 6,000 bonus points for stays at participating hotels on the West Coast and in Canada. Members earn 1,000 bonus Starpoints for the first stay, 2,000 for the second, and 3,000 for the third, for a total of 6,000 bonus points.

Registration is required.

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Double Points for TripRewards Stays

Between January 25 and May 10, Trip Rewards members can earn double points or airline miles for stays at participating TripRewards hotels in the U.S. and Canada completed by June 10.

The bonus may be earned up to four times during the promotion period. Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Hawaii fares on Hawaiian from $258

Flights to Oahu and Maui are on sale from Hawaiian. Prices start at $258 roundtrip for travel through mid-March.

Travel is valid through March 14. Hawaiian has not listed a booking deadline.

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2) West Coast fares on United from $88

United's new West Coast sale competes with a similar offer from Alaska. Destinations include Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle, and prices start at $88 roundtrip.

Travel is valid daily through March 10. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by February 12.

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Win a 7-day Windjammer Cruise

Enter Santa Fe Packing Company's "Windjammer Barefoot Cruise" sweepstakes by February 28 for a chance to win a seven-day Windjammer cruise for up to 4 people, including air transportation. Other prizes include DVD players and DVDs.

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[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I'm as concerned as others about the ongoing reductions in the value of mileage programs, but recently I detect a certain bias against US Airways ('stingy' 'cut-rate persona') that causes me to question your objectivity. Yes, they have reduced their expiration period, as have other airlines, but have they distinguished themselves by having programs worse than Southwest or AirTran or other discounters? US Airways has made a decision to compete as a low-fare carrier, but still offers multi-class cabins and at least a few other perks. Lighten up on them! Or will you diss all the low-fare carriers for not providing the 'full service' they never intended or claimed to provide? Is the harsh language because US Airways used to be a different type of carrier? Do any of us think Delta can emerge from bankruptcy with all its perks intact?

"I do enjoy and benefit from the newsletter, thanks." [Phil W.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - If we've been hard on US Airways, it likely reflects their recent penchant for over-promising and under-delivering. This goes back to America West's unique ability, before the merger with US Airways, to pretty successfully deliver on the promise of being a discount carrier with full-service benefits. But the merger itself, dogged by a host of operational glitches, proved to be a painful episode for many customers of the two airlines. And the "new" US Airways so far hasn't managed to recapture the best of either America West or US Airways.]

"In the FrequentFlier Crier for Jan. 24, you wrote:

"But the claim that the new policy will make it easier for active program members to redeem their miles? Questionable at best, laughable at worst."

"My first thought was that this change would probably make things worse for a while, as people like me who are occasional United flyers scramble to find some way to redeem miles for a ticket. I have about 140K miles accumulated over many years, many through dining and hotel promos, and I certainly don't want to lose them.

"Sigh." [Michael M. - San Francisco, CA]

"I have recently been told that if you cancel a United Visa card before you use the miles that it has accrued they WILL remove those miles from one's account! This is a new policy." [Susie M.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - According to United, credit card miles, once credited to a Mileage Plus account, are just like any other miles and don't expire if the credit card is cancelled.]

"What about United Airlines Visa card now giving you 'choices' not miles. Would these be lost if card was cancelled?"[F.F.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - See above.]

Until next week...