|
UP FRONT..........................................................
United Takes 2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back
.........................................
While United was successful in securing new contracts with pilots and flight attendants, the carrier's mechanics union has voted to reject management's latest contract proposal and, further, threatened to strike if salary and benefits cuts were imposed unilaterally.
There's also a contract standoff with the union representing baggage handlers, ramp workers and public contact workers. Their provisional agreement expires in Apr.
United's loss for 2004: $1.6 billion.
ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
..........................
As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
In the "Airline Programs" Forum, JFinSEA is evaluating a special offer from United: "United is offering me 25,000 MP miles to join Ameniti for $295 (per year). Amenti is their new travel club that offers 2 for 1 tickets for full fare purchase, CN Magazine, 2 passes to the RC Club, etc. Buying 25K miles costs around $700." (The 25K offer is apparently targeted. United is offering 10K bonus miles to the general public. See "Miles & Points" below.)
Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, andyorchid is open to airline recommendations: "My wife and I are planning a trip to New Zealand and Australia later this year, originating Miami. so we have the option of flying through Santiago on Lan Chile or via LAX on Air New Zealand or Qantas or Air Tahiti Nui."
In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, mrcheaps shares a tip for those who want to do good and do well. "Every Hilton HHonors member who registers online to participate in a Walk for Hope event will receive 5,000 Hilton HHonors points." Interested? Visit http://cityofhope.org/WalkforHope/incentive/hilton.htm for details.
And much more... Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Best Western Rebates $20 After 2 Stays
......................................
Members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club Int'l who stay at 2 different Best Western hotels in the U.S., Canada or Caribbean through Mar. 12 will receive a $20 travel card, which can be used to offset costs of future Best Western stays. An unlimited number of cards may be earned, provided the stays are at different properties.
Registration is required, either at the link below or by calling 1-800-WESTERN, promotion code Stay 2.
More: http://www.goldcrownclub.com/offers/tcstay2.asp
From Northwest: Mission for Miles Hotel Promo
.............................................
We reported on Northwest's Mission for Miles sweepstakes last week; this week, it's the Mission for Miles promotion.
WorldPerks members who stay at participating Hilton Family hotels, Marriott, InterContinental and Starwood hotels will earn a 25% bonus on the first and second stay, but only after completing the second stay; a 50% bonus on the first through third stays, after completing the third stay; and a 100% bonus on all stays, after completing 4 stays.
Registration is required.
More: http://clients.eprize.net/nwa/miles/index.tbapp
Northwest Pays Miles for Referrals
..................................
With Northwest's refer-a-friend offer, WorldPerks members can earn up to 20,000 bonus miles for referring as many as 5 friends who subsequently travel on Northwest or KLM.
Bonus miles are awarded when referred members purchase tickets and check in at Northwest's website, as well as when they actually travel, all by May 31.
Register (and refer friends) at http://www.nwa.com/offers/referafriend/.
Survey-Takers Earn 250 Priority Club Points
...........................................
Priority Club Rewards members who register and take an online survey by Mar. 15 will earn 250 bonus points.
More: http://www.priorityclubpromotion.com/surveys/
United Bundles Bonus with Ameniti Club
......................................
Through May 1, Mileage Plus members will receive 10,000 bonus miles when joining United's Ameniti Luxury Travel Club.
Membership costs $295 per year and affords a number of benefits, including a free companion ticket (when purchasing a full-fare ticket), automatic Gold status in the Starwood Preferred Guest program, subscription to Conde Nast Traveler magazine, 2 1-time airport lounge passes, etc.
More: http://www.mymileageplus.com/mmp/dstatial.show?isRef=main.partner.mmp
Closer Look: United's Mileage Plus Prepaid Travel Card
......................................................
In last week's Crier, we reported on United's new prepaid card, which went on sale yesterday. Since then we've had time to evaluate the product and, on reflection, find it to be of dubious value. Here's why:
1) Opportunity cost
A 5% discount on ticket prices is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick... but it must be compared to alternative returns-on-investment that could be obtained if the money were deployed elsewhere. The long-term average return on investments in the stock market is more than 10%, just to cite 1 example.
A 5% discount just isn't a sufficient reward for locking up prepayment amounts from $5,000 to $20,000.
2) Risk
Investment returns should compensate investors for risk. And the money paid for United's prepaid cards is at risk 2 ways.
First, United's future is by no means assured. So there's a chance, albeit a small one, that United won't be around to deliver the travel which has been purchased.
Second, and of more pressing concern, there's the risk of misjudging one's travel needs over a 12-month period and leaving non-refundable money on the table. The refund policy withholds 50% of any unused amount in excess of $250 as of Feb. 28, 2006.
Is a 5% discount a sufficient return to justify that risk?
3) Elite status
Finally, there's the value of elite status to factor in. (Card buyers receive Premier status for purchasing a $5,000 prepaid card, Premier Exec for $10,000, and 1K for $20,000 card.)
Of course, anyone spending the amounts in question would almost certainly earn elite status anyway, and higher levels than those offered as well. So the real benefit is achieving status up front, rather than later in the year. But wouldn't most travelers who will purchase $5,000 or more over the next year have done the same during the previous year? If so, they'd already have earned elite status for the current year, negating the "instant elite" offer.
For a more positive assessment of United's prepaid card, see Glenn's note in the "Rants & Raves" section below.
Wyndham Triples the Miles
.........................
Members of American AAdvantage and Delta SkyMiles can earn triple miles -- 1,500 instead of the normal 500 -- for qualifying stays at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Summerfield Suites between Jan. 31 and Mar. 31.
To earn the bonus, travelers must be members of the Wyndham ByRequest program and designate American or Delta as their preferred airline for mileage-earning.
More: http://wyndham.com/specialoffers/special_offers/details/DeltaMedallion/main.wnt
FREQUENTFLIER FITNESS.............................................
Walking Your Way to Fitness (Part 1 of 3)
.........................................
Provided by Healthy Travel Network (www.healthytravelnetwork.com)
Walking is a wonderfully easy way to maintain your fitness while you're on the road. I like it for a variety of reasons:
-- Walking for 30 minutes at a 4 mph pace burns about 100 calories per 100 pounds of body weight. Not too shabby!
-- It's easier on the joints than running, and easier to fit into a busy travel schedule.
-- When it's cold out, I don't mind walking while bundled up.
-- When it's hot out, you can walk without getting as sweaty as running, hopefully negating the need find time for a second shower.
-- You can multi-task while walking, which is tough with other forms of exercise. (Check out http://www.healthytravelnetwork.com/ for ideas.)
Consider getting a pedometer and targeting 10,000 steps per day. You'll find plenty of pedometer choices for under $20 at your local sporting goods store or on the Internet.
Next month, I'll share some ideas for how you can achieve your 10,000 steps goal, and we'll wrap up in April with recommended "do's and don'ts."
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com
................................
1) Caribbean Sale on United from $286
Save on a flight to Aruba, the Dominican Republic, or Jamaica with United's winter and spring sale. Prices start at $286 roundtrip, and departures are available from the Northeast and Midwest.
Travel at the lowest prices is valid on Mondays through Thursdays through Apr. 30. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Apr. 21. Fares require a 3-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.
More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8261
2) Caribbean Sale Fares on Air Jamaica from $309
If you're considering a winter trip to Barbados, Jamaica, or St. Lucia, you might be interested in Air Jamaica's Caribbean sale. Prices start at $309 roundtrip, and departures are available from both coasts.
Travel at the lowest prices is valid on Mondays through Thursdays through Mar. 17. Book tickets at least 3 days in advance, and by Feb. 10. Fares require a 2-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.
More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8252
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Win a 7-Night Cruise for 12 from Royal Caribbean
................................................
Enter Royal Caribbean's Family Cruise Sweepstakes by Feb. 28 for a chance to win 1 of 3 grand prizes (7-night cruise vacations for 12 to the Caribbean, Alaska or Europe) and 3 first prizes (7-night Caribbean cruises for 4).
[Hint: turn down the volume on your computer speaker before accessing the below link.]
More: https://promotion.royalcaribbean.com/fs04/en/landingpage.asp?sweep
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
......................................
"I tend to think there's a lot of promise in United's pre-paid travel card.
"First, passengers get the benefits of elite level flying at the start of the year, rather than at the end.
"Second, there's a lot of precedent with getting a discount in return for committing to a certain level of spending. Personally, I get DSL for $27 instead of the 'rack rate' $40 per month, but I have a one year contract with a $200 cancellation penalty; where this penalty exceeds my savings of $13 per month or $146 per year.
"Third, I would guess that United could scale this product up to small businesses and save a bunch of money over a more formal corporate sales program.
"On another note, I may have been the only one to catch the irony of this, but JetBlue's Chairman and CEO David Neeleman stated in his 4Q 2004 earning's press release yesterday that the quarter was "very tough" on account of "continued high fuel prices and *weak yields*." Someone should clue him in that his airline has been leading the fare wars with $85 one way transcon fares.
"As always, nice job on the Flier Crier. I enjoy reading it." (Glenn)
.........../
"The only part of your statement you made about US Airways customers and employees, might only pertain to the employees who have gone through a lot.
"I have had nothing but polite service from these employees. My flights have been on time weather permitting, and the prices overall have been competitive.
"I see prices offered by so called Low Fare Airlines but if you go to the web and try to book them you get much higher prices equal to or higher than US Airways. You have to really look close to see if these so called airlines offer really discounted fairs or use their ads to offer cheap fairs to the first people who might call. I will admit that you can get a lesser fare on bookings with less lead time." (Timeflir)
.........../
"With regard to the yield-management story about reward travel seats: It's interesting to note that Southwest Airlines still doesn't use this practice. They keep extending the date through which they guarantee that reward travelers have the same access to seats as walk-up full fare customers (currently January 1, 2006). (Blackout dates apply for holidays, but those are publicized well ahead; otherwise it's full access).
"Yet another reason Southwest's frequent flier program is so popular." (Kevin in Baton Rouge, LA)
.........../
"Last week while flying out of Winnipeg I was violated, OK, subjected to invasive selective screening, wanded and patted down even though I didn't set off the alarm, bags thoroughly hand searched, etc. I know this comes from the TSA, but does anyone know what the boarding pass code is for Northwest that shows the screener you have been chosen? I would like to know it's coming next time." (Mark in GRR)
.........../
If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
Until next week...
|
