UP FRONT..........................................................

Notice of Upcoming Format Change
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This newsletter has been published in text-only format since its inception, in 1998. In its day, that was the preferred lowest-common-denominator format, allowing the maximum number of subscribers to view the Crier with the most ease and maximum legibility.

Over the past 7 years, technology has advanced considerably, and the expectations of Internet users have escalated accordingly. The new standard format for e-mail newsletters is HTML (hypertext markup language, the coding language used to produce websites).

Beginning next month, we will adopt that standard and begin publishing the Crier in HTML format.

While the new format will support graphics -- making it possible to produce newsletters that look more like webpages than typewritten sheets -- you can rest assured that we have no intention of bombarding you with splashy photos or rainbow-colored fonts. Rather, we will use HTML's capabilities to produce a newsletter which is simple, clean and, above all else, easy to read. The Crier has always been about content; that won't change.

What do you have to do? Nothing. If all goes as planned, you will receive the first issue published in the new format on Mar. 2. We anticipate a seamless transition, and hope you're happy with the change.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the upcoming format change, please e-mail me at publisher@frequentflier.com.

Heard on National Public Radio's Car Talk
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Question: "What's the difference between an airline pilot and a pizza?"

Answer: "A pizza can feed a family of 4."

ON SITE...........................................................

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, nancy raises this question: "Has anyone had experience transferring miles from a deceased family member's UAL Mileage Plus account to their own UAL account without having to pay UAL's fee? It seems unfair that they impose a fee to do this."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, members weigh in on the value of United's bonus-mile offer for joining Ameniti.

In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, mselway000 raises an interesting variant of the recurring mileage-conversion question: "Has anyone figured out a clever way to get airline miles converted to Marriott Rewards points (and no, I'm not looking to convert them through some 3rd party like Points.com)?"

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

More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php

MILES & POINTS....................................................

For Valentine's Day, Bouquets of Bonus Miles
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With Valentine's Day less than a week away, the annual bonus-miles-for-flowers fest is in full swing with most programs' online florist partners offering extra miles for flowers and other gift items.

A sampling:

Alaska - Through Feb. 14, Mileage Plan members can earn 15 miles per $1 spent on flowers, chocolates or candles from FTD.COM. Details are at http://alaskaair.com/as/www2/Promo/FTD-valentines.asp.

American - Through Feb. 28, AAdvantage members can earn 15 miles per $1 spent at 1-800-FLOWERS. Call 1-800-FLOWERS (1-800-356-9377) or visit http://ww1.1800flowers.com/flowers/welcome.asp and cite promotion code AA11.

Continental - Continental's partner, Teleflora, is offering 600 OnePass miles for a $34.95 order and 100 miles for each additional $10 spent. Also on offer: 200 bonus miles for ordering Teleflora's Big Red Bouquet for Valentine's Day. Visit http://continental.com/onepass/earn/shopping/default.asp, promotion code BIGRED.

Delta - Through Feb. 15, SkyMiles members will earn double miles -- 20 instead of the normal 10 -- for every $1 spent at FTD.com. Order via http://www.FTD.COM/deltadouble or by calling 1-800-SEND-FTD, promotion code 10472.

United - Earn 10 miles for every $1 spent on organic flowers at OrganicBouquet.com. Plus, receive a free vase and chocolate heart with the purchase of one dozen roses. Begin shopping at http://organicbouquet.com/united/. Or earn double United miles at FTD.com through Feb. 15: http://www.ftd.com/united25/.

Check your preferred program if it wasn't mentioned above. Chances are good that they have comparable promotions in effect.

American Matches United's Double-Mile Offer
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Matching United's double-mile promo (see below), American is offering AAdvantage members double miles for roundtrips on American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection booked by Feb. 18 and completed between Feb. 8 and May 25. Offer applies to all published revenue fares, and may be earned an unlimited number of times.

Registration is required.

As we go to press, this offer is not on American's website, but members may register using promo code DBL05 at http://www.aa.com/ .

Amex Offers Awards Auction
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Blue from American Express card holders who are enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can bid their Membership Rewards points for a variety of lifestyle awards at the Blue PLAY auction site.

Auction items include spa vacations, shopping trips, sports experiences, etc.

Not a Blue card holder? Another Amex card tied to Membership Rewards can be linked to a Blue card, allowing the user to use their points for Blue PLAY auctions. Since Blue carries no annual fee, the only incremental cost would be the time and energy required to obtain the card and administrate the account.

More: http://www.americanexpress.com/blueplay

February Booking Bonus from Priority Club
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Priority Club Rewards members will earn bonus points for every hotel stay booked at priorityclub.com or any Priority Club Rewards Family of Brands website and completed during the month of February.

The bonus: 1,000 points for every qualifying stay at InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels, 500 points at Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites hotels.

The online booking bonus is in addition to the double points or miles offer in effect through Apr. 30.

More: http://www.priorityclub.com/points

United Doubles the Miles
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Mileage Plus members will earn double miles for roundtrips on United, United Express or Ted booked by Feb. 18 and completed between Feb. 4 and May 25. Offer applies to all published revenue fares, and may be earned an unlimited number of times.

Registration is required. Promotion code: MPD425.

More: http://www.united.com/offer/doublemiles

United Offers Miles-for-Pets
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Through May 27, Mileage Plus members will earn 1,200 bonus miles when their pets accompany them on at least 1 leg of their trips. Bonus may be earned twice during the promotion period.

Register for the offer at http://www.united.com/petmiles.

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com
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1) Independence Air's New West Coast Routes from $84

Low-fare airline Independence Air has announced a major West Coast expansion. Beginning this spring, Independence Air will fly between Washington, D.C. (Dulles), and Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle. Introductory prices range from $84 to $114 1-way (not including taxes and fees).

This is the second West Coast expansion the airline has announced in 2005. In March, Independence Air will also begin flying to Las Vegas.

Travel at the introductory prices is valid from May 1 (or Apr. 14 for San Diego) through June 30. Book tickets by Feb. 18.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8303

2) Worldwide Sale Fares on United from $158

Take advantage of United's "Winter Clearance Sale" and save on a flight worldwide this winter. Prices start at $158 roundtrip for domestic travel, and $256 roundtrip for international travel. Destinations include Beijing, Boston, London, Los Angeles, and more.

Domestic fares are valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through May 25. Book domestic tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Feb. 18. Fares require a 1-night minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days. Travel dates for international fares vary by route. Book international fares at least 7 days in advance, and by Feb. 21.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8312

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Win a Vacation from Gorp.com
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Enter Away.com's Trip of Your Choice Sweepstakes by June 30 for a chance to win a $4,500 vacation package from Gorp.com.

More: http://away.com/contest/contest-entry-form.tcl?domain=oi_contest

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

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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[The first 2 comments pertain to United's newly launched prepaid travel card, discussed in the previous edition of this newsletter.]

"I agree with all of your points (in concept) made in (last week's) Crier, although less confident that the market will be making 10% for us this year. At the same time, my earlier comments were more about the program concept than United's actual execution.

"I still think that a prepaid travel card can generate positive benefits for both an airline and its customers, albeit only if executed well. Also, with Dennis Cary running United's marketing and frequent flier program; I bet that there will be additional beneficial changes coming to United. If you recall, Cary was previously President of American's AAdvantage program, and he brings a lot of experience with him." (Glenn)

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"Re: Elite status from the first of the year

"If you are a UA frequent flyer, you will have the status. If not, UA will meet the status achieved on other carriers as a one time comp. Then keep flying the airline, achieve the elite status based on flights, and KEEP the $5,000 plus until needed. The only exception I can see would be for a relatively new flyer that want 1M status now. That would be very difficult to earn in a year!" (Lawton)

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"I lost almost 7,000 miles because I did not notice that they started posting on your credit card statement that you will have miles expiring. I noticed on my bill I was paying in January that I had 7,895 miles expiring 1/1/05. When I called them they said they had been posting them to warn me for the last 90 days! I never received a warning that they were going to start doing this.

"Do I have any recourse?" (Bob in Louisville, KY)

[Editor's Note - If they indeed warned you that the miles would expire, then you have no legal recourse. I would suggest contacting them again and requesting, politely, that the miles be reinstated. Keep escalating the request to higher-level personnel until they agree to make an exception. Failing which, there are other credit card options.]

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[The following 2 notes are in response to Mark's airport security experience, in last week's "Rants & Raves" section]

"A sss on the bottom of your boarding pass indicated "special security screening", and may be triggered randomly or if you have purchased your ticket within the 72 hours before the flight." (WE)

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"Isn't it just great I want every passenger on my flight patted down, prodded, poked, wanded, x-rayed and (so on)!

"Some people have a short memory as to what a few lunatics can do with box cutters. Keep up the good work TSA, in fact lets have more of it." (Robert in the UK)

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"I flew US Airways several times over the last 2 weeks (both the shuttle BOS-LGA-BOS and a vacation to Mexico (BOS-CUN CUN-CLT-BOS). I am (only) Silver Preferred with US Air so I can't upgrade until the day before my flight or be put on the "stand-by" list until then. I was upgraded from BOS to LGA but not on the return as first was full (I'm assuming with Gold and Chairman level people - I know I'm low in the pecking order). Not only was I upgraded both to and from Cancun but the friend traveling with me was as well! These were bargain tickets so I was pleasantly surprised. All flights were on time and the service was great (far from indifferent).

"As for the employees being demoralized... I specifically asked a couple of flight attendants their opinion and they feel that they have gone through the worst of it and that they are very hopeful and optimistic of US Air's future. I will continue to remain faithful to the airline that h! as taken good care of me over the years. I wish them luck." (Kathleen in Boston, MA)

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"I was just reading up on Aeroplan and though I'd throw my two bits in.

"I've been an Aeroplan member since 1993, and was a very frequent flyer several years ago. During my travels, I learned that presenting my Aeroplan card at airport check-in was a good idea in case the travel agent didn't pass-on that information to the airline during booking. And, as a second line of defense, I learned that approaching the counter at the boarding gate ensured that the frequent flyer number had been correctly recorded.

"Well, I did all these things on a flight in November 2003. Eventhough that was a full-fare ticket, AC never credited my account with the required Aeroplan miles. Few months later, I mailed-in my boarding pass and a copy of the e-ticket to Aeroplan, to have the mile credited retroactively. Aeroplan claims that it never received the letter!! Now, they claim that it's been more than 6 months since my flight and that they won't credit my account. I have all the supporting docs but they just don't care.

"This is yet another example of how bad Air Canada has become. How can they possibly gain loyalty of travelers - I for one will never again fly AC. There are better airline out there, that actually care about their customers. Money is hard to come by in this economy, and people have a choice. The recent introduction of booking fees, and their bull-shit tactics for cheating the travelers out of their points are a sure sign of an airline in trouble. It couldn't happen to a nicer airline." (Paul)

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"Choice Hotels has been "pumping" their Guest Priviledges program and points/miles earnings potentials all the time, even though there are very low mileage incentives, but sometimes a good point incentive.

"However, since I travel Internationally, whenever I stay at a Choice property outside the US and Canada, they earn zero points, zero miles, nothing. I've contacted Choice and I can't believe how lazy they are to implement International point earnings. You can redeem points to stay Internationally, but I mean really. Do they really think their program is "that good" to redeem Internationally, but unable to earn Internationally? What a bundle of miscommunication. They're lucky Econo Lodge hasn't been used in any Psycho movies." (Al from Boston)

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If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.

Until next week...