U P F R O N T
Talking Heads 'R' Us
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If your cable-TV service includes the Fine Living channel, I'll be pontificating about frequent flyer programs on their "Tricks of the Trade" program.
The show repeats several times during the rest of this week, as follows:
Thurs.: 4:30 p.m., 11 p.m.
Fri.: 11:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m.
Sat.: 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.
O N S I T E
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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Following our server upgrade and some code tweaks, the FrequentFlier Forum is again up and running smoothly.
Questions, answers, comments? Post them to the Forum!
> More...
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Tax Season = Mileage Opportunities
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Miles-for-taxes offers are on the table again this year. Here's a recap:
Credit Card Payments
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As in previous years, taxpayers can make tax payments through either of 2 companies authorized by the IRS to make collections on their behalf, Official Payments (http://www.officialpayments.com, 1-877-754-4413) or Link2Gov (http://www.PAY1040.com, 1-888-658-5465).
The "convenience fee" (2.49% of the payment amount) remains in effect, so you're paying 2.5¢ per mile by charging payments to a card which earns the industry-standard 1 mile per $1 in spend.
In the case of the following double-mile offers, charging tax payments generates 2 miles for every $1 spent, halving the cost-per-mile to 1.25¢.
> Delta SkyMiles
SkyMiles members who use their SkyMiles credit cards to pay 2002 individual federal income taxes at Official Payments will earn 2 miles for every eligible dollar charged between Feb. 15 and Apr. 15, 2003.
The offer is available to classic, Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles cardholders only, and is limited to 30,000 miles for classic, 60,000 for Gold, and 100,000 for Platinum cardholders.
> More...
> United Mileage Plus
Members of United's Mileage Plus will earn double miles for tax payments made at Official Payments with their Mileage Plus Visa cards from Mar. 1 through Apr. 30, 2003. Where Delta offers double miles only for Federal taxes, United's offer extends to State income taxes as well.
Charges on the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card do not earn double miles.
> More...
> Starwood Preferred Guest
At press time, we're hearing from SPG members who have been offered double Starwood points for tax payments charged to the Starwood credit card (issued by Amex, as is Delta's) between Mar. 15 and Apr. 15, up to the first $4,000. We should have full details by next week's Crier.
Tax-Prep Miles
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H&R Block is offering miles or points for tax prep through the programs of America West, Best Western and Priority Club. For specifics, follow these links:
Alaska Says "Hello" to AT&T Wireless
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Alaska Mileage Plan members who sign up for eligible AT&T wireless plans will earn 5,000 bonus miles plus free phone shipping.
Offer requires new activation, credit approval, minimum 1-year contract, activation fee.
> More...
SuperShuttle Awards America West Miles
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America West FlightFund members can now earn miles for SuperShuttle services, as follows: 50 miles in each direction when using SuperShuttle's "Blue Van" airport ground transportation; 150 miles in each direction when using ExecuCar, SuperShuttle's private sedan service.
To earn miles, SuperShuttle reservations must be made online at http://www.supershuttle.com.
From America West: FlightFund Discount Deals
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AWA's new Discount Deals program offers FlightFund members discounts at 7 participating organizations: Arizona Opera, Arizona Science Center, Ballet Arizona, Arizona Theatre Company, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Phoenix Symphony and the Discovery Children's Museum (Las Vegas).
> More...
Drive a Jag, Earn BA Miles
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Test drive a new 2003 Jaguar X-Type through Feb. 25 to receive 10,000 Executive Club miles. Purchase an X-TYPE through March 12 and receive an additional 80,000 miles.
> More...
CO Offers 10K Bonus for Jamaica Packages
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Continental Vacations is offering 10,000 bonus OnePass miles for Jamaica vacation packages of 5 nights or more, booked by Mar. 15 for travel by Mar. 31.
Use promo code MBJ1PASS at the time of booking.
> More...
Crowne Plaza's Ultimate Golf Giveaway
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If personalized golf balls are your idea of the cat's meow, Priority Club Rewards has a deal for you.
Stay twice at participating Crowne Plazas before Mar. 15 to receive the aforementioned box of personalized golf balls ("with the Tungsten Energy core for ultimate distance and spin"); stay 4 times and get a Top-Flite putter; and so on up to 35 stays, worth $2,000 in greens fees.
For details and to register, go here.
Midwest Express Promises "Exciting Changes"
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The latest Midwest Express e-missive to Frequent Flyer members includes the following: "You'll be pleased to hear we are launching a new and improved frequent flyer program this year... We've redesigned our program to build on those aspects of our current program you most appreciate, and have added benefits and partners you've requested."
Pardon my cynicism, but I can't remember the last time that such promises were anything other than code for "We're adding restrictions, increasing fees and award levels, and generally devaluing the program."
Further details will be released in late Feb. Cross your fingers and hope for the best (but plan for the worst).
Earn United Miles-for-Dining Bonus
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Between Feb. 1 and Apr. 30, Mileage Plus members who participate in iDine can earn up to 1,000 bonus miles for multiple visits to participating restaurants.
Three visits earn 250 bonus miles, 5 earn 500, and 7 earn 1,000.
Registration 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...
London from anywhere in the U.S. for $198 R/T
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It's not unusual to see $198 round-trip fares to London from the East Coast at this time of year. But British Airways has announced a 3-day sale, offering the same fare from every U.S. city it flies from. You can also travel to 40 other European destinations for as low as $296 roundtrip. These are great fares from any city, but the best values are from the western U.S.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance and by Thursday, Feb. 13.
> More...
Winter flights to/from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from $68 R/T
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Take a vacation to Los Angeles or go hiking in the mountains of Calgary, and save with Alaska's sale fares to/from the western U.S. and Canada for travel through June 20. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance and by Thursday, Feb. 20.
Alaska is also offering sale fares to Mexico for the same travel period. Fares to/from Mexico require a 7-day advance purchase.
> More...
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
United's Hawaii Winter Getaway Sweepstakes
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Enter the Hawaii Getaway sweeps to win a 5-night Hawaii package for 2, including first-class air, hotel accommodations at Hilton Hawaiian Village or Hilton Waikoloa Village, and car rental.
Open to residents of the United States and Canada, age 18 and older. Limit: 1 entry per person per day, through Apr. 30.
Follow the links from http://www.united.com/specialdeals.
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 agree with Michael in the Jan 30. edition of Frequent Crier. If an airline does something you like, let them know in writing, referring to an employee by name if possible.
"The several times I have complimented an airline for service above and beyond, I have received positive responses very quickly. One airline (not Delta) actually sent me a free roundtrip upgrade and a couple of drink passes! Yes, I'm loyal to AirTran.
"I live in Atlanta and fly AirTran and Delta. Unfortunately, I will be giving up my 7 year Medallion status due to Delta's greedy changes in rules. What really ticks me off about the Delta changes is that they CHOOSE to offer the low fares in competition with AirTran and others, but penalize the person who has to fly to that market by giving them fewer benefits.
"I strongly believe that Delta could refuse to offer the lowest fares in a market, give a little more leg room, meal service and other amenities, and maintain a somewhat higher fare structure. Look at Midwest Express. They are currently struggling, but so is every airline - yet ME provides excellent value for a reasonable (not low) fare.
"So now I'll be flying AirTran most of the time and accruing their liberal FF benefits. I have found service at AirTran to outweigh any of the technological advantages of Delta. And I actually like the smaller aircraft - competing with fewer passengers for any kind of service.
"One other thing. I found on my LAST Delta flight, that they have actually removed 6 seats from each of their Boeing 737-800's. Not to make more precious leg room, but so they can meet new FAA regs for minimum flight attendant staffing. With those six extra seats, they would have to put one more person on each flight for service. Instead of giving us extra leg room (at least for now) there's an open space in the back of the cabin by the galley."
- Bob S.
Until next week...
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