U P F R O N T
Travel-Industry Newsbites
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Late-breaking news...
> British Airways Cuts
British Airways this week announced that they will add 5,800 of their employees to the ranks of the unemployed. That's in addition to a 7,200-employee cut announced previously.
> United's Labor Woes Continue
United just can't seem to get it right when it comes to labor management.
United's mechanics -- who have not received a raise since 1994 -- voted this week to reject the company's most recent compensation offer, although it included a wage increase that would make United mechanics among the industry's best paid.
If the 2 sides cannot reach agreement in the next week, the mechanics could, in theory, strike. In practice, a strike is unlikely as Congress would almost surely intervene and impose a settlement under the Railway Labor Act.
It was United, remember, which last year acceded to demands from its pilots for "industry-leading" wages and benefits, precipitating a rash of counter-demands from other airlines' pilots, which in turn triggered salary demands from other airline labor groups.
Former American chief Bob Crandall once remarked that airline pricing would always reflect the dumbest decisions of the worst-managed carriers. The same could be said of airline wages. The difference: bad pricing decisions were good for consumers (low-priced tickets); bad salary decisions are bad for consumers (higher costs, which ultimately means higher prices).
> Qualiflyer Flounders
It was reported by Airwise that Europe's Qualiflyer alliance will be disbanded by its 7 member airlines. The alliance's core members were Swissair (bankrupt, but soon to be relaunched as Swiss) and Sabena (also bankrupt).
According to a representative of the Qualiflyer frequent flyer program, the mileage program will survive the unraveling of the alliance, although the participating airlines may well change.
> JetBlue Sets IPO
Bucking the bad-news trend, New York-based JetBlue will go public, selling enough shares to raise $125 million. A Forbes article endorses JetBlue's business model (a hipper, higher-service iteration of Southwest's) and recommends its stock. More impressively, the article gushes: "Flying JetBlue is downright pleasant." High praise indeed.
[Having done both, and having friends and associates in both worlds, I have to say: This is a much better time to be reporting on the travel industry than to be working in it.]
O N S I T E
New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Juli is searching for a way to earn 2,500 WorldPerks miles quickly (without flying). 1K in Seattle has good things to say about the Capital One mileage card. Miles for buying a car? Jim says "Yes," and provides a link. Hal checks in from Rome, where his hotel room overlooks St. Peter's. And much more...
Do you have mileage-related questions, answers, anecdotes?
Post them (and read others') on the FrequentFlier Forum.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
For United 1K Members: More Award Seats
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United is offering Mileage Plus 1K members a special allocation of Saver award seats solely for their use. So while capacity controls will remain in effect for Saver Awards (the restricted, lower-mile awards), 1K members will at least have a better chance of getting rewarded for their proven loyalty.
United has also followed in the footsteps of American, Delta and Northwest in eliminating blackout dates for award travel. We'll say it again: at best, "no blackout dates" simply obscures the fact that awards are capacity controlled and will not be available on high-demand travel days.
Northwest Offers Bonus for Internet Check-In
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Through May 31, 2002, Northwest is offering WorldPerks members a 1-time bonus of 2,000 miles for using the carrier's Internet check-in service at http://www.nwa.com, or for using one of its 260 E-Service Centers located in 41 airports throughout the U.S. The Self-Service Check-In Bonus offer also applies to Northwest customers who use a Continental Airlines eService Center to check-in for their Northwest flight.
Advance registration is required at http://www.nwa.com/offers/echeckin or by calling 1-888-808-8521 and entering extension 4487.
Check-In with ONESTOP to Earn 500 AAdvantage Miles
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Through June 30, 2002, domestic electronic-ticket passengers will be rewarded with 500 AAdvantage miles the first time they use ONESTOP Self-Service to check in, select a seat and obtain a boarding pass for an American flight.
ONESTOP is available in select American-served airports throughout the U.S. including Detroit, Hartford, Houston George Bush, Nashville, New York JFK, Seattle, Tulsa and Washington Reagan. For a complete list of airports, follow the link below.
> More...
Delta Vacation Packages Earn Bonus
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SkyMiles members now can earn 3,000 miles for every Delta Vacations package purchased. Or, if you prefer to use miles and get a discount, you can save up to $200 when redeeming miles toward the purchase of a Delta Vacations package of 3 nights or more. Both promotions are valid through June 30, 2002.
Delta Vacations offers leisure packages, including air, hotel, and ground transportation to more than 120 destinations, including Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Europe and the Caribbean.
> More...
American Eagle Offers Double Miles
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Through Apr. 30, 2002, American Eagle will offer double AAdvantage miles for newly launched nonstops between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, Phoenix and Oakland (beginning Feb. 5), and between San Jose and Phoenix (from Mar. 2).
To qualify, you must travel on a purchased, published fare (excluding fares booked in V or N) and register prior to travel.
Fly Denver-Honolulu to Earn Mileage Plus Bonus
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Between now and May 31, 2002, Mileage Plus members can earn 1,500 bonus miles for each of up to 3 qualifying roundtrips on United's new weekend nonstop service between Denver and Honolulu.
Offer is valid on qualifying fares in F, Y, B, M, H and Q booking classes only. Valid only for residents of the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with tickets purchased in these locations.
You must register using promo code 215, either online or by calling 1-800-447-6772.
HHonors Adds Air China to Airline Partner Roster
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Members of Hilton HHonors may now earn 800 Air China Companion kilometers for every qualifying stay at participating Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites hotels. At Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, members earn 160 kilometers per stay.
With the HHonors Double Dip (hotel points and airline miles for the same stay), members earn Hilton HHonors hotel points in addition to Air China Companion kilometers.
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...
Southwest Resumes Systemwide Savings From $78 R/T
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Southwest Airlines has resumed its ongoing systemwide sale, with roundtrip fares between $78 and $238 now available for travel through Aug. 3. Purchase tickets online only and by Thursday, Feb. 28.
> More...
Airfare, Car, and 6 Nights Lodging in Ireland From $499
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Sceptre Tours, Brian Moore International Tours, and CIE Tours International are offering all-inclusive vacation packages to Ireland starting at $499 for travel through Mar. 31.
> More...
S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S
From United: Nimmo Bay Auction & Sweepstakes
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Nimmo Bay is a wilderness resort in British Columbia. And Mileage Plus members can spend 4 nights there, either by bidding their miles (300,000-mile minimum bid) or by winning the Nimmo Bay sweepstakes.
To enter the sweepstakes, subscribe to any of 6 United e-mail communications. You will receive 1 entry for each e-mail you select. Deadline for entries: Apr. 11, 2002.
> More...
[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online at http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm.]
Until next week...
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