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UP FRONT..........................................................
Upcoming Format Change (continued)
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As announced in last week's issue, we will be changing the format of this newsletter in March from text-only to HTML.
My thanks to everyone for their feedback on the change. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Not surprising, given the number of requests we've received over the past few years to make the change.
But several subscribers expressed concerns, principally concerning spam and viruses. We've addressed those issues, and provided further general information on the format change, at http://frequentflier.com/formatchange.htm.
Look for the first HTML issue the week after next. In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the new format, please e-mail me at publisher@frequentflier.com.
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, skbhav is having problems redeeming Delta miles for award travel to Mumbai (Bombay): "... any ideas which are the best times of the year to successfully redeem Delta SkyMiles, on this very busy sector?"
Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, ncvet61 responded to shortysnh's complaint about the lack of free wireless access in Northwest's airport lounges with the following advice: "Most of the clubs use wireless... why not just sit outside the club within 300' and piggyback off their wireless? It won't help with fax, but anything helps."
In the "Contests & Sweepstakes" Forum, Ronald has posted a slew of links to assorted sweeps with prizes ranging from free White Castle burgers to trips.
And much more... Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Double Alaska Miles on LAX-Loreto Flights
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Between Feb. 17 and Mar. 31, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will earn double miles on new twice-weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles and Loreto, Mexico.
Registration is required.
More: http://alaskaair.com
Am West Miles Now for Bill Me Later Buys
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Effective immediately, America West FlightFund members can earn 1 mile per $1 spent when purchasing tickets on the America West website and selecting the Bill Me Later payment option. To sweeten the deal, members will also earn 1,000 elite-qualifying miles for the first purchase between Feb. 3 and May 2.
Bill Me Later is a deferred payment service, allowing consumers to postpone paying for 90 days, "which means customers can buy their tickets for travel now, take the trip and not worry about paying for it until June 2005." Payments deferred beyond 90 days incur finance fees (like a credit card's) at a 17.99% annual percentage rate.
More: http://www.americawest.com/specials/sp_billmelater.htm
AirTran Doubles Credits for BWI Flights
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AirTran is offering double credits to A+ Rewards members for all travel booked at http://www.airtran.com to/from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) between Feb. 14 and Mar. 31.
More: http://www.aplusrewards.com
Choice Offers Bonus for Canada Stays
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Between Feb. 1 and Apr. 30, Choice Hotels Canada is offering Choice Club Plus, Aeroplan and associated airline members triple points or miles for stays at Canadian Choice hotels booked on the Choice website and double points or miles for stays booked in person or by phone.
The Choice network in Canada includes 280 properties under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, Quality, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands.
More: http://www.choicehotels.ca/hotels/aeroplan.htm
Triple Miles for New Frontier Sign-ups
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Throughout Feb., Frontier is offering triple EarlyReturns miles for signing up online at www.flyfrontier.com.
More: http://www.frontierairlines.com/Traverse/ff_registration.asp
Hilton Changes Elite Qualifying Terms
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HHonors members will now qualify for elite status based on stays, room nights or points posted during a rolling 12-month period, rather than the calendar year period used previously and still in effect at other major frequent-stay programs.
The change should put elite benefits within the reach of some travelers who might otherwise have missed out, while not penalizing those who would have qualified under the old formula.
More: http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/levels.jhtml
Northwest Doubles Indianapolis Miles
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Through June 30, WorldPerks members will earn a 1,000-mile bonus for flights to/from Indianapolis. The bonus may be earned an unlimited number of times.
Registration is required.
More: http://www.nwa.com/offers/ind05/
Southwest Shares the Luv
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We've never been a fan of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. Expiring credits after just 12 months more than offsets any of the program's positive features.
But, in the spirit of giving credit where credit's due, Southwest managed to surprise and delight us with their Valentine's Day e-mail to Rapid Rewards members.
In this case, smiles trumped miles.
More: http://southwest.com/rapid_rewards/valentine_05/index.html
Online Booking Bonus from United Cruises
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Mileage Plus members will earn 2005 bonus miles for cruises booked online by Apr. 30 at United Cruises. Travel must be completed by Dec. 31.
The bonus is combinable with other mileage offers, including a bonus of up to 25,000 miles for Celebrity Cruises booked by Feb. 28.
More: http://www.united.com/cruises
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com
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1) Domestic Sale Fares on America West from $39
Plan your domestic spring travel now with America West's latest sale. Prices start at $39 1-way, and destinations include Las Vegas; Portland, OR; San Diego; Seattle; and more.
Travel is valid through June 6. Book tickets online, at least 14 days in advance, and by Mar. 3.
More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8320
2) Hawaii Sale Fares on Aloha from $398
If you're planning to go beyond Maui and Oahu and visit 1 of Hawaii's less traveled islands, Aloha's sale might have what you're looking for. Prices start at $398 roundtrip, and destinations include the Big Island and Kauai, in addition to Maui and Oahu.
Travel at the lowest prices is valid through June 9. Book tickets at least 1 day in advance, and by Feb. 23. Fares require a 3-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 60 days.
More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8328
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Win a Disney Vacation from Alamo
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Enter Alamo's Family Vacation Sweepstakes for a chance to win 1 of 300 vacation packages to Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, including roundtrip air for 4, 5 days/4 nights hotel accommodations, rental car and Disney Theme Park passes.
Fill out the online form to receive 1 entry; earn 4 more entries for each qualifying rental on Alamo.com through Apr. 30.
More: http://www.alamo.com/index.do?action=disneySweeps.do
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"My husband recently booked a roundtrip flight on Delta to Louisville Kentucky in order to visit small town Paris, KY (his father's childhood home). The ticket included a change in planes in Cincinnati. Turns out getting off in Cincinnati would save several hours in travel time. So, that's what he did. But when he returned to Cincinnati to return home, Delta demanded that he purchase an entirely new ticket (almost $300!). We've complained but Delta says he didn't abide by the rules of his discounted fare. How can an airline hold you hostage and force you to fly on a second leg of a trip?? His seat was paid for!" (Jill)
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"I recently booked an International Flight with Delta Airline's partner Virgin Atlantic from JFK to London Heathrow Airport using 100,00 frequent flyer SkyMiles miles from my account for 2 tickets.
"I was charged for the tax and a $5.00 ticketing fee per ticket. I asked if I could pay for the award ticket Online to avoid the ticket fee. I was told no because the issuance of SkyMiles Awards must be processed by telephone. I try to save a few dollars when I vacation to Europe because of the weak dollar, especially against the British pound. Unfortunately, I couldn't save $10.00. I had no option. So, I gave Delta $10.00 out of my travel budget.
"What gets my goat is that this is just another way for Delta Airlines to make money at the expense of their frequent flyers. Also, it's not fair that Airlines charge a ticketing fee for anyone that doesn't have a computer nor isn't able to use a computer, especially the elderly.
"I often access your website because I travel a lot. I often feel bad for many airline customers that have problems, gripes and hardships dealing with the airline industry. So, I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and add my 2-cents worth of a gripe as a consumer who believes the airlines are taking advantage of their customers." (Michael)
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"We put my daughter on US Airways flight to Frankfurt Germany recently (1/19) and she called from Germany afterwards to rail about her treatment by the gate agent as she was boarding the plan.
"She had a fussy three year old in tow and their two carry-ons (each) which she of course was trying to deal with alone so she stuck the portion of the ticket she would keep-the stub-still attached to the boarding card, between her lips as she approached the agent.
"The male gate agent became outraged that she had done something he considered so nasty as having the corner of the ticket between her lips and refused to touch it and demanded she take her three year old and all their carry on luggage back to the UPSTAIRS counter to be issued a new pass. Incredulous and appalled she refused and blocked the boarding of the plan for several minutes while the gate agent ranted at her for being so unsanitary before he finally (gingerly handling the ticket to make it look to all who were watching the show, like she had the plague or worse), accepted her card and allowed her on the plane.
"They obviously have some very unhappy (and weird) individuals now working for this airline and I for one don't see them flying much longer. My daughter will certainly never fly them again." (Rich in St. Louis, MO)
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If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
Until next week...
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