U P F R O N T
New On the FrequentFlier Forum
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Know how to earn miles or points for Staples purchases? Or, how far in advance to book an award seat? Forum members do.
Susan wants to know what a "lifetime mile" is. Ed is wondering what to do with 100K Amex points. Plus, there's an interesting thread on companies' keeping miles earned by employees.
Questions, answers, comments? Post them to the Forum!
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M I L E S & P O I N T S
From America West: Miles for Mortgages
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FlightFund members who borrow from Nationwide Advantage Mortgage will receive 1,000 miles per $10,000 borrowed.
As a launch promotion, Nationwide Advantage is offering an additional 3,000 bonus miles for borrowers financing a home purchase through Dec. 31, 2003.
For further info or to apply, visit http://www.FlightFundMortgage.com or call 1-888-906-4537.
Train Trips Earn OnePass Miles
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Continental OnePass has a new partner: SNCF/TGV, France's high-speed train service.
OnePass members will earn 500 miles or actual miles, whichever is greater, on each connecting SNCF/TGV codeshare train trip when booked in conjunction with a Continental flight. There's a 50% mileage bonus for first class. And train miles and segments count toward elite status.
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Earn SkyMiles for Kiosk Check-Ins
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SkyMiles members who check in at any of more than 400 self-service kiosks in 81 U.S. airports between Feb. 15 and May 15 will receive a 1-time bonus of 500 miles and an additional 100 miles for up to 5 subsequent kiosk check-ins, for a total maximum bonus of 1,000 miles.
No registration necessary, but member's SkyMiles number must be in the reservations record to receive the bonus.
Delta Lands in Court for Confiscating Miles
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Delta -- already buffeted by a faltering economy and besieged by a small army of angry SkyMiles members -- now finds itself the defendant in a class-action suit.
The complaint is specifically directed at Delta's right to limit the ability of SkyMiles members to sell their miles. (The full text of the filing is here.)
The class comprises those SkyMiles members who have had their miles confiscated by Delta in response to their having, allegedly, sold miles in violation of Delta's policies. According to 1 of the plaintiffs' attorneys, the lawyers will be contacting everyone who has had their miles confiscated to give them the opportunity to become members of the class action, or to opt out.
Chris McGinnis, editor of the Ticket (http://www.travelskills.com/tktarchive/2003/feb.htm) and veteran Delta-watcher, questions the suit's moral underpinnings, suggesting that "...this smells to me like many of the other frivolous lawsuits brought against airlines by lawyers more interested in lining their own pockets than protecting the rights of flyers."
Whatever the motives, the issues raised are important. Who owns the miles in your frequent flyer program account? If the member owns them, why can't he dispose of them howsoever he chooses? And if those miles can't be sold on the open market, how is it that they can be sold through "authorized" channels like MilePoint.com?
I'm sympathetic with those who feel that, by golly, I earned those miles, and I can do with them whatever I want. But I also understand the airlines' need to maintain control of their distribution and pricing. Let's see where the court's sympathy lies.
Carte Blanche Says: Charge 1, Get 1 Free
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How 'bout those credit cards? Big sign-up bonuses. Double-mile offers. And now this from Diners Club Carte Blanche: unlimited complimentary companion tickets on British Airways.
Every time a cardholder purchases a full-fare roundtrip transatlantic British Airways ticket with the Carte Blanche Card in premier economy, business, first class or on the Concorde, a companion flies free. Formerly, Diners Club offered the companion ticket only once a year. Carte Blanche customers also receive unlimited companion tickets on Korean Air when charging roundtrip full-fare tickets.
As you might expect, the Carte Blanche card is no cheapie. The annual fee is a whopping $300. But if you're in a position to take advantage of the BA 2-for-1 offer, that expense could be easily offset by the savings on tickets.
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Midwest Express Gets New Name, Partners
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Last week, I expressed some trepidation at the "exciting changes" promised in connection with the "major relaunch" announced by Midwest Express.
Turns out my cynicism was entirely misplaced. "Exciting" may be a bit of an overstatement, but the upcoming changes, revealed this week, are definitely positive overall.
The bad news, such as it is, first: as of May 28, both Northwest and VS (Sir Richard Branson's airline, whose name triggers e-mail filters) get the heave-ho. Award bookings on both carriers must be completed and ticketed by May 28, and award travel must be completed by the ticket's expiration date.
The good news: effective Apr. 2 and June 1 respectively, Air Jamaica and American will be onboard as earn-and-burn partners.
Yep, that's American, 2-letter code AA, the world's largest airline. The "more room in coach" airline.
For the great majority of MWE's program members, the change will translate into more opportunities to earn and redeem miles.
Speaking of earning opportunities, rumor has it that MWE will soon address a conspicuous gap in its partner roster: a miles-for-dining partnership.
Oh, and the name changes... As of Mar. 1, Midwest Express becomes Midwest Airlines. And Frequent Flyer becomes Midwest Miles.
NW Extends Elite Status for Military
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Recognizing that those called to serve overseas in a military confrontation with Iraq would have limited opportunities to renew their current elite status, Northwest will extend their status automatically.
The extension will apply to U.S. military reservists and National Guardsmen called to active duty this year, as well as to active-duty military personnel who receive deployment orders.
This special policy will extend 2003 elite status through the 2004 program year, ending Feb. 28, 2005.
Qualifying WorldPerks elite members should fax their Activation/Mobilization or Deployment notices, along with their WorldPerks number, to 1-218-254-7566.
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Cruise for Priority Club Points
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Priority Club Rewards members can earn up to 30,000 points for taking a cruise with Priority Club Rewards Cruises.
Sailings are offered on Carnival, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Windstar Cruises. Departure dates and itineraries vary, with 3,000 points offered for 1-5 day cruises and up to 20,000 points for cruises of 13 days or more. Book before Mar. 31, 2003, to receive 10,000 bonus points per booking.
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Orlando Packages Pay 10K Mileage Dividend
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Purchase an Orlando vacation package from Marriott Vacation Club to earn 10,000 bonus US Airways miles.
The package includes 5 days/4 nights at Marriott's Grande Vista Resort for $399.
To book, call 1-888-796-3006 and refer to offer code CO15*1-ILON.
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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...
Three airlines offer savings to Europe from $188 R/T
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Since early Jan., airlines have been releasing 1 Europe sale after another. With offers from Northwest, United, and US Airways, you can fly to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Prague, and other destinations. Note that some flights may also be available on Lufthansa, United's codeshare partner. Travel and purchase dates vary by airline.
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Flights to Central and South America from $251 R/T
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Explore a rain forest or experience Carnival in Brazil with sale fares from 4 airlines to destinations in Latin America, including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. Booking and travel dates vary by airline and destination.
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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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"As a Million Miler, multi-year Platinum, 20-year Delta passenger, Bob S. said it well in his Feb 12th email about changes at Delta -- they offer low fares that our companies require we take advantage of and then penalize us for using them. We can't believe their marketing plan is so short sighted.
"It's the business travelers who bring in the revenue, not the vacationers flying on L U and T fares. Yet Delta is telling their most loyal business passengers they no longer care about loyalty. Pay a higher price or find a middle seat in coach because all the aisles were booked months ago by the tourists on vacation.
"What Delta simply refuses to understand is that we must purchase the lowest fare available at the time we make the reservation. We cannot purchase higher fare tickets just because we want to. If that means we will no longer be able to attain Medallion status and will be in a middle seat, we will -- as Bob S. is -- fly the most direct route regardless of carrier. The message to us is clear, brand loyalty is not something Delta wants anymore.
"All Delta wants is the money and they think they can force business travelers to pay higher fares. What they will force us to do is get home to our families a few hours earlier on those 25 trips we make each year by not having to change planes in Atlanta. Jax to EWR, Continental non-stop. Jax to Charlotte, USAir non-stop. Jax to BHM, Southwest non-stop. No Atlanta, no Delta. No loyalty. Really dumb Delta marketing plan."
- Chris
Until next week...
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