U P F R O N T

Elite Treatment: Unfair? (continued)
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In last week's newsletter, I asked for opinions on the special VIP security lines currently available in many larger airports to elite frequent flyers and first- and business-class passengers.

We got 'em... too many to include here in the newsletter. Accordingly we've put up a webpage to capture all the responses at http://frequentflier.com/security.htm. No fancy graphics or extraneous commentary -- just reader feedback, unedited, displayed in the order received.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

And for those who took time to chew me out for using the phrase "in a flash of blinding light" in the context of a discussion of airline security... yes, well, I must have been wearing my stupid hat. Incredible as it may seem, the double entendre was totally unintended. And it was, indeed, a poor choice of words.

RIP - Ansett, "The Spirit of Competition"
==========================

Ansett, once Australia's second largest airline, is gone, apparently with no further hopes of resuscitation. According to their website: "All flights operated by Ansett have been suspended from midnight Monday 4 March 2002."

Ansett declared bankruptcy in mid-Sept., and has since been operating a reduced schedule while trying to restructure. In the end, the last remaining buyout group requested revenue guarantees and other concessions from the Australian government. When the request was denied, the rescue effort was aborted. And the queue of would-be acquirers was empty.

Approximately 2.7 million members of Ansett's Global Rewards program have lost their miles, and there's little hope of their being "made whole," either through the normal liquidation process or class-action lawsuits.

> More...

O N S I T E

New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Bucko wants to know: How do I register a complaint? Mark wonders: Is it worth converting HHonors points to Amtrak Rewards? Bill (who's going to be modifying his travel pattern and wants elite status on a new airline) asks: Which airline should I use for PHL-BOS flights? 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

Six Continents Relaunches Priority Club
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What was Priority Club Worldwide is now Priority Club Rewards.

The program awards Priority Club points or airline miles in the member's choice of 29 programs for stays at Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites hotels.

Among the revised program's new features: no blackout dates for award stays; points transfer (fee: $5 for 1,000 points transferred); points purchase ($10 for 1,000 points); and instant point redemption.

The program also boasts the "fastest way to elite status," counting not only stays but points as well. For example, Gold status is earned upon reaching 20,000 points or staying 15 nights in a calendar year.

The Six Continents marketing team has taken some of the best features from the best programs and incorporated them into their own program. It's definitely a step in the right direction.

> More...

Stay 3, Get 2 Free Nights + Silver Status
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Marriott is offering Rewards members 2 free weekend nights after 3 Marriott stays between Mar. 14 and June 15, 2002.

As an added bonus, members will also receive Silver elite status and benefits (normally reserved for guests who stay a minimum of 15 nights per year). Members must register for the Marriott Rewards "Take Two" offer at http://marriottrewards.com or by calling 1-800-442-6133.

The two free weekend nights may be redeemed separately or consecutively any Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday through Dec. 31, 2002.

From Starwood: Free Weekends Worldwide
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Between Mar. 1 and June 30, 2002, Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn 2 free weekend stays for every paid 10 nights.

This is a 2-part offer. First, stay 5 nights at participating hotels and earn 2 free Friday-night stays. Then stay an 5 additional nights, and earn 2 free Saturdays. The free nights can then be combined to make 2 free weekend stays, which can be taken anytime between Apr. 1 and Aug. 31, 2002.

Plus, earn 500 bonus Starpoints each time you book online at http://www.spg.com.

Earn 500 Bonus Dividend Miles for Car Rentals
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Book online with Avis, Dollar or Thrifty and earn 500 bonus Dividend Miles in addition to the standard miles earned for rentals. Offer is valid for rentals between Mar. 1 and Apr. 30, 2002.

For registration info and other details, see http://www.usairways.com/.

Alaska Adds Online Broker to Program
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Members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan can now earn up to 10,000 miles through a program of regular and automatic investing with ShareBuilders.

Earn 2,500 miles for opening and funding a new Mileage Plan ShareBuilder account, and an additional 1,500 miles each year on an active account's anniversary date, up to a maximum of 10,000 miles.

Go to http://www.alaskaair.com and click on Promotions to begin an automatic investing program for a $4 fee per recurring purchase transaction or $12 per month for unlimited stock purchases.

Earn 5,000 FlightFund Miles for Auto Loans
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FlightFund members can earn 5,000 bonus miles for securing an auto loan from PeopleFirst.com.

PeopleFirst, a Capital One company, provides online loans for vehicle purchases, as well as financing for person-to-person transactions, lease buyouts and the refinancing of existing loans.

> More...

NW Offers Bonus for Taiwan, Korea Flights
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Northwest WorldPerks members can earn up to 10,000 miles for flights to Taiwan or Korea between Apr. 18 and June 30, 2002.

Earn 10,000 bonus miles per roundtrip (5,000 one way) for qualifying travel in paid J/C/Z booking class; 5,000 miles per roundtrip (2,500 one way) for qualifying travel in paid Y/B/M booking class; or 3,000 miles per roundtrip (1,500 one way) in paid H/Q/V/I booking class.

Register before travel, but no later than May 31, 2002, using extension 3366.

> 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...

Europe in the Springtime From $348 R/T
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British Airways has partnered with Travelocity.com and Yahoo! Travel to offer a spring fare sale to London and more than 20 European destinations. Travel is valid between Apr. 1 and June 15. Book by Friday, Mar. 15.

> More...

Northwest Offers Additional Savings on Its 'Every Day Deals'
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Northwest has announced a spring sale with savings on its "Every Day Deals" leisure fares, including discounts for customers who travel with companions, who book at least 30 days in advance, or who stay in their destination for exactly 7 days.

> More...

S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S

From Travelocity: The Million Mile Giveaway
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Travelocity.com is giving away 1 million frequent-flyer miles through Mar. 14, 2002.

The Travelocity.com "Million Mile Giveaway" sweepstakes is open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, New York and Florida.

Winner can choose to receive miles in the program of American, Delta, Continental or United.

> More...

[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online at http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm.]

R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S

Award Seats, Not! (cont)
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Last week's note from Maddog regarding problems obtaining award seats on Northwest triggered more comments on the same subject, as follows.

Northwest
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In response to the comments of Maddog about not being able to get NWA award seats I would just like to say that this has not been my experience at all. My wife and I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas, one of the heaviest traveled air lanes and so you would expect it to be one of the hardest lanes to get free seats. We flew out of GSP on NWA on a Friday morning flight with one stop in Memphis and returned on a Wednesday morning on the same route. We booked these seats about 30 days ahead on the internet, thereby saving 2,000 miles, and had no problems at all.

As for the increase to 25,000 for a free seat I'm not pleased with that but the other airlines have been charging that all along so my feeling is the 20,000 price was a great ride while it lasted. Flyers need to remember that these seats are free and you must normally expect some inconvenience, not the best schedule, etc. We fly both NWA and Delta and have never had a major difficulty using our frequent flyer miles on either airline. Thanks for the Frequent Flyer Crier which always has interesting information.

- David

Continental
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Just a comment about your piece on Northwest Airlines frequent flyer award travel. I have had the same problem with Continental Airlines! I tried to get a seat for almost 2 weeks from Houston to Los Angeles back in January. They have around 9 non stop flights a day and I could not get a seat! On other airlines I had no problem finding a seat and usually had many options.
What's up with that?

- George

United
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It is a disgrace what united is doing to there best customers. I have tried for thirty days to get 2 first class award tickets to Hong Kong and return. The first available are in 7 months. Whose kidding who? I am 1k and 1 million mile flyer. I am voting with my wallet. I will fly revenue business first on Continental.

- Frankel

Until next week...