Media Query

Are you a business traveler and are you having problems with your luggage when you fly?

Specifically, have you had problems complying with the TSA's restrictions on carrying liquids onto flights? Have you had problems meeting airlines' restrictions on the size and/or weight of carry-on baggage? Are you checking bags, even if you didn't in the past? Are the airlines' baggage systems properly handling your checked baggage, or has it been lost or damaged? Do you have to pay for overweight/oversized/extra checked bags? And when you travel on business (not on vacation), do you ever use a service that overnights your baggage to your destination, to avoid dealing with the above when you fly?

If any of these questions pertain to your experience, and you are willing to discuss them on the record with a reporter from a major newspaper, please reply via email with a brief description of your experience, plus your e-mail address, office and cell phone numbers, by Monday, March 12.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, jaiORD was able to use miles for an free trip from Chicago to Australia. But the return trip comprises three flights, in three different classes of service -- coach, business, and first class. Naturally, it's the longest flight (13 hours between Sydney and Los Angeles) that only has coach seats available. His question: "Do you think we stand a chance of snagging two business class or first class seats on the SYD-LAX leg? We call daily and are very flexible with our dates, but nothing has been available yet. Is there any science to determining when business/first seats might become available? In the event that we do travel coach SYD-LAX, does anyone have any comments on Qantas coach service? 13 hours is a LONG time to spend in coach, but I've heard Qantas is pretty good."

And in the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, CCsuck is looking for recommendations for a new credit card which can be used for awards with different airlines, with no blackout dates, and which imposes no limits on earning rewards.

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

:: More

Bigger Sign-up Bonus for Alaska Credit Card

Just how competitive is it in the mileage program credit card arena?

Competitive enough that Bank of America, which issues the Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards, is offering a 20,000-mile sign-up bonus for newly approved accounts during the month of March.

Cards eligible for the bonus are the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card in the U.S. and the Alaska Airlines Platinum Plus MasterCard in Canada.

:: More

Delta Offers Bonus for Chicago Flights

Through May 15, SkyMiles members can earn 2,500 bonus miles for every roundtrip Delta flight between Chicago Midway and Atlanta, Boston, or New York, up to a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles for four roundtrips.

Registration is required.

:: More

Marriott's MegaBonus Is Back

Between March 1 and May 31, Marriott Rewards members will earn 2,500 points for the second and every subsequent stay, up to a maximum of 10,000 bonus points, at Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn and Marriott Vacation Club International hotels.

Members must have elected to earn points, versus airline miles, to participate. Registration is required.

(Some program members will receive targeted offers that differ somewhat from the advertised promotion.)

:: More

More Delta Miles for Omni Stays

Between March 1 and June 30, members of Omni Hotels' Select Guest program will earn triple Delta miles for the second and subsequent qualifying stays at Omni Hotels, up to a maximum of six stays and 9,000 total miles during the promotional period.

According to the Omni website, "Guests must pay a qualifying business rate on at least one night of each stay in order to receive triple miles."

:: More

oneworld Alliance to Add New Members

Effective April 1, the oneworld global alliance will add three new airlines: Japan Airlines, Royal Jordanian, and Malev.

As in the programs of other oneworld carriers, mileage earned for flights on the three new member airlines will count toward elite status in American's AAdvantage program. (AAdvantage members already earn base miles for JAL and Malev flights.)

Reminder: effective March 31, Aer Lingus will no longer be a oneworld participant, although they will continue their AAdvantage membership.

:: More

United Bonus for Rome Flights

Between April 1 and May 31, Mileage Plus members can earn up to 15,000 bonus miles on United's new nonstop flights to/from Rome via Washington, D.C. (IAD). Bonuses are as follows: 15,000 miles for first class (F,A fares), 10,000 miles for business (C,D,Z fares), or 5,000 miles for selected coach (Y,B fares).

Registration is required.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Warm-weather Destinations on Continental from $79 Each Way

Continental is offering sale fares to warm-weather destinations such as Miami, Cozumel, Bermuda, and Grand Cayman. Prices start at $79 one-way.

Continental has not listed specific travel dates, just date ranges of 30 to 91 days from now, nor has it listed a booking deadline.

:: More

2) Europe Fares on Delta from $358

Europe flights from New York are featured in Delta's new winter and spring sale. Prices start at $358 roundtrip, and destinations include London, Athens, Istanbul, and Venice.

Book tickets on most routes at least seven days in advance, and by March 12. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

:: More

Win 75,000 Alaska Miles

Through the end of 2007, Alaska Airlines will give away 75,000 miles to one Mileage Plan member every week.

Mileage Plan members are entered automatically in the sweepstakes each time they use an Alaska Airlines credit card to purchase an Alaska or Horizon ticket. Mail-in entries are also accepted, with no purchase required.

:: More

[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Does your site have an overhead bin configuration map/layout for airplanes? Or do the airline websites show this information? I would like to know the locations in the plane where overhead bins aren't available or where they are much smaller than normal. I would like to avoid sitting near these areas.

"Yesterday I was on a nearly full NWA A319 seated in row 21D-F and discovered the entire overhead bin above me was filled with emergency equipment. The bin for the row behind me (last row on plane) was only large enough for one piece of carry-on luggage. Had I known this, I might have selected a seat further up in the plane. Fortunately for me I boarded early enough so I was able to get my carry-on luggage in an overhead bin a few rows in front of me before those passengers boarded. I would like to avoid this in the future if I can. Or is it typical the last couple of rows on most airplanes have very limited overhead storage?" [Tom M.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - We're not aware of any site which provides information regarding overhead storage bins. If any of our subscribers know of such a resource, they're encouraged to let us know.]

"The easiest way to solve the problem of being stuck on a plane for a long period of time is to not allow the plane to be loaded until the pilot has a take off slot/landing slot for the final airport. Then the plane could be loaded a specific period of time before.

"Now they board a full plane and go out on the tarmac and wait for a time. The airport may have a lot of empty planes but passengers would at least be more comfortable in the terminal with food and restrooms." [Larry L.]

Until next week...