New Format -- Epilogue

Since this newsletter launched in 1998, we've never received as much feedback as we did last week, in response to the new Crier design.

Our thanks to everyone who took the time to share their feelings.

While the verdict on the new format is overwhelmingly positive, there were enough requests for tweaks in 2 specific areas to warrant a bit of further fine-tuning.

Accordingly, we've made the following changes to this week's Crier. First, we decreased the width, from 640 to 600 pixels. That should reduce the amount of left-to-right scrolling for those with smaller monitors or lower screen resolutions. And secondly, we increased the font size, to aid legibility.

As always, feedback is welcome. E-mail me at publisher@frequentflier.com.

And now, back to the business of delivering travel news you can use...

Industry Newsbites

While travel is more stressful than ever, safety-related anxiety should be on the wane. In fact, last year was the safest ever for air travel.

In a just-released report, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that the industry-wide hull loss rate in 2004 declined by 10% percent to 0.78 hull losses per million sectors flown.

"Over 1.8 billion people traveled safely in 2004," said IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani. "Tragically, however, 428 people lost their lives in commercial aircraft accidents. To put that into perspective, that is a similar number to 1945 when the industry carried only 9 million passengers."

According to the Houston Chronicle, Continental has begun reconfiguring its 737-500s, reducing first-class seats from 10 to 8 and increasing coach seats from 94 to 106.

That amounts to a 20% reduction in first-class seating over 18% of Continental's fleet.

Together with the decrease in first-class fares, which can only increase demand, the elimination of already scarce supply can only be bad news -- very bad news -- for OnePass members hoping for status or mileage upgrades.

Media Query

A reporter for a major national newspaper is researching a story on business centers at business travel hotels.

Do you still use them? If so, for what? If not, why not?

Have you had any memorably good or bad experiences at these centers that you can share? Please describe them in as much detail as possible.

Please send replies to query@frequentflier.com by March 15.

Thank you.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, ken shared the following redemption story, equal parts inspiration and advice: "I planned to use my 240,000 (US Airways) miles for a dream trip for 2 in business to Australia next January. I was also afraid the miles would be devalued with USAir's problems. I called 330 days ahead and got exactly what I wanted in United business class CVG-ORD-MEL on the date I wanted. I thought it was too easy. The key was probably leaving on a Wednesday.

"Waited for the 330 day limit for the return and found that United had nothing but coach available for any of the dates to come back. I always thought the airlines kept at least 2 seats in each class available for awards, but apparently not. Their Star Alliance partner, Asiana had business available through Seoul and LAX. It added about 8 hours of travel, but at least we can get back. Flexibility in both dates and routing seems to be the key to getting premium seats."

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

More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php

Alaska Air Partners with LendingTree

Effective immediately, Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles for loans and real-estate transactions through LendingTree.

Earn 3,000 miles per $10,000 of a home's price when buying or selling with a LendingTree network real estate agent, or 1,250 miles per $10,000 financed on a mortgage or refinance, home equity loan or line of credit, or auto or student loan.

For more, visit http://www.lendingtree.com/alaska or call 1-800-605-6974.

LendingTree replaces Alaska's previous partnership with HomeLoanCenter.com.

More American Miles for Dining

Between Feb. 28 and Apr. 30, AAdvantage members will earn bonus miles for dining at more than 10,000 Rewards Network restaurants, as follows: Dine 2 times to earn 100 AAdvantage bonus miles, 4 times to earn 250 bonus miles, and 6 times to earn 500 bonus miles.

AAdvantage members who charge their qualifying meals to a registered Citibank AAdvantage card earn bigger bonuses: Dine 2 times to earn 250 AAdvantage bonus miles, 4 times to earn 500 bonus miles, and 6 times to earn 1,000 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

More: http://aa.rewardsnetwork.com/

Best Western Offers Free Night After 2 Stays

Members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club Int'l program who stay 3 times at Best Western hotels between Mar. 8 and May 15 will earn a free 1-night voucher for a future stay. And if the stays are charged to a MasterCard card, they will earn a free night after 2 stays.

Vouchers will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and each member is limited to earning 3 vouchers.

GCCI members must be residents of the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean, and register online (link below) or by calling call 1-800-WESTERN, promotion code MCSTAY.

More: http://www.goldcrownclub.com/offers/mcstay.asp

Choice Adds Elite, Int'l Award Options

Members of Choice Hotels' Choice Priveleges program can now earn elite status and benefits for stays at 4,000 Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites hotels.

There are 2 elite tiers, Gold and Platinum, awarded for members staying at least 10 nights and 30 nights, respectively, during a calendar year. Elite benefits include a 10% bonus on base points for Gold and a 15% bonus for Platinum, and access to dedicated service via elite-only reservations and customer service phone numbers.

Choice has also enhanced the program's back end, allowing members to establish profiles, which facilitate online bookings, and view account statements online.

Lastly, program members may now redeem points for award stays at 1,200 Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brand hotels outside the U.S., in Canada, Central and South America, Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia-Pacific.

More: http://www.choiceprivileges.com

Double Continental Miles + Upgrade for Hertz Rentals

Through Sept. 30, OnePass members will receive double miles and a free 1 car upgrade when renting a compact (Class B) through full size (Class F) car from Hertz.

Offer is valid on all qualifying Leisure Weekly Rate rentals and Leisure Weekend Rate rentals of 2 or more days.

More: http://offers.hertz.com/upgradeanddblemiles04/index.cfm?uniqueid=5762

Double Delta Miles for Song Transcon Flights

SkyMiles members will earn double miles for roundtrip Song flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles booked by Mar. 17 for travel between May 1 and May 25. (See "Steals & Deals" for $99 1-way fares.)

Registration is required.

More: http://www.flysong.com/nyla

Midwest Gets with Rewards Network

Midwest Miles members may now earn miles for dining and hotel stays through the Rewards Network (formerly known as iDine).

To participate, Midwest Miles members log on to http://www.rewardsnetwork.com/midwest or call 1-888-343-3464 to register 1 or more credit cards. Once registered, they earn miles for qualifying dining transactions or hotel stays when using a registered credit card.

(There's a triple-mile promo in effect throughout Mar. for dining at participating restaurants Sunday through Thursday.)

More United Miles for Tax Payments

Members of United's Mileage Plus program will earn 2 miles for every $1 charged on their Mileage Plus Visa cards to pay personal income tax, property or quarterly taxes at www.officialpayments.com between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005. (The usual caveat when it comes to making tax payments with a credit card: there's a 2.49% "convenience fee" added to the tax amount.)

To pay taxes with the United Mileage Plus Visa card, visit www.officialpayments.com or call 800-2PAY-TAX.

Mileage Plus members can also earn bonus miles for using H&R Block tax-prep services. First-time clients of H&R Block earn 1,000 bonus miles when have their taxes prepared at an H&R Block retail office. Existing retail office clients and those who use H&R Block online tax products will receive 250 bonus miles.

More: http://www.united.com/hrblock

Rent a Jag for Triple US Air Miles

Through June 30, Dividend Miles members will earn triple miles when renting luxury cars from the Hertz Prestige Collection, including Jaguar, Lincoln and Volvo.

Special rates range from $69/day for a Volvo wagon to $105/day for a Jaguar XJ-8.

More: http://offers.hertz.com/hpc04/index.cfm?uniqueid=3076

Walking Your Way to Fitness (Part 2 of 3)

Provided by Healthy Travel Network

In last month's issue, I shared the 10,000-steps-a-day concept for staying in shape. If you haven't bought a pedometer yet, there's no time like the present to start this refreshing fitness program. I love the minimalist aspect of walking -- other than a good pair of shoes, there's no equipment required and you can walk in short intervals, making it easier to fit your 10,000-steps-a-day into a busy travel schedule.

I monitored my normal steps-per-day and was discouraged to find that during a typical day in the office, I take as few as 2,000 steps. I started plotting ways to increase my steps without having to go to the gym. The good news is that with a little diligence, you can quickly increase your steps-per-day by 10 or 20 percent, without much effort. And, even better, travel requires a lot of walking, as these common travel activities show:

If you've measured some of your activities, send them to us at customerservice@healthytravelnetwork.com. We'll share them anonymously in our Travel Fitness Blog.

Watch for the final article in this series next month: "Do's and Don'ts of Walking for Travel Fitness."

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) U.S. and Canada Sale Fares on US Airways from $118

As part of its new systemwide sale, US Airways' domestic routes are on sale starting at $118. Travel is valid through mid-May, and destinations include Denver, Orlando, and Toronto.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid on Mondays through Thursdays through May 19. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Mar. 13. A 1-night or Saturday-night minimum stay may be required, depending on route.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8455

2) Coast-to-Coast Fares on Song from $99 Each Way

Travelers looking for a flight to Los Angeles or New York may be interested in Song's latest offer. Song is offering sale fares starting at $99 1-way (not including additional taxes and fees) between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles. Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyers can earn double miles by flying the same routes (see "Miles & Points").

Travel is valid through May 25. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Mar. 17. Fares are valid in either direction, and may be combined for roundtrip travel.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8453

Win 12 Trips to Anywhere from American

Through Apr. 5, enter American Airlines' "We Know Why You Fly" for a chance to win 1 of 3 grand prizes (12 trips for 2 to anywhere AA flies), 3 first prizes (1 trip for 4), and 3 second prizes (1 trip for 2).

Consolation for non-winners: for every entry, American will donate 100 AAdvantage miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to 1 million miles.

Enter by logging on to http://www.aa.com/whyyoufly and submitting your reasons for traveling, in written or visual form.

NOTE - Rather than the sweepstakes we normally feature in this space, this is a contest. Which means that more effort is required to enter, and that winners are chosen according to the entries' merit, rather than at random.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Just got a shock in the mail. I have a Citibank AA Advantage Platinum Credit Card. I travel overseas two or three times a year and use my Credit Card extensively. Citibank has changed the terms of the card and have added a transaction fee of 3.0% for any purchase made in a foreign currency. The exchange rate already make foreign travel expensive but this fee will add 3% to all hotel, restaurant and other purchases will increase the costs of foreign travel." (John R.)

"Last May my husband had an emergency quadruple bypass. We had tickets on Northwest to visit our grandchildren in San Diego. The cardiovascular surgeon gave us a letter to Northwest stating that my husband was temporarily TOTALLY DISABLED and unable to fly. However, Northwest refuses to waive the $100 change fee. It isn't like we just 'changed our minds' ? If we had taken him to the airport with his medical condition they wouldn't have let him board the flight.

"The emails I receive from Customer service say things like 'Don't think we are insensitive...it's just that when you purchased the ticket you knew a change fee would be charged.' SURELY there are certain circumstances when that high change fee could be waived. Delta has reduced their change fee to $50. Even that would have been more palatable. When we purchased the ticket we hadn't planned on an emergency quadruple bypass! A second request produced the same 'insensitive' reply. You can tell which airline we will NOT be using in the future!" (Marva - Saint Petersburg, FL)

"In response to the lady who had the issue where the credit card charge was more than the receipt - she should dispute the difference with her credit card company. They have more influence than she does and they have a duty to look into the dispute. However, being a lawyer, can't help but wonder if somewhere in the fine print on their web cite is a disclaimer allowing them to do this.

"Regardless, disputing an item with your credit card company generally takes very little time and often resolves it well." (KG)

"Beware! Your camera equipment could be confiscated. Here is my story.

"In January I did some Rea Sea diving and underwater photography. Upon leaving Tel Aviv, security desired to take a closer look at my strobe light for my underwater camera. They said to go get on the airplane (Lufthansa) and that they will send the strobe back to me in a day or two. Fine. But it never happen. I have contacted IAA security at the airport. They give me no explanation on it except that somehow it ended up in Paris. The strobe has never been released by security to Lufthansa, but has ended up in Paris just the same. Still no explanation. I have been pursuing this issue ever since January 13th with no one excepting responsibility or providing reparation. Since this is a "security" issue travel insurance won't cover the loss even if the item is loss. Any suggestion to either on how to get my strobe returned or to get reparation for it?" (Larry in Kansas City)

I know this site is primarily for air travel,but maybe you can help with my problem or tell me where to go. I booked a trip on Icruise last year for a 14 day cruise on the Queen Mary, I did not take out insurance, My wife came down with pneumonia and we were unable to go. I sent them the report showing that she had pneumonia,but to no avail. I got a 'so sorry letter" but they would do nothing. Any suggestions. Hate to lose $3900.00. (A.)

[According to travel troubleshooter Chris Elliott at elliott.org, "Cunard has a cancellation policy under its terms and conditions. Your reader may be entitled to partial credit."]