Award Seat Availability? You Tell Us!

There is probably no more controversial frequent flyer topic than award-seat availability. The airlines insist there are plenty to go around. Frequent flyer program members think otherwise.

Together with sister site SmarterTravel.com, we're trying to get our arms around a modest version of the availability question: Is it easier or harder to book a frequent flyer award seat than it was a year or so ago? (This is a reality check on the hypothesis that, due to the decline in travel demand, the airlines have more empty seats to give away to mile-redeemers.)

Please take just a few minutes to complete our award survey. We'll report back with the results of your input in two weeks.

:: Take the survey here!

"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Delta Makes Weak Response to Other Airlines' Elite Offers
  Many flyers will be unmoved by Delta's new elite-mile promotion.
• Midwest Offers Bonuses for Milwaukee Flights
  Flying to or from Milwaukee? Earn more miles and elite segments.
• United, Continental Match American's Elite Offer
  Now on offer from three airlines: double elite-qualifying miles.
• American Puts Elite Perks Within Reach
  Double-mile promotion makes elite status easier to attain.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Homer has the following to say about United's recently announced double elite-mile promotion: "[T]he fine print specifies that the offer is only valid for flights flown AND BOOKED between March 19 and June 15. It seems grossly unfair to me to exclude those who booked flights prior to March 19; people who book far ahead tend to be the airline's most loyal customers.

"I am just getting over my irritation at United's dropping, and then reinstating (for elites) the 500-mile minimum. Now comes this latest example of United's disregard for its most loyal customers."

And in the "Other Loyalty Program Topics" Forum, ronald, Gary Steiger, and Kohoutek share tips on earning Swagbucks (redeemable for frequent flyer miles) for a variety of searches.

Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!

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American Offers Bonus for Booking Hotels on AA.com

Members of American's AAdvantage program can earn up to 1,500 miles for every three hotel stays booked on aa.com through April 30 -- 250 bonus miles for booking the first hotel stay, 500 for the second, and 750 bonus miles for the third stay. Qualifying stays must be completed by December 31.

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Double Points for Amex Charges

Between March 22, 2009, and March 15, 2010, American Express consumer charge card customers can earn double Membership Rewards points for charges of up to $1,000 per month at stand-alone gas stations and grocery stores.

The bonus applies to the following charge cards: American Express Card, American Express Rewards Green Card, American Express Preferred Rewards Green Card, American Express Gold Card, American Express Rewards Gold Card, American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card, American Express Rewards Plus Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Centurion Card.

Registration is required, using promo code 139150001.

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British Air Offers Bonus for Full-Fare Flights

Through June 30, members of British Airways' Executive Club program can earn 25,000 bonus miles when flying round-trip to London from the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean on qualifying World Traveller fares (Y, B or H) or World Traveller Plus fares (W, E or T). Or earn 50,000 bonus miles when flying in Club World (J, C, D, R or I fares), or first (F or A fares).

Registration is required.

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Marriott Offers Three-for-Two Awards

Through September 7, Marriott Rewards members can redeem their points for two free nights and receive a third night for no additional points at participating Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, and Courtyard Resorts.

According to the Marriott website, there are 18 participating hotels in the U.S., 13 in Asia, seven in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 17 in Europe and the Middle East.

Among the terms: "Be sure to mention the Three for Two deal at time of booking. The offer applies to standard rooms only, there are limited rooms available and other restrictions may apply."

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Spirit Sale Fares From $38

Spirit has announced a new sale for travel to Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, the Bahamas, and more. Fares start at $38 round-trip for travel from late March to mid-June.

Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays from March 31 through June 17. Book by March 26, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) Europe Sale Fares on Delta From $238

Flights between New York City and many cities in Europe are on sale from Delta. Fares start at $238 round-trip, and Edinburgh, London, Moscow, and Venice are featured.

Travel is valid from March 30 through June 26. Book by March 30, 11:59 PM ET.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Aruba

Enter Conde Nast Traveler's "2009 Aruba Sweepstakes" by April 13 for a chance to win a four-night stay for two in Aruba, including hotel, spa massage, dinner, $500 spending money, and airfare vouchers.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.

Delta Versus American

"After reading the rants and raves for many many months, it seems to me that Delta and employees have no respect for the customers, they don't honor their own guidelines.

"I have had American mileage for years and can say I have never had any problems upgrading or changing. Of course I don't like the surcharges but all the airlines do that." [VD]

Response to Rant About Vacations to Go

"[Last week's] issue of the FrequentFlier Crier contains some very insulting, if not flat out misrepresentations, of the Vacations to Go agency by a reader. In the many cruises booked with them [more than 20 in five years], there has never been a problem for me or associates, quite often extra courtesy and attention, and always the best price.

"The complainer has a lot of nerve blaming the cruise agent when having his own apartment phone 'locked out.' Who in the world has any sense to try and do business -- especially in a hurry -- like that? It's also not the agent's fault that the customer doesn't know time zones. Every e-mail and document I receive from Vacations to Go includes the hours the agent is on duty specifying Central Time Zone, as well as a telephone extension to contact a specifically-named 'supervisor on duty' if any problem.

"I also have my Vacations to Go agent's personal cell phone number. Of course, if your own phone is 'locked out'...

"Here, the 'customer' was negligent. Perhaps he'll get 'locked out' at the pier in Buenos Aires for showing up late, too. Others may be advised to ask 'Make that a table for two only, please,' if he doesn't."

"P.S. - It has NEVER been my experience that you couldn't book online with Vacations to Go and pay by credit card. I've done it in every instance. Likewise, I've never experienced a 'sales pitch' from a Vacations to Go representative. I have received a lot of valuable information in response to any question from me." [Ed N.]

United's Online Booking App

"Anyone notice how when booking online and looking at seat selection, a 'United 1st Class Upgrade' box comes on fully checked and ready to charge you hundreds of dollars with the slip of your finger on a huge attractive mis-leading link button, while the 'skip this offer' button is in tiny letters hard to find lower down the screen?

"Immediately makes me wish I was not flying United just because of the devious ploy!

"Stewed in Haiku, HI" [Daniel P.]

Response to Nancy E.'s 'All-Powerful Flight Attendants' Rant

"Being a 3 million miler, and seeing how passengers and crew can often be at odds, I have one thing to say -- there are 2 sides to every story, and I no more believe your 'I'm the poor old lady victim' than I believe the 'F/A was completely, totally wrong, and unprofessional.'

"In about 99% of the cases it is the PASSENGER that is out of line, not the crew." [L.]

Until next week...