2nd Quarter Miles-for-Dining Promos

As we were going to press with this week's issue of the Crier, we received news of the latest miles-for-dining promotion from American (see "Miles & Points" below).

If history repeats itself -- and we're betting it will -- American's is just the first of many dining promotions to be rolled out during the April - June quarter.

In next week's issue, we'll either have more dining bonuses to report, or an admission that our prediction was off base. In other words, you'll get miles, or we'll eat our words.

Stay tuned. And bon appétit.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

If you use miles for a first-class award trip but there are only coach seats available for one leg of the journey, is that coach flight a "forced downgrade"? Does it matter, or is it just a semantic issue? See JaiORD's thread in the "Airline Programs" Forum for more.

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, vmorris828 is looking for hotel recommendations for a vacation we'd all like to be taking: "If you have any great or cheap hotels for Tahiti, Bora Bora &/or Moorea please let me know. I now have Priority Club Visa card, to help maybe getting one room night taken care of."

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Triple Air Canada Miles for Hilton Stays

Aeroplan members can earn triple miles for qualifying stays at participating Hilton hotels in Canada through May 31.

To earn the bonus, cite Plan Code H9 when making reservations at Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn hotels, or Plan Code HH9 when making reservations at Doubletree, Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suites.

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Double Alaska Miles at Preferred Hotels

Through April 30, Alaska Mileage Plan members will earn double miles for stays of two or more nights at participating Preferred hotels. (Follow the link for a list of eligible hotels.)

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Dine for More AAdvantage Miles

Between April 1 and May 31, AAdvantage members who participate in AAdvantage Dining can earn 250 bonus miles for every qualifying dine of $15 or more.

Registration is required.

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More Miles, Points for Hilton Mini Breaks

Through May 31, Hilton HHonors members will earn 2,000 bonus points and double airline miles for Mini Break stays of two or more nights at participating Hilton hotels in Europe, the U.K., the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Terms and conditions of this offer are a bit convoluted, so we'll just quote the Hilton website:

2,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points are awarded on a per stay basis and are exclusive for online bookings for stays through 31 May 2007. Double airline miles are awarded for bookings made online or by calling Hilton Reservations and Customer Care for stays until 31 May 2007. A minimum 2 night stay is required for the double miles offer.

Got that?

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Triple Starwood Points in Southern California, Las Vegas

Through June 15, Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn triple Starpoints for stays at participating Westin, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, and Four Points hotels in Southern California and Nevada.

Registration is required.

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United Discounts China Awards

Through June 30, Mileage Plus members can redeem 45,000 miles for roundtrip coach award trips to Beijing or Shanghai, rather than the 60,000 miles normally required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Aruba Sale Fares on US Airways from $298

Flights to Aruba are on sale from US Airways. Prices start at $298 roundtrip, and departures are available from the eastern U.S. and Midwest.

Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays through May 16. A seven- or 14-day advance purchase is required, depending on the route. US Airways has not listed a booking deadline. A one- or three-night minimum stay may be required.

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2) AirTran Domestic Fares from $39 Each Way

AirTran has announced a new systemwide sale for travel through early October. Prices start at $39 one way, and destinations include Miami, Orlando, Houston, and New York.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through October 3. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by April 10.

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Win a 7-day Princess Cruise

Through April 30, enter Princess Cruises' "Amazing Escapes" sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 seven-day cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, or the Panama Canal. Other prizes include Samsonite luggage and Barnes & Noble gift certificates.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I am trying to ascertain what facilities are available for Gold AAdvantage members whose total segments are short of the required target before the frequent flier year ends, to retain gold renewal status by paying instead of achieving the goal set to be able to renew." [Neville B.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - There is no way to buy elite status in American's program. While you can purchase more AAdvantage miles, they will not count toward elite qualification. You will have to reach 2007 elite status the old-fashioned way: by earning it.]

"Hi, I am a regular reader of the Frequent Flier on the Internet.

"Question that could be publicly presented to major U.S. international airlines, such as United, American and Continental is why are sweepstakes always limited to U.S. residents? What about their international customers?" [P. S. - Caracas, Venezuela]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - There may be promotional sweepstakes offered in various non-U.S. markets by the U.S. carriers that we're not aware of. But since the bulk of their business is from American consumers, it's only natural that a proportionate share of their marketing efforts are targeted toward U.S. residents. It's also possible that differing local regulations make it extra-complicated to extend sweepstakes eligibility to multiple countries.]

Until next week...