We Stand Corrected

In last week's "Rants & Raves" section, responding to Neville B.'s question regarding alternative ways to requalify for elite status, we asserted that in American's AAdvantage program elite status could only be earned the old-fashioned way: by earning it. I.e., it couldn't be purchased.

We were wrong, as several readers pointed out (see "Rants & Raves" below).

In fact, American is offering 2006 elites the chance to requalify for 2007 by paying a fee ranging from $299 to $599, depending on their progress toward earning elite and whether requesting Gold or Platinum status.

For specifics, see the below link provided by American.

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2nd Quarter Miles-for-Dining Promos, Not

Continuing the theme of accuracy and accountability, in last week's Crier we predicted that American's dining miles bonus would be just the first of many such promotions rolled out during the second quarter of 2007.

So sure were we that we'd have more bonuses for you in this week's issue that we promised to "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."

Well, we're eating our words.

The only new dining miles promotion we have to report today is a rather limited one from Northwest (see "Miles & Points" below). While we're also highlighting a Midwest dining offer, that's a year-long promo, not one specific to the second quarter.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, FlyGuy's thread about e-rewards is heating up as participants are anticipating earned point to be converted into airline miles following the end of the January-March quarter. Otter's experience: "They just deducted 500 points today, but it hasn't shown up in my NWA account yet."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, QF WP has updated his handy summary of current Hyatt promotions.

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Budget Is New Delta Partner

Members of the Delta SkyMiles program can now earn miles when renting from Budget.

Normal earning rate will be 50 miles per day on qualifying Budget rentals. In addition to the miles, members can receive up to 20% off rentals by mentioning the Delta/Budget customer discount when booking.

To promote the new partnership, SkyMiles members will earn quadruple miles for qualifying rentals of up to five days between April 9 and May 25.

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New on the Frequent Flyer Program Scene: JetSet from ExpressJet

Newly independent ExpressJet, formerly a feeder carrier for several major airlines, began operations on Monday from Austin, Boise, Kansas City, Omaha, Ontario, San Antonio, Spokane and Tucson.

Predictably, ExpressJet has its own frequent flyer program: JetSet. Like Southwest's Rapid Rewards, members earn one free roundtrip ticket after eight paid roundtrips or 16 one-way segments.

We'll have a full review of JetSet in a future issue.

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More Dining Miles for Midwest Elites

Throughout 2007, Executive elite-level members of Midwest Miles will earn 250 bonus miles every month during which they complete two or more qualifying dines of $15 or more each.

Members must have established an online username and password to qualify for the bonus.

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Northwest Miles-for-Dining Bonus

Between April 1 and June 30, Northwest WorldPerks members who participate in Rewards Network Dining For Miles will earn 250 bonus miles for qualified dines of $25 or more, up to a total of 3,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

IMPORTANT QUALIFIER: Bonus can only be earned by those who establish an online account at nwa.rewardsnetwork.com for the first time between April 1 and June 30.

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More Priority Club Points at L.A. InterCon

Priority Club members will earn triple points or airline miles for qualifying stays of two or more nights at the new InterContinental Century City through September 4.

For those more interested in redeeming points than earning them, Priority Club members can take advantage of the Reward Night PointBreaks offer at the hotel: 5,000 points a night for stays through May 15.

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United Offers Bonus for Airport Lounge Memberships

United Mileage Plus members can earn a 1,000-mile bonus when purchasing a membership in United's Red Carpet Club. Prices start at $500 (or 70,000 miles) per year for non-elite members.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Spring and Summer Sale Fares on Southwest from $49 Each Way

Southwest is offering a new systemwide sale for travel through August. Fares start at $49 one-way, and destinations include Austin, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas.

Travel is valid from April 17 through August 24. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by April 12.

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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 4 Trips to Hard Rock Cafe Concerts

Through May 29, enter Hard Rock Cafe's "The Ambassadors of Rock" sweepstakes for a chance to win four trips for two to attend four Hard Rock Cafe concerts -- one in London, and the other three in Buenos Aires, Dubai, Las Vegas, Mexico City, New York City, Japan or Singapore. Trips include air, hotel, concert tickets, and spending money.

Two runner-up prizes consist of just the London concert trip.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Just a comment about your response in the rants and rave section about earning elite qualification the old fashioned way.

"I have had Continental silver elite status for a number of years and last year actually flew 26,779 miles which should have qualified me for silver elite status as you need 25,000 miles.

"However, because they only allowed a certain percentage of the miles on some flights depending on how the fare was coded, they said I only accumulated 21,435 miles and therefore did not meet the silver elite goal.

"Needless to say I was not very happy about this (and I did try find out if there was a way to maintain it) and no longer try and book all my fights on Continental anymore, and they could care less.

"Thanks for letting me vent." [Maureen]

[The following both refer to our mistaken assertion in last week's Crier that AAdvantage elite status could only be retained by earning the required number of miles/segments. As explained in "We Stand Corrected" above, American indeed allows 2006 elite members to requalify by paying a fee. Thanks to Glenn, Peter, and several others who corrected us.]

"I have seen offers to renew Gold for a ~$300 fee for current Golds who do not automatically qualify for renewal through flight activity." [Glenn S.]

"I do not think your answer below [in last week's newsletter] is correct. I received an offer from American to renew my Gold status for $$$$. Did not seem to make sense to me what they were charging so I opted out.

"Just thought you might want to check with American again about their policies. Thanks for a great newsletter." [Peter L.]

Until next week...