Media Query

A reporter is looking for frequent fliers who belong to special top-tier elite programs, such as United's Global Services or Continental's Chairman's Circle. If you are a member of one of these programs, please send a note to chris@elliott.org.

Airlines Offer More Elite Status, Fewer Elite Perks

Never before has it been so easy to attain elite status in airline frequent flyer programs. Nor has it ever been so difficult to obtain the principal benefit of elite status: the first-class upgrade.

Is it time to reconsider the benefits of loyalty?

More: http://www.frequentflier.com/ff032805.htm

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, cloki7 got a pleasant surprise: 30,000 bonus miles after flying 6 segments during March. Where did they come from?

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, iwanttofly is just short of an award: "I am currently 1K miles short for a return transatlantic flight with Delta, does anybody know of a simple way of making up the shortfall? The credit card is not an option for me in the UK."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, superdawg has a link to a Starwood promo offering 4,000 bonus points for 3 stays at Four Points hotels (see "Miles & Points" below).

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

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

Loews Stays Earn Double AAdvantage Miles

Between Apr. 1 and May 31, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for stays at Loews hotels.

More: http://www.loewshotels.com/partners.asp

AAdvantage Miles for Buying Sealy Bedding

AAdvantage members can earn between 1,500 and 12,500 miles for purchasing a Sealy Posturepedic mattress and box springs from HBIDirect. Miles are awarded according to the model and size of bedding.

Shipping is free.

More: http://www.mileswhileyousleep.com or call 1-888-SHOP-HBD

Up to 4,000 American Miles for New Otani Stays

Through July 31, AAdvantage members will earn quadruple miles for stays of 2 or more nights at participating New Otani hotels, plus an additional 2,000 miles for showing an American Air boarding pass at check-in.

More: http://www.newotanihotels.com

Reminder - Limited-Time Amex Card Bonuses

For a limited time, American Express is offering new cardholders extra-rich activation bonuses for 3 co-branded credit cards.

Through Apr. 15, new holders of the Hilton HHonors Platinum credit card from American Express will receive a welcome bonus of 15,000 HHonors points after the first purchase.

Through May 1, Amex is increasing the welcome bonus to 15,000 miles for the Gold Delta SkyMiles card.

And also through May 1, Amex is offering up to 10,000 bonus points for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card -- a welcome bonus of 4,000 Starpoints and up to 6,000 Starpoints in the first year of membership for stays at Starwood hotels.

• More: Hilton HHonors Platinum card
• More: Gold Delta SkyMiles card
• More: Starwood Preferred Guest card

Continental Bonus for Hawaii Marriott Stays

Book a stay at participating Marriott Resorts in Hawaii of 5 or more nights to earn a 2,500-mile OnePass bonus.

Bookings must be made by Apr. 30 for travel through June 30 or Nov. 30,depending on package chosen.

More: http://www.continental.covacations.com/

New York-Berlin Flights Earn Delta Bonus

Delta is offering SkyMiles members bonus miles for new service between New York and Berlin-Tegel launching May 2.

Roundtrips completed by July 2 earn 20,000 bonus miles for J, D fares, 10,000 miles for Y, B, M, I fares, or 5,000 miles for H, Q, K, L fares. Bonus may only be earned once, and there's no bonus for S, T or U fares.

More: http://delta.com/skymiles/getmiles/delta_miles/delta_lto/berlinlaunch/index.jsp

Northwest Discounts Miles-and-Cash Trips

Through May 15, WorldPerks members with a minimum of 5,000 miles in their accounts can book flights using a combination of miles and cash, at discounted levels.

Travel must be completed by June 6.

More: http://www.nwa.com/features/cmspring05/

Double Rapid Rewards Credits at La Quinta

Between Apr. 1 and July 1, Southwest Rapid Rewards members who also are LaQuinta Returns members will receive double Rapid Rewards credit (1.0 credit instead of 0.5 credits) for eligible stays at LaQuinta hotels.

To receive the bonus, mention the double credit promo and a Rapid Rewards number at hotel check-in.

More: http://southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rapid_report/partnerperks.html#laquinta

Starwood Bonus for Multiple Four Points Stays

Between Apr. 12 and June 7, Starwood Preferred Guest members will earn 4,000 bonus Starpoints after 3 stays at U.S. and Canadian Four Points by Sheraton hotels. Limit: 12,000 bonus points for 9 stays.

Registration is required.

More: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

United Offers Bonus, Discounted Awards on Taipei, Nagoya Flights

Through September 15, Mileage Plus members will earn double miles for paid flights, or receive a discount on award flights, on United's San Francisco-Nagoya-Taipei flights.

To receive the bonus, registration is required.

With the discount, awards are priced at 44,000 miles for a coach Saver award, 70,000 miles for a business Saver award, and 100,000 miles for a first Saver award. Normally, those awards are 60,000, 90,000 and 120,000 miles respectively.

• More (bonus): http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1252,00.html#Nagoya
• More (award discount): http://united.com/nagoyaspecial

Triple Miles from United Cruises

Between Apr. 1 and June 30, Mileage Plus members will earn triple miles for cruises from United Cruises charged to their Mileage Plus Visa cards.

More: http://united.com/cruises or call 1-888-UAL2SEA

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Sale Fares on AirTran from $44 Each Way

Save on travel into the fall with AirTran's nationwide sale. Prices start at $44 1-way, and destinations include Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and more.

Travel is valid on Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 5. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Apr. 19.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8685

2) Ireland Sale Fares on Aer Lingus from $366

Travelers departing from (or connecting in) Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York can take advantage of Aer Lingus' spring Ireland sale. Fares to Dublin and Shannon start at $366 roundtrip.

Travel is valid daily from May 1 through 31. Book Boston and New York departures by Apr. 15, and book Chicago and Los Angeles departures by May 31.

More: http://www.smartertravel.com/air/deal.php?id=8626

Win a Trip for 5 from American

Through May 31, enter the American-Blockbuster "Feature Presentation" sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for 5 and a video camera, or 1 of 5 $1,000 travel vouchers.

All entrants receive a free 1-month Blockbuster Online trial membership.

More: http://www.aa.com/promo

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

[In response to Barbara's comments last week regarding the American-United comfort "battle"...]

"I say, when is American going to sell all their MD-80's to China and dump what's left to American Eagle so American can upgrade their fleet with real planes?

"As an Executive Platinum/One World Emerald member, the biggest insult to me is being forced into these MD-80's, in any seat, as if I should be excited I'm boarding this excuse of aircraft in the United States." (Alan from Boston, MA)

"I am a Northwest WorldPerks member with sufficient miles for a free trip. However, when I tried, even this far ahead to book a November 24 departure, I was told I couldn't be accommodated.

"Nov. 24 is the U.S. Thanksgiving day, and I know from experience that on that actual day the planes are not nearly full.

"What good are frequent flier benefits if you can't use them under these types of circumstances?" (Henry K.)

"Last month I tried to redeem 180,000 AA ff miles for two business class tickets DFW/LGW/DFW ANY DAY in Sept., with the return seven or eight days later. Since American has three non-stops daily and I was calling six months ahead, I felt pretty confident. There was NO TIME the entire month open, the reservationist claimed. However, if I was willing to pay for two economy tickets plus $1,000. upgrade fee and 100,000 miles, I could have my choice of many dates. So, American is making it much more difficult to redeem one type award travel over another for the same seats.

"If you're planning to claim free business class tickets to Europe, you'd better do it at the earliest time permitted, which is eleven months in advance. Even then, it may not work. I suspect there may be no seats from the beginning for certain times." (Jack H.)

"When did Delta change it's rules on expiration of FF mileage? I recieve a statement only thru email and don't recall ever seeing a notice that the miles would expire if certain conditions were not met.

"In Feb. I was shocked to see that over 30,000 FF miles were gone. I inquired and was told the of the new rules . I had these miles for approx. 10 years and they never expired." (Jim L.)

"I've noticed at several travel letter sites many stories of passengers confronting another or wondering if they should when safety violations occur. I believe you could do all a favor by reminding everyone such confrontations are a command responsibility, not a passenger's.

"Remind all to notify the flight attendant or an officer and otherwise keep the peace." (RWS)

Until next week...