U P F R O N T

This Week's Travel Newsbites
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Over the next few weeks, U.S. airlines will be disclosing their financial results for the first quarter of 2004.

Delta was the first major carrier to report, with a loss of $387 million for the quarter, compared to a $470 million loss during the same period last year.

Referring to the most recent loss, Delta chief Gerald Grinstein warned that "Delta must regain sustained profitability so we can compete effectively. The urgent task is to achieve a competitive cost structure so that Delta can generate a positive cash flow, reduce its debt burden and return to profitability." Translation: Delta pilots must agree to pay-cut proposals now on the table.

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According to an American Express survey cited in this week's Charlotte Observer, business airfares for 2003 were the lowest since 1996. Average 1-way business fare was $276 last year, versus $256 in 1996.

Leisure fares were up 3% in 2003, to $99 each way for the most heavily discounted tickets.

The survey is based on fares paid by Amex corporate customers for tickets on 215 routes.

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Long the envy of mainline carriers, Southwest Airlines' cozy management-labor relations are fraying.

Last week, the union representing Southwest's flight attendants declared that contract negotiations -- which have become increasingly contentious over the past 2 years -- had reached an impasse.

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New pension legislation approved by Congress and signed into law by President Bush allows airlines to defer pension contributions for 2004 and 2005, giving United in particular some short-term financial breathing room.

<< O N S I T E >>

FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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Travlynn has details on Delta's new iDine promotion. Joe wonders whether the CapitalOne rewards card is the best choice for a frequent buyer like himself. Adeleswart begins a post as follows: "We are looking to get bumped this weekend..." And much more...

Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

> More...

<< M I L E S & P O I N T S >>

AA Doubles Miles from JFK to San Juan, San Francisco
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Through May 31, AAdvantage members will earn double miles on nonstop flights between New York and both San Juan and San Francisco. Offer is effective immediately for JFK-San Juan flights and begins on Apr. 16 for JFK-San Francisco.

Register prior to travel at http://www.aa.com/offers with promotion code NYSJU for JFK/San Juan or NYSFO for JFK/San Francisco, or via the AAdvantage Dial-In System at 1-800-882-8880.

From Avis: "Twice the Love"
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Between Apr. 12 and June 25, Avis customers may elect to earn either double airline miles or double savings from existing dollars-off coupons for all rentals.

To earn the mileage bonus, renters must reference the "Twice The Love" promotion when making a reservation and requesting airline miles.

To receive the discount, renters who have dollars-off coupons will receive twice the coupon's face value by mentioning the promotion and a valid coupon number at the time of booking, and then presenting the coupon when picking up their cars.

In addition, Avis Corporate Award members will receive double Corporate Award Points on every rental booked online at www.avis.com during the promo period.

> More...

Best Western Doubles Miles for Stays
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Members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club Int'l who complete 2 qualifying stays at Best Western hotels in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Asia and South America between Apr. 15 and June 15 will earn 1,000 miles -- 500 base miles (250 per night) plus 500 bonus miles.

Miles are offered in the programs of Air Canada, Alaska, American, America West, Asiana, Delta, Northwest, TAM Brazilian, Thai and United.

Registration is required.

> More...

Get Away to the Caribbean and Get 2,500 CO Miles
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OnePass members will earn 2,500 bonus miles for booking a Caribbean vacation through Continental Vacations by May 30 for travel completed by June 30.

To receive the bonus, members must provide an account number and cite Promotion Code COVCARIBML.

> More...

Dallas Connections Earn Delta Bonus
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SkyMiles members who connect through Dallas/Fort Worth Airport between Apr. 15 and June 30 will earn up to 2,000 bonus miles, 1,000 in each direction.

To earn the bonus, travel must be on a paid ticket on a Delta or Delta Connection flight that connects within 4 hours to another Delta or Delta Connection flight.

Registration is required.

> More...

Northwest Offers Mileage Transfers
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Through Dec. 24, Northwest WorldPerks members may transfer miles to other members' accounts by paying a $25 processing fee plus $0.01 per mile.

Each member may transfer up to 50,000 miles per year to other accounts, and receive a maximum of 10,000 miles from other accounts.

> More...

Air Tahiti Is New WorldPerks Award Partner
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Effective May 1, WorldPerks members may redeem miles on the following Air Tahiti Nui routes: Los Angeles-Papeete, Tokyo-Papeete, Osaka-Papeete and Papeete-Auckland.

Air Tahaiti will be a redemption partner only. No miles are awarded for paid flights.

United Doubles Miles on Three Flights
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Mileage Plus members traveling between New York and San Francisco, Dallas and San Francisco, and Dallas and Los Angeles will earn double flight miles from Apr. 16 through May 31.

Register prior to travel at http://www.united.com/mpd904reg or by calling 1-800-447-6772, code 954.

Earn Reader Miles from United
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Subscribe to any of 50 newspapers to earn up to 1,000 Mileage Plus bonus miles.

Papers on offer include USA Today, the Wall Street Journal and many local dailies.

> More...

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

Bermuda on US Airways from $285
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US Airways has announced sale fares to Bermuda as low as $285 roundtrip. Departures are valid from Apr. 30 through June 21.

Despite the fact that Bermuda's high season is upon us, US Airways' sale fares are the lowest available on every route we checked. Even so, shop around before booking to ensure you find the lowest price on your route.

> More...

Bali on Cathay Pacific from $599
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Save on a spring trip to Bali with Cathay Pacific's "Deal of the Month" fares starting at $599 roundtrip. Flights are only available from Los Angeles and do not include additional taxes and fees. Cathay Pacific allows stopovers in Hong Kong at no additional charge. Travel is valid from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

> More...

<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"I recently logged into my Continental Airlines frequent flyer account and was presented with a page titled 'Review OnePass Member Advisory.' I read the page and was shocked to find this paragraph:

"'Inactive Membership - If no mileage is deposited in your account for 18 consecutive months, commencing after June 1, 2001, your membership will be cancelled, and your miles will be forfeited.'

"I haven't noticed this in your newsletter. It would be a good idea to let other members know. I've never heard of this with another program."

- Maynard

"It should be noted that while most hotel chains now boast "the lowest rate anywhere" on their own websites, those rock-bottom fares are mostly non-cancellable. If you do cancel, 100% of the rate will be charged to your credit card. Really need to read the rate restrictions when booking on hotel websites."

- Mark

"In your recent newsletter, you state: 'National Car Rental - Frequent Flyer Service Charge Beginning July 13, National will introduce a Frequent Flyer Service Charge in the amount of $0.50 per day for qualifying rentals in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico when renters choose to receive Frequent Flyer miles or credits.'

"Since National is owned by Alamo, will Alamo also be charging this surcharge?"

- Al

[Editor's Note - Alamo and National are both owned by Vanguard Car Rental. At this point, Alamo collects a "Frequent Flyer Tax Recoupment Surcharge" to cover the federal tax on the cost of the miles awarded at time of rental. The federal excise tax in question is 7.5%, and Alamo is probably purchasing airline miles at somewhat less than $0.02 apiece. So, assuming you're earning 50 miles per rental day, the surcharge would be 7.5% x $0.02 x 50, or $0.08 per day, significantly less than National's new Service Charge. There's no word yet from Alamo on whether they'll be following National's lead on this.]

<< S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S >>

Win AAdvantage Miles from Points.com
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Enter Points.com's 3rd anniversary sweepstakes by June 30 to win 1 of 10 Grand Prizes of 100,000 AAdvantage miles each.

There are several ways to enter, including signing up for Points.com membership and making an exchange to or from an AAdvantage account.

> More...

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

Until next week...