Last Chance to Buy a Book, Win a Bag

Time is running out on the special promotion for "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs," co-authored by the editor of this newsletter, Tim Winship, and Randy Petersen.

Between Apr. 5 and May 4, everyone who purchases a copy of the book via the publisher's website will be entered in a sweepstakes to win one of two pieces of premium-quality luggage from Briggs & Riley.

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Bankruptcy Watch

Delta and its pilots have taken another step in the direction of reaching mutual agreement on the pilots' future salary and benefits.

Leaders of Delta's pilots union have endorsed a tentative agreement which will reportedly amount to a $280 million cut in the pilots' compensation. Delta had been pressing the pilots to accept give-backs worth more than $300 million.

The agreement next must be put to a vote by the 6,000 members of the union, expected to be completed by May 31. If ratified by the union, the contract must be approved by the court overseeing Delta's bankruptcy proceedings.

Meanwhile, pilots at Northwest -- which filed for bankruptcy on the same day Delta did -- are currently voting on their own new contract. Behind-the-scenes reports have painted a picture of deep divisions among union members, with a significant portion of the rank-and-file strongly opposed to the proposed agreement's cuts.

That opposition is likely to escalate in response to the deal under consideration by Delta's pilots, which analysts say is 10% more generous than Northwest's.

The last day for Northwest pilots to cast votes: May 3.

While hardly in bankruptcy, it should be noted that JetBlue just posted its second consecutive quarterly loss -- $32 million versus a year-ago profit of $6 million -- and is predicting a loss for the full year as well.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, jsaffer is in the market for a new rewards card: "I've used United's Mileage Plus for many years and they have just hiked up their required miles needed to book a flight. So, I'm in the market for a new card. I'm thinking that getting one not connected to a specific airline would be a good idea.

"Do folks have suggestions about which card to use that would allow the best deals? We usually pay off our credit card balance in full each month, so we're not really concerned about interest rates. We want to accumulate and then use as many miles as possible through our charging our expenses on the card, and also, ideally, a card with no annual fee."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Constant Traveler is facing the classic redeem-or-buy dilemma: "From a hotel use standpoint, what is the value of an Starwood Preferred Guest point? Where is the cut-off where it is better to pay for a room than to redeem? Current example: Pay $116 / night or redeem 3,000 points. I would argue, spend 3,000 points. Another example: Pay $250 / night or redeem 10,000 points."

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

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AirTran Doubles A+ Rewards Credits to Select Cities

Through June 15, A+ Rewards members will earn double credits for flights to/from the following cities: Akron/Canton, Bloomington/Normal, Chicago (Midway), Moline/Quad Cities, Newport News/Williamsburg, Richmond, Rochester and White Plains.

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Midwest Puts Miles on Sale

During the month of May, Midwest Miles members can purchase miles for their own accounts, or as gifts for others, at a 25% discount. Miles normally cost about 3¢ each, and a maximum of 15,000 miles per year can be purchased.

To receive the discount, cite promo code MAY25 when making the purchase on Midwest's website.

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Crowne Plaza Bonus for Amex Users

Between May 1 and Sept. 5, Priority Club Rewards members who charge their stays at any U.S. or Canada Crowne Plaza hotels to an American Express card will receive a prepaid card worth $25, redeemable anywhere American Express cards are accepted.

To qualify for the bonus, reservation must be made online at www.crowneplaza.com/amxoffer or by calling 1-800-951-4669.

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Priority Club Bonus for Multiple Stays

Between May 15 and Aug. 31, Priority Club Rewards members can earn up to 20,000 points or 5,000 miles for multiple stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Express by Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites hotels.

Members earn 2,000 bonus points or 500 bonus miles for every second qualifying night. Nights need not be consecutive.

Registration is required.

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Up to 5,000 Bonus United Miles for Dining

We reported earlier this month on a slew of miles-for-dining promotions for members of the programs of Alaska, American, Delta, Continental, Midwest, Northwest, and Priority Club.

United has now added its name to the list of carriers with bonus miles on offer for dining.

Between May 1 and June 30, Mileage Plus members will earn 250 bonus miles for every qualifying dine of $15 or more, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

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US Air Offers Free Companion Tickets to L. America, Caribbean

Dividend Miles members who purchase a ticket to Latin America or the Caribbean by May 7, for travel through Aug. 31, will receive a free companion ticket for use on their next paid trip to Latin America or the Caribbean.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) AirTran Sale Fares from $39 Each Way

All of AirTran's destinations are on sale through early October. Prices start at $39 one-way, and destinations include Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Oct. 4. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by May 4.

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2) American Matches AirTran, Fares from $138 Roundtrip

American has responded to AirTran's latest systemwide sale (see above) with a domestic offer of its own. Prices start at $138 roundtrip, and destinations include Miami, New York, and Orlando.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Oct. 4. Book tickets at least 14 or 21 days in advance. American has not listed a booking deadline, but AirTran's sale expires on May 4. Fares may require a one-night minimum stay.

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Win a Hawaiian Island Cruise

Enter Conde Nast's "Hawaiian Luxury Getaway" sweepstakes by May 2 for a chance to win an eight-day Hawaiian Island cruise for two, including air.

Enter by subscribing to Men's Vogue or by filling out an online form, no purchase required.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Thanks for covering the airlines' ongoing demise, as evidenced by their continuing 'frequent flier' farce.

"What United is doing the with its latest changes will continue its trend of repelling loyal customers -- they've been forking out more and more miles for every kind of purchase under the sun, then devaluing them. This is their second major mileage devaluation in about a year.

"Message to United: if you want frequent fliers, make a program that gives fliers a reason to frequent you. Stop partnering with everybody and giving away so many miles, then making them worthless.

"Concentrate on flying when and where people want to fly and charging cheaper fares.

"Become Southwest, but differentiate by letting customers reserve seats.

"I'm giving away my age here, sadly, but it seems to me that these Frequent Flier mile programs are becoming the 'blue stamps,' 'green stamps' and 'plaid stamps' of this era, or the arcade coupons earned playing $75 worth of games which can be cashed in for a 10-cent trinket." [Susan W. - Davis, CA]

"What's in your wallet?

"Anyone who might be enticed by the gimmicky 'no hassle' rewards program offered by CapitolOne take note:

"In 2002 we booked tickets to Europe. For a ticket valued at up to $1200 it was 50K miles.

"In 2004 the miles for Europe went to 65K for a ticket up to $1000.

"Subsequently the ticket value dropped to $800. So while they can claim there are no blackout dates any seasoned traveler to Europe knows that a ticket for $800 to Europe is only going to be available at the decidedly off peak times of the year.

"Today, I looked into booking Europe and guess what? For 60K miles you can get a 'super ticket' with a value between $350-$600. Forget Europe except for January.

"A ticket over $600 is now 100x the ticket price in miles! In other words a typical ticket that has a $1000 value will require 100K miles.

"What's in your wallet? Crap!" [Skyhawk]

Until next week...