U P F R O N T
Chat with Me on MSNBC
========================
Next Tuesday, May 6, at noon EST, I'll be the featured "expert in residence" for a 1-hour online chat in the Frommer's Budget Travel section on MSNBC. The topic, naturally, will be frequent flyer programs.
Join us!
> More...
This Week's Travel Newsbites
============================
Speaking of online chats, following are a couple of provocative pronouncements by Gordon Bethune, Continental's brash (if not brainy) chief, on a recent Forbes.com online Q&A:
"Given American Airlines' poor revenue results, they probably will rescind the decision to give 33 inches in coach."
Wishful thinking on Bethune's part. As consumers, we should all be booking American until EVERY full-service carrier -- including Continental -- matches American's "More Room Throughout Coach" initiative.
"We think we [Continental] will belong to SkyTeam eventually. That might include even more carriers than AF or AZ [Air France, Alitalia]. I think we have the potential to become one of the most powerful alliances anywhere. We'll see."
Bethune has this one right. If Continental and Northwest join SkyTeam, as looks likely, we could see a reversal of the alliance rankings, with SkyTeam moving from last to first place in 1 fell swoop. There's also the possibility of KLM's pitching its tent in the SkyTeam camp, further consolidating that alliance's lock on the "Biggest and Best" title.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Amex Launches "Your Rewards"
================================
Amex's Membership Rewards program now offers members a built-to-order awards option, deploying "a team of professional consultants who specialize in fulfilling virtually any request to provide customized rewards for Cardmembers."
Customized awards have long been a feature of Diners Club Rewards, so Amex doesn't win any points for originality. Still, it's a great addition to the program.
> More...
Delta Does Los Angeles
========================
If you're traveling between Atlanta and Los Angeles, Delta really, Really, REALLY wants your business.
Between May 1 and Aug. 31, SkyMiles members will earn triple miles for nonstop flights between Atlanta and 3 Southern California airports -- Los Angeles International, Ontario, and John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
Also on offer: a 1-time bonus of 2,500 miles for newly enrolled members who join SkyMiles via delta.com/skymilesoffers from Apr. 24 through Aug. 31, and fly between Atlanta and any of the above 3 West Coast airports from May 1 through Aug. 31.
From May 1 through Aug. 31, SkyMiles members can earn double or triple miles for stays at any of the more than 60 participating Hilton HHonors hotels in Atlanta and Southern California. Members should provide their SkyMiles number at the time of reservation and show their SkyMiles card at check-in.
And on the car-rental front, from May 1 through Aug. 31, 2003, SkyMiles members renting Jaguars, Volvos or Lincolns from the Hertz Prestige Collection at Atlanta or Los Angeles airports will earn triple miles and receive special rates starting at $59 a day. To receive the bonus, members must mention their SkyMiles number, SkyMiles discount number (CDP#) 165385 and promotion code 941522 at the time of reservation.
Full details are at http://delta.com/skymilesoffers.
Mother's Day Means More Miles-for-Flowers
=======================================
In recent years, the weeks leading up to Mother's Day have become a potential mileage windfall as online florists have upped the mileage ante for flower purchases. Some representative offers follow...
Continental OnePass members earn 15 miles per dollar spent for Calyx & Corolla flowers, plus an extra 300 bonus miles for orders placed by May 16, here.
Members of Midwest's program will receive 200 miles in addition to the normal 300 miles for a minimum purchase of $29.99, plus 100 miles for each additional $10 spent at Proflowers through May 15. More: http://www.proflowers.com/midwest/.
Starwood Preferred Guest members will earn 10 Starpoints for every dollar spent at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, plus an additional 200 Starpoints through May 15. When shopping on 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, enter promotion code SPG2.
And United Mileage Plus members will earn 20 miles per dollar spent on flowers or gourmet gifts from FTD.COM until May 31. Visit http://ftd.com/united29 or dial 1-800-SEND-FTD and ask for promo code 2524.
Check with your preferred program... chances are good there's a similar miles-for-flowers promo on offer there as well.
Midwest Debuts "Miles and Dollars"
==================================
Beginning May 1, Midwest Miles members can combine miles and cash for tickets.
A roundtrip domestic award will be offered for 15,000 miles plus $125 (plus taxes and fees). The new award option can be requested online from May 1. Cite Award Code YXMD15.
VS Says: Refer-a-Friend, and Redeem for Less
=========================================
Members of flying club (the mileage program of VS, Richard Branson's airline, whose name can't be mentioned without setting off e-mail blocking filters) can earn up to 15,000 bonus miles by referring friends to the program. If those referred enroll and then fly, the referrer is rewarded with 3,000, 7,500 or 15,000 miles, depending on whether the flight is in economy, premium economy or Upper Class.
> More...
Also, VS award travel to London, booked online between May 1 and July 31, will cost flying club members 10,000 fewer miles. For an economy award, normally 40,000 miles, that amounts to a 25% discount.
> More...
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
=================================
This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
Fly to Europe with a free London stopover and hotel stay
-----------------------------------------------------------------
British Airways is offering a triple whammy on spring and summer flights to Europe: low airfares from $290 roundtrip, a free stopover in London, and 2 free nights in a London hotel. Travel is valid through Sept. 24, with the lowest fares available from now through June 18. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Thursday, May 8.
> More...
Jamaica, other Caribbean spots from $272
-------------------------------------------------
Air Jamaica is offering savings to Jamaica and the Caribbean, for travel through June 25. Sale fares are available from selected cities to Kingston or Montego Bay, Jamaica, and from New York (Newark) to a variety of Caribbean destinations. Book tickets at least 3 days before departure, and by Sunday, May 4.
> More...
F R E Q U E N T F L I E R F U N N I E S
True (Funny) Travel Stories
=============================
Caller to an airline reservations agent: "My last flight with you people was 20 minutes late. Please indicate on my ticket that I want an on-time flight."
[FrequentFlier Funnies are true stories told by pilots, reservations agents and other travel industry professionals, reprinted with permission from William Joric's "Air Sick Humor."]
Until next week...
|
