Bonus Dining Miles on the Menu

When we reported on American's current dining-for-miles promotion, we predicted that it was just the first of many such offers we'd be seeing for the second quarter. We were both right and wrong.

As it turned out, there were indeed more offers in the pipeline. But rather than taking effect on April 1, like American's, the other airlines' offers would begin a month later, on May 1.

As described below (see "Miles & Points" for details and registration links), members of the programs of Alaska, Delta, Midwest, United, and US Airways can earn bonus miles for dining at restaurants participating in the Rewards Network.

The offers from Midwest, United, and US Airways are identical: 250 bonus miles for meals costing $25 or more, including tax and tip, with a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles during the promotion.

Delta takes a slightly different tack, offering triple miles for qualifying dines. Unfortunately there's a 3,000-mile limit to the number of bonus miles that can be racked up with the offer, and Friday and Saturday meals don't earn any bonus.

Even more disappointingly, Alaska has both capped their promotion at 3,000 bonus miles and limited eligibility to program members who have not previously established an online Mileage Plan Dining account.

Noticeably absent from the bonus mile table: Continental.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, bavenkat is wondering about the ultimate disposition of frequent flyer miles: "The last time I checked with United, my frequent flyer miles cannot be willed to anybody else. They said the miles are for my exclusive use. So does that mean that if I pass away, my miles just 'expire'?! Any thoughts on this?"

And in the "Credit Cards Programs" Forum, jsaffer is in the market for a new mileage 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?"

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

:: More

Alaska's (Limited) Dining Bonus

Alaska Mileage Plan members who set up an online Mileage Plan Dining account between May 1 and July 31 will earn 250 bonus miles for every qualified dine of $15 or more, up to a maximum of 3,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

Members who have already established online dining accounts are not eligible for this bonus.

:: More

Dine for More AAdvantage Miles

Through May 31, AAdvantage members who participate in AAdvantage Dining can earn 250 bonus miles for every qualifying dine of $15 or more.

Registration is required.

:: More

Delta Bonus for Thurs. - Sun. Dines

Between May 1 and June 28, Delta SkyMiles members will earn triple miles for every qualifying dine -- Thursdays through Sundays only -- up to a maximum of 3,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

:: More

Dining-for-Miles Bonus from Midwest

Between May 1 and June 30, Midwest Miles members will earn 250 miles for every qualifying dine of $25 or more, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

:: More

Dining-for-Miles Bonus from United

Between May 1 and June 30, Mileage Plus members will earn 250 miles for every qualifying dine of $25 or more, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

:: More

Dining-for-Miles Bonus from US Airways

Between May 1 and June 30, Dividend Miles members will earn 250 miles for every qualifying dine of $25 or more, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Ireland Fares on Aer Lingus from $159 Each Way

Aer Lingus recently announced service from Orlando, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Introductory fares start at $159 one-way for fall flights.

Travel from Washington, D.C., is valid from September 3 through 30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Travel from Orlando is valid on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from October 27 through December 13. Travel from San Francisco is valid from October 28 through December 16 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. No booking deadline is listed for these prices.

:: More

2) Qantas' 3-city Aussie AirPass from $1,099

Travelers on both coasts can take advantage of Qantas' multi-city Aussie AirPass. For the starting price of $1,099, the pass includes roundtrip airfare on select flights from the western U.S. to Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, and up to three additional flights within Australia. East Coast and Midwest departures are available at higher prices.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid from May 1 through 31, and from August 1 through 31. Travel on other dates is available at higher prices. Qantas has not listed a booking deadline.

:: More

Win a Trip for 2 to Las Vegas

Through May 31, enter Southwest Vacations' "Go Hollywood in Vegas" sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, including air, three nights at the Planet Hollywood Resort, dinner at Spice, tickets to "Stomp Out Loud," and a $500 gift certificate to the Miracle Mile Shops.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I agree with the reader feedback that the availability of seats is not as bad as people think, provided that you are flexible on your date of travel, and you book as far in advance as possible.

"I recently reserved for my in-laws two Air New Zealand flat bed seats in their new business class from LHR to LAX and return for January 2008 through my UK-based British Midland Diamond Club account. No problem with dates plus the best seats on the plane at the front of the main deck were available to reserve. I'm beginning to wish I was travelling myself.

"In my experience UK-based airlines including BA, bmi and Virgin have good booking tools and access to partner airline seats through Star Alliance and OneWorld. Since moving here I have kept my UK accounts active rather than switch to what seem less helpful US airlines.

"Keep up the great work." [Phil B. - Thousand Oaks, CA]

"I traveled on business to Mazatlan, Mexico this past week. I highly recommend Mazatlan as a less expensive 'Cabo' and a place where you can party with as many people as you like or you can enjoy quiet and restful beaches with great weather, exceptional food, good shopping, and friendly locals.

"Friends asked me to bring back a couple of bottles of a special brand of Tequila. I asked around and was told that I would NOT be able to transport it in my carry-on luggage unless it was purchased in the Duty Free Shop at the airport. I checked with Duty Free and they verified this. So, upon leaving I bought a couple of bottles for my friends and a couple more for myself. As expected, Duty Free employees met me at the gate and handed me the bags of bottles. Unfortunately, my first stop was at the terribly outdated LAX airport where for every one helpful, friendly employee there are at least five unhappy, miserable employees (this includes LAX employees, Airline employees, and TSA employees.)

"I cleared Customs and rechecked my suitcase. Then I proceeded toward my gate with my two bags of 'cactus juice' in hand. I was stopped at screening by an obnoxious TSA Agent who proclaimed my ignorance to the world showing off both his godly power and voice projection. Apparently, at LAX, they do NOT take your bags for re-checking in the Secure Customs Area but instead direct passengers for a short 50 foot walk outside the secure area to the ticket counter. At the counter NO one asked about the obvious Duty Free bags I had so I ignorantly proceeded back to the screening. I went through two stations where my Boarding Pass and Passport were checked but NO one asked about my Duty Free bottles. Then Mr. Loud & Powerful at the X-ray machine ordered me to return to the counter and check the bottles or suggested that I could leave them with him.

"Of course, now my luggage was already gone to the plane and it was too late to retrieve it. It was 11 PM so nothing was open and now I had to rummage through trash cans to find newspapers to try to pack the bottles in my carry-on bag which I had to now check. None of the counters had any 'FRAGILE' stickers at all. I packed it the best I could and checked it. That bag was promptly 'lost' in transit. It arrived two days later at my home airport.

"Moral to this story: NO ONE, at any airport in the world, may buy liquor, beer, perfume, aerosols, pastes, etc. at any world Duty Free Store that you are not prepared to pack in your checked luggage, unless your very first stop is your home destination. These items may ONLY be hand carried to the destination of your very next leg of travel... no further... period, end of statement." [Gregory S. - Greensboro, NC]

Until next week...