U P F R O N T
This Week's Travel Newsbites
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First-quarter financial results for all the larger U.S. airlines are in.
There are signs of improvement among the mainline carriers, most of which reported smaller year-over-year losses. But the losses continue, amounting to $1.7 billion for the Big 6 alone.
AirTran, America West and Southwest improved and showed profits.
But JetBlue lost ground, eking out a slim $1 million profit, down from $17 million for last year's first quarter.
Airline Q1 Profit/(Loss)*
2004 2003
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AirTran $4 $2
Alaska ($43) ($56)
American ($166) ($1043)
America West $1 ($62)
Continental ($124) ($221)
Delta ($383) ($466)
Midwest Express ($7) ($12)
Northwest ($396) ($223)
Southwest $26 $24
United ($459) ($1,343)
US Airways ($177) $1,635 (A)
(A) - Includes "unusual gains" from reorganization
* millions
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Apropos of the above, an AP story quoted 2 airline execs' grim outlook for the mainline carriers as follows:
Continental CEO Gordon Bethune opined that "There is no reason to have 6 hub and spoke carriers."
And American's Gerald Arpey warned: "There are going to be fewer carriers."
....................//
Lastly, in a truly historic development, Air France has taken over KLM.
Air France-KLM, as the new holding company is known, will be the world's largest airline in revenue terms, behind JAL, and the 3rd largest in passenger-traffic terms, behind American and United.
For at least the next 3 years, the 2 airlines will continue operating as separate brands.
In a statement issued after the buyout was completed, Air France-KLM said the 2 carriers' frequent flyer programs would be integrated and predicted that KLM, Northwest and Continental would join the SkyTeam alliance, co-anchored by Air France and Delta, in mid-Sept. 2004.
<< O N S I T E >>
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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Kevin discovered his trip to Palau (Micronesia) will cost him a whopping 120,000 OnePass miles for a coach award. Duane is seeking advice for a Starwood newbie. Ken has the skinny on why Safeway doesn't accept Amex cards for payment. 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 >>
American Doubles Miles to P.R., Dominican Republic
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From June 10 through Aug. 31, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for nonstop American flights between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Santo Domingo and Santiago in the Dominican Republic.
Registration is required, either online at http://www.aa.com/offers or by phone at 1-800-882-8880, using promotion code NYCDR.
CORRECTION - Double Miles-for-Dining from America West
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In last week's Crier, we misidentified the days of the week during which bonus dining miles would be awarded. The following corrects that error:
Between Apr. 1 and June 30, FlightFund members will earn double miles for their first 3 qualifying iDine meals at participating restaurants EXCEPT on Fridays or Saturdays.
Registration is required.
> More...
Free Mexico Companion Pass from America West
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FlightFund members who fly 1 roundtrip to Las Vegas before May 31 will earn a free companion ticket to Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Guaymas, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta.
Companion tickets may used for travel in conjunction with a revenue ticket between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30.
Registration is required.
> More...
America West Has Miles-for-Mortgages
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America West added a new program partner, Awards for Mortgage and Real Estate, allowing FlightFund members to earn miles for new mortgages, refinancing, home equity loans and moving services.
Earning rates: 1,300 miles for each $10,000 financed, refinanced or borrowed as a home equity loan on the closing date; 3,000 miles for each $10,000 of home purchase and/or sale price; 1,000 miles for each $1,000 of van line services; 5,000 additional bonus miles when combining multiple services.
As a launch promotion, new home loan applications received through May 31 earn 1,800 miles for every $10,000 financed or refinanced at closing -- a bonus of 500 miles per $10,000. Cite promotion code LN500.
Call 1-877-747-0300 or use the link below.
> More...
Budget Program Will Discontinue Mileage Awards
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If you dig deep enough, you'll find the following on Budget Rent A Car's website: "Effective May 15, 2004, the Perfect Drive program will no longer offer the conversion of Perfect Drive points to Airline Miles (Credits) as part of the reward mix."
So, Perfect Drive members who wish to exchange their points for miles in the programs of American, Delta, Southwest or United have just over a week to do so.
> More...
SkyMiles Bonus for FTD.com Purchases
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Through May 15, SkyMiles members will earn 25 miles for every $1 spent on flower or gift purchases at FTD.com.
To receive the bonus, order at http://ftd.com/delta25 or by calling 1-800-SEND-FTD citing promotion code 9596. Remember to enter your SkyMiles program number at checkout.
[With Mother's Day coming this Sunday, most programs have bonuses in place with their florist partners. This just happens to be the most generous we've seen.]
United Doubles Sacramento-D.C. Miles
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Mileage Plus members will earn double miles for non-stop, roundtrip flights between Sacramento and Washington/Dulles between June 3 and July 31.
Registration is required, at http://www.united.com/offer/mpda14, or by calling 1-800-447-6772, promo code 263.
United is also offering special $198 roundtrip fares on the new flights through Aug. 29.
Double, Triple US Air Miles for Philly Flights
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Through Sept. 1, Dividend Miles members will earn bonus miles for flights between Philadelphia and Birmingham (AL), Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Manchester (NH), Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh/Durham, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
The bonus: triple miles for flights booked on usairways.com, double miles when booked through US Airways Reservations or a travel agent.
Registration is required.
> 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...
Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok from $799
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Save on a spring trip to Asia with Cathay Pacific's "Deal of the Month" fares starting at $799 roundtrip. This month, fly to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok in the order specified to take advantage of the sale fares. Flights are available from Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco 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 Nov. 30.
Book tickets by May 31.
> More...
Domestic Fares on American from $189
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American is offering domestic sale fares starting at $189 roundtrip. Departures at the lowest prices are valid from May 6 through June 3. Travel at higher prices is available between June 11 and Sept. 13.
Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. American has not announced a booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time.
> 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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A quick tip for your readers while the experience is still fresh in my mind. I've been in a battle with CO (Continental) for the past few months when bonus miles for two 2003 flights never appeared on my account statement.
"Finally heard back this week that I apparently hadn't registered for the offers. Honestly don't remember whether I did or not, so I have to take their word. And they're not making exceptions.
"Don't make the same mistake I did!"
- Leslie
[Editor's Note - These days, it's prudent to assume that all bonus offers require registration. Better safe than sorry.]
<< S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S >>
Win a Family Reunion from American
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Through Sept. 30, enter "The Ultimate Family Reunion" sweepstakes to win the grand prize: 15 roundtrip tickets to any destination in the continental U.S. served by American or American Eagle. Prize also includes 8 2-night hotel stays and a catered family meal.
> More...
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
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