U P F R O N T
Oops!
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Apologies for the bad link in last week's issue to the USA Today FFP articles. By the time most Crier readers received the newsletter, the link changed from the frequent flyer coverage to a story about the Oklahoma bomber, Timothy McVeigh -- NOT, I assure you, what we had in mind.
At presstime, USA Today still had not posted last week's frequent flyer articles on their website.
O N S I T E
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the Forum.
JG wants to know: What's a mile worth? Sunny is searching for miles and points programs appropriate for Asia residents. Scotti is wondering whether iGain is a worthwhile program. Tim needs 500 Alaska Air miles... FAST. Jean contributed a review of available FFP-related websites. Ronald has tips for everyone. 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
Air Canada Commits to 10% Award Seats
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Air Canada this week published its newly adopted Customer Service Plan.
Unlike the so-called customer care plans adopted by U.S. airlines -- which we've criticized for being empty and fundamentally disingenuous -- AC's plan has some real substance to it. Of special interest to our readers will be the following, regarding Aeroplan award seats:
"Air Canada will make available a minimum of 10 percent of the airline's seats per month on each route for reward travel.
"If you are an Aeroplan member, you accumulate miles with the full expectation of being able to redeem those miles for future travel. To ensure that this basic expectation of our Aeroplan members is respected, Air Canada makes a substantial and measurable number of its seats available for reward travel."
This is a clear and meaningful commitment. Bravo, and merci!
> More...
Hilton Offers Double Miles, Double Points
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Hilton is offering double miles and points for summer stays at participating HHonors hotels (Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites).
HHonors members who take 1 Double Dip stay between June 1 and August 31, 2001, will earn double airline miles for every subsequent Double Dip stay during the promotion period.
And when the stays are charged to an American express card, members earn double HHonors base points as well.
> More...
At Points.com: Million-Mile Sign-up Sweepstakes
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Open a Points.com account, and every time you make an exchange you'll automatically be entered to win 1,000,000 AAdvantage or Aeroplan miles.
Between May 1 and May 31, 2001, 1 entry will be recorded (a) when a points account is opened, (b) when an account holder adds a loyalty program to their pointsfolio, and (c) every time a member completes a pointsxchange transaction.
The giveaway is open to legal residents of the U.S. and Canada, 18 or older.
> More...
AAdvantage Adds Canadian Credit Card
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Hard on the heels of its tie-up with Canada 3000, American has a new Canada-based AAdvantage credit card, the Royal Bank AAdvantage Visa Gold Card.
There's a 2,500 mile sign-up bonus, and users earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on American or American Eagle tickets through Dec. 31, 2001. The card imposes no cap on the number of miles earned per year.
Double United Miles to Miami
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Purchase and fly a qualifying roundtrip between Miami and any U.S. city served by United and earn double Mileage Plus miles between May 1 and July 31, 2001
The bonus may be earned up to 3 times during the promotion period. Use promotion code MPN 431 to register.
Earn Triple Miles for Inter-Con Stays
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Stay at any of 15 participating Inter-Continental hotels in the U.S., Canada or Mexico between May 14 and Sep. 9, 2001, and earn triple frequent flyer miles.
Participating airlines include Delta, United, American Airlines and 35 other airline partners There's no need to pre-register for this offer -- just show your airline or Priority Club Worldwide card at check-in.
> More...
Diners Points Count Double for BA Miles
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Between June 1 and Aug. 31, Diners Club Rewards members can redeem 1 Rewards point for 1 mile in British Airways' Executive Club, twice the normal 2:1 redemption ratio.
> More...
Alamo Triples SkyMiles
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Delta SkyMiles members who rent from Alamo, using Alamo's Quicksilver check-in kiosks, will earn triple miles. In addition, corporate customers will receive a free car upgrade. The offer is valid through July 18, 2001.
> 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...
Summer Fare Sale on Domestic and International Travel
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Continental has released a summer sale including fares to Asia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.
> More...
ATA's Getaway Sale Starting at $198 R/T
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ATA has released a "Getaway Sale" with round-trip fares starting at $198. Tickets booked online receive an additional $10 discount.
> More...
I N D U S T R Y N E W S B I T E S
Southwest Slams Orbitz
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Orbitz, the controversial online ticket-seller scheduled to launch in June, is in the news again, this time as the defendant in a lawsuit filed by Southwest Airlines.
Southwest alleges that Orbitz, which is owned by the 5 largest U.S. airlines, misrepresents Southwest's fares and prices.
The DOT recently gave Orbitz the go-ahead to proceed with its national launch, but warned that its operations would be scrutinized for signs of anti-competitive behavior. Organizations representing travel agencies and consumers, as well as 24 state attorneys general, have expressed concern that Orbitz would stifle competition, resulting in higher fares.
Until next week...
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