400 Issues, 8 Years, 1 Newsletter

This is Issue 400 of the FrequentFlier Crier. True, there's nothing inherently meaningful about multiples of fifty or one hundred. But 400 does seem like a significant milestone.

The first issue, published on June 28, 1998, covered the rocky launch of American's website, a double-mile offer from American Express, rumors of a Northwest-Continental alliance (they're now partners in the SkyTeam group), and the end of a combinable miles agreement between Midwest and Northwest (a partnership which in the intervening years has flourished, died and was recently resuscitated).

Thanks to our subscribers for making the Crier a regular part of their travel lives.

Keep traveling, keep reading, and keep the feedback coming.

(All back issues of the Crier are archived on the website.)

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, wayneinsanjose has earned the miles and now intends to use them: "It's finally time to cash in those frequent flier miles, and I want to see the world! I hear AAdvantage (OneWorld) has an Around the World ticket that can be purchased via frequent flier miles... So, my question is threefold. One, how much is an Around the World ticket; two, should I cash in my hotel miles for more frequent flier miles; and three, how long should I book in advance to secure a "free" ticket?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, ratcher wants to parlay elite status in one program into similar status in another: "I am an elite flyer with Delta. After the fifth screwup in my travel plans in the last year from mechanical failures and airplanes too small to handle weather, I have decided that I can no longer afford to continue to fly on Delta.

"Does anyone have any experience with trying to get equivalent elite status on Continental to that of your current airline of choice? Some travel writers suggest writing and asking with proof of status, but I wonder if there is more to it than that."

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

:: More

Air Canada Bonus for China Flights

Between June 16 and July 16, Aeroplan members will earn a 50% bonus when flying Air Canada roundtrip (or two one-ways) between Toronto or Vancouver and Shanghai or Beijing.

Registration is required.

:: More

American's 25 Deals in 25 Days - Week 3

To mark the 25th anniversary of the program's launch, American is announcing a new AAdvantage promotion, award discount or travel sweepstakes on each of the first 25 days of May.

We reported on the first 10 days' offers in previous newsletters. Following are summaries of the offers rolled out over the past week.

Day 11 - 2,500 bonus miles for ordering a Bose music system by May 18

Day 12 - 25 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent with FTD.COM

Day 13 - 2,500 AAdvantage miles for online InterContinental bookings made before June 11

Day 14 - 5% discount (May 14 ONLY) on AmericanAirlines Vacations, plus sweepstakes entry (see "Sweeps & Freebies" below)

Day 15 - double miles for American flights through Nov. 15 (see below for details)

Day 16 - 2,500 bonus miles and 1 mile per $1 spent on tickets at StubHub.com, plus an entry in a sweepstakes

Day 17 - buy a one-day Admirals Club pass and get a second pass free (May 17 ONLY), plus entry in a sweepstakes

:: More

Double Miles for American Flights

The good old days of major airlines offering double miles systemwide -- every flight, every route -- are long gone.

But as part of its "25 Deals in 25 Days" anniversary promotion, American is turning back the clock, awarding AAdvantage members double miles for all American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection flights completed between May 15 and Nov. 15. There are several conditions.

First, flights must be booked on aa.com by May 31.

And second, registration is required, using promotion code DBL06, also by May 31.

:: More

Frontier Doubles the Miles, and More

"We are excited to invite you to visit our new home on the web, FrontierAirlines.com." The airline's technical resources apparently lagged the enthusiasm expressed in that e-mail announcement: the new site was only sporadically available on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, only the old site was accessible.

Teething problems aside, what we were able to see of the spruced up site before it was taken offline is a refreshing change. And there are a couple of noteworthy promotions and program enhancements in conjunction with the relaunch.

First, Frontier is offering EarlyReturns members double miles for flights booked at FrontierAirlines.com between May 16 and June 30 for travel between May 16 and Dec. 31. Registration is required.

And second, effective June 1, EarlyReturns members will earn miles for stays at Marriott hotels.

Frontier also has a new low-price guarantee: customers who find a lower price than the one on the carrier's website will be awarded 2,500 EarlyReturns miles.

:: More

InterCon Offers Bonus for Ambassador Membership

Through Dec. 31, InterContinental is offering 3,000 miles in the programs of eight airline programs, or three Rapid Rewards credits in Southwest's program, for the purchase of InterContinental Ambassador status.

Ambassador status can be purchased for $150 and entitles members to the following: Gold Elite membership in Priority Club Rewards; a free weekend night certificate; guaranteed room upgrades; late check-out, fresh fruit and mineral water on arrival; 500 miles per qualifying stay.

:: More (Air Canada)
:: More (America West)
:: More (American)
:: More (Continental)
:: More (Delta)
:: More (Northwest)
:: More (Southwest)
:: More (United)
:: More (US Airways)

Triple United Miles at Overseas Radissons

Through July 31, Mileage Plus members will earn triple miles -- 1,500 miles instead of the normal 500 -- for eligible stays at over 180 Radisson Hotels & Resorts in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the UK.

:: More

United Offers Bonus for Purchase of Miles

Mileage Plus members who purchase 25,000 or more miles by May 31 will earn 1,000 bonus miles.

To receive the bonus, register before purchasing the miles.

With or without the bonus, buying significant quantities of miles is a bad deal. Including the $30 "transaction fee" and taxes, 25,000 miles would cost $701.88 or 2.8¢ per mile. So the bonus amounts to a small discount on miles that are overpriced to begin with.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Europe Fall, Winter Fares on Air France from $438

Air France's "Early Bird Special" features flights to Europe and Northern Africa from this October through March 2007. Prices start at $438 roundtrip, and a stopover in Paris is included in each fare.

Departures are valid Mondays through Thursdays from Oct. 15, 2006, through Mar. 31, 2007. Air France has listed two booking deadlines, May 20 and 22, but we recommend booking by the earlier date to be sure you don't miss out. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is one month.

:: More

2) London Business-Class Fares from $1,000

MAXjet is a relatively new all-business-class airline that offers service between New York and Washington, D.C., and London. Since it began flying in January, it's been giving British Airways a run for its money, causing the carrier to drop its business-class fares by as much as $6,000 earlier this year. MAXjet is currently offering roundtrip fares from New York (JFK) and Washington, D.C. (Dulles), to London's Stansted airport for $1,000, including taxes and fees.

Travel is valid through June 2. New York departures are valid Sundays through Fridays, and Washington, D.C., departures are valid Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

:: More

Win a Trip for 2 to Bermuda or Arizona

Enter the AmericanAirlines Vacations 25th anniversary sweepstakes by May 31 for a chance to win one of two grand prizes: three nights for two at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda and 60,000 AAdvantage miles. There are also three first prizes, each consisting of two nights for two at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona and 50,000 AAdvantage miles.

To enter, look for the Day 14 promotion at the bottom of the linked page.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I'd like to second the comments of W.J. [in last week's Crier] about his (her?) experiences getting awards on American Airlines.

"Over many years, more than 20 as a business flyer, I have given my loyalty at various times to United, Delta, US Air and American. That gives me some basis for comparing their programs. And American consistently had award seats available, while the others were iffy at best.

"I guess there's no easy way to do it since all we have as evidence is the feedback in pubs like this, but it would be great if there were some objective measure of just how the airlines are performing in giving out awards. I think American would rate very highly and the worst airlines would be shamed into doing better.

"Thanks for listening." [Donald J. writing from Texas]

"There's a lotta hoopla about this being the 25th birthday of frequent flier programs. Seems I see a fresh story every few days, on TV, in newspapers, etc.

"I'm in my 20's and just beginning to travel fairly often for business. So maybe I missed the best days of earning and burning miles. Certainly my expectations are lower than the expectations of friends and co-workers of older generations.

"What perplexes me is how outraged some people have become about these programs. I mean, like heart-attack outraged. To me it's kind of a cool rebate.

"Anyway, just wanted to tell everybody to chill a bit. We didn't pay extra for the miles so we shouldn't be too surprised if they aren't worth very much." [Jack]

Until next week...