U P F R O N T
Top of Mind: US Airways
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Judging from the e-mail I continue to receive, the top-of-mind issue among frequent travelers is the future (or not) of US Airways.
Anyone who reads the Crier regularly knows that I'm a bit of a schizophrenic politically. Like any card-carrying capitalist, I think competition is good for the consumer. And government meddling is the enemy of competition. But I've also come to believe that competition has its limits as a defining force in the marketplace, and that government must be ever-ready to intervene on the public's behalf.
Let's face it: Business just isn't practiced according to the laws of economics taught in business school. The "hidden hand" of competition hasn't spurred the airline industry to rise above mediocrity any more than it kept Merrill Lynch from recommending stocks its own analysts thought were dogs.
So, where US Airways is concerned, as much as I think management should be horsewhipped for its incompetence, and labor should be dealt with equally harshly for its intransigent greed, in the end I want the government to step in and bail out the airline. Why? Because as imperfect as competition is, less competition will be even less perfect.
On a practical level, if you're worried about your miles, see the article for a discussion of the available options.
O N S I T E
New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Dave reminds us to enter United's 1-million-mile sweepstakes every day, to maximize the odds of winning. SEC wants to transfer Diners Club Rewards points to "the kids." On a related note, Rob asks: "Is there somewhere where I can combine my FF miles?" And much more...
Do you have mileage-related questions, answers, anecdotes? Post them (and read others') on the FrequentFlier Forum.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
NWA Finalizes Dialing-for-Miles Partners
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Following Northwest's breakup with longtime telecom partner Sprint, WorldPerks has finalized its roster of new phone and Internet partners, as follows --
For local and long-distance calling, WorldPerks members can earn 5 miles for every $1 spent with MCI. There's an enrollment bonus of 2,000 miles, or 3,000 miles for online sign-ups at http://www.mci.com/nwa. You can also enroll by calling 1-800-356-1621 in the U.S.
For wireless service, Northwest has gone with Nextel, offering WorldPerks members miles for both wireless service plans and for renting wireless phones for use when traveling internationally through Nextel's WorldWide rental program. For details and to enroll, call 1-888-783-5166 or visit http://www.nextel.com/northwest.
And for Internet service, WorldPerks members can earn 5,000 miles for using Earthlink, including cable, satellite and DSL access. Enroll at 1-888-EARTHLINK, extension 60222, or at http://www.earthlink.net/nwa/earn.
Bonus for AAdvantage iDine Profile & Spending
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AAdvantage members who participate in miles-for-dining can earn 250 bonus miles by creating an online dining profile and spending at least $100 between May 1 and July 31, 2002. All members (new and existing) who create a profile are eligible.
Once the dining profile is established, you can view past dining rewards, update your registered credit card, and sign up for email advisories.
Continental Promotes Vegas Trips with Extra Miles
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OnePass members can earn 2,500 bonus miles for booking Continental Airlines Vacations packages to Las Vegas, including roundtrip air and 2-night hotel accommodations at the downtown Fitzgeralds Casino and Holiday Inn.
Purchase by July 31 for travel between June 2 and Aug. 30, 2002. To book, visit http://coolvacations.com and provide your OnePass account number and promotion code LAS1PASS.
Save on Miles Purchased from US Airways
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If you're looking to top off your Dividend Miles account to reach an award level, you can do so without paying the $25 "processing fee" through June 15, 2002.
Dividend Miles members can purchase up to 15,000 miles per year for $0.03 per mile, including tax, plus the $25 processing fee. Even with the processing fee waived, these are not cheap miles, so we suggest purchasing them judicially, in small quantities.
> More...
Earn Triple AAdvantage Miles for Hyatt Stays
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AAdvantage members can earn triple AAdvantage miles (1,500 total) for eligible stays at participating Hyatt Hotels through July 31, 2002.
Show your Citi AAdvantage Card and request offer 3AAHUS when making your reservation and at check-in. For reservations or more information, call 1-800-233-1234 or visit Hyatt at http://www.hyatt.com.
> More...
Amtrak Offers Up to 15,000 Guest Rewards Points
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In a clever bit of marketing jujitsu, Amtrak is using airline miles to keep travelers on trains instead of planes.
Through June 30, 2002, 3 roundtrips in Acela Express business class between selected city pairs earn 10,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points (normal earnings plus 7,000 bonus points), and 3 roundtrips in first class earn 15,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points (normal earnings plus 10,500 bonus points). Bonus points do not count toward Amtrak Guest Rewards Select level earning, and do not earn the 25% Amtrak Guest Rewards Select member bonus.
Points convert 1:1 for airline miles in the programs of Continental, Midwest Express and United.
> More...
Delta, Emirates Link Programs
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Beginning June 1, Delta and Emirates will join each other's frequent flyer program, allowing SkyMiles members to earn and burn miles on Emirates flights, and members of Emirates' SkyWards program to do the same for Delta flights.
To promote the partnership, SkyMiles members will earn double miles for travel on Emirates flights between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2002. And Skywards members will earn double miles on all Delta transatlantic services between June 1 and July 31, 2002.
> More...
Singapore, Emirates (Again) Link Programs
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Effective May 15, members of Emirates' Skywards program can earn and redeem miles for Singapore Airlines flights, and members of Singapore's KrisFlyer program can earn and redeem on Emirates flights.
Both airlines are offering double miles for first and business flights and a 50% bonus for economy-class flights through July 31, 2002, to promote the tie-up.
Also through July 31, members of either program who fly roundtrips on BOTH Emirates and Singapore will be entered in a drawing to win a travel package including 2 business-class tickets and hotel accommodations.
> More...
From Inter-Con: Triple Miles, Half-Off Discounts
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Inter-Continental is offering a 50% discount on room rates at participating hotels. Discount is available in Europe, Middle East and Africa from June 14 through Sept. 8, and in North, Central and South America and Asia Pacific from May 24 through Sept. 8, 2002.
And through June 30, Priority Club Rewards members will earn triple miles or points when staying at any Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts location. The discount and bonus offers are combinable.
> 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...
Final days: Domestic flights for two starting at $118 R/T
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Time's running out on Southwest Airlines' "Friends Fly Free" promotion, with systemwide companion fares on sale for travel through Sept. US Airways is offering a similar sale that includes $1 companion fares, with travel for 2 starting at $196 roundtrip, and has also discounted roundtrip fares on certain routes to/from the Western U.S. America West is also offering a related sale, with fares starting at $59 round-trip for individual travelers.
Book tickets by Thursday, May 23.
> More...
Summer fares to Europe from $638 R/T
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US Airways and Northwest are offering sales on summer fares to destinations in Europe, starting at $638 round-trip, and Delta is offering summer fares from New York (JFK) to selected European cities. While these prices are much higher than typical winter or spring fares, they still represent good value during Europe's peak travel season.
> More...
S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S
Win a Trip to Las Vegas
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Enter Continental Airlines Vacations' online sweepstakes for a chance to win a Las Vegas trip, including roundtrip air for 2, 2 nights at Caesar's Palace, and a $2,500 shopping spree at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.
There's no purchase necessary to enter.
> More...
[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]
S I T E 2 S E E
Upgrades -- The Antidote to Economy Class
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If you're one of those travelers who cringes at the prospect (never mind the reality) of flying in the "back of the bus," there's someone you should get to know: Mr. Upgrade.
Mr. Upgrade is actually Matt Bennett, a former minor league baseball player whose long strange trip has taken him from strikeouts to upgrades. His website's promise: "If there's a deal out there that will get our subscribers an upgrade, we'll find it."
If you want full access to Mr. Upgrade's advice, you'll have to pay for it: $97 a year. That's pricey by the standards of Internet content. On the other hand, given the difference between economy and first-class airfares, you'll be financially ahead of the game after snagging just a single upgrade.
> More...
Until next week...
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