U P F R O N T

This Week's Travel Newsbites
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> US Air Sets Sights on Star

Just over a week ago, US Airways and Lufthansa signed a memorandum of understanding, setting the stage for what the carriers are referring to as a "long-term strategic alliance."

Of particular note was this, from Lufthansa's CEO Juergen Weber: "US Airways has indicated its interest in also joining the Star Alliance and we strongly support their participation in Star as well."

Best guess: the Star link will be in place in early 2004. That will result in a nice boost in the number and quality of Dividend Miles airline partners. And it should help shore up US Air's finances as well.

> Midwest Air Takes High Road to Low Fares

This week, Midwest unveiled its version of the now-obligatory "How We Plan to Compete with the Low-Fare Carriers" plan.

Beginning in Aug., Midwest will launch low-priced Saver Service flights to selected leisure-travel destinations (Denver, Orlando, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles). Service will utilize MD-80 aircraft, configured 3-by-2. Fares will not require a Saturday-night stay.

According to Steve Mathwig, Midwest's loyalty marketing chief, Saver Service tickets will earn Midwest Miles at the same rate as their higher-priced product. And those miles will count toward elite status.

Also worthy of note (and approbation), Midwest will offer 33-inch pitch (= legroom) in its new leisure product.

Could it be that legroom is finally getting traction as a competitive selling point?

Delta, which is touting 33-inch pitch for its low-cost Song division, clearly thinks it's a worthwhile investment.

Disappointingly, American -- which started the current trend with its "More Room Throughout Coach" initiative -- is backpedaling on its comfort commitment, having recently announced that they will return almost 25% of their fleet to cramped 30-inch coach-class seating.

Let's hope that consumers -- that's us, folks -- reward those airlines which make legroom a priority. And conversely, let's give the bum's rush to any carrier that offers less room throughout coach.

M I L E S & P O I N T S

Alaska Doubles Miles for Seattle-Orlando Flights
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Through July 31, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will earn double miles when flying on the airline's new nonstop flights between Seattle and Orlando.

No registration is required.

American Bonuses Japan Flights
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Through Dec. 31, AAdvantage members will earn as many as 35,000 bonus miles for American flights to Japan, as follows --

• First/biz/full-fare coach earns 5,000 bonus miles for 1 roundtrip, 15,000 for 2 roundtrips, and 35,000 for 3 roundtrips;
• Discounted coach earns 2,000 bonus miles for 1 roundtrip, 6,000 for 2 roundtrips, and 14,000 for 3 roundtrips

Heavily discounted O, Q, L and S fares earn no bonus.

Registration is required. Use promo code JPN03.

> More...

Earn Extra SkyMiles for Europe Flights
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Delta is offering bonus miles for Europe flights between June 1 and Sept. 30.

Fly roundtrip on Delta-operated flights between New York and Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Madrid, Moscow, Nice, Paris, Rome, or Venice to earn 15,000 bonus miles for J and D classes, 10,000 bonus miles for Y, B, M, I, or 5,000 bonus miles for H, Q, K, L classes.

Offer excludes S, T, and U classes of service and applies only to the long-haul portion of travel (no bonus given for travel beyond gateways).

Registration is required.

> More...

Delta Partners with NetBank
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SkyMiles members can now earn miles when registering for the following NetBank services:

• 2,500 miles for opening and funding a NetValue or SuperValue checking account;
• 2,500 miles for opening and funding a NetVantage Money Market account;
• 1,500 miles for initiating direct deposit with NetBank;
• 500 miles for enrolling in and using NetBank's online bill payment service

> More...

Hyatt Brings Back "Free Nights Faster"
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Members of Hyatt's Gold Passport program will earn 1 free night after every 2 qualifying Hyatt stays charged to a MasterCard between June 1 and Aug. 31.

There is no limit to the number of free nights that may be earned.

Free nights may be redeemed between June 15 and Oct. 31 at any participating Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

> More...

NWA Offers Bonus for Full-Fare Int'l Travel
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WorldPerks members who take 1 roundtrip on Northwest or KLM to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India or Asia will earn 10,000 bonus miles for World Business class or 5,000 for full coach fares, plus a 30% Discount Travel E-Cert redeemable on a future international flight.

Registration is required prior to travel and by Aug. 30. All qualifying travel must be completed between June 1 and Sept. 15.

> 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...

Amsterdam or Frankfurt from $198
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Singapore Airlines primarily serves Asian destinations, but has announced a remarkable sale on early-summer flights to Europe: New York (JFK) to Frankfurt, Germany, or Newark to Amsterdam, Netherlands, for $198 roundtrip, not including additional taxes and fees. Departure is valid through June 30. Book tickets by Monday, June 9.

> More...

Sale fares to/from the East and Midwest from $104
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Now that Memorial Day weekend is just a memory, the season of summer bargains is underway. Delta has resumed its sale that features eastern cities, including Atlanta and destinations in Florida, as well as the Midwest. Fares start at $104 roundtrip, for travel through Oct. 22. No minimum stay is required, and 1-way travel is available. Book tickets online only, at least 7 days in advance, and by Wednesday, June 4.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

From AA: "Print the Pass. Travel with Class" Sweeps
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First prize in American's "Print the Pass. Travel with Class" sweepstakes is a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. Second prize (5 awarded) is 120,000 AAdvantage miles. And third (10 awarded) is a portable printer.

To enter, print an American boarding pass using the carrier's online Flight Check-In by Jun 15. Or fill out an entry form online.

> More...

F R E Q U E N T F L I E R F U N N I E S

True (Funny) Travel Stories
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"It was April 1966, and I was on an early morning flight from Sacramento to San Francisco to make a tight connection for a flight to Oklahoma City. My traveling companion was my 10 month old daughter, an active little girl who had slept on the flight out only during a stopover, and had made the trip a challenge.

"I wasn't looking forward to the day, and hoped everything went without a hitch. Once airborne, out of Sacramento, the pilot came on to greet us and give us the usual flight information: "The weather is Portland is..." he said, "And our expected time of arrival will be..." I can still feel the feeling that his words invoked in me... total dread, and the panic of feeling that somehow I'd gotten on the wrong plane. All the passengers looked at one another in shock... and then began to breathe again, and even chuckle as the pilot completed his communication. "April Fools", he said. "And enjoy your flight."

[Thanks to Janet, who contributed this week's story for the enjoyment of Crier readers.]

Until next week...