Summer: a Great Time to Stay Home

To those who braved the country's airports and skyways during the just-passed Memorial Day weekend, it will come as no surprise that this summer is shaping up as an especially nasty one for air travelers.

Planes are jammed, lines are long, delays and lost bags are up, tempers are short on both sides of the check-in counters.

And the current frustration wasn't even factored into the results of the recent University of Michigan report showing consumer satisfaction with airlines in steep decline and a new J.D. Power survey which finds a similar level of dissatisfaction with the airport experience.

If you can, this would be a good year to avoid summer flying altogether.

If you must fly, at least try to skirt the weekends and the holidays.

And if there's simply no way to act in contrarian mode to steer clear of the congestion and chaos, well, at least earn as many frequent flyer miles as possible in your travels.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, mikieg renewed his Citibank credit card on the strength of a "free" companion voucher offer: "The coupon turns out to be anything but free. It specifies on the back that reservations must be made by calling AA. Only problem is, AA is charging a $10 fee for calling them and a $15 "convenience" fee, which is unavoidable since the flight can't be booked on-line.

"This is in addition to a multitude of restrictions that make the certificate nearly impossible to use when one considers that a certain paying fare must first be purchased. Also, add on another $50-$75 for security and airport fees and taxes."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, toddlok weighs in with details and a link to a 20,000-mile bonus offer from United Vacations.

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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More ATA Points-for-loans

In addition to the 300 points normally awarded for every $10,000 in loans financed through Lending Tree, ATA Travel Awards members will earn an extra 1,000 points after closing a refinance, mortgage or home equity loan submitted before June 30.

Use reservation code ATA3-10 to receive the bonus.

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Continental Bonus for Athens Flights

Between June 6 and August 31, OnePass members will earn a 2,000-mile bonus when flying Continental's new nonstop flights between New York/Newark Liberty (EWR) and Athens, Greece.

Registration is required, using promotion code 54017.

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Delta Bonus Miles for Marriott VacationCards

Through December 31, Delta SkyMiles members will receive 10% off a Marriott VacationCard purchase of $1,000 or $2,000, plus up to 10,000 bonus miles -- 1,000 bonus miles for each $1,000 card purchased and 2,000 for every $2,000 card purchased, up to a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles.

Marriott VacationCards can be redeemed at all Marriott, Renaissance, JW Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club, Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, and Fairfield Inn hotels.

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Double Frontier Miles for Dallas/Ft. Worth - Mazatlan Flights

Between June 7 and July 8, Frontier EarlyReturns members will earn double miles on Frontier's new nonstop flights between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Mazatlan.

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Northwest Offers Bonus for Dusseldorf, Brussels Flights

Through October 31, Northwest WorldPerks members can earn bonus miles for new nonstop flights between Detroit and both Brussels (from June 15)and Dusseldorf (from June 5). Bonus varies according to fare type: World Business Class (booking class J/C/Z ) earns 15,000 bonus miles; economy class (Y/S/B/M) earns 10,000; and discounted economy class (H/Q/V/L/T/K) earns 5,000 bonus miles.

Registration is required prior to qualifying flights, and by July 31.

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United Offers More Miles for Taipei Flights

Between June 7 and August 31, Mileage Plus members can earn bonus miles on United's new nonstop flights between San Francisco and Taipei. Bonus is 10,000 miles for first class (F/A booking classes) or business (C/D booking classes) and 7,500 bonus miles for restricted business (Z booking class) or economy (Y/B/M/H).

Bonus may be earned up to three times during the promotion period. Registration is required, using promotion code MPA077.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Sweden Fares on US Airways from $364

Spring and fall flights to Stockholm are on sale from US Airways. Fares start at $364 roundtrip.

Departures are valid through June 8, and again from September 10 through October 5. Returns are valid through June 8, and again from September 10 through October 6. Fares require a Saturday-night stay. US Airways has not listed a booking deadline, but tickets must be booked at least seven days in advance.

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2) Ends Thursday: $29 Each Way on Southwest

Summer domestic flights are on sale from Southwest starting as low as $29 one-way. Destinations include Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, and San Diego.

Travel is valid from July 1 through 31. Book tickets by May 31. Travel from June 11 to 30 is also available, though some June fares may be priced slightly higher.

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Win a Hawaii Vacation for 2

Through June 30, enter the FedEx "No More All Nighters" sweepstakes for a chance to win a seven-day/six-night vacation for two to Hawaii, including air and hotel accommodations.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I have 100,000 miles on American, but since I've had serious physical problems with my back, I don't think air travel is in my near- or far-future.

"Can I give these miles away to my family members? Is it a problem.... other options?" [Beverly Z.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - You cannot give the miles themselves to family or friends. But you can redeem your miles for award tickets issued in the names of whomever you choose -- family, friends, anyone -- which is almost as good. Just find out when and where they want to fly, so you can make their award bookings. The tickets will be delivered to you, and you would then pass them along to the final recipient.]

[The following is in response to previous reader feedback on the availability of Post Office facilities at U.S. Airports.]

"If you can stand one more comment on airport post offices, there is one near SFO that is accessible using the airport's train system, at the West Field Road stop (one stop before the Rental Car facility). I believe it is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight." [Michael M. - San Francisco, CA]

[The following is in response to our comments regarding a meaningful Airline Passenger Bill of Rights.]

"Why don't you tell your readers to call their Congressman/Senators to complain and maybe something will be done about it." [John]

Until next week...