UP FRONT..........................................................
The Crier Turns 300
...................
This is Issue #300 of the FrequentFlier Crier, a milestone we could not have reached without the support and encouragement of our readers. Thanks!
Issue #1 was published on June 28, 1998, so later this month the Crier will celebrate the end of its 7th full year and begin the 8th. That's a modest run compared to the New York Times or other offline media. But by the standards of the Internet, it's an eternity.
To mark the occasion, we're introducing a couple of changes.
First is the Crier's new format. Nothing radical, just a simpler, cleaner look.
And second, we're inaugurating a new monthly column, FrequentFlier Fitness, by Karen Hiser at the Healthy Travel Network. Karen is a business traveler and fitness expert and is among a select few connecting the dots between those endeavors.
Special Offer for Penny Pinchers
................................
Also in this week's issue, we have a special offer from Joel Widzer, whose newly revised book, "The Penny Puncher's Passport to Luxury Travel," has just been released. I've read the book, reviewed it, and highly recommend it (and don't make a single penny for saying so).
Crier subscribers who purchase a copy of Joel's book by June 30 will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 64 Upgrade Your Travel coaching sessions with Joel, or 1 of 15 prizes of 1,000 airline miles each.
To participate, use the link below (to Amazon). Then e-mail proof of purchase to sales@jetready.com, or fax to 1-714-544-2992.
-> More: http://frequentflier.com/cgi-local/pl.cgi?joel
ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
..........................
As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
Kirk is unhappy with Continental's new elite-qualification scheme. Phil recommends (with some reservations) the Star Alliance. MikeG is looking for ways to earn Rapid Rewards points without flying. And much more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
-> More: http://frequentflier.com/cgi-local/pl.cgi?forum
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Alaska, Sprint Break the Connection
...................................
After June 30, Mileage Plan members may no longer sign up to earn miles through Sprint.
Members currently earning miles from Sprint can continue doing so through Dec. 31, 2004.
American Opens Online Mileage Mall
..................................
The AAdvantage eShopping mall is open for business, awarding between 1 and 10 miles per $1 spent at approx. 50 online retailers, including Best Buy, Dell, Macy's, Staples, etc.
With miles-for-merchandise malls already featured by many of the larger programs, it's no surprise that American has weighed in with its own. What is surprising is that it took so long, and that it's such a lackluster effort.
With many of the same retailers participating across multiple programs' malls, and earning rates tending toward parity, the best a mall can do is maximize consumers' options by offering the most robust partner lineup. On that score, AAdvantage eShopping is a laggard.
Delta's SkyMilesShopping.com has twice as many retailers as American's mall, and United's Mileage Plus Mall has over 80.
-> More: http://www.aadvantageeshopping.com
AmWest Promotes Transcon Flights with Freebies
..............................................
FlightFund members who fly 2 America West roundtrips from Los Angeles to Boston, New York or Washington by Nov. 15 will earn a free companion pass for travel from LAX to Boston; Edmonton, Canada; Las Vegas; Mazatlan, Mexico; New York; Phoenix; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Vancouver, Canada; or Washington, DC. Companion ticket must be used by Feb. 16, 2005.
Register at the link below before qualifying flights.
-> More: http://FlightFund.com/lax
Continental Boosts Online Check-In with Bonus
.............................................
Between June 15 and Aug. 15, OnePass members will be awarded 500 bonus miles, and a coupon for complimentary use of an inflight headset, each time they check in at continental.com.
Pre-registration is required.
-> More: http://continental.com/OnePass/news/continental/co_20040602_01.asp
Cruising for SkyMiles
.....................
SkyMiles members can earn up to 10,000 miles when booking cruises online at SkyMilesCruises.com.
Choose from cruise packages offered by the World's Leading Cruise Lines, including Carnival, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn and Windstar.
-> More: http://skymilescruises.com
Marriott Offers Summer Award Stays for Fewer Points
...................................................
Marriott's discounted PointSavers for discounted award stays between July 1 - Sept. 30 are now posted on Marriott's website. Discounts of up to 33% are offered.
-> More: http://marriott.com/rewards/memspec/winptsvr.mi
Midwest Gets Miles-for-Mortgages
................................
Midwest Miles members may now earn miles when taking out home loans at HomeLoanCenter.com.
Home purchase and refinance loans earn 1,400 miles for every $10,000 borrowed. Home equity loans earn 7,500 miles per loan.
-> More: http://www.HomeLoanCenter.com/Midwest
Northwest Offers New Member Bonus
.................................
Between June 1 and Aug. 31, new enrollees in Northwest's WorldPerks program can earn up to 7,000 bonus miles as follows --
- 1,000 bonus miles after the first flight (1-way or roundtrip) within 6 months of the enrollment date.
- 5,000 bonus miles after the second flight (roundtrip only) within the same 6 month period.
- 1,000 bonus miles for subscribing to NWA Email.
-> More: http://www.nwa.com/features/wpenroll.html
United Offers Bonus for Yellowstone Flights
...........................................
Mileage Plus members will receive double miles on United's newly launched seasonal flights between Denver and Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, Wyoming, between June 3 and Sept. 30.
Registration is required at http://www.united.com/offer/mpdb24.
FREQUENTFLIER FITNESS.............................................
Ten Tips for Healthy Dining
...........................
Provided by Healthy Travel Network (www.healthytravelnetwork.com)
Numerous business lunches and dinners can be lethal to your waistline. Practice these simple tips to keep it under control.
1. Get rid of the breadbasket or put it out of reach.
2. Order a half portion, lunch-size portion, or kids meal.
3. Order a to-go box with your meal. When the meal arrives, put half of it into the box right away.
4. Have your meal (including vegetables) prepared without butter or oil.
5. Ask for sauces and dressings to be served on the side.
6. Substitute steamed vegetables for rice, potatoes, or pasta.
7. Avoid alcohol. For a festive alternative, try cranberry juice with diet ginger ale or Sprite.
8. Indulge in dessert, but ask to see the dessert tray so that you can see portion sizes before ordering.
9. Ask the waiter to split one dessert between everyone at the table.
10. Use artificial sweetener in your coffee, and ask for skim milk rather than cream.
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
.................................
1) Southwest and US Airways' Philadelphia Fares from $58
Now is the time to fly to Philadelphia, with sale fares starting as low as $58 roundtrip. Southwest and US Airways are offering less-restricted sale fares for travel between Philadelphia and cities around the U.S.
Book tickets at the lowest prices at least 14 days in advance.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6637
2) South Pacific Fares on Air New Zealand from $645
Air New Zealand is offering sale fares from Los Angeles to several islands in the South Pacific starting at $645 roundtrip. Departures at the lowest prices are valid through Sept. 19.
ook tickets at least four days in advance. Air New Zealand has not announced a booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6699
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
......................................
"The new award level with Aeroplan sucks. They are not much different than any other plan now (my impression). The short haul flights are NEVER available anymore. As a Canuck living in Atlanta the 15,000 short haul made me use a Aeroplan card and use a Star Alliance carrier whenever possible. I guess I will go back to Delta." (Mac)
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Road Warrior Contest Prize: 3 Million Miles & Points
....................................................
Unlike the sweepstakes normally highlighted in this section, this week's feature is a contest. Contests, by definition, require some work on the part of the entrant, whose efforts will be judged accordingly.
In this case, the grand prize makes the effort eminently worthwhile: the winner will receive 2 million Hilton HHonors bonus points plus 1 million American AAdvantage miles. Other prizes include a Bose home entertainment system, wi-fi Internet service, and a laptop computer.
To enter the American Way Magazine Road Warrior Search contest, complete the online form at the below link. Contestants will be asked to answer several essay-type questions on the subject of business travel.
-> More: https://americanwaymag.com/roadwarrior/RoadWarrior.aspx
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
|
