UP FRONT..........................................................

Thanks for the Birthday Greetings
.................................

Just a quick "Thanks" to all those subscribers who sent congratulations on the occasion of the Crier's 300th issue published last week.

The common thread among the notes was: "Keep up the good work." We pledge to do just that.

This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites
.....................................

In yet another high-profile case of a low-fare carrier assaulting a major-dominated hub, Independence Air launched service today from Washington Dulles, a longtime United stronghold. In addition to mileage offers reported previously in this publication, United is making a major sales push to retain Washington-area business, and has rolled out an unusual short-term sweepstakes as well (see "Sweeps & Freebies" below).

................./

United, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection for 18 months, has successfully renegotiated retiree medical and life insurance benefits with its unions, a move expected to save the carrier $300 million over the next 6 years.

United chief Glenn Tilton now expects the company to exit bankruptcy by the end of this year, even if the government declines to approve a pending $1.6 billion loan guarantee.

................./

Delta management has escalated the bankruptcy rhetoric, warning pilots that nothing less than full acceptance of a proposed 30% salary cut can be contemplated if the carrier is to avoid a bankruptcy filing.

Separately, Delta claims that the 24% reduction in Song flights, set to take effect in Sept., is just business as usual. The alternative explanation: Song never struck the right chord with the traveling public.

ON SITE...........................................................

FrequentFlier Forum Topics
..........................

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

Michael is wondering which credit cards offer companion passes (see the new US Air Signature card in "Miles & Points" below). Kathy is looking for hints on qualifying for Northwest's Fly Free Faster promo. Denise has a link to the new American/Hilton Road Warrior contest. And much more...

Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

-> More: http://frequentflier.com/cgi-local/pl.cgi?forum

MILES & POINTS....................................................

American Joins Washington Bonus Fray
....................................

Between June 15 and Sept. 30, AAdvantage members will earn 2,500 bonus miles for roundtrip American flights between Washington Dulles and Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami or St. Louis, up to a maximum of 15,000 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

-> More: http://aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewAAdvantageAirlineSpecials.jhtml

Hertz Partners with China Southern
..................................

Beginning July 1, members of China Southern's Sky Pearl Club will earn miles for Hertz rentals.

As part of the tie-up, Sky Pearl Club Gold or Silver cardholders will be offered complimentary membership in Hertz #1 Club Gold.

-> More: http://www.cs-air.com/skypearl

Continental Will Increase L. America Award Prices
.................................................

Beginning on Aug. 1, Continental will redefine award zones in South America, in the process raising the price of OnePass award travel to/from destinations in "Southern South America." Example: awards between N. America and SSA will increase from 35,000/70,000 miles to 50,000/100,000 miles for restricted/unrestricted coach awards.

-> More: http://www.continental.com/onepass/news/continental/co_20040515_01.asp

Delta Miles for PeoplePC Internet Access
........................................

SkyMiles members may now earn 4,000 bonus miles for subscribing to PeoplePC's Online service for $10.95 a month or 5,000 miles for subscribing to PeoplePC's Online Accelerated service for $15.95 per month.

-> More: http://peoplepc.com/go/skymiles

Dining for SkyMiles
...................

SkyMiles members have until July 31 to dine at 3 participating SkyMiles Dining restaurants and earn 500 bonus miles. Members who eat twice more during the same period will earn a second 500-mile bonus.

The bonuses are over and above the 10 miles per $1 spent at most iDine restaurants.

Registration is required.

-> More: http://skymiles.idine.com/site/bonus.jhtml

Frontier Discounts Mexico Awards
................................

Between July 7 and Oct. 10, EarlyReturns members may book award travel to Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Cancun) for 15,000 miles, a hefty discount from the 25,000 miles normally required.

Awards must be booked by Sept. 1.

-> More: http://frontierairlines.com/travel/ff_promotions.asp#MX

Southwest Re-ups Online Bonus
.............................

After 7 years of extending their double-credit offer, it should come as no surprise that Southwest is extending its scaled-down successor offer: 1 Rapid Rewards bonus credit for every roundtrip booked online. So qualifying roundtrips earn 3 credits instead of the 2 credits normally earned.

Originally scheduled to expire on June 30, the promo's new end date is Dec. 30. Until it is extended yet again, that is.

(Even with the bonus, it will take 6 roundtrips to earn the 16 credits required for an award ticket. That's not unreasonable in and of itself. But coupled with Southwest's consumer-unfriendly 12-month mileage expiration policy, it effectively puts awards out of reach of most of the carrier's core market of infrequent leisure flyers.)

-> More: http://southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rr_promotions.html#bonus

United Offers Bonuses for Zurich Flights
........................................

Between July 1 and Sept. 30, Mileage Plus members may earn up to 50,000 bonus miles on qualifying roundtrip United flights between Washington Dulles and Zurich, Switzerland.

First and business-class flights (F, A, C or D booking class), earn 15,000 miles for the first roundtrip, 15,000 for the second and 20,000 for the third, for a total of 50,000 bonus miles.

Full-fare coach flights (Y, B, M or H booking class), earn 7,500 miles for the first roundtrip, 7,500 for the second and 10,000 for the third, for a total of 25,000 bonus miles.

And discounted coach flights (Q, V or W booking class), earn 5,000 miles for the first roundtrip, 5,000 for the second and 7,5000 for the third, for a total of 17,500 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

-> More: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1252,00.html

US Air Debuts New Premium Credit Card
.....................................

US Air's new Visa Signature Card, issued by Bank of America, offers an impressive list of features and benefits: 15,000 bonus miles after the first purchase, unlimited space-available upgrades, preferred check-in, preferred boarding, 2 $99 companion certificates, etc.

In addition to the usual 1 mile per $1 spent, cardholders earn double miles on US Airways purchases and a 50% class-of-service bonus on select Coach Class fares (Y, B, N or U fare classes).

The card carries a $90 annual fee and a variable APR, currently 13.99%.

-> More: http://www.usairwaysvisa.com

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
.................................

1) Hawaii Sale Fares from $278

Hawaiian Air is offering fall sale fares for travel from the West Coast to Hawaii starting as low as $278 roundtrip. Departures are valid from Aug. 23 through Sept. 30. Oct., Nov., and Dec. departures are also available at different prices.

Hawaiian has not listed a booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6633

2) Independence Air's Inaugural Flights from $78

Independence Air, the newest low-cost carrier on the block, has announced the first 35 East Coast and Midwest destinations that it will serve from its Washington, D.C. (Dulles) hub. Sale fares range from $78 to $356 roundtrip. Inaugural flights begin on June 16, and new flights will be added throughout the summer.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6640

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
......................................

"We have over 100,000 SkyMiles but have been unable to get flights to use them on. We tried last Sept. to get flights to Florida in May, we tried in January to get flights to NC for May 1, we tried in March to get a flight to Pennsylvania - nothing, nada, zero!!!! There is never anything available. Even today, I called about my waitlist for Penn. - been on since March - and they have 3 legs of the journey, but missing one. Time is running out so I will probably have to purchase my ticket with another airline.

"I am presently accumulating miles though my credit card where it can be used on any airline, and it won't be Delta." (Jane H.)

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Win a RTW Trip from United (Hurry!)
...................................

The winner of United's "Around the World Sweepstakes" will receive a round-the-world ticket good for travel in coach class between July 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2005.

Anyone purchasing a United flight between June 15 and June 20 to/from Washington Dulles (DCA), Washington Reagan (IAD) or Baltimore (BWI) will be automatically entered. No-purchase entries may be submitted by e-mail, again by June 20.

(This sweep is separate and distinct from United's "Go Around the World" promo, at http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50823,00.html.)

-> More: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50918,00.html

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

Until next week...