Don't Let Your Mileage Program Die a Slow Death

There's a timely debate currently underway in the FrequentFlier Forums (thread title: "Is Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan a good alt. for AAdvantage") regarding the seriousness of recent program rule changes, and the appropriate response by program members.

More than a few frequent travelers are of the opinion that American's newly announced mile-expiration policy, Southwest's newly shortened advance notice policy for program changes, and Alaska's award price increase for phone bookings are of little import, and therefore aren't worth fighting.

I both agree and disagree.

Taken individually, the changes won't incite the traveling public to publicly burn their frequent flyer cards. While the changes are undoubtedly annoying, sometimes ominous, and occasionally infuriating, they won't kill the programs outright. Nor should they.

But to view these changes individually, in isolation, would be a mistake. Each of these changes plays a small part in the long-term deterioration of the programs, and the decline in value of frequent flyer miles. And the only way to resist that overall trend is to fight each and every move that contributes to it.

In the long run, a few burnt frequent flyer cards may be just what's needed to save the programs from gradual self-annihilation.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, msk6261 begins with "OMG... do I have to hand over my first born child???" and concludes with "There has to be a better way!!!" In between, s/he describes in painful detail the process of using United miles to book award seats to Hawaii in April 2008.

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, maverick83617 wonders whether elite members can expect to be upgraded on international flights: "Is there any airline where the upgrades for elite status are available for international flights as well as domestic flights? Also I can't find any Asian based airline that offers free upgrades for elite members, has anyone found one?"

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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American Launches "AAdvantage Milestones"

Apparently attempting to integrate the power of social networking and user-created content with their marketing, American has launched a new e-magaine, AAdvantage Milestones.

According to American's news release, "AAdvantage Milestones will connect and engage the more than 56 million AAdvantage members through a new community forum and a series of video features that offer viewers quick tours of American Airlines and oneworld destinations."

Whether such an overtly commercial enterprise can truly engage the hearts and minds of travelers remains to be seen. Even with American's resources, the odds of success seem low.

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More American Miles for Starwood Stays

Through December 25, Starwood is offering members of the AAdvantage program triple miles and a 30% discount on rack rates for stays at Starwood hotels in Hawaii or French Polynesia.

Bookings can be made online (link below) or by calling 1-866-716-8140 and mentioning promotion code AA30.

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More American Express Points for National Rentals

Through November 15, members of the American Express Membership Rewards program will earn double Rewards points and receive a two-class upgrade when they use an American Express card to rent a compact through midsize vehicle at participating National locations.

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Frontier Changes Award Availability

Effective July 1, Frontier Airlines will make two interrelated changes to the EarlyReturns program.

First, the current policy of setting a predetermined cap on the number of available award seats on every Frontier flight will be replaced by a more dynamic system which allocates award seats according to demand for a specific flight.

Also beginning July 1, Frontier will impose blackout dates on award travel for the first time. (Elite members still will be able to redeem for a Plus award if seats are available, even during the published blackouts.)

Frontier claims that the new policies will result in a 30% increase in award seat availability overall, but admits that availability will remain scarce in some markets.

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Earn Double Goldpoints for Summer Stays

Between June 15 and August 31, members the goldpoints plus program will earn double points for the second and subsequent stays at Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites, and Park Inn properties in North America and Latin America.

With the bonus, members earn 20 points per dollar for the room rate (versus 10 points per dollar normally).

Members can earn an additional 1,000 Gold Points for making their reservation online during the promotion at www.radisson.com, www.parkplaza.com, www.countryinns.com or www.parkinns.com.

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Midwest Offers Bonus for Milwaukee-Las Vegas Flights

Between July 10 and September 30, Midwest Miles members will earn 1,000 bonus miles each way on flights between Milwaukee and Las Vegas.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) AirTran Fares from $39 Each Way

AirTran has announced a new systemwide sale for travel through mid-November. Fares start at $39 one-way or $78 roundtrip, and destinations include Boston, Orlando, Charleston, and New York.

Travel is valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays through November 14. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by July 3.

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2) Europe Fares on Icelandair from $462

Icelandair is offering Europe sale fares starting at $462 roundtrip for summer travel. Destinations include London, Paris, Reykjavik, and Stockholm.

Valid departure dates vary, depending on departure city. Icelandair has not listed a booking deadline.

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Win a Hawaiian Vacation

Enter King's Hawaiian "Island Vacation" sweepstakes by October 31 for a chance to win a seven day/six night Hawaiian vacation, including accommodations at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, roundtrip air, and a Hawaiian style cookout.

Fifty second prize winners will receive grilling sets, cookbooks, and King's Hawaiian bread and rolls for one year.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"As an American Airlines Executive Platinum member, I fully endorse the 18 month period for maintaining the AAdvantage FF program. That should have been done a long time ago. The only area I'm against is the fact it was done after another airline did it, hence the practice of an oligopoly." [Al from Boston]

"I would like to voice my opinion on American Airlines Frequent Flier Program. I think that anybody that belongs to this newsletter and is unhappy about AA's policies, should write in to Customer Relations and complain and tell others to do the same thing. I wrote in already to voice my opinions about how bad they treat their customers and they don't seem to care. If enough people boycotted them on an International Level for a week, then maybe they would start to care a little. I wouldn't want most workers to get hurt either if this was actually to happen. I would want to get a message across to mgm't." [J. B.]

"Help, I have about 32,000 Delta miles and can never get a flight unless they up the mileage. Do you know if they offer anything else like dining or hotel or gift certificates for the miles?" [Jeff D.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - As with most programs, your redemption options are limited when it comes to non-flight awards: magazine subscriptions, charitable donations. There is a recent addition which might be worth a look: the SkyMiles Online Auction. Like Continental's, Delta's auction allows you to bid miles for various items and services, including meals and trips.]

"As written before, I've not had the nightmare of trying to redeem miles for travel and, indeed, have usually scored seats fairly easily. But, in its own small way, redeeming the last of my US Airways Dividend Miles for magazines has been a conundrum.

"Magazine Customer Service for US Airways may be reached at 800/586-9632. There is a recorded menu with an option to 'order a magazine.' However, when an agent comes on the line it's 'we can't take an order for magazines unless you have been solicited by the airline' and that this has been the case 'for a couple of months.'

"Contacting Dividend Miles at 800/428-4322 as listed on the 'View My Miles' US Airways webpage results in getting an operator who says 'we only handle inquiries where you want to acquire miles, not redeem them.'

"My rationale for the dead end here is this is my final reward for trying to cash miles that were acquired when Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) was in business 20 years ago. The morphed airlines since (e. g., US Air, US Airways) have never been on my "must fly them" list. There are a few others on that list, too..." [Ed N. - Portland, OR]

"I am mostly an AA frequent flier and a constant reader of your e-mail bulletins.

"ISSUE: Why must all sweepstakes be limited to "U.S. legal residents" only since flying is such an international activity? One thing (political) would be not to honor participation by U.S. illegal residents but I for one, am a legal resident in a foreign country buying airfare on U.S. airlines." [Pedro S. - Caracas, Venezuela]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - The sweepstakes we feature in this newsletter are typically sponsored by U.S.-based companies, focusing on the local market. I suspect that the restriction to U.S. residents simply reflects that fact. The restriction is also likely in the interest of simplicity, since the promotion sponsors only have to abide by U.S. laws, which may differ from those in effect in other countries.]

Until next week...