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ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
Chuck poses the perennial question: "Just wondering if it is somehow possible to transfer miles from either US Airways or American to my Delta account?" Ish has his (her?) own perennial stumper: "What frequent flyer program is the best in terms of mileage accumulation and rewards redemption?" Ronald shares a link to the J. Crew sweepstakes (Grand Prize: a trip for 2 to St. Barth's). 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 Pushes Transcon with Free Companion Tickets
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In response to an essentially identical offer from America West (reported in last week's Crier), since matched by United (see below), American will offer a free companion ticket after 2 qualifying transcon roundtrips.
AAdvantage members who fly 2 American roundtrip nonstop flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK), Boston (BOS) or Washington D.C. (IAD) from June 22 to Nov. 15 will earn 1 free companion ticket.
Companion tickets are valid for coach-class nonstops originating in Los Angeles (LAX) and terminating in the 48 contiguous United States, Canada or San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, between Sept. 7, 2004, and Feb. 16, 2005. Blackout dates apply. A maximum of 2 companion tickets may be earned by any individual.
Registration is required.
-> More: http://aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewAAdvantageBonusOffers.jhtml
China Southern Partners with Best Western
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Effective immediately, members of China Southern's Sky Pearl Club will earn 400 kilometers per stay at Best Western hotels.
(In the same news release, China Southern reports that Sky Pearl membership now exceeds 2 million.)
-> More: http://www.cs-air.com/en
Delta Deals Extra Elite Perks
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Delta this week released details of their new a la carte menu of "threshold benefits" for SkyMiles elite members. (The threshold benefits will be awarded in 2005, based on activity during 2004, and are over and above the standard perks accorded elite members.)
SkyMiles members earning between 40,000 and 74,999 Medallion-Qualifying Miles (MQMs) during calendar year 2004 may choose to receive 1 of the following: 15,000 bonus miles, 4 Crown Room Club 1-day passes, or a 50% mileage bonus for "qualifying flight activity" (see below) in the first quarter of 2005.
SkyMiles members earning between 75,000 and 124,999 MQMs may choose to receive 1 of the following: 25,000 bonus miles, Silver Medallion status for a companion and 5,000 bonus miles for the member, 1 coach SkyChoice award for 25,000 miles, or a 100% mileage bonus for qualifying flight activity in the first quarter of 2005.
SkyMiles members earning between 125,000 and 149,999 MQMs will receive 2 additional Platinum Medallion Upgrades, plus a choice of 1 of the following: 45,000 bonus miles, Gold Medallion status for a companion and 10,000 bonus miles for the member, 1 first class SkyChoice award for 45,000 miles, or a 150% mileage bonus for qualifying flight activity in the first quarter of 2005.
And SkyMiles members earning more than 150,000 MQMs will receive 4 additional Platinum Medallion Upgrades, plus 1 choice from the same menu offered to those earning between 125,000 and 149,999 MQMs:
"Qualifying flights" are on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, and Delta Connection. And discounted SkyChoice awards are for travel within or between the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada.
Part of the effect of the change -- no doubt intentional on Delta's part -- is to create incentive to continue earning MQMs, even when members don't expect to qualify for the next higher elite tier. So, for example, a SkyMiles member who has earned the 25,000 MQMs to qualify for Silver elite status now has a reason to strive for 40,000 MQM's even if she has no hope of reaching Gold Medallion status at 50,000 MQMs.
In all, this is smart marketing on Delta's part. And it's a welcome gesture of appeasement toward Delta's elites, whose disenchantment with the program has been especially vocal.
-> More: http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9342
Michelin Tires = Delta Miles
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SkyMiles members who purchase a set of 4 Michelin passenger car or light truck tires at a U.S. Michelin retailer by Nov. 15 will earn 2,5000 miles.
To earn the miles, consumers must mail in a completed form with a copy of the purchase receipt. Forms may be found in the May issue of the SkyMiles newsletter or online at michelinman.com/delta.
-> More: http://michelinman.com/delta
Diners Expands Rental Car Insurance
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In yet another sign of renewed vigor at Diners Club, the company has introduced a significant insurance benefit for users of Diners Club U.S. Corporate or Personal cards.
Diners Club cardholders who charge rental cars to their cards and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW) will automatically receive primary full-value insurance coverage, representing a savings of up to $16 per day.
The key modifier in the benefit proposition is 'primary.' Many credit cards offer secondary coverage for rentals, which kicks in only after the renter's primary insurance. But offering primary coverage, as Diners has done, raises the bar.
-> More: http://www.dinersclubus.com
Hilton Multiplies Earning Options
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Beginning July 1, Hilton HHonors members will have their choice of 3 "Earnings Styles" as follows --
1) Points and Variable Miles
Earn 10 HHonors Base points + 1 airline mile per eligible $1 spent
2) Points and Fixed Miles
Earn 10 HHonors Base points per eligible $1 spent + 500 miles per stay (100 miles per stay at Hampton/Scandic hotels)
3) Points and Points
Earn 10 HHonors Base points + 5 bonus points per eligible $1 spent
To choose an earning scheme, HHonors members should visit http://hiltonhhonors.com/myway and select the preferred option. Preferences may be changed whenever and as many times as the member chooses.
"Earning Styles" is currently positioned as a limited-time opportunity, scheduled to expire on Dec. 31. It's likely to be extended, or made a permanent feature of the program.
United Matches Companion-Ticket Offer
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As did American (see above), United is matching America West's companion-ticket offer for select transcon flights.
Mileage Plus members who fly 2 nonstop rountrips on United, United Express or Ted between Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK), Boston (BOS) or Washington D.C. (IAD) by Nov. 15 will earn 1 free companion ticket.
Free companion tickets are valid for travel between Sept. 7, 2004 and Feb. 16, 2005, on any nonstop route originating in Los Angeles and terminating in the 48 contiguous United States or Canada.
Advance registration required.
-> More: http://united.com/page/article/0,6722,50916,00.html
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Domestic Sale Fares on American from $144
American is offering summer and fall sale fares to a variety of U.S. cities. Prices start at $144 roundtrip, and departures are valid through Nov. 2.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance. American has not announced a booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6788
2) Greece 6-Night Fall Packages with Cruise from $999
See Athens and cruise the islands of Greece this fall for 1 low price from Friendly Planet Travel. Starting at $999, this package comes with roundtrip airfare, 3 nights at the Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens, all transfers, an English-speaking tour host, and daily buffet breakfast. Also included are 3 nights on the cruise ship Triton, with all meals aboard the ship. Departures are valid on Nov. 2 or 9.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6761
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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In response to Jane H.'s complaint last week regarding the unavailability of Delta awards, we received the following from Eric, a Delta employee:
"Delta also offers a SkyChoice award option which does not have the same capacity constraints as the SkySaver awards. It sounds like you have a lot of miles, so perhaps the SkyChoice award would work for you.
"Please look at delta.com for more information -- ."
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"Alaska Airlines Award Travel has recently implemented a $50 charge for any and all changes to award travel dates once reservation is made. In the past, you were charged only if you changed your routing but not charged if you flew the same departure and return, just changed the dates of departure and return. This has thrown a huge wrench into my travel and I am looking for a way to get other plan members onboard in writing to complain. Any advice?" (Chris)
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Summer Getaway Prize: 500K OnePass Miles
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The Grand Prize winner of the LendingTree Summer Getaway Sweepstakes will receive 500,000 OnePass miles, and 12 2nd-prize winners will each receive a $500 Continental travel certificate.
To enter, register at the link below by Aug. 31.
-> More: https://rc.lendingtree.com/axx/applications/continentalsweep/continentalsweepmain.asp
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
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