U P F R O N T

United & US Airways - Headed for the Mileage Altar?
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Earlier this week, a United spokesperson used the words "quite close" to characterize the current status of talks between United and US Airways to reach a bilateral code-share agreement. Which begged the more interesting question: Could a frequent flyer tie-up be far behind?

While stopping short of confirming anything concrete or imminent, another United spokesperson responded to that question by allowing that meaningful code-share relationships always include frequent flyer program tie-ups. And he went on to suggest that such a tie-up could, as a practical matter, be brought to the market sooner rather than later.

Remember, United was on the verge of acquiring US Airways just last year, which underscores the fit between the 2 carriers' networks and supports the case for code-share. And before that buy-out effort was scuttled, working groups from United and US Airways had spent many man-hours planning for the integration of everything from aircraft fleets to airport facilities to, yes, frequent flyer programs.

So if code-share gets the green light, as I expect it to, reciprocal frequent flyer program participation will be the inevitable corollary. And because some of the groundwork has already been done, the mileage relationship can be implemented in 3-6 months, rather than dragging on for a full year as might otherwise be the case.

Summing up, I'm betting that by the end of this year US Airways will be an earning and redemption partner in United's Mileage Plus, and United will be an earning and redemption partner in US Airways' Dividend Miles.

United and US Airways partisans still have reason to worry about the future of the 2 financially precarious airlines (both of which have applied for federal loan guarantees), but at least they'll have a chance to earn a few extra miles while they fret.

O N S I T E

New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Brenda boasts: "FREE FOOD - Amex paid!" (Just goes to show, travel-rewards mania is not just about free flights. Brenda got a free meal, "sorry" miles and a great story.) New Guy asks: "Is Milesource really worth it?" (To which Dennis replies with his favorite miles-for-merchandise sites.) And Faye is searching for a single do-it-all card. (Aren't we all...?) And more...

Do you have mileage-related questions, answers, anecdotes? Post them (and read others') on the FrequentFlier Forum.

M I L E S & P O I N T S

United Expands Online Award Booking, Offers Bonus
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In line with most airlines' efforts to get their customers to "just do it online," United has expanded its Internet award-booking functionality to include United international flights, and is offering bonus miles for selected online transactions through Sept. 30, 2002.

Book Mileage Plus award trips on United's website using a U.S.-issued credit card (to pay the newly imposed security fee) to receive 1,000 bonus miles. Book a United revenue ticket at united.com using a U.S.-issued credit card to receive 1,000 bonus miles, plus an additional 1,000 bonus miles for first-time online bookings.

Opt to receive e-mail messages to receive 500 bonus miles when joining Mileage Plus online, registering on united.com or updating your profile. Email permissions must be active as of Jan. 5, 2003, to receive mileage bonus. Offer is available one time only to new subscribers.

WorldPerks Discounts U.S. - Canada Award Flights
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Between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2002, WorldPerks members can redeem their miles for award travel to Canada on Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air for up to 8,000 fewer miles.

Award flights between the contiguous U.S. 48 and any of 5 cities in Canada -- Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton -- are discounted 5,000 miles for economy and 8,000 miles for first class.

> More...

Brussels, Frankfurt Flights Earn Bonus SkyMiles
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SkyMiles members can earn 25,000 bonus miles for roundtrip BusinessElite flights from JFK to Brussels or Frankfurt between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2002. Offer applies to fares booked in J and D classes on Delta flights 106, 107, 140 and 141.

Register by calling 1-800-558-3358 and enter their SkyMiles number and code 2053, or at http://delta.com/skymilesoffers.

Tokyu Hotels Joins SkyMiles
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SkyMiles has a new hotel partner: Tokyu Hotels.

SkyMiles members can earn 500 miles for qualifying stays at 17 Tokyu Hotels throughout Japan. And between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2002, SkyMiles members will receive up to 50% off regular rates at select Tokyu Hotels.

> More...

Bonus Miles from Alaska Airlines
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Two new double-mile offers for members of Mileage Plan for travel between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2002...

To earn double miles on Alaska Airlines flights between Calgary and Los Angeles, register online (link below) prior to the first qualifying flight, or by calling 1-866-604-3275 and entering your Mileage Plan number and promotion code 101319.

> More...

To earn double Mileage Plan miles on selected Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights between Phoenix and Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver or between Tucson and Seattle or Portland, register at the below link prior to the first qualifying flight, or call 1-866-604-3275 and enter your Mileage Plan number and promotion code 101419.

> More...

Bonus Priority Club Points from Lending Tree
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Priority Club Rewards members can earn bonus points at closing by applying through Lending Tree for a local real estate agent, mortgage or home equity loan by July 31, 2002, as follows:

Real Estate Agent: 2,000 bonus points
Mortgage: 1,000 bonus points
Home Equity: 1,000 bonus points

Closings must occur during the 2002 calendar year.

> More...

Triple Dividend Miles At Caribbean Wyndhams
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Through Sept. 30, 2002, Dividend Miles members will earn triple miles -- 1,500 rather than the normal 500 -- and a space-available room upgrade when staying at Wyndham resorts in the Caribbean, including:

El Conquistador Resort & Country Club - San Juan
El San Juan Resort & Casino - San Juan
Aruba Beach Resort & Casino - Aruba
Morgan Bay Resort - St. Lucia
Sugar Bay Resort & Spa - St. Thomas
Rose Hall Resort & Country Club - Montego Bay
Sapphire Beach Resort - St. Maarten

> More...

Europcar Joins AAdvantage, Offers Bonus
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Through Sept. 15, 2002, AAdvantage members will earn 100 miles per day at new rental-car partner, Europcar. After the launch promotion, the earning rate reverts to 60 miles per day.

If you're not familiar with Europcar, the company has more than 2,600 car-rental locations in over 110 countries throughout Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe and the Middle East.

> More...

Air Canada Adds Aeroplan Partners
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Beginning "later this year," Aeroplan members will be able to earn up to 1 mile for every $1 in purchases made at hardware retail outlets operating under Sodisco-Howden national banner PRO or under the Do-it, Ferplus and Batitout banners, as well as up to 10,000 miles on purchases of residential VOXCOM security systems.

According to the AC release: "Further details will be communicated directly to Aeroplan members in the coming months."

S T E A L S & D E A L S

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

Domestic flights on sale, with Hawaii starting at $462 R/T
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American, Delta, and United are offering savings on travel to/from cities throughout the U.S. Book tickets by Thursday, July 4. American's and United's sales feature destinations in Hawaii and Canada, and selected international cities in Australia, Europe, and Latin America are also on sale from United.

> More...

Three airlines offer Fourth of July fares as low as $88 R/T
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American, America West, and Alaska have announced Fourth of July fare sales to/from selected cities in the U.S. and Canada.

On American, savings are available to/from Chicago, Denver, and other U.S. cities. Depart between July 2 and 4, and return on July 5, 6, or 8. Book tickets online only and at least one day before departure.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

Win a Lincoln Navigator from American
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To promote the ease-of-navigation of the new AA.com website, American is giving away a 2003 Lincoln Navigator in its "Navigate Your Life" sweepstakes. In addition to the grand prize, 4 second-place winners will receive free trips for 2 on American and $1,000 spending money.

To enter, got to http://www.aa.com/promo and fill out the entry form. Receive up to 4 additional entries by answering questions relating to products and services found on AA.com. Limit: 5 entries per person.

Entries must be received by Aug. 31, 2002.

[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]

Until next week...