Issue #1 -- June 28, 1998
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American's New Website - Day One
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Monday, June 22, was launch day for American Airlines' new
website, AA.com. Full page ads in major media proclaimed AA.com
"The most popular airline site on the Web!" That may be a bit of
an overstatement on its first day online, especially as the site
had only the following to say for itself when I visited:
"We are currently in the process of upgrading AA.com and have
temporarily taken the site offline. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause."
"In the meantime, if you require assistance with reservations and
ticketing, call AA reservations in the U.S. at 1-800-433-7300.
Please try our web site again in a few hours you will discover an
online travel resource that's built to work for you. We think
you'll be pleased with some of the exciting new features our site
has to offer."
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American's New Website - Day Four
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By Thursday things had improved, but only somewhat. The site was
accessible, but slow-loading and buggy. (Example: when I tried to
view my AAdvantage miles, I was advised that my log-in timed out,
in spite of the fact that I'd just logged in.)
Given American's history of leadership in both technology and
marketing, I fully expect their new site to emerge a winner. In
the meantime, though, American would do well to follow the
venerable service industry rule: Underpromise, but overdeliver.
I for one would be a lot more tolerant of their missteps if the
company weren't so relentlessly self-promoting.
>> More <<
o Check out the site itself at http://www.AA.com
o An in-depth article from PhoCusWright Information Services
http://www.phocuswright.com/
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Amex Doubles for Necessities
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Through August 31, American Express cardholders enrolled in
Membership Rewards, or users of the Delta SkyMiles Card or the
Hilton Optima Card, can earn double miles or points for charges
at gas stations and supermarkets. This is clearly an effort to
reposition the Amex card as a "charge everything" card, like its
principal rivals, VISA and Mastercard. The danger is that Amex
cardholders will discover first hand (as VISA ads have been
alleging) the limitations of the Amex merchant network.
>> More <<
Promotion details, and lists of participating supermarket and gas
station chains can be found at:
http://americanexpress.com/rewards/doublepoints/index.html?aexp_i
n=DP19
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Alliance Rumors
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Look for an announcement from Northwest and Continental to the
effect that their frequent flyer program tie-up will go beyond
the expected reciprocal earn-and-burn participation.
>> More <<
For an early (and pessimistic) analysis of the upcoming
alliances, and their anticipated effects of frequent flyers, see
http://theffpsite.org/ff051098.htm
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Free Northwest Ticket
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Buy a first- or business-class ticket on Northwest between the
U.S. and Asia, charging the purchase to your VISA card, and
you'll receive a free Northwest ticket for travel within the U.S.
Qualifying travel must be completed by August 31, 1998.
>> More <<
As of Friday, this offer was nowhere to be found on Northwest's
website, so you'll have to call 1-800-447-4747 for further
information.
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Midwest "Downsizes"
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One of the most valuable features of the Midwest Express Frequent
Flyer is (soon to be "was") the option of combining miles from
Northwest WorldPerks, albeit for a $50 service charge. From July
1, this feature will be discontinued. Take advantage of this
all-too-rare instance of combinable miles while you can.
>> More <<
Details at Midwest's site:
http://www.midwestexpress.com/frequentflyer/awarduse.html
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