Now Open: FrequentBuyer Mile Search

This week, we introduce another new FrequentFlier.com feature: FrequentBuyer Mile Search, a searchable database of retailers which offer miles or points for purchases, and the airline, hotel and other loyalty programs which have partnerships with retailers.

Want to see which retailers offer miles in American's AAdvantage program? Search on "AAdvantage." Or, if you're wondering which airline or hotel programs award miles for purchases made at Target, look for Target in the dropdown menu under "Home & Living," or simply type "Target" into the search field.

Give it a try and let us know what you think. (Note: This is a soft launch of FrequentBuyer Mile Search. We don't yet have links to it from other areas of the website, so you'll have to bookmark http://frequentflier.com/search.php for the time being.)

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FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, ronald shares details and a link to a new Northwest offer: 1,000 bonus miles for signing up to receive weekly specials by e-mail and remaining subscribed for two months.

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, dmz616 begins his tale of mile-redemption Hell as follows: "My wife and I have all our flyer miles with American Airlines and wanted to go to Christchurch, New Zealand with a stopover in Australia on the way back. We wanted to go business class (125,000 miles/ticket). We are very flexible on the date..."

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Dine Out More to Earn More AAdvantage Miles

Between July 1 and Aug. 31, AAdvantage members can earn 500 bonus miles for their first two qualifying AAdvantage Dining meals and an additional 500 bonus miles after the fourth qualified dine, for a total of 1,000 bonus miles.

In addition to the bonus miles, participants also will be entered automatically in a sweepstakes with a chance to win one of five weekend travel packages.

Registration is required.

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Earn 25,000 Delta Miles for Dining

Delta SkyMiles members who complete 25 qualifying dines between July 1 and Dec. 31 with the SkyMiles Dining & Hotels program will earn 25,000 bonus miles.

SkyMiles members must register in advance and before July 25. For the promotion, qualifying meals must cost at least $25 including tax and tip.

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Earn Delta Miles for Education Loans

SkyMiles members can now earn up to 15,000 miles for education loans from Loan to Learn. Loans can be used for undergraduate and graduate studies at approved schools.

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Redeem Diners Points for More British Air Miles

Through Aug. 31, Diners Club Rewards points are worth 50% more when exchanged for miles in British Airways Executive Club. For example, 100,000 Diners Club points can be redeemed for 150,000 Executive Club miles during the promotion period.

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Earn 1,500 United Bonus Miles for Hyatt Stays

Hyatt Gold Passport members who are also United Mileage Plus members can earn 1,500 United bonus miles for stays booked at hyatt.com and completed between June 2 and July 31. The bonus is in addition to points or miles normally earned for the stay.

Registration is required.

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Northwest Offers 20K Bonus Miles with the 20K Bonus Play

Northwest WorldPerks members can earn up to 20,000 bonus miles for completing various transactions with multiple program partners between July 10 and Sept. 30. See Northwest's website for a long list detailing which partner transactions earn which bonuses.

Registration is required, between June 22 and Sept. 30.

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Northwest Introduces Premium Boarding Lines

Beginning next week, Northwest will introduce special boarding lines, allowing travelers with special status -- elite WorldPerks and SkyTeam members, and first/biz-class ticketholders -- to board Northwest flights at any time, ahead of other passengers.

The new premium boarding lanes are, arguably, a necessary adjunct to Northwest's newly implemented general boarding policy, which gives elite and premium ticketholders a chance to board first, after which all passengers board in whatever order they happen find themselves in line. By bypassing the open boarding line, the new expedited lanes permit premium customers to get right to the boarding gate whenever they choose to.

Northwest claims that the new boarding process saves seven minutes per flight.

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Earn More US Air Miles for Worldhotels Stays

Between July 1 and Sept. 30, US Airways Dividend Miles members will earn 1,500 miles per stay at participating Worldhotels.

Worldhotels is a new Dividend Miles partner.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) AirTran Sale from $39 Each Way

AirTran is offering a new systemwide sale for travel through mid-November. Prices start at $39 one-way, and destinations include Atlanta, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York.

Travel is valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 15. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by July 11.

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2) Hawaii fares on American from $353

American's latest sale features September, October, and November flights to Hawaii. Prices start at $353 roundtrip, and departures are available from both coasts. Delta has a similar sale for the same travel dates.

Travel is valid Sundays through Fridays from Sept. 6 through Nov. 15. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. Fares require a three-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 60 days. Delta's sale expires on June 30, so it's likely that American's will too.

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Win 100K Continental Miles

Through July 31, enter Continental Airlines' 2,000,000 mile "Let's Go Sweepstakes" for a chance to win one of 10 grand prizes of 100,000 miles each or one of 20 50,000-mile prizes.

Registration is required.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"This is not a question but a comment.

"I just called UA to check on a problem with a reservation. They have just upped the fee for booking directly via a telephone from $10.00 per person to $15.00. Added to this is a fee if you want something by FAX.

"For another strange reason they sent me my itinerary both by e-mail and by postal mail. The e-mail one was correct; the postal mail copy was incorrect (which is why I called).

"Out of curiosity I wonder how many people can 'upgrade' on line vs calling directly. The UA site seems to imply that once you purchase a ticket on line then they will let you know if there are upgrades available. They clearly state that even if a flight is listed as upgradeable, it may not be for the tickets being purchased.

"Thanks for your wonderful letter. Why not put an e-mail address at the end so readers can contact you -- or someone -- directly." [P.A.S.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - While we do address the occasional query, we simply don't have the manpower to regularly answer reader questions. Rather, this section is for comments and suggestions which, we hope, will be interesting or entertaining to other subscribers. To e-mail us directly, simply click on the "Contact" link at the bottom of every Crier.]

"Are there any sites where I can consolidate all my current points in one bucket? I have over 500,000 points with about 7 entities." [Paul D. K.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - There is only one company that makes it its business to exchange miles among different loyalty programs: Points.com. It is also possible to make conversions among some programs through Diners Club Rewards and Hilton HHonors, by redeeming miles for Diners or Hilton points, and then redeeming those points for miles in yet another program. While possible, these options are less than desirable, since as much as 90% or more of the original miles are lost in the conversion process.]

Until next week...