Issue #48  --  July 1, 1999

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You Are Now Free to Enjoy Your Freedom
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The Crier wishes our U.S. readers an entertaining and safe July 4th (Independence Day).

[Can't help but think that Southwest missed an opportunity to leverage its current tagline ("You are now free to move about the country") with the "freedom" associated with Independence Day, and the "freedom" of the three-day July 4th weekend. There's always next year, Herb...]

<< S I T E N E W S >>

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Dallas Morning News Recommends The Crier
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The Sunday edition of the "Dallas Morning News" carried a nice mention of FrequentFlier.com and this newsletter. According to Larry Bleiberg's article: "Subscribing to free e-mail newsletters has alerted me to several frequent-flier bonuses. Thanks to a timely message from www.frequentflier.com, I learned that with one call my wife's trip for the following week qualified for 10,000 bonus miles." That, Larry, is exactly what we're in business to do!

>> More <<
Larry's article, online

<< M I L E S >>

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Double Miles when You Redeem ClickMiles
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The ClickRewards Mileage Match rewards members with two frequent flyer miles for every ClickMile redeemed with any of eight participating airlines.

Between now and July 12, you can redeem as few as 250 ClickMiles for 500 frequent flyer miles, or as many as 10,000 ClickMiles for 20,000 frequent flyer miles.

Check the ClickRewards site for restrictions.

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ClickRewards

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Double UA Miles for Latin America Flights
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Buenos Aires, Caracas, Guatemala City, Lima, Mexico City, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, San Jose, San Salvador, Santiago, Sao Paulo. . . Now you can earn double Mileage Plus miles when you fly to any of these Latin American destinations on United.

Purchase and fly a paid, qualifying roundtrip to Latin America from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Travel between June 15 and August 31, 1999, and you'll receive this double miles bonus.

You must register for this offer before you fly by calling 1-800-645-4502 and entering number 40 when prompted for a code. Or, register online here: http://offers.mileageplus.com/mpna59.

Terms and Conditions: This offer applies to travel from June 15 through August 31, 1999, for travel from the 50 United States and Canada to Latin America. Offer valid on flights operated by United, United Shuttle and United Express, and is not applicable on United-marketed code share flights. Offer valid only to residents of the U.S. or Canada. Bonus may be earned a maximum of three times during travel period. This offer not combinable with other mileage offers. Other restrictions may apply.

[Thanks to Jackie B. for bringing this to our attention.]

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United

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Double Southwest Miles for Online Bookings
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Freedom Reward Members who book their reservations through the Southwest website and complete their travel by December 31, 1999 will receive double credit for each flight.

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Southwest online

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Bonus Miles on China Southern
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China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People's Republic of China, is offering new members of its frequent-flyer program -- The Sky Pearl Club -- a bonus of 1,999 kilometers upon enrollment. The offer is good from July 1 through Oct. 31.

The Sky Pearl Club offers three mileage levels: Basic, Silver VIP and Gold VIP. Benefits to Gold VIP members include immediate check-in at all China Southern Airlines First Class counters regardless of the class they have booked; priority class upgrades; unlimited use of all international departure lounges for themselves and one of their traveling companions; and an additional 10 kgs free baggage allowance for Silver VIP members and 15 kgs for Gold VIP members on all flights.

Passengers flying China Southern Airlines may earn either The Sky Pearl Club mileage or mileage on Delta Air Lines SkyMiles award program on appropriate codeshare flights. Some restrictions apply.

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Earn a Mile-a-Minute for Latin America Stays
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According to the marketing people at Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza, their "Mile-a-Minute" promotion offers more reward miles per stay than any comparable program.

With Mile-a-Minute, guests earn a mile for every minute spent at participating Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza hotels in Latin America through December 20, 1999. The Mile-a-Minute option earns guests 1,500 miles for each paid room night, regardless of time of check-in or check-out. So, assuming a 24-hour stay, you're actually earning somewhat more than a mile per minute.

TERMS: Offer valid through December 20, 1999, with participating airlines. Maximum of 1500 miles per each paid night; only available when booking The Global Business Option at Inter-Continental and selecting The Mile a Minute Option or when booking the Mile a Minute package at Crowne Plaza. Based on availability and advance reservations. Offer available at the following Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza locations: Bogota, Buenos Aires, Cali, Caracas, Ciudad Guayana, Managua, Maracaibo, Medellin, Panama City, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Rio negro, San Jose, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Sao Paulo and Valencia.

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o Inter-Continental's website
o Crowne Plaza

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Millenium Packages on Auction at SkyMiles
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Not yet sure how you're going to ring in the new millennium?

Delta has seven travel packages on which SkyMiles members can bid between now and Aug. 26. The winning bidders will celebrate the New Year in one of the following ways:

    * Listening to Michael Bolton live at the El Conquistador Resort and Country Club in Las Croabas, Puerto Rico. Seven-night package for two includes round-trip First Class airfare, ocean-view accommodations, New Year's Eve dinner and fireworks. Bidding starts at 175,000 SkyMiles.

    * Watching one of the most celebrated female vocalists of this century performing live in Las Vegas. Two-person package includes four nights at the legendary Caesar's Palace, tickets to a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience, car rental and round-trip First Class airfare. Bidding starts at 175,000 SkyMiles.

    * Cruising the Caribbean on the Windstar cruise ship Wind Spirit, beginning in St. Thomas and stopping in St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Tobago Cays, Barbados, St. Lucia, Pointe a Pitre, Nevis, Virgin Gorda and Tortola. Eleven-day package for two includes round-trip First Class airfare, standard stateroom, all meals and gratuities. Bidding starts at 300,000 SkyMiles.

    * Chilling out in balmy Naples, Fla. for a four-night stay at the award- winning Ritz Carlton and enjoying a New Year's gala featuring the smooth sounds of Lou Rawls in concert. Package for two includes roundtrip First Class airfare, a gulf-view room, rental car, breakfast daily, golf, tennis, massages and all special hotel events, including a welcome reception and dinner. Bidding starts at 150,000 SkyMiles.

    * Basking in the Hawaiian sun and celebrating like a star for six nights at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on the island of Maui. Package for two includes round-trip coach airfare, deluxe ocean-view room, rental car, Bulgari spa amenities and Tattinger champagne, plus a New Year's Eve gala, holiday Lu'au, and champagne brunch on New Year's Day. Bidding starts at 150,000 SkyMiles.

    * Getting bubbly in New York City's Times Square with Korbel Champagne. Package for two includes round-trip First Class airfare, four nights at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Times Square, all meals and the ultimate Korbel Champagne party. Bidding starts at 125,000 SkyMiles.

    * Taking your family to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Seven-night package for four includes round-trip First Class airfare, standard room, car rental, a millennium party and gift for the children, and selected other amenities and special events. Bidding starts at 125,000 SkyMiles.

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Members can bid via phone to 1-877 BID MILES (1-877-243-6453), by toll- free fax to 1-800-821-1819 (see Delta website at http://www.delta-air.com for the bidding form), or by e-mail to deltabids@rapcollins.com . E-mail bids must include SkyMiles account number, Package Code(s) (available on the Delta Web site), a daytime phone number and applicable bid amounts. Members must have the bid amount in their account at the time of bidding. Closing for bids is midnight on Aug. 26.

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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United Puts July 4th Weekend on E-Sale
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Fly to the fireworks this year at bargain prices! United Airlines today announced a special Fourth of July "E-Fares" sale in 69 markets for travelers who purchase their tickets online at United's website. Travelers have the choice of departing on Saturday, July 3, or Sunday, July 4, and may return on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, July 4, 5 or 6. Tickets must be purchased by Saturday, July 3 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Sample round-trip fares for the holiday include Chicago-Boston ($158), Chicago-LaGuardia ($158), Washington Dulles-Boston ($158), Tampa-Los Angeles ($278), San Francisco-Los Angeles ($90), and Denver-Seattle ($198).

The sale prices are available exclusively through www.ual.com via the "E-Fare Specials" tab. Travel can originate in either city on a route unless otherwise noted. Seats are limited and available only on a round-trip basis. Tickets are nonrefundable, and payment must be made by credit card at the time reservations are made. Other restrictions may apply.

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United's website

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Midway's July 4th Special
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Midway Airlines also announced a system-wide fare sale for travel over the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The sale fares apply to all Midway markets for travel beginning as early as July 2, 1999. The airline is offering both peak and off-peak prices depending on departure and return dates and times. All travel must be completed by July 7, 1999.

Fares begin at $98 roundtrip and tickets must be purchased within 24 hours of making the reservation. Other important restrictions apply.

Off-Peak fares apply as follows: Travel on the outbound portion of trips originating from noon Saturday, July 3 through midnight Sunday, July 4, 1999. Returning portion of trips from noon Tuesday, July 6 through midnight Wednesday, July 7, 1999. Restrictions apply.

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Midway online

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America West's Summer Savings
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America West Airlines today announced its new Internet Summer of Savings promotion. For each of the next 10 weeks, America West will be announcing a new weekly Internet promotion on airfares to select destinations.

The first Internet Summer of Savings promotion begins Tuesday, June 29, with special fares to Las Vegas and Reno, Nev. The fares can be purchased on the America West website from June 29 through July 5 and are valid for travel through Nov. 10, 1999. The Internet Summer of Savings special offers and destinations will change each Tuesday.

In conjunction with Microsoft, the first five weeks of the Internet Summer of Savings will be promoted on the Expedia Internet site, linking customers to the America West site.

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America West

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HOLIDEALS @ Holiday Inns
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It's not too late to plan a holiday getaway this weekend. Even with the July 4th weekend just a few days away, hotel rooms -- even last-minute deals on those rooms -- are still available through HOLIDEALS from Holiday Inn.

Nearly 200 Holiday Inn hotels in the United States and Canada are featuring discounts of at least 40 percent off their room rates this Fourth of July weekend through HOLIDEALS, an internet-based program created by Holiday Inn. Participating hotels and rates for this coming weekend are accessible through the Holiday Inn website.

    Examples of participating hotels and rates include: * Holiday Inn Select -- Atlanta (Perimeter/Dunwoody), Ga. -- $47.40
* Holiday Inn Boston -- Dedham Hotel and Conference Center, Mass. -- $77.40
* Holiday Inn Select San Diego -- North Miramar, Calif. -- $83.40
* Holiday Inn Riverside, Calif. -- $65.40
* Holiday Inn Lexington -- North, Ky. -- $62.97
* Holiday Inn Select Nashville (Briley Parkway), Tenn. -- $48.00
* Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Scottsdale, Ariz. -- $47.40
* Holiday Inn Washington, D.C. -- Georgetown -- $95.40
* Holiday Inn Boynton Beach-Congress Ave., Fla. -- $52.80
* Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Great Smokies -- Asheville, N.C. -- $71.40
* Holiday Inn Manhattan-Downtown/Soho, New York City -- $129.00
* Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre (Broadway) -- CANADA -- $113.40 (Canadian)

Holiday Inn posts a list of participating hotels and rates for HOLIDEALS each Monday on its web site for travel discounts for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights of the same week. Rates offered are a minimum 40 percent savings off the standard, non-discounted room rate, and are available only at Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Select and Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort hotels.

>> More <<
Holiday Inn online

<< I N D U S T R Y N E W S >>

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E-tickets Rule
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Just over three years after US Airways introduced electronic ticketing, more
than half of its tickets issued last week were paperless. (United reported recently that their E-ticket volume surpassed paper tickets for the first time during May, so this is clearly an industry-wide trend.)

In case you haven't had the E-ticket experience, the conventional paper ticket is replaced by an electronic record stored in the airline's computer. For international travel, customers purchasing an E-ticket follow the same check-in requirements, security and customs and immigration procedures as those traveling using a paper ticket. An electronic ticket receipt and itinerary replaces the paper ticket.

According to US Airways (and other carriers make the same claim), E-tickets are a giant step forward for the traveling public: "Customers no longer need to worry about losing their paper tickets." A dubious benefit, since the "worry" is simply shifted from the physical to the digital realm. The real benefit of E-ticketing is lower ticketing costs for the airlines. And whether it's a plus or a minus for consumers, it's upon us.

Electronic ticketing is available to customers on all US Airways, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle, and low-fare MetroJet flights, and can be issued at all US Airways ticketing locations worldwide. US Airways' electronic ticketing option also is available to travel agencies in the United States using the Sabre, Apollo, Amadeus and Worldspan computer reservation systems, and is available to travel agents in Canada using Sabre and Apollo.

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US Airways

<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>

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Inflight Nutrition 101
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Greetings!

As a businessman who lives in Atlanta and spends half his time working in the Asia-Pacific region I get a lot of seat time on airplanes. Since I fly business class I am usually (not always) treated well and the meals are much better than coach class. However, as a diabetic I am often appalled by the (supposedly) diabetic meals that I am served while flying. Without exception I have often received food that is not "diabetic friendly". Sometimes, it is to the point that the "regular" meal is better for me than the "diabetic" meal.

Most diabetics count carbohydrates. As my doctor explained to me, carbohydrate (carbo) is a fancy name for sugar. Thus, I have a carbo budget for every meal and snack. I know that if I stay within the budget my medicine will allow my blood sugar to remain close to normal. The meals I receive while flying are often unnecessarily loaded with carbos. They blow away the budget so I can only partially eat them.

My impression is that the airlines think that a diabetic should receive a low fat meal. Next time you are in the grocery store take a look at the low fat foods. When the fat is removed it is usually replaced by sugar so they are high in carbohydrates. The airlines need to pay attention. This is nutrition 101. Low fat does not equal low carbo, it equals high carbo content!

As a diabetic I need meals that emphasize vegetables and dairy products with moderate amounts of carbo rich foods like rice, potatoes, breads, fruits. I want eggs for my breakfast, not the pancakes and french toast that I often get. I want jello or sugar free pudding for desert, not the fancy deserts, large chocolate chip cookies, and chocolates that I'm offered. I want someone at the airlines to really start thinking about their menu.

Here's hoping that someone from the airlines will attend that Nutrition 101 class and learn how to make a diabetic meal.

- S.D.

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Do You Know Who I Am?
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[Note from the Editor. I've seen several versions of this story, with several different airlines cast in the starring role. I have no idea whether it's true, or a figment of the collective frequent flyer imagination. Thanks to Hank F. for forwarding this version.]
 
An award should go to the United Airlines gate agent in Denver for being smart and funny, and making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

During the final days at Denver's old Stapleton airport, a crowded United flight was canceled.

A single agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS."

The agent replied, "I'm sorry sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these folks first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Without hesitating, the gate agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone: "May I have your attention please?" she began, her voice bellowing throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the gate."

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the United agent, gritted his teeth and swore "(Expletive deleted) you."

Without flinching, she smiled and said, "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to stand in line for that, too."

The man retreated as the people in the terminal applauded loudly. Although the flight was canceled and people were late, they were no longer angry at United.

<< S I T E 2 S E E >>

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Point.com Sets Standard for E-commerce
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Like most mobile professionals, I lust after the latest and greatest in wizz-bang technotoys. And, for better or worse, I own and use many of them. (That makes me a mampy--a middle-aged mobile professional.)

But there's one area where I've been a way-late adopter: I don't own a cell phone. It was through my efforts to rectify this embarrassing deficiency that I discovered a website which should be emulated by just about any business looking to go the e-commerce route.

Point.com is an online purveyor of wireless service plans, cell phones and accessories. It allows you to quickly compare service plans and phones, side-by-side, feature-by-feature. And a click away from the comparisons, there are succinct articles to help shoppers make sense of the myriad offerings and relate them to real-life needs.

Here's how Point.com describes itself: "Point.com is the only place you can compare side by side virtually all brand name phones and service plans in your market, find compatible accessories for your phone and buy online. Our unmatched selection features more than 3,000 service plans, 200 phones and 1,000 accessories for you to choose from."

Point.com sets the standard for intelligent online shopping. (While I'm still a mampy-without-a-cellphone, thanks to Point.com, I at least know which plan and phone I will buy... as soon as my case of phone-envy gets just a wee bit worse.)

>> More <<
Point.com

Until next week...