Media Query

A reporter for a national newsmagazine is looking for individuals willing to share their experiences of using credit card reward programs to gain frequent flier miles and/or hotel points.

If interested, please send an email to nramachandran@usnews.com by July 12, 2005.

This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites

Just how full are those planes?

A number of airlines have reported their load factors (percentage of seats occupied) for June. A sampling: JetBlue 89.0%, United 88.1% (a record), Northwest 87.7%, American 82.8%, Delta 82.0%, US Air 81.2%, Alaska 80.1%, Southwest 76.2%.

Translation: unless you're flying the Saturday-night red-eye to Armpit, U.S.A., don't expect the seat next to you to be empty.

In what United chief Glenn Tilton called "perhaps the most significant step forward in our restructuring," United committed to filing key documents to the bankruptcy court in August which will outline the company's plan for emerging from Chapter 11.

Even as United's reorganization plan is finally in the pipeline, a showdown may be in the offing between the carrier and its flight attendants.

Following the take-over last week of United's retirement plans by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the Association of Flight Attendants has warned that it may initiate selective walkouts at any time. According to United, such disruptions would be illegal.

At Northwest, both management and the union representing the carrier's mechanics have asked a mediator supervising their negotiations to deem the talks a failure. Thirty days after such a move, the mechanics would be entitled to strike.

Apparently with that in mind, the union has called for a vote to authorize a walkout. Deadline to cast ballots is July 19. A "yes" vote would not automatically trigger a strike; rather it is supposed to strengthen the union's hand in bargaining with management.

All of which prompted Northwest chief Doug Steenland to warn that a bankruptcy filing could be the airline's only option to obtain the necessary labor concessions.

The proposed merger between America West and US Airways continued gathering momentum over the past week.

On Friday. US Airways reported that the 30-day period for alternative offers on the merger had ended without the submission of any competing offers.

The next step in the process is a bankruptcy court hearing on Aug. 9. The airlines hope to close the merger transaction by late September or early October, although the actual combining of the 2 carrier's operations could take as long as 2 years.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, nako reminds readers of a get-a-member promotion from United, offering up to 8,000 bonus miles for referring up to 4 new members who enroll and take a qualifying flight by the end of 2005. See http://www.friendbonusmiles.com for details. (This offer has been in effect since February, so it's fallen off the radar screen as long-term promos sometimes do.)

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Homer shares this enticing tidbit: "An article in the July 5 WSJ outlines a new UAL program, effective from July 15 through Dec. 31. For trips with each-way distances under 750 miles, only 15K miles will be required for FF awards." See "Miles & Points" below for details.

And yet more in the "Airline Programs" Forum, darinmaney asks: "I have a bunch of Continental OnePass miles which are about to expire because I haven't had any activity for nearly 18 months. Any suggestions on the easiest/cheapest way to earn a mile or two, just so I can keep my account active?"

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

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Alaska Doubles Miles to Mexico City

Through Sept. 27, Alaska Mileage Plan members will earn double miles on Alaska's new flights to Mexico City from Los Angeles, launching Aug. 2.

Registration is required.

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America West Gets Flex Awards

Members of America West's FlightFund can now create roundtrip awards on America West by combining restricted and unrestricted segments, and segments in coach and first.

So, for example, if no restricted coach seats were available on 1 leg of an award trip, the member could try booking that leg in restricted first class, unrestricted coach, or unrestricted first class. America West's award chart shows mileage requirements on a 1-way basis, so it's easy to compute the total miles required when mixing and matching.

Also new and improved: America West's online booking tool, which now shows 30 days of award availability surrounding chosen departure dates.

In theory, such flexibility should help consumers work around the capacity controls that often make restricted coach roundtrip awards maddeningly difficult to obtain.

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Shopping Bonus from Continental

Through July 31, Continental OnePass members who use their Chase/Continental Banking Card to make purchases of $20 or more at the ShopOnePass online mall will earn 500 bonus miles. That's over and above miles awarded by retailers and for using the card.

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Delta Donates 10 Million Miles to SkyWish

On the 10th anniversary of Delta's SkyWish miles-for-charity program, the airline is donating 10 million miles to be divided among 15 SkyWish charitable organizations.

According to Delta, SkyMiles members have donated almost 1 billion miles over the program's 10-year history.

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Free Companion Ticket from Independence Air

Members of Independence Air's iClub who complete 2 roundtrip flights between July 1 and Sept. 30 will receive a free roundtrip companion ticket redeemable for travel between Sept. 9 and Nov. 15.

Member and companion must travel together when companion ticket is used.

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United Discounts Short-Haul Awards

Between July 6 and Dec. 31, Mileage Plus members can redeem fewer miles for domestic award trips of 750 or fewer miles each way.

With the discount, roundtrip coach awards are 15,000 miles and business or first awards are 30,000 miles.

Discount awards must be booked at United's website and are for travel between July 15 and Dec. 31.

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Bonus for United Flights to Munich

Through Aug. 31, Mileage Plus members will earn up to 10,000 bonus miles for qualifying United roundtrips (or 2 1-way transatlantic segments) between Chicago and Munich.

Earn 10,000 bonus miles for first class (F, A booking classes), 5,000 bonus miles for business (C, D booking classes), or 2,500 bonus miles for full coach (Y, B, M booking classes).

Registration is required.

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More Miles from Worldhotels

Through Aug. 31, guests at participating Worldhotels will receive discounted rates, space-available upgrades and 1,500 miles in the programs of any of the following 10 airlines: Air Canada (2,400 kms), American, ANA, Asiana, Delta, Lufthansa, Northwest, Thai, United and Varig.

All guests will automatically be entered into drawing to win a complimentary weekend stay for 2.

Book at the Worldhotels website, and mention the Worldhotels.get more (sic) offer.

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The Healthy Hotel
Provided by Healthy Travel Network

Major hotel chains have launched a flurry of fitness-related programs, making it easier than ever to get a good workout on the road. Here's a sampling of the equipment that you can expect to find on your next trip:

Hilton - Teamed with Bally's Total Fitness, Hilton provides you with access (for a fee) to Bally's personal trainers or a complimentary in-room fitness kit, including a yoga mat, elastic exercise bands, resistance tubing, two sets of hand weights and basic conditioning instructions designed by Bally's. And of course, Hilton continues to offer in-room treadmills and cardio machines at select locations.

Hilton Garden Inn - Hilton Garden Inn provides guests with two workout options: the complimentary Stay Fit Kit, which includes a yoga mat, bricks and strap, Pilates band, resistance cord, hand weights, and medicine ball; or nominally priced fitness videos, including yoga, Pilates, and core and general conditioning.

Marriott - Marriott's "Great Health - Fit for You" program includes three complimentary in-room options: the BodyRev, BodyWedge21 and Michael Sena's Traveling Trainer. Each program uses minimal equipment combined with body weight and movement to give you a great workout in the privacy of your room.

Omni - Omni's "Ideal Living" program includes "Get Fit Guest Rooms" stocked with a treadmill, Get Fit Kit, and healthy snacks. Alternatively, you just ask at the front desk for the Get Fit Kit, which includes a radio headset, floor mat, two dumbbells, elastic exercise band and instructions.

Westin - Westin has continued to expand its WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok program. Available in almost 100 Westin hotels worldwide, these state-of-the-art fitness facilities house equipment from Life Fitness, Precor, as well as Cardio Theater, and Reebok-designed fitness regimens for travelers. If that's not enough, they also have an in-room yoga workout program.

Who's got the best equipment? Sign up at Healthy Travel Network to get our upcoming hands-on review of these facilities and programs.

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Caribbean and Bermuda Fares on American from $218

American's Caribbean and Bermuda sale fares start at $218 roundtrip for travel during the late summer and fall. Destinations include The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Jamaica.

Departures are valid Mondays through Thursdays from Aug. 29 through Nov. 11. Travel must be completed by Dec. 11. Book tickets at least 3 days in advance. American has not listed a booking deadline. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

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2) Mexico Sale Fares on Delta from $290

Delta is introducing service between Salt Lake City and Puerto Vallarta. To promote the new route, the airline is offering sale fares from several cities in the western U.S. to Puerto Vallarta for travel this fall and winter. Prices start at $290 roundtrip.

Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays from Nov. 1, 2005, through Mar. 31, 2006. Book tickets by July 6. Fares require a 3-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Los Cabos

Enter Jewel of Baja Sweepstakes by July 14 for a chance to win a trip for 2 to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico and 4 nights double-occupancy standard hotel accommodations in Los Cabos, Mexico at the Fiesta Americana Gran Los Cabos.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I have 190,000 US Airways miles... should I use them ASAP?" [Walt]

[As I replied to Walt, if the merger with America West goes through, as seems likely, US Air should be OK for the next several years, at least.

Six months ago, I was recommending that people with substantial US Air miles reduce their risk by using them sooner rather than later.

While the risk of US Air liquidating has largely dissipated, I think it's prudent to use miles as they reach award thresholds, rather than hoarding them for the long term.]

"Waiting for my UAL flight to Sacramento (purchased with Mileage Plus miles) on Sunday afternoon, June 19 (Father's Day) at New York's LaGuardia, I heard announcements seeking volunteers willing to give up their seats on two different United flights which had oversold: one to Chicago and one a shuttle to Washington, D.C. In each case United offered to book volunteers on slightly later flights and give them round trip tickets to "anywhere in the domestic U.S." Although this caused me to wonder if there's a non-domestic U.S. I've been missing all these years, it seemed like a great deal. I was almost hoping my flight would be oversold, so I could volunteer, but it wasn't.

"Keep up the good work." [Susan W. - Davis, CA]

[In response to last week's report on American's limited-time offer to reactivate expired miles, for a price...]

"I have never understood how anyone could allow their frequent flier miles to expire. I mean really, if you let your miles expire, you can't have cared about them very much to begin with.

"But when I read in your newsletter about American's new 'reactivation' service (scam?) whereby expired miles can be rescued for a penny a mile, PLUS a $30 'processing fee', I suddenly found myself with alot more sympathy for anyone whose miles expired.

"I remember when a phone call to American's service center was enough to restore lost miles. Now they have turned into greedy so and so's. Sad." [Blake]

Until next week...