O N S I T E
New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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SittingPrettyinFirstClass is going to be doing just that: upgrading to first. But his wife is stuck in coach. What to do? Ronald has a long list of special offers (including: Charge a Marriott stay with Amex and earn a $25 dining credit). Roxanne serves up a link to a Northwest survey worth a quick 500 WorldPerks miles. 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
2,000 AAdvantage Miles for First Online Booking
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We mentioned United's bonus for first-time online bookings a couple of issues ago. Predictably, archrival American wasn't about to be left at a competitive disadvantage and has matched the United offer.
So, like their Mileage Plus counterparts, AAdvantage members will earn a 1-time 2,000 mile bonus when making their first roundtrip ticket purchase on AA.com between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2002. Travel must be completed by Sept. 30, 2002.
For subsequent online bookings, the offer reverts to the ongoing 1,000-mile bonus.
From Alaska Air: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who fly between Seattle and Las Vegas from July 8 through Aug. 31, 2002, will be awarded a second Seattle - Las Vegas or Reno trip for free. The free ticket can be used between Sept. 3, 2002 and Feb. 13, 2003.
To qualify, you must be a Mileage Plan member and register (link below) by July 31, 2002.
> More...
ClickRewards Adds New Airline Partner: American
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The "new" ClickRewards has a new airline partner, American.
ClickRewards members can now redeem 500 ClickMiles for 500 American AAdvantage miles, as well as 500 US Airways Dividend Miles. Unfortunately, whichever airline you choose, you'll wait 10 - 12 weeks for your miles -- in the form of a certificate -- to be delivered. And once the certificate is received, you'll have to send it to the airline to have the miles credited to your account.
Note to "new" ClickRewards -- take a lesson from the "old" ClickRewards: electronic transfer.
> More...
Continental Awards Bonus for Amtrak Connections
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Continental is offering OnePass members double miles for each connecting segment on Amtrak between July 10 and Sept. 30, 2002. Bonus applies when flying on Continental or Continental Express and connecting at Continental's New York/Newark hub to or from any of the following Amtrak destinations:
- New Haven Rail Station, Connecticut
- Philadelphia 30th Street Station, Pennsylvania
- Stamford Rail Station, Connecticut
- Wilmington Rail Station, Delaware
Register at http://onepass.continental.com/ using promo code 52009 and your OnePass number.
Earn Double SkyMiles for ALL Charges
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Between July 15 and Aug. 15, 2002, SkyMiles members will earn double miles for every charge made on their Delta SkyMiles credit cards from American Express. (The SkyMiles card normally awards double miles -- 2 miles for every $1 charged -- for MOST charges. This promotion extends that bonus to include ALL charges.)
You must register for the promotion before Aug. 15, 2002. To do so, go here and follow the link to the "Enroll" page.
Delta Charter Flights Count Toward Elite
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For every $2,500 spent on AirElite charter flights, SkyMiles members will earn 1 segment which counts toward the 30, 60 or 100 segments required to attain Silver, Gold or Platinum Medallion status.
AirElite Business Jets is a Delta subsidiary operating 250 jets in "on-demand corporate jet charter services" mode.
> More...
Delta, Northwest Set 3rd-Quarter Charities
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Habitat for Humanity is the SkyWish Charity of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2002. SkyMiles members may donate a minimum of 5,000 miles to Habitat via SkyWish, with Delta adding 1,000 miles for every 5,000 miles contributed.
Donations can be made via e-mail at http://delta.bids@delta.com, by calling 1-800-325-3999 or via FAX at 404-773-1945.
The newest partner in Northwest's AirCares charity-support program is Children's HeartLink. WorldPerks members who contribute at least $50 to Children's HeartLink will earn 500 WorldPerks bonus miles between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2002.
Hertz Rentals Earn 1,000-Mile Bonus
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Through Aug. 31, 2002, Hertz customers can earn 1,000 bonus miles or points on qualifying Leisure Weekly Rates of a midsize (Class C) or larger car. Offer is valid at participating airport and suburban locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. Minimum rental period is 5 days.
Renters can elect to receive the extra miles in their choice of 15 programs, including those of Alaska, Aloha, American, Amtrak, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, Lufthansa, Midwest Express, Northwest, United, US Airways, and the program of the U.K.'s second-largest airline (whose name, if spelled out, will trigger more than a few anti-porn filters).
For full details, including discount codes necessary to earn the bonus, see http://www.hertz.com/.
Midwest Express Brings Award Booking Online
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Members of Midwest Express Frequent Flyer can now book award flights online, at http://www.midwestexpress.com. New functionality allows members to make award reservations for up to 5 travelers on the same itinerary, choose seats, and request special meals. Online award booking of companion, promotional and choice awards is NOT offered.
NextCard: RIP
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NextCard, the credit card issued by NextBank (which closed on Feb. 7, 2002), is defunct. Here's an excerpt from the e-mail announcement sent to cardholders:
"... As a result, effective July 10, 2002, your NextCard credit card account is closed. You will no longer be able to use this credit card. If you attempt to use the card, merchants and ATMs will receive a message to decline the card. Please cut the card into pieces and dispose of the pieces."
While I have yet to confirm this definitively, it appears that any unredeemed earnings in the NextCard miles-for-charges program are also history.
> More...
Coming & Going -- Program Partner Changes
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> Tie-Ups
American AAdvantage: Europcar, Midland National Life Insurance. Delta SkyMiles: Ameritrade, Jumeirah International Hotels, Tokyu Hotels. Northwest WorldPerks: AT&T Worldnet Internet access. United Mileage Plus: SkyTel wireless. US Airways Dividend Miles: Nevis Express.
> Break-Ups
Effective July 1, 2002, MGM Grand Las Vegas no longer participates in AAdvantage.
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...
Fall flights as low as $108 R/T featuring Chicago, Midwest
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ATA and Northwest have released sale fares for fall travel throughout the U.S., featuring Chicago and other cities in the Midwest. ATA's sale also includes savings on selected flights to/from Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Travel on most routes is valid between Aug. 13 and Sept. 30. Purchase tickets by Monday, July 22.
> More...
Flights to/from four Florida cities as low as $198 R/T
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America West, American, and US Airways are offering savings between Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, and cities throughout the U.S. Travel is valid through Oct. 31. Book tickets online only, at least 7 days before departure, and by Sunday, July 14.
> More...
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
Delta Sweeps Could Take You Out to the Ballgame
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Enter the Delta Getaway Game to win a trip for 4 to New York to see the Braves play the Mets at Shea Stadium on Sept. 27, Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, 2002. Prize includes air, hotel, Braves memorabilia and 10,000 SkyMiles.
Ten second-place winners will receive 10,000 miles plus tickets to an upcoming Braves home game and merchandise. And 50 third-place winners will receive 10,000 miles and merchandise.
To enter, go to http://delta.com/braves prior to Aug. 1, 2002.
[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]
S I T E 2 S E E
Bob's Internet Travel Tips
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Still perplexed by the "How do I get the best airfare?" question? The answer: there is no easy answer. Fortunately, there are occasional comparisons which help separate the wheat from the chaff. One such source of comparative data is "Bob's Internet Travel Tips." According to Bob's latest survey, your best bet is Orbitz, in conjunction with SideStep. For more, see the "Comparison" section of Bob's site.
> More...
Until next week...
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