MilePort Upgraded to Support 112 Rewards Programs

When we launched the MilePort mileage manager several weeks ago, we asked for comments and recommendations. Based on that feedback, the following changes have been made in just the past week.

Programs Updated -- AirTran, Air New Zealand, Delta, Lufthansa, United, Ebates

Programs Added -- Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society, Virgin Blue Velocity, American Express U.K., LAN Chile LANPASS

With the addition of the new programs, MilePort consolidates account information from 112 airline, hotel and other points programs into a single statement, making it simple to review balances and manage program activity.

For more details and to download MilePort for free, visit http://www.mileport.com/.

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FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, howardwwood reminds us that it's not just the U.S. aviation scene that's facing financial turmoil: "I'm an American living in Brazil and I'm worried about losing my Varig 'Smiles' (over 100,000 Miles) if the impending Bankruptcy goes thru. Are my Varig miles still good on Partners like United, etc.? Does anyone out there know? Stranded in Brazil."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, roknjohn wants to consolidate his mile-earning in a single program: "My new job involves much more traveling than I have been used to. Flying out of South Carolina, I usually fly US Air or Delta most often, Spirit and Continental occassionally... Which program, US Air or Delta, has a better redemption value? Upgrades are my preferred reward."

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

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More Miles for Dollar Rentals

Through Aug. 14, Dollar Rent A Car is offering 500 bonus miles for rentals of two or more days of compact or larger cars at participating Florida Dollar locations.

Customers may choose to receive the bonus miles in the programs of American, Delta, Northwest, United or US Airways. Promotion code: FLRD.

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Frontier Discounts Domestic/Canada Awards

Between July 12 and July 26, Frontier Early Returns members can redeem 5,000 fewer miles for award flights between Denver and Austin, Boise, El Paso, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Calgary completed from July 17 through Oct. 14. With the discount, award tickets are priced at 10,000 instead of 15,000 miles.

During the same period, Los Angeles-San Francisco award flights are being offered for 7,500 miles, a 50% discount.

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Double Miles for Hilton "Summer Breaks" Stays

Through Sept. 3, Hilton HHonors members can earn double airlines miles for stays of two or more nights at Summer Breaks rates at over 150 destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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Double Points for Weekend Stays at InterCon

Through Sept. 30, Priority Club Rewards members can earn double bonus points or miles for weekend stays when paying Luxury Escapes rates at InterContinental hotels in North or South America.

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Earn Double Southwest Credits for La Quinta Stays

Through Sept. 30, Rapid Rewards members who are also members of La Quinta Returns will earn double Rapid Rewards credit (1.0 credit instead of 0.5 credits) for qualifying stays at La Quinta hotels.

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Langham Hotels Offers United Bonus

Through Aug. 31, Mileage Plus members can earn double miles for stays at Langham Hotels -- 1,000 miles per one-night stay, 2,000 miles per two-night stay and 3,000 miles for stays of three nights or more.

In addition, stays of three or more nights during the promotion period will be rewarded with one free night, redeemable between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, in conjunction with another stay of three or more nights.

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MoreHome.com Is New United Mileage Partner

Mileage Plus members can now earn four or more miles per $1 spent at MoreHome.com, an online home improvement retailer.

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US Air Launches Paid Upgrades

US Airways customers can now upgrade from coach to business or first class and from business class to a fully lie-flat seat.

For between $50 and $250, depending on flight length, passengers can request a first-class seat up to 30 hours prior to flights within North America.

For $500, passengers can request an upgrade to business class on transatlantic flights up to 30 hours prior to departure or at the airport ticket counter.

And for $300, business-class ticketholders on transatlantic flights can request an upgrade to a lie-flat seat on the day of departure at the airport ticket counter.

In theory, the newly available first-class North America paid upgrades won't erode the availability of seats available for elite upgrades, since the former can only be booked within 30 hours of departure, and the latter can be booked 48 hours or more in advance, depending on elite level. In reality, though, it's hard to imagine that paid upgrades won't ultimately diminish the supply of seats available to elite members of Dividend Miles.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) American's Hawaii Fares from $353

American has a new promotion for trips to Hawaii this autumn. Destinations include Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, and rates start at $353 roundtrip.

Travel is valid from Sept. 6 through Nov. 15. You must book at least 14 days prior to departure or within one day of making reservations, whichever comes first. A three-day minimum stay is required, and you may stay no longer than 60 days.

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2) Save Up to $99 on Thailand Flights from Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific's latest "Deal of the Month" offer features Bangkok. Los Angeles and San Francisco departures start at $694 roundtrip, not including taxes and fees, and New York (JFK) departures start at $844 roundtrip.

Travel is valid from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. Book tickets by July 31. The maximum stay is 30 days.

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Win 500 Roundtrip Flights

Through Aug. 31, enter the MasterCard "Win 500 Flights" sweepstakes for a chance to win 500 roundtrip airline flights with a maximum value of $500,000.

Receive one entry for every purchase charged to a MasterCard, and two entries for charges to co-branded MasterCards affiliated with American, Continental, Frontier, Midwest and US Airways and when charging airline tickets on those airlines to a MasterCard. Entries may also be submitted by mail, with no purchase required.

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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"My American Express Gold rewards card is charging me a $90.00 renewal fee. I told them I may cancel since I didn't want to pay the $90.00 annual fee. They then said they will give me 2,000 American Rewards points or $20.00 to keep me from cancelling the account. I would still have to pay the $90.00 fee. Also their rewards points can be converted to airline miles on a 2 for 1 basis. This means I have to convert 2 American Express reward points for 1 airline mile. Do you think I should pay the annual fee and take the 2,000 points or cancel the card? They also mentioned I could replace the Rewards gold card for a Blue Sky card which has no annual fee. Do you know if the Blue Sky card is worth getting?" [Vincent Y.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - The Amex Blue Sky card is a solid performer in its category, but the miles earned cannot be combined with miles from airline programs. For more info on the critical distinction between bank cards and airline-affiliated cards, see http://frequentflier.com/card-intro.htm.]

"I have Business Class reservations using Frequent flier miles to South America on Varig (reservations made through United). These aren't until mid January so one school of thought may suggest that Varig could find some solution to their current financial woes. OTOH, there may be no Varig come January. I asked a United ticket agent what would happen if Varig went belly-up (not expecting a serious answer) and he replied that 'of course United would provide you with alternate transportation at no additional cost'. I'm highly suspicious of that answer! Suggestions from the masses?" [Dennis A. - Battle Ground, WA]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - In the event that Varig were grounded permanently, I expect that United would in fact make a good-faith effort to secure alternative transportation for Mileage Plus members who'd redeemed miles for Varig flights. But for those flying on frequent flyer tickets, the only option offered would likely be on United's own flights. Alternatively, United would probably allow you to redeposit the miles in your account, without (hopefully) the usual service charge.]

Until next week...