UP FRONT..........................................................

Discounts for the Many; Profits for the Few
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JetBlue's 1-million-seat sale, announced yesterday for travel beginning in Sept. (see "Steals & Deals" below), must have sent shivers down the major airlines' spines. And, yes, down the spines of millions of travelers who collect miles in their loyalty programs.

Coming as it does within a week of a major sale from Southwest, and smaller-scale price promotions from AirTran and Frontier, the Big 6 could only watch in wide-eyed horror as the prospects of profitability receded ever further into a future increasingly likely to feature bankruptcies and liquidations.

After years of being driven out of choice markets by bigger airlines with killer instincts and deep pockets, the discounters are getting their revenge. It must be sweet.

And for consumers, the cheap tickets are sweet as well.

But if JetBlue and Southwest drive 1 or more of the legacy carriers out of business -- as now seems entirely within the realm of possibility -- it may be the sour taste of lost miles that lingers last and longest.

Readers Rant, Rave & Reflect
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In last week's Crier, we went long on editorializing (the issue: award-seat availability) and short on reader feedback. This week, the proportions are reversed, with an unusually heavy dose of subscriber opinion offsetting a relatively editorial-free issue (and a slow week for offers).

Actually, some of the feedback is a continuation of last week's discussion of scarce award seats -- in particular, notes from 2 readers whose experience suggests that I'm overstating the problem's size and severity. In the interest of balance, we've included their input first in "Rants & Raves."

But as I pointed out to Peter, for every positive award experience, I hear 10 horror stories. Obviously one can't draw any definitive conclusions from such anecdotal evidence. But there's clearly a disconnect between consumers' expectations and what the airlines are delivering. And that disconnect appears to be growing.

What's needed, at a minimum, is transparency -- full disclosure on the airlines' part. How many award requests were fulfilled/denied, at restricted/unrestricted levels, broken down by route and by period (week/month).

Disclosure has 2 highly desirable effects: 1) It would permit consumers to calibrate their expectations against reality; and 2) it would force the airlines to compete for customers' loyalty based on their programs' actual performance, rather than vague promises.

Among other issues raised this week by Crier readers: broken promotion promises and stinky feet.

ON SITE...........................................................

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

Against all odds, Bil convinced American to award him AAdvantage miles when he was involuntarily re-routed on United. Scarlett wonders whether it's still possible to buy savings bonds with a credit card, earning miles in the process. (The consensus: that door's been shut.) Marathon Man has an update on problems with crediting miles from the recent eBay Anything Points promotion. And much more...

Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forum/index.cgi

MILES & POINTS....................................................

Air Canada Offers Bonus for Delhi Flights
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Between July 15 and Dec. 15, U.S.-based Aeroplan members will receive 15,000 bonus miles for roundtrip Toronto-Delhi flights in Executive First (J or C booking class) and full-fare coach (Y booking class only).

In addition to the bonus, Aeroplan members who purchase Executive First tickets (J booking class only) to or from Delhi via Toronto will automatically earn elite status through Nov. 15.

-> More: https://www.aeroplan.com/en/offers/promotion_jul122004.jsp

Hertz Rentals Earn Double AirTran Points
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Through Nov. 30, members of AirTran's A-Plus Rewards will earn double credits and a $5 per day discount on qualifying Hertz Leisure Weekend rentals of 2 or more days, or double credits plus a $20 discount on qualifying Leisure Weekly Rate rentals.

To participate, A-Plus members should cite discount code CDP #1259680 when making reservations, and either PC #947940 for Leisure Weekend Rate rentals, or PC #947962 for Leisure Weekly Rate rentals.

-> More: http://airtran.com/programs/aplus/specialoffers.jsp

American Doubles Miles for Torreon Flights
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From Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for travel on American Eagle's new nonstops between Dallas and Torreon, Mexico.

Register at http://www.aa.com/offers or by calling 1-800-882-8880, promotion code TRC2X.

Best Western Bonus for Diners Club Charges
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Between July 15 and Sept. 30, members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club International (GCCI) program can earn up to 400 bonus points for qualified stays charged to a Diners Club card.

GCCI members earn 100 bonus points after the first stay, another 100 points after the second stay, and an additional 200 points after the third stay.

To participate, members must have a North America mailing address and register for the offer prior to their first stay at http://www.goldcrownclub.com, or by calling 1-800-237-8483, promotion code DC400.

Northwest Ups Hawaii Service
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We don't normally report on new routes, unless there's a mileage bonus associated with the launch.

Beginning Dec. 15, Northwest will introduce daily B757 nonstops from Portland, Oregon and San Francisco to Honolulu.

While WorldPerks members won't earn any extra miles for flying on Northwest's new Honolulu service, the extra Hawaii capacity is good news for would-be award travelers.

Aloha!

From US Airways: New Miles-for-Hotels Option
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Dividend Miles members may now earn 5 miles per $1 in room-rate spent at hotels booked through Dividend Miles Dining & Hotels (formerly iDine). As a launch promotion, the earning rate at selected hotels is doubled through Sept. 30, to 10 miles per $1.

-> More: http://usairways.rewardsnetwork.com/site/homepage.jhtml

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) JetBlue's Million-Seat Sale from $29

JetBlue has announced a 1-million-seat sale with prices starting as low as $29 1-way on many of the airline's most popular routes. Destinations include cities in California, Florida, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Departures are valid from Sept. 7 through Dec. 15. Fares may be combined for roundtrip travel.

Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Thursday, July 29.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6931

2) Southwest Systemwide Sale from $39

Southwest has announced a systemwide sale on all of the routes it flies, for departures from Aug. 16 through Oct. 29. Prices range from $39 to $99 1-way. The sale fares may be combined for roundtrip travel. America West, American, and US Airways have announced similar sales for roundtrip travel only.

Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Thursday, August 5.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6884

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Continued next week.

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"Just read your latest newsletter. Firstly, let me say that I am a Mileage Plus Million Mile flyer and 1K member (have been for many years). I have never needed to use a "full price" option for an award ticket, only ever having redeemed miles at the "restricted" award levels.

"I find that award tickets are actually not that hard to obtain with United / Star Alliance. This year, so far, I have redeemed through Mileage Plus, 2 business class tickets from Australasia to Europe, a business class ticket from Australasia to Puerto Rico and 4 economy class tickets from Australia to Rarotonga. I haven't had any major difficulty, but it's important to be reasonably flexible with dates/times. The key, I believe, is using the Internet to research award seat availability and check alternatives. Otherwise I don't think you would have much chance of getting what you wanted.

"It's worth noting that I am also a member of the Qantas frequent flyer scheme, and have recently redeemed 2 economy class tickets from Canberra to Rockhampton and an economy class ticket from Sydney to Tokyo, at a discounted mileage of 40,000. Didn't have too much trouble booking these flights on the Internet either.

"It seems to me that the grandstanding about non availability of award seats is a bit overblown and tends to show a lack of initiative and enterprise on the part of the complainants. If people can't get awards with a particular airline, they should consider switching their loyalty to another. I know I would (and have in the past)." (Peter)

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"First, I love your newsletter! But I must take some exception with your award seats 'rants.'

"I am someone who flies all of 1-2 times per year. But I've done some creative mileage gathering the past several years and my family of four has enjoyed free trips to the Grand Canyon, Alaska, California and next year the Virgin Islands thanks to NWA and Delta's freq. flyer programs. Yes, I do plan far in advance. But heck, I figured my cost per ticket to be about $60 for my family to have a trip of a lifetime to Alaska last summer. Not bad.

"I know the party may not last too much longer, but I have sure enjoyed it!" (Stu)

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"Thanks for your efforts with regard to the 'unavailablity' of free mileage seats.

"My favorite culprit is KLM. Since we were obliged to shift to the KLM program from Northwest, having moved to Europe twelve years ago, we have not once been able to obtain a transatlantic ticket, despite repeated early, mid-term and short term requests, and in both low and high season. Protests seem to fall on deaf ears. Thanks for your fine work." (Dwain)

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"I have been a Delta SkyMiles member for 20 years and NEVER had a problem booking award travel until the past year.

"I recently tried to book 2 RT tickets from Portland, OR to Providence RI, 4 months in advance and could not get the tickets EXCEPT if I paid the premium mileage rate? This is not exactly a highly sought after route. What is going on?
I certainly will think twice about what airline I use to book my next flight if my SkyMiles keep adding up, but turn out to be unusable." (Kathy)

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"I've been reading your newsletter for some time to keep up with issues for frequent travelers. The increased loads [reported last week] are also making it extremely difficult to rebook people when flights are delayed or cancelled. I would especially be wary of paying for higher coach fares for the privilege of instant comp upgrades--if you have to rebook to make a connection, you could well end up in coach after having paid a higher price to go first on a 'complementary upgrade.

"On a recent trip on Alaska, I had a lot of problems in Phoenix. Several flights were delayed due to mechanical and other problems. I was able to get where I wanted to go, but I was about 3 hours late, and I lost my upgrade seat. I hadn't paid for a Y fare, so I wasn't upset about that, but I had expected food during flight and was only served an ice cream cup. I tried to get food and a bottle of water at the airport as soon as I learned that I would be downgraded to coach, but the restaurants inside security were all closed and there wasn't enough time to go outside security to eat and then re-clear. (Nothing like being given a $10 food voucher with nowhere to use it...)

"The one thing I will say is that the AS gate agent at PHX was wonderfully patient with all the unhappy people. She rebooked me twice and did find a way to get me where I was going." (Michael)

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"I was reading your most recent E-newsletter about "free flights for as little as 25,000 miles". I have chosen at least 2 credit cards based upon this claim.

"We put everything on credit cards, even if we later cover it with cash, so we can earn miles. We also pay the full balance monthly. Some of these credit card offers have an annual fee, (a fact which further supports the bait-and-switch case). Here in Michigan, our attorney general has absolutely no patience for bait and switch. The penalties are more swift and severe than other states, based upon a few notable cases involving appliance/electronics stores. It seems that the small print, (and there is a LOT of small print), in the aforementioned credit card offers says that the bank/issuers are not responsible for changes in the airline partner policies, and anything can change at anytime. Not to mention all the private information that they 'need' in order to make you a member. (Privacy issues!!! UUgggh, don't get me started!!).

"Well, I guess as long as Delta does the right thing and stops whining about how they they don't want to pay their pilots, I SHOULD be able to get SOME kind of seat on a Delta flight up until 2006! Thanks for the chance to vent." (Eddie)

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"United Airlines and Earthlink ran a promotion from December 2003 to April-2004, Whereas, if you signed up for new internet service through Earthlink you would receive 5000 United Mileage Plus miles within 4 to 6 weeks of the initial billing from Earthlink, no commitment required.

"The point is, if you've never received those miles it's not likely you ever will. I've spent over 3 hours on the phone between Earthlink, United Airlines and Sprint (who apparently was involved in this someway with Earthlink). You can expect rude and indifferent treatment from Earthlink as well as Sprint. You will be told by everyone that someone else is responsible for solving the problem while everyone claims to know nothing about it. If you call United, they will acknowledge existence of the promotion and even give you all the details about it but, they still tell you it's an Earthlink/Sprint problem. The point is, if you're using Earthlink now, dump them and tell them why. They are not a company to be trusted.

"Also, I've found booking hotels through Hotels.com and expecting to receive hotel points or frequent flyer miles from the hotels is risky business, at least when it comes to Best Western Pavillions in Anaheim. The hotel refused to honor their commitment. Don't expect any help from Best Western or Hotels.com either. They promised a $20.00 discount for the problem which I didn't want and never received anyway. Needless to say, I don't use Hotels.com or stay at Best Western anymore." (Bill)

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"Fellow flyers, please can we stand up as a group and address the passengers who think it is ok to remove you shoes on the plane. For the love of God, we are in a enclosed metal tube with recycled air! You have been in them all day and expect us to smell your smelly dogs. Please. Stop and say something or ask the flight attendent to help you." (Mark)

If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com (mailto:rants@frequentflier.com).

Until next week...