U P F R O N T

Industry Newsbites
============================

Today's issue is packed with promotions, so I'll keep this short.

The big story of the past week was the conditional approval of US Airways' $900 million loan-guarantee request late last Wednesday. The federal Air Transportation Stabilization Board agreed to the guarantee subject, first and foremost, to yet-to-be-secured concessions from US Airways' labor groups. While the airline has made considerable progress with its pilot and flight attendant unions, negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and the Communications Workers of America have been contentious and there's no resolution in sight. Still, US Airways has taken an important step in the direction of long-term survival.

Next week, space permitting, we'll review the airlines' quarterly financial results, which are being released this week. The top-line question: Are the airlines back on the road to profitability? And the bottom-line question: Are airline bankruptcies on the horizon?

O N S I T E

New on the FrequentFlier Forum
==========================

Rob has the skinny on 2 Starwood promotions (see below for our coverage of 1 of them). MrCheaps treats us to a lengthy disquisition on his quest for the best room rate, and concludes: "You never know exactly where you will find the best price for the same motel." Willymy reports on his (her?) positive experience when redeeming AAdvantage miles for a last-minute award. 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

US Airways Matches Delta Shuttle Guarantee
====================================================

It took longer than expected, but it's finally here: US Airways' answer to Delta's "20 minutes or 20,000 miles" guarantee.

For background, Delta introduced its guarantee -- in conjunction with triple miles for shuttle flights -- in Apr. for travel through May 31, and then extended it through Aug. 31. US Airways responded with their own triple-mile offer, but until now steered clear of Delta's service commitment.

In this case, for better or worse, matching is not mimicking. Where Delta has been offering 20,000 SkyMiles to shuttle customers who are unable to reach the gate at shuttle airports within 20 minutes, US Airways is offering $200.

Specifically, US Airways' offer is as follows: "a $200 voucher toward future travel on US Airways, US Airways Express or US Airways Shuttle, if, on any Monday through Friday, they are unable to make it to their boarding gate within 20 minutes of checking in at the US Airways Shuttle ticket counter or electronic ticket kiosks to make their scheduled departure to their ticketed destination."

Guarantee applies only to customers who originate travel on US Airways Shuttle, and are booked in Y, B, or U class service.

Register for triple shuttle miles -- which count toward elite status -- at http://usairways.com/dm/5236.

Delta Offers Up to 25,000 Bonus Miles for Int'l Trips
===========================

From Sept. 15 through Dec. 15, 2002, SkyMiles members can earn up to 25,000 bonus miles on Delta-operated roundtrip flights from the U.S. to Europe, Asia or Latin America.

Earn 5,000 bonus miles for 1 roundtrip flight in coach, and 15,000 bonus miles for 2 coach roundtrips. BusinessElite flights earn 10,000 bonus miles for the first roundtrip, 25,000 for the second.

Register online or by calling 1-800-558-3358 by Nov. 15, 2002, and entering promo code 2055.

> More...

New AAdvantage Partner: AT&T Wireless
====================================

AAdvantage members who sign up for new AT&T Wireless service will receive 5,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for each new line of service, up to 5 lines for a maximum of 25,000 bonus miles.

This is a sign-up bonus only. There are no additional miles awarded for ongoing use of the service.

> More...

Aeroplan Awards Double Miles for Hawaii Hotel Stays
================================================

Through Dec. 20, 2002, stays at participating Westin and Sheraton hotels in Hawaii will receive double Aeroplan miles (2,000).

In addition, customers will receive 25% off regular room rates and a room upgrade, subject to availability at time of check-in.

Register using promotion code AC7Q2MSG.

> More...

Earn 500 Bonus Miles from FlightFund Dining
===================================

Members of America West FlightFund can earn 500 bonus miles by participating in the program's miles-for-dining service.

First, enroll in FlightFund Dining (link below). If you're already a member, create an online profile (same link). Lastly, dine 3 times by Sept. 30, 2002 to earn the 500 bonus miles.

> More...

London Flights Worth Up to 7,500 OnePass Bonus Miles
==================================

OnePass members who charge a roundtrip Continental ticket between Newark and London/Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham on an American Express card will earn a 5,000-mile bonus for coach and 7,500 bonus miles for BusinessFirst.

Offer is in effect through Sept. 30, 2002, and requires registration using promo code 22014.

> More...

Hyatt.com Bookings Earn Double AAdvantage Miles
==========================================

AAdvantage members will earn double miles on Internet Only room rates at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

To receive the bonus, show your AAdvantage card and request offer code AANET when checking in. Offer expires Sept. 10, 2002.

> More...

SRS-Worldhotels Stays Earn Mileage Plus Bonus
=====================================

SRS-Worldhotels is offering Mileage Plus members bonus miles for stays at participating hotels.

Earn 1,500 miles per night through Nov. 15 for suites stays (up to ten nights), and 1,000 bonus miles for stays of two or more Standard/Deluxe room nights in South America. Or earn up to 1,000 miles per night for stays at Asia hotels through Nov. 15, and up to 5,000 miles per night for stays in North America through Oct. 15.

> More...

Starwood Offers New Member Bonus
=============================

New members who enroll in the Starwood Preferred Guest program between July 15 and July 31, 2002, can earn 1,000 bonus Starpoints on each of their first 3 stays between July 15 and Oct. 31, 2002. Offer is for new members only.

> More...

NextCard: RIP (cont)
=============================

As promised in last week's issue, herewith an update on the disposition of NextCard and, in particular, its travel-rewards program.

According to an FDIC rep, there were approximately 1 million NextCard customers at the beginning of July. On July 2, it was announced that 200,000 of those accounts had been sold to Utah-based Merrick Bank. Merrick had no comment on whether miles previously earned in the NextCard rewards program will be honored, or whether the program would be extended going forward. But given Merrick's existing credit card business -- which focuses on no-frills cards for consumers with above-average credit risk -- an ongoing rewards program looks unlikely.

If you're 1 of the other 800,000 NextCard cardholders and participated in their travel program, any miles you earned are now kaput. So after you "[C]ut the card into pieces and dispose of the pieces," as directed in the e-mail notice sent to cardholders, you can kiss those miles (and the dreams they embody) goodbye.

Muddying the waters even more, I have just been advised that some NextCard cards were issued in conjunction with Amazon.com, and generated points-for-charges in Amazon's Rewards program. Amazon WILL honor those points. According to a notice from Amazon to Rewards participants: "We will announce a redemption program for outstanding Rewards points in the coming weeks."

Confused? If you're a NextCard customer and are unsure which category you're in and what your options are, call their toll-free number, 1-888-974-2265, or e-mail them at feedback@nextcard.com.

> More...

Coming & Going -- Program Partner Changes
=============================

> Tie-Ups
American AAdvantage: AT&T Wireless*, Europcar, Midland National Life Insurance. Delta SkyMiles: Ameritrade, Jumeirah International Hotels, Signature Nationwide Auto Club, Tokyu Hotels. Northwest WorldPerks: AT&T Worldnet Internet access. United Mileage Plus: SkyTel wireless. US Airways Dividend Miles: Nevis Express.

> Break-Ups
American AAdvantage: Asiana Air (effective Jan. 1, 2003); MGM Grand Las Vegas (effective July 1). America West FlightFund: Continental (effective Sept. 24). Continental OnePass: America West, Frontier (effective Sept. 24).

* More details elsewhere in this issue.

S T E A L S & D E A L S

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
=================================

This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

Systemwide savings from $68 R/T
-------------------------------
Southwest has launched systemwide savings and discounted fares within specific regions of the U.S. Fly cross country for as low as $198, between Florida and the Northeast for $98, between Northern and Southern California for $78, or within the Midwest for $68.

> More...

Fares to Mexican beach cities starting at $198 R/T
--------------------------------
America West has announced Web-only savings on flights from U.S. cities to 6 beach destinations in Mexico: Acapulco, Guaymas, Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Travel is valid from July 22 through Sept. 30. Purchase tickets online only, at least 7 days before departure, and by Sunday, July 21.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

AT&T Wireless Million Miles Sweepstakes
======================================

Through Nov. 15, 2002, enter AT&T's Wireless Million Miles sweepstakes to win the grand prize of 1 million AAdvantage miles, or 1 of 5 first prizes of 100,000 AAdvantage miles each.

There are 2 ways to enter. If you are an AT&T Wireless subscriber, make an international call on your wireless phone to anywhere outside of the United States (Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean excluded). Each such call generates 1 entry. Or send a 3x5 card with your name, address, phone number and age to AT&T Wireless Million Miles Entry, P.O. Box 812210, Chicago, IL 60681-2210.

Enter as often as you wish, but each entry must be completed and submitted separately.

> More...

[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]

Until next week...