Credit Card Promotions Gone Wild, Part 2

In last week's Crier, we remarked upon the record levels of generosity characterizing current travel-rewards credit card offers. As often as not, a new airline- or hotel-affiliated credit card today comes bundled with enough points or miles for a free night or two, or a free ticket.

As promised, we've posted a full-length article on the site, "Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Ratchet Up the Rewards," which puts the new wave of offers in perspective, summarizes a few notable examples (American, Southwest, US Airways, Choice, Marriott, Priority Club), and ends with some credit card caveats.

And, in the "Miles & Points" section below, we've highlighted two new offers from American Express, for its Hilton HHonors and Starwood Preferred Guest cards. Both add a new "kicker" bonus for charging a certain amount within a defined period.

As the article says, these new offers are all carrot and no stick.

:: More

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, David 1741 has a simple wish list: "I am trying to find all the airlines that fly from SFO to SYD. I have points in many programs that partner with other airlines, but don't know which airlines realistically service that route. I wanted to try all options... Is there any way to search for ALL airlines that service routes between two airports?"

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, sntrao is contemplating a hotel status match: "I am a platinum elite with ICH group of hotels and am planning to do a status match with Marriott. Will I lose my platinum elite status with ICH after the status match? What are the drawbacks of doing a status match - will I enjoy the exact same benefits as a normal elite member - in terms of rewards, points and service?"

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

:: More

American Reprises Discounted Short-Haul Awards

This fall, American will again offer its Short-Hop awards, allowing AAdvantage members to book roundtrip awards on routes under 750 miles each way for 15,000 miles, a savings of 10,000 miles over the normal 25,000-mile price.

The discounted prices will be available for award travel between September 1, 2007, and February 29, 2008, on nonstop flights operated by American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection carriers.

Among the routes which would qualify for the discount: Dallas/Fort Worth-Denver, Chicago-Atlanta, Chicago-New York, Miami-New Orleans, Los Angeles-San Francisco, and Boston-Raleigh/Durham.

This is a welcome move, and a sensible one as well. And it raises the question: Why not apply a similar short-haul discount for first-class awards, or for unrestricted awards?

:: More

Double American Miles at the eShopping Mall

Between July 16 and August 31, AAdvantage members can earn double miles when using a MasterCard to charge purchases at the following AAdvantage eShopping mall retailers: Barnes & Noble.com, Circuit City, Harry & David, Lands' End, Overstock.com, Staples.com and The Container Store.

:: More

Bid Continental Miles at OnePass Anniversary Auction

To promote the 20th anniversary of OnePass, Continental is making special items available on its online auction site.

When we checked earlier today, a helicopter ride for up to eight people was up for auction, with a current bid of 75,000 miles.

:: More

Double Airline Miles at UK, Europe and Africa Hiltons

Through August 31, Hilton HHonors members will earn double miles in the programs of participating airlines for Mini Break stays of two or more nights at eligible Hilton hotels in the U.K., Europe and Africa.

Participating airlines are as follows: Alitalia, All Nippon Airways, American, BMI, British Airways, Continental, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta, Emirates & Sri Lankan Airlines (Skywards), Etihad Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, KLM/Air France (Flying Blue), Lufthansa, SN Brussels Airlines, Turksih Airlines, United, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic.

To receive the bonus, reservations must be made using promo code P63APB for Hilton Mini Breaks Advanced Purchase Bed & Breakfast stays or promo code P63HVB for Hilton Mini Breaks Hilton Value Bed & Breakfast stays.

:: More

Hilton Credit Card Awards More Points

New customers of the Hilton HHonors Platinum credit card from American Express can now earn 15,000 bonus points after charging $5,000 to the card within five months, in addition to the 10,000 bonus points earned after using the card for the first time. Plus, there's a 2,500-point bonus offered for each of the first four Hilton stays, for a maximum of 10,000 bonus points.

The card comes with no annual fee.

:: More

More Starpoints for Starwood Credit Cards

In addition to the normal 10,000 Starpoints awarded after the first purchase (enough for up to three free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel), new holders of the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express can earn 15,000 additional bonus points by charging $15,000 to the card in six months.

As always, Starwood points can be exchanged for miles in the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines.

The card has no annual fee for the first year, after which it's $30.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Europe Winter Fares from $307

1-800-FlyEurope has announced the first of what is likely to be many winter fare sales to Europe. Prices start at $307 roundtrip, and destinations include Paris, London, Rome, and Madrid.

Travel is valid from November 1 through December 9 and January 10, 2008 through March 15, 2008. Fares are valid for travel midweek. 1-800-FlyEurope has not listed a booking deadline.

:: More

2) 23 Destinations in Asia for $1,399 with the All Asia Pass

Cathay Pacific's All Asia Pass allows travelers to fly roundtrip from the U.S. to Hong Kong and visit 22 other destinations in Asia for as little as $1,399.

Departures are valid Mondays through Wednesdays from August 20 through December 1. Departures from now through August 19 are available for an extra $450. Travel must be completed by December 8. Tickets must be booked at least 30 days in advance, although last-minute reservations are available for a $50 rush fee.

:: More

Win 50,000 AAdvantage Miles

Enter American's "Great Mileage Hunt" sweepstakes by August 5 for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of 50,000 AAdvantage miles each.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I've been noticing the great credit card offers you mentioned. Makes me wish I was starting fresh, but I already have the cards I really need in my wallet.

"Or do I?

"With the roadblocks to getting free seats in the airline programs, for the first time I'm thinking about one of the independent cards. Like the Capital One, where the awards aren't restricted.

"I enjoy the newsletter and will update you if I make a change." [Arlene T. - Milwaukee, WI]

"I just wanted to add my $0.02 to all the feedback, much of it negative, regarding the award problems so many people seem to be having.

"As a longtime Southwest customer, I'm shocked at the problems members of the Big Airline programs are having using their miles. I pay less to buy my tickets from Southwest, and so far I haven't had a single problem getting a free ticket when the time came.

"In my case at least, it pays to be cheap." [Bob]

Until next week...