Issue #103  --  July 20, 2000

<< O N S I T E >>

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

Bzalcman has a tip on cheap Europe flights (expiring 7/21!). He also has some good advice for Phillip (or anyone else) on topping up your mileage account. Reena is looking for feedback on Milesource.com. Anyone have first-hand experiences to share? And AirTran is suddenly the subject of a number of extended threads.

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

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The FrequentFlier Forum

<< M I L E S >>

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The Pudding Guy's Got Miles... for YOU
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The Pudding Guy, if you're not aware, is David Phillips. David gained considerable notoriety some months ago by earning over 1 million frequent flyer miles for purchasing over 12,000 cups of Healthy Choice pudding.

David (who's a subscriber to The Crier) resurfaced during this past week with the following cryptic but intriguing note:

"As you noted recently in the Crier, several airlines are currently running 1,000,000-mile sweepstakes. Good deals, but it'll obviously take a great deal of luck to win any miles this way. I'm writing to give you some advanced notice about an upcoming opportunity your readers will have to EARN a million miles. This one's going to be different, and a lot of fun. Why? Because it's a true contest and I helped make up the rules! I'll have full details for you on July 21."

      ================= UPDATE =================

Just before going to press this afternoon, we received further information from David... er, Mr. Pudding... about the contest. It's the Million Miles Mania Contest from WebMiles, unveiled today. Here's how it works--

To enter, contestants file a "Flight Plan" in 500 words or less at www.webmiles.com describing plans for future travel using a specific amount of WebMiles rewards that range between 25,000 and 1 million miles. Entries received by midnight, Friday, September 1, 2000 Mountain Daylight Time will be judged by the Pudding Guy according to criteria posted on the WebMiles website. Depending on the quality of the entries, there may be 1 winner awarded the entire 1 million WebMiles, or 40 winners awarded 25,000 WebMiles each, or any combination thereof.

The contest is open to residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older, including the District of Columbia but excluding residents of Arizona. One entry per participant. Complete details were posted on the WebMiles site (link below) earlier today.

Welcome back, David...

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WebMiles

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Delta Pushes Latin America Flights with Bonus Miles
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Delta is offering SkyMiles bonuses this summer for flights between the U.S./Canada and Caracas, Venezuela, Guadalajara, Mexico or Panama City, Panama via Atlanta.

SkyMiles members who purchase a full-fare business class ticket for nonstop, roundtrip travel on Delta on these routes through August 31, 2000, will earn 30,000 bonus miles upon completion of travel.

For economy-class passengers, Delta is offering double miles to SkyMiles members who purchase a coach ticket for nonstop Delta travel between the U.S./Canada via Atlanta and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Business class bonus is valid for full-fare C-class flights only. Guadalajara Economy Class bonus excludes S,T,U fares.

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Delta

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American Adds Website Features
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American continues adding bells and whistles to its website, AA.com.

Of special interest to AAdvantage members is the option to receive account statements and newsletters via e-mail. To choose this option, log onto AA.com and click on "Profile" in the top right hand corner of the screen. You'll see a checkbox reflecting your preference. The change will take effect this fall.

In addition, AA.com now features an interactive calendar and the ability to check flight schedules for all airlines, or for American flights only.

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American

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Preferred Guest Gets Cruises
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Starwood's Preferred Guest has added the World's Leading Cruise Lines (WLCL) -- the marketing alliance for Carnival Corporation's 6 cruise brands -- as its newest award partner.

Starwood Preferred Guest members can now receive discounts of $200, $500 and $800 per stateroom on more than 40 WLCL vessels operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Seaburn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises, as follows:

    11,000 Starpoints = $200 Discount per Stateroom
    28,000 Starpoints = $500 Discount per Stateroom
    45,000 Starpoints = $800 Discount per Stateroom

The cruise awards are offered with no blackout period restrictions and can be applied to any WLCL-affiliated vessel, sailing itinerary or stateroom category. Points are redeemable through any travel agent.

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Starwood Preferred Guest

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Earn 500 ClickMiles for DisneyStore.com Purchases
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ClickRewards members who shop at DisneyStore.com will earn 500 ClickMiles on all purchases of $50 or more, plus free shipping & handling.

The offer is exclusive to DisneyStore.com on purchases of $50 or more, excluding tax and shipping. Not valid on purchases for Disney Theme Park Passes or Passports, or Disney vacation packages. Good through August 14, 2000.

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ClickRewards

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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Two hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

>> Dallas to/from the West Coast for $269 R/T

United Airlines has put travel between Dallas and the West Coast on sale, with fares starting at $269 round-trip. West Coast markets include Los Angeles (LAX and Burbank), San Francisco (SFO and Oakland), and Sacramento. Travel can occur anytime between now and May 17, 2001. These fares are only available online, and must be purchased at least seven days in advance of travel.

For more details, go here.

>> Weekend Fares Start at $79 R/T Between New York, Boston, and D.C.

US Airways has released a sale on weekend travel between New York (LaGuardia), Boston, and Washington (Dulles and National), with round-trip fares starting at $79. Travel is valid on weekends from July 22 through October 1. Fares are available online only and must be purchased by Monday, July 24.

For more details, go here.

<< I N D U S T R Y U P D A T E >>

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Expedia Will Open Airport Cyber Cafe
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Expedia, Inc., parent company of the Expedia.com online travel service, this week announced plans to launch the Expedia.com Cafe, an airport cafe featuring food and Internet access.

Scheduled to open in the San Jose Airport in Fall 2000, Expedia.com Cafe will allow travelers to hook up their laptops and have a sandwich at the same table. According to an Expedia spokesman, "We hope that this will be the first of many Expedia.com Cafes in airports across the country."

The cafe is not the first non-digital project undertaken by Expedia. The company operates Expedia Radio, and Expedia Travels, a print travel magazine, will launch this fall.

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Expedia

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Air Canada Pilot Strike Averted, for Now
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According to an Air Canada press release distributed today, the company and its pilots' union have agreed to continue contract negotiations with the assistance of a government-appointed mediator.

In an effort to reassure passengers unnerved by the possibility of a pilot strike, Air Canada promises: "During this process, normal operations will continue and neither party will exercise its right to strike or lockout." Should the negotiations be abandoned, the union is required by Canadian labor law to give 72 hours notice before taking any strike-related action.

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Air Canada

<< B U S I N E S S T R A V E L T I P S >>

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Getting to and from the Airport
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The following is part of a continuing series of business travel tips from Chris McGinnis's "The Unofficial Business Traveler's Pocket Guide--165 Tips Even the Best Business Travelers May Not Know."

>> By Rail, Subway or Train
Rail connections are by far the most economical and fastest way to go, especially during roadway rush hours. Rapid rail service is inside, or a very close walk or shuttle ride from, airports in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Oakland, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. In the future, airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other locations may also offer this service.

Rapid rail costs vary from city to city.

Chris McGinnis
Travel Skills Group
http://www.travelskills.com

<< F R E Q U E N T F L I E R F U N N I E S >>

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True (Funny) Travel Stories
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Reported comments to a reservations agent...

"You offer special meals? Good, I'll have spaghetti and meatballs."

[FrequentFlier Funnies are true stories told by pilots, reservations agents and other travel industry professionals, from William Joric's "Air Sick Humor." The book can be purchased at the FrequentFlier Bookstore at http://frequentflier.com/ffp-books.htm]

<< S I T E 2 S E E >>

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Directory of Sculpture Parks & Gardens
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Like much of what is best about the Internet, the Directory of Sculpture Parks & Gardens is clearly someone's labor love.

The someone in this case is California-based sculptor Benbow Bullock. And the directory is part of his artnut.com website--basically an online showcase for his work. You'll find capsule descriptions and, where available, links to over 200 sculpture gardens worldwide.

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Artnut.com

Until next week...