U P F R O N T

DOJ: UA-US Merger Would be Anti-Competitive
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Last Friday was a red-letter day for the traveling public. First, the Department of Justice announced, as expected, that it would challenge the proposed merger between United and US Airways. And shortly thereafter, the 2 airlines officially scuttled the plan.

We're not generally inclined to quote Republican Attorneys General, but in this case, John Ashcroft said it as well as anyone: "While mergers can further competition, this one does not. If this acquisition were allowed to proceed, millions of consumers ... would have little choice but to pay higher fares and accept lower quality air service." We concur.

Not only did the 2 airlines fritter away millions of dollars and countless man hours on this ill-conceived project, they put their credibility on the line as well. And suffered for it. Just imagine Messrs. Wolfe and Goodwin swearing piously before government regulators (some of whom likely passed Economics 101) that the merger of the nation's second and sixth largest airlines would result in better service and lower fares.

I wouldn't buy a used car from either man.

O N S I T E

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

Annette has a question about Points.com exchanges. Carol is searching for American's discounted L. America awards. Mark is having problems with ClickRewards redemption. OPHarbor contributes a very helpful tutorial on GoldPoints. And much more...

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

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M I L E S & P O I N T S

American: Miles for Sale
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AAdvantage members can now buy frequent flyer miles online -- using the buyAAmiles program when purchasing miles for their own accounts, and the giftAAmiles program when purchasing miles for giving to others. In both cases, the maximum number of miles allowed, purchased or received as a gift, is 15,000 miles per calendar year, per member. So in theory, an individual could arrange to be given 15,000 miles through giftAAmiles and buy another 15,000 for his own account through buyAAmiles, for a total of 30,000 miles.

Miles are sold at the rate of 2.75 cents plus applicable taxes and fees for purchases up to 5,000 miles, and 2.5 cents plus applicable taxes and fees for purchases between 6,000 and 15,000 miles.

Purchases can be made in 1,000 mile increments and each transaction will incur a $25 processing fee. Mileage purchase is limited to U.S. and Canadian residents through Jan. 31, 2002. (I.e., this is being done on temporary, promotional basis initially. Our best guess is that ultimately it will become a permanent program feature.)

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Delta Doubles Bonus for First/Biz Class
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Delta SkyMiles members will earn a class of service bonus equal to 100% of the base miles for first-class and 50% of the base miles for paid business-class from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2001.

Offer is open to all SkyMiles members and includes fares booked in first class (F and A) and business/BusinessElite (J, C, D and I). Use promotion code 1079 to qualify.

Delta Awards Auction Opens for Bids
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Between now and Aug. 26, Delta SkyMiles members may bid their frequent flyer miles on 13 new travel packages in the airline's latest "More for Your Miles" auction.

Packages up for bid include a Tahiti cruise, a trip to a PGA tournament, and an ecology-focused tour of the Panama Canal region. All packages have minimum bids, and the current highest bid is shown on Delta's website at http://delta.com/auction.

(Take it from someone who once, in my youthful zeal, WAY overpaid for a refurbished, discontinued modem at an online auction site... don't let auction fever overcome good judgement. Establish a limit in our mind -- a number of miles which you can afford, and which represents good value for the desired package -- and stop bidding when that limit is exceeded. I.e., avoid the "Less for Your Miles" syndrome.)

Earn 10,000 Dividend Miles on Swissair, Sabena
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Dividend Miles members who fly Swissair or Sabena to Zurich or Brussels from 11 North America will earn 10,000 bonus miles.

To qualify, purchase an eligible business-class ticket and fly roundtrip between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, 2001

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AWA Triples Miles for Columbus Flights
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America West is offering triple FlightFund miles for any between Columbus and any East or Midwest city -- even if you're just connecting through Columbus -- between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, 2001.

Offer valid on all nonstop flights from Columbus to Toronto, Boston, Hartford, New York - LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington Reagan National, Fort Myers, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago O'Hare, and Chicago Midway, on all America West/America West Express-operated flights.

Wellesley Awards AAdvantage Miles for Dollars Spent
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Wellesley Inn and Suites recently joined the AAdvantage Program and is offering 1 mile for each dollar spent at any of their properties nationwide. All locations feature complimentary continental breakfast, in-room coffee makers and free local calls.

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MilePoint Adds Ashford to Merchant Roster
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MilePoint.com, an Internet company that allows frequent travelers to use their miles and points as payment toward online purchases, has added Ashford.com to the list of MilePoint merchants.

MilePoint members can convert their frequent flier miles or points and use them toward payment on 4 different Ashford.com certificate amounts ranging from $15 to $200.

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

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

Several Airlines Offer Sale Fares to/from Florida
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Several U.S. airlines have released fare sales on travel to/from cities throughout Florida. Fares are valid for summer or fall travel, depending on the airline chosen.

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Air Jamaica's Caribbean Deals Start at $201 R/T
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Air Jamaica has announced a sale on travel between select U.S. cities and destinations in the Caribbean including Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Grand Cayman. Purchase tickets by Friday, Aug. 10.

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S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S

Online Bookers Can Win 1 Million Priority Club Points
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Priority Club Worldwide is giving away 1 million Priority Club Worldwide points every week until the first week in January 2002.

Priority Club members who make reservations online for any of 3,000 properties worldwide, including Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge will be entered for a chance to win in the weekly prize drawings.

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United Offers U.S. Open Trips
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Fill out an online registration form to be eligible to win trips to the U.S. Open tennis tournament, including game tickets, United airfare and hotel accommodations.

Entries must be submitted by Aug. 26, and only U.S. residents are eligible. Full details are on the below website.

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[Other sweeps & freebies]

R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S

American's Legroom
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I couldn't agree more with you on American's extra legroom. I will not fly Delta unless forced - I'm 6'2" and simply will not fit in Delta's coach seats. Unfortunately, Delta now has the government contract between Washington National and Dallas. It's difficult, but I still fly American. Recently, I was unable to fly American and had to fly Delta. I used nearly all my Delta frequent flyer points to upgrade to first-class and I still had less legroom than in American's coach! Never again will I fly Delta - unless they add legroom.

- Errol

S I T E 2 S E E

"Travel + Leisure" Rates Travel and Leisure
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Travel + Leisure magazine has decided on the winners of the sixth annual
World's Best Awards, to be featured in the August issue. Winners were
selected by the magazine's readers in the annual survey.

Alaska got the nod for best domestic airline, and Singapore was first among international carriers. Florence, Rome and Paris were rated the world's favorite cities. And Hertz was the rental car agency of choice.

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Until next week...