U P F R O N T
NWA on "Whither KLM?"
============================
Since last week's report on KLM's dilemma -- whether to cast their lot with Air France or British Air -- Northwest, KLM's longtime partner, has weighed in very publicly on the question, with a combination recommendation-prediction.
No surprises here: "From our point of view it can only be Air France," according to Northwest president Doug Steenland.
A tie-up with Air France or British Air would be the first step toward KLM's membership in either the SkyTeam alliance (Air France, Delta, et al) or the oneworld alliance (co-anchored by American and BA).
The stakes are huge. The addition of KLM to either SkyTeam or oneworld would add needed mass to alliances which, compared to United's Star Alliance, are decidedly anemic.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
American Streamlines Award Chart
===================================
American has reduced the number of award levels offered by AAdvantage partner airlines from approx. 500 to 130. With the simplification comes a significant benefit: award itineraries may now include multiple AAdvantage airlines. So, for example, a roundtrip to Europe might use American to London, connecting to BA, and SWISS on the return, connecting through Zurich.
That provides additional routing flexibility, and may help in situations where award seats are unavailable on 1 carrier but can be had on another.
To make reservations using these new airline awards, call AAdvantage reservations at 1-800-882-8880.
Double Up with Best Western
===========================
Between Sept. 1, 2003 and Jan. 14, 2004, members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club Int'l will earn double points or double miles after every qualifying stay at hotels in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and South America.
Registration is required.
There's also a sweepstakes linked to this offer. See "Sweeps & Freebies" below.
> More...
For Continental Bonus Miles, Charge It
====================================
Through Nov. 15, OnePass members will earn bonus miles when using a Chase Continental credit or debit card to purchase tickets on Continental.
Earn 4,000 bonus miles for roundtrip tickets in first class, business class or BusinessFirst (A, C, D, J and Z classes) and 2,000 miles for full-Y tickets.
The bonus is in addition to the double miles earned for charging Continental tickets directly through continental.com.
Registration is required.
> More...
Midwest Offers Best Care for Less
===============================
Through Sept. 30, Midwest Miles members can visit Midwest's Milwaukee airport lounge, the Best Care Club, for $10 rather than the normal $35 rate for day passes. The lounge is located on Concourse D near Gate 38.
Just mention this offer at the Best Care Club counter to take advantage of the special rate.
Double Points from Priority Club
=============================
Beginning with their 2nd qualifying stay, Priority Club Rewards members will earn double points or miles between Sept. 8 and Dec. 12 at any InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express or Staybridge Suites hotel.
Registration required.
> More...
Priority Club's Personal Rewards Shoppers
======================================
Also new from Priority Club Rewards: personal shoppers.
Taking a page from the Diners Club playbook, Priority Club members may now contact a personal shopper to request rewards not available through the catalog. The shopper will price the desired item in points, and obtain it for the member if the price is OK'd.
As an example, Priority Club reports that a member recently redeemed 550,000 points for a John Deere tractor.
Thrifty Triples Rewards
===========================
Between Aug. 11 and Nov. 14, qualifying Thrifty car rentals will earn triple miles in any of 8 airline programs or triple Hilton HHonors points.
In this case, a qualifying rental is a compact or larger car, for at least 2 days. After 7 days, miles will be awarded at the normal level. Reservation must be booked at thrifty.com.
Offer is good for travel in the U.S., the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico.
> More...
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
=================================
This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
Fly to the Caribbean this Fall from $169
---------------------------------------------
Delta has announced a Caribbean sale for travel through Dec. 17. Book tickets at least 14 days before departure and by Friday, Aug. 15.
> More...
Fall Domestic and Int'l Sales from 6 Airlines
--------------------------------------------------
Occasionally, a large airline will flex its muscles and offer sale fares to a huge number of destinations worldwide. Northwest is the latest to do so, with U.S. and Canada fares from $68, flights to Europe from $604, and trips to Asia for as low as $568.
America West, American, Delta, US Airways, and other U.S. airlines have matched Northwest on some domestic routes. Meanwhile, United is offering a sale to similar international destinations, as well as Latin America from $798, and US Airways has announced sale fares to Europe.
Travel dates and booking deadlines vary.
> More...
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
This Week's E-Mailbag
=====================
"As a frequent flier, I really appreciate your newsletter. I have gained quite a bit of useful information from it. Specifically 'Save SkyMiles' and 'Yodlee.'
"I am currently a Platinum Medallion member of Delta's Sky Miles program. I have earned this status 3 of the past 4 years, and have twice earned the Platinum level with NWA. I have only been travelling the past 6 years.
"Over the past 6 months I have conducted an informal poll of Medallion members, and have now spoken with over 100 people. Only 3 have said they like the new rules. Ironically all 3 live and travel out of Atlanta. Most of the current Silver and Gold members have already requested elite status on NWA or Continental. The current Platinum members have said they will switch before January 31. It is a sad day for Delta that they no longer appreciate their most loyal customers.
"The airlines have said that 9/11, and the economy are the reasons for their losses. I beg to differ. Airline travel began to decline post Y2K. Prior to Y2K, businesses had to have the engineers, consultants, and sales people available to avoid a technology disaster. Post Y2K, their budgets were shot. Travel expenses were something which could be cut without adversely effecting the business. I still travel, but I have a travel budget imposed by my clients. If I exceed the budget, My travel per diem is cut accordingly. If I am unable to meet their budget, I am required to telecommute, and possibly go on-site once a month rather then every week. Also when on-site work is required, I am informed 4 - 8 weeks in advance so as to be able to book lower fares. American businesses are not stupid. On the other hand, the major airline businesses still seem to be. When other businesses are bending over backwards to keep their most loyal customers, Delta has gone out of its! way to alienate theirs. Go figure."
- Tom
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
Best Western's "Double Up" Sweepstakes
=======================================
In conjunction with Best Western's double-mile promo (see above), the "Double Up with Best Western Sweepstakes" offers a chance to win 1 of 10 prizes of 100,000 Gold Crown Club International points or 100,000 airline miles.
A qualifying stay during the promo period (Sept. 1, 2003 - Jan. 14, 2004) automatically enters the participant in the sweepstakes. It's also possible to enter without making a purchase.
> More...
Until next week...
|
