Readers Speak (and Speak)

This week, we're foregoing our own editorializing to free up space in the "Reader Rants & Raves" section (below) for an unexpected surge in reader feedback received over the past week.

We're honestly at a loss as to why this has been our busiest reader email week, ever. Perhaps it's the release of pent-up frustration from a summer sullied by jammed flights, long delays, and record numbers of lost bags? Or it could just be coincidence.

In any case, our readers have spoken. 'Nuf said.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, channimal is vested in United's program but looking for greener pastures in American's: "I'm at the point where I'm either going to make the hard push for 1K on UAL or make the decision to go to AA and go for their highest program." The question: "For those of you who have been in both programs which do you feel is the best? I'm contemplating asking for a match with AA but I want to make sure that if I do so it's going to be meaningful."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Flying Texan asks, "Who's got the best rooms/rewards?" Who indeed!

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Amex Cards Feature AA Lounge Access

Two of the toniest cards in the American Express lineup now entitle cardholders to use American Airlines' 44 airport lounges.

To gain access to an Admirals Club lounge, cardholders present an American Express Platinum or Centurion card, a ticket valid for same-day travel on American, and a government-issued ID.

In addition to American's, cardholders can use the lounges of Continental, Delta, and Northwest.

How much, you ask? The annual fee for the Platinum card is $450. The Centurion card, launched in 1999, takes exclusivity, and cost, to the next level: it's available by invitation only, with an annual fee around $2,500.

These are among the world's priciest cards, perhaps the priciest. The eye-popping fees are even more off-putting in these days when basic credit cards can be had with no annual fee at all. But a yearly American lounge membership runs $450, and memberships in the other participating lounge networks are similarly priced. So if you travel often enough on the participating airlines, the benefit can actually make the Platinum card a bargain.

And the Centurion card? It's hard to imagine any card delivering that much value. But we'll reserve judgment until we're asked to join, because the full benefits aren't revealed until the invitation arrives.

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Delta Increases SkyMiles Fees on the QT

Effective August 1 -- and with no advance notice that we're aware of -- Delta raised the price for award tickets issued within 20 days of travel from $50 to $75. The airline also upped the fee for same-day changes to award itineraries from $25 to $50.

And the fee to redeposit miles into an account increased from $50 to $75.

There is no fee for award bookings made 21 or more days in advance. And none of the above fees apply to Platinum members.

Lastly, the fee to book by phone instead of online is now $20, up from $10 previously.

The increases are bad enough; imposing them with no advance notice adds insult to injury.

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Double Points at the Marriott Mall

Through August 31, Marriott Rewards members will earn double points for purchases made at the following Marriott Rewards Mall merchants: eBags, Harry and David, Lands' End, Nordstrom, Target.com, Overstock.com, HP Home Store, Staples, and Circuit City.

As always when shopping at mileage mall merchants, be sure to begin on the mall's homepage (link below) to ensure that your membership number is logged and points accurately tracked and awarded.

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Skywards Discounts Awards

Members of Emirates' Skywards program are being offered award travel to selected destinations for half the normally required miles.

Awards must be booked online, with departures between September 11 and October 11.

While Skywards is probably not the primary program of most of our readers, we wanted to recognize the program's generosity -- this is the kind of offer we'd like to see more of, from more programs.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) London Fall and Winter Fares on British Airways from $175

British Airways is offering London sale fares starting at $318 roundtrip, and registered users can save an additional $20 by logging in before booking, lowering the base price to $298. Even lower fares are also available from British Airways, starting at $175. British Airways is including a two-day sightseeing pass with this offer that features admission to The Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and other top attractions.

Travel is valid from October 25 through December 18 and again from December 24 through March 25, 2008. Book by August 17, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) AirTran Sale Fares from $39 Each Way

AirTran has announced a new sale available for booking through Thursday. Fares start at $39 one-way or $78 roundtrip, and destinations include Miami, New York, Charleston, and Orlando.

Travel is valid from August 14 through November 14. Book by August 16, 11:59 PM ET.

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Win a Trip for 2 to the Buick Invitational in La Jolla, CA

Enter the "Buick Clubhouse" sweepstakes by September 30 for a chance to win a trip for two to attend the 2008 Buick Invitational in La Jolla, California, including air and five nights' hotel accommodations.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"In regards to the Maritz poll referred to in your August 8th issue, did the poll ask 'Could you use frequent flier miles to get a seat on a desired flight?' or 'Could you use the minimum number of frequent flier miles to get a seat on a desired flight?'

My guess is that they asked the second question to get the 80% success rate. These two questions are extremely different, and my experience is that you can almost always use the 50,000 mile awards to get a seat, but almost impossible to use the 25,000 mile awards. Thus many people are using frequent flier awards for trips, but only at the higher number of miles.

"Thanks for your excellent newsletter!" [Rich S.]

"Sorry to trouble you with the following question, to which I've been unable to obtain an answer from Northwest Airlines itself, since their WorldPerks phone number has not yielded up an actual person I can talk with, in the year-plus over which I have been trying to contact them.

"Some frequent-flier programs, such as United's, allow you to get magazine subscriptions using your miles as payment. Does Northwest's program do this? I once felt I had some evidence that they do, but I have been unable to locate it on the Net, so that I simply wanted to check in order to be certain." [Dr. Ezra B. - NY, NY]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - In a word: Yes. WorldPerks miles can be redeemed for subscriptions to more than 30 magazines and other publications, for as few as 300 miles for "Working Mother" and as many as 3,300 miles for "The Wall Street Journal."

Here's the link: https://nwa.mpmvp.com/magazine/choose.asp.]

"Love the site and read it religiously every week. Two things jumped out at me this week, though.

First, you criticized the Maritz survey of 'over 1,000 randomly selected adults' by saying you'd be more interested in the opinions of '1,000 randomly selected frequent flier program participants.' Well if I'm reading this correctly, and I think that I am, aren't they one and the same? In order to redeem for a flight, you have to be a frequent flier program participant, and a fairly loyal one at that (what with the new expiration rules and all). Accordingly, wouldn't the Maritz survey reflect just what you asked for: 1,000 randomly selected frequent flier program participants? If not, I'd imagine the results would be dramatically skewed toward lower redemption levels. But, I've never claimed to be the smartest guy around town, so I could be wrong. By the way, in the last week I've successfully redeemed for a flight to Paris in October and Argentina at New Years, but I was unable to procure a flight to New York for Christmas... still, the more expensive flights were available, and two out of three ain't bad.

"The next issue I have is... [Edited. The matter, which involved a particular individual's postings on the FrequentFlier Forum, was discussed offline with Michael.]

"I've been reading your publication for several years now, and these are my first two complaints, so you must be doing a whole lot right! As a loyalty program analyst, I consider your site, along with WebFlyer, The Wise Marketer, and Colloquy, to be indispensable to my work, so keep up the great work!" [Michael R. - Miami Beach, FL]

"When it comes to redeeming FF miles, I believe there is a big difference depending on the airline. Not all programs are created equal.

"In my opinion, American is the best. I can frequently find reward seats.

"On the other hand, Delta is bar none the worst. It is virtually impossible to find standard (25,000 mile) seats. It always requires 50,000 miles." [Jeffrey]

"I have had trouble using the basic 25, 000 miles award the last 3 trips I have taken. Even though the trip was planned 7 and 8 months in advance, seats were not available. It seems they increase the miles needed, and ask for mileage you don't yet have, so it takes much longer to get even one trip. BAD SYSTEM.

"There must only be a few seats available for the lowest amount of miles." [Anita K.]

"I had a VERY long session with a DELTA agent to put together a trip for me--ALMOST EVERY SCHEDULE WAS NOT AVAILABLE for Frequent Flyer--FINALLY after MUCH searching the agent FINALIZED a R/T trip for me & E-MAILED THE ITINERARY-I asked REPEATEDLY how much points I needed / I was told REPEATEDLY 25,000 for this DOMESTIC trip!---I HAD 14,000 with DELTA--. NEEDED 11,000 which I was to TRANSFER from my American Express Card / I legally made a smooth transfer and called DELTA to FINALIZE ticket...I was told ANOTHER agent would CONFIRM !

"They re-connected me to 'Jamaica'--the NEW agent started to tell me my cut-off date EXPIRED ( NOT SO I HAD 2 MORE DAYS!) Then AGENT told me the ITINERARY was CHANGED--I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF CHANGE in ANY WAY by phone or e-mail / The NEW schedule was NOT WORKABLE for ME!

"THEN AGENT told me I need 50,000 miles for this NEW itinerary ( I do not have that available) I ASKED FOR THEM TO RETURN MY 11,000 miles--THEY REFUSED!

"What advice can you offer?" [Rich R.]

"Please help with suggested Alternative use for deposited mileage.

"My proposed flight was from Honolulu to Saigon/HCMC.

"Unfortunately I transferred 60,000 miles into their All Nippon program via American Express for reward travel to SE Asia. I started with Saigon, booked and inquired about Singapore and Bangkok. All were booked for 3 to 4 months. Then I enquired about return availability 6 months out for march 2008. No seats.

"I asked about in business class, which is usually pretty empty when I board. But again no availability.

"I am thinking of making inquiry from congressman office." [E.K.]

"I heard somewhere (not sure where or I would not be asking you guys) about a frequent flier group or club with a website dedicated to those of us who are obsessed with maximizing our miles on each trip. This includes many voluntary bumps at different airports in order to get free flights, miles, etc. Have you heard of a group that does this and has a website dedicated to this 'pursuit of miles'?" [John S.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Not sure which site you have in mind, but the following come to mind: WebFlyer and FreeFrequentFlyerMiles.

If it's not one of those, be sure to let us know when you track it down so we can share with our readers.]

"Does anyone (Frequentflier.com, Miles.com, readers) know why Southwest removed their non-stop flights from BWI (Baltimore, MD) to LAX (Los Angeles, CA)?

"I discovered yesterday while trying to book our non-stop round-trip flights from BWI-LAX for October, November and December, the 2 regular non-stop flights (early morning and early noon) were no longer available. Instead, they have added additional 1 stop w/no change of plane flights. I'm very disappointed that they removed the non-stop flights.

"We are big SW fans. I recently converted Diners points into SW miles so we could get additional award certificates. If I knew about this change I would not have rushed into converting my Diners points into SW award certificate. Also, I don't recall on SW website, airline online newsletters, etc. mentioning about this change. I assume this is a national change. I did inquire w/ a SW reservationist and she said it was a recent change were the BWI-LAX non-stop flights were removed and replaced with 1 stop w/no change of plane flights. I asked her to file my disappointment w/ management." [Valerie S.]

Until next week...