>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mailserver Upgrade
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My apologies to anyone who received duplicate copies of The Crier last week. No, you weren't seeing double.

As always, the newsletter was finished, proofed and ready to go on Thursday evening. After a last round of proofing, I hit the "Send" button and sat back to watch the incoming--bounced messages, out-of-office replies, self-addressed confirmation messages. Nothing: "No new messages on server." I went to bed assuming that the mailserver was backed up, and that I'd have an inbox full of bounces the next morning. No such luck. By midmorning Friday, I had spoken to tech reps at both serving companies who assured me that the problem must lie elsewhere. There being no "elsewhere," I concluded that, for whatever reason, the mailing had not gone out. So I manually re-sent.

What I didn't know was that the original mailing was still in queue, where it remained until Saturday morning, 36 hours later. And THEN it went out, duplicating the replacement mailing.

Bottom line: beginning with this issue, The Crier mailings are being handled by an outside company which is in business to e-mail newsletters. As a small publisher, this represents a significant cost. But it's an investment in reliability, and should as well free up time for research and writing that was previously devoted to the mechanics of list management and publishing.

Our new newsletter distribution company is OakNet Publishing. They have accepted our account and address list upon our assurance that all readers of The Crier are voluntary opt-in subscribers who have specifically requested receipt of The Crier. In other words, they will not involve themselves with SPAM.

With the new service come some new e-mail options for subscribing and unsubscribing. The new e-mail subscribe/unsubscribe commands are:

>> To Subscribe to The Crier
Type SUBSCRIBE in the body of an e-mail and send to mailto:frequentflier@oaknetpub.com

>> To unsubscribe from The Crier
Type REMOVE in the body of an e-mail and send to mailto:frequentflier@oaknetpub.com

The above subscribe/unsubscribe instructions can be found at the bottom of this and every issue of The Crier.

Onward and upward...

<< M I L E S >>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Can You Say "One Million Miles"?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For me--and, I trust, for any serious reader of The Crier--there's nothing quite as compelling as the words "One Million Miles."

We don't hear the "m"-word (miles) much from Microsoft (another "m"-word). But today they not only said it... they said in conjunction with yet another "m"-word: million.

Microsoft today announced the 1 Million ClickMiles Sweepstakes, hosted on the MSN network of Internet services in partnership with Netcentives. For two weeks, visitors to MSN Shopping can enter to win 1 million ClickMiles, which are redeemable for frequent flyer miles from eight leading airlines, car rentals, hotel accommodations and other brand-name merchandise.

The million-mile giveaway is the kickoff to a month of promotions by MSN and Netcentives Inc. Starting Aug. 31, 1999, visitors can enter to win one of six home PCs. In addition, visitors to MSN Shopping will be awarded double ClickMiles for any qualified purchases made from now until Sept. 13, 1999. NOTE: No purchase necessary. Open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States and District of Columbia 18 years or older.

>> More <<
See http://shopping.msn.com/ for official rules.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mileage Plus Bonus for Internet Newbies
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If you haven't yet purchased a United Airlines ticket at the UAL.com website, there has never been a better time.

United is now giving 4,000 Mileage Plus bonus miles for the first online purchase of a United flight at UAL.com. This special marketing program officially began on Sunday, August 15, 1999, and is scheduled to last through December 31, 1999. The 4,000 mile bonus consists of a 3,000 mile first-time special bonus, in addition to the 1,000 miles that United already provides for any online roundtrip purchase, excluding E-Fares.

>> More <<
United

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Amex Double Points for Supermarket Purchases
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Here's one that wasn't on our radar until this week, although it's been in effect since August 1...

If you're a member of the American Express Membership Rewards program, you can earn double points for supermarket purchases through October 15. (Exception: holders of the Hilton Optima card receive 3 points per dollar, instead of the usual 2.) Many of the larger supermarkets are included.

Don't bother looking for this on the Amex website... it's not there.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
New Alaska Platinum Card
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Alaska Airlines this week introduced a new mileage-earning card, the Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum Card, issued by Bank of America.

Cardholders receive 5,000 Mileage Plan bonus miles after opening an account, double miles for each Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air ticket or vacation purchase, two one-way First Class upgrade certificates and four Alaska Airlines Board Room passes each year. There is no limit on mileage earned and mileage does not expire.

Additional benefits include one mile per regular purchase dollar, 1,000 bonus miles each year after renewal, one $50 round-trip companion certificate each year plus comprehensive travel accident insurance, free auto rental insurance and emergency medical, legal and travel assistance.

Annual fee is $75 (versus $45 for regular and gold cards), and the APR is currently approximately 15%.

>> More <<
Call Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at 800-654-5669 for more information and to apply for the card. Applications are also available at Alaska Airlines ticket counters and will be online, starting August 30, at http://www.alaskaair.com.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sprint Expands WorldPerks Offering
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sprint has expanded its Northwest Airlines WorldPerks tie-in to allow members to earn frequent flyer miles when they sign up for service on the Sprint PCS network.

WorldPerks members who select any Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan will receive 5,000 WorldPerks Bonus Miles, plus five miles for every Sprint PCS dollar they spend. WorldPerks frequent travelers can also take advantage of the recently-announced Sprint PCS Wireless Web to connect to e-mail, schedules, task lists, contacts/address books, order forms, etc. -- using their Sprint PCS Phone in place of a modem. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web also features Wireless Web Browsing and Internet Updates from Yahoo!.

To begin earning miles with Sprint PCS, WorldPerks members must select a Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan at $29.99 per month or more. New Sprint PCS customers who sign up for Sprint PCS service by November 14, 1999 can receive 500 anytime, anywhere minutes per month for $50 a month or 700 minutes per month for $70 a month.

>> More <<
Northwest Airlines WorldPerks Members can sign up for Sprint PCS service and begin earning frequent flier miles by calling 1-877-PCS-PERKS (1-877-727-7375) or by visiting any Sprint PCS Center nationwide.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
American and Blockbuster
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
American and Blockbuster have put together a cross-promotion package, including both short-term promotion and long-term partnership, targeting members of both companies' loyalty programs.

Beginning immediately, Blockbuster Rewards members will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of 35 flights for two on American Airlines with each rental or purchase at participating stores before Sept. 14. Additionally, customers who join Blockbuster Rewards during this time will earn 250 AAdvantage miles.

Beginning in October, American will allow AAdvantage members to exchange frequent flyer miles for Blockbuster GiftCards or membership in Blockbuster Rewards.

Blockbuster, if you've been living under a rock, is the nation's leading renter of videos and video games with approximately 6,500 Blockbuster stores in the United States, its territories and 25 other countries.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Farmer Jack Says: Get Your WorldPerks Miles Here
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Effective August 22, 1999, shoppers at all southeast Michigan Farmer Jack Supermarkets will be able to earn one WorldPerks Bonus Mile for every dollar spent.

Customers must be members of WorldPerks and have a Farmer Jack Bonus Savings Club card, available free at any Farmer Jack location.

You will have to register to begin earning miles for Farmer Jack purchases, in one of three ways

    Enroll online at http://www.farmerjack.com
    Complete a form at any Farmer Jack Supermarket or
    Call toll-free 877-FLY-FREE (877-359-3733)

WorldPerks Bonus Miles will start to accrue on grocery purchases approximately 14 days after enrollment. Other restrictions apply. (Excludes alcohol products, and miles are based on net purchase after all applicable savings, discounts, and coupons.)

Once a customer enrolls, grocery dollar miles will be reported on their Northwest Airlines WorldPerks statements.

>> More
o Farmer Jack
o Northwest

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

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Labor Day Fare Sales
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The major airlines are offering substantial discounts for travel over the Labor Day weekend.

The sale was initiated by Delta and has since been matched by American, America West, Continental, TWA, Northwest, and USAirways.

Since Delta started it, following are details of their offer. Assume, though, that comparable discounts are available from the other airlines as well.

Delta travelers can plan a three-day or four-day weekend trip for the Labor Day holiday and save up to 40 percent off the normal 21-day advance purchase fares if they originate their travel on Saturday and return on Monday or Tuesday.

They can save even more -- $60 round-trip off the peak fares -- if they begin their travel on Sunday, returning the same day, Monday or Tuesday. Or they can enjoy the extra savings by beginning their holiday on Saturday and return the same day or Sunday.

For Delta Express discounts, travelers can originate their travel on Saturday or Sunday and return on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

Tickets must be purchased by August 23, 1999. Other important restrictions apply. See below for additional information and examples of the sale fares.

* Off-peak travel: travel originating on Saturday, September 4, with return flights that day or Sunday, September 5 OR originating Sunday, September 5, and returning that day, Monday, September 6, or Tuesday, September 7. Peak travel: travel originating on Saturday, September 4, and returning on Monday, September 6, or Tuesday, September 7.

>> Restrictions
Too many to list. And when you think you've reached the end of the list, there's the customary "Other restrictions may apply." With heavily restricted fares like this, your best bet is to pick up the phone and call the airline's reservations number.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Midwest Express Fall Sale Fares
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Midwest Express Airlines and Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, are offering reduced fares to select markets for travel beginning September 1 and completed by December 17. Sale fares will be available Sunday, August 15, through Friday, August 20. Tickets must be purchased at least 14 days in advance of departure.

Fares are each way based on roundtrip purchase, and require a Friday- or Saturday-night stay.

Check with Midwest Express for restrictions.

>> More <<
Midwest Express online

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Southwest: $99 or Less
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Southwest Airlines today announced a special $99 or less each way fare for travel between Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago's Midway Airport, St. Louis, and Houston Hobby and any published destination.

Tickets must be purchased by September 2, 1999, and travel is valid from September 1 through September 30, 1999. Fares are each way with roundtrip purchase required and apply to scheduled service only. Seats are limited and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods such as Labor Day. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations and at least seven days before departure. Tickets are nonrefundable but may be applied if unused toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.

>> More <<
Southwest

<< I N D U S T R Y N E W S >>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
American + Reno = Unhappy Pilots
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At the end of this month, American will proceed, as planned, to integrate Reno Air's operations into its own.

What American hadn't anticipated was that at this late date, there is still no agreement with the airline's pilots on crucial aspects of the integration. In particular, American and its pilots cannot agree on terms under which Reno pilots will be folded into American.

You'll recall that back in February--when negotiations broke down the first time--American's pilots staged sickouts and slowdowns, canceling hundreds of flights, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of American customers, and costing American $225 million. While American is officially claiming that there is no expectation (and therefore no contingency plans) of a recurrence, we'd put the odds at somewhat higher than zero.

While the pilots are technically prohibited from such job actions by a court injunction, there is likely to be some guerilla-style slowdown if there is no agreement.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Canadian International on the Ropes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Meanwhile, north of the border, Canada's second-largest airline is floundering.

Canadian International's past performance has been so weak, and its prospects are so grim, that the Canadian government temporarily suspended the country's Competition Act to allow Canadian to collude with its principal rival, Air Canada. The government is hoping that the 2 carriers can rationalize their route networks and pricing, instead of competing, and thereby resuscitate Canadian. Air Canada--which has everything to gain from Canadian's downfall--has shown little interest in the government's plan.

Consider a universe in which Canada has a single major airline...

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

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Long Distance Carriers (continued)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I want to add my comments to the gentleman [woman, actually] who switched from MCI to Sprint due to poor customer service. I did the same several months ago after giving MCI months to clean up their act. However, their corporate arogance forbids them to admit any wrongdoing. They are totally incapable of admitting a mistake, and they comically try to place the blame on the customer. After months of putting up with their abuse, I switched to Sprint even though their program didn't suit my needs as well as MCI's. However, I refuse to support any business that treats its customers with such blatant disregard. The pleasure I now get when I can slam down the phone after shouting expletives to the MCI phone solicitors is worth the miles lost by switching to Sprint.

 - Bob

>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hawaii Story
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hey, Tim, I think you need a vacation! You included Rebecca's reader note two weeks in a row. [Guilty.]

Let me write about a couple items from my recent vacation to Hawaii.

I flew to Hawaii on a Northwest e-ticket. Several weeks after my initial purchase I had to change travel dates and phoned Northwest reservations to do so. Unknown (and mysteriously) to me, this change in itinerary also triggered a CHANGE IN THE TICKET NUMBER.

Same confirmation code, but new ticket number. They didn't mail a new paper copy of the itinerary, but calling Northwest with the confirmation code verified the itinerary change so I wasn't concerned (it was an e-ticket, right?)

Two weeks after the trip, and still no frequent flier miles. I visit the Northwest web site and enter the original ticket number to ask for mileage credit.

Four weeks later with no credit and no response. I telephone Northwest (with the original ticket number), and they say they have no record of my ticket or travel. They can't do anything unless I send in a copy of the ticket and the boarding passes.

The next day, as I'm making copies, I somehow noticed that the ticket number on the bottom of the boarding pass wasn't the same as my ticket! So I called back with the new ticket number, and managed to finally get proper credit.

Never mind that I ALWAYS confirm my frequent flyer number with every transaction, including the purchase, itinerary change, and at every boarding check-in.

If you're an experienced Hawaii traveler, you know that inter-island flight coupons are usually the cheapest way to travel. These tickets on Hawaiian Airlines also qualify for 250 Northwest frequent flyer miles per flight.

When you board a Hawaiian Airlines inter-island flight using an inter-island coupon, there is no boarding pass. They take flight coupon when you board, and all the seating is first-come, first served. Quick and easy boarding on a quick
and easy flight.

But you're also left with no evidence of taking the flight. When Northwest credited only two of my five flights, I contacted Hawaiian airlines. They verified that I flew the flights, that my Northwest FF number was correctly recorded, and confirmed the date they sent my mileage credit to Northwest. But, they said, I would have to call Northwest to get proper credit.

When I called Northwest, they said I had to send in a copy of the ticket and the boarding pass before they would even investigate.

Catch-22!

Beyond that, I've never received the 1,000 mile bonus for a web purchase without calling Northwest to ask for it. Fewer than half of my flights have I received the 1,000 mile e-ticket check-in bonus without a phone call.

The bottom line: if you fly Northwest, be sure to keep paper evidence of everything, double check all your mileage credits, and be prepared to have to fight for what you've earned.

 - Steve

[Good advice Steve. Thanks.]

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

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Barf-Bag-O-Rama
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You knew it was out there on the Internet somewhere; you just didn't know where.

A Yahoo! search on "air sickness bags" shows there are 3 sites devoted to barf bags, 2 of which are active. And those 2 sites have listings to many more.

AirSicknessBags.com features photographs of 215 barf bags from airlines in every part of the world, and a disturbingly long list of other collectors.

You'll learn some new words for barf bags (which could come in handy, should the need arise): sac pour mal de l'air, spuckbeutel, bolsa de mareo, prullenzakje. And lest you think the airlines themselves eschew use of "barf bag," there's this description of Sun Aire Lines' rendition: "About half of one face is taken up by a logo of a duck wearing a leather helmet with ear flaps and aviator goggles, arms outstretched, surrounded by the words "Quayet Erp Barfing Bag". Directly beneath the logo are the words, "for motion sickness and other emergencies", then, in a separate paragraph, "Successful use of this bag, enroute and without knowledge of the crew or other passengers, entitles you to membership in the Quayet Erp Barfing Society. SUN AIRE LINES. Dedicated to good, clean flying." (Sun Aire was a small U.S. regional carrier during the 70's, not to be confused with the African carrier Sun Air which declared bankruptcy just this week.)

If you've got an appetite for more, try Rune's Barf Bag Collection. In addition to pictures of too many bags to count, Rune's features an AVI of Mr. Bean's "famous barf bag trick" (from the movie, "Mr. Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie"...?), and a long list of links to like-minded sites, from Ken's Waterproof Airline Receptacle Collection to BARF BAG CENRTAL (sic).

>> More <<
o AirSicknessBags.com
o Rune's Barf Bag Collection

Until next week...