U P F R O N T
Sign of the Times
=================
The latest DOT report shows that Southwest carried more domestic passengers in May than any other U.S. airline. That's the first time Southwest, or any low-fare carrier, topped the monthly rankings.
The 3 largest carriers for May -- again, based only on domestic traffic -- were Southwest with 6.54 million passengers, Delta at 6.34 million, and American at 6.22 million.
With Southwest in growth mode, and the other largest carriers shedding capacity, it's a safe bet that Southwest will retain its new position for the foreseeable future.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Check In Online for OnePass Miles
=================================
Continental customers may now check in for domestic flights at continental.com up to 30 hours prior to flight time. And they will earn 1,000 bonus miles the first time they do so.
The bonus is in effect through Sept. 30 and pre-registration is required.
> More...
DL Bonuses Binghamton-Cincinnati Flights
========================================
Through Sept. 30, earn double Delta miles for Delta Connection/Comair nonstop flights between or through Binghamton, NY and Cincinnati, OH.
Registration is required.
> More...
Earn Bonus HawaiianMiles from Sprint
====================================
Members of Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles program may new earn miles for switching to Sprint.
Earn up 5,000 miles by switching to Sprint residential long-distance service (2,500 miles after the first and sixth Sprint invoices), plus 1,000 miles for signing up online.
After signing up, automatically earn 5 miles for every $1 spent on Sprint long distance.
> More...
WorldPerks Loses Car Rental Partners
====================================
As of Sept. 1, Avis and Budget will no longer offer miles-for-rentals through the Northwest WorldPerks program.
Bid United Miles for Wine Vacations
===================================
United Mileage Plus members may bid their miles in an online auction to win 1 of 4 Sonoma County wine vacation packages. Package includes 5 days/4 nights accommodations, first-class air and winery tours.
Bids must be at least 150,000 miles, and be received by Sept. 10.
> More...
From United: Miles-for-Magazines
================================
For as few as 400 miles, United Plus members may redeem their miles for magazine subscriptions. There's a choice of 24 magazines, from Barron's to Wired.
> More...
Orbitz Offers US Air Miles
==========================
Orbitz is "the first online travel company to offer bonus airline mile awards."
Specifically, Orbitz customers will earn 1,000 bonus Dividend Miles the first time they purchase US Airways tickets, and 500 miles for each subsequent purchase. The promotion is in effect between Aug. 19 and Oct. 5, for travel completed by Nov. 25.
The bonus is in addition to regular flight miles.
> More...
VS Offers Free Tickets
======================
Through Dec. 10, Upper Class passengers on VS (the other U.K. airline) roundtrips from the U.S. will receive 2 free coach tickets to London, or 2 free tickets on Delta within the Continental U.S., Alaska or Canada. Premium Economy passengers earn 1 free ticket on VS or Delta. Free tickets must be redeemed by June 30, 2004.
To earn the free ticket, traveler must be a member of the VS frequent flyer program, flying club, and be pre-registered for the offer.
> 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...
Hotel Night, United Companion Fares from $78
-----------------------------------------------------
United has been courting business travelers with several free ticket promotions in recent months, but has returned its attention to the leisure market. Its new companion sale offers discounts to domestic and international destinations, as well as free hotel nights at Hilton.
Domestic fares start at $78, flights to Europe are as low as $238, and you can travel to Asia from $538, but you have to fly with 1 or 2 friends to qualify for these rates. The free hotel stays are valid between Sept. 2 and Dec. 18 at participating Hiltons.
Travel dates vary by destination. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance and by Sunday, Aug. 24.
> More...
Cross-Country Fare Deals Starting at $198
-------------------------------------------------
American and Southwest have announced coast-to-coast sales starting at $198 roundtrip, as well as fares starting at $78 roundtrip to/from cities all over the country. Alaska is offering a similar sale for travel on the West Coast. The lowest fares are for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays; flights on other days are available for higher fares. Travel on all 3 airlines is valid from Aug. 19, 2003, through Jan. 16, 2004.
America West is also offering a coast-to-coast sale for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and after noon on Saturdays, with fares ranging from $58 to $198. Travel is valid from Aug. 19 through Nov. 24.
Book tickets at least 14 days in advance on all 4 airlines, and by Thursday, Aug. 28, on Alaska, America West, and Southwest; American hasn't announced a booking deadline.
> More...
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
This Week's E-Mailbag
=====================
"I just wanted to say something about "Tom's" rant [in last week's Crier]. I am wondering when Americans' "it's all about me and what I get" attitude came about. Understandably that since a person flies a lot with one airline that they wish to have perks and shown appreciation. However, it cannot always be about what do I get. It's strange that frequent fliers always want to move to another airline when there has just been a rant about that airline concerning the very same problem. But I guess this is how Americans are taught these days. Shout and argue enough and you get what you want. Kind of like children throwing a tantrum in a store to get what they want and we all know how that looks."
- Karen
"Having read so many horror stories of airline miles redemption, I have to wonder if airlines see FF miles as a liability or a business opportunity. In reality, airlines don't care much about "rewarding" loyal customers; FF miles are a way to lure and keep customers. Making redemption extremely difficult, however, may have the opposite effect.
"I tried to use my Delta miles for two tickets to Hawaii, and after not finding any tickets available, I called Delta. The operator told me that 30,000-mile tickets are very limited and people call at midnight on the first possible day of requesting to get the tickets. She eventually booked me on United but at 35,000 miles per ticket. I had much better luck getting free hotel rooms from Hilton, and thanks to God, I got a vacation set up with free flights and 6 nights at Hilton. But I suspect many others are not so lucky...
"I once used my UA miles to get a ticket one hour before the flight. Even today, I can use 25,000 UA miles for a last-minute ticket and not have to stay over a Saturday night. Knowing this, I would collect UA miles for last-minute business uses. That would induce me to fly UA as much as I can and use their credit card, buy from Safeway, and even dine at iDine restaurants. Southwest's Rapid Rewards are even more flexible (although the one-year expiration is troubling). Many other airlines would charge you extra for not booking "reward" flights much earlier. Why can't they make FF miles really rewarding instead of treating them like a bill that they hope to never have to pay?
"I would like to hear the experiences of people redeeming Capital One's MilesOne rewards or Chase's Travel Rewards for flights. I hope they're not as restrictive as many airlines are."
- George
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
"More Miles" for Mileage Plus Visa
==================================
Holders of the Mileage Plus Visa card will earn 1 sweepstakes entry for every charge made between Aug. 16 and Sep. 30. And, as is almost always the case with these promotions, it's possible to enter without signing up for, or using, the Mileage Plus Visa. See Terms & Conditions for the procedure.
The prizes: 1 25,000-mile prize will be awarded daily, for the duration of the sweeps period.
> More...
Until next week...
|
