Your Favorite Miles and Points Resources?

For a major work on loyalty programs to be published later this year, Tim Winship (editor of this newsletter) is compiling a list of resources for mileage junkies.

Appreciate any and all suggestions of websites or newsletters which provide info and advice relevant to the frequent flyer program community. Your own "Miles & Points Bookmarks," as it were.

Print and other offline recommendations are also welcome.

Please e-mail suggestions to me at this address, or post them on the FrequentFlier Forum.

Thanks in advance.

This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites

As threatened, Northwest's mechanics walked off their jobs on Saturday. And as promised, Northwest kept its planes aloft, with replacement workers filling in for the strikers.

Now in the strike's fifth day, it's unclear how real-life travel is being impacted.

On one hand, Northwest's management is downplaying the strike's effects, claiming that flights are operating as scheduled. On the other hand, union reps contend that delays and cancellations have already reached unacceptable levels and will get worse as replacement workers fall further behind.

Industry commentator and gadfly Joe Brancatelli of JoeSentMe.com has been checking 99 NW flights every day since the strike began. His findings: NW's on-time rate is 49.0% (compared to 81.1% for August 2004); their cancellation rate is 3.2% (versus 1.1% last year); and the average delay is 58 minutes.

It may not matter much. A complete meltdown certainly would have pushed Northwest into bankruptcy faster. But it would only have been one of many contributing factors. And it will take more than business-as-usual operations to keep Northwest out of bankruptcy.

The real story here may turn out to be airline labor's last gasp.

Northwest's machinist's union bet big: that they'd win the battle, or go down fighting. And go down they might. Their walkout has elicited no sympathy strikes from other unions. And workers from other labor groups are crossing the machinists' picket lines with nary a second thought.

If this is the future of management-labor relations, it's a grim one for workers. And possibly for the traveling public as well.

While the prospect of relative stability may be welcome, consumers shouldn't be too quick to cheer management's victory. It wasn't the front-line employees who mismanaged the airlines to the brink of financial ruin. And it's not clear that the buttoned-up types in the corner offices have the will or the imagination to run customer-friendly businesses.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, adeleswart wonders whether miles are awarded for flights not flown: "We volunteered for a bump on American Airlines and were rerouted on USAir with a longer itinerary. Will we get the miles we booked or will AA give us the miles we flew, even though we were on another carrier? We flew 1st class using miles upgrades. Will that count toward more miles?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, reed69 is perplexed by the fare codes printed on his ticket: "I am getting a little confused as to what the letters beside my class mean. I flew to Chicago in coach (Q) and I'm flying back in coach (B), what's the difference and are there others?"

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Earn Up to 30,000 Miles for Flying oneworld Carriers

Between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, AAdvantage members can earn as many as 30,000 bonus miles when flying on American and up to three oneworld partner airlines, as follows:

- Earn 5,000 bonus miles for flying American and one additional oneworld airline.
- Earn 15,000 bonus miles for flying American and two additional oneworld airlines.
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles for flying American and three additional oneworld airlines.

Qualifying fares on American and oneworld airlines include those booked in A, B, D, F, H, I, J, K, M, P, or Y. But there are exceptions, so check and confirm.

Registration is required. Promotion code: OWHOM.

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American Offers Bonuses for U.S.-Canada Flights

Through Nov. 15, AAdvantage members who fly roundtrip on American or American Eagle between the U.S. and Canada will earn 2,500 bonus miles for travel in business class (J, D fares) or 1,000 miles in coach (Y, B, H, K, M, L, W, V, G, S or N).

Registration is required.

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Triple Miles at Conrad Tokyo

Through Oct. 31, members of 14 airline programs (ANA, American, British Air, Cathay Pacific, Continental, Delta, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Northwest, Qantas, Qatar, Singapore, United, V*) will earn triple miles, plus free breakfast, for qualifying stays at the new Conrad Tokyo hotel.

To receive the bonus, book the "Opening Triple Miles" rate online or request Plan Code H1.

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Double Miles and Bonus Points for Hilton Hawaii Stays

Between Sept. 1 and Dec. 26, Hilton HHonors members will earn double miles in the programs of Alaska Air, American, ANA, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines, Northwest, United or V* Atlantic, plus up to 10,000 HHonors bonus points, for qualifying stays at Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hilton Hawaiian Village, or Doubletree Alana Hotel - Waikiki.

To receive the bonus, book Plan Code H6 for Hilton Waikoloa Village and Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, or HH6 for Doubletree Alana Hotel-Waikiki.

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Midwest Offers Bonus for MSP-Milwaukee Flights

Through Nov. 18, Midwest Miles members who have Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) mailing addresses will earn 2,500 bonus miles for every roundtrip from MSP to Milwaukee, and 5,000 bonus miles for roundtrips that make a connection in Milwaukee.

Registration is required.

(See Northwest's response to this promotion below.)

Registration is required.

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Northwest Offers Locals Bonuses for MSP Flights

Through Dec. 14, WorldPerks members with mailing addresses in Minnesota or western Wisconsin will earn double miles for flights between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando, Phoenix, Ft. Myers, San Diego or San Francisco, and triple miles for flights between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Denver, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New York City (JFK), Las Vegas or Seattle.

Registration is required.

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Double Points & Miles from Priority Club

Between Sept. 12 and Dec. 16, Priority Club Rewards members will earn double points or miles for the second and subsequent eligible stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn hotels. For stays at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, earnings are doubled beginning with the first eligible stay during the promo period.

Registration is required.

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United Offers Bonus for U.S.-Canada Flights

Through Nov. 15, Mileage Plus members will earn 2,500 bonus miles when you fly roundtrip between the U.S. and Canada in first class (F, A fares) and 1,000 bonus miles for coach (Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V fares).

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Chicago, New York Fares on United from $98

United's latest domestic sale features Chicago and New York, as well as other cities on both coasts. Prices start at $98 roundtrip for travel through mid-November.

Travel on most routes is valid on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Nov. 16. Travel to Ft. Myers is valid Mondays through Wednesdays and on Fridays, and travel from Ft. Myers is valid Tuesdays through Thursdays. Book tickets at least seven days in advance. United has not listed a booking deadline. Some fares require a one-night minimum stay, and some fares have a 30-day maximum stay restriction.

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2) Domestic Sale Fares on US Airways from $78

As a response to Southwest's latest nationwide sale, US Airways is offering a domestic sale of its own. Prices start at $78 roundtrip, and destinations include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando.

Travel is valid daily or on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only, depending on route. Travel is valid through Jan. 9. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance.

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Win Tickets, Miles or Lounge Memberships

Through Sept. 9, play United's Click, Stretch, & Win Game for a chance to win roundtrip domestic tickets for two, Mileage Plus bonus miles, or Red Carpet Club airport lounge memberships.

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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Michael M. wondered [in last week's newsletter] why many restaurants don't offer dining rewards on Fridays or Saturdays.

"Many of them are already as busy as they can handle on those nights (the traditional "date" and "going out" nights) and they aren't trying to attract NEW business on those evenings. An hour's wait for a table at a popular restaurant on a Friday night at 7:30 isn't uncommon. They figure you're going to eat out then, regardless of any incentives, so why give away more than they need to?

"By contrast, most restaurants I frequent are virtually deserted on Mondays and Tuesdays, and they've got fixed costs to cover. Even if a discount (which is what the miles amount to, for them) eats into the profit margin, they're getting additional revenues to cover the fixed costs of opening the doors.

"On a separate topic: as a long-time Southwest customer and supporter, I too am watching this capacity-control change for Rapid Rewards with caution. However, we don't yet know how strict those controls will be, so before anyone has a stroke, let's wait and see how strict they are.

"Remember: Five years ago, people didn't complain very much about not being able to get "reasonable" award tickets on other airlines-that is, if you didn't expect a walk-up transcontinental flight for free, you stood a reasonable chance of getting a flight you could use. Southwest may implement its controls with that model in mind." [Kevin M. - Baton Rouge, LA]

"I wasn't so worried about United and US Airways. Didn't have many miles in those programs, so it wouldn't be a big loss if they'd shut down.

"But I've been a Delta loyalist for many years and have alot of miles to show for it. All the bankruptcy chatter has me spooked. Is it time to pull the plug and use up all my SkyMiles?" [Belynda D. - Atlanta, GA]

[Editor's Note - Belynda's is just the latest of many notes we've received regarding Delta's situation. Our advice:

In the short term, there's no pressing need to do anything. My best guess is that Delta will indeed file for Chapter 11, and probably within the next two months. But the SkyMiles program will continue, just as United and US Airways' programs have operated without interruption during their bankruptcies.

If Delta declares bankruptcy, history suggests that they'd be able to limp along for at least a couple of years before emerging from Chapter 11, merging with another airline or liquidating completely. That latter scenario could result in the loss of frequent flyers' miles, but not necessarily -- the miles might be absorbed by another airline.

But realistically, no one can assign odds for Delta's ultimate survival at this point. There are just too many variables.

As a general rule, hoarding large quantities of miles is a risky proposition. And it's not only the danger of losing them altogether. There's the additional risk of miles losing their value, as airlines raise award levels, add fees, and restrict awards. The current trend is toward just such devaluation, and there's no telling when or where it will level out.

With that in mind, our standard recommendation is that program members use their miles sooner rather than later.]

"I recently, along with my son who is paralyzed from the waist down and required to use a wheelchair, went the non stop out of RDU to Vegas. The flights and price were great, but as always the non stop return flight from Vegas was packed. My son requires the use of "aisle chair" to get to his seat so he and I are normally put on board first and get off last. I was amazed at the curative powers of the flight to the infirmed. When we got on board there were about 7-8 wheel chair passengers who had to "pre-board". When we landed they jumped up with no visible impairment and disembarked immediately. Their pre-boarding having secured them a front row seat. My son and two others however, waited patiently until the plane was vacant. I commented to flight attendant about how many required wheelchairs when we embarked and how many didn't when we landed. He smiled and 'they do it all the time.'

"No bad comments about Southwest. Second time we've used them." [Richard T. R.]

"I just heard a rumor that says I will not be able to redeem my miles with my SkyMiles/American Express card for a trip between Los Angeles and France. Is this true? If it is true, between which countries can I redeem my miles?" [Bernadette B.]

[FrequentFlier responds - According to an announcement on Delta's website, award travel on Air France and KLM was blacked out between June 1 and Aug. 31. That was likely the basis of the rumor you heard.

Award travel to Europe should be much easier to book once we get beyond the peak summer period. For availability on specific dates and routes, of course, you'd have to check with Delta directly.]

"In the polls section of the website, there is a question reading as follows:

"Award Availability

"Unredeemable frequent flyer miles are the stuff of urban legend. Is it a real problem, afflicting many would-be award travelers? Or has the difficulty of cashing in miles for restricted awards been blown out of proportion by a few loud naysayers?

"What exactly are restricted rewards?" [Chris C.]

[FrequentFlier responds - Restricted awards are the "capacity-controlled" awards that most frequent flyer program members consider the basic promise of the programs.

Industry-wide, the most requested award is a restricted roundtrip coach ticket for travel within the contiguous 48 states. In most programs, that's offered for 25,000 miles. But only a few seats on any give flight are offered at that level; and on some flights, which are expected to sell out to paying passengers, no unrestricted award seats are available.

That's to distinguish them from unrestricted awards, which typically require 40,000-50,000 miles for a domestic roundtrip. In exchange for the additional miles, the airlines make more seats available.]

"I know that this is probably a stupid question but here it goes. My wife has over 125,000 miles that she accumulated on TWA years ago. Is there any way to get some benefit from that?" [Damian S.]

[FrequentFlier responds - For a time, American allowed members of TWA's program to transfer their miles into American's program. The deadline for those transfers is long gone, and I don't believe that American will still make an exception at this late date.

But with that many miles at stake, it's worth giving AAdvantage customer service a call at 1.800.882.8880 and pleading your case.]

Until next week...