Issue #57  --  September 2, 1999

<< U P F R O N T >>

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Hotel Internet Access
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As a plugged-in business traveler, fast, reliable Internet access in my hotel room is a priority. Most hotel chains are aware of the demand, and are working on delivering it. And they're also considering how the new service will be priced. So, two issues: when and how much.

I like Wingate Inn's answer: now and free.

Wingate has the distinction of being the first national chain to offer high-speed access in all its guest rooms. And the pricing can't be beat: it's free. (More in the INDUSTRY NEWS section below.)

Let's hope this--free high-speed access in every room--becomes the industry standard. And sooner rather than later.

<< M I L E S >>

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Midwest Express Modifies Mileage Policy
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Hard on the heels of announcements by American, United and Delta, Midwest Express has adopted a new, member-friendly mileage-expiration policy. Actually, their policy was pretty friendly to begin with, but there's no such thing as "too friendly" where mileage expiration is concerned.

To wit: mileage accrued in Midwest Express Frequent Flyer accounts will not expire as long as a member has qualifying activity once every 36 months.

Qualifying activity now includes mileage earned from flights on Midwest Express or Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, or any of the carrier's program partners, including MCI and the Midwest Express MasterCard. This differs from the airline's previous policy that did not include program partner mileage as qualifying activity.

Could it be even friendlier? Yes! They could include--as did both United and Delta, to their credit--award requests under the "qualifying activity" heading.

>> More <<
Midwest Express

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Red Lion Rolls Out New Program
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Red Lion Hotels & Inns has a new guest loyalty program: The Red Lion Club.

According to Red Lion, the new program offers immediate benefits as well as credits toward future rewards.

Members accumulate credits on their Club card for each night's stay. The Club has three levels of membership -- inaugural, gold and platinum -- which after qualifying, allow guests to earn rewards while staying at a Red Lion hotel or inn, with as little as eight nights. Rewards include choice of a free night's accommodation, a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, or 1,000 frequent flyer miles with Northwest Airlines or American Airlines. In addition, Club members receive perks such as complimentary newspapers, extended checkout times, restaurant discounts, preferred reservations and special weekend rates.

Until Jan. 31, 2000, members can earn benefits twice as quickly with the "Royal Rewards Promotion." Members receive two credits for each night's stay, instead of one, to help them reach membership and reward levels even faster.

Red Lion Hotels & Inns, with the nine hotels to be converted Oct. 4, 1999, includes 29 properties with over 4,800 rooms located in nine states.

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Delta Tip Line for Award Travel
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Delta Air Lines has introduced an Award Travel Tip Line that provides SkyMiles members with a list of suggested cities for award seat redemption. The toll-free tip line, accessible in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, offers some of the best Coach Class Award travel opportunities for upcoming months.

SkyMiles members may call the automated telephone system at 888-750-6699 for the cities that are most likely to have Coach Class award availability during the specified time period. The listings will be updated each week.

The following list provides a sampling of award seat availability listed on the award travel tip line for Sept. and Oct.:

* Atlanta to Athens, Greece; Grand Cayman and San Juan
* Dallas/Ft. Worth to New York (LGA); Reno, Nev.; West Palm Beach, Fla., and Orange County, Calif.
* New York (JFK) to Denver and Houston
* Salt Lake City to Anchorage, Alaska; Houston; Minneapolis and Washington (Dulles)
* San Francisco to Honolulu

I can't help but wonder why Delta isn't offering this information online. The Internet is the ideal medium for serving up information which is changing constantly. And it has to be more cost-effective than toll-free calls.

>> More <<
Delta's Tip Line: 888-750-6699

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America West Ups Minimum for West Coast Flights
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For the remainder of the year, America West has increased the minimum number of FlightFund miles members earn when they fly America West Airlines or America West Express between Phoenix and destinations in California, Oregon and Washington.

Now through Dec. 31, 1999, FlightFund members earn a minimum of 1,000 miles per segment when they purchase tickets from travel agents or America West Airlines. If they book online at www.americawest.com, customers can earn 2,000 minimum miles per segment, in addition to a bonus of 1,000 miles earned for roundtrip tickets purchased online. As an added incentive, all minimum miles earned will count toward 2000 FlightFund Elite status.

The minimum miles offer may be earned on itineraries that originate or end in Phoenix to and from California, Oregon and Washington. Minimum miles cannot be combined with any other FlightFund double miles or bonus miles offers, and travel must be completed between Aug. 30 and Dec. 31, 1999.

>> More <<
America West

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Singapore Airlines' Miles for Hyatt Stays
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Effective immediately, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members can earn 500 miles when they stay at any Hyatt hotel.

As a launch promotion, between September 1 and November 14, 1999, Hyatt will offer KrisFlyer members double miles (1,000) per eligible stay at participating Hyatt International hotels, in more than 30 countries outside the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. To take advantage of the offer, KrisFlyer members can ask for offer code SQ601 at the time of reservation and present their membership card to choose KrisFlyer Miles for their stay.

>> More <<
o Hyatt online
o Singapore Airlines

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American + Eva = New Mileage Opportunities
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American Airlines and EVA Airways have formed a marketing alliance that includes codesharing on routes between the United States and Taiwan. The airlines plan to begin codesharing as soon as possible after obtaining all necessary governmental approvals.

Under the marketing arrangement, American will place its "AA" designator code on EVA's flights between Taipei and Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Members of American's AAdvantage frequent traveler program will earn mileage credit when traveling on American's codeshared flights operated by EVA.

In the second phase, EVA will place its "BR" designator code on selected connecting flights operated by American between EVA's U.S. gateways and Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York and Washington, D.C. Members of EVA's Evergreen Club will earn mileage credit when traveling on EVA's codeshared flights operated by American.

>> More <<
o American online
o EVA: Anyone know their URL?

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

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Southwest Discounts Las Vegas
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Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering special fares to Las Vegas package rates for customers traveling out of nine origin markets.

The Las Vegas sale is available for customers traveling out of Amarillo, Los Angeles, Burbank, Ontario, Midland/Odessa, Phoenix, San Diego, Salt Lake City, or Seattle. Packages must be booked by Sept. 11, 1999 for travel through by Sept. 30, 1999.

Southwest Airlines Vacations to Las Vegas include roundtrip air via Southwest Airlines, hotel accommodations and taxes, Rapid Rewards flight credit, FunBook discount coupon booklet, and 24-hour traveler assistance.

Sample two-night, per person complete package prices with departures on Sept. 14, 21, or 28 are as follows**: from $74 from Los Angeles, Burbank, or Ontario; from $79 from San Diego or Salt Lake City; from $84 from Phoenix; from $144 from Seattle; and from $174 from Amarillo or Midland/Odessa.

    ** Prices quoted are examples, per person based on double occupancy for a two-night package based on Tuesday departures as indicated and with accommodations at the Westward Ho - Rear. Departures on other days of the week and accommodations at additional hotels are available at higher rates. Surcharges apply to weekend, holiday, special events, and convention periods. Packages must be booked by Sept. 11, 1999 and no later than four business days prior to departure date. Rates are subject to change until purchased. Restrictions apply. Airport taxes of up to $12 roundtrip are not included.

>> More <<
Southwest Vacations

<< T R A V E L O N L I N E >>

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Another Step Forward for E-Tickets
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and IBM are developing a service capable of linking the e-ticket systems of hundreds of airlines around the world.

The new service, built on industry standards, is expected to expand significantly the acceptance and use of e-ticketing among IATA's 266 member airlines and the industry as a whole.

This will allow participants to link to a centralized e-ticket service to process and exchange e-tickets. Travelers using e-tickets will then have the flexibility to fly, and if necessary rebook, on more than one airline on the same trip. This cannot be done today -- unless the e-tickets are issued by one of the few carriers with existing reciprocal agreements.

Those participants in the system without e-ticketing capability, also may opt to use the new centralized service as a host system to create, store and process e-tickets, eliminating the need to develop and maintain their own proprietary e-ticket facilities.

>> What it all means...

Shorn of the industry-speak gobbledygook, this means that more airlines will be issuing e-tickets (which lowers the airlines' costs... good for them), and that travelers using e-tickets will find it easier to re-ticket on another airline when the need arises (good for consumers).

>> More <<
IATA online

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

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Free High-Speed Hotel Internet Access
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Free... high-speed Internet access... in every room. That's the way it should be.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. At Wingate Inn hotels, every guest now has access to high-speed Internet access connections--in their guest rooms, meeting rooms or boardroom.

Each Wingate Inn hotel is equipped with LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation's On Line by LodgeNet system, which is supported by national 24-hour customer service. To go online, a guest plugs his or her computer into the room's Ethernet-based Internet jack and launches the laptop's resident browser application. Access is instantaneous, at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional phone modems, with no software installation or re-configuration required.

Wingate opened its first hotel in July 1996, and now has a 70-property network of upper mid-market hotels.

I have to admit I wasn't familiar with Wingate before receiving their news release regarding their Internet access initiative. They've got my attention now.

>> More <<
Wingate online

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QQ RIP
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QQ is the 2-letter code used by Reno Air. It's pretty academic now: as of yesterday, Reno Air ceased to exist.

This week, American Airlines finished integrating Reno Air's operations into its own, welcoming nearly 2,100 former Reno Air employees to the company and adding 25 MD80 and MD90 jets to its fleet. At midnight Tuesday, the Reno Air name and "QQ" designator code officially retired.

American today operates 182 more daily flights and now serves 23 new western routes, thanks to the integration of Reno Air. The former Reno Air call center took its first AA customer call yesterday morning, as the new American Airlines Las Vegas Reservations Office.

After the final Reno Air flight departed from each airport Monday evening, American and Reno Air employees sprang into action, preparing for combined operations this morning. Overnight, the teams consolidated airport facilities, replacing Reno Air signs with American's, installing directional signs for customers, and hooking up Sabre computer terminals well before the first flight out this morning.

At press time, American and its pilots' union were still at odds over terms under which Reno pilots would be absorbed into American.

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Millenium Travel Info @ Preview
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Preview Travel has established a dedicated Millennium area which provides visitors with a information on millennium travel, featuring special deals, fun facts and helpful information. The Millennium area will be regularly updated through the end of the year.

Here is a sampling of the Millennium-focused resources and information available:

    -- Planning a Millennium Trip: Whether you want to explore New Zealand's secluded coves, sail to the Mexican Riviera on a luxury cruise liner, or fly home to see your family, Preview Travel offers travel resources for everyone, on any size budget. The area also includes suggestions for family trips during the holiday and celebration ideas for all ages.

    -- Party Early, Party Late and Save on Cruise and Vacation-Package Travel: Tips and strategies for saving money when booking a trip around the millennium. To get a good value, travelers will want to consider taking a trip just before or after the big holiday. Keep in mind that vacation availability and pricing can change daily.

    -- Millennium Events: Find out how people around the world are celebrating the millennium, from out-of-the-ordinary events to high-profile celebrations in major cities.

    -- Win a Millennium Trip to France: Preview Travel and MasterCard have teamed up to create MasterCard's Millennium Celebration -- a contest in which eight lucky winners and their guests will receive a trip to the elegant Chateau de Courcelles in the Champagne region of France. Enter to win by September 16, 1999.

>> More <<
Preview

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

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Site for Seats
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I am an avid Frequent Flyer. Like many business travelers I usually get free travel from my company and use my miles for upgrades or free Business/First class travel alone or with family. I am always surprised of the lack of information on existing First and Business class travel services among business travelers. The cabin, the seat features, the gourmet food, the wines, the customer care up-front, the frequent flyer bonuses, the comfort, the amenities, etc...

I recently started to compile a free web site to help business travelers choose their next luxury air travel. It's only a start. The site still awaits traveler reviews.

Check it out here.

Among the many comments I already received some were quite surprising. The site turns out to be useful to company travel planners, non-business travelers searching for the best once-in-a-lifetime luxury travel reward, business travelers not aware of the new fully reclining sleeper seat being mounted on many airlines, ...

 - Havane

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Koala Comments
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Tim,

Thank you for you informative newsletters.

I can see why you would consider a koala as a cuddly animal rather than "A Kinder, Gentler Koala," unfortunately koalas have a habit of urinating on people from a great height and should be handled with extreme care, due to their very long claws. I find them beautiful animals and reside in an area bordering on the largest colony still in existence in the wild in Australia, on forty kilometres from Brisbane CBD, and certainly am not out to malign them, rather to give you the reason why Australian's would generally refer to them as "kind and gentle."

True Australia has some great attractions and symbols of our national identity, although we have done the Paul Hogan thing to death and would like people from other countries wishing to visit see more in us than koalas and shrimps on the barbeque. This is only for the very reason that we are proud of what we have got here and all that goes to make up our great multicultural nation, still with a depth of history going back some 20,000 years to when the original custodians of the land, the aboriginals arrived. As I am sure you would have to agree, most Americans would not like to be primarily recognised internationally with Woody Allan or Laurel and Hardy, and coyotes or maybe the roadrunner. I have visited the United States and have enjoyed it immensely, I believe primarily as I got out into the country and met the people and sought to get a feel for the people and the culture and diversity of the country, not only five star hotels that all look the same. Yes I enjoyed the touristy things, all good no brainer stuff and great fun, but certainly not what could be considered to be a true reflection on your great country as a whole.

I welcome people to have a look at such sites as the Queensland Government Heritage Trails http://heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/index.htm, for an example of some of what our great country has to offer.

Please come and visit some time and enjoy our hospitality and great country.

Regards

 - Greg

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Humor: In Case of Emergency...
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A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane. Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble. In spite of the best efforts of the pilot the plane started to go down.

Finally the pilot grabbed a parachute, yelled to the passengers that they had better jump, and bailed out. Unfortunately there were only three parachutes remaining. The doctor grabbed one and said "I'm a doctor, I save lives, so I must live," and jumped out. The lawyer then said, " I'm the smartest man in the world, I deserve to live!" He grabbed a parachute and jumped.

The priest looked at the little boy and said, "My son, I've lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace." The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said "Not to worry, Father. The smartest man in the world just took off with my back pack.

[Thanks to Michele for passing this along.]

Until next week...