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The FrequentFlier Crier - A weekly summary of travel news and opinion
Issue #416  --  September 6, 2006
 

CONTENTS

 

Up Front

  • Bankruptcy Watch

On Site

  • FrequentFlier Forum Topics

Miles & Points

  • Alaska Discounts Mexico Awards
  • American Discounts Caribbean Award Trips
  • Deadline Extended for AAdvantage Dining Bonus
  • From Choice: Stay Twice, Get 1 Free
  • Continental Offers Bonus for Colombia Flights
  • Delta Offers Fast Track to Elite Dining
  • Northwest's Fall Cash and Miles
  • 10% Bonus for United Mile Purchases

Steals & Deals

  • Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

Sweeps & Freebies

  • Win 1 Million Hilton HHonors Points

Reader Rants & Raves

  • Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
 
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UP FRONT

Bankruptcy Watch

As we go to press on Wednesday afternoon, there was still no ruling from the federal judge considering Northwest's request to prohibit the airline's flight attendants from walking off the job.

Two weeks ago, the airline persuaded the judge to issue a temporary injunction barring the attendants from making good on their threat to strike.

Since then, there's been no progress in breaking the deadlock and there are no hopeful signs for a resolution on the horizon.

Stay tuned.

ON SITE

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, albar333 wonders what can be done with unusable award tickets: "I used 200,000+ United miles to purchase 2 round trip 1st class tickets from LAX to Munich, Germany. We flew the 1st segment, the 2nd segment is LAX to Munich on 10/2/06. We are unable to travel on that date or the near future. My question is: What, if anything can we do with these tickets, such as transferring, postponement, canceling & getting some miles returned, etc.?" (See the final post in the thread for United's response.)

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, nikki4bob is looking for redemption suggestions: "I have 30,000 Aeroplan miles, some AAdvantage miles, some US Airways Dividend Miles. We are soon relocating from Canada to U.S. What's the best way to utilize these points?"

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

:: More

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MILES & POINTS

Alaska Discounts Mexico Awards

Between September 1 and October 10, Alaska Mileage Plan members can save 10,000 miles off the standard 30,000-mile Mexico Coach Saver award for travel between any city in the U.S. and Mexico.

To qualify for the discount, award reservation must be booked online at alaskaair.com.

:: More

American Discounts Caribbean Award Trips

Through December 13, AAdvantage members can redeem 25,000 miles for a coach-class award ticket to the Caribbean from the continental U.S., Canada or Mexico.

That's the off-peak level, normally offered from September 7 through November 14, so the 5,000-mile discount amounts to a temporary extension of the off-peak period.

Award bookings for travel at the lower level between November 14 and December 13 must be made through AAdvantage Reservations at 1-800-882-8880. A $15 service fee applies.

:: More

Deadline Extended for AAdvantage Dining Bonus

AAdvantage members who registered to earn the Rewards Network miles-for-dining bonus (500 AAdvantage bonus miles after the first two qualified dines and an additional 500 bonus miles after the fourth qualified dine between July 1 and August 31) have been granted an extra month to qualify for the bonus.

The revised deadline to earn the bonuses: September 30.

:: More

From Choice: Stay Twice, Get 1 Free

Between September 1 and December 15, members of the Choice Privileges rewards program will earn 8,000 points -- normal and bonus points combined -- for every two qualifying stays at 1,000 Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion or Mainstay Suites properties in North America. That's enough points to redeem a free hotel room night at most Choice properties.

There's no limit to the number of free nights that can be earned.

:: More

Mileage Pro Book

Continental Offers Bonus for Colombia Flights

Between September 1 and November 30, OnePass members will earn 2,000 bonus miles for Continental flights between Houston and Cali, Colombia.

Registration is required, using promotion code 51011.

:: More

Delta Offers Fast Track to Elite Dining

Between September 1 and October 31, Delta SkyMiles members can qualify for Elite status in SkyMiles Dining by spending $300 or more in qualified dines.

Elite members earn five miles for every $1 spent at participating restaurants, plus an additional five miles per $1 through the end of 2006.

Registration is required.

:: More

Northwest's Fall Cash and Miles

WorldPerks members can combine miles and cash to pay for coach-class tickets to most Northwest destinations.

Prices for roundtrip flights within North American start at $89 and 20,000 miles or $169 and 10,000 miles. Flights between the U.S. and Europe are priced at $294 and 20,000 miles, $384 and 10,000 miles, or $424 and 5,000 miles. And flights between the U.S. and Asia are $470 and 20,000 miles, $580 and 10,000 miles, or $630 and 5,000 miles.

Bookings must be made by December 2, either online at nwa.com or through NWA Reservations at 1-800-44-PERKS. Travel must take place between September 5 and December 20.

:: More

10% Bonus for United Mile Purchases

Through October 31, United is offering a 10% bonus for Purchase, Transfer or Give Miles transactions.

Up to 60,000 miles can be transferred annually to the accounts of other Mileage Plus members, which would generate a bonus of 6,000 miles. The maximum number of miles that can be purchased for a member's own account or as gifts for others is 40,000, resulting in a potential bonus of 4,000 miles.

Registration is required.

:: More

American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

STEALS & DEALS

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) AirTran's Sale Fares from $39 Each Way

AirTran has announced a new systemwide sale for fall and winter travel. Prices start at $39 one-way, and destinations include Atlanta, Boston, Miami, and Orlando.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through February 1, 2007. Book tickets at least 10 days in advance, and by September 19.

:: More

2) JetBlue's 'More the Merrier' Fares from $39 Each Way

JetBlue's new "More the Merrier" promotion offers savings for two or more travelers flying together. Sale fares start at $39 one-way, and destinations include Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New York, and San Juan.

Travel on most routes is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through December 13. Book tickets at least seven days in advance, and by September 14.

:: More

SWEEPS & FREEBIES

Win 1 Million Hilton HHonors Points

Enter the Hilton HHonors and National Car Rental "Five Million Reasons To Book Online" sweepstakes by November 30 for a chance to win one of five grand prizes of one million Hilton HHonors points each.

Sweepstakes entries are awarded for registering and for booking Hilton stays and National car rentals online.

:: More

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

Booking Buddy

READER RANTS & RAVES

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"My husband flew more than one million miles on Pan Am before it went out of business. Is there anyway we can recover the lost miles?" [Annette S.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - When Pan Am shut down in 1991, WorldPass members' miles were transferred to Delta's program. It might be worth a call to Delta, but I very much doubt that anything can be done at this late date, 15 years after the fact.]




"I'd be interested in the experiences of other members of the United program as they compare to mine.

"We have been saving our miles for close to 10 years and now have enough for a free trip to Europe. Unfortunately, our work schedules prevent us from making the trip until next summer. But even a whole year in advance, we've been unable to find award seats on flights that coincide with ability to get away.

"So far we've been trying to book on line. Our next step will be to call the United reservation number, but as you know that will mean a 'surcharge' in order to speak to a real person.

"Overall this has been a most infuriating experience." [Joel R. - Chicago, IL]




Until next week...