Tim's Mileage Blog

We'll have an announcement in the coming weeks about the newly expanded relationship between FrequentFlier.com and SmarterTravel.com.

For now, we're pleased to be able to provide readers of this newsletter with a link to the SmarterTravel blog entries of Tim Winship, editor of the FrequentFlier Crier and a longtime contributor to SmarterTravel.

The Crier has featured SmarterTravel's "Deal Alerts" for many years, and there will be more content sharing in the future.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, not2frequent is facing a missing miles dilemma: "Has anyone had luck getting missing miles credited without having a boarding pass? My daughter and I took a trip to Australia back in April on Qantas, and we were told we could get credit on our U.S. airlines (US Air and American). We provided the FF numbers to Qantas - I know they were recorded because they printed on the boarding passes. The miles never showed up, Qantas doesn't want to do anything about it, and (like an idiot) I didn't save our boarding passes. I figure I'm out of luck but if anyone can provide suggestions I'd appreciate it. It would be about 14k miles for each of us so I'm understandably upset."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Max Bialystock shares his observations on flying Cebu Pacific, including tips on getting the best ticket prices.

Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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American Reprises Discounted Short-Haul Awards

As reported in July, American is again offering its Short-Hop awards, allowing AAdvantage members to book roundtrip awards on routes under 750 miles each way for 15,000 miles, a savings of 10,000 miles over the normal 25,000-mile price.

The discounted prices are available for award travel between September 1, 2007, and February 29, 2008, on nonstop flights operated by American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection carriers.

Among the routes which would qualify for the discount: Dallas/Fort Worth-Denver, Chicago-Atlanta, Chicago-New York, Miami-New Orleans, Los Angeles-San Francisco, and Boston-Raleigh/Durham.

This is a welcome move, and a sensible one as well. And it raises the question: Why not apply a similar short-haul discount for first-class awards, or for unrestricted awards?

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Earn More AAdvantage Miles for Dining

Through October 31, AAdvantage members participating in AAdvantage Dining can earn five bonus miles for every $1 spent on qualified dines, up to a maximum of 2,500 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

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From JetBlue: Bonus Points and a Rebate

JetBlue's latest promotion features both bonus points and cash back.

TrueBlue members who book a roundtrip JetBlue flight by September 18 and complete travel by November 15 will earn 20 bonus TrueBlue points plus a $50 voucher for a future JetBlue ticket.

The $50 voucher is redeemable for travel on JetBlue between December 1, 2007, and February 13, 2008.

This is a good deal if the JetBlue ticket price is competitive. But do compare other airlines' prices: JetBlue isn't always the price leader they'd like consumers to think they are.

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Omni Hotels Triples the Miles

Between September 4 and November 16, members of Omni Select Guest members can earn triple miles for the second and subsequent stays when paying business rates at Omni hotels.

The bonus may be earned for a maximum of six stays during the promotion period.

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Priority Club Offers Triple Points & More

Between September 17 and December 15, Priority Club Rewards members will earn triple points on the second and subsequent qualifying stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Express by Holiday Inn hotels.

At Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites, Priority Club members earn triple points beginning with the first qualifying stay.

If the bookings are made online, members earn quadruple points.

And if that online booking is charged to a Visa card, the member will earn an additional 2,000 bonus points.

Miles collectors will receive triple miles or points, but the additional 2,000 Visa Online Bonus will only be awarded in points.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Germany Fall Sale Fares on LTU from $348

Flights to Germany are on sale from LTU. Fares start at $348 roundtrip, and destinations include Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

Travel is valid from September 11 through November 30. LTU has not listed a booking deadline.

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2) New York Sale Fares on Delta from $158

Flights between New York and cities in the South are on sale from Delta. Fares start at $158 roundtrip for travel through mid-November.

Travel is valid from September 11 through November 15. Book by September 24, 11:59 PM ET.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Lake Tahoe

Enter Harrah's "Push Your Luck" sweepstakes by October 29 for a chance to win a trip for two to Harrah's Lake Tahoe, including air and two nights' accommodation. Other prizes include trips to Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, Harrah's New Orleans, and Harrah's St. Louis.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I am a holder of credit cards that earn points for American, Continental, Delta and Southwest. I have switched to using the Southwest card for most transactions for the following reasons: (1) Southwest makes flights available reasonably when you want them (95%+ of the time), (2) Credit card charges count for companion ticket status, (3) No Cancellation penalties or reinstatement fees. The downside is the short, one year, expiration. Southwest has obviously figured out that credit card point/mile revenues ADD TO THE BOTTOM LINE!!! Boo to the other guys that see it as an opportunity to bait travelers and only give out the most unfavorable flights that nobody wants anyway.

"And, oh yeah, I still use those other cards when they give you double miles for certain transactions." [Mark C. - Houston TX]

"When I want drama, I prefer to read a good book or watch a movie, not live the drama booking my flights.

"Being a Southwest frequent flier, I have learned to enjoy their simplicity. When I went to book my United flight to Hayden/ Steamboat Springs, CO via Denver from O'Hare, I wanted to have an Economy Plus seat so that I would get enough leg room and not suffer a work related injury to my knees. I booked the flights online, but had to go through the drama of waiting until 24 hours before my flight, check in through the web site, select upgrade, reject a first class upgrade, and finally purchase in another transaction requiring me to enter my credit card information for the Economy Plus seat. Since I had to fly from Denver to Philadelphia, work for a day and fly home to O'Hare, I got to play this game two more times. What I would have preferred to do is, select Economy Plus seating one time for every flight where it is an option and pay for the whole bunch of flights in one transaction and have one receipt to file on my expense account like AirTran does instead of four separate receipts." [Steve S.]

"I do so agree with you both! The bus station method is the only thing I detest about Southwest! That and the fact that since most- unless you are on a coast-flights originate elsewhere, the good seats are always taken even if you are first in the A line." [Rich - St. Louis, MO]

"Oh, I couldn't agree more [with Watson's comments regarding Southwest]!! But if only it existed outside of Singapore Airlines! Do you have any experience with the new business-only airlines that have started flying to Europe these days? If so, do you get the feeling that the paradigm is more like the 'old' one? Or JetBlue or Virgin America (which, unfortunately I've yet to fly)?" [Sean P.- Davis, CA]

[FrequentFlier.com responds - The new business-class-only carriers are a hybrid, combining the comfort and amenities of the legacy airlines with the aggressive pricing of the discounters. But even with their scaled back fares, ticket prices are too expensive for most travelers. Here's an idea: an airline which offers only premium coach seating -- featuring seat pitch of 35-36 inches, versus the industry standard 31-32 inches -- with prices set slightly higher than average coach fares. Save me a seat.]

"I recently flew on Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to JFK, business class. The meals served were obviously contaminated, as I got sick on board. The crew filed a report and I wrote a letter to their head office in Hong Kong with regards to the food poisoning. "Despite acknowledging the problem, Airline refuses to issue any compensation. Cathay has gone from bad to worse in food & overall service. Avoid at all costs, specially for your health!" [Joe B.]

Until next week...