UPDATE - Donate Cash, Miles and Points to Hurricane Relief Efforts

As we noted in last week's issue, if ever there were a good time to mix charitable instincts with frequent flyer program participation, this is it.

Over the past week, we've added several new items to the list of donation opportunities available to members of various airline and hotel programs. Among them: charitable options for members of the Choice Hotels and Southwest Airlines programs.

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This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites

To no one's great surprise, both Delta and Northwest declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy today, after the close of the U.S. equity markets.

For members of their frequent flyer programs, there's no cause for immediate concern. US Airways is in its second bankruptcy and United has been in Chapter 11 for almost three years. In neither case were members of those programs affected negatively by the bankruptcies.

It's too soon to handicap either Delta or Northwest's chances of survival long term. That will depend on a combination of factors, some beyond their control (including the price of oil), and others very much their own responsibility (their reorganization plans).

We'll be carefully monitoring developments in both realms in the months ahead.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, goincrazy speaks for many jittery Delta partisans: "FOX News is reporting today that Delta could file for Chapter 11 as early as this week. What does this mean to those of us with FF miles?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, new Forum member Tradernick posts the following query: "I'm wondering about how to accumulate miles without flying... i.e. trading, buying them outright, etc. How do you guys get your miles? Is there a network of folks who trade or barter these back and forth? Are most programs ok with this?"

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

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Alaska Discounts Winter Award Travel

Mileage Plan members can redeem 7,000 fewer miles for saver coach awards booked online for travel between any Alaska or Horizon destinations in Canada, Oregon, Texas or Washington.

With the discount, awards cost 13,000 miles. Travel must take place between Sept. 13 and Dec. 13. Blackout dates apply.

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Double AAdvantage Miles for JAL Hotel Stays

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 29, AAdvantage members will earn double miles at JAL Hotels -- 1,000 miles for stays at Nikko Hotels and 400 miles per stay at Hotel JAL City.

Eligible rates: "Passport Promotion" or rack rates.

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America West, US Air Move Toward Merger

So far this week, America West shareholders and US Airways' creditors have both approved the merger between the two carriers. That puts the tie-up on track to be completed as soon as the end of this month.

That's a merger on paper. In the real world, integrating operations will take longer.

Ultimately, members of the two airlines' mileage programs will find themselves members of the same program, to be called Dividend Miles, at which time miles previously earned in either program will be combined into a single account in the new Dividend Miles program.

In the interim, beginning on a date yet to be announced, members of the current Dividend Miles program will be able to earn miles (which qualify for elite status) and redeem them for America West flights; and FlightFund members will be able to do the same on US Air flights.

In a not-so-subtle dig at Southwest and JetBlue's unfriendly mileage-expiration policies, the announcement stressed that, as is currently the case, miles in the new program won't expire as long as there is account activity.

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From Avis: "Drive Free III"

Through Dec. 15, Avis Wizard members who rent three times will earn a certificate for a free weekend rental. There's a two-day minimum on qualifying rentals.

Registration is required.

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Continental Offers Bonuses for Online Bookings, Check-In

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, OnePass members will 500 bonus miles for tickets booked on continental.com, up to a maximum of 1,500 bonus miles.

Also through Dec. 31, Continental is giving away a complimentary inflight headset coupon each time customers use continental.com to check in for outbound and return flights.

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Continental Doubles the Miles for FL Flights

Between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15, OnePass members will earn double miles for Continental flights between New York/Newark and Florida.

Registration is required.

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3 AmeriSuites Stays = I Free Night

Through Dec. 15, Hyatt Gold Passport members will earn a 1,000-point bonus for each of their three qualifying AmeriSuites stays, redeemable for one free night at any AmeriSuite hotel.

Registration is required.

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Marriott Doubles the Points

Between Oct. 1, 2005 and Jan. 31, 2006, Marriott Rewards members will earn double points for the second and all subsequent stays charged to a Visa card.

Registration is required.

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From Northwest: Another Xtreme Promotion

Northwest, it would seem, aspires to launch the world's most convoluted promotion. Their latest is certainly a contender for the title.

Through Jan. 31, 2006, WorldPerks members can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles by... well, it's complicated. Here's the quick take:

• 1) Register before earning qualifying points, and by Dec. 31.
• 2) Earn points for selected transactions through Jan. 31, 2006. E.g.: 50 points are awarded for a roundtrip flight using an unrestricted ticket; five points for checking in at nwa.com; five points for a hotel stay; and so on.
• 3) After the promotion period, the points will be converted into bonus miles (see the conversion table on NW's site).

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Radisson Offers New Bedding Bonus

Between Sept. 12, 2005 and Jan. 31, 2006, goldpoints plus members will earn 1,000 bonus points per stay when requesting a Sleep Number bed (adjustable mattress, down pillows, luxury linens) at participating Radisson hotels.

Refer to promotion code 8A4 at check-in to receive the 1,000 bonus Gold Points.

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Get a Palm Treo from United

Through Dec. 31, United Mileage Plus members can get a free Palm Treo 650 Smartphone -- a combination phone, organizer, camera and MP3 player -- by 1) purchasing a ticket costing $500 or more on United, United Express or Ted, and 2) activating a two-year Cingular Wireless service plan.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Worldwide Sale Fares on British Airways from $278

Cities in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are on sale with British Airways' worldwide offer. Prices start at $278 roundtrip for travel this fall and winter.

Although British Airways only lists departures from New York, departures from British Airways' other U.S. gateways are available at higher prices. Travel on most routes is valid Mondays through Wednesdays from Oct. 27 through Dec. 15, and from Dec. 24 through Apr. 3. Book tickets by Sept. 22. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 11 months.

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2) Florida Sale Fares on American from $118

Flights to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach are on sale with American's current offer. Prices start at $118 roundtrip for travel through the middle of December.

Travel is valid daily through Dec. 14. Book tickets at least seven days in advance, and by Sept. 16.

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Win a Trip for 2 to See a Broadway Show

Enter the Broadway Giveaway sweepstakes by Sept. 18 for a chance to win a trip for two to New York, including airfare and hotel, plus tickets to a Broadway show.

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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"My wife and I have alot of Delta FF miles.

"Should we try and book seats now or risk losing the miles?" [Dr. P. W.]

[FrequentFlier.com responds: A Chapter 11 filing will have no effect on Delta's (or Northwest's) mileage program. Members will be able to continue earning and redeeming miles as usual, as has been the case with both US Airways and United throughout both their stays in bankruptcy.

Where miles might be lost is in the event of outright liquidation. But that wouldn't happen anytime soon; and it isn't likely to happen at all. For more on past airline bankruptcies and liquidations, and their effects on mileage-program participants, see this article on FrequentFlier.com.]

"Everywhere you look you see the "Peter Principle" in motion. My dad told me, as a young man, that people rise to their "level of incompetence" (the PP). He's so right. They promote dolts in so many businesses, simply because they have been there so long, and the actual responsibility load goes down once up the corporate ladder to a certain point (don't do it - delegate it). So the incompetent moves up, while the hard workers are kept down the ladder (else, who will do the actual work?).

"I have over a million miles on NWA and a bunch on Delta, Horizon, and Alaska. They all look the same to me. I have flown Southwest (the "cattle call" airlines - MOOOOO) and find their idea to fill planes up sure works, mostly with "amateurs" who have no concept of travel for a living. Oh well. Anyway, I have the background.

"All of them don't get it...NWA should go through their offices and try the same idea there. (I have proposed this to them in writing and got no response) I said that everyone with a title containing VP or President in it, well, cut 53% of them out (fire them) and then make the rest have a 26% cut in pay with no hope of bonus or raise for at least 3 years. That's basically what they are trying to do to the mechanics, who, lets face it, have the front-line responsibility of everyone's lives in their hands. NWA has over 70 VP's of something or other alone. Bet they'd save a boatload of money if they only had 34 of them (why do they need THAT many?).

"Its easy to see the misguided are trying to guide. Unfortunately, with a flashlight and both hands, they still can't find their own a**.

"I doubt you will print this in your newsletter... but feel free. I am giving you permission to use it publicly... no problem... in reality, my job (as a consultant) wouldn't exist if these dumbos weren't trying to run companies, so, in some ways I am happy the Peter Principle is alive and well in America... you can see it everyday on the news. GW runs this country? Scary thought (luckily for all of us he delegates most of his job)." [Kevin D. - travels for job domestically about 40 - 42 weeks out of every year]

Until next week...