Issue #13 -- September 17, 1998
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Northwest, Air Canada Settle Strikes, Resume Operations
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The showdowns between management and labor at both Northwest and Air Canada are over. And travelers, who were effectively held hostage by the disputes, can look forward (or not) to business as usual.
Northwest plans to be back at pre-strike schedules by Monday, September 21. For Air Canada, the target date for full operations is Thursday, September 17.
>> Ticket Policies <<
Effective immediately, passengers holding unused Northwest tickets for travel on or after August 1, 1998, may rebook their flights without paying any rebooking fees. To take advantage of this offer, passengers must rebook between Thursday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 30, for any future travel. Other restrictions may still apply. To make reservations or to rebook a flight, contact a travel agent or Northwest reservations at 1-800-225-2525.
For holders of Air Canada restricted tickets for travel between September 2 and Tuesday September 15 only, fees for changes have been waived. These customers may reschedule their travel until December 15, 1998. In addition, vouchers for future travel or full refunds will be offered, and can be requested until December 15, 1998. To rebook a flight, obtain a refund, or reinstate Aeroplan miles, call one of the following toll-free numbers: 1-888-205-4444 for Aeroplan reward tickets, or 1-888-637-8411 for any other tickets.
>> Post-Strike Bonuses, Discounts <<
In their respective efforts to woo back customers, who in many cases were displaced and disgruntled, Northwest and Air Canada are offering bonus miles and discounts.
~ At Northwest, Bonus Miles
Effective with the resumption of service, passengers traveling on Northwest Airlines through October 31 are eligible for WorldPerks bonus miles. Passengers with first class or business class tickets will receive triple WorldPerks bonus miles. Passengers traveling in coach class will receive double WorldPerks miles. In addition, all WorldPerks miles originally scheduled to expire at the end of 1998 have been extended for one year. For information about your WorldPerks account, contact the WorldPerks Service Center at 1-800-44PERKS.
~ At Air Canada, Discounts
Air Canada, for its part, is offering a "Welcome Back Sale," with savings up to 70 percent for customers flying within North America, if they return before September 30, 1998. The sale continues until September 21, 1998, for travel beginning as early as September 16.
In addition, Air Canada is offering savings of up to 60 percent for 160 destinations worldwide for travel beginning as early as September 21, 1998, and ending as late as January 9, 1999, depending on the destination.
Following are highlights of Air Canada's worldwide "Welcome Back Sale" for travel between September 21 and January 9, 1999. Customers traveling between September 16-30 can save even more for destinations in North America. Fares are round trip, exclusive of tax:
L.A. to: Toronto $206 San Francisco to: Toronto $206
Montreal $206 Halifax $275
Calgary $ 68 Vancouver $ 68
Houston to: Toronto $206 New York to: Toronto $ 89
Montreal $206 Ottawa $ 89
Calgary $275 Vancouver $206
Chicago to: Toronto $137 Washington to: Toronto $ 89
Montreal $137 Montreal $ 89
Halifax $206 Vancouver $206
Charlotte to: Toronto $137 Pittsburgh to: Toronto $ 89
Halifax $206 Calgary $206
Boston to: Toronto $ 89 St. Louis to: Montreal $137
Halifax $ 68 Halifax $206
Atlanta to: Toronto $137 Phoenix to: Toronto $206
Vancouver $275 Halifax $275
Denver to: Toronto $206 Nashville to: Toronto $137
Halifax $275 Calgary $275
Miami to: Toronto $206 Cleveland to: Toronto $ 89
Vancouver $344 Calgary $206
Sale fares are also available to other Canadian and international destinations, and are available for sale through travel agents or Air Canada reservations.
>> More <<
o Northwest flight updates
o The Northwest reservation line in the United States and Canada 1-800-225-2525.
o Air Canada's website
o For reservations, call 1-800-776-3000. For Flight Arrival & Departure Information, call (English): 1-800-488-1800, (French): 1-800-488-1900.
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Fall Airfare Sales
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It's Fall. Which means loads are lighter. Which means airlines are hungrier. Which means airfares are (or will be) lower.
American Airlines, for one, has begun the Fall sale season with the following (quoted from their website):
"Save up to 25% with our Spectacular September Fares, ranging from $60 to $629 round-trip!
"These special low fares make now the perfect time to plan a romantic weekend, a relaxing beach vacation, or a memorable visit with family and friends.
"Fares are available for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from September 30, 1998, through Wednesday, January 27, 1999. Other travel dates may be available at an additional cost.
"Tickets must be purchased 14 days in advance. Fares are valid for travel throughout the continental U.S. and select Canadian destinations.
"Make Reservations online for travel on American Airlines and American Eagle using our secure and convenient Travel Planning feature. When you book online and complete travel by December 31, 1998, you can earn up to 1,000 bonus AAdvantage miles."
You can expect American's competitors to match or better their sale fares, so be on the lookout for comparable pricing initiatives from your airline-of-choice.
>> More <<
American's website
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Canadian Airlines' Mileage Bonuses
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Canadian Airlines passengers will earn a triple-mileage bonus when they fly between September 14 and September 30, 1998.
In addition, passengers who take three or more qualifying trips between September 1 and November 30, 1998, earn a free 15,000-mile bonus. (Please note that this start date is retroactive.)
Both these bonus-mileage offers are valid on Canadian Airlines' regional partners, as well as American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas Airways.
Visit Canadian's website for restrictions, terms and conditions.
>> More <<
Canadian Airlines' website
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Cathay Pacific Goes into Promotion Overdrive
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Always-aggressive Cathay Pacific is even more so these days as it tries to dig itself out of the economic hole of Asian recession. As often happens, bad times for airlines translate into good deals for consumers.
~ "Fly to Win"
Cathay Pacific this week announced the launch of "Fly to Win," a new global promotion that includes a giveaway of 3,500 air tickets and four new Volvo automobiles to passengers flying into Hong Kong during October and November. The promotion aims to raise awareness of the facilities at the new Hong Kong airport and advance Hong Kong's role as Asia's "Super Hub," offering convenient flight connections throughout the region.
The promotion extends from October 1, 1998 to November 30, 1998. During that period, Cathay Pacific will give away one economy class roundtrip ticket on every one of the airline's flights landing at Hong Kong, excluding those from Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. Rules differ according to the entrant's country of residence.
In the United States, one winner of an economy class roundtrip ticket certificate will be randomly drawn from passengers onboard each aircraft from a U.S. gateway along with mailed entries received by published deadlines. All promotion entrants will also have the chance to win one of four automobiles (Volvo S80, C70, V40 and S40) which will be given away in random drawings conducted at various intervals throughout the promotion.
Rules and regulations concerning U.S. resident participation may be found on Cathay Pacific's website (below). Residents of Florida, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin are not eligible. The promotion is void where prohibited by law. No purchase is necessary. See promotion rules for alternative entry requirements. Certificates may be redeemed for an Economy Class roundtrip ticket to Hong Kong from the Cathay Pacific gateway city closest to the winner's residence.
~ Cathay AAdvantage Miles
Beginning October 1, 1998, AAdvantage miles earned for Cathay transpacific flights to Asia, and qualifying flights within Asia, will be applied toward elite status in the American Airlines AAdvantage program. This is a real plus for AAdvantage members, since one round-trip to Hong Kong lands you halfway to AAdvantage Gold status.
Qualifying flights include those from North America to Hong Kong and beyond Hong Kong to selected destinations in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East.
Cathay Pacific awards AAdvantage miles for qualifying flights in its business and first class cabins. AAdvantage members earn 125 percent of miles flown in business class and 150 percent of miles flown in first class.
~ New Cathay Flights
Also new from Cathay is its 1998 winter schedule, featuring increased service to North America.
The highlight of the new winter schedule is the introduction of Cathay's new daily nonstop service between San Francisco and Hong Kong, beginning December 1. San Francisco will be Cathay's fifth passenger destination in North America, joining Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Vancouver. The new service brings to 49 the total number of weekly passenger flights to North America. Cathay Pacific also serves Chicago with all-cargo aircraft.
>> More <<
o "Fly to Win" information
o For more information or to make reservations, visit your local travel agent or call Cathay Pacific Airways' reservations office, Mondays through Saturdays, at 1-800-233-2742.
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Rewards for Preview Travel Bookings
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Online travel provider Preview Travel is partnering with Netcentives Inc., a provider of incentive, promotions and loyalty solutions for e-commerce, to reward Preview customers with ClickMiles when purchasing travel services from the site. ClickMiles are the "currency" of the ClickRewards program, which can be converted into frequent flyer miles from seven major airlines.
According to Preview: "We chose ClickRewards because of its powerful promotional currency. We have a number of initiatives to convert shoppers to buyers, and our research indicates that frequent flyer miles are a compelling incentive -- and one in high demand by our customer base of leisure and small business travelers."
Preview will provide its customers with a minimum of one ClickRewards offer at all times. Promotional opportunities will vary, and may include site-wide offers and special promotions that reward frequent purchasers. Preview Travel subscribers may register free for a ClickRewards membership directly at the Preview Travel website (see below).
Launched in late March of this year, ClickRewards has more than 350,000 members, with 20,000 new members signing on each week. Preview Travel joins the ClickRewards network of online shopping sites, which includes 800-FLOWERS, barnesandnoble.com, garden.com by Garden Escape, N2K's Music Boulevard Network, The Microsoft Plaza, OfficeMax, Red Herring, SkyMall, TechShopper and Yahoo! Membership in ClickRewards is free.
>> More <<
o Preview Travel
o ClickRewards
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Discounts for Dinners
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Beginning this week, customers of Boston Market restaurants nationwide can earn up to $100 off on roundtrip travel on TWA within the Continental U.S. and to Canada.
The Boston Market "Ticket to Savings" promotion runs through October 25, 1998, with savings on travel through June 15, 1999.
Boston Market customers will receive a Travel Award Card, which will be punched once for each meal purchased between now and October 25. After nine punches, which represent nine meals purchased, the card can be redeemed at any participating Boston Market restaurant for one TWA Travel Certificate. The Travel Certificate can then be used for:
- $30 off the purchase of a roundtrip TWA domestic airline ticket of $150 to $249, or
- $60 off the purchase of a roundtrip TWA domestic airline ticket of $250 to $349, or
- $80 off the purchase of a roundtrip TWA domestic airline ticket of $350 to $449, or
- $100 off the purchase of a roundtrip TWA domestic airline ticket of $450 or more
($30 maximum discount for travel originating in St. Louis, Missouri)
There are no limits to the number of TWA Travel Certificates a customer can collect through October 25, as long as supplies last.
Cards must be punched and redeemed for a TWA Travel Certificate by October 25, 1998. TWA Travel Certificates can be used for flights within the Continental U.S. and to Toronto, Canada through June 15, 1999. The Boston Market travel promotion is co-sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.
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America West... No Raves Here
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My policy on trip reports is simply this: only mention those trips which were particularly good, or particularly bad. The "meets expectations" trips go unmentioned. Rants or raves, in other words, and nothing in between.
This past week I had a particularly bad experience with America West. Details herewith:
- Of four America West flights, three were delayed, one was cancelled altogether. Weather? Mechanical problems? Labor slowdowns? I don't know. And the America West airport personnel weren't saying.
- To add insult and injury to injury and insult, after all the waiting, gate changes and other frustrations, when the planes finally reached cruising altitude, we (hungry, hapless passengers) were served the stingiest of "snacks." If memory serves, even Southwest serves full 12-ounce cans of the-beverage-of-your-choice. The best America West could muster was a small glass, mostly ice, with a small bag of over-salted peanuts.
Interestingly, America West's news releases routinely make the following claim: "For the second consecutive year, America West was ranked the number one carrier in customer satisfaction for short flights in the Frequent Flyer magazine/J.D. Power and Associates Airline Customer Satisfaction Study-U.S. Flights." There's a promise implicit in that claim, a promise which the company seems unable to deliver upon. SO, STOP MAKING THE PROMISE.
- On the four flights, three different aircraft types were used: B737, B757 and Airbus A320. While this may be of little direct concern to most flyers, a hodgepodge aircraft mix is evidence of questionable fleet planning. Which, in context, appears to be yet another area in which the company is lacking.
Donning my consultant's hat, I'd venture the following recommendation: Try to do SOMETHING right. If the pilots and mechanics are sabotaging flights (as has been suggested by several travel-industry acquaintances), try to offset the inconvenience by upping the level of inflight service. Give out a few free-drink coupons. Send delayed passengers to the lounge. Upgrades. Frequent flyer bonus miles.
>> More <<
America West Airlines' website
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America West Offers Miles of Hope
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America West this week announced a program allowing the airline's frequent flyers to help make others' dreams and hopes come true. Through America West's Miles of Hope program, the airline is giving its FlightFund members the opportunity to donate FlightFund miles to charities.
Beginning October 1, 1998, FlightFund members can contribute to the Miles of Hope program in 5,000-mile increments by donating valid FlightFund certificates or through automatic deductions from their accounts.
Charities involved in the Miles of Hope program include:
- Mercy Medical Airlift, providing medical air transport for financially needy, critically ill patients.
- The Make-a-Wish Foundation, fulfilling wishes for terminally ill children.
- The National Runaway Switchboard, reuniting youths in crisis with their families.
- The American Red Cross, transporting volunteers assisting with disaster relief.
>> Rave <<
This is win-win-win. Charitable organizations are assisted with their travel needs. Socially conscious FlightFund members get a righteous option for burning off their miles. And America West gets bragging rights for getting with the program.
>> Rant(s) <<
o Other airlines have offered such charitable options for years (so America West is at best playing catch-up).
o Other airlines typically match the miles donated by their members (so America West's version is on the stingy end of the corporate munificence spectrum).
o As my mother always said: "If it's not worth doing right, it's not worth doing."
>> More <<
o More on other airlines' charitable programs
o America West's site
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ANA Will Fly San Francisco-Tokyo Daily
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All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest domestic airline, will begin nonstop service between San Francisco and Tokyo beginning December 1. Flights will operate daily, with B747-400 aircraft.
Look for details of ANA's new frequent flyer program partnerships in the coming weeks.
>> More <<
ANA's website
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Japanese Airlines to Go Smokeless
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Japan has been one of the last bastions of inflight smoking, as anyone who has traveled internationally on JAL or ANA knows. But the airlines have finally caught up with healthier thinking, despite the clout of the local tobacco lobby. Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have announced that both will ban smoking on all international flights early next year. ANA would make the change from March 28 and JAL will follow on April 1. However, Japan Air System will continue to allow smoking on international flights for the time being, as its main international flights to China and South Korea carried a large proportion of smokers, airline officials said.
The combined moves to cut out smoking by the two top airlines would bring the proportion of non-smoking seats on flights by all airlines departing Japan to 80 per cent, industry analysts said. This has raised the ire of the Japan Tobacco Inc, which said it plans to protest the ban. The industry group has demanded that the two top Japanese carriers retain smoking seats on international flights, notwithstanding the health hazards of second-hand smoke.
>> More <<
o JAL's website
o ANA's website
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PAL Down and Out
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Philippine Airlines, the Philippines' only major carrier, has discontinued operations. The airline has been embroiled in labor disputes throughout the summer. Differences between the company and its unions finally proved irreconcilable.
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