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UP FRONT..........................................................
Industry Newsbites (Signs of the Times)
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Adding to its considerable woes, US Airways has been denied the financing it needed to purchase as many as 100 new 50- to 70-seat jets. The smaller aircraft were to play a key role in US Airways' restructuring plan.
On the labor front, negotiations between the company and pilots union have recommenced. But the airline has escalated its demands and the union shows no signs of relenting.
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Stoking the fires of consumer anxiety, Delta's outside auditor, Deloitte & Touche, last week issued a report in which it expressed "substantial doubt" about the carrier's ability to continue as a going concern.
While Delta took steps to address pilots' fears that their pension plan would be scrapped, management and the pilots are still miles apart on the company's demand for $1 billion in salary and benefits concessions.
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Two more airlines have announced new "service fees" for customers who do not make their bookings on the carriers' own websites.
Both America West and ATA will charge a $5 fee for tickets -- including frequent flyer award tickets -- issued through the airlines' reservation centers and a $10 fee for tickets issued at airport and city ticket offices. In both cases, elite frequent flyer program members are exempt from the fees, as are their travel companions traveling on the same itinerary.
At ATA, the fees take effect on Sept. 22 while the America West fees kick in on Oct. 6.
ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Hirider is facing the classic mileage-collector's dilemma: "60,000 miles in Delta and 30,000 in BA Exec Club and about 21,000 in Worldperks." How, he challenges, can these 3 currencies best be combined?
Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Dbuckho is looking for mileage runs to regain United elite status.
In the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, M Wine wonders: "An elderly relative has over 100,000 pts in their AMEX account which they will never use. How may they transfer these points to either an AMEX account or a Continental or Delta account of their adult child?"
And much more... Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Choice Hotels Is New Aeroplan Partner
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Effective Sept. 15, Aeroplan members earn 250 miles per eligible stay at Choice properties in Canada, the U.S. and Caribbean, including Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, and MainStay Suites.
Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels stays earn 250 miles in Canada, 150 miles in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
-> More: https://www.aeroplan.com/en/offers/news_sep142004.jsp
Alaska, Delta Will Link Mileage Programs
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Beginning Nov. 1 (subject to DOT approval), members of Alaska's Mileage Plan will be able to earn and redeem miles for Delta flights, and Delta SkyMiles members will be able to do the same for Alaska and Horizon flights.
The tie-up is part of a larger marketing alliance, which includes code-sharing on selected routes, reciprocal lounge access at some airports, and schedule coordination.
Does that mean that Alaska is a future member of the SkyTeam alliance? And what about Alaska's longstanding relationship with American? Stay tuned.
-> More: http://alaskasworld.com/newsroom/asnews/ASstories/AS_20040916_095057.asp
Hawaii Awards for Fewer AAdvantage Miles
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American is cutting the mileage requirement for MileSAAver coach-class award flights between North America and Hawaii from 35,000 miles to 30,000 miles for travel between Sept. 7 and Nov. 18. The discount applies to travel to/from Hawaii from North America (the continental U.S., Canada, the Caribbean -- including The Bahamas and Bermuda -- or Mexico).
-> More: http://www.aa.com/hotspots
Avis Reprises "Drive Free"
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Avis customers will earn a free weekend rental after 3 qualifying paid rentals between Sept. 7 and Dec. 16. The free weekend certificate can be used for rentals through May 15, 2005.
Customers must have a valid Wizard number to participate. Registration is required, at www.avis.com or through the Avis reservation center 1-800-722-5909.
-> More: http://avis.com
Hong Kong Bonus from Continental
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OnePass members who purchase a Continental Vacations 7-day air and land package to Hong Kong for travel between Sept. 1 and Dec. 12 will earn 9,000 bonus miles.
Packages begin at $970 per person.
-> More: http://covacations.com/promo/hongkong.aspx
Conrad Miami Stays Earn Quadruple Miles
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Qualifying stays at the new Conrad Miami between Sept. 15 and Dec. 31 will earn quadruple miles in the programs of American, Continental, Delta, Global Pass, LAN, Northwest, United or VARIG.
Registration is required.
-> More: http://www.hiltonhhonors.com/conradmiami
Earn Extra WorldPerks Miles with Mileage Connection
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Between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, WorldPerks members can earn up to 60,000 miles from MCI, Nextel, EarthLink and T-Mobile.
As are so many recent Northwest offers, this is complicated. For each of 3 communications partners they sign up for, members earn 10,000 miles -- except for T-Mobile, which only awards 7,000 miles -- plus a progressively larger bonus (10%/50%/100% for the 1st/2nd/3rd offer) from Northwest for each partner.
-> More: http://www.nwa.com/offers/mileageconnection/
Triple Points & Miles from Prime Hospitality
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Between Sept. 20 and Nov. 20, Prime Rewards members will earn triple points and triple miles for stays at AmeriSuites, Wellesley Inn or Prime hotels.
To earn airline miles in addition to points, program members must have registered their frequent flyer numbers in their Prime Rewards member profiles, either online at http://www.prime-rewards.com or by calling Prime Rewards customer service at 1-800-982-6374.
In addition, Prime Hospitality is offering 500 bonus points for every stay booked at the hotels' own websites -- http://amerisuites.com, http://wellesleyonline.com and http://primehotelsandresorts.com.
-> More: http://www.prime-rewards.com/
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Sale Fares on Southwest from $39
Southwest has announced a systemwide sale with fares ranging between $39 and $149 1-way. Destinations include Los Angeles, New Orleans, Providence, and more, and travel is valid from Oct. 3, 2004, through Jan. 14, 2005.
Book tickets online at least 14 days in advance, and by Thursday, Oct. 21.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7330
2) JetBlue Offers Free Companion Flights on Select Routes
JetBlue is offering a "Free Friend Fare" promotion for flights between Washington, D.C. (Dulles) and Long Beach, Oakland, and Sacramento. Travel is valid through Nov. 15.
To take advantage of the promotion, travelers must travel together on the same flights and dates. For every 2 fares purchased, travelers will receive 2 free companion fares.
Book fares at least 7 days in advance, and by Friday, Oct. 8.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7328
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Marriott's Millions Sweepstakes
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This is the richest sweepstakes in recent memory. There's just 1 prize, but it's huge: 2 million Marriott Rewards points plus 2 million airline miles (choice of American, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest or United) plus $5,000 in Hertz gift certificates redeemable for Hertz rental cars.
To enter, fill out the online form by Dec. 31 (link below).
-> More: http://www.vacationclub.com/sweeps/ccc/default.asp
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"Here we go!
"United is now offering charter membership to their most valued travelers and inviting them to join Ameniti for a yearly fee of $295. It advertises to be a 'NEW' travel club and reward us with 'exclusive benefits as a Charter Member.' My question has been what happened to the 'Silver Wings Plus' program that offer us seniors a 'one time fee for life.' Will this program go by the wayside in another chapter 11 bankruptcy?" (AJ)
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[In response to Al's note in last week's crier regarding the new ticketing fees...]
"The reality is that the fees are being instituted because the airlines need help. My opinion is that the airlines will be very happy when they get no revenue from the fees, and all of the reservations costs have minimized due to a shift to online or agency bookings. ie the fees aren't being instituted to generate revenue, but as an enabler to cutting costs: they encourage customers to shift to the lower-cost booking channels." (Glenn)
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"After many years of enduring US Air's high prices and mediocre service, I'm the proud owner of more than 250,000 miles in their program. Guess I've been in denial concerning their future, or lack thereof. But the latest Ch. 11 filing and the rather negative press reports have me convinced they won't be around for much longer.
"Any suggestions?" (Samuel in Pittsburgh, PA)
[Editor's Note - The consensus among analysts is that US Airways has somewhat less than a 50-50 chance of surviving long term. For a discussion of your options, see http://frequentflier.com/bankruptcy.htm .]
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If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
Until next week...
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