U P F R O N T
Shaddup & Watch the Movie
============================
The world's largest airline giveth... and it taketh away.
On the latter score, USA Today reports that American is scaling back hotel and meal reimbursements generally offered to stranded passengers. Also under the budget ax: compensation offered to travelers who give up their seats on overbooked flights. (The story rightly chides American for undermining the spirit of the much discussed but never instituted Passenger Bill of Rights, an initiative which Congress should revisit.)
Once onboard, beginning Nov. 1, you'll be treated to free movies on all routes, in all classes of service. Bring your own headset, or pay $2 to purchase one.
In a nutshell: more generosity when it comes to travelers' wants, and less when it comes to their needs. Misplaced priorities?
What's Your Personality, Mileage-Wise?
============================
Are you a Stasher, a Sherlock, a Shepherd, or...?
Based on proprietary research conducted on their behalf, Priority Club Worldwide has created an online self-analysis survey which will identify your personal style of loyalty-program participation and suggest ways of making the most of that approach.
The survey makes me out to be a Swinger, in case you wondered, which among other things means I'm "a bit of a loyalty connoisseur." Got that right!
> More...
Industry Newsbites
============================
# Continental chief Gordon Bethune will appear on PBS's Wall Street Week on Friday, Sept. 27. The show airs at 8:30 p.m. in Los Angeles. Check listings for local airtimes elsewhere.
# You've probably heard that Southwest's market capitalization (share price x number of shares outstanding) has lately surpassed the combined market cap of the 6 largest U.S. airlines. From across the pond, the Guardian reports that the market cap of EasyJet now exceeds that of British Airways. EasyJet, the story points out, is headquartered in a corrugated iron shed and operates a 62-plane fleet over a network of fewer than 35 destinations. BA, a major player throughout the history of commercial aviation and the self-proclaimed "world's favorite airline," flies 247 planes to 216 destinations.
B-A-A-A-A-D D O G G I E
In the Doghouse: Continental (Again)
==========================
We relegated Continental to the doghouse in last week's issue for their failure to give OnePass members at least 6 months' notice of upcoming negative program changes, viz. new restrictions on upgradeable fares and increased fees for issuing and changing award tickets and for redepositing miles in members' accounts.
The changes were posted to Continental's website on Sept. 18, with an effect date of Jan. 1. That's 3.5 months' advance notice.
To add insult to injury, it wasn't until 2 days later, in its Sept. 20 OnePass mileage statement, that Continental actually broadcast the announcement to OnePass members. That e-mail included the following:
"See OnePass Program changes for 2003 here."
That's it. One unassuming sentence. With a link so long it is almost guaranteed to break in most e-mail clients. And no indication whatever of the nature of the changes, or whether they're positive or negative. Is that a good-faith effort to bring the changes to members' attention? The Big Dog says "Woof" (translation: NO).
> More...
M I L E S & P O I N T S
AAdvantage Bonus for Europe, Japan Flights
====================================================
Between Oct. 15 and Mar. 31, 2003, AAdvantage members can earn up to 60,000 bonus miles when flying American between the U.S. and Europe or Japan.
Earn 15,000 miles in first (A, F, and P), business (D, I, and J), or unrestricted economy (Y and B) classes after the first roundtrip, 15,000 more miles after the second roundtrip, and 30,000 additional miles after the third roundtrip. That's a cumulative total of 60,000 bonus miles for 3 roundtrips.
Registration is required, using promo code JPNUS for Japan flights, and EURY4 for Europe flights.
> More...
Delta Offers Bonus for Online Check-In
===========================
Through Dec. 31, SkyMiles members will earn 1,000 bonus miles the first time they check in and print a boarding pass at delta.com.
Online check-in through delta.com is available for all U.S.-operated Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Express flights between 6 hours and 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
Delta Brings Back Refer-a-Friend Bonus
====================================
Through Nov. 15, SkyMiles members will receive 500 bonus miles for referring friends to the program. Refer up to 5 friends, for a total of 2,500 miles.
When they activate their new memberships by flying Delta or other SkyMiles transaction, the new members will receive 1,000 bonus miles.
> More...
New Gold Passport Members Earn Bonus Miles
================================================
New Hyatt Gold Passport members will earn 1,000 bonus miles in participating airline programs (1 Rapid Rewards bonus credit) for every night stayed at a Hyatt through Nov. 30.
You must enroll in Gold Passport online at http://www.goldpassport.com/thousands, or by calling 1-800-30-HYATT and requesting offer code FALL1K.
To receive the bonus, provide both your Gold Passport and frequent flyer number at time of check-in, and choose to receive miles for your stay.
Marriott Reprises "Take 2" Promotion
===================================
Marriott Rewards members who make 3 qualifying Marriott hotel stays from Oct. 14 through Jan. 31, 2003, will receive 2 free weekend nights plus elite status in the program. The 2 free weekend nights may be redeemed separately or consecutively any Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday through June 30, 2003.
Register for the Marriott Rewards Take 2 offer online here, or by calling 1-888-MARRIOTT (627-7468).
> More...
From Northwest: Dialing for Miles
==================================
WorldPerks members who sign up for any 2 featured offers from Nextel, AT&T Worldnet Service or EarthLink between Sept. 24 and Dec. 31 will earn 2,500 bonus miles, in addition to as many as 10,000 additional bonus miles offered by each service provider.
> More...
Southwest Extends Double-Credit Offer
==========================================
Southwest's Rapid Rewards members will continue receiving double credit for tickets booked at Southwest's website and flown through Apr. 4, 2003. The promotion was originally scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2002.
With double credits, a free award ticket is earned after 4 roundtrips. Remember, though, that Rapid Rewards credits expire after only 12 months.
> More...
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
=================================
This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
Fly to London, Paris, and other European cities from $248 R/T
-------------------------------
Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, or see the lights of Paris reflecting off the Seine, with United's sale fares to Europe for travel this fall. Travel is permitted between Oct. 16 and Dec. 12. Book tickets online only and by Thursday, Oct. 3.
> More...
Web-only savings in the East and Midwest from $88 R/T
--------------------------------
Get out of town this fall or winter with sale fares on AirTran and US Airways to/from cities in the East and Midwest, or on Delta to/from Atlanta. Travel is permitted through Feb. 12, 2003. Book tickets at least 7 days before travel and by Thursday, Sept. 26.
> More...
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
This Week's E-mail Bag
======================================
"In response to the writer who was asking how to use their 700,000 miles: If they have that many miles, they have a real opportunity to support many good charities. There are programs through the airlines where you can donate your miles. If you are willing, you can also work directly with your favorite charity. I have used miles and/or upgrade and free flight coupons to purchase airline tickets for staff members of an organization that I support."
- Dale
"I agree with the reader who wanted to see ways to use his 700,000 miles. It would also be helpful to know ways to use small quantities of miles that will never amount to an award, as sometimes we are forced to use a different airline than our first choice due to flight availability or cost. In the past those mile have expired and gone unused, but today with award programs pushing out expiration dates with any type of activity they likely won't expire. Several years ago I think it was Northwest that offered magazine subscriptions to members with small quantities of mile, but it was only when the mile were approaching expiration. This was prior to the boom in the Internet. The airlines could look at offering gift certificates to online merchants, such as Amazon.com. This too would benefit the reader with 700,000 miles, as most frequent flyers tend to not want to fly more when they fly all the time."
- Candace
"Am I the only one who REALLY gets upset about Delta's non upgradeable fares?
"I work for an international corporation, and I am one of their top 100 travelers. However, like most corporate travelers I have little discretion in the fare basis I can choose when traveling -- I am forced to take the lowest fare available for the dates and times needed.
"Being Platinum Elite with Delta for the past three years, it really galls me to find that because I book early (as required by my company), I am often penalized by having NON UPGRADEABLE fares. The marketing and economic purpose behind this policy is unfathomable to me; but is causing me to avoid Delta and use Continental whenever possible."
- Richard
S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S
Win a BMW from United
====================================
Enter the United.com 5th Anniversary Giveaway sweepstakes by Nov. 4 to win a BMW X5 and 50,000 Mileage Plus miles. There are 50 other prizes, including 25,000 Mileage Plus miles, 75,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points, Avis car rental, $250 Safeway gift certificate, and a $50 FTD.COM gift certificate.
Enter online (link below) or by mail. No purchase necessary.
> More...
[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]
Until next week...
|
