U P F R O N T
Just Say "Fly"
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The planes, hotels and rental cars are still there, albeit underutilized. As are the airports. And air traffic controllers. There's plenty of cheap jet fuel to be had. And there are as many reasons to travel now as there were 3 weeks ago.
What's missing -- what accounts for the newly empty seats and beds -- is the confidence that existed pre-9/11.
At the risk of slipping off the slippery slope of cliche, I can't think of any more apt call to action than this:
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933
Air Canada Shows the Way
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It's not clear whether the airlines are too preoccupied with their shaky finances and restructuring efforts, or that they feel that overtly self-promotional activity would be unseemly so soon after a national tragedy. Whatever the reason, the fare sales and mileage promotions that would normally attend a travel slump of this magnitude are nowhere to be seen.
The exception: Air Canada. AC has launched a 3-pronged promotion to stimulate travel, including a systemwide double-mile offer, a bonus-mile kicker for Toronto flights, and a contest (details below).
O N S I T E
New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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The AA 20/20 promotion -- WHICH TERMINATES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH -- remains the hot topic on the Forum. Lisa has a question about Goldpoints posting periods. Jean has several reports from Europe. Mizzles wonders whether NW and US are headed for bankruptcy (and what she should do with her miles if they are). And more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
> More...
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Miles for Relief (Updated)
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Following is an updated list of travel suppliers which allow members to donate miles, points or cash to organizations directly involved with relief efforts.
> Preferred Hotels
Preferred reservations between Oct. 1 and Dec. 20, 2001, will qualify for a 3% premium over the regular travel agent commission. Of this premium, 2% will be paid to the agency/agent and 1% will be paid directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Corporate reservations booked through the company's authorized agency during this timeframe will qualify for the 1% charitable donation as well. And group meetings confirmed between Oct. 1 and March 1, 2002, will also qualify for a 1% premium commission to be paid to the Red Cross.
> Six Continents Hotels
Members of Six Continents' Priority Club Worldwide can donate Priority Club points in increments of 2,500 for a $10 cash donation to the American Red Cross. Priority Club Worldwide will match each point donation. Call the Priority Club Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-447-3418 (reference code NB199).
> Starwood
Members of Starwood's Preferred Guest program can donate their points to the September 11th Fund. For now, call 1-888-625-4988 to make donations. Members will be able to make online donations within the next several days, according to Starwood sources, at http://www.spg.com.
> Alaska Air
Members of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan can donate a minimum of 500 miles to the American Red Cross. For every 5,000 miles donated between now and Dec. 31, 2001, Alaska and Bank of America will each contribute an additional 1,000 miles. Members can send an e-mail to red.cross@alaskaair.com with the member's name, membership number and the number of miles to donate, or call 1-800-654-5669.
> America West
America West members can donate their FlightFund miles to the Red Cross online or by calling 1-800-247-5691.
> Continental
Continental OnePass members can donate miles to the Red Cross, either by accessing their OnePass account online and clicking "Donate Your Miles," or by calling the OnePass Service Center at 1-713-952-1630.
> Delta
Through Delta's SkyWish program, SkyMiles members may donate miles to American Red Cross, CARE, United Way of America and United Way International to assist in relief efforts. Donations can be made via e-mail at delta.bids@delta.com, by calling 1-800-325-3999, via fax at 404-773-1945, or at any Crown Room.
> Northwest
Northwest members can donate WorldPerks miles to the American Red Cross by calling Northwest AirCares at 1-800-327-2881 for details.
> United
United members can donate miles to the relief efforts of either the American Red Cross or the September 11th Fund of the United Way of Greater New York. Call Mileage Plus Customer Service at 1-800-421-4655.
> US Airways
Dividend Miles members can donate their miles to assist the Salvation Army in providing travel to immediate family members of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Donate a minimum of 5,000 miles through http://www.usairways.com or by calling the Dividend Miles Service Center at 800-872-4738.
> Carnival
Carnival Cruise Lines will donate $50 for each stateroom sold over the next 30 days to the American Red Cross to aid in relief efforts associated with the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. There's more information of their website.
Air Canada Offers Double Miles, Toronto Bonus
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Through Dec. 15, 2001, Aeroplan members will earn double miles on every Air Canada or Air Canada Regional flight in booking classes J, C, Y, M, B, T, H, or V.
Also on offer: 1,500 Aeroplan bonus miles when you fly roundtrip or 2 1-way segments to/from Toronto, including connections, on Air Canada or Air Canada Regional in the same booking classes during the promotional period, up to a maximum of 3 roundtrips.
> More...
AT&T Offering 10K OnePass Bonus for Referrals
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Through Nov. 14, 2001, OnePass members can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles by referring friends in AT&T's online billing service.
Sign up for the AT&T Refer-a-Friend Promotion and refer 10 friends. For every friend that enrolls in AT&T Online Billing, you'll get 1,000 OnePass bonus miles, up to 10,000 miles. Enroll here.
Ansett's Demise: A Lesson for the U.S.
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There but for the grace of God go us...
Australia's second-largest airline, Ansett, is gone, a victim of the global slowdown in travel. While there is a chance Ansett may yet be resurrected, perhaps as a smaller carrier, it's considered unlikely.
Almost certain to disappear with Ansett are the points earned by members of the airline's Global Rewards program. According to Ansett, award tickets already issued for travel on Air New Zealand or Singapore Airlines will be honored by those carriers. But at this point, Global Rewards accounts are frozen -- no earning or redemption -- and are likely to remain so.
In a recent discussion of the current aviation scenes in Australia and the U.S., Emily Ross, staff writer for Australia's BRW magazine, offered the following observation: "It is ironic here in Australia with the demise of Ansett, our country's other main carrier [Qantas - ed] is having a field day. Air fares are rising 20 - 30%, more miles are needed to redeem awards and it is virtually impossible to book a seat with points because all the planes are full!" In other words, consumers are suffering for want of competition.
MilePoint Adds Merchants, Airlines
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MilePoint.com, which allows frequent travelers to use their miles and points as payment toward online purchases, has added FAR&WIDE Travel, Hotwire, Ashford.com, and MileShopper to its merchant roster, and Midwest Express Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines as mileage participants in MilePoint.
> More...
Renaissance Cruises: Sunk
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Renaissance has filed for chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection and ceased operations. According to the Renaissance website: "As of today, Renaissance Cruises has ceased all cruise operations. Passengers and crew currently onboard our vessels are being disembarked and travel arrangements are being made to get them safely home. Customers with upcoming bookings should contact their credit card companies or travel agents for refund arrangements."
Renaissance was a partner in the programs of American, Delta and US Airways.
> More...
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
National's 'Get America Flying' Sale: Fares From $25 R/T
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National Airlines is encouraging travelers to get back into the skies with its "Get America Flying" fare sale. Round-trip fares are as low as $75 between Las Vegas and the East Coast.
> More...
Southwest Offers System-Wide Savings From $68 R/T
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Southwest Airlines has extended its nationwide fare sale on round-trip and one-way fares throughout its system. Purchase tickets by Thursday, Oct. 11.
> More...
S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S
"Waves of Double Aeroplan Miles" Contest
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Whenever you fly scheduled flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Regional in booking classes J, C, Y, M, B, T, H, or V between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15, 2001, you'll get a chance to win one of 50 1-week trips to Varadero, Cuba; Cancun, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Barbados; or Las Vegas.
To be entered, you must be an Aeroplan member with a mailing address in Canada.
> More...
Win a Trip to Montreal Grand Prix
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Winner of the "Quebec Grand Prix Vacation" sweepstakes will receive--
- Two first-class roundtrip airplane tickets
- Two tickets for 3 days to the Montreal Grand Prix
- Accommodations for a week including 4 nights in Montreal, 2 nights in Charlevoix at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu, and 1 night in Quebec City
- Casino Package
- Jacques Villeneuve's signed helmet
Enter by Oct. 14, 2001, by completing the registration form on Tourisme Quebec's web site at http://www.bonjourquebec.com/F1.
Only U.S. residents are eligible to participate.
Until next week...
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