Important Passport Changes on the Horizon

Beginning December 31, 2006, U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to travel to and from Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Central & South America and the Caribbean, excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A passport will be required to re-enter the U.S. if any portion of a covered trip will take place after December 31.

:: More

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, afastov volunteered to be bumped from an oversold flight in exchange for a voucher. "The US Airways voucher was good for travel in the U.S. for one year from the date of issue--very standard practice. The fine print said 'Seats may be limited for this class' without stating which 'class' this meant. I assumed 'economy' class but found out the hard way that 'this class' is the same class (X class as it turns out) as all Us Airways Frequent Flyer tickets, so that means that this voucher is as difficult to use as frequent flyer miles are to redeem. Of course, that limitation was never mentioned by the gate agent trying to deal with volunteers and get their replacements on board the flight."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, kewmon wonders about the mechanics and the effectiveness of registering displeasure with the quality of airline service: "We've all had the nightmare flight.... no food, lost bags, rude or worse attendants, etc. Is it always worthwhile to complain about poor service? Is letter writing effective? If you log too many complaints to the airline due they note this into your profile?"

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

:: More

Off-Peak Award Travel on American

With the summer travel crush behind us, award seats should be easier to obtain. And in the case of American, which uses a peak/off-peak system for pricing award tickets, free travel to some destinations is also available for fewer miles.

For example, between October 15 and May 15 award travel to Europe costs 40,000 miles, a savings of 20,000 miles over the peak-season price. Trips to Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela are discounted from 35,000 to 30,000 miles between September 7 and November 14. And so on.

:: More

American Adds Benefits to Lounge Membership

Through December 31, 2007, subscribers to annual Admirals Club airport lounge memberships will receive a number of new benefits, including the following: complimentary one-year membership in Hertz No. 1 Club Gold; special pricing on Lenovo computer products; four AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on Bose QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones; double AAdvantage miles and one free night with each paid night at any of 10 Starwood properties in Hawaii; 10 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent on SkyMall merchandise; etc.

Membership costs range from $450 for a regular AAdvantage member to $250 for renewing Executive Platinum members.

:: More

250 Delta Miles for Your Favorite In-flight Activity

Delta SkyMiles members can earn an easy 250 bonus miles for answering a simple online survey question: What's your favorite in-flight pastime?

:: More

WorldPerks Members Offered MileSafari

Between September 13, 2006, and January 31, 2007, WorldPerks members can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles in Northwest's MileSafari promotion.

Participants earn points for selected activities; the points are then converted into miles. Example: fly business class roundtrip internationally to earn 130 points, which are worth 3,000 miles. Other qualifying activities include purchasing an airport lounge membership, signing up for a WorldPerks credit card, using a WorldPerks hotel or rental car partner, etc.

Registration is required.

As we've opined about similar Northwest promos in the past, this is needlessly complicated. But it's worth wading through the fine print to take advantage of the bonuses.

:: More

Up to 10,000 Priority Club Points for Dining

Between September 15 and October 31, Priority Club members can earn 5,000 bonus points for the fourth qualified dine of $15 or more plus an additional 5,000 bonus points for the eighth qualified dine, for a maximum of 10,000 points during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

:: More

Double Southwest Credits for ATA Hawaii Flights

Between September 13 and December 10, Southwest Rapid Rewards members will earn double credits for one-way or roundtrip flights on ATA between Phoenix, Las Vegas, Oakland, Los Angeles, or Ontario, CA and Hilo, Honolulu, or Maui.

Reservations must be made at southwest.com or ata.com to earn the bonus.

:: More

25 United Miles per $1 for Wine Purchases

Through October 31, Mileage Plus members can earn 25 miles per $1 spent at Hartwick & Grove wine merchants.

Use the FrequentFlier Mile Search to find other miles-for-merchandise opportunities.

:: More

US Air Miles for DHL Shipping

Dividend Miles members who set up new DHL accounts will earn 750 bonus miles after their first DHL shipment and one mile per $1 spent on DHL shipments and two miles per $1 spent on DHL ShipReady prepaid overnight envelopes.

DHL also offers Dividend Miles discounts of up to 25%.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Fall Flights to Florida from $118 on Delta

Florida flights are on sale from Delta. The sale fares start at $118 roundtrip for travel in October, November, and into December. Destinations include Ft. Myers, Miami, and Orlando.

Travel is valid on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from October 3 through December 15. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by October 5. Fares require a one-night minimum stay.

:: More

2) Italy Flights from $499

Eurofly, a carrier serving New York and several cities in Italy, is offering October sale fares. While Eurofly advertises fares starting at $719, I found flights from as low as $499 roundtrip, not including taxes. Destinations include Bologna, Naples, Palermo, and Rome.

Travel is valid from October 1 through 27, although higher fares are also available in September. Eurofly has not listed a booking deadline, or minimum- or maximum-stay requirements. The general rule of thumb is to include a Saturday-night stay in your itinerary, and not to stay more than one month.

:: More

Win a $50,000 Trip

Enter the Expedia "Ultimate Dream Vacation Giveaway" for a chance to win a trip worth $50,000 (or cash). Other prizes include trips for two to various destinations, digital cameras and camcorders.

:: More

[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Does anyone know which U.S. airlines do a better job than others in honoring mileage redemptions?

"I live in the NYC area and could make use of any of the large airlines, but I'd like to give my business to the airline which will actually reward my loyalty with free trips, not just empty promises." [Glenn B. - New York, NY]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Unfortunately there's no reliable source of hard data comparing the airlines' performance in this area. We've suggested that the Department of Transportation require carriers to track and report frequent flyer program performance, including the percentage of successful award requests, etc. As a rough indicator, have a look at the poll on FrequentFlier.com.]

"ORD, Saturday 23rd September, 1:00 pm - I needed a one way car rental to get home to Cleveland, after two days of cancelled flights. Only National would do such a thing (and at fee + drop off charge + 35¢/mile!) and the agent told me that none of the other companies will do one ways from ORD and he thought that National would soon stop one-ways.

"What is a stranded traveler supposed to do?" [Dr. Ken J. M. - Stow, OH]

Until next week...