Introducing: The New & Improved US Air

On Tuesday, the new airline formed by the merger of America West and US Airways began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the cheeky symbol LCC (as in low-cost carrier). While there is now a single name for the combined enterprises, US Airways, it will take as long as two years for the two carriers' operations to be integrated completely.

One hopeful sign: the new US Airways will restore the free pretzels dropped by the old US Airways. (See "Miles & Points" below for upcoming changes to the mileage programs.)

On a more serious note, if the new incarnation of US Airways can live up to its own self-billing -- as a low-cost, full service carrier with a comprehensive route network, full-featured mileage program and a link to a global airline alliance -- it will be a formidable competitor, capable of delivering a high-end product at a low-end price.

Perhaps, after a total of three bankruptcies among them, these two carriers have finally got it right.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Marc Walch has miles from Delta's old program and is considering redeeming them before they auto-convert to miles in the current program. But Delta doesn't have a copy of the old award chart...?

In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Dr. J. "I got a letter from Hilton HHonors last night. I've been demoted from Gold because an audit of some sort determined that I wasn't really eligible for the Gold upgrade that I got via a code that was posted here earlier in the year." (It's likely the code was associated with a targeted offer... something we should all be on the lookout for.)

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

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Membership Rewards Points for Real Estate Transactions

Members of the American Express Membership Rewards program may now earn points when taking advantage of mortgage, real estate, van line, and home warranty services. Points can be earned for mortgages from CitiMortgage, Chase Home Finance, Washington Mutual Home Loans, and Wachovia Corporate Mortgage Services, and when using participating local real estate agents, moving services, etc.

Members earn 1,300 bonus points for each $10,000 financed or refinanced on a home or business, or on home equity loans; 2,500 bonus points for each $10,000 of a home purchase and/or sale price through a participating local real estate agent; etc.

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America West-US Air Programs Move Toward Integration

Effective Oct. 5, members of America West's FlightFund will be able to earn and redeem miles for flights on US Airways. And members of US Airways' Dividend Miles program will be able to earn and redeem miles for America West flights. Miles earned on either carrier will count toward elite status in either program.

A newly unified four-tiered elite program will be implemented in both programs.

Entry-level Silver/Preferred elite will be awarded for 25,000 qualifying miles. Benefits include a 25% elite bonus, unlimited upgrades on full fares confirmable anytime, and unlimited upgrades on discounted fares confirmable up to two days in advance.

Higher-tier status is awarded at 50,000, 75,000 and 100,000 miles, with progressively higher flight bonuses and earlier access to upgrades on discounted fares.

Other America West-US Airways program updates, also effective Oct. 5:

"In order to be able to provide members with the greatest number of award seats possible, and also due to the merged airline's expanded route network, the America West short-haul award and the USAirways.com awards have been replaced by a single, worldwide redemption chart with travel beginning at 25,000 miles." Yes, that's an increase from US Airways' current domestic coach saver award of 20,000 miles, and from America West's short-haul coach saver award of 15,000 miles.

The Saturday-night stay requirement for Dividend Miles award travel will be discontinued.

The online booking bonus will be 500 miles -- unchanged from America West's current bonus, but half US Air's current 1,000-mile bonus.

These are the first steps toward combining the two programs into a single program in the spring of 2006, which will retain the name 'Dividend Miles.'

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British Air Bonus for Biz- and First-Class Flights

From Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, 2005, Executive Club members in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean will earn 40,250 bonus miles for every roundtrip or two one-way British Airways transatlantic flights between the U.S., the Caribbean or Canada and London in Club World or first (F, A, J, C or D class).

With the bonus, the total miles earned will be at least 50,000, enough for a pair of domestic coach award tickets on BA partners American or Alaska Air.

Registration is required.

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Choice Canada Reprises "Stay Twice. Earn a Free Night" Offer

Between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15, members of Choice Club Plus will earn enough points for a free one-night stay after every two separate stays at Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn brand hotels in Canada.

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From National: One-Two-Free

Through Dec. 20, members of National's Emerald Club will earn a certificate for a free rental day after every two rentals of two or more days of midsize/intermediate or larger cars in the U.S. and Canada.

Free rental day certificates can be used for rentals between Jan. 1 and June 25, 2006, at participating locations.

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Southwest Doubles the Credits

Between Sept. 22 and Nov. 17, Rapid Rewards members will earn double credit on all Southwest flights purchased at southwest.com and flown during the promotion poeriod.

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TripRewards Bonus for Multiple Stays

Between Sept. 16 and Dec. 29, TripRewards members will receive enough bonus points for a $25 gift certificate after two qualifying stays at participating TripRewards hotels (AmeriHost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge (U.S. hotels only), Wingate Inn).

The bonus may only be earned twice during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

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United Extends Bonus for Economy Plus Access

The 5,000-mile bonus for purchasing Economy Plus Access, originally scheduled to expire on Sept. 15, has been extended through Dec. 31. There are three versions of the Economy Plus package:

For an annual fee of $299, Mileage Plus members who purchase Economy Plus Access will be able to book coach seats for themselves and a traveling companion in the Economy Plus section, which features as much as five extra inches of legroom.

For $699 a year, program members receive Economy Plus Access and a 12-month membership in United's Red Carpet Club airport lounges.

And for $749, members get Economy Plus Access bundled with Premier Fast Track, which awards Premier elite status after 15,000 miles or 15 segments flown on United or Ted during the subscription period (versus the normal 25,000 miles or 30 segments).

For our assessment of Economy Plus Access, see the Aug. 3 newsletter.

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Mileage Plus Members Donated Cash, Miles for Hurricane Relief

According to United, Mileage Plus members donated more than $3 million to the American Red Cross, AmeriCares Foundation and Operation USA for hurricane-related relief efforts, earning 19 million bonus miles in the process. (United was offering 500 bonus miles for cash donations of $50 or more, but has terminated that promotion.)

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, Mileage Plus members also donated 43 million miles to United's Charity Miles program. That program is ongoing.

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Earn US Air Bonus for AmWest Flights

US Air Dividend Miles members will earn 500 bonus miles for each America West flight to any of 50 destinations not served by US Airways between Oct. 5 and Dec. 31. Plus, there's an additional 5,000-mile bonus for every five flights flown to the selected destinations.

Each city may be counted only once and a maximum of 15,000 bonus miles will be awarded per account under this promotion.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Domestic Sale Fares on United from $68

United's latest domestic sale features Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities around the U.S. Prices start at $68 roundtrip for travel through December.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Dec. 12. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. United has not listed a booking deadline. Most fares require a one-night minimum stay.

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2) Domestic Sale Fares on American from $78

American's fall and winter sale fares start at $78 roundtrip. Destinations include Austin, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando. Southwest is also offering a nationwide sale for the same travel period.

Travel on most routes is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Jan. 9, 2006. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. American has not listed a booking deadline. Fares may require a one-night minimum stay.

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Win a Trip to the 2006 Olympics in Italy from Hilton

Enter the "Hilton Family 2006 U.S. Olympic Sweepstakes" by Nov. 30 for a chance to win a seven-day trip for four to Torino, Italy, in February 2006, including air, hotel, tickets to Olympic events, etc.

Entries may be submitted by mail without making a purchase; online bookings at Hilton family websites for stays during the promo period automatically generate entries as well.

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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Delta sent out the letter after declaring bankruptcy and advised that my miles were safe and I could still redeem miles for travel. But....... they did not specifically address one issue about award tickets. I currently have 3 first class tickets for travel on Delta to Hawaii, but not until June 06.

"Q: Should Delta quit flying in May 06 is another carrier legally obligated to get us to Hawaii 1st class in June?

"I asked Delta but they have not replied?" [Jim]

[FrequentFlier.com responds - The bad news is that no other airline would be legally obligated to honor your award tickets to Hawaii in the event that Delta stopped flying before your trip.

The good news is that there's very little chance that Delta would liquidate within the next year. As we've seen with United and US Airways, once in bankruptcy, airlines can keep limping along for years. And if Delta were to liquidate, it would most likely be in the process of merging with another carrier, in which case award bookings would almost certainly be honored by the newly formed carrier.

In the very worst case -- where Delta shut down prior to your trip and SkyMiles was not folded into another airline's program -- other U.S. airlines (and particularly other SkyTeam members Continental or Northwest) would probably step up and attempt to honor Delta tickets on a space-available basis, and probably for a fee. But realistically, first-class award ticketholders to Hawaii would find themselves at the bottom of a long standby list.

So while there's some risk in holding Delta tickets for travel next summer, it's minimal. My best guess is that you'll be fine.]

Until next week...