U P F R O N T
Alliance Chatter
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In the aftermath of last week's announcement that Air France and KLM will merge, subject to regulatory approvals, British Air is signaling interest in a merger with Spanish carrier Iberia.
BA chief Rod Eddington was quoted over the weekend expressing his desire to see BA and Iberia "in each other's arms."
BA and Iberia are already co-members of the oneworld alliance, so a tighter link would have no effect on the alliance landscape.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Earn AAdvantage Miles at Le Meridien
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Earn 1,000 miles on Le Meridien Business Class rates through Dec. 31 at participating Le Meridien hotels worldwide.
In addition to the bonus miles, Business Class benefits include a special Business Class room; buffet breakfast; 20% discount off business center services; free local calls; priority waitlist for early arrivals; and late 3pm check out.
> More...
OnePass Miles for Meals & Stays
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Earn 500 bonus miles for enrolling online in OnePass Dining and Hotels by iDine and posting a qualifying dine by Dec. 31.
In addition, program members who combine OnePass Dining meals and OnePass Hotel stays will earn 500 bonus miles. To qualify, book a room at a designated "bonus" hotel online at http://www.onepass.idine.com/hotels or through Member Services at 1-800-555-5396 and complete the stay by Dec. 31. Then Dine at a participating restaurant within the same month to automatically receive an extra 500 bonus miles.
> More...
Buy Travelers Checks to Earn Extra OnePass Miles
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Through Dec. 31, Continental OnePass members who purchase American Express travel funds products at continental.com, including travelers checks or the new TravelFunds Card, will earn 500 bonus miles.
Offer is valid only for U.S. residents who purchase at least $750.
> More...
Delta Doubles Miles for Georgians
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SkyMiles members who have a mailing address in Georgia will earn double miles for flights between Atlanta and 49 airports from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15.
To be eligible for the bonus, you must have a valid Georgia address in your SkyMiles account and register at http://www.delta.com/atlantabonus or call 1-800-558-3358 and enter promotion code 4070.
Mr. Goodwrench Performs Mileage Maintenance
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Consumers now can earn frequent flyer miles in their choice of 8 airline programs when they have their vehicles serviced at any of 26 Phoenix area or 44 Seattle area GM Goodwrench dealers.
Miles are awarded depending on the type of service provided, from 100 miles for an oil change or front-end alignment to 500 miles for regularly scheduled services.
If successful, we're likely to see this mileage program expanded to other markets in the coming months.
> More...
Free Day Plus Double Midwest Miles From Avis
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Midwest Miles members will receive 1 day free plus double miles (100 miles per day) on their next qualifying Avis Intermediate class vehicle rental or higher, of 3 or more days, that includes a Saturday night.
Use coupon number TUAA005 when making reservations between Oct. 1 and Dec. 15.
For reservations or information, call 1-800-831-8000 (U.S.) or 1-800-879-2847 (Canada).
Summit Doubles Miles-for-Stays
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Stay 2 or more nights at a participating Summit Hotel & Resort between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 at a Summit Exclusives promotional rate (up to 50% discount) to earn double miles in any of 11 airline programs, including those of American and Northwest.
> More...
Bid US Air Miles for S. America Getaways
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Through Nov. 15, Dividend Miles members may bid their miles for 2 vacation packages to South America -- 1 to Rio, the other to Buenos Aires.
Both packages include first-class air for 2 and 5 nights at a Sheraton.
The minimum bid for each package is 50,000 miles.
> 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...
Savings to London, Paris from $188
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American has resumed its fall and winter sale on flights to London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, and more, with lower prices than its last Europe deal.
For the lowest fares, depart from Oct. 30, 2003, through Apr. 1, 2004; if you're willing to pay a little more, you can depart through Oct. 29, and return up to 2 months later. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance and by Tuesday, Oct. 21.
> More...
Low Fares to the Bahamas from $158
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Book an inexpensive fall or winter trip to the Bahamas, with sale fares from US Airways from the East or Midwest. Travel is valid every day except Sundays, through Feb. 5, 2004. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance and by Thursday, Oct. 9.
> More...
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
From United: Guess the Beach (& Win It)
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Enter the "Guess the Beach" contest by Oct. 15 for a chance to win a first-class trip for 2 to Grand Cayman and other prizes.
> More...
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
This Week's E-Mailbag
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"You have done better than the rants and raves posted today [in last week's Crier]. Must not be too much noise in the Delta Platinum ranks these days. Or you're not asking. I'm a 20 year Delta Million Miler Platinum Flyer and have not heard one single seat-mate say one good thing about the new Skymiles Qmiles program for 2004.
"News Bulletin!!! -- Delta Business Flyers getting ready to jump ship next year. The new trend in business flying will be to fly the most direct, cheapest way to get there. No more Delta Penalty to fly through Atlanta or Dallas or Cincy just to get the segments. No segments, no loyalty. Coach is coach. Most direct routes win. Delta loses. And Delta goes bankrupt.
"That should be your headline."
- Chris
Until next week...
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