Issue #115  --  Oct. 12, 2000

<< O N S I T E >>

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

Jean is searching for mileage-tracking software. Hal requests suggestions on the best mileage deals for using MCI Internet service. Natalie wants a definition of 'discount economy.' Andrew prefers hotel credits to British Airways miles. Simon plans to sign up for "just about every frequent flier program available" (not a strategy we suggest, incidentally). And Ronald has deals, deals, deals.

Do you have questions? Do you have answers? Post them to the Forum!

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The FrequentFlier Forum

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More on AOL AAdvantage Rewards
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Within the next day or so, look for an extended review of the new AOL AAdvantage Rewards program in the "Features" section of FrequentFlier.com. If you have any comments, please take a few minutes to post them on the Forum. As mentioned in last week's Crier, we find the new program confusing and underdeveloped; but we'd be interested in feedback from our readers, as a reality check on our assessment.

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FrequentFlier Features

<< M I L E S >>

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American, US Airways Will End Frequent Flyer Relationship
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With the proposed marriage of United and US Airways, it was only a matter of time before US Airways and American parted ways. Details of that parting were communicated to Dividend Miles members on Friday last week.

Here's what US Airways had to say:

"The latest information related to the pending merger of US Airways and United Airlines can be found at http://www.usairways.com/corporate/uaus/index.htm . The web site is being updated regularly, as new information becomes available, in order to provide you with the most complete and up-to-date information. The regulatory approval process for the merger is currently underway. US Airways and United Airlines remain fully committed to the merger and to delivering the significant consumer benefits that it will bring.

"In addition to merger news, American Airlines has decided to end the frequent flyer and club relationships between US Airways Dividend Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage, and US Airways Club and American Airlines Admirals Club programs on August 23, 2001. We are discussing a transition plan with American and this final date is subject to change. We will keep you advised as the plan is completed. Until the official final date is determined, the reciprocal award redemption, combining of miles and club relationship benefits you have come to enjoy will, of course, remain in place. The US Airways Shuttle 500 mile bonus promotion will continue until December 31, 2000, as scheduled."

Two comments...

Firstly, we applaud American and US Airways for giving members plenty of time to take advantage of the currently available reciprocal benefits before terminating them. (As a counterexample, consider Northwest's same-day announcement that CyberSaver fares no longer earned mileage credit.)

Secondly, we can't help but wonder at US Airways' future viability. If the merger with United is completed, their future is assured. But given the negative reception from key members of Congress, that seems an unlikely scenario. More likely, US Airways will find itself going it alone--no merger partner, no global alliance tie-in, no frequent flyer program relationship with American.

[Thanks to George, Anita and others for bringing the above to our attention.]

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Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles After 3rd NW Roundtrip
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WorldPerks members can earn 10,000 bonus miles when purchasing 3 roundtrip tickets on nwa.com for travel through December 31, 2000.

In addition, customers who book through WorldWeb Reservations for the first time will earn 4,000 WorldPerks Bonus Miles and an additional 1,000 WorldPerks Bonus Miles for each subsequent purchase on nwa.com.

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Northwest

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Delta Offers Bonuses for Bogota, Santiago Flights
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SkyMiles members flying on paid nonstop Delta flights between Atlanta and Santiago, from November 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001, and between Atlanta and Bogota, from December 4, 2000 to March 4, 2001, will earn double miles in paid economy class and triple miles in paid BusinessElite/Business Class. (Economy class offers exclude S, T, U fare classes. BusinessElite/Business offers exclude I Class.)

To qualify for these mileage bonus offers, you must enroll before travel by calling 1-888-558-3358 and entering your membership number and code 4444 when prompted.

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Delta

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Maximize Miles with Cathay Pacific Flights
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Fly Cathay Pacific transpacific to Asia in first or business class between now and December 31, 2000 and earn AAdvantage bonus miles as follows--

                      One-Way         Roundtrip
  Gateway               Bonus             Bonus

  San Francisco        10,000            25,000
  Los Angeles          10,000            25,000
  New York             10,000            25,000
  Vancouver            10,000            25,000
  Toronto              20,000            50,000

The bonus miles are in addition to regular mileage credit and class-of-service bonus and there is no limit on the number of bonuses you can earn. You must register for the Mileage Maximizer Offer before you fly by visiting www.aa.com/offers and clicking on the automatic registration for this offer or by calling AADVANTAGE DIAL-IN at 1-800-882-8880. Follow the instructions and when prompted, enter the promotion code C-X-M-A-X (29629).

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New MotherNature.com Customers Earn 250 Bonus ClickMiles
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ClickRewards members making their first purchase at MotherNature.com will receive 250 ClickMiles and a $10 discount.

Type in the coupon code CLICKREWARDS10 at checkout and the discount will be automatically applied.

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ClickRewards

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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Two hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

>> Winter Savings from US Airways, Airtran, and Delta

US Airways, AirTran Airways, and Delta Air Lines have released winter fare sales for travel between now and February 12, 2001. For all three airlines, an additional five percent discount applies to tickets booked online. Purchase tickets by Tuesday, October 17 for US Airways and AirTran, and Friday, October 13 for Delta.

For more details, go here.

>> Eastern and Southern U.S. Fare Sale from $116 R/T

Midway Airlines is offering sale fares on routes throughout its system, with round-trip fares starting at $116. Travel is valid between now and December 20. Purchase tickets no later than Monday, October 16.

For more details, go here.

<< B U S I N E S S T R A V E L T I P S >>

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Surviving the Airport
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The following is part of a continuing series of business travel tips from Chris McGinnis's "The Unofficial Business Traveler's Pocket Guide--165 Tips Even the Best Business Travelers May Not Know."

>> What to Do When the Weather Does Not Cooperate

In most places, there will be times when Mother Nature just doesn't want to cooperate with your travel plans. So when a winter storm--or summer hurricane--is looming or in full force, keep these tips in mind.

If it is already looking fierce outside, call before you leave for the airport and find out what the status is for your flight. Call your travel agent or the airline's automated arrivals and departure line, or visit the airline's Web site, if available. Don't call the airline's toll-free reservations number for updates--you could be put on hold too long.

Keep your eye on the local news or the Weather Channel, or go to the Web site at www.weather.com or cnn.com/weather to find out if a storm is brewing in your area or destination. If bad weather looks likely, you may not want to leave for the airport until you've checked on your flight.

If you are already at the airport and departure looks unlikely, try to make a reservation at a nearby hotel that offers free shuttle service. Don't wait too long, because airport hotels get booked up as fast as the flights are cancelled.

If it is absolutely essential that you make an out-of-town meeting or presentation when bad weather looms, consider leaving the night before. It is also wise to take a cab or public transportation to the airport if a winter storm is a possibility, so you don't have to worry about digging your car out of the snow.

Bring a snack along in the event that the airport food leaves something to be desired--or worse, in case the airport runs out of food (which has happened during unexpected storms). A bagel, pretzels, or dried fruits and nuts are nutritious, don't spoil, and don't take up a lot of space.

Weather emergencies usually allow for airlines to relax rules when rerouting, changing, or cancellation fees are concerned.

Chris McGinnis

Travel Skills Group
http://www.travelskills.com

<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>

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Canadians Need Miles, too
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Once again, the American airlines forget that there are Canadians who are members of their frequent flyer programs and who might want to participate in promotions and contests.
 
The current AOL-AAdvantage Million Miles Contest is only open to US residents. Other sites such as Arthur Frommers Budget Travel have the foresight to include Canadian subscribers in their promotions.

 - Don

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Northwest Service Charges
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I recently arrived at Orlando International Airport only to discover that I had left NWA tickets to Denver at home. I explained our predicament to the agent who told me in a surly tone I would have to buy replacement tickets and then when I returned home I could submit the original tickets for a refund. He did not say anything about a $75.00 charge per ticket (x5) to issue new tickets.

When I returned home I mailed the original tickets to NWA for a refund. On my next Visa statement I found the charge for the 5 replacement tickets, the credit for the 5 tickets that I returned, but also found 5 $75.00 service charges! I called NWA customer service and was told that this was a standard industry practice. I explained that I had never agreed to the charges or signed any authorization for the charges and the NWA representative said that it did not matter that I had not signed for the charges; NWA was "authorized to charge service charges without signatures!" I tried to debate the point and she said there was nothing that could be done and hung up on me!

I was furious and called my credit card issuer and explained the situation. They investigated and subsequently bounced the 5 $75.00 charges and credited the $375.00 back to my account. This just goes to show that the arrogant airlines do not always have the control of the situation that they think they have.

 - Charge Bouncer

Until next week...