When Do Your Miles Expire?

With recent and upcoming changes in policies at ATA, JetBlue, Southwest, US Airways, Delta and Air Canada, mileage expiration is a moving target. Don't miss out!

:: More

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, the "Changes to Delta SkyMiles" thread is a must-read for SkyMiles members developing a game plan to deal with the upcoming changes to Delta's mileage-expiration policies.

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, InfrequentNow has a rant about hotel awards: "Is the Hilton program disintegrating? What's wrong with this Oct. 2006, conversation with the Scandic Sanadome in Nijmegen, Holland, front desk: 'We have your Hilton cert for a free room, the daily rate will be $24.76 plus 7.06 in taxes.' Or at the Scandic, Brugges, Belgium - 'Yes sir, the daily rate for guests with HHonors reward certificates for free stays is $10.00/day.'"

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

:: More

American Offers Double Miles for Dallas Flights

Between October 20 and December 31, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for American flights to and from Dallas Love Field and selected domestic flights to/from Dallas Ft. Worth -- a total of 42 destinations.

Promotion is in response to Southwest's double-points offer (see below).

Registration is required.

:: More

Continental Puts Bonus Miles Up for Sale

Between October 18, 2006, and February 28, 2007, OnePass members can register to earn 50% more miles for all Continental flights during 2007. Bonus is calculated on base miles and does not apply to elite status.

The "service fees" to earn the bonus are as follows: $50 to earn up to 5,000 bonus miles; $100 to earn up to 10,000 bonus miles; and $150 to earn up to 15,000 bonus miles. In other words, the charge is a penny a mile, or more.

To enroll, contact the OnePass Service Center at 1-800-554-5522.

:: More

Delta Opens SkyMiles Wireless Store

Delta SkyMiles members can now earn 5,000 miles for wireless phone plans activated with participating providers such as T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and Cingular, and 10 miles for every dollar spent on wireless accessories.

The new SkyMiles Wireless Store includes wireless phones and rate plans, smartphones and PC cards from major carriers.

:: More

Hyatt Reprises "Faster Free Nights"

Between November 1, 2006, and January 31, 2007, members of Hyatt's Gold Passport program can earn a free night after every two eligible Hyatt stays charged to a MasterCard card.

Free nights can be redeemed between November 15, 2006, and March 31, 2007.

Registration is required.

:: More

Fly Midwest for 10,000 Miles + $150

Through November 19, Midwest Miles members can combine 10,000 miles (instead of 15,000) and $150 for a roundtrip ticket to any of 47 destination cities.

Book travel using award code YXMD10.

:: More

Southwest Doubles Points for Dallas Flights

Between October 19 and December 31, Rapid Rewards members will earn double credits -- two credits per one-way flight instead of one -- when flying to/from Dallas Love Field.

To earn the bonus, flights must be booked through southwest.com or swabiz.com.

:: More

More United Elite-Qualifying Miles (for a Price)

Between October 24 and December 16, Mileage Plus members can pay $499 to earn double elite-qualifying miles and segments for qualifying flights during the promotion period.

Registration is required, by November 24.

:: More

The Dividend Miles Shopping Mall Is Now Open

Dividend Miles members can now earn miles-for-merchandise when shopping at any of more than 70 participating online retailers. Miles earned through December 31 count toward elite status through the "Everything Counts" promotion.

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

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Southwest's Dallas Fares from $87 Each Way

Southwest has expanded its service at Dallas Love Field airport with seven new routes to celebrate the repeal of the long-contested Wright Amendment. Introductory sale fares start at $87 one way for travel through early March.

Travel is valid through March 9, 2007. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by March 9, 2007.

:: More

2) Hawaii Fares from $278

Travelers departing from the western U.S. can take advantage of Hawaiian's fall sale. Prices start at $278 roundtrip, and destinations include Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island.

Travel is valid through December 14. Hawaiian has not listed a booking deadline.

:: More

Win a Trip for 4 to the Galapagos Islands

Enter National Geographic's "My Wonderful World" sweepstakes by December 31 for a chance to win a 10-day Lindblad Expeditions trip for four to the Galapagos Islands.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I just learned of UAL's changes to their frequent flier program - specifically the increases in mileage requirements and the initiation of fees for 'last minute' award redemptions.

"I am appalled with these changes, as these advantages to UAL's program, which were distinctive and important to me, were about the only factor for me that distinguished UAL and kept me interested in preferring UAL and partners. Without these distinctions, I've no reason any more to prefer United, as it has eliminated a competitive advantage, in my view. I agree with your assessment that there is absolutely no additional cost to such last minute redemptions. It is simply a means of tracking the increased cost tracks in purchased ticket prices, thereby increasing revenue.

"Furthermore, I am eminently peeved at the fact that all the miles which I earned under existing program provisions have been summarily and substantially discounted in value by UAL's changes.

"What I cannot understand is why there appears to have been no reaction whatsoever to these substantial changes? Why is there no website www.UAL_changes_stink.com or what not, to engender consumer reaction against United?" [Timothy S. - Former loyal United customer]

[Editor's Note - The changes alluded to took effect October 16. We commented on them in a previous newsletter, when they were announced by United.]

"If possible, I would like to comment on the United Mileage Plus Program. For the summers of 2005 and 2006 I had to fly business class because I booked the flights 'late': the beginning of February 2005 and January 4, 2006. When I questioned the young man in January of this year when I should book my flight for the summer of 2007 so that I could get an economy seat, I was told to book in Sept./Oct. of this year. I called United Mileage Plus on October 4th of this year and tried to book a flight for June 2007. I was told that there were no economy seats available! I should have booked my flight in June/July of 2006!

"Since I am in the education field, that would be almost impossible, since I would not know the exact dates for the beginning and end of the school year. I was not only annoyed but extremely frustrated, because I have Premier Status with them, but feel that the program is making it so difficult to use the miles. Any suggestions? Is this the case in other programs? I will only have to deal with this for several more years. Then Social Security begins and I will not be tied down by a school year calendar." [Tina H.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions to the problem of limited award availability. Trying to book 330 days in advance is no guarantee, since the airlines may elect to offer no award seats whatever on popular flights. And your scheduling constraints just compound the challenge.]

"Here is US Air's latest scam: w/o notice US Air again moved the goal posts. For travel over Xmas on non-black days, US Air requires 50,000 miles for r/t within the U.S., rather than the usual 25,000 miles. Thus, e.g., for my wife and I to fly from PGH to Hartford we would have to use 100,000 miles!" [Cy C.]

Until next week...