U P F R O N T

Travel Mags - Expedia Pulls Plug; Travelocity Regroups
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At the time (w-a-a-a-y back in 2000), it probably seemed that Travelocity's foray into magazine publishing was a natural. Travelocity Magazine would both leverage and extend the largest online travel agency's brand, and firm up Travelocity's bond with its customers. And it would be a profit center, too.

So compelling was the idea that Expedia was moved to launch its own travel mag, Expedia Travels. The first issue of ET rolled off the presses in Oct.; and the final print run will be the Nov. issue. So much for "can't miss" ideas.

Recent reports of the demise of Travelocity Magazine, on the other hand, are premature.

In fact, publication of TM was "suspended" after the Nov. issue, according to a spokesperson, while converting from a paid to a controlled-circulation business model. There's no official word on a re-launch date. ('Controlled circulation' means, in a word, free. Instead of depending on a mix of subscription fees and ad revenues, controlled circulation publications aim to maximize circulation, and resulting ad revenue, by offering no-cost subscriptions.)

The take-away: In this inhospitable business climate, travel publications need your support to survive. And yes, we're even advocating support for the likes of TM, whose editorial integrity may be compromised by its corporate parentage.

O N S I T E

When Airlines Go Bust, Where Do Your Miles Go?
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All the airlines have been staggered. Some will probably never recover.

What can frequent flyers do to protect their miles in the event their airline doesn't have what it takes to get through these trying times? Should they do anything at all? Hard-to-answer questions. We explore some options here.

Updated: Post-9/11 Airline Promotions, Miles-for-Relief
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Both the summary of airline offers and the mileage-donation opportunities pages have been updated and are posted online as follows:

> Promotions
> Donations

M I L E S & P O I N T S

Double Miles... Extended Thru Dec. 15
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In last week's issue, we reported that Delta had extended their double-mile offer an extra month, through Dec. 15. It only took American a few hours to match. And by the end of the week, Alaska, Northwest, United and US Airways had followed suit.

In all cases, if you registered for the original offer, you remain registered for the extension.

A summary of the updated offers is here.

Online Award Booking: Suddenly Everyone's Doing It
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In just the past week, 4 airlines have made online award booking available on their websites. (Which begs the question: Is this be a case of great minds thinking alike... ?)

At this stage, only North America awards can be booked online, and only on the programs' host airlines (i.e., not on partner airlines).

In alphabetical order...

> Alaska
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can now book award travel and redeem miles online when traveling on Alaska or Horizon Air. Both Saver and Peak awards can be booked.

> American
AAdvantage members now can book PlanAAhead awards for roundtrip coach travel within the U.S. 48, Alaska or Canada at http://aa.com. Look for the Award Booking link.

> America West
America West FlightFund members can redeem miles online for award travel on America West and America West Express-operated flights within the U.S.

> Delta
Members of Delta's SkyMiles can now book award travel within the U.S. at http://delta.com. Also online: award availability and SkyMiles' Mileage Purchase service.

American, US Airways Get Choice
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Stays at Choice hotels now earn miles in either the AAdvantage or Dividend Miles programs.

Members earn 250 miles for each qualifying stay at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites hotel, and 150 miles at Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Diners Club Points = More OnePass Miles
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Diners Club Rewards members will receive a 25% premium when redeeming their points for Continental OnePass miles between Nov. 1, 2001, and Feb. 28, 2002.

During the promotion period, 40,000 Club Rewards points can be converted to 25,000 OnePass miles, a 5,000-mile bonus. A minimum of 40,000 Club Rewards points must be converted to receive the bonus. Bonus miles do not count toward elite status qualification.

Midwest Express Says: Take a Friend
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Between Nov. 15, 2001, and Mar. 31, 2002, Midwest Express Frequent Flyer members who buy a ticket at a published fare can take along a companion for 7,500 miles -- half the normal requirement for a companion award.

Offer does not apply to award travel to Florida or Phoenix, and there are blackout dates. Check with Midwest Express for details.

Shangri-La Turns Miles Up, Prices Down
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Through Feb. 2002, qualifying stays at any of Shangri-La's 38 hotels in Asia will earn double miles in one of 22 frequent flyer programs.

In addition to the mileage bonus, the Rate Break package includes complimentary breakfast and discounts of up to 40%.

> More...

Hyatt Joins Alitalia Program
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Members of Alitalia's MilleMiglia program can now earn 600 MilleMiglia miles for eligible Hyatt hotel stays worldwide.

To promote the tie-up, members earn double miles through Dec. 31, 2001. Present your Alitalia membership card and mention offer code AZ300 at check-in.

LanChile Doubles Miles for Chile Flights (Hurry!)
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AAdvantage members traveling with LanChile between the U.S. and Santiago, Chile through Nov. 15, 2001, will earn double AAdvantage miles. (Talk about "you snooze you lose" promotions... LanChile waited until Oct. 31 to make this offer.)

Register online at http://www.aa.com/offers using promotion code LPPAA.

Reminder: No More Aviators Program After Nov. 30
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If you're an Aviators member, the countdown to termination is underway.

You have until midnight, Nov. 30, to earn or redeem miles in the Aviators program. Thereafter, all Aviators miles will be auto-converted to AAdvantage miles.

> More...

MilePoint Adds Online Florist
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Members of MilePoint can now use their miles as partial payment for flowers purchased from FTD.com.

> 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...

Most Airlines Match Fare Sale With 10% Online Discount
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American has released a domestic and international sale for travel through Mar. 2002. Book your tickets by Tuesday, Dec. 4. Purchase online and save an additional 10%. Most major U.S. airlines have matched this sale.

> More...

Sale Fares to/from Florida and Cities in the West
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JetBlue has released a fare sale offering savings on most of its routes, with round-trip fares to/from Florida starting at $88, and fares from $188 round-trip to/from cities in the West. American has matched this sale.

> More...

S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S

Win Trips, Elite Perks in Delta's Skyathlon
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Register at Delta's new Olympic-themed Skyathlon website and win "medals" for various activities and purchases. Each medal constitutes an entry in daily, weekly and monthly sweepstakes. Prizes include free tickets, Medallion status, and Olympics travel packages.

> More...

[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online here.]

Until next week...