Media Query

A reporter with a major national newspaper is doing research on business travelers' experiences parking at airports.

Please reply to query@frequentflier.com with responses to the following questions. The reporter will contact you to follow up, if necessary. Also include your office and cell phone numbers and e-mail address. Thank you.

Do you use valet parking at the airports you frequent? Where do you use it? How do you like the service? Does it make your trip easier? Is it worth the cost?

What problems, if any, do you encounter parking at airports? Please describe them, in as much detail as possible, and also discuss how long this has occurred.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Masaryk wonders just how far alliance benefits go: "Is there any way to transfer miles between accounts within the Star Alliance? For example, consolidating some stray Lufthansa miles into a United account? (I know there are ways to "launder" miles through hotel programs, etc, which I'm willing to consider, but of course I'm hoping there's a more direct route...)"

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Constant Traveller alerts readers to an upcoming Starwood triple points promotion (Nov. 28 - Dec. 21). As kusanagiz replied: "Sweet."

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

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Earn Bonus AAdvantage Miles-for-Dining

AAdvantage members who participate in AAdvantage Dining can earn up to 3,000 bonus miles for qualifying dines between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.

Members will earn 500 AAdvantage bonus miles for two qualifying dines during the promotion period, 1,000 bonus miles for four dines, 2,000 bonus miles for six, and 3,000 bonus miles for eight.

Registration is required.

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American Doubles Miles Between LAX and San Antonio

Between Oct. 30, 2005 and Jan. 31, 2006, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for travel on American Airlines' new nonstop flights between Los Angeles and San Antonio.

Registration is required.

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Hertz Extends Bonuses for Weekly, Weekend Rentals

The Hertz #1 Awards bonus for weekly and weekend rentals has been extended through Dec. 31.

#1 Awards members will receive an additional 300 #1 Awards Points for weekly rentals or an additional 150 Points for weekend rentals, on any car class, for pickups through the end of the year.

To receive the bonus, provide PC# 961030 for weekend rentals and PC# 961041 for weekly rentals.

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Marriott Makes Weddings More Rewarding

Marriott Rewards members can earn as many as 250,000 bonus points for Friday or Sunday wedding receptions that are booked between Nov. 1, 2005 and Mar. 31, 2006, and take place between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2006.

Members can earn 150,000 Marriott Rewards points by spending $15,000 on food and beverage, 200,000 points for $20,000, and 250,000 points for a $25,000 reception.

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Double Miles-for-Dining from Midwest

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, Midwest Miles members will earn double miles for qualifying dines charged to a Midwest Airlines MasterCard registered with Rewards Network.

A maximum of 2,500 bonus miles can be earned during the promotion.

Registration is required.

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Bonus Northwest Miles between Flint and Fort Myers

Through Dec. 15, WorldPerks members will earn 1,000 bonus miles for every roundtrip Northwest flight between Flint and Ft. Myers.

Registration is required prior to travel.

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Priority Club Offers Dining Bonus for New Profiles

Priority Club Rewards members can earn 500 bonus points by setting up an online dining profile with a Username and Password between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 and then completing one qualified dine during the bonus period.

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TripRewards Expands Awards

TripRewards members now can redeem points for free-night stays at participating Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Super 8 and Ramada hotels outside North America. The addition of international properties expands by almost 300 the number of award hotels, now spread among over 45 countries.

International award stays range from 6,000 to 30,000 points per stay, depending upon brand and location.

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Bid Miles at Mileage Plus Auctions

Mileage Plus members can now bid their miles for "innovative travel experiences and big-ticket items" on the Mileage Plus Auction site.

Among the items up for auction: private cooking lessons, a spa treatment, a helicopter ride, a shark diving experience, and a Chrysler Crossfire coupe.

At press time, the current bid on that Chrysler Crossfire was 1,045,000 miles.

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Planning for a Healthy Holiday
Provided by Healthy Travel Network

November is upon us, which means that the end-of-year holidays are right around the corner. The average American gains five to seven pounds over the holidays, but with smart planning you can avoid unwanted extra pounds. Print Healthy Travel Network's tip sheet, and tack it to your bathroom mirror or next to your desk for a regular reminder on how to stay healthy and fit over the holidays.

• Eat a healthy and balanced low-calorie meal before departing for parties. You'll be less likely to binge on high-fat, sugar-laden foods if you have a full stomach.
• Take a small salad plate or bread plate through the buffet line, rather than a dinner plate.
• Move away from the food table at parties serving hors d'oeuvres!
• Try diet tonic, seltzer water, or ginger ale with a splash of fruit juice as a festive alternative to alcohol. You'll save countless calories and won't have to worry about drinking and driving.
• Arrive on time at parties and gracefully exit early, so that you feel fresh the next day and can maintain your regular workout schedule.
• If you receive food gifts, don't open them. Take them into the office and leave them for your co-workers.
• Remember not to deprive yourself of all the goodies. Complete self-deprivation often leads to binging.

Sign up at Healthy Travel Network to get our next newsletter, filled with even more tips and strategies for healthy and fit holidays.

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Caribbean and Bahamas sale fares from $18

Low-cost carrier Spirit has unveiled Caribbean and Bahamas flights starting at $9 each way for travel into December. This is the lowest price we've ever seen for these routes. A roundtrip purchase ($18) is required to get the $9 fare.

Travel is valid on select dates from Nov. 10 through Dec. 14. Book tickets by Nov. 7.

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2) Florida Fares on Delta from $69 Each Way

Travel to and from Florida is on sale through early February from Delta. Fares start at $69 one-way, and destinations include Jacksonville, Orlando, and Pensacola.

Travel is valid from Nov. 7, 2005, through Feb. 1, 2006. Book tickets at least 10 days in advance, and by Nov. 9, 2005. Travel to Florida is valid Mondays through Wednesdays and Saturdays, and travel from Florida is valid from Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays.

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Win 2.5 Million Delta Miles

Enter Delta's "Ticket For Life" sweepstakes between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15 for a chance to win 2.5 million SkyMiles plus $25,000 in spending money. In addition to the grand prize, Delta is giving away 45 Daily Prizes - 50,000 SkyMiles each.

Entries are awarded for purchasing qualifying tickets, or by mail with no purchase required.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Had to laugh when I heard the news that Delta plans to scrap Song.

"I Have flown Song on several occasions and found the overall product superior to Delta's 'full service' flights, which of course cost more. I was left wondering how a company can rationalize selling its inferior product at a premium price, and selling its best product at a discount.

"Seem to recall that you had commented on the disconnect in your newsletter and wanted to add my name to the list of those who thought it was a dumb move on Delta's part.

"Guess that's the least of their problems now." [Alex in Cincinnati]

"Thanks for your good work in keeping us US Airways flyers up to date on the merger with America West. As mediocre as US Airways had become in recent years, it's a great relief to find that they will be around for the long haul. And yes, I was quite worried about losing my miles.

"I'm not sure how I feel about the 'new' US Airways. Maybe it's too soon to tell. But I'd be interested to hear your comments." [Jane R.]

Until next week...