UP FRONT..........................................................

Bankruptcy Watch
................

Upstart low-cost operator Independence Air confirmed rumors that it may be forced to file for bankruptcy if it cannot make $83 million in aircraft lease payments due in January. Dulles-based Independence lost $82.7 million in the July-Sept. period, its first full quarter of service since changing its name from Atlantic Coast Airlines and relaunching as an aggressively low-fare carrier.

.........../

Indianapolis-based discounter ATA -- the latest U.S. carrier to seek protection from creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy -- just has received $15.5 million in financing from the Indiana Transportation Finance Authority, giving ATA breathing room for the short term.

While ATA's restructuring plan calls for selling off portions of its network to AirTran, and linking the 2 carriers' mileage programs, America West has signaled interest in certain of ATA's assets but so far has not formalized a bid.

It will be up to the bankruptcy court to assess competing restructuring plans, so there's no telling what the future holds for ATA.

ON SITE...........................................................

FrequentFlier Forum Topics
..........................

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Travlynn warns: "Kellogg Company's participation in the AAdvantage Miles program is winding down." (See "Miles & Points" below for details.)

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, bc100 is wondering how elite-qualifying segments are defined. "My guess would be that you only earn 2 segments on a roundtrip ticket, regardless of whether you fly direct or change planes." (Nako replies with clarification.)

In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Scoopie is planning to cash in: "After years of accumulating Hilton HHonors points for family and own HH accounts, we are FINALLY going to get the chance to cash them in for free night stays at the Milan Hilton in November. My question is this... what (if anything) can we expect in regards to upgrades or perks, being 'Gold.'"

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

-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php

MILES & POINTS....................................................

AAdvantage Miles-for-Breakfast to Sunset
........................................

Per the Kellogg's website: "Kellogg Company's participation in the AAdvantage Miles program is winding down. While there are still packages on grocery shelves that have certificates printed on them, we are no longer printing new packages with certificates."

Certificates now in circulation have expiration dates of Mar. 31, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2005. (Each certificate is worth 100 miles, with a minimum requirement of 5 certificates submitted per redemption.)

-> More: http://kelloggs.com/promotions/american_airlines/home.shtml

Continental Offers Bonus Miles (for a Price)
............................................

OnePass members who sign up for Continental's ExtraMile offer between Nov. 10 and Dec. 31, 2004, can pay to earn a 50% mileage bonus for paid Continental/Continental Express flights throughout 2005. The fees: $50 to earn up to 6,000 bonus miles, $100 to earn up to 10,000 bonus miles, or $150 to earn up to 15,000 bonus miles.

The bonus miles do not count toward elite status.

Continental is also offering a 1,000-mile bonus for enrolling in the promotion at continental.com.

-> More: http://www.continental.com/onepass/news/default.asp

Earn OnePass Miles for Airport Shopping
.......................................

Between Nov. 7 and Nov. 20, OnePass members will earn 3 miles for every $1 spent at any merchant in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport or in Terminal E at Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

To earn miles, members must drop off receipts and their OnePass account numbers at the merchant ballot boxes or designated promotion tables located in Newark's Terminal C or Houston's Terminal E.

Hyatt Is New Rewards Network Partner
....................................

Members of Rewards Network (formerly iDine) can now receive a 7% rebate for eligible stays at 106 participating Hyatt Hotels.

The Rewards Network rebate is in addition to miles normally earned for the same stay.

-> More: http://www.rewardsnetwork.com/member/hotel/index.jhtml

Priority Club Bonus for Hotel Indigo Stays
..........................................

The newest InterContinental Hotels brand, Hotel Indigo, has opened its first property in Atlanta.

Priority Club Rewards members will earn 10 points or 2.5 miles for every $1 spent at Hotel Indigo. Free nights at the hotel cost 25,000 points. To promote the new property, members will earn 1,000 bonus points for stays booked online at www.priorityclub.com/iho and completed by Feb. 28, 2005.

A second Hotel Indigo will open in Mar. 2005 in Chicago.

Hotel Indigo stays also qualify for the current multiple-stay promo: through Dec. 17, Priority Club Rewards members will earn 3,000 bonus points or 1,000 bonus airline miles after every 3 qualifying nights at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites hotels.

-> More: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/home

Bonus United Miles at the Mileage Plus Mall
...........................................

Through Dec. 31, Mileage Plus members can earn 1,000 bonus miles for purchases of $50 or more, or 2,500 miles for purchases of $100 or more at the following Mileage Plus Mall merchants: FTD.com, Brookstone, Harry and David, Nordstrom or RedEnvelope. Bonus is in addition to 5 miles awarded per $1 spent.

To earn the bonus, register and begin shopping through the Mileage Plus Mall.

-> More: http://mponlinemall.com/holiday/

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
.................................

1) Europe Consolidator Fares from $179

If you're in the market for a cheap flight to Europe (and you're sure your dates won't change after you book), consider winter sale fares from consolidator 1-800-Fly-Europe. Prices start at $179 roundtrip, and destinations include Amsterdam, Brussels, London, and Paris.

Travel is valid through Mar. 17, 2005. Tickets must be booked by Nov. 15. Travel at the lowest prices is valid midweek.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7678

2) Pacific Northwest Fares on Southwest from $39

West Coast residents looking to travel within the Pacific Northwest this fall or winter should check Southwest's sale before booking. Prices start at $39 1-way, and may be combined for roundtrip travel. Destinations include Portland, OR; Seattle; and Spokane.

Travel is valid from Nov. 16, 2004 through Apr. 1, 2005. Book tickets online at least 14 days in advance, and by Dec. 16.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=76474

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Frommer's "Hot Spot Italy" Sweepstakes
......................................

Enter Frommer's "Hot Spot Italy" sweepstakes by Nov. 30 for a chance to win a trip for 2 to Italy, including roundtrip air and hotel.

Enter online. No purchase necessary.

-> More: http://www.frommers.com/register/index.cfm?contest=69

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

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
......................................

"The Starwood Promotion of 1000 bonus miles for the first stay... 'Only the recipients of the direct mail piece are eligible to register.'" (Tim)

[Editor's Note - It turns out the Starwood offer mentioned in last week's Crier was restricted to those targeted by Starwood. Apologies for the error on our part.]

.........../

"Love the newsletter.

"Just a quick observation after my first trip on JetBlue between Long Beach and JFK. My years of flying United between LAX and JFK are over! JetBlue did everything right. My only complaint was that the flights were both almost completely full. Under those circumstances, I'd prefer a larger plane."

.........../

Until next week...