U P F R O N T

Northwest Won't Match Continental, Delta Elite Changes
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In a recent article for SmarterLiving, I speculated that Northwest would probably be the next carrier to offer fewer elite-qualifying miles for discounted fares, following in the footsteps of Delta and Continental. My reasoning: Delta, Continental and Northwest are engaged in a 3-way alliance (code sharing, reciprocal frequent flyer program participation, etc.), and partners in such networks generally make a concerted effort to unify their policies in these areas. Looking ahead, that pressure will only intensify when Northwest joins the SkyTeam group sometime next year.

Shortly after the article was posted, I received a call from Northwest's P.R. manager, Kurt Ebenhoch, to set the record straight. According to Ebenhoch, Northwest has no plans to match the elite-qualifying policies of Continental and Delta.

The soundness of my initial reasoning aside, this makes sense. Northwest is a known spoiler, oftentimes staking out a position as the lone holdout in industry-wide pricing initiatives (viz. fare hikes). In that context, it's no great surprise that they would buck the uniformity trend in this area as well.

That is good news for WorldPerks members, especially the growing segment of frequent business travelers who -- because they are cost-conscious small businesspersons or work for a larger company with strict travel policies -- make it a point to use cheaper restricted fares whenever possible.

It's also good news for members of other programs, who rightly worry that the CO/DL policies might become the industry standard. That still could happen. But at least Northwest won't be adding its considerable weight to any momentum in that direction.

Different isn't always better. Northwest bucked the trend on miles-for-cyberfares (they don't award any). And they won't throw their lot in with the "more room throughout coach" movement. In spite of initiatives by United, American, JetBlue, and Song, Ebenhoch confirmed that Northwest would not increase legroom in coach in the foreseeable future.

There are some WorldPerks changes on the horizon. See "Miles & Points" below for details.

O N S I T E

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

Ronald has a link to the Continental/iDine promo. Danl shares a pleasant Southwest story. Gwen wants to combine miles from different programs. And much more...

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

> More...

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

AirTran, United, American Join Hero Miles Program
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We mentioned the Hero Miles program in last week's Crier (http://frequentflier.com/ffc-110503.htm), the effort to make frequent flyer miles available to assist military personnel returning home from overseas assignments.

Since then, United, American and AirTran have signed on, all committing to donating miles to the program.

For more, including instructions on how members may donate their miles, visit http//www.heromiles.org.

Triple America West Miles for CA Hilton Stays
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Through Dec. 15, America West FlightFund members will earn triple miles for Double Dip stays at participating Hilton HHonors hotels (Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn) in California.

Request Plan Code H7 at participating Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn Hotels, or Plan Code HH7 at the other brands.

> More...

Bonus SkyMiles for Amex Transfers
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SkyMiles members will earn a 15% bonus when transferring their Membership Rewards points to their SkyMiles accounts between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15.

Membership Rewards points normally convert 1:1 to Delta miles. Transfers must be in multiples of 1,000 points.

Register for the bonus at http://delta.com/transferbonus. Then visit http://americanexpress.com/rewards or call 1-800-AXP-EARN to make the transfer.

Bonus is only available to SkyMiles members living in the continental U.S.

Northwest Holds the Line (Largely)
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With all the changes to various airlines' elite programs -- and the expectation that other carriers would be following suit -- Northwest apparently felt it necessary to put the kibosh on speculation concerning future WorldPerks changes.

According to a newly posted page on Northwest's website, "The WorldPerks program will remain largely unchanged for the 2004 program year."

In particular, as mentioned above, WorldPerks members will continue earning full credit toward elite status for most Northwest discount fares.

But there will be changes...

Effective Oct. 26, WorldPerks members traveling in coach on Delta-operated flights will receive 100% mileage credit towards elite qualification. Previously, discounted fares (L, T, U) only earned 50% credit toward elite, and full-Y coach fares earned 150% credit.

Effective Jan. 1, 2004, WorldPerks members traveling on select discount fares on Continental-operated flights will receive only 50% mileage credit towards elite qualification.

Lastly, effective Jan. 1, 2004, Northwest will increase the number of miles required for first-class Hawaii awards (to 75,000 or 150,000 miles roundtrip for standard and RuleBuster awards, respectively), and for domestic upgrades from select coach fares (to 15,000 miles each way).

> More...

Northwest Bonus for Full-Fare Int'l
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WorldPerks members who travel internationally in World Business Class (J, C, Z fares) or full-Y coach (fare basis Y) on Northwest or KLM between Nov. 1, 2003, and Feb. 29, 2004, will earn up to 25,000 bonus miles.

The first roundtrip in World Business class earns 10,000 bonus miles; the second trip earns an additional 15,000 bonus miles, for a total of 25,000 miles.

In full-Y, the first roundtrip earns 5,000, the second 10,000, for a total of 15,000 bonus miles.

Register prior to travel and by Feb. 15, 2004 (promo code 8376).

> More...

Extra Priority Club Points for Hertz Rentals
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Between Nov. 1, 2003 and Feb. 29, 2004, Priority Club Rewards members will receive either 1,000 Priority Club Bonus Points or a free day on leisure weekly or leisure weekend rate rentals of three or more days when they rent a full size or larger car, including SUVs and minivans, from Hertz.

The bonus is in addition to the 125 points per day normally earned.

> More...

Gift Certificates for Fewer Priority Club Points
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Also from Priority Club, and in time for holiday shopping, retail and dining certificates are being offered for 10% fewer points through Dec. 31.

Certificates are available from a long list of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Cooking.com, Home Depot, Land's End, etc.

Points may be redeemed online or by calling 1-800-272-9273.

> More...

Mexicana Will Break Ties with United
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The longstanding relationship between United and Mexicana (code share, frequent flyer program, Star Alliance) is unraveling.

Code sharing will end on Mar. 31, 2004, as will Mileage Plus accrual for flights on Mexicana. Mileage Plus award reservations on Mexicana must be booked and ticketed by Dec. 31, 2003, and award travel must be completed by Mar. 31, 2004.

It is widely anticipated that the split with United will lead to Mexicana's expulsion from the Star Alliance as well. The matter will be put to a vote at a Nov. 13 Star meeting in Frankfurt.

From Mileage Plus: Changes at the Top
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When I saw the news release trumpeting the supposed benefits of upcoming Mileage Plus program changes, I held my breath, expecting the worst. But unlike recent announcements from other carriers, these United changes are all to the good.

> Elite-Qualifying Bonus for First & Biz Class

First, beginning Jan. 1, 2004, Mileage Plus members' United class-of-service bonus miles and segments will count toward earning elite status. (Members earn a 50% mileage or segment bonus for first class, and a 25% bonus for business class.)

> More Bonuses for Elites

In 2004, elites will receive the following, based on their flying in 2003:

• 2,500 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier members with 25,000 flight miles or 30 flight segments.
• 10,000 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier Executive members with 50,000 flight miles or 60 flight segments.
• Six electronic systemwide upgrades with limited restrictions for Premier Executive 1Ks with 100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 100 Elite Qualifying Segments.
• Two more systemwide upgrades for 1Ks with 100,000 flight miles or 100 flight segments.

> Million Miler Upgrades

Million Milers will receive 2 Confirmed Regional Upgrades on United or United Express.

> More Upgrades

Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, members will earn 2 systemwide upgrades upon reaching 125,000 flight miles or 125 flight segments; and 2 more at 150,000 flight miles or 150 flight segments.

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...

Multi-Airline Sale on Holiday Airfares from $78
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American, Continental, Frontier, Northwest, United, and US Airways are offering holiday-season discounts for flights on select dates between Nov. 20, 2003, and Jan. 6, 2004. Other airlines have quietly matched the sale fares. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance and by Friday, Nov. 21, on most airlines; American has not announced a specific booking deadline.

> More...

Visit the Emerald Isle for as Low as $198
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Aer Lingus has begun a fare sale to Ireland and other European destinations that lasts all the way through Feb. 2004. The lowest prices are from the East Coast, but there are also great deals from Chicago and Los Angeles.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

From United: Escape From It All Sweepstakes
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Enter United's "Escape From It All" sweeps by Dec. 31 to win 1 of 3 vacation packages including airfare for 2, rental car and hotel.

It's possible to enter once per day during the promotion period, and receive bonus entries for referring friends.

> More...

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

Until next week...