Media Query

Are you a bona fide road warrior? Top tier elite with one or more airline and hotel programs? Old enough to have some historical perspective on the changes in the travel industry over the past 10-20 years?

If so, and if you'd be willing to fill out a questionnaire for an article I'm working on for another publication, please contact me by this Friday at this email address.

Thanks!

Tim Winship
Publisher, FrequentFlier.com

US Air Would Buy Delta for $8 Billion

Several months ago, when US Airways' chief Doug Parker signaled that his airline shouldn't be overlooked in any discussions of candidates for future mergers, he wasn't taken very seriously. At the time, US Air was newly emerged from Chapter 11 and scrambling to make the merger with America West work. The new company hardly seemed positioned to undertake yet another tie-up.

Today he proved just how serious he was, going public with a surprise $8 billion hostile takeover bid for Delta Air Lines.

Five years ago, the idea would have been laughable -- two stodgy, high-cost airlines combining to create a bigger, stodgier, higher-cost uber-airline.

But today, US Air is really more America West than it is its namesake. With its low costs and energetic marketing, the new US Air looks to be a success in the making, eminently capable of acquiring and incorporating another carrier almost twice its size.

We'll have more information on what the merger would mean for members of US Air's Dividend Miles and Delta's SkyMiles programs in the coming weeks. For now, it's enough to say that no one needs to fret that miles will be lost or significantly devalued.

Here's one of the intriguing questions: assuming the merger goes forward, would the newly created carrier (which would retain the Delta name, according to Parker's proposal) elect to partner with the Star Alliance, as US Air does, or SkyTeam, currently co-anchored by Delta?

And then there's the question of the Atlanta and Charlotte hubs. Would both be maintained in the event of a merger? Just one? And in the latter case, which one?

Stay tuned.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, master029 wonders as follows: "I am currently a Marriott Platinum Elite Member (for 2 years), but have not requalified for the coming year. Does anyone know if any other hotel chain will match platinum status (similar to how some airlines match elite status)?? Please advise which chains if any that you know of would be willing to match."

If you haven't checked out the "Contests & Sweepstakes" Forum lately, Jennifer has posted info on a host of travel-related sweepstakes.

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

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AirTran, Frontier Link Mileage Programs

Effective November 14, AirTran and Frontier became earning and redemption partners in each other's mileage programs.

So members of AirTran's A+ Rewards program can earn credits and redeem them for Frontier flights. And members of Frontier's EarlyReturns program can earn and burn on AirTran flights.

The mileage program link-up is not supported by code sharing, as might be expected. Rather, each airline will refer customers who wish to book travel to destinations not in its network to the other's website or reservations center.

Members of both programs benefit from the additional opportunities to earn and redeem miles.

:: More (ATA)
:: More (Frontier)

Bonus AA Miles for Online Shopping

Through December 31, AAdvantage members can earn double miles when shopping at 25 online retailers through the AAdvantage eShopping mall. To earn the bonus, purchases must be charged to a MasterCard. Participating merchants: Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble.com, Blue Nile, Bose, Circuit City, drugstore.com, Eddie Bauer, eLUXURY.com, eToys, Gap.com, GiftCertificates.com, Harry & David, Home Depot, JCPenney, Lands' End, macys.com, Overstock.com, RedEnvelope, Restoration Hardware, Sears, Sharper Image, SonyStyle, Staples, Target.com and TigerDirect.

There's a separate additional bonus for Citibank AAdvantage MasterCard charges at the same retailers: 500 miles for purchases between $250 and $499.99, and an additional 1,000 miles for purchases of $500 or more.

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

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More AA Miles for LAX-SFO Flights

Through January 31, 2007, AAdvantage members will earn 1,000 bonus miles for American flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). Eligible booking classes: F, A, Y, B, K, M, L, G, V, W, S).

Registration is required.

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Amex Lowers Card Fees

Apparently reflecting the increased competition in the travel rewards space, American Express has reduced the annual fees for two of its highest profile charge cards.

The yearly fee for the iconic Preferred Rewards Green card will be $95, down from $115; and for the Preferred Rewards Gold card, the fee drops from $130 to $125. That's for the second and subsequent years -- the first year is fee-free.

New Gold cardholders receive 10,000 Membership Rewards points; bonus for the Green card is 5,000 points. Membership Rewards points can be exchanged for miles or points in 11 frequent flyer programs.

:: More (Green card)
:: More (Gold card)

Dollar, Thrifty Are New Gold Crown Club Partners

Members of Best Western's Gold Crown Club International (GCCI) loyalty program can now earn 1,000 points per rental at all participating Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental locations worldwide. To receive GCCI points, members must request them at the time of rental and provide their membership number. A hotel stay is not required to earn GCCI points at Dollar and Thrifty.

In addition, GCCI members earn points when they park at any one of 24 Thrifty Car Rental airport locations. Members who park three times at participating Thrifty Airport Parking facilities within a 12-month period will receive 250 points.

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Frontier Offers 1 Free After 3

Between November 1, 2006, and February 28, 2007, Frontier EarlyReturns members who fly three roundtrips between Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) will earn 4,500 EarlyReturns bonus miles. With the bonus, total earnings for the three flights will be 7,500 miles.

During the promotion period, EarlyReturns members can redeem 7,500 miles for a free trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Award trip must be completed by May 31, 2007.

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Double Priority Club Points for Shopping

Through December 31, members of InterContinental Hotels' Priority Club Rewards program can earn double points for purchases at Target, Lands' End, Overstock.com, Brookstone, Home Depot, Apple Store, Circuit City, Dell Home and Sony Style made through the Priority Club Rewards Shopping site.

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

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Double United Miles for Tokyo Flights

Through January 31, 2007, Mileage Plus members will earn double miles when flying United between Chicago (ORD) and Tokyo (NRT). Eligible booking classes: F, A, C, D, Y, B, M, H, Q, V.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) JetBlue Fares from $44 Each Way

Through Friday, JetBlue is offering discounted fares on many of its popular routes. Prices start at $44 one-way, and destinations include Boston, New York, Las Vegas, and Bermuda.

Travel is valid November 30, 2006, through February 15, 2007. Domestic fares are valid for travel on Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays, while international fares are valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fares require up to a 14-day advance purchase, and must be booked by November 17.

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2) United Holiday Sale from $78

United is offering U.S. and Canada sale fares for travel during the holiday season. Fares start at $78 roundtrip, and destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, and Vancouver. American and Northwest are also offering holiday sales.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid on November 23, 24, and 29; and December 25. You can also save on lower-priced days including November 16, 17, 19, 20, and 28; December 14 through 19, 24, and 27, 2006; and January 4, 5, and 8, 2007. United also designated "low" priced dates that include November 18, 21, 22, 25, and 27; December 20, 21, 26, and 28 through 31, 2006; and January 1 through 3, 6, and 7, 2007.

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Win Roundtrip Tickets to Hawaii

Enter ATA Airline's Sky High Awards Giveaway by December 19 for a chance to win two roundtrip tickets to Hawaii plus a $150 certificate from Hotels.com. Other prizes include Travel Awards points.

Participants must be members of the ATA Travel Awards program.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"You could always upgrade to first on America West, later US Airways, using miles. You just couldn't do it from the website... you had to make a phone call. This is not a change in policy, just a cost-saving move by the airline." [Brooks H.]

[FrequentFlier replies - Correct. Our story in last week's Crier inadvertently implied the upgrades were new. They're not. The ability to upgrade from the US Air website is what's new.]

"My experience when trying to cash in my Northwest miles is very much like others that have posted their comments in this newsletter. Terrible in other words.

"It would seem to me that this problem creates a business opportunity, for a travel agency that specializes in assisting people like myself who don't have the time or the patience to deal with the road blocks created by the airlines.

"Is there anything like that available?" [Frank H.]

[FrequentFlier replies - I'm only familiar with one company which specializes in helping consumers use their frequent flyer miles: Frequent Flyer Travel Services. Give them a call at 1-800-209-2645 and let us know if their services meet your needs.]

Until next week...