Media Inquiry - Make Your Voice Heard

I am a reporter working on an article for a well-known national magazine about frequent flier programs. In the story I'll be writing about the increase in the miles available to consumers through hundreds of partnership programs, the decreasing ability to use those miles for flights and some of the perks offered to elite club members.

I'm hoping to find travelers to speak with for the story who have either had trouble redeeming miles or lost miles through airline policy changes and also those who have enjoyed some of the perks that come from elite club membership. If you'd like to speak with me for the story, please send me an email so we can set up a call.

Jim Rendon
Freelance writer
ajrendon@earthlink.net

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, albar333 is looking for advice on using miles for transatlantic flights: "My wife & I are embarking on a cruise from Venice in Oct. 08. We have approximately 200,000 UA or AA miles between us. I would like to get reasonable upgradeable to business class tickets on the Atlantic portion, but have been unable to get either. Failing that I would accept using miles for the business fare on the Atlantic portion. But I hate to burn that many miles for an 8 hour flight. Any info would be appreciated."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, joer is cashing in HHonors points for a free stay in Paris: "I'm considering a stay in Paris at one of their Hiltons. Has anyone stayed at either and can you recommend either?"

Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!

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FrequentFlier Features

Recent FrequentFlier Features posted to the FrequentFlier.com website include the following:

• Airline Mileage Programs Continue Downward Spiral
  For frequent flyers, it's all bad news, all the time.

• When Frequent Flyer Miles Are for Sale, It's Buyer Beware
  The price of miles: High!

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AirTran Extends Life of Credits for Elites

Effective November 13, elite members of AirTran's A+ Rewards program have two years to use their credits before they expire, twice the previous one-year expiration period, which still applies to non-elites.

The one-year expiration policy is among the harshest in the industry. The more generous policy should be extended to all members.

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Earn Double AA Miles for JFK-St. Kitts Flights

Between November 18, 2007, and February 12, 2008, AAdvantage members will earn double miles on American's new flights between New York (JFK) and St. Kitts/Nevis.

Registration is required, using promotion code NYCRB.

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Continental Offers Bonus Miles for Hong Kong, Beijing Flights

Between November 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, OnePass members can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles on Continental flights between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Hong Kong or Beijing.

Bonuses are 10,000 miles for round-trips in J, D or Z class of service, 5,000 bonus miles in Y, H, M, B or V class of service, and 2,500 bonus miles in Q, S, T, or L class of service.

Registration is required.

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Bonus Miles at the Midwest Miles Mall

Members of the Midwest Miles program can earn 500 bonus miles for their first purchase of $25 or more at the Midwest Miles Mall between November 1 and December 31.

Christmas shopping, anyone?

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Virgin America Fares from $39 Each Way

Virgin America is offering sale fares from $39 one-way or $78 round-trip through Friday. Destinations include New York, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.

Travel is valid from November 27 through March 12, 2008. Book by November 30, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) BusinessFirst Europe Fares on Continental from $1,240

Holiday season flights in Continental's BusinessFirst class are on sale starting as low as $1,240 round-trip. Featured destinations include London, Brussels, Paris, and Rome.

Departures are valid from December 17, 2007, through January 4, 2008, and returns are available from December 22 through January 9. Continental hasn't listed a booking deadline.

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Hertz Is Giving Away 25 Million Miles

Enter Hertz's "Road to Multi-Million Mileage Plus Miles" sweepstakes by March 14, 2008, for a chance to win one of two grand prizes of 1 million United miles each, or any of a number of other lesser prizes. In all, more than 25 million miles will be awarded.

Sweepstakes entries are automatically awarded to customers renting from Hertz during the sweepstakes period. To enter without renting, mail-in entries are also accepted.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Many of the comments you post from people say they have 'no problem' redeeming FF miles.

"I agree that, in the case of United, there is no problem at all if 'Standard' awards are used, or 50,000 FF miles for a domestic economy ticket. I have gotten specific, non-stop economy flights on United for multiple family members at the last minute with 'Standard' awards, even on Holidays. However, getting 'Saver' awards in any class (25,000 miles for a domestic economy ticket, etc.) on United is very difficult and often impossible, even with multiple stops and flying at odd times of the day. It would be more informative if your readers specified what kind of award they used with "no problem". Using the 'Standard' awards often results in a fare value of less than one cent per FF mile, which isn't very good." [Ralph H. - Springfield, VA]

"How can I use my Continental OnePass miles other than for magazines??

"I have a letter that tells me my 18,720 mileage balance will expire 12/15/07. What can I use them for since I do not want any more magazines?? Doesn't it take 20,000 miles to get a restricted round trip flight in the US?? If I put 1280 more miles on my card before 12/15/07, can I get a ticket dated for travel after 12/15/07???

"If not, what else can I do with my miles???" [Mary M.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - To extend the miles in your account for another 18 months, you can do anything that affects your account balance -- either earning more miles or redeeming some of the miles you already have.

If you don't plan on earning more miles before 12/15, redeeming as few as 400 miles for a magazine subscription is an easy way to preserve the rest of your miles.

You can redeem 20,000 miles for a short-haul award. So yes, if you increase your balance to that level before 12/15 you'll have another 18 months to use them for a free ticket.]

Until next week...