Issue #122  --  Nov. 30, 2000

<< U P F R O N T >>

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Welcome Home, Survivors
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Just a quick "welcome back" to those who endured the unfriendly skies in their quest for the warm glow of family, friends and chestnut stuffing over this past Thanksgiving weekend.

<< O N S I T E >>

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

Sam is looking for ways to earn miles without traveling. Lisa wonders if she can earn miles for a flight she pays for but never takes. Bob is a newly minted Platinum (congrats!), and wants to know what additional benefits to expect. Marv sheds light on the computation of miles for nonstop versus direct flights. Jim asks, "Where are my ClickMiles?" And Mike is ready to change programs, but wishes to preserve his elite status.

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

>> More <<
The FrequentFlier Forum

<< M I L E S >>

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Countdown to Elite: 4 Weeks to Go
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If you haven't yet accrued the necessary miles, segments or points to qualify for elite status in 2001, you have just 4 weeks to do so.

Just a friendly reminder from your Mileage Mama...

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Use Visa, Rent from Dollar, Earn Miles
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Through May 31, 2001, America West FlightFund members receive 250 bonus miles for every qualifying Dollar rental transaction of one day or longer, when charged to their FlightFund Visa credit card. The bonus is in addition to the usual 50 miles per rental day at participating Dollar locations.

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United Introduces E-Upgrades
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This Saturday, December 2, United will introduce electronic upgrades for flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Non-elites can use the upgrades from full-fare economy (Y/B-class tickets); Premier members can use them to upgrade from most paid published fares. Each 500-mile upgrade is valid for 1 year, after which it converts to 500 miles, automatically credited to the member's account.

In addition to upgrading him- or herself, Mileage Plus members will be able to use the new system to upgrade a traveling companion.

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Hilton HHonors Adds Visa to Card Lineup
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Hilton HHonors members now have a second credit card option, the Hilton HHonors Visa Platinum card, issued by Citibank.

The card awards 3 Hilton HHonors points for each $1 spent using the card at any of more than 2,000 Hilton HHonors hotels, or 2 points for each $1 spent at the 19 million merchants that accept Visa.

Citibank's Hilton HHonors Visa Platinum card has no annual fee and an introductory 0% interest rate on retail purchases, which rises to the prime rate plus 5.9% after the introductory 6-month period. Cardholders who take advantage of the initial offer also receive 7,500 HHonors points upon first use of the card and automatically become HHonors Silver VIP members for their first year of card membership.

For more information on the Hilton HHonors Visa Platinum Card, call 888-601-7083.

(You may recall that we reported recently on another new Hilton HHonors Platinum card (http://frequentflier.com/ffc-1109.htm), issued by American Express. To the best of our knowledge, HHonors is the only frequent travel program which offers both Visa and Amex cards.)

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Amtrak Launches Guest Rewards
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Amtrak on Wednesday launched Guest Rewards, a frequent-traveler program to reward users of its national network of train services.

On the earning side, members receive 2 points for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel, or 500 points for each trip on Acela Express or Metroliner in Business class on select city pairs, or 750 points for every trip on Acela Express or Metroliner in First class within select city pairs.

There's also a 500 point bonus for enrolling in the program online if you travel on Amtrak within 90 days of enrollment.

What's less clear is how the rewards side works. The website lists an impressive array of rewards partners, including United, Midwest Express, Continental, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood and several retailers. But there's no indication of what the rewards are, or how many points they require, so we have no way of evaluating the program's value proposition.

A customer service agent reached at the program's toll-free number was only able to confirm that the lowest level award would be a free Amtrak ticket at 2,500 points. I.e., absent bonuses, you'd be spending $1,250 to earn a free train ticket. That seems less than generous, but we'll reserve judgement until we have the full story.

For now, our advice to the folks at Amtrak: Don't even think about going public with a program until you're willing and able to clearly communicate both the earning AND the rewards components.

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Amtrak Guest Rewards

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TD Waterhouse's Million-Mile Giveaway
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Over 4 weeks, TD Waterhouse is giving away a total of 1 million AOL AAdvantage miles and a South Pacific Cruise from Renaissance Cruises.

During each of the first 3 weeks, 2 prizes of 100,000 miles and 2 prizes of 25,000 miles will be given away. And during the final week, the grand prize (a 10-day Renaissance cruise for 2, plus 50,000 miles) and 2 prizes of 100,000 miles will be given away. So by the end of the 4-week period, a total of 1 million miles, plus the cruise, will have been won.

You may enter the sweepstakes once a week, and receive up to 10 additional automatic entries per week by referring friends. Entrant must be 18 years or older and a legal resident of the U.S.

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Sweepstakes info

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First-Time AA.com Bookings Earn 4,000 Miles
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First-time bookers on American Airlines' website, between November 1 and January 31, earn 3,000 bonus miles for roundtrip travel on American, plus the normal 1,000 mile online booking bonus.

You're considered a first-time booker if you have never booked travel on American's website. Travel must completed by February 28. Bonus miles do not count toward elite status qualification.

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American

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Refer a Friend to BankDirect to Earn Miles
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Here's another AAdvantage mileage-earning opportunity, this one for customers of online-only bank, BankDirect.

When a BankDirect mileage or regular customer refers someone, who in turn opens and funds a Mileage Checking or Mileage Money Market Account, each will receive a bonus -- 1,000 miles to the person making the referral (up to a maximum of 10,000 miles), and 2,000 miles to the person being referred (i.e., 1,000 bonus miles in addition to the regular 1,000 for opening a mileage account). You must be a BankDirect customer to make a referral.

Limit: one award per referral, 10 referrals (up to a maximum of 10,000 AAdvantage miles). Account must be open for at least 6 months.

>> More <<
BankDirect Offer

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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Two hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

>> Savings on Transatlantic and Intra-European Travel

Lufthansa Airlines has released 2 sets of sale fares on winter travel to Europe with fares starting at $287 round-trip. Lufthansa is also offering savings on travel within Europe.

For more details, go here.

>> Savings on Eastern and Southern U.S. Travel

AirTran has released a sale on fares throughout its system. Travel is valid from now through March 14, 2001. Purchase tickets online by Thursday, December 7.

For more details, go here.

<< S I T E 2 S E E >>

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AirSafe.com
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AirSafe is a site we've cited here before, typically in conjunction with the crash of a commercial airliner. That's their stock in trade--air safety, and the lack thereof.

We're mentioning the site again this week in recognition of its more general travel-related content, which may be useful as we get into the high-traffic, high-anxiety holiday season. Here are direct links to some specific sections of interest:

o Fear of flying
o Advice for Novice Flyers
o Overbookings and Cancellations
o How to Complain Effectively
o irsafe.com/danger.htm">Hazardous Baggage
o Child Safety
o Air Rage

>> More <<
AirSafe.com

Until next week...