More on the Integration of the America West-US Air Programs

Two weeks ago, we suggested that anyone with miles in the programs of both America West and US Airways take time to check their account information to assure that data in the name and address fields is identical in both programs. That way, when the two programs are merged in the Spring of 2006, accounts held by the same individuals can be seamlessly combined into single accounts.

As US Airways warned its members, accounts held under the names "Joe Smith" and "Joseph Smith" would be treated as having different owners, even if the same Mr. Smith in fact owned both accounts.

We received the following in response from Steve A.: "Interesting point about the need to make sure that a member has an exact name match between US and HP frequent flyer programs. Of course. Anyone who goes to their websites realizes that the one piece of profile information that CANNOT be changed is the member name!!"

After looking into the matter, an America West rep acknowledged that once an account has been established, the member cannot change the name on the airlines' websites.

Accordingly, we're amending our advice. If changes are necessary to match the names in both programs, you'll have to call America West (1-800-247-5691) or US Airways (1-800-428-4322) to make the change. Changes in the address and other fields can be made online.

Thanks, Steve. Good catch.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, AmyRochNY is trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of fare types, some of which are upgradeable, others not: "I am a CO OnePass member and frequently shop around online for airfare on websites such as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelzoo, etc. I was wondering where I might find information on which class of fare I am purchasing from these websites... I am looking in particular for places I can purchase K, N, or B fares (those fares that do not require additional charges when using miles to upgrade to first class), or ways I can find out about these fare types before purchasing."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, dyounts is 300 miles short of elite status on United: "Does anyone have any suggestions for earning the additional 300 elite qualifying miles without having to fly?"

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

:: More

Buy More, Give More, Get More AAdvantage Miles

Through Dec. 31, AAdvantage members will earn 1,000 bonus miles for every 5,000 miles they purchase either for their own accounts or as gifts for others.

There's a maximum of 8,000 bonus miles that may be earned through this promotion.

:: More

CO, DL, NW Expand Lounge Access

Effective Dec. 1, co-SkyTeam members Continental, Delta and Northwest will allow members of each other's lounge programs access to all three carriers' airport lounges.

So members of Continental's Presidents Club, Delta's Crown Room Club and Northwest's WorldClubs will be able to enter any of the three airlines' 90-plus lounges worldwide, no matter which airline they happen to be flying.

Lounge access is valid for members and up to two guests, or a spouse and children under 21.

:: More

Earn 15 SkyMiles per $1 Spent at SkyMall

Through Dec. 31, SkyMiles members can earn 15 miles per $1 in eligible purchases at SkyMall.com. That's a hefty multiplier over the three miles per $1 normally awarded.

:: More

Bonus Points at L.A., New Jersey Hyatts

Between Dec. 1, 2005 and Feb. 28, 2006, Gold Passport members can earn 1,500 bonus points for stays at Hyatt's new Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles or Hyatt Morristown in Morristown, NJ.

Request Offer Code NEWEST at time of reservation.

:: More

More Miles at the Malls

In what has become an annual ritual, there are bonus miles and points on offer for holiday purchases at most of the airline and hotel programs' online mileage malls.

At American's eShopping mall, for example, AAdvantage members can earn double the normal one to five miles per $1 spent at 25 participating retailers through Dec. 31 when charging their purchases to a MasterCard. And if the MasterCard is a Citibank AAdvantage World MasterCard, shoppers can pocket an additional 1,000-mile bonus for spending $500 or more at one or more of the same 25 companies. Registration required.

On the hotel side, as reported in last week's Crier, Priority Club Rewards members can earn double points plus threshold bonuses of up to 10,000 points for purchases charged to a Visa card at 23 participating Priority Club Shopping e-tailers through Dec. 31.

Follow the links below for holiday mall bonuses in place at Alaska, American, Delta, Marriott, Northwest, Priority Club, United. Other programs may have similar promotions in the pipeline.

(The usual caveat applies: When patronizing mileage malls, it's important to follow the links from the hotel or airlines' own websites to insure that the shopper's frequent flyer number is linked to any subsequent purchases and the miles properly credited.)

:: More (Alaska)
:: More (American)
:: More (Delta)
:: More (Northwest)
:: More (United)
:: More (Marriott)
:: More (Priority Club)

Starwood Buys Meridien Hotels

Following Starwood's recent acquisition of Le Meridien's 130 hotels for approx. $225 million, Meridien's frequent-stay program, Le Meridien Moments, will be terminated and most Meridien properties will be folded into Starwood's Preferred Guest program.

On Mar. 17, 2006, all existing Moments member accounts will be converted into Starwood Preferred Guest member accounts. One Moment point will be converted into seven Starpoints. That is also the date on which Meridien stays begin earning credit in the Starwood program.

As with the merging of America West FlightFund and US Air Dividend Miles accounts, travelers who are members of both the Starwood and Meridien programs are encouraged to make any necessary changes to insure that the names and mailing addresses in their profiles are identical, to facilitate the auto-merging of accounts.

:: More

Starwood Offers 500-Point Online Booking Bonus

Through Dec. 31, Starwood Preferred Guest members will earn a 500-point bonus for every stay booked online at a Starwood family website (www.starwoodhotels.com, www.SPG.com, www.westin.com, www.sheraton.com, www.whotels.com, www.fourpoints.com, www.stregis.com, or www.luxurycollection.com). Stays must be completed by Mar. 31, 2006.

Registration is required.

:: More

United Adds Elite Perks

Beginning in 2006, Mileage Plus members will earn bonuses for reaching designated thresholds.

At 40,000 elite qualifying miles (EQMs) or 40 elite-qualifying segments (EQSs), 75,000 EQMs/75 EQSs and 125,000 EQMs/125 EQSs, members receive a choice of various awards, including dining certificates; a tour of United's flight training center in Denver; triple flight miles for a month; and the ability to elevate another Mileage Plus member to elite status.

Also new from United, as of Nov. 15 and throughout 2006, Mileage Plus award service fees will be waived for 1K and Global Services members. And Million Miler Flyers will receive two confirmed regional upgrades on Jan. 1, 2006, good for paid travel within North America. Million Milers will also receive lifetime Premier Executive status in Mileage Plus.

:: More

US Air to Sever Ties with Amex Membership Rewards

The latest casualty in the America West-US Airways merger is the link-up with Membership Rewards.

From the US Air website: "In conjunction with the planned merger of America West Airlines and US Airways, effective January 1, 2006, US Airways will no longer participate in the Membership Rewards program and Membership Rewards points may no longer be redeemed for miles in the US Airways Dividend Miles program. All such point transfers must be completed before January 1, 2006 and are considered final and non-refundable."

The relationship with Diners Club will remain in place.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Australia Three-City Air Pass from Qantas as Low as $999

Travelers on both coasts can take advantage of Qantas' multi-city air pass. For the starting price of $999, the pass includes roundtrip airfare on select flights from the western U.S. to Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, and up to three additional flights within Australia. East Coast and Midwest departures are available at higher prices.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid from May 1 through June 8, 2006. Travel on other dates is available at higher prices.

Book tickets at least seven days in advance, and by June 30, 2006. Fares require a seven-day minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 21 days.

:: More

2) Europe Sale Fares from $189

Late-fall and winter flights to Europe are on sale from 1-800-Fly-Europe, a package tour operator. The sale starts at $189 roundtrip, and destinations include London, Paris, and Rome, as well as Dublin and Reykjavik (new additions to 1-800-Fly-Europe's usual sales).

Departures are valid through Dec. 10, 2005, and from Jan. 10 through Mar. 15, 2006. Book tickets by Dec. 31, 2005. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

:: More

Win a Trip for 2 to Fiji

Enter the Fiji Visitors Bureau sweepstakes by Dec. 30, for a chance to win a trip for two to Fiji, including air and hotel.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I earned all of my Dividend miles before the year 2000.

"Recently I received a notice that if there was no activity in my account in the last 36 months all my miles would be wiped out in spring 2006. Contacting US Airways three times, the following answers were given:

"1) Yes you had no activity, they will be wiped out.
"2) You had activity in Nov 2003 so no they won't.
"3) Since they were earned prior to 2000 they are grandfathered in and you will never lose them.

"Can you advise which to believe?" [Walt]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - I wouldn't presume to adjudicate among US Airways' various responses. Bottom line: it's their program, and they're the final authority. My advice would be to get a ruling from a supervisor, and get it in writing. That way, they will have to honor whatever promise they made, even if it turns out to have been an incorrect interpretation of their own policy.]

"I fly about 12-14X a year: probably ~25,000 miles in all.

"But I find it hard to do it all on 1 airline and I lose track of which airline partners with whom. I want to learn how to consolidate my points, not just for tickets, but for MVP status so I can get upgrades." [Doug G.]

[FrequentFlier.com responds - Great question on an important topic. Recognizing the value of consolidating miles in a single program is half the battle -- it's key to earning more awards and elite status. The other half is choosing the right program and relentlessly focusing your earning in that program. Helpful resources include the FrequentFlier.com website and this newsletter, the book I recently co-authored, Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs, and the programs' own member materials.]

[In response to Jeff's rant two weeks ago about being charged $2 to rent a blanket on an Air Canada flight...]

"Wow! paying for a blanket!

"I have Raynaud's, a circulatory disorder which causes damage to extremitiesupon exposure to cold. I often have two blankets on flights, along with a long down coat and slim gloves. Additionally I have other physical disabilities. What would the Disabilities act do with this? Would the airlines allow me to carry on blankets in order not to pay for them??" [Darling M.]

Until next week...