Holidays Cause for Thanks & Angst
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Welcome back.

It's been an eventful 2 weeks since the last issue. Two events in particular warrant mention.

First, on the positive side of the ledger, U.S. airports handled the Thanksgiving crush more adeptly than anyone had any right to expect. The combination of newly hired security screeners and holiday crowds seemed a sure recipe for long lines and overheated tempers. The reality: in the great majority of cases, security checkpoint waits were 10 minutes or less.

If that turns out to be the new norm, we're well down the road to taking the hassle factor out of the travel equation. And the airlines will be left to wrestle their own demons, particularly sub-par service and logic-defying pricing.

Airport bottlenecks and tariff overhauls were the least of United's concerns, as the odds of a bankruptcy filing swung crazily between 50-50 and inevitable. As we go to press on Wednesday, the Air Transportation Stabilization Board has just ruled against United's loan-guarantee request, explaining: "The board believes that the business plan submitted by the company is not financially sound."

More on this next week, by which point United's next move should be apparent.

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

AirTran Offers Points-Generating Visa Card
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Members of AirTran Airways' loyalty program can now earn points when charging purchases to the newly launched AirTran A-Plus Visa credit card.

Cardholders earn 2 A-Plus points per dollar when charging AirTran tickets, 1 point for other charges. One thousand points equal 1 flight credit, and 12 flight credits (or 12,000 points) are redeemable for one roundtrip coach ticket.

Call 1-866-389-7877 or visit http://www.airtranaplusvisa.com for more.

Alamo, National Iffy on Airline Miles
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From a news release issued this week by ANC Rental, parent company of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car: "Not all Frequent Flyer programs offer the competitive advantages they once did."

Accordingly, the company is "reviewing all options," including terminating some or all airline mileage partnerships.

While ANC claims the decision will be driven by feedback from customers, my guess is that by publicly airing their ambivalence toward mileage programs, they're actually looking for support from their competitors in the rental-car space. If other car rental companies signal their intention to do likewise, Alamo and National may indeed exit the mileage game, no matter what their customers' reaction.

A decision will be announced in early 2003.

Alaska Doubles SEA-MIA Miles
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To promote its new cross-country service, Alaska Airlines is offering Mileage Plan members double miles on flights between Seattle and Miami through Jan. 31, 2003. Registration is not required.

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Elite Status for Sale at American
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American is offering current Gold and Platinum members a way to extend their elite status an extra year, without meeting the normal travel requirements. In a word: Cash.

For $395, current Gold members can maintain their status through Feb. 29, 2004. And for $595, Platinum members can do the same. There's no provision for extending Exec Platinum status, the top tier. Deadline to participate: Mar. 31, 2003.

The move is getting mixed reviews. In the feedback I've received so far, there are 2 dominant themes. First, there's the "Another money-grab by the airlines" reaction. And second, there's the dilution concern -- that the availability of elite benefits, particularly upgrades, is inversely proportional to the number of elite members.

Money grab? Sure, it's a revenue-generator for American. But for current elites contemplating a mileage run to requalify before the end of 2002, it might be cheaper to take American up on their offer and just buy the extension outright. Plus they'd avoid the downtime and hassle associated with a flight to nowhere.

As for the dilution effect, only time will tell whether American has miscalculated, and allowed greed to overcome the fear of disenfranchising legitimate elites. Let's hope that they've got the math right and can deliver on the promise of elite benefits, to those who have earned them as well as to those who purchase them. If so, this will be a win-win proposition.

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BestFares' AAdvantage Bonus
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Purchase a BestFares membership for $59.95 by Feb. 28, 2003, and earn 750 bonus AAdvantage miles.

Membership includes a subscription to BestFares magazine, full access to the BestFares.com website, travel discounts, etc.

> More...

Earn Diners Bonus for BA Flights
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Through Feb. 28, 2003, 10,000 Club Rewards bonus points will be awarded for using a Diners Club card to purchase qualifying British Airways full-fare roundtrip transatlantic tickets in Concorde (R,A), first (F,A), or Club World class (J,D).

There's a limit of 1 bonus per cardholder.

> More...

Northwest Ties Up with JAL for Awards
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Beginning Apr. 1, 2003, Northwest WorldPerks members can redeem miles for flights on Japan Airlines within Japan. No earning, just burning. And no international flights, just domestic.

Northwest already has a frequent flyer program link with Japan Air System (JAS), which is merging with JAL. JAL is partnered with American, and was expected to join the Oneworld global alliance in 2003. That is, until Oneworld announced that no new airline partnerships would be forthcoming in the near future.

Got that?

Priority Club's Bonus for Multiple Stays
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Priority Club Rewards members will earn double points or miles between Jan. 13 and Mar. 31, 2003, for the second and subsequent stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Staybridge Suites hotels.

To participate, Priority Club members must register their member numbers in advance, either online at http://www.priorityclub.com/double or by calling 1-888-560-5660, promotion code 8000.

Double Triple Bonus for US Air Shuttle
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Through Dec. 31, earn triple Mileage Plus miles AND triple Dividend Miles for US Airways Shuttle flights.

To earn both bonuses, both United and US Airways membership numbers must be included in the reservation prior to departure. And you must pre-register with US Airways at http://usairways.com/, or by calling 1-800-872-4738, promo code 5236.

Fly to/from Denver to Earn Bonus Dividend Miles
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Dividend Miles members who fly on US Airways to/from Denver between Dec. 1, 2002, and Feb. 28, 2003, will earn triple miles for first class and select coach class fares (F,A,Y,B) and double miles for other coach fares.

> More...

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...

Off-peak holiday fares starting at $158 R/T
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Time is running out to book your holiday flights, but you can still save money if you avoid the busiest travel days. American and Northwest have extended their fare sales to domestic and Canadian destinations, for travel between now and Jan. 6, 2003.

On American, you can save by flying from now through Dec. 18, Dec. 22-24 or 30-31, or Jan. 2-3, 2003. Even lower fares are available for travel on Dec. 25, or on Jan. 1 or 6, 2003. Book tickets at least 3 days in advance.

On Northwest, savings are available from Dec. 18-19, 23-24, or 30-31, or Jan. 2-3, 2003. The lowest fares are also for travel on Dec. 25, or on Jan. 1 or 6, 2003. Book tickets at least 7 days before departure and by Thursday, Dec. 26.

> More...

Winter flights to Ireland as low as $198 R/T
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Aer Lingus has extended its sale on travel from New York (JFK), Boston, or Chicago (O'Hare) to either Dublin or Shannon, Ireland, with fares starting at $198 roundtrip. The airline is also offering flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to either city for $248, not including additional taxes and fees. These are remarkably low fares, particularly from Chicago and Los Angeles. Purchase tickets online only and by Jan. 14, 2003.

> More...

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

From Bank of America, Alaska Air: PAC-10 Sweeps
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Enter the Bank of America PAC-10 sweepstakes by Jan. 31, 2003, to win a trip for 2 to the 2003 PAC-10 Tournaments including roundtrip first-class air, game tickets, hotel accommodations, passes to Disneyland, etc. Other prizes include Alaska Air travel vouchers and travel bags.

Earn sweepstakes entries by signing up for an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Visa card and by making eligible charges with existing cards. Non-cardholders may enter, without obligation, by mailing contact information to the sweepstakes administrators.

> More...

Until next week...