Mileage Pro -- Special Holiday Pricing

The Christmas shopping season only comes around once per year, so we've convinced the publisher of "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs" to offer a 15% discount to select groups, including readers of the FrequentFlier Crier, through Dec. 31.

The discount applies to the price of the book and to shipping and handling charges, but not to any applicable taxes.

To receive the discount, enter promotion code DGD5MX on the "Buy" page, and press the "Recalculate" key to apply the discount.

:: Visit the Mileage Pro website.

Pop Quiz: How Many Programs?

No one needs to tell our readers that mileage programs are big -- in size, scope and importance. But just how many frequent flyer programs are there?

According to Global Flight Management, the number of airline programs worldwide now exceeds 150, following the recent introduction of programs by Virgin Blue, Oman Air and Bangkok Airways.

Aloha to Exit Bankruptcy

Proving yet again that Chapter 11 needn't be a step on the road to liquidation, Aloha Airlines' 12-month bankruptcy stint is coming to a close.

Following approval of Aloha's reorganization plan by a bankruptcy judge in Honolulu, the airline is set to exit Chapter 11, possibly as soon as Dec. 15.

Aloha has been in bankruptcy since Dec. 30, 2004. Since then, the carrier has successfully negotiated new contracts with its flight attendants, machinists union and its dispatchers and crew schedulers, and is awaiting ratification of a new agreement with pilots.

Independence's Future Remains in Doubt

While Aloha's future looks assured, Independence Air's is anything but.

When Independence filed for Chapter 11 in early November, the airline warned that new investors would have to be found by Jan. 5 in order to continue operating. With less than one month to go, there's no sign of progress.

As we cautioned when Independence filed for Chapter 11: "[W]hile we've advised members of other frequent flyer programs to sit tight after their airlines declared bankruptcy, our advice to iClub members has to be different: iClub members should redeem their points and use them for award travel within the next two months.

"Better safe than sorry."

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, bbbacres2 is facing the same end-of-year problem as many other would-be elites: "I'm going to be short about 2,500 miles to move from silver to gold on NWA. I can fly any of its partners as well as NWA. I have heard for years about people making end of year flights to pick up elite status. I would like to do this. But how do I find a truly inexpensive flight?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, davemarston voices an all-too-familiar complaint about award availability: "Am trying to use my CO miles to go on vacation within the US in February. Have tried two dozen different destinations - I'm not picky. Amazing how there are NO seats for the 25,000 point cost but LOTS of seats at the 50,000 point price."

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

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Upgrade Avis Rentals in Europe

Avis is offering car upgrades -- from compact to intermediate -- to U.S. residents renting in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Reservations must begin on or before Jan. 31, 2006. Reservations must be made in North America referencing Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number F673100 at the time of booking.

:: More

More Miles-for-Shopping from Continental

Through Dec. 31, OnePass members will earn 1,000 bonus miles after making purchases at any three different retailers at ShopOnePass.

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Update - Mileage Mall Promotions

In the run-up to Christmas, we'll continue updating the list of links to miles-for-shopping bonuses from the airline and hotel programs.

To the list published last week, we've added the offer from Continental (see above).

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

Northwest Offers 2nd Chance to Fly Free Faster

Through Feb. 15, 2006, WorldPerks members can earn 5,000 bonus miles by 1) applying for and paying the annual fee on a new WorldPerks Visa Card, and 2) earning two Partner Credits with participating WorldPerks Mileage Partners (listed on the Northwest website).

Registration is required.

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SkyTeam Marks Anniversary with Bonus Miles

To publicize its fifth anniversary, SkyTeam is offering members of its partner airlines' frequent flyer programs up to 20,000 bonus miles for international flights operated by SkyTeam carriers Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta and Northwest. (NOTE - Not all SkyTeam carriers are participating in this promotion. Most conspicuously missing: Continental.)

To participate, members of participating SkyTeam partner programs must register between Dec. 5, 2005 and Jan. 27, 2006.

Then, between Feb. 6, 2006 and Apr. 30, 2006, registered travelers will earn 2,000 bonus miles for each eligible intercontinental flight segment, up to a maximum of ten segments.

United Posts Best Bets for Award Travel

Where will your miles take you? With award seats seemingly in ever shorter supply, mileage redemption often seems like an exercise in frustration and disappointment.

To assist Mileage Plus members hoping to redeem miles for restricted awards (as opposed to unrestricted awards, which require more miles but are less capacity-controlled), United publishes a list of flights which are particularly good prospects for award travel during the next month.

So for January, flights between Dallas and Washington, DC, or between New York and Tokyo are more likely to have available award seats than, well, flights between Los Angeles and Honolulu.

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Earn Bonus United Miles for Wine

Through Dec. 31, Mileage Plus members will earn 20 miles for every $1 spent plus an additional 2,500 bonus miles on orders of $50 or more at Hartwick & Grove Wine Merchants.

:: More (or call 1-866-455-7207)

More United Miles for Bose Purchases

Another United miles-for-shopping offer worth considering...

Through Dec. 31, Mileage Plus members who purchase a Bose Wave music system through the Miloeage Plus Mall will earn 1,250 bonus miles. And Bose will send the system via free express delivery.

Only purchases between $499 and $625, excluding taxes, are eligible for 1,250 miles. All transactions over $625 will earn two miles for each $1 spent.

:: More

US Air to Sever Ties with Diners Club

We reported in last week's Crier that, among the many program adjustments precipitated by the America West-US Airways merger, American Express Membership Rewards would no longer be a Dividend Miles partner beginning Jan. 1, 2006.

More bad news for Dividend Miles members: the partnership with Diners Club Rewards will be terminated as well.

According to US Airways' website, "Effective January 1, 2006, US Airways will no longer participate in the Diner's Club Rewards program and Club 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."

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Up to 15K US Air Miles for LendingTree Loans

Through Jan. 31, 2006, Dividend Miles members can earn up to 15,000 bonus miles after closing a home loan with LendingTree, plus 1,250 miles for every $10,000 financed.

Earn 15,000 bonus miles for refinancing, 7,500 for mortgage loans and 5,000 for home equity loans.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Nationwide Sale Fares on Southwest from $49 Each Way

Southwest's new nationwide sale fares start at $49 one-way for travel through March 2006. Destinations include Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas, and San Diego. In addition, the sale also includes new service between Dallas' Love airport and Kansas City and St. Louis.

Travel is valid from Dec. 23, 2005, through Mar. 31, 2006. Book tickets at least 21 days in advance, and by Dec. 12.

:: More

2) Sale Fares on United from $98

Fall and winter domestic flights are on sale from United. Prices start at $98 roundtrip, and destinations include Las Vegas, New York, and Washington. AirTran is offering a similar sale for the same travel period.

Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through Mar. 1, 2006. Book tickets at least 10 days in advance. United has not listed a booking deadline. Fares require a one-night minimum stay.

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Win a Trip to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Enter the South Beach Wine and Food Festival Sweepstakes by Feb. 8, 2006, for a chance to win a trip for two to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, including air transportation to Miami, two nights' hotel and tickets to the festival.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Is there such a thing as Thai Airlines frequent flier program? And if so do you have a website and an email address?" [Beth H.]

[FrequentFlier.com responds - Info on Thai's program is at https://www.thaiair.com/. Note that you can earn miles for Thai flights through the programs of other airlines which have Thai as a partner, including all Star Alliance carriers. Generally speaking, you are better off participating in a program hosted by an airline based in your home country.]

"I have been flying Delta almost exclusively for the last 7 years. While I haven't packed on huge frequent flyer miles I have been a loyal customer. When my older brother suddenly died in Oklahoma City, I intended to book with Delta. I went to their on-line site and saw I could book a RT one-week long trip for about $375. Because it was for bereavement I wanted the courtesy that I had been extended before to not be penalized if I couldn't return when I thought I would be able to do so. Couldn't figure out on-line any way to communicate this need. So I called the Delta agent and asked what the charge would be for a bereavement rate for my niece and I to fly to OK City RT? Quickly they told me $1500. I said 'For the 2 of us? I saw rates around $3475 but I need the return to be open-ended because of the death of my brother.'

"Delta replied. 'No that's for one person!' I said 'I'm not flying for business or pleasure, my brother died, why can't you book me an open ended bereavement ticket at the on-line $375 rate?' 'Those are our on-line rates.'

"I hung up and called American who promptly helped me out and did everything I needed. Needless to say, Delta just lost a customer permanently." [Leila M. - Long Beach, CA]

Until next week...