U P F R O N T
Programs Expand Utility of Miles
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A byproduct of the post-9/11 travel slump is increased cost-and revenue-consciousness on the part of the struggling airlines. In the frequent flyer arena, that has translated into a flurry of recent program "enhancements" allowing members to buy and exchange miles, and to use miles to purchase goods and services. (See the Alaska and Continental newsbites in "Miles & Points" below.)
Every time a mile changes hands or is converted into another "currency," the airline makes a little money. And multiply "a little" by millions and it can become a lot. So yes, these are money-makers for the airlines. But as well, they give consumers more options for acquiring and using miles.
So, the Eternal Optimist can confirm: there is an upside to the downside.
O N S I T E
New on the FrequentFlier Forum
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Gretchen just reached Delta Silver Medallion status and asks: How do I use my upgrades? Jean has updates on Sabena (grounded) and Giftcertificates.com (restructuring). Maddy can't use her AAdvantage award ticket... what now? Pozilla reports that Amex Blue card charges at Virgin Megastore will be discounted 30% through Dec. 26. And more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
> More...
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Aviators Bows Out, Gracefully (cont)
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In last week's issue, we asked: "Do you know where your Aviators miles are?" According to the many e-mail responses we've received, they are exactly where they should be: in the AAdvantage accounts of former Aviators members.
In short, the transfer of miles from TWA's Aviators program to American AAdvantage went as promised. Aviators shut down on midnight, Nov. 30, and by the end of the first week in Dec., most Aviators miles had automatically transferred to members' AAdvantage accounts.
We've included some representative reports from readers in the "Rants & Raves" section below.
At Continental, Miles + Cash = Merchandise
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Continental's new Miles for Merchandise program allows OnePass members to purchase merchandise with a combination of miles and money. (You'll find Miles for Merchandise at http://onepass.continental.com under "Your Account.")
A spot check of the Miles for Merchandise catalog shows promise. For example, a Toshiba 9" TV/DVD Combo with a suggested retail price of $499 is offered for 1,663 OnePass miles plus $341.
Setting the miles aside, purchasing the TV for $341 would be a hefty 32% discount. Adding in the miles, and valuing them at $0.02 each, the purchase price rises to $374. That still amounts to a respectable 25% discount.
Also at Continental: ShopOnePass
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CO has also added its name to the growing list of airlines which have launched online mini-malls to sell merchandise which, naturally, rewards buyers with frequent-flyer miles.
At CO's new ShopOnePass, OnePass members earn 10 miles per dollar spent at Ashford, eBags, Flower Club and Godiva; 5 miles at J. Crew; 3 miles at OfficeMax.com; etc.
For Sale: Alaska Mileage Plan Miles
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Alaska Airlines' Instant Miles program allows Mileage Plan members to purchase up to 10,000 miles towards their next award certificate. Instant Miles cost $25 per 1,000 miles -- the industry-standard rate -- and are immediately available for use after being purchased.
To purchase miles, call a Mileage Plan representative at 1-800-654-5669.
> More...
Hilton Offers Double Miles for Double Dip Stays
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Between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31, 2002, Hilton HHonors members who make a Double Dip stay (a qualifying-rate stay that earns both HHonors points and airline miles) at any HHonors hotel worldwide will earn double miles.
This offer is available at all HHonors hotels worldwide -- including Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, and Homewood Suites. Register for the promotion online at http://www.hiltonhhonors.com.
Also, when you book your stay online at http://www.hiltonhhonors.com using your HHonors account number, you will earn 1,000 HHonors bonus points. The online bonus is for reservations made online now through Mar. 31, 2002, for stays that take place by Mar. 31, 2002.
Earn 10K United Miles for 3 Radisson Stays
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Mileage Plus members who stay 3 times at any Radisson Hotels & Resorts property in North America, the Caribbean, Europe and South America between Dec. 1, 2001, and Mar. 31, 2002 will earn 10,000 bonus miles. That's in addition to the 2,000 Gold Points earned for each stay.
Register at http://www.radisson.com/united and present your Radisson Gold Rewards card at each check-in to qualify.
Alaska Promotes SEA Flights with Bonus Miles
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Fly Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air to Seattle between Jan. 7 and Apr. 14, 2002, and earn 2,000 Mileage Plan bonus miles. Offer is limited to one bonus per Mileage Plan member.
Register prior to travel at http://alaskaair.com
Discounted: Marriott Award Stays
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Marriott is offering award stays for up to 33% fewer points than normally required between January 1 and March 31, 2002.
With the 2002 Winter PointSaver Rewards, award stays at participating hotels are discounted by one category. I.e., award stays at category 6 hotels are reduced to category 5 point levels, and so on.
> More...
Delta Miles Now Transferable Via Points.com
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Delta is the latest airline to tie-up with Points.com, allowing SkyMiles members to exchange SkyMiles for miles in other participating airlines' programs, or points in several non-airline programs.
Other companies participating in Points.com's pointsxchange include Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American, America West, ChanceRewards, ClickRewards, Esso Extra, FTD.COM, GiftCertificates.ca, GiftCertificates.com, LoyaltyTravel, Midwest Express, PhoneHog.com, RewardStream and SureFire.
Liz Claiborne Charges Earn Club Rewards Bonus
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The Diners Club card is now accepted at Liz Claiborne U.S. locations. To promote the tie-up, cardmembers will earn double Club Rewards bonus points through Jan. 31, 2002 at all Liz Claiborne specialty and outlet stores.
> More...
MilePro Adds Program, Account Details
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Milepro mileage manager has added Air Canada's AeroPlan to the list of supported programs.
Additionally, account summaries for American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Rewards, United Mileage Plus and US Airways Dividend Miles will now include recent activity and elite level status, where available. And American Express Membership Rewards account information will now reflect billing activity since the last statement.
> 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...
Major Airlines Extend Winter and Holiday Travel Sales
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Most major U.S. airlines have extended their domestic and international fare sales for purchase through Friday, Dec. 28. Travel on these airlines is available through May 19, 2002, including the Christmas and New Year's holidays, with the best values on international flights.
> More...
Save on Western and Cross-Country Routes, No Advance Purchase
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National Airlines is offering sale fares on many of its routes, with round-trip fares from $79 and cross-country routes from $259. Purchase tickets online only and by Thursday, Dec. 20.
> More...
S W E E P S T A K E S & F R E E B I E S
United Airlines' "Heroes United" Contest
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Win a 4-day/3-night trip for 2 to the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games between Feb. 8 and February 21, 2002, including roundtrip air on United, hotel accommodations for 3 nights, and tickets to Olympic events.
To enter, go to http://www.united.com/heroes by Dec. 31, 2001, and nominate someone you consider heroic, and describe in 250 words or less what makes that person a hero.
Contest is open only to U.S. residents who are 13 years of age or older at time of entry.
[Other travel-related sweepstakes and giveaways are online at http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm.]
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
Transferring Aviators Miles
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"Transfer of my TW miles to AA miles was a piece of cake. A few keystrokes on their website and within 24 hours my TW miles were in my AA account. Now I hope I can use them all before all the airlines go bankrupt and they take them away!! Ha ha!!"
- Lorice
"If all airline mileage postings to frequent flyer accounts were as smooth as this one was, it would be a true joy! One of my children actually had two TWA accounts, and they picked it up and made the transfer to AAdvantage without any issue. All the transfers were accurate to the mile. Great job!"
- William
"I transferred my TWA miles to an existing American Advantage account approximately 2 mths. prior to the Nov. 30 deadline. I did so to accumulate segment upgrades in my American acct. which is required to upgrade. The transfer was totally smooth and all my miles transferred to my AAdvantage account and my Executive Platinum status was established in June prior to my transfer. The whole process was very smooth."
- Mark
United's Elite Policy (cont)
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A follow-up to the ongoing discussion of UA's elite policy:
"My wife and I were among those who obtained 1K status in United's Mileage Plus last year for flying 84,000 miles. We appreciated the chance to do so as we had endured many, many late flights and cancellations because of the pilots refusal to fly any overtime. On that basis, I believe United was absolutely justified in rewarding us for our loyalty. Because of our 1K status this year, we have flown over 100,000 miles to achieve that goal for next year. So was United wrong? I think not."
- OS
Until next week...
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