Out with the Old, In with the New

It's been an eventful year in the world of miles and points.

Thanks for making the FrequentFlier Crier a part of your life during 2005. We value your support and feedback and look forward to more of the same in 2006. And we resolve to keep you current with breaking news, actionable tips and cutting-edge commentary for the next 12 months and beyond.

All the best for the New Year!

Mileage Pro -- Free Standard Shipping

Just a quick reminder... through Dec. 31, "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs" is available with free standard shipping within the U.S. Don't know whether the publisher will be extending this offer into 2006, so don't wait!

To receive the free shipping and handling, enter promotion code DGD5MY on the "Buy" page, and press the "Recalculate" key to apply the discount.

Visit the Mileage Pro website for more on the book, including rave reviews from the mainstream media.

This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites

Independence... United?

In what may be a new glimmer of hope for bankrupt Independence Air, United last week filed documents with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chicago seeking the court's permission to place a confidential bid in the auction for Independence Air's assets.

Because United is keeping mum on exactly which Independence assets it's interested in acquiring, it's impossible to assess how the purchase, if successful, might affect members of Independence Air's iClub loyalty program. But it at least suggests the possibility that United might fold iClub into Mileage Plus.

Northwest... Headed South?

Prospects for Northwest have deteriorated from grim to grimmer.

Unlike most other airlines preparing for Chapter 11, Northwest made no provision for financing support prior to filing for bankruptcy protection, and the carrier's cash is now dwindling. An analysis of Northwest's financial situation in connection with its bankruptcy shows that the airline faces billions of dollars in expenses to upgrade its fleet (NWA's 120 DC-9s average 35 years of age).

When all the numbers are crunched, projections are that Northwest won't turn a profit until 2009 or 2010.

Delta... Delayed

Delta has asked the court overseeing its bankruptcy for an extra six months to file an exclusive reorganization plan. (After the exclusivity period ends, the court will consider reorg plans from other parties, which would compete with management's plan and potentially embarrass the incumbent Delta leadership.)

Separately, today Delta's pilots voted to accept a 14% pay cut. That averts a potentially ruinous battle between the airline and its pilots over cost cuts.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, shamrock wants to book an open jaw award trip on British Airways and wonders as follows: "If you want to fly into one city and out of another, is there a way to do so online using frequent flyer miles? I can see how to book stopovers, so it seems like this should be a choice as well. If I need to call it in, will there be a fee?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, doinel is searching for non-flight award options: "I would like direction on how to convert Dividend Miles to hotel or dining awards. Does any such option exist, and if so, please break it down for the reward-challenged..."

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

:: More

Choice Merges Programs

Choice Hotels has folded its Choice Club Plus (CCP) loyalty program (for Canada residents) into the North America-wide Choice Privileges rewards program.

Canadian residents who were enrolled in CCP will automatically be enrolled in Choice Privileges.

All members now earn 10 points per US$1 spent at Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites brand hotels in Canada, the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico and at Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels in Canada.

:: More

Convert Hyatt Points for More United Miles

Through Jan. 31, 2006, Hyatt Gold Passport members will earn a 10,000-mile bonus when converting 50,000 Gold Passport points to United Mileage Plus miles.

With the bonus, 50,000 Gold Passport points yield 30,000 Mileage Plus miles, rather than the normal 20,000 miles.

:: More

Update - Mileage Mall Promotions

Since the majority of the holiday miles-for-shopping bonuses from the airline and hotel programs remain in effect through Dec. 31, we reprint the following links to the various promotions.

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

United Offers New Year's Online Booking Bonus

Mileage Plus members will receive 2,006 bonus miles for all flights booked on united.com by Jan. 10, 2006, and flown by Mar. 31, 2006. (That's the normal 1,000-mile online booking bonus plus an extra 1,006.)

In addition, Mileage Plus members can earn 500 bonus miles each time they check in for a United flight using EasyCheck-in Online by June 30, 2006.

The combination of the above totals 3,006 bonus miles per flight.

:: More

United Bonus for New MyPoints.com Members

Mileage Plus members who open new Points.com accounts by Jan. 19, 2006, will earn 500 bonus miles.

:: More

Making Successful Resolutions
Provided by Healthy Travel Network

More than 85% of you will make health and fitness resolutions for the new year. Taking steps to a healthy life style is always good thing, and it's never too early or too late to start. Unfortunately, many people will quickly loose resolve and fail to achieve their goals. Make your goals stick by keeping these tips in mind:

• Instead of setting one mammoth goal, set multiple, interim short-team goals. For example, instead of trying to lose 25 pounds by swim season, strive to lose one pound per week.
• Ease into your resolution. One of the key reasons people fail to keep fitness goals is that they try to do too much too quickly, and end up injured or sore. Consider getting a session with a trainer who can help design a program that's right for your current fitness level.
• Little changes can make a big difference. By cutting just 100 calories per day (the equivalent of one slice of cheese, five single-serve containers of coffee creamer, one cookie, or one piece of bread), you can lose about a pound a month.
• If you missed a short term goal, think of it as a challenge to overcome, not as a failure. Nobody said this was easy!

Make SMART goals -- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely -- and you'll be well on your way to a healthy and fit new year.

For more travel fitness tips, sign up for Healthy Travel Network's free monthly newsletter.

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) British Airways' London Fares from $270

British Airways is offering discounted fares to London for travel through April. Flights start at $270 roundtrip, and are reasonably priced for the travel dates they cover. The London sale is part of a larger Europe sale that also includes Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, Paris, and Rome -- but our research indicates availability from British Airways for those destinations is very limited.

British Airways' sale is valid for travel through Apr. 2, 2006. Book tickets at least seven days in advance, and by Jan. 9. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 11 months.

:: More

2) U.S. and Canada Ski Fares on United from $218

United's winter ski sale features cities in the western U.S. and Canada. Prices start at $218 roundtrip. American is also offering fares to many of the same destinations.

Travel is valid from Jan. 15 through Feb. 17, 2006. Travel to the ski destinations is valid Sundays through Tuesdays, and returns are valid Wednesdays through Fridays. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance. United has not listed a booking deadline.

:: More

Win a Trip for 4 to New York City

Enter Parade's "What America Eats" sweepstakes by Jan. 15, 2006, for a chance to win a trip for four to New York, including airfare and hotel accommodations and a $500 Amex gift cheque. One thousand runner-up winners will receive autographed cookbooks.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

[The following is in reference to "Top 10 Mileage Tips for 2006."]

"Re top ten mileage tips, you indicate #10, seek elite status and miles are counted from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31. I am a Delta Gold Medallion and their qualification is, I assume, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 or on a calendar year basis. Isn't everyone else?" [Joe S.]

[FrequentFlier.com responds - Joe is absolutely correct: elite status is almost always based on earnings during the calendar year. So instead of Dec. 1 - Jan. 31, we should have indicated Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. Our mistake.]

"This may be old news to many of your readers, but it came as a bit of a shock to me.

"One of the things I like about American's AAdvantage scheme is the choice of partners. As an example, I was looking forward to getting my miles for a trip to London later this winter on British Air. But just by accident, it came up in conversation with a business colleague that AAdvantage members DON'T earn miles when flying BA between the U.S. and London.

"I called BA to confirm this. They suggested I could earn miles in the BA program, but that doesn't really work for me. Very disappointed in this program "wrinkle." [Jerry R.]

Until next week...