UP FRONT..........................................................

Old Year, New Year
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The Christmas travel crush was a fitting end to what has been an altogether disastrous year for the travel industry and for the traveling public.

Tens of thousands of holiday travelers were inconvenienced and mishandled by an air transportation system that looked to be anything but the world's most advanced.

Some of the havoc was weather-related, of course. But in US Airways' case, the disruptions were at least partly due to disaffected employees who expressed their anger at the company by no-showing for work during 1 of the year's busiest periods. And Comair's computer outage -- which resulted in massive flight cancellations over a 2-day period -- may well turn out to be a result of the same cost-cutting that left US Airways' workers angry and resentful.

So intolerable were the problems that the DOT has called for an investigation into their causes.

While my prediction is for continued instability at least through the first half of next year, my fondest wish for all of us who travel is for a less tumultuous 2005. May it come to pass sooner rather than later!

Thanks to all Crier subscribers for your support and feedback over the past year.

ON SITE...........................................................

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Glen poses the ultimate question: "Is it worth it?" He's earned 125,000 miles on an airline credit card, but finds the redemption process convoluted and unrewarding. "Perhaps I should use a CC that gives rebates instead?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Rita weighs in with another classic dilemma: "I have been accumulating NW miles for years and would really like to be able to use them. It doesn't matter where I want to go, or when I want to go, seats are NEVER available (unless I want to use the rule buster program). Is there an easy way to find out when seats are available so I can plan a vacation in advance?"

In the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Judy is in the market for a credit card. "Does anyone have any suggestions on which credit card is the best to get points for hotel stays?"

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

More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php

MILES & POINTS....................................................

Hyatt Buys AmeriSuites
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Hyatt Hotels has agreed to buy the 143-hotel AmeriSuites chain from the Blackstone Group in a deal reportedly worth about $600 million.

While there are no specifics yet, Hyatt said it plans to integrate AmeriSuites into its Gold Passport program sometime in 2005.

Northwest Says "SuperSize It"
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Through Dec. 31, 2005, WorldPerks members can earn an extra 1,000 miles per roundtrip flight on Northwest, Northwest Airlink or KLM by paying $20 to SuperSize their miles. This amounts to purchasing the miles for $0.02 each.

SuperSize purchase must be made prior to the flight, and only 1 SuperSize bonus may be applied to any single roundtrip. Bonus miles do not count toward elite status.

More: http://www.nwa.com/features/supersize.html

Northwest Offers Hawaii for Cash & Miles
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WorldPerks members can combine cash and miles for travel between Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), San Francisco or Seattle and Honolulu, Kona or Maui, Hawaii. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 28, 2005, and travel must be completed between Jan. 3 and May 26, 2005.

Prices start at 20,000 miles plus $350 for air and 5 nights' hotel in Honolulu.

More: http://www.nwa.com/travel/vacations.html

Priority Club Toolbar Bonus
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Priority Club Rewards members who download the new Yahoo! toolbar with Priority Club features by Jan. 31, 2005, will earn 250 bonus points or miles. The toolbar includes shortcuts to Priority Club account information and online booking as well as a pop-up blocker and an anti-spyware feature.

More: http://www.priorityclubpromotion.com/toolbar/

Thrifty Extends Double Credit Promo
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Members of Thrifty Car Rental's Blue Chip Rewards program can continue to earn double credits through Jan. 15, 2005.

The offer applies exclusively to rentals completed online at thrifty.com.

More: http://thrifty.com

US Air Offers Bonuses for Ski Packages
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Dividend Miles members can earn up to 15,000 bonus miles for US Airways ski packages booked by Dec. 31 for travel between Jan. 8 - Feb. 17, Feb. 26 - Mar. 12, and Apr. 2 - 17, 2005.

Packages are offered to Vail, Salt Lake City, Denver and Reno/Lake Tahoe.

More: http://usairwaysvacations.com//vacation_savers/ski_vail.asp

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Italy Fares on Alitalia from $355

If a flight to Florence, Milan, or Rome sounds appealing to you, check Alitalia's Italy sale before booking. Prices start at $355 roundtrip for travel this winter.

Departures are valid on Mondays through Thursdays from Jan. 11 through Mar. 16, 2005. Travel must be completed by Apr. 16, 2005. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Jan. 4, 2005. A Saturday-night stay is required, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7789

2) U.S., Canada, and Mexico sale fares on Alaska from $78

Take advantage of low prices on travel within the U.S., and to Canada and Mexico, with Alaska's winter and spring sale. Prices start at $78 roundtrip, and destinations include Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta, Vancouver, and more.

Travel is valid daily through June 6, 2005. Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Jan. 16, 2005. A 1-night minimum stay is required.

More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=8034

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Win a Trip to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival
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Enter the "Taste the Good Life Sweepstakes" by Feb. 10, 2005, for a chance to win a trip for 2 to the 4th Annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami, including airfare and hotel accommodations.

More: http://www.winsobe.com/aa

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

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"Delta can do better with it's sky miles program." (BGT)

[Editor's Note - BGT's comment is in response to changes to Delta's elite program, reported here several weeks ago and commented on since then by many readers. For another opinion on Delta's recent elite changes, see Joel Widzer's column at http://travelcomment.com/widzer/2004/skymiles.htm. Joel's take is considerably more negative than mine.]

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"You said: 'For every person who salivates at the prospect of gabbing throughout the flight, there are 10 (my best guess) who, like Margaret, are mightily agin' it.]'. Count me in as number 11. I want them off too.

"AA would allow cell-phone usage upon landing the plane while it taxied to the gate. Lately, during their "PA announcements", they have reverted it back until the plane arrives at the gate. Good. No one wants to really hear an 18 year old "Jennifer" calling to Mom and giving play-by-play action about the plane passing ground crew, or "George" yelling at "Mike" because the payroll is off, or "Frank" talking to "Harry" about the upcoming meeting and if the documents were faxed or not, all during a complete flight in the sky.

"Maybe if the airlines would welcome themselves to the 21st Century and install some AVOD systems and upgrade their 20th Century aircraft from analog sardine cans to digital IPODs, cell-phone users would be distracted to do something else. Broke US airlines start at the top down, praying for Chapter 11 to take place, pocketing the cash." (Al)

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Until next week...