"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Marriott Offers (Some) Guests Free Internet
  Elite Marriott Rewards members can now read this blog for free. Let's hope that's a step in the direction of offering everyone free Internet access.
• New Delta Promo Demands Much, Rewards Less
  Delta's new offer not only requires use of an American Express card, it's also limited to teams whose captains live in one of only four states. Are the bonus miles worth it?
• Virgin America Gives New Life to Elevate Miles
  Virgin America's new policy makes it easier to earn awards before miles expire. Other discount carrier programs should do the same.
• Get an AirTran Voucher, Win a Free Trip
  Wanna weekend getaway? AirTran is offering a $10 flight voucher. And 50 people will also win trips, including air, hotel, and car rental.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, Flying Texan jumped on the elusive British Airways credit card promotion, and reports back as follows: "I was able to get the 100,000 mile bonus and now have these in my account. I am VERY pleased to report that you can book partner flights on the Executive Club website AND the fees were decent, e.g., I did a search from IAH to LAX for October and could get a seat for 25,000 BA miles and a $10 fee. This was an AA flight with a change of planes in Chicago, but no awful layover. Sweet!" Sweet, indeed!

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, Jeff F. adds the following sage advice to the "Question about bonus for booking hotels at aa.com" thread: "... I've found that by booking the air and hotel stays directly with the airline and hotel usually works out just as well, often better pricewise or at best identical, as there are sometimes 'unadvertised' hotel rates that may be available with just a call to the property itself and less hassle going after the missed miles/point bonuses for booking with an outside source. Same holds true with car rentals. And it's easier to correct errors, mistakes, etc. than by going through an outside source. And online booking bonuses from some airlines (AC, CO for example) make it more beneficial for us."

Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!

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Delta Bonus for Partner Transactions

Through April 30, Delta SkyMiles members can earn a 50% bonus on hotel, car, limo, and shuttle partners after completing three or more qualifying partner transactions.

There's a full list of qualifying partners on Delta's website, but it looks to include all hotel and rental car partners, plus LimoRes and SuperShuttle. Hotel points-to-miles transfers qualify as well.

Once the required three transactions have been completed, they as well as any further eligible transactions will earn the bonus.

There's no limit to the number of bonus miles that can be earned during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

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Buy Miles From US Air? Yes, But Before March 31

Buying miles from the airlines is normally a bad investment, unless it's in very small quantities to top off an account. But US Airways' 100% bonus on purchased miles changes the calculation in favor of the consumer.

This offer ends on March 31, and I think it's a good enough deal to warrant a recap of the details:

US Airways Dividend Miles members will receive a 100% bonus on miles purchased during February and March. The miles can be purchased for the member's own account or as a gift for another Dividend Miles member. There's a limit of 50,000 miles that may be bought, which would amount to 100,000 miles with the bonus.

Normally, US Airways miles are priced at 2.75 cents each, plus Federal Excise Tax. The effective discount makes purchasing miles for a free domestic ticket (25,000 miles for $343.75, not including tax) a decent deal, and purchasing enough for a business-class international ticket (100,000 miles for $1,375) a downright winner.

US Airways has had this offer in place on two separate occasions, so it's possible they'll do it again. But I wouldn't count on it.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Through Thursday: $78 American Sale Matches Southwest

In the war to offer the lowest fares, American competes against Southwest with its latest sale featuring fares starting at $78 round-trip.

The fares are valid for travel through early June, but you must book tickets by Thursday, March 11.

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2) $538 Europe Sale From Delta

Spring flights to several European hotspots such as Berlin, London, Madrid, and Rome are available with Delta's latest sale.

Book by Monday, March 15, for travel through mid-June.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Hawaii, Greece, Australia, or Austria

Enter the Halls "Every Drop Makes a Difference" sweepstakes by June 11 for a chance to win one of four grand prizes: seven-day trips for two to Kauai, Hawaii; Mykonos, Greece; Australia's Great Barrier Reef; and the Austrian Alps. All include air, hotel, sightseeing tour, and spending money. (To enter without a purchase, follow the instructions to obtain a UPC code by mail.)

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.

Response to 'United Complimentary Upgrades'

"In your March 3 edition, under the topic of 'United Complimentary Upgrades,' Erik P. had complained about his purchased 500-mile upgrades expiring prematurely when United starts offering complimentary upgrades.

"This is actually untrue. United will only take away the 500-mile upgrades that had been accrued by flying, and will replace them with complimentary upgrades, based on status and availability. The upgrades that have been purchased will continue to remain valid until the end of their 12-month validity period, or Feb. 2011, whichever comes first.

There is a link on the United website that explains this. [Siamak H.]

Another Response to 'United Complimentary Upgrades'

"Regarding those complimentary UA upgrades, I just had my first experience.

"I actually tried to use the last of my E-upgrades before complimentary upgrades go into effect for elites. I was flying an A320 from SFO-PHL. I'm a 1K and figured I would have a good shot at the upgrade. Well, I was 17th on the priority list for 6 available seats. Granted, not a lot of first class seats on that aircraft and it was a prime time flight. But just because you're elite, don't think you'll have a good shot at moving up. Maybe if you're Global Services..." [Jeff D.]

Response to 'Booking Qantas Awards with American Miles'

"Ned's comments [in last week's newsletter] are somewhat valid. Qantas does offer limited ticketing on any one flight dependant on season, special events, economic climate etc.

"This is undoubtedly consistent with most airline loyalty redemption programs. Ned's agent's statement that Qantas does not release first class at all is completely erroneous and synonymous with uniformed ad lib remarks from so called 'experts.'

"It pays to be mindful of the number of first class seats in an aircraft and that one or two of those seats may be all that is on offer for Award purchase given the afore mentioned criteria. These award tickets are 'hunted' from the very first date of release into inventory. One should also be aware of the anomaly between U.S. 'First Class' and first class accommodation on other international airlines, we must be sure we are comparing apples with apples.

"The concerns Ned expresses about stingy partners are consistent with concerns Qantas Frequent Flyers have redeeming Awards on AA flights, especially domestic itineraries. Perhaps we need a better Award Trade Agreement between partner airlines!" [Fred]

Booking Award Travel on American

"American continues to offer telephone service on award travel at a superior performance level. Both their travel award website with calendars showing date availability/mileage required and specific flights for all award levels and the one-way option are outstanding. Not a bad tariff, either. Can't beat a total $5 charge (just tax) to London Heathrow if you book online (which is easy).

"Thanks, always, for the hard work!!" [Ed N.]

Until next week...