Features on topics related to travel and marketing generally, and frequent flyer programs particularly.

Articles first appearing in SmarterTravel.com 

• Airlines Strive to Restore Mileage Programs' Lost Luster (3/17/08)
  New features firm up miles' value.
• Winter Is Peak Season for Frequent Flyer Bonuses (2/18/08)
  Cold weather, hot deals!
• Are Travel Loyalty Programs Losing Their Mojo? (1/21/08)
  To be or not to be. Loyal, that is.
• Savvy Santas Shop For Frequent Flyer Miles At The Mall (12/12/07)
  'Tis the season for bonuses at the mileage malls.
• Airline Mileage Programs Continue Downward Spiral (11/21/07)
  For frequent flyers, it's all bad news, all the time.
• When Frequent Flyer Miles Are for Sale, It's Buyer Beware (10/29/07)
  The price of miles: High!
• The Great Credit Card Debate: Frequent Flyer Miles Or Cash Rebate? (9/24/07)
  The bottom line on credit card value.
• Airlines' Fuzzy Math Leaves Travelers Up In The Air (8/27/07)
  Prescription for airlines' credibility problem: truth serum.
• Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Ratchet Up Rewards (7/16/07)
  Cards lure customers with free flights, nights.
• Airlines Rewrite the Rulebook on Expiring Miles (6/25/07)
  New (stingy) industry standard is in the making.
• Frequent Flyer Rules, They Are a Changin' (5/28/07)
  Changes require patience, vigilance.
• Airline Partnerships Expand Options for Earning, Redeeming Miles (4/23/07)
  Alliances call for new strategies.
• Award Flexibility Taking Off, One Flight at a Time (3/26/07)
  One-way awards are increasingly available.
• Finally, Online Award Booking Done Right (2/26/07)
  American takes lead in award transparency.
• Winter Is Peak Season for Earning, Redeeming Miles (1/22/07)
  Earn 'em and burn 'em while you can!
• A Frequent Flyer's Christmas Wish List (12/18/06)
  This year, how 'bout a little transparency?
• 'Tis The Season To Earn More, Give More Frequent Flyer Miles (11/20/06)
  Year-end mileage opportunities abound.
• New Rules Change Life Expectancy Of Frequent Flyer Miles (10/16/06)
  Changes bring policies of discounters, mainline carriers closer together.
• Online Shopping Malls Beckon Mileage Mavens (8/21/06)
  Earn miles for online purchases.
• Consolidate Your Frequent Flyer Miles? (7/17/06)
  It's possible, but pricey.
• To Earn Airline Miles, Plastic Is Fantastic (6/19/06)
  Credit cards play major role in mileage game.
• Latest Generation of Credit Cards Aims for Sweet Spot in Travel Rewards (5/22/06)
  Search for the ideal rewards card yields novel hybrids.
• Hotel Programs Make Room at the Top for Frequent (and not so Frequent) Guests (4/24/06)
  Elite status is within easy reach in some frequent-stay programs.
• Airlines Hope that Merchandise Is Just the Ticket for Frequent Flyers (3/27/06)
  Will non-travel rewards take pressure off scarce award seats?
• For Mileage Programs, Bigger Isn't Always Better (2/27/06)
  In the world of frequent flyer programs, smaller sometimes rules.
• Top 10 Mileage Tips (1/23/06)
  Excerpts from "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs"
• How Diners Club Lost Its Mileage Mojo (1/18/06)
  A leading program surrenders its edge.
• Checklist for More Frequent Flyer Miles in 2006 (12/21/05)
  Start the new year right, mileage-wise.
• 'Tis the Season for Gifts and Frequent Flyer Miles (11/30/05)
  Give and ye shall receive.
• Troubled Airlines Downsize to Survive (10/31/05)
  Result: fewer frequent flyer miles, awards.
• Delta, Northwest Bankruptcies Leave Frequent Flyers Fretting Fate of Miles (9/15/05)
  For consumers: real risk, few options.
• Donate to Hurricane Relief Efforts (9/3/05)
  Miles, points and cash help aid agencies help hurricane victims.
• Miles, Miles, Miles (9/1/05)
  Earn frequent flyer miles for... well, just about anything.
• New Under the Sun (8/1/05)
  Summer is peak season for mileage program developments.
• Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst (7/5/05)
  Insurance can mitigate the risks of travel, but only partially.
• Frequent Flyer Programs by the Numbers (5/30/05)
  What the airlines' annual reports reveal about their loyalty programs.
• Airlines Increase Award Options for Frequent Flyers (4/25/05)
  American, United pump up award catalogs. Other carriers are sure to follow.
• Airlines Offer More Elite Status, Fewer Elite Perks (3/28/05)
  As elite benefits decline, so does the value of loyalty.
• 'Tis the Season for Hotel Bonuses (2/28/05)
  Q&A: Are miles tax-dedictible when donated to charity?
• Frequent Flyer Miles -- Use 'em or Lose 'em in 2005 (1/24/05)
  Miles are at risk during the coming year.
• Rack Up Frequent Flyer Miles For Holiday Shopping (12/27/04)
  In Santa's sack: miles-for-shopping bonuses
• Managing the Risk of Lost Frequent Flyer Miles (11/29/04)
  Consumers should hedge their mileage bets (while they still can).
• American Adds Fees for Upgrades (10/29/04)
  Q&A: My award trip isn't until Spring. Will Delta still be flying?
• Frequent Flyer Awards Evolve from "Free" to "For Fee" (9/27/04)
  Book an award by phone? It'll cost you!
• Faltering Airlines Leave Frequent Flyer Miles in Limbo (9/12/04)
  Consumers have limited options.
• Just How Rewarding Are Airline Rewards Programs? (8/30/04)
  Questionable award availability undermines value of miles.
• As Big Mileage Programs Focus, Small Programs Expand (7/26/04)
  Airlines fine tune programs.
• To Earn Points for Hotel Stays, Read the Fine Print (6/28/04)
  Q&A: Can miles be used for one-way award travel?
• Transfer Miles (5/24/04)
  For a Limited Time (and for a Price)
• Summer Is Crunch Time for Frequent Flyer Awards (4/26/04)
  Q&A: Are miles redeemable on partner airlines?
• New Hotel Program Is Still "Under Construction" (3/26/04)
  Q&A: Can I Earn Miles for Paying My Income Taxes?
• Not All Free Ticket Offers Are Created Equal (2/23/04)
  Q&A: No Award Seats... Bait & Switch?
• Airlines Ring In 2004 with Bonus Miles, Free Tickets (1/26/04)
  Q&A: Will Airlines Match Elite Status on Other Carriers?
• Some Airlines Offer Shorter Path to Elite Perks (12/29/03)
  Q&A: No BA Elite Credit for Discount Fares?
• Global Airline Alliances Expand Award Options (11/24/03)
  Q&A: Convert miles using Points.com?
• Changes at the Top Roil Elite Flyers (10/27/03)
  Q&A: $100 to change an award ticket!?!
• Do the New Math When Earning Miles for Car Rentals (9/29/03)
  Q&A: Where did my National Comps points go?
• To Maximize Miles, Keep Track of Airline Partner Changes (8/30/03)
  Q&A: How can I consolidate miles from different programs?
• These Days, "Full Service" Means More Frequent Flyer Miles (7/28/03)
  Q&A: Where Do Miles Go When Their Owner Dies?
• When Comparing Deals, the Devil's in the Details (6/23/03)
  Q&A: How Can I Help My Granddaughter with My Miles?
• The Future Face of Mileage Programs: Smaller, Meaner (5/26/03)
  Q&A: Can I Consolidate Miles from Several Programs?
• Cash In Frequent Flyer Miles and Cross Your Fingers (4/27/03)
  Q&A: Where Can I Find Blackout Dates?
• Call Home for Frequent Flyer Miles (3/24/03)
  Q&A: Frequent Flyer Miles Redeemable for Hotel Stays?
• Frequent Flyers Turn Tax Pain Into Mileage Gain (2/23/03)
  Q&A: Sprint Charges to Earn Miles?
• As Mileage Programs Evolve, Beware and Be Vocal (1/22/03)
  Q&A: Miles for Past Flights?
• United Bankruptcy Clouds Future of Frequent Flyer Miles (12/22/02)
  Q&A: Tax Deduction for Mileage Donation?
• Elite Status for 2003: Get It While You Can (11/27/02)
  Q&A: What to Do with Expiring Miles?
• United-US Airways Link Puts More Miles in Play (10/24/02)
  Q&A: Mileage Surcharge for Car Rentals?
• More Changes Ahead for Frequent Flyers (9/21/02)
  Q&A: Airlines to Discontinue Mileage Programs?
• Bankruptcy, Liquidation Imperil Frequent Flyer Miles (8/27/02)
  What's a worried mileage miser to do?
• Airline Bankruptcy Causes Mileage Jitters (8/25/02)
  Q&A: Earning Miles for Someone Else's Flights?
• To Earn More Miles, Just Do It Online (7/28/02)
  Q&A: Best Program for College-bound Daughter?
• Your Choice: Cheap Tickets or Frequent Flyer Miles (6/23/02)
  Q&A: Best Days for Award Travel?
• JetBlue's TrueBlue BooBoo (6/19/02)
  New program is big on simplicity, small on rewards.
• Save Miles on Summer Travel with Award Sales (5/26/02)
  Q&A: What to Do with US Airways Miles?
• On the Menu: Frequent Flyer Miles for Dining (4/28/02)
  Q&A: Which Programs Have Family Accounts?
• New Benefit for Frequent Flyers: Shorter Security Lines (3/24/02)
  Q&A: How Can I Use Miles to Upgrade?
• Coffee, Tea & Security (1/9/02)
  Now and forever more, inflight service and security are linked.
• In a Bad-News Year, American Delivers the Goods (12/19/01)  
  Year-end thoughts about AAdvantage and an interview with its current chief.
• Travel Industry's Pain Is Travelers' Gain (11/23/01)  
  Troubled times create mileage windfall for frequent flyers.
• Looming Bankruptcies Threaten Airline Miles (10/18/01)  
  What to do when bad things happen to good miles.
• Use Miles as Business-Boosters (9/16/01)  
  After discounts, consumers prefer mileage incentives.
• On the Menu: Steak, Potatoes & Miles (8/20/01)  
  Eat your way to free flights with dining miles.
• Off-Price Awards Stretch Value of Miles (7/20/01)  
  Some frequent flyer awards are freer than others.
• TWA -- The Endgame (6/18/01)  
  Aviators program will be decommissioned on November 30th.
• Points.com Makes Mile Exchange Easy (5/19/01)  
  But convenience, flexibility come at a high price.
• New Loyalty Program Awards Diplomas, Not Trips (4/24/01)  
  uPromise helps deliver on promise of higher education.
• Frequent Flyer Programs -- A Partnership Primer (3/16/01)  
  How programs work (and why they sometimes don't).
• Uncertainty Prevails in World of Online Rewards Programs (2/16/01)  
  A program shakeout looms, jeapordizing miles and points.
• TWA: On Final Approach (1/24/01)  
  Where will your miles land?
• 2000 -- The (Mileage) Year in Review (12/20/00)  
  The highlights of year 2000... good, bad and otherwise.
• Thinking Elite Thoughts (11/21/00)  
  Year-end reflections on elite status, upgrades and the definition(s) of 'mile'
• AOL AAdvantage Lifts Off (10/13/00)  
  Is the much anticipated launch of this high-profile program premature?
• You've Got Miles! (09/17/00)  
  E-mail Account Statements arrive; more are coming.
• Two Trends Affect Alliances (08/30/00) [Part 3 of 3] 
  Your Frequent Flyer Miles will be affected as well.
• Global Airline Alliances Offer Real Benefits for International Travelers (07/12/00)
  [Part 2 of 3] 
  But domestic-only flyers should seek value elsewhere.
• Global Airline Alliances Dominate the Travel Landscape (06/13/00) [Part 1 of 3] 
  Thinking globally can benefit travelers (and their miles).
• Bank Cards Look Alot Like Airline Cards (05/24/00) 
  But the differences run deep.
• Debit Cards Earn Miles, Too (04/12/00) 
  There ARE mileage-earning debit cards available, but not many.
• Airlines Disclose Frequent Flyer Program Data (03/22/00) 
  Token disclosure begs the question: Do we need a passenger bill of rights, after all?
• How to Earn Miles at Tax Time (03/09/00) 
  Use a credit card to earn miles when paying taxes.
• Need Miles? Go to the Supermarket! (02/22/00) 
  Earn miles for supermarket purchases.
• AOL AAdvantage (02/04/00) 
  American, AOL join forces to launch new mileage program.
• Which Program is for Me? (01/27/00) 
  When evaluating loyalty programs, ask and answer four questions.
• Start the New Year Right, Mileage-Wise (01/09/00) 
  Three resolutions for frequent fliers can make for a productive year.
• Frequent Flier Miles Last a Long Time, But NOT Forever (12/14/99) 
  Airline miles remain a perishable commodity, like the airline seats they were designed to help fill.
• Earn More Free Flights (12/01/99) 
  Use holiday shopping to maximize miles.
• Donate the Gift of Travel, Free (11/15/99) 
  Frequent flyers can use miles-for-charity programs to help the needy.
• Reach Elite, Before It's Too Late (11/08/99) 
  Make it a priority to attain elite status before the end of the year.
• Top Off to Take Off (10/26/99) 
  If you're a few miles short of an award, some programs let you "top off" your account with purchased miles.
• ANA's Artistic Aircraft (02/25/99) 
  All Nippon Airways' "Pokemon" 747 is an airborne eyeful of cartoon characters.
• Expiring Miles (11/08/98) 
  How you manage expiring miles is key to maximizing frequent flyer program value.
• Welcome Back, PAL (10/08/98)
  After being declared dead, PAL has reached accord with its labor groups and is back in action.
• Farewell, PAL (09/26/98)
  Philippine Airlines has succumbed to the Asian contagion and management-labor discord.
• Airline Alliances Firm Up (09/05/98)
  How the major-carrier marriages are shaping up, and how they will benefit frequent flyers.
• Wanted: Combinable Miles (05/24/98)
  The few that there are are an important part of the frequent flyer's tool kit.
• Airline Alliances and Your Miles... (05/10/98)
  For frequent flyer program members, there's less here than has been reported.
• Going Native Often Goes Badly (02/21/98)
  Missteps made by overseas marketers point up pitfalls of tatty translation.
• Catch the Asian Flu (Before it's too Late) (02/10/98)
  Travel to Asia is more affordable today than it has been in many years. This is likely to be a limited window of opportunity, so do it now.
• For Travelers, Flexibility Yields Savings (01/25/98)
  Last minute sales of "distressed inventory" mean bargain prices on airfare, hotel and car rental rates.
• The 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act (12/26/97)
  For frequent travelers, the new tax may be more grief than relief. Here's how...