U P F R O N T
Bright Outlook for Miles in New Year
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Welcome back. Best wishes to all for a great year generally, for a less stressful year where travel is concerned, and for a lucrative year mileage-wise.
If the first Crier issue of 2004 is any indication, this should be a good year for frequent travelers.
On the mileage front, the year begins on a positive note, with a number of positive elite-level changes taking effect on Jan. 1 (American, Delta, United) and others scheduled to take effect on Mar. 31 (US Airways).
American and United, the 2 largest airlines, have matching bonus-mile offers in place for those who manage to log 10,000 miles over the course of the year's first 3 months. And Alaska is offering double Mileage Plan miles for both Alaska and American flights through Mar. 15.
<< O N S I T E >>
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
Yvonne is wondering when her miles earned for purchases at the United Mileage Plus Mall will post to her account. Frank wants to transfer his SkyMiles to another account. Denise has the goods on long-distance service for 2.5 cents per minute (but no miles). And much more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
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<< M I L E S & P O I N T S >>
Alaska Doubles Miles
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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will earn double miles for flights on Alaska, Horizon Air, American Airlines and American Eagle between Jan. 3 and Mar. 15, 2004.
Registration is required.
> More...
1st-Quarter Bonus from AAdvantage
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AAdvantage members who fly 10,000 qualifying miles on American, American Eagle or American Connection between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31 can earn extra miles 3 ways:
1) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 to earn triple bonus miles on future qualifying flights through Mar. 31, 2004.
2) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29 to earn double bonus miles on future qualifying flights through Mar. 31, 2004.
3) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31 to earn 5,000 bonus miles. (The 5,000-mile bonus may only be earned once.)
Bonus mile offer does not apply to L or N fares. To register or for more information, go to http://www.aa.com/expectmore or call 1-800-882-8880 and use code FLY04.
From Delta: Unlimited Free Upgrades for Elites
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Beginning Jan. 1, Delta began offering SkyMiles Medallion members unlimited, complimentary upgrades, subject to availability, when purchasing most published fares on most Delta flights within or between the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) and Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Upgrade requests are processed automatically, depending on the member's elite status and the type of fare purchased.
Medallion members will also be able to upgrade a travel companion.
Also beginning in 2004, the formula used to calculate MQMs (Medallion qualification miles) will be based on a 750-mile minimum or actual miles flown, whichever is greater, rather than the previous 500-mile minimum.
The changes are itemized at http://www.delta.com/skymiles/.
Delta Renews Nextel Mileage Pact
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Delta has renewed its partnership with Nextel, allowing SkyMiles members to earn 7,000 bonus miles when they subscribe to Nextel service.
To subscribe to Nextel service and begin earning miles, visit http://www.nextel.com/delta7k or call 1-877-607-9002 or visit the closest Nextel retail store.
Earn Double Credit at Airport Hiltons
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Between Jan. 15 and Mar. 31, Hilton HHonors members will earn double HHonors points and double airline miles when staying at any of 37 participating Hilton airport hotels.
Double miles may be earned in the programs of AeroMexico, Air Canada, Alaska, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Mexicana, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest Airlines, United or US Airways.
Participating hotels are listed here. Use Plan Code H2 when booking.
Northwest Sells Tickets for Cash 'N Miles
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WorldPerks members with at least 5,000 miles in their accounts may combine miles and cash to purchase Northwest tickets within the U.S., to Canada, and to Europe. Prices start at $159 plus 5,000 miles, depending on the length of the trip, and whether the purchase is made online or by phone.
Tickets must be purchased no later than Feb. 14 and at least 14 days prior to travel. All travel must be completed by Mar. 4 or within 30 days of departure, whichever comes first. Travel must begin and end in the 48 contiguous U.S. A Saturday-night stay is required.
> More...
United Has 1st-Quarter Promo, too
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United has essentially matched American's first-quarter bonus promotion (see above), offering triple, double or 5,000 bonus miles for Mileage Plus members who fly 10,000 qualifying miles on United, United Express or Ted between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31, 2004, as follows:
1) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 to earn triple bonus miles on future qualifying flights through Mar. 31, 2004.
2) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29 to earn double bonus miles on future qualifying flights through Mar. 31, 2004.
3) Fly 10,000 qualifying miles between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31 to earn 5,000 bonus miles. (The 5,000-mile bonus may only be earned once.)
The 10,000 mile hurdle may be flown in W, S and T booking classes, but the triple/double miles will not be awarded on W, S and T booking classes. Registration is required.
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More Elite Changes from United
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In what turned out to be the last of many elite changes announced during the final days of 2003, United upped the rate at which business and full coach fares will count toward reaching elite status. The move is at least partly in response to American's recent policy change, which grants more elite-qualifying points for some discount coach fares, full coach fares and biz class (see http://frequentflier.com/ffc-121703.htm).
Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, Mileage Plus members will earn 150% of both elite-qualifying miles and segments for first, business and unrestricted coach fares. The new rates apply toward attaining 2005 elite status.
Earning rates for redeemable miles, which may or may not be the same as elite-qualifying miles, remain the same.
Booking Class Elite Qualifying Redeemable
Purchased Miles and Segments Miles
First (F/A/P) 150% 150%
Business (C/D) 150% 125%
Business - Discounted (Z) 150% 100%
Full-fare economy (Y/B) 150% 100%
Other economy fares
(E/M/U/H/Q/V/W/S/T/K/L) 100% 100%
The 50% mileage and segment bonus applies to flights on United, United Express and Ted as well as US Airways and Lufthansa trans-Atlantic flights.
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US Air Offers Unlimited Free Upgrades to Preferred Members
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Beginning Mar. 1, Dividend Miles Preferred members may request unlimited free upgrades to first class when traveling in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Preferred members ticketed on full coach fares (Y, B, U) may reserve upgrades subject to availability any time before departure.
Members traveling on qualifying discount fares may request upgrades according to their Preferred level. Chairman's Preferred members may request upgrades discounted fares at least 7 days before departure. Gold Preferred members may request upgrades 3 days before departure, and Silver Preferred members may request 1 day prior to departure.
See http://www.usairways.com/ for details.
<< 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...
JetBlue Extends Winter Fare Sale from $78
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JetBlue has extended its sale fares through the winter, with deals starting at $78 roundtrip on flights to and from California, Florida, San Juan, PR, and other destinations throughout its system. The airline has also introduced service between Boston and Denver, Orlando, and Tampa; and will introduce service between Boston and Ft. Lauderdale and Long Beach on Jan. 16.
American and Delta have matched these sale fares on some routes. Additionally, American is now offering a new "Fly Two to the Sun" promotion, which enables travelers to earn up to 2 free tickets when they fly between Boston or New York and California or Florida on American.
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London Sale Fares Starting Under $200
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As a rule, when you're looking for low London prices you can expect U.K. airlines to offer the lowest prices around. British Airways' latest sale proves that rule, with London fares from multiple U.S. cities starting at $218 roundtrip. Virgin Atlantic is offering matching prices from 4 cities, and you can save even more if you take advantage of the airline's $20 online booking discount.
Travel is valid through Mar. 25 on Virgin, and through Apr. 4 on British Airways. Book tickets at least 7 days in advance on both airlines, and by Friday, Jan. 16.
> More...
<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"As a longtime elite in the programs of United and US Air, I'm appalled at the recent changes affecting these airlines' best customers. I earn my status the hard way, by flying often and mostly on unrestricted tickets.
"Like most business flyers, I resent the airlines' pricing structure, which forces me to pay such an enormous premium for the "privilege" of buying my tickets at the last minute and not staying through a Saturday night. But I have to live with it. And in exchange for paying those outrageous fares, I do feel I have earned the right to a few extra perks.
"But the new trend seems to be to make it easier to reach elite status, and to promise all elites the moon. Which leaves me fighting it out for those "free unlimited upgrades" (ha!) with more and more other customers who have done much less that I have to earn elite status.
"I never thought I'd find myself saying this, but I think the airlines have gone too far in the direction of generosity. I for one am now looking for a carrier which protects the interests of customers like myself, who contribute the most to the airlines bottom lines."
- George M. in PA
<< T V 2 S E E >>
A&E's "Airline"
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The airline referenced in the title of A&E's new 18-part series is Southwest.
According to the station's teaser: "... this fast-paced series showcases the real life thrills, chills and spills behind the scenes of Southwest Airlines... A&E Network goes behind the counter, into the cockpit and beyond the tarmac for this new real life series."
Taglined "We all have our baggage," and clearly more oriented toward the punchline than the bottom line, this promises to be anything but a dry, academic business-case study. I.e., it's a reality show for the traveling set.
The series airs on Mondays at 10 p.m./9 Central, beginning Jan. 5.
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Until next week...
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