Passports: Don't Leave Home without 'Em

Passport requirements are slightly off-topic for this newsletter, but it's an issue that could affect many of our subscribers and so merits a quick mention.

Beginning January 23, according to the U.S. Department of State website, "ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable."

What's new is the requirement that U.S. citizens present a valid passport when returning to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

U.S. citizens traveling to or returning from U.S. territories -- Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- will not need to present a passport.

:: More

Media Query

Are you a business traveler affected by the new passport requirements (see above), in terms of getting a new passport for a business trip -- for travel anywhere -- or renewing an old one? Are you having problems getting a new passport or renewing an old one for a last-minute business trip, either on your own or through an expeditor? Are you taking any special precautionary measures to get a passport in a timely fashion?

If any of this is relevant to you and you are willing to discuss it on the record with a reporter from a major newspaper, please send your office and cell numbers and e-mail address to query@frequentflier.com, by Friday morning, January 19, at the latest. Responses are requested only from business travelers needing passports, not leisure travelers.

New: FrequentFlier Flight Tracker

We've partnered with FlightStats to bring the FrequentFlier Flight Tracker widget to FrequentFlier.com visitors.

The Tracker provides detailed multi-sourced information about a particular flight, enabling users to check flight status by route (departure and arrival airport), by flight, or by airport (arrivals or departures).

Take it for a test flight and let us know what you think.

:: More

More ATA Points for Flowers

With Valentine's Day less than a month away, the predictable mileage bonuses for online flower purchases are beginning to appear. This one's from ATA, but you should be able to find comparable promotions through most other programs as well.

Through February 12, members of ATA's Travel Awards program can earn a 50-point bonus in addition to the normal five points per $1 spent on flowers at Teleflora.

Use promotion code ATAJ79 to receive the bonus.

:: More

Continental Offers Fast Track to Dining Elite

Between February 1 and March 31, Continental OnePass members can reach OnePass Dining Premium status by spending $250 or more on qualifying dines. (Premium members earn 10 miles per $1 spent at participating restaurants throughout 2007, versus one or three miles per $1 for non-elite members.)

Registration is required, beginning as soon as January 15.

Continental's is the fifth airline dining-for-miles bonus offer to be announced since the beginning of 2007, and one of the least compelling. For a review of the dining promos on offer from American, Delta, Northwest, and United, see last week's FrequentFlier Crier newsletter.

:: More

Delta Discounts Mileage Transfers

Through February 15, Delta will waive the $25 processing fee and give a 20% mileage bonus to SkyMiles members who transfer their miles to another SkyMiles member.

With the bonus, for example, a transfer of 10,000 miles would receive an extra 2,000 miles for a total of 12,000 miles.

:: More

Double Delta Miles for New York Hilton Stays

Through March 31, Delta SkyMiles members will earn double miles for stays at selected Hilton family hotels in New York City, including the Waldorf=Astoria, the Hilton Times Square, etc.

If booking by phone, mention plan code DS/DS1 to receive the bonus.

:: More

Bonus Miles for Thrifty Rentals

Between January 15 and April 15, Thrifty is offering 1,000 bonus miles for mid-size or larger car rentals of three or more days booked on Thrifty.com. Qualifying rentals must be picked up Sunday through Wednesday.

Renters may elect to receive the bonus miles in the programs of US Airways, Northwest, Delta, or American.

:: More

US Air Opens Miles-for-Wireless Store

As both Delta and United did last year, US Airways has launched the Dividend Miles Wireless Store, allowing Dividend Miles members to earn 3,500 miles for new wireless phone plans activated with participating providers such as T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and Cingular, and five miles for every dollar spent on wireless accessories.

While these online "stores" are essentially identical, there is one significant difference between US Airways' version and those of Delta and United: the latter are significantly more generous. SkyMiles and Mileage Plus members earn 5,000 miles for wireless plans and 10 miles for every dollar spent on wireless accessories.

Obviously, anyone who is not already vested in one of the three programs would be better served choosing Delta or United's program.

More broadly, this divergence is indicative of the difference between US Airways' low-cost carrier approach and the more generous, service-intensive approach of Delta and United.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) JetBlue's New San Francisco Service from $99 Each Way

JetBlue has announced new service to and from San Francisco, in addition to its previous Bay Area service at Oakland and San Jose. Starting May 3, the airline will offer nonstop service between San Francisco and Boston and New York (JFK). Introductory prices start at $99 one-way, not including taxes and fees, and regular prices on the route range from $159 to $399 each way.

Travel is valid midweek from May 3 through June 13. Book tickets at least 21 days in advance, and by January 22.

:: More

2) Honolulu Vacations from $627

Hawaii is a popular destination for beach lovers, surfers, and honeymooners. It's a romantic destination any time of year, and many vacation providers have new sales for winter. Rates for six-night vacations this winter start at $627.

We compared several providers' offerings for vacations in winter and spring, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Packages include airfare and accommodations. Except where indicated, packages include a six-night stay, and do not include additional taxes and fees for airfare.

:: More

Win a Trip for 2 to London

Enter VisitBritain's "London Experiences" sweepstakes by February 15 for a chance to win a trip for two to London, including air and three nights' hotel accommodations.

:: More

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I want to know if my Delta SkyMiles are at risk due to the recent Delta-US Airways merger talks." [A.G.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - If US Airways were to acquire Delta, as they're attempting to do, it's almost a certainty that the Delta and US Airways programs would be consolidated, with no loss of miles by SkyMiles members. So there's virtually no danger of losing miles. There is, however, a very real danger that Delta miles would lose some value in the event of a US Airways-Delta merger. As mentioned in our coverage of their new miles-for-wireless store above, US Airways operates its mileage program along low-cost carrier lines -- i.e. it's less robust, less generous than the programs of full-service airlines such as Delta.]

"You write about all the opportunity to earn miles, why don't you write about how difficult it is to USE those earn miles.

"In my case I have to book 11 mos. ahead to get a seat in business to Europe with United. Second time writing. If you cannot answer, take me off your mailing list.

"It seem that you are an arm of the airlines anyway." [Ketil R.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Anyone who reads this newsletter knows all too well how difficult it is to redeem frequent flyer miles as it's a recurring theme both of our coverage of mileage programs and of feedback from our subscribers. It will surely come as a surprise to the airlines that the FrequentFlier Crier is doing their bidding.]

Until next week...