American Gets Online Award Booking Right

Last week, we mentioned in passing American's new online award booking tool, which we had a chance to preview during the final stages of beta testing. The booking application officially went live today on AA.com, and it represents a significant step forward in mileage programs.

So long as award seat availability remains problematic, the airlines have a responsibility to provide a reservations interface and back-end software that minimizes the hassle of searching alternate days and flights for seats available for award redemption.

At a minimum, that means displaying flights in a calendar format, showing would-be bookers open seats on days surrounding their first choice of departure and return dates. And more generally, the optimal booking tool must manage the tricky balance between robust information and easy navigation.

Finally, American nailed it, providing mileage-redeemers the information they need to make the best of limited award seats.

For a full review, see the feature on FrequentFlier.com.

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Updated Poll Results: Passenger Bill of Rights

We launched an online survey three weeks ago to gauge readers' feelings about an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights -- a movement gaining momentum among both the traveling public and lawmakers.

The poll results have stabilized over the past two weeks, with a consistent 91.5% favoring federal imposition of standards, and penalties for non-compliance.

To weigh in on the issue, or simply check the updated voting results, visit the FrequentFlier Polls. Also see Edgar N.'s comments on the issue in the "Rants & Raves" section below.

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FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, ronald has a heads-up on a good deal from US Airways -- cheap tickets and bonus miles -- for flights to/from Pittsburgh.

And in the "Contests & Sweepstakes" Forum, DJHerm shares details and a link to a 250-point bonus offer for HHonors members booking stays at Hampton Inns through March 31.

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

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Aer Lingus to Quit oneworld Alliance

Effective March 31, Aer Lingus will no longer participate in the oneworld global airline alliance. Aer Lingus will continue participating in American's AAdvantage program, as an earning and redemption partner.

Per American's website: "Aer Lingus will leave the oneworld Alliance on March 31, 2007. oneworld services and benefits on Aer Lingus, including the ability to earn AAdvantage elite qualifying miles and elite bonuses, are valid only through March 31, 2007. However, Aer Lingus will continue to be an AAdvantage participant airline beyond April 1, 2007. Miles earned, however, will no longer be elite qualifying miles."

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Alaska Discounts Mexico Awards

Alaska Mileage Plan members can redeem half as many miles -- 15,000 instead of the 30,000 normally required -- for award flights to Mexico between February 14 and March 31.

Routes eligible for the discount: Los Angeles to LaPaz, Loreto, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo; San Francisco to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta; and San Diego to Los Cabos.

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American Offers Freebie for London Flights

Through May 31, AAdvantage members will earn one free coach ticket for every first or business-class American roundtrip from New York/JFK to London Heathrow.

The bonus can be earned up to three times. Registration is required.

(See below for Delta's response to this offer.)

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Delta Offers Bonus for London Flights

SkyMiles members will earn 45,000 bonus miles for roundtrip BusinessElite flights between New York/JFK and London Gatwick between March 1 and May 31. Full-fare economy roundtrips earn 25,000 bonus miles.

There's an additional 2,500-mile bonus for purchasing the tickets with an American Express card.

Registration is required, by May 15.

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Hilton Offers Experience Rewards

Effective immediately, Hilton HHonors members have new options when it comes time to redeem their points: Experience Rewards.

Through Hilton's tie-up with Signature Days, HHonors members can redeem points for a range of "experiences," including sky-diving, hot-air balloon rides, private yoga lessons, and wine tasting. And through EagleRider, members can use points to rent motorcycles and other vehicles or for lift tickets at nine mountain resorts in the U.S. and Canada.

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Midwest Adds One-Way Choice Awards

Midwest Miles members can now opt to redeem 30,000 miles for a one-way unrestricted award. The roundtrip unrestricted award is priced at 50,000 miles.

A one-way restricted award was already part of the Midwest program, priced at 15,000 miles versus 25,000 for a restricted roundtrip award ticket.

The convenience and flexibility of having one-way awards available is undeniable. But Midwest's pricing undermines their value. We reported last week on Alaska Air's introduction of one-way awards at exactly half their roundtrip levels. That's simple, fair, and what Midwest should do.

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More United Miles for China Flights

Between March 28 and June 30, Mileage Plus members will earn up to 10,000 bonus miles when flying United's new nonstops from Washington, D.C. to Beijing.

Bonus is 10,000 miles for first class (F or A fares only) or business class (C, D fares only); 7,500 for selected business (Z fares) or full economy (Y, B, M, H fares); and 5,000 bonus miles for discounted economy (Q,V,W fares).

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Winter Hawaii Fares on Hawaiian from $279

Flights to Oahu and Maui are on sale from Hawaiian. Prices start at $279 roundtrip for travel through mid-March or April.

Travel from Los Angeles is valid through March 14, and travel from Portland is valid through March 22. Travel from San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle is valid through March 28. Travel from Las Vegas is valid through April 15. Hawaiian has not listed a booking deadline.

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2) 23 Destinations in Asia for $1,399 with the All Asia Pass

Cathay Pacific's All Asia Pass allows travelers to fly roundtrip from the U.S. to Hong Kong and visit 22 other destinations in Asia for as little as $1,399.

Regularly priced at $1,599 per person, anyone can take a $200 discount by registering for the airline's free eNews newsletter, for a pass price of $1,399 per person.

Considering that separately purchased flights between these destinations could easily cost you several thousand dollars, the All Asia Pass can be a tremendous value. You may also add on other cities in Australia, India, New Zealand, and Vietnam, or extend your travel period to up to 90 days for an extra charge.

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Win a Getaway Package from American

Through March 20, enter American Airlines' "Last Minute Package" sweepstakes for a chance to win $2,500, $1,500 or $1,00 towards a vacation getaway package, including air and hotel.

Sweepstakes entries are earned when booking American's getaway packages, but are also available without making a purchase.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Requiring airlines to promptly and safely deboard passengers (even on the airfield) when severe weather disables operations is a must and ought be punished with stiff (seven-figure) fines when they don't. No-penalty prompt refunds should likewise be given. Beyond that, any idea that somehow travelers should be compensated in any way for their own stupidity is outrageous.

"The airlines run a business that is vulnerable to weather conditions. Making themliable because they can't fly in a snowstorm is tantamount to a hijacking by the public. No one who is dumb enough to go to an airport in a blizzard, max out their credit cards while waiting around, or expecting a cushy bed and hot meal should be awarded for their folly.

"The only reason airlines are being singled out is because they are private enterprise. Just how far do you think it would go to punish the state highway department when you run off the road and wreck your car in a blinding storm?

"Being inconvenienced from time to time is a fact of life. Put the blame where it belongs: on a petulant and selfish public. And send them home to Mother with a bad grade on 'accepts responsibility.'" [Edgar N. - Portland, OR]

"Have you done, or would you do a poll on reclining seats?

"Because of the proliferation of rude, inconsiderate passengers who want to lay on my lap for 14 hours, I fervently oppose these reclining seats and wish the airlines would remove at least half of them from aircraft and give us a choice... reclining or not reclining.

"I enjoy the newsletter! Thanks." [Joseph L.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Great idea, we'll get a poll up in the weeks to come.

In a typical coach section, with 32 inches of pitch, I personally think that seats shouldn't incline. Accordingly I never recline my seat when flying coach. Just my $.02!]

Until next week...