"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blogs:

• Paradise, on the cheap
  Tahiti, anyone? Get a free ticket for just 30,000 American miles.
• Best room rate? Don't ask the hotel
  Low-price guarantees don't guarantee the lowest price.
• An airline's most valuable asset?
  According to Delta: Its frequent flyer program.
• Delta's 'Pay with Miles' award alters frequent flyer landscape
  This new feature guarantees SkyMiles award availability.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Captainquest is weighing the relative strengths of the elite programs of Continental and US Airways: "I see CO has 50% mileage bonus vs. US 25%. For which program do 1st class upgrades come easier once you become elite?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, adeleswart is wondering about her rights in the event of a schedule change: "Is there any protection (refund) for someone whose flight departure time was changed by 1.5 hours? As a teacher, it's impossible to now make the flight, but the travel agent who books for our system says I have to accept the change. It's an electronic ticket, and I cannot find anything which says I have rights and can refuse to accept the change and get a refund."

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

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Alaska Offers Double Miles Between Seattle and L.A. or San Francisco

Between March 15 and May 15, Alaska Mileage Plan members who fly two round-trips between Seattle and Los Angeles or Seattle and San Francisco will earn double miles on those routes during the remainder of 2008. Double miles are only valid for flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) and San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA), completed from May 16 through December 31.

Registration is required.

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Choice Triples the Points for Stays

Through April 17, members of the Choice Privileges program will receive 10 bonus points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, and Cambria Suites hotels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Register prior to check-in to receive an additional 10 bonus points per dollar spent on all subsequent qualifying stays during the promotion period.

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Delta Offers Bonus for Mile Transfers

Through March 31, SkyMiles members will receive a 20% bonus when transferring miles to other SkyMiles account holders. So, for example, when transferring 10,000 miles, the recipient will get 12,000 miles. Elite members of Delta's program receive a 30% transfer bonus.

Even with the extra miles factored in, the costs to transfer miles are prohibitive: 1 cent per mile transferred, plus 7.5% excise tax, plus a $30 processing fee.

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Radisson Bonus for Business Rewards Packages

Through December 29, goldpoints plus members will earn 2,000 bonus points when booking Business Rewards Packages at participating Radisson hotels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Business Rewards Packages include breakfast voucher, early check-in and/or late check-out, free high-speed Internet, and free weekday morning newspaper.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Latin America Fares on American from $199

Flights to Central and South America are on sale from American. Fares start at $199 round-trip, and destinations include Belize, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile.

Travel is valid from March 26 through April 30. Book by March 7, 11:59 PM CT.

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2) Europe Spring Fares on Delta from $578

Delta is offering Europe sale fares from Atlanta and New York. Fares start at $578 round-trip, and destinations include Barcelona, Prague, and Rome.

Travel is valid from March 25 through June 15. Book by March 10, 11:59 PM ET.

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Win a Carnival Cruise for 2

Enter Canrival Cruise Lines' "Funtennial Celebration" sweepstakes by March 31 for a chance to win a four-day cruise in the Owner's Suite aboard the Carnival Inspiration or Carnival Imagination.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I recently had a round trip coach paid ticket on American Airlines from/to Atlanta/Dallas for $212. As I had 10,000 frequent flyer miles which were lost due to expiration dates, I thought I might use some of my remaining points to secure a first class upgrade. When I called American Airlines, I was told that a round trip first class upgrade would be 30,000 points and a $100 fee as my reservation was less than three days from my travel date. Furthermore, when I checked in at the American Airlines kiosk in Atlanta, I was offered the opportunity on the outbound leg to a first class upgrade for $90.

"Convoluted logic is alive and well at American Airlines. With this type of treatment, why would anyone fly this airline if they have other choices?" [J. G. D. - Atlanta, GA]

"I always enjoy my Frequent Flier emails.

"In reference to your article on Starwood [in last week's Crier], I thought I would share an old email I sent to Hilton when they upgraded their hotels to a higher reward level:

I found your recent changes to the HHonors reward categories very disappointing. While I may have noticed a category drop at one or two properties, it was obvious to me that the overwhelming majority of changes were increases to the previous reward categories.

As a loyal and long-time HHonors Member, I feel somewhat betrayed by your "raising the bar" on such a wholesale level. I feel certain there are other HHonors Members who feel the same way, and you should realize this as well, even though only a small percentage of Members may actually take the time to write.

I doubt I will be able to give Hilton HHonors a "straight 10" perfect rating in the next Freddie Awards, as I have for the past several consecutive years. Considering that you finished 7th in the Frequent Guest Program category of the 2005 Freddie Awards (less than 200 "Value Votes" ahead of Best Western) and 9th in the Best Affinity Credit Card category with the HHonors American Express card (I have already closed my account,) I am surprised you would even consider changing the reward categories, except to make it easier for the Members to earn free nights.

I sincerely hope this e-mail is shared with the Executives responsible for effecting changes within the HHonors program. It would be a sad day if Hilton were to fall below Best Western when the results of the next Freddie Awards are announced in less than a year. Unfortunately, this may be exactly what happens if the HHonors program continues in its present state.

"Their response was that they would forward my email to the appropriate people, but that was the last that I heard.

"Thanks again for all of your articles!" [Bob J.]

Until next week...