Issue #38  --  April 1, 1999

** CONTENTS **

Sabre Automates Upgrades ~ When Frequent Flyer Programs Work ~ Double US Airways Miles for Washington/Baltimore Flights ~ Northwest's Miles-for-Charity ~ Hilton HHonors Partners with MyPoints ~ AirTran and Hilton Internet Discounts ~ Korean Air U.S.-Asia Discounts ~ Easter Travel "How To" ~ Opinions: Southwest's Website ~ Award for this Newsletter ~ Site2See: Walkabouttravelgear

<< M I L E S >>

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When Frequent Flyer Programs Work...
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In the interest of giving credit where credit is due, here's a personal story in which a frequent flyer program worked the way you hoped it would, but feared it wouldn't.

I recently received a late-night call from my sister. My father had been taken to the hospital with life-threatening heart complications. How soon could I get from Los Angeles (where I live) to New York (where my sister and father live)?

Long story short: I was on a red-eye flight the following night. And within 36 hours, I was at my dad's bedside at New York Hospital. What makes this noteworthy is that I was able to make the trip on an American AAdvantage award ticket, issued against my sister's miles, on the flight of my choice. A last-minute request, made on a weekend, for a heavily traveled flight. Yes, there was a $75 fee to expedite the transaction, but is was $75 well spent under the circumstances. And if I'd had to purchase the ticket last minute, the roundtrip fare would have been $1900.

So while we (myself included) grouse and groan about the programs' deficiencies--in particular, our inability to secure award seats on desirable flights at sensible times--there are also cases where the programs deliver terrific value. I'm happy to be able to report that I was on the receiving end of one such transaction.

Thanks, American.

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Double US Airways Miles for D.C./Baltimore Flights
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US Airways will be awarding double Dividend Miles for Washington/Baltimore flights, on US Airways, US Airways Shuttle, US Airways Express and low-fare MetroJet, taken between April 4 and June 30, 1999.

To qualify, Dividend Miles members must travel to or from any of the three Baltimore-Washington area airports -- Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport.

Registered customers can receive double miles for up to six nonstop flights to or from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and for up to six nonstop flights to or from BWI. The number of roundtrip flights for travel to and from Washington Dulles International Airport is unrestricted. Customers can earn double Dividend Miles on an unlimited number of nonstop flights for travel to and from Washington Dulles. Other restrictions apply.

To take advantage of this offer, and to receive additional information, members should call the US Airways Dividend Miles service center at 1-800-872-4738 and register to begin accruing double miles. YOU MUST REGISTER TO RECEIVE THE BONUS MILES. Members should refer to bonus request code 3500.

>> More <<
US Airways online

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Northwest Miles-for-Charity
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Members of Northwest Airlines' WorldPerks program have contributed nearly 60 million miles to AirCares charity partners over the past 12 months. April marks the first full year that WorldPerks members have had the ability of donating their banked miles to the airline's non-profit charitable partners.

Each quarter, Northwest Airlines selects and promotes a different non-profit organization in the public awareness and onboard fund-raising campaign. On every
flight, passengers learn about the mission of the charity partner through inflight videos, flight attendant announcements and articles in Northwest's inflight magazine, WorldTraveler. Travelers are encouraged to donate their banked miles or cash to the non-profit organization, and they receive 500 Bonus Miles for contributions of at least 5,000 miles or $50 or more.

To date, the Northwest AirCares program has featured 25 national and international organizations on board the aircraft including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity International, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The Salvation Army. (complete list follows). In addition to the donation of miles, Northwest and its passengers have contributed more than $4 million to the charitable partners.

Northwest passengers may donate their banked mileage to any Northwest AirCares partner by calling toll-free 800-327-2881. The minimum donation is 5,000 miles and larger donations may be made in 1,000-mile increments. To make a tax-deductible contribution, passengers may contact the partner organization directly and mention the Northwest AirCares program.

Northwest's newest AirCares partner is the Leukemia Society of America. Throughout April, May and June, Northwest will promote the Society's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Northwest AirCares program was founded in 1992 as a way to help organizations that reflect Northwest's corporate values and community concerns.

>> More <<
Further information about Northwest AirCares is available here, under "About Northwest."

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Hilton Partners with MyPoints
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Reaping travel rewards on the web gets easier, and more complicated, every day.

MyPoints.com, a provider of Internet direct marketing and loyalty rewards programs, and Hilton HHonors have teamed up to offer e-commerce incentives to consumers.

"Our relationship with MyPoints will allow Hilton HHonors members to earn points when shopping for a wide variety of products and services on the Web," said Jeffrey Diskin, president and chief operating officer, Hilton HHonors Worldwide. "Allying ourselves with MyPoints, a leading online marketing specialist, helps broaden the Hilton HHonors program via e-mail and the Web."

MyPoints rewards consumers who have agreed to read and respond to targeted marketing messages via e-mail and on the Web with points in the MyPoints program. MyPoints may be redeemed for a wide variety of products and services, including free long distance time, frequent flyer miles and other travel awards, and name-brand merchandise from more than three dozen leading retailers.

The addition of Hilton HHonors to the MyPoints selection of redemption partners is designed to attract travel-oriented consumers from around the world to the MyPoints program.

Members can exchange HHonors points for airline miles -- through the HHonors Reward Exchange -- with Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, LanChile, LatinPass, Mexicana Airlines, Midwest Express Airlines, South African Airways, TWA, United Airlines, and with American Airlines beginning June 1999. For members of the MyPoints program to be eligible to earn HHonors points, they either will need to be a current HHonors member or simply enroll in the HHonors program at the time of redemption on the MyPoints Web site.

Hilton HHonors joins MyPoints' portfolio of more than three dozen redemption partners, including Barnes & Noble, and Macy's, among others.

I've always felt that MyPoints suffered in comparison with other mileage programs. Adding HHonors points to the mix is certainly a step in the right direction. And the MyPoints website promises that additional enhancements will be announced tomorrow, Friday.

>> More <<
MyPoints

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Sabre Automates Upgrade Bookings
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Sabre this week announced the general release of its new Frequent Flyer Automated Upgrade enhancement.

The company's computer reservations system is the first to integrate this timesaving tool. The new enhancement is a complimentary service for travel agencies that use the Sabre system and completely automates the process for agents to request seat assignment upgrades for their clients.

Previously, travel agents were required to call airlines directly or the traveler had to request an upgrade at the time of check-in. Frequent Flyer Automated Upgrade greatly simplifies the process and allows Sabre travel agents to request the upgrade within the passenger's reservation.

Once the participating carrier confirms the upgrade, the Sabre system automatically updates the reservation. Travel agents can also request special meals, specific seats and traveling companion upgrades in one entry. When an upgrade request is granted, travel agents are automatically notified and the booking class changes from the original class of service to the upgraded class of service.

Sabre is launching the enhancement with American Airlines as the first participating air carrier. The company is actively working to implement the service with other carriers around the world.

>> More <<
Sabre's website

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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AirTran Adds Hilton Discounts to Internet Offerings
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AirTran has teamed up with Hilton Hotels to offer Internet deals as part of its Net Escapes program. Customers can now take advantage of special Hilton hotel rates in many of the AirTran destinations listed in Net Escapes.

Net Escapes are AirTrans' Internet fares discounts, available to different destinations each week. Customers may sign up to receive free weekly Net Escapes updates via e-mail on the E-fares section of AirTran's web site. Customers may also view the specials on the Net Escapes page on the web site. To receive the discounts, tickets must be booked on the AirTran web site.

By teaming up with AirTran, messages about Hilton Value Rates will be included in AirTran's weekly Net Escapes e-mail, and visitors to the AirTran web site will be able to click on the Hilton Value Rates link at the bottom of the Net Escapes page. Similarly, visitors to the Hilton Value Rates page will be able to click on the AirTran link and reach the AirTran Net Escapes page.

>> More <<
o AirTran
o Hilton

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Korean Air Discounts to Asia
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Travel to Asia remains a bargain.

Case in point: Korean Air's new budget air fares between the U.S. and points in Asia. The discounted airfares include a roundtrip from Los Angeles to Singapore for $548, a roundtrip from San Francisco to Seoul for $598 and a roundtrip from Chicago to Bangkok for $548.

Outbound travel must begin by April 30 this year and tickets must be purchased no later than April 15 this year. The maximum stay is 30 days.

>> More <<
KE's website

<< I N D U S T R Y N E W S >>

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Flight Attendant "How To" for Easter Travel
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Following are recommendations from AFA, the flight attendant union, "to make holiday travel safer and more enjoyable." (In some cases, these suggestions seem as much about making flight attendants' jobs easier as they are about helping the traveling public.)

    Limit Carry-on Bags. Thousands of injuries linked to carry-on bags occur each year. Excess carry-on bags can also delay your flight while the crew searches for places to store bags. Bring on your valuables such as cameras, jewelry as well as any medication you might need. Check the rest of your luggage.

    Be Courteous. It's going to be crowded in the airport and on the plane, so stay calm. Interfering with crew members performing their jobs is a Federal crime, with severe consequences. It also jeopardizes the safety of everyone aboard the aircraft.

    Buckle Up. Passengers should wear their seat belts during the entire flight -- even if the seat belt sign is off -- to avoid injury from unexpected turbulence.

    Put Your Child Under Two in a Certified Child Restraint Seat. It is the safest way for children under two to fly. Aviation experts agree that holding a child on a parent's lap is unsafe and the practice has led to needless injuries and deaths in cases of turbulence and crashes.

    If you are traveling with children:

    Involve older kids in planning the trip and parents should tell them what to expect.

    Establish firm rules before the trip so it's easier to enforce them in flight.

    Take advantage of pre-boarding to get situated, store the stroller and strap in the safety seat. Umbrella-type strollers that fold up are easier to fit into over head bins. A baby backpack is a great alternative to a stroller.

    Plan ahead for meals. Special baby and child meals are available on most airlines; order them when you make your reservations. Also, bring along your child's favorite snack because the airline food may not be ready when your child is hungry.

    Make arrangements to visit the cockpit while the plane is on the ground.

    Don't leave your child unattended. If you have to use the bathroom, you can ask an attendant to watch the child, and if she is busy, she will try to find someone who is free.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest flight attendant union, representing 44,000 flight attendants at 23 airlines.

>> More <<
Association of Flight Attendants website

<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>

In last week's edition of The Crier, the question of Southwest's website was raised: is it a dandy, or is it a dog? I was firmly in the canine camp myself, and wondered out loud whether others felt the same way. Based on the e-mail received this past week, the Southwest site has many more supporters than detractors. And the praise is for all the right reasons: quick download times, ease of navigation, overall functionality.

I still think it's an eyesore, in need of serious cosmetic surgery. But I have to admit that the usability arguments are compelling. So I'm removing Southwest's site from the "Worst of the Web" list.

Herewith a sampling of the comments received:

>> From J.M. >>
I tried to email last week about the Southwest site but had a problem on your email link as I recall.

I suspect you are talking about the "hokey" front page. It is cute, but needs a list of choices to supplement the graphics (or tool tips to show the link -- as you pass over the map it would show "cities served" or "Airports we fly to").

The nice thing about the site is you can get quick availability information. Granted their fares and routings are more limited than USAir for example.

But on the USAir site it takes forever to find out of there is a seat on a particular flight. I emailed them last week when researching about a trip. I was able to "book" a flight at 5:30pm from BWI-FLL and also at 8:30pm from BWI-FLL on the same day. This happened because I was trying to find seats on various flights. Their software didn't recognize that the origin-destination pair was the same. I have enclosed a copy of the emails on this issue.

>> From R.A. >>
Too many sites try to be pretty. The Southwest site is just what the airline is - what you see is what you get! Bare bones, no frills. It loads quickly, responds quickly. What else do you want? Pictures?

>> From M.T. >>
You think you got problems with the Southwest web site. You guys in the US have got it made. Pull up my local site, KLMuk, and log on to the open forum for comments galore. However, all credit to KLMuk in encouraging feedback from their customers, good or bad,

>> From J.B. >>
Truly butt ugly. Really bad. Hire a designer already. But at least it isn't painful to load like www.ual.com, although it seems like United has worked on that a bit.

>> From J. >>
Tim-
The huge complaint I have on the websites is that they require a username and password just to check schedules and fares. This is total BS. Every time I try to register a username, mine is taken.

So. . . I have 5 usernames, 3 passwords (they all have different reqts) etc. I often go to Expedia just to check schedules, then go to the correct website. We need an OAG type of website.

Thought you might agree.

>> From A. & G. G. >>
I love the SWA site. It's so simple to read, understand, and use.

>> From R.S. >>
I didn't take the time when you first made the comment, but now that you asked for it...

I think SWA has the easiest website I have ever used for booking a flight, the graphics are great, and simple. I like the feature of being able to switch to another time slot or day without starting over (the arrow buttons) and the system usually will even give an all day schedule if you use one of the buttons or if there are not too many flights. It is also one of the most space efficient for printing if I want a hard copy for reference. The city and date selection are also very easy.

What is lacking? You said it was bad but never substantiated the opinion with any examples or comparisons? Maybe you just don't like the company colors and thought they were ugly, your a little late there, every Southwest customer and employee allready knew that!

Besides, where else can you book such short flights and get a free ticket (and a book of drink coupons) after only 4 roundtrips?

I can earn a free ticket spending less money than what that free ticket is worth on a longer flight, it's like half price off the allready lowest fares out there! And their flight coupons have to be the easiest and most flexible in the industry. Even if the site was "butt ugly" it would be well worth it!

>> From L.B. >>
Sorry -- think you're all wrong about SW's website -- it's easily the best in the industry.

It lets you see quickly how much a flight costs and the possible discounts. NO ONE else makes it so simple. Also no annoying log-ins, plus a great on-line booking bonus.

For the record, the Washington Post recently said it was by far the best site and easiest to navigate.

Do reconsider. I have to wonder if you've ever purchased a ticket from the site. It's quick and painless.

I've babbled on enough.

But do keep up the good work. You have a great newsletter.

>> From B.P. >>
thought their site was ok

<< M I S C E L L A N Y >>

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The Winner: Us!
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Now, when you read this newsletter, think of yourself as reading "an award-winning newsletter."

That's just what we did this last week--we won the E-ZineZ Excellence Award. This is an award given out very selectively by E-ZineZ, Kate Schultz's organization that brings us E-ZineZ: the Search Engine for E-Zines!, and E-ZineZ: the E-Zine for E-Zines!

Thanks for the recognition, Kate.

>> More <<
E-ZineZ

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Site2See
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"Essential travel gear and information for the independent traveler." That's how Moab, Utah-based Walkabout Travel Gear describes its products, services and mission... which in this case are inextricably interrelated.

So while there are the predictable travel-related products, there is also an unexpected amount of information about the products, and about travel generally. And there's attitude... the kind of attitude that comes with a highly developed sense of purpose. I found them to be especially strong in two areas: overseas electrical currency conversion, and overseas phone and modem adapters. In both cases, I found not only the product I needed to solve my problem, but also enough information about the problem to feel comfortable that I was making a sound decision.

>> More <<
Walkabout Travel Gear

Until next week...