"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blogs:

• Top five award destinations for April
  Your five best bets for award travel this month.
• Midwest flyers can combine frequent flyer miles, cash for trips
  Midwest's new option firms up the value of miles at a low level.
• Getting the most value from frequent flyer miles
  Readers weign in on maximizing benefits.

New FrequentFlier Features

Following are the latest features to be posted on FrequentFlier.com:

• Airlines Strive to Restore Mileage Programs' Lost Luster
  New features firm up miles' value.
• Are Travel Loyalty Programs Losing Their Mojo?
  To be or not to be. Loyal, that is.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Fiona is rankled by Delta's new change fees: "I'm flying to Savannah in three weeks and noticed that they opened up a later flight so I called them to switch to the flight. I was promptly informed that today, April 2, there would be a $75 per ticket change fee and that tomorrow the price goes up to $100 per ticket."

And in the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, mrfatboy raises important questions regarding credit card bonuses: "I have read that people sign up for the cards, do the minimum to get the bonus miles/points and then cancel. 1) Does this method damage your credit rating? 2) Can you use this method on the same card year after year. For example, If I signed up on a United Plus card, get my 21k points, cancel, can I repeat year after year and still get more points?"

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

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Aloha Ends Flights, Eradicates Miles

With the shutdown of Aloha Airlines on Monday, members of the AlohaPass frequent flyer program watched helplessly as their unredeemed miles disappeared.

For those who had already cashed in their miles, the repercussions were a mixed bag. According to Aloha's website, hotel and car rental awards already booked with AlohaPass miles are no longer valid. Confirmed award bookings on United flights will still be honored. But AlohaPass members with award tickets for travel on Aloha are left empty-handed. For award travelers already in mid-trip on Aloha, United is offering discounted one-way fares through the end of April. Hawaiian Airlines has also committed to assisting affected Aloha passengers, including an offer of free standby on some flights for the first three days of April.

For the airline industry, for Aloha's 1,900 employees, and for the traveling public, Aloha's passing is unfortunate if not tragic. And for frequent flyer program participants, it's a reminder that there are no guarantees that their miles will remain viable.

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More Continental Miles for Tokyo Flights

Through May 15, Continental OnePass members can earn the following bonuses for Continental flights between Newark and Tokyo: 10,000 bonus miles for round-trip business-class tickets (J, D, or Z class); 5,000 bonus miles for select coach tickets (Y, H, M, B, or V); and 2,500 for discount coach (Q, S, T, or L class).

Registration is required.

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Delta Doubles the Elite-qualifying Miles

Between March 31 and April 30, SkyMiles members will earn double Medallion qualifying Miles (MQMs) for all Delta flights booked on delta.com and completed by June 30.

Offer is only available to U.S. SkyMiles residents, and registration is required.

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Earn More US Air Miles for Hotel Stays

Through April 30, Dividend Miles members will earn a 20% bonus for every mile earned for stays with hotel partners, and for transferring hotel points to miles. Preferred members receive a 30% bonus. (Transfers from the Starwood Preferred Guest program do not qualify for the bonus.)

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Europe Fares on Lufthansa from $352

April departures to Europe are on sale from Lufthansa. Fares start at $352 round-trip, and Amsterdam, Glasgow, London, and Paris are included.

Travel is valid from April 8 through May 15. Book by April 8, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) Domestic Sale Fares on Midwest from $108

Domestic flights through mid-November are on sale from Midwest. Fares start at $108 round-trip, and cities include Kansas City, Milwaukee, New York, and Orlando.

Travel is valid from April 15 through November 19. Book by April 8, 11:59 PM CT.

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Win a Trip to L.A. to Attend the American Idol Finale

Enter Coca-Cola's "American Idol Package" sweepstakes by April 20 for a chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend the American Idol Season 7 Finale, including air, three nights at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, tickets to the American Idol Season 7 Finale, dinner at Circa 55, and a one year supply of Coca-Cola beverages.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"For some reason when TWA Aviators miles plan was terminated and transferred to American Advantage miles my plan never got transferred even though I put in the request and did what needed to be done to get transfer it appears it did not get done.

Is there anyway that can get done, my portfolio number is ***.... My last statement that I still have is showing 7,918." [Connie]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - The transition period for TWA Aviators members is long past. You might try contacting American, but it's probably too late.]

"I note the rant about the TSA in STL [in last week's newsletter].

"I am not sure if you addressed this in a previous edition but perhaps you can point readers to http://www.tsa.gov/blog/index.shtm to rant directly to the TSA." [Frank M.]

"Has anyone out there ever flown Air China?

"It is a partner of United and the only way, I am told, to fly directly from Beijing to Los Angeles. United says they only fly direct to SF from Beijing so I reluctantly made the reservation using air miles. However, I can't find any info on the web about Air China except that it is a partner of United." [Bonnie]

Until next week...