Buy a Book, Win a Bag

To promote sales of "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs," co-authored by the editor of this newsletter, Tim Winship, and Randy Petersen, we've tried tempting our readers with discounts and free shipping. For the next month, we're trying a different approach, which should resonate with our travel-focused audience.

Between Apr. 5 and May 4, everyone who purchases a copy of the book via the publisher's website will be entered in a sweepstakes to win one of two pieces of premium-quality luggage from Briggs & Riley.

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Bankruptcy Watch

The results of the Delta pilots' vote are in.

In a shot across management's bow, a whopping 94.7% of the pilots voted in favor of authorizing a strike if and when the union deems it appropriate.

An arbitration panel is currently considering management's proposal to void the pilots' current contract and will issue a ruling by Apr. 15. The union has threatened to strike if the contract is rejected. And the company was warned that a strike could permanently ground the airline.

Would the pilots torpedo their own ship? Probably not. But it would be naive to underestimate any group's potential to self-destruct. Case in point: Northwest's mechanics drew a line in the sand, stood firm, and found themselves with neither an acceptable contract nor, ultimately, their jobs.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, papakim poses a question on the minds of many frequent flyers frustrated by restrictions on award seats: "Can anyone tell me how and when award seats are now being allocated by the major airlines? Do all flights have award seats? Can you book a seat on the outbound flight if the return flight is not on line for booking yet? I called Delta on the day (minute) that the flights for Feb 24th 2007 became available. There were NO 30,000 award seats available."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, patty raises a perennial query: "Is there anyway to combine miles from several airlines to one?"

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

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Up to 11,000 American Bonus Miles for Hawaii Trips

AAdvantage members can earn as many as 11,000 bonus miles for AmericanAirlines Vacations packages of five or more nights. (That's 10,000 bonus miles for bookings made through AmericanAirlines Vacations at participating hotels and resorts in Hawaii, plus an additional 1,000 bonus miles for booking online at AAVacations.com.)

Bookings must be made by Apr. 15 for travel between Apr. 17 and June 15 or Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.

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Continental Offers More Miles for Beijing Flights

Between Apr. 15 and July 15, OnePass will earn up to 5,000 bonus miles on roundtrip Continental flights from New York/Newark to Beijing. Bonus is 5,000 miles in BusinessFirst (J, D or Z class), 2,500 bonus miles in higher-priced coach (Y, H, K, or N class), and 1,000 miles in discount coach (B, O, V, U, Q, I, S, W, T, X or L class).

Registration is required. Promotion Code: 59020.

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Delta, Aeroflot Link Programs

Effective Apr. 1, Delta SkyMiles members can earn and redeem miles for flights on Aeroflot Russian Airlines, and members of the Aeroflot Bonus program can earn and redeem on Delta flights.

Miles earned for Aeroflot flights qualify for elite status in Delta's program, and Delta miles are elite-qualifying in Aeroflot Bonus.

Aeroflot has been working through the steps required to become a member of the SkyTeam alliance for more than a year. There's no word on when their membership will take effect.

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Earn Delta Miles for Wine

SkyMiles members can now earn miles for joining a wine club and purchasing wine from Vinesse -- 100 miles per bottle purchased, plus five miles per $1 spent on merchandise purchased on Vinesse.com/delta.

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Hyatt Bonus for Summerfield Suites Stays

Through June 30, members of Hyatt's Gold Passport program will earn a 3,000-point bonus for their first stay at a Summerfield Suites hotel.

Registration is required.

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Marriott Has New Airline Partner: China Southern

Effective immediately, Marriott Rewards members can designate China Southern as their preferred airline to earn miles-for-stays in the airline's Sky Pearl Club program (two miles per $1 spent at Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Marriott Vacation Club; one mile per $1 spent (room rate only) at Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites).

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Dining Bonuses from Rewards Network

Members of the programs of Alaska, American, Delta, Continental, Midwest, Northwest, and Priority Club can earn significant bonuses through their respective programs' miles-for-dining programs (all of which are operated by Rewards Network, formerly iDine).

Details and promotion dates differ somewhat. In all cases, registration is required.

Alaska

Between Apr. 1 and May 31, Mileage Plan members will earn 250 bonus miles for Mileage Plan Dining meals costing $15 or more (tax and tip included), up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles.

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American

Between Apr. 1 and May 31, AAdvantage members can earn the following bonuses through the AAdvantage Dining program:

• Spend $50, earn 250 bonus miles
• Spend $100, earn 500 bonus miles
• Spend $150, earn 1,000 bonus miles
• Spend $250, earn 2,000 bonus miles
• Spend $500, earn 5,000 bonus miles

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Continental

Between Apr. 15 and June 30, OnePass members will earn 250 bonus miles for OnePass Dining meals costing $15 or more (tax and tip included), up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles.

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Delta

Between Apr. 15 and June 30, SkyMiles members can earn the following bonuses through the SkyMiles Dining program:

• Spend $100, earn 1,000 bonus miles
• Spend $200, earn 2,000 bonus miles
• Spend $500, earn 5,000 bonus miles

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Midwest

Between Apr. 15 and June 30, Midwest Miles members will earn triple miles for their first three dines, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles.

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Northwest

Between Apr. 1 and May 31, WorldPerks members will earn 250 bonus miles for Dining for Miles meals costing $15 or more (tax and tip included), up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles.

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Priority Club Rewards

Between Apr. 1 and May 31, Priority Club Rewards members can earn 400 bonus points per meal, up to a maximum of 7,000 bonus points.

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United Bonus for Bose Headphones

Through May 4, Mileage Plus members will earn 1,200 bonus miles when purchasing a pair of Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Price: $299.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Ireland and Amsterdam on Aer Lingus from $318

Flights to Dublin, Shannon, and Amsterdam are on sale with Aer Lingus' spring offer. Prices for Ireland flights start at $318 roundtrip, and prices for Amsterdam flights start at $398 roundtrip.

Travel is valid from May 1 through 31. Book tickets by Apr. 14.

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2) $100 Discount on Europe Flights from British Airways

British Airways is offering $100 off select flights to Europe. Flights to Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome are included in the offer.

This offer is valid through Apr. 17. Eligible destinations include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Madrid, Nice, Paris, and Rome for roundtrip flights in April and May.

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Win a Saturn Roadster

Enter Delta's "SkyMiles 25th Anniversary" sweepstakes by Dec. 31 for a chance to win one of 25 2007 Saturn SKY roadsters.

Participants receive one sweepstakes entry for every 1,000 miles earned between Mar. 22 and Dec. 31, 2006. Or, without making a purchase or flying, they can enter by mail. In either case, participants must be SkyMiles members to enter.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

[In response to comments in last week's Crier by Pat S.:]

"Yes, and if you go online and look at the sold out seats on any Delta flight you are interested in, they are wide open. Yet, they will tell you there are no seats available. You can't get a domestic seat for under 50,000 miles and a European one for under 100,000. It is a sham and frankly I hope they go under. They deserve it. They used to be the only airline I would fly but they are the worst running right now. I don't have to pay to be treated rudely!!!" [C.B.]

[In response to our coverage of Hilton's points-for-charity efforts in last week's Crier:]

"This is outrageous I don't believe you should help spread the word on this. If you give 10,000 points they give $25; if you need to buy 10,000 points it costs $100.00." [S.]

Until next week...