U P F R O N T
This Week's Travel Newsbites
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Under pressure from disaffected unions, US Airways chief David Siegel resigned on Monday.
Whatever accomplishments may be chalked up on the positive side of the ledger, Siegel's legacy will be a net negative.
Counting heavily against him, he failed to maintain the trust and goodwill of the airline's labor groups.
And perhaps more critically, he rushed the airline through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, emerging before the company had truly restructured. That was a monumental blunder, which may yet turn out to have been the straw that breaks US Air's back.
Siegel's replacement, board member Bruce Lakefield, reportedly has better rapport with US Air's workforce.
According to Jack Stephan, spokesman for the carrier's pilot union, "This leadership change is a very important first step in not only rebuilding the airline, but rebuilding this company's very damaged corporate culture. So we look at this as a very good step in the right direction."
But at this late date, after so many squandered opportunities, Siegel's departure may be too little, too late to keep the airline from slipping into oblivion.
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As if US Air didn't have enough problems...
In the wake of announcements by discount carriers Southwest and Frontier that they would be launching service at US Air's principal hub, Philadelphia, Delta unveiled plans to add flights to their Philadelphia-Atlanta schedule, effectively creating an hourly shuttle service to their own primary hub.
Blood in the water, sharks circling... you get the picture.
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Speaking of airlines attacking weak competitors on their own turf, Northwest is again expanding its presence at Milwaukee airport, Midwest Airlines' hub, with several new services and increased frequencies scheduled to take effect throughout the summer and into the fall.
Midwest reported its 1st-quarter financial results today: a loss of $6.9 million, versus a loss of $11.8 million last year.
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On a cheerier note, PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts that hotel occupancy rates over the summer will reach 69.1%, marking the strongest demand since 2000.
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And returning full circle to executive churn, Delta will lose its 3rd senior executive in just the past 4 months. The latest to bail: Michele Burns, Delta's CFO.
<< O N S I T E >>
New Look for FrequentFlier.com
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By the time you receive next week's issue of the Crier, the newly redesigned FrequentFlier.com website should be up and running. Beyond the surface improvements, the visitor experience will be enhanced with faster page loading and easier navigation. Have a look and let us know what you think.
Once the new pages are in place and we've had a chance to work out the inevitable coding glitches, we'll be implementing a long list of content upgrades.
And we'll be freshening up the layout of the Crier as well.
Stay tuned.
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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Mary shows how to combine MyPoints.com and eBates.com to earn both points and a rebate -- but no airline miles -- when booking travel. Brantley wonders: "Are there any miles programs or tips you could share on where you can get free or reduced hotel stays with miles?" K.R. is searching for a single program which awards miles for travel on multiple, unrelated airlines. And much more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
> More...
<< M I L E S & P O I N T S >>
LAX-DCA Flights Earn Double Alaska Miles
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Between June 7 and June 30, Mileage Plan members will earn double miles when flying Alaska Air's new service linking Los Angeles and Washington D.C.'s Reagan National (DCA).
No registration is required to earn the bonus.
> More...
American Nixes Some Award-Change Fees
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As of Apr. 20, AAdvantage members will no longer be dinged the whopping $100 fee for changing the date or time on MileSAAver award tickets.
Changes to award tickets' origin or destination will still incur a change fee.
Double Miles-for-Dining from America West
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Between Apr. 1 and June 30, FlightFund members will earn double miles for their first 3 qualifying iDine meals at participating restaurants Sundays through Thursdays.
Registration is required.
> More...
Dine More, Earn More SkyMiles
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Between May 1 and July 31, SkyMiles members will earn 500 bonus miles after the first 3 qualifying iDine meals, and another 500 miles after the next 2 meals.
Registration is required.
> More...
Sixt Is New Delta Car Rental Partner
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Effective immediately, SkyMiles members will earn 500 miles for qualifying car rentals from Germany-based Sixt Rent a Car.
Double, Triple AAdvantage Miles at Loews Hotels
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Between Mar. 15 and June 30, earn triple AAdvantage miles for stays of 3 or more nights at the following Loews hotels: Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Loews Miami Beach, Loews Ventana Canyon and The Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, FL.
And between Apr.1 and June 30, earn double AAdvantage miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the following Loews hotels: The Regency in New York, House of Blues Hotel in Chicago, Loews Beverly Hills, Loews Santa Monica, Loews Vanderbilt and Loews Denver.
Group, negotiated discounts and third party internet rates do not qualify.
> More...
Southwest Bonus for Alamo Rentals
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Through June 30, Rapid Rewards members who rent a mid-size through full-size 4-door car in the U.S. or Canada for a minimum of 5 days will get 1 free day and double Rapid Rewards credit -- 1 credit versus the normal .5 credits.
Cite I.D. Number 308352, Rate Code DM, and Coupon Code FA10.
> More...
US Air Awards More EQMs for Full Fares
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Between Apr. 15 and Dec. 31, Dividend Miles members will earn more elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) when traveling on full-fare tickets on US Airways, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle, Lufthansa and United.
First and business-class fares will earn 200% of actual-flown miles, versus 150% normally, and full-fare coach will earn 150%, up from 100%.
Miles earned toward award travel will not change, so there will be a disconnect between EQMs and bankable miles during the promo period.
> More...
<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
Sale Fares on ATA from $128
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Take advantage of domestic sale fares from ATA for travel to cities around the U.S. Sale prices start at $128 roundtrip for travel from May 4 through Sept. 30.
ATA's domestic sale is sure to launch another round of sales from many of the other airlines, which will most likely match the sale fares even if they don't announce specific sales.
Book tickets by Apr. 26.
> More...
JetBlue Caribbean Fares from $198
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JetBlue has announced sale fares to Aguadilla and San Juan, Puerto Rico, starting at $198 roundtrip. In addition to departures from its JFK hub, JetBlue is also offering departures from upstate New York and Vermont. Travel to Aguadilla is valid through June 30, and travel to San Juan is valid through June 16.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by May 14.
> More...
<< R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S >>
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"I had to share this with you and your readers since I have been following your coverage of the battle between the low cost airlines and what we used to call the full service airlines.
"I fly between L.A. and New York on a regular basis and I've been thinking of giving JetBlue a try for more than a year. Why did I wait so long? Partly because the drive to Long Beach is somewhat longer (15 minutes or so more). And partly because I have miles with American and United, both of which I usually use.
"Having just returned from my latest trip, flying JetBlue both ways, I'm kicking myself for not switching sooner.
"The ticket was almost $200 cheaper than I usually pay. And the Long Beach airport is a refreshing change from LAX.
"And savings aside, in many ways the JetBlue flights themselves were actually more pleasant. I had read about the extra leg room but was pleasantly surprised at how much more comfortable it turned out to be. The individual TVs are a perk I usually associate with overseas flights. And the staff were friendly and enthusiastic, such a change from what I have been experiencing on other airlines lately.
"American and United do have one advantage over JetBlue. Their cross-country flights are operated with wide-bodied jets, with two aisles. Being a bit on the claustrophobic side, I like the "roominess" of those planes, which JetBlues smaller planes unfortunately don't have.
"But when I consider the whole picture, JetBlue is the clear winner."
- Jeff
<< S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S >>
Win Biz-Class Tickets from Northwest
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Through July 15, enter Northwest's "World Business Class Instant Win Game" for a chance to win a pair of business-class tickets, 50,000 WorldPerks miles, and other prizes.
Follow the below link for details and to enter.
> More...
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
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