U P F R O N T
This Week's Travel Newsbites
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By next week's issue, we should have a complete round-up of the airlines' 1st-quarter earnings -- the good, the bad and the ugly.
By way of a preview, the theme of the legacy carriers' results is encapsulated in this headline: "Airline X Narrows 1st-Quarter Loss," where Airline X could be Alaska, American, Midwest, Northwest, US Air, etc.
The low-cost carriers are, again, reporting profits for the quarter.
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Speaking of headlines, a Friday Reuters story featured the following: "Delta CEO says bankruptcy avoidable." Such pronouncements are typically management's way of pressuring unions to accede to salary cuts and productivity boosts. In this case, the intended audience for the not-so-veiled threat is Delta's pilots, who are at loggerheads with the company over salary contracts.
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As a reality check on our handicapping of various airlines' survival chances, and on your own, check out the summary by Eric Torbenson writing for the Dallas Morning News.
He divides the airline universe into "Carriers Cleared for Take Off" (Southwest, American, Continental, America West, Alaska Air, ATA), "The Industry's New Low-Cost Darlings" (JetBlue, AirTran), "Time to Fasten Your Seat Belts" (Delta, United Northwest), and "Running on Fumes" (US Airways).
<< O N S I T E >>
New Look for FrequentFlier.com
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As promised last week, the newly redesigned FrequentFlier.com website went live this past weekend and is open for business.
It will be another few weeks (and considerably more eye strain and carpal tunnel discomfort) before we finish converting all 500+ pages of the site, but the most-visited pages are finished.
Next up: a new layout for the Crier.
Let us know what you think.
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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SEC uncovered a link to Northwest's upcoming Fly Free Faster offer (registration begins May 15). JP is searching for the best mileage deal for local and long-distance phone service. Travlynn has a link to US Airways' new 'round-the-world sweepstakes. 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 >>
Aeroplan Allows Mileage Transfer
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Between Apr. 1 and May 30, Aeroplan members may again transfer miles among accounts.
Transfer a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of 999,999 miles per recipient, to a maximum of 3 recipients' accounts per transaction for a cost of 2ąCA per mile transferred. Members are limited to 5 transactions (donations or receptions) per account per calendar year.
> More...
Earn 15 OnePass Miles Per $1 at Hickory Farms
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For a limited time, OnePass members will earn 15 miles per $1 spent at HickoryFarms.com. (Sorry we didn't know about this in time for Easter ham purchases.)
Enter the Hickory Farms site through the below link to earn OnePass miles.
> More...
Delta Doubles Miles
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Between May 1 and June 30, SkyMiles members will earn double miles on nonstop Delta Connection/Comair flights between New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and on nonstop Delta Connection/SkyWest flights between Salt Lake City (SLC) and Eugene Airport (EUG).
Register using the link below.
> More...
Earn SkyMiles for DVDs
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SkyMiles members may now earn 3,000 bonus miles for enrolling in and purchasing DVDs from the Columbia House DVD Club.
Earn 1,500 miles after the first DVD purchase and a second 1,500 miles after purchasing 5 more qualifying DVDs during the next 2 years.
To enroll, visit http://www.skymilesfordvds.com or call 1-800-861-9872.
Diners Poised for Take-Off
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In spite of the many attractions of Diners Club Rewards, the Diners Club card has never realized its full potential. In fact, its market share has declined.
The problem: merchant acceptance. Compared to Visa and MasterCard, or even Amex, Diners Club cards are accepted by very few merchants, limiting the card's real-world utility,
According to a recent article in Business Travel News, that's about to change.
By the end of this year, Diners will reportedly partner with MasterCard, adding MasterCard's merchant network to their own, thereby boosting retailer acceptance from 8.3 million to more than 30 million.
That would give Diners industry-leading merchant coverage in addition to the best better loyalty-partner lineup around. Look out, American Express!
National Relaunches Emerald Club
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Introduced in 1987 as the industry's first frequent-renter program, National Car Rental's Emerald Club has been pumped up and relaunched.
Entry-level membership costs $50 (waived for corporate members) and offers members a choice between points redeemable for free rental days or airline miles, plus expedited car pick-up, dedicated reservations hotline, etc.
After 12 rentals or 40 rental days in a calendar year, members earn Executive status, affording them free rental days faster, upgrades, etc.
And after 25 rentals or 85 rental days in a calendar year, members earn top-tier Executive Elite status, with free rental days after even fewer rentals, guaranteed car availability with 24 hours notice, etc.
> More...
United Brings Free Tickets to DC
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Anticipating the launch of new service at Washington Dulles by upstart discounter Independence Air, United is offering Mileage Plus members who fly at least 2 roundtrips to or from Washington Dulles (IAD), Washington Reagan (DCA) or Baltimore (BWI) on United, United Express or Ted between May 1, 2004 and Apr. 30, 2005 a variety of free ticket awards as follows:
Number of Roundtrip
Tickets Required for
Redemption
Free Ticket in Travel Area Coach First/Biz
Regional Domestic 2 4
Domestic 4 8
Hawaii/Caribbean 6 12
International 8 16
Around the World 12 24
Minimum value of qualifying tickets: $100.
Travel on free tickets must be completed by Dec. 31, 2005, be booked 7 days in advance, and include a Saturday night stay.
Registration is required using the below link or by calling 1-800-447-6772, code 310.
> More...
US Air Bets Future on Star
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On May 4, US Airways will become the 15th member of the Star Alliance, joining co-founders United and Lufthansa, and Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian, Singapore, Spanair, Thai and VARIG.
Dividend Miles members will be able to earn and burn miles on all Star carriers. Miles earned on Star partners count toward elite status, and elite members will receive alliance-wide recognition and benefits.
Through alliance-related joint marketing (e.g. multilateral mileage program participation), code-sharing, and group cost-saving initiatives, US Air stands to add millions to its bottom line through its participation in Star.
With a 1st-quarter loss of $177 million, they will need every penny of that, and more.
> 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...
Bermuda and Caribbean Fares from $198
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American has announced sale fares to Bermuda and the Caribbean with prices starting at $198 roundtrip. Departures are valid from May 4 through June 23.
While it's the low season for travel to the Caribbean, Bermuda's high season is approaching, so fares are on the rise. American's sale fares are the lowest available on many of the routes we checked, however be sure to shop around before booking because sales from other airlines, including JetBlue, United, and US Airways might have better prices on your route.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Tuesday, May 4.
> More...
Domestic Fares from AirTran, US Airways as Low as $68
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AirTran and US Airways have announced domestic sale fares for travel throughout the U.S. with prices starting at $68 roundtrip. Departures are valid through Oct. 6 on both airlines.
Book tickets on both airlines at least 7 days in advance, and by Thursday, Apr. 29 on AirTran. US Airways has not announced a booking deadline, so its fares could disappear at any time.
> 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 just wanted to drop you a quick note about US Airways' new elite-qualifying mile bonuses for full fares. After the recent barrage of poor decisions from management at US Airways, this one is not only a real breath of fresh air and intelligence, but it's also a real win for their most loyal customers.
"Whilst Delta, Continental, and Northwest have all introduced changes to their frequent flyer programs that pay back loyalties with elite-qualifying penalties on certain flights (i.e., less than 100% EQM's on discounted fares), only US Airways and American Airlines have opted to add extra rewards for extra revenue gain. By going this route, customers who are loyal with higher fares are recognized, whilst customers who are loyal with frequency are not driven away.
"It would be a shame not to recognize US Airways for their wisdom here with a further highlight of their decision in the Crier, along with some extra full-fare business taken away from some of their "less competitive" competition. Let's vote with our pocketbooks and hope that this trend at US Airways continues well beyond the 31 December 2004 deadline!"
Nathan Roemer
The Travel Scholar
http://www.travelscholar.com/
<< S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S >>
Win NASCAR Tickets from Best Western
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Enter Best Western's Speed Rewards Summer Sweepstakes between May 1 and July 31 for a chance to win a trip to the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 7, including roundtrip airfare, hotel, race tickets, garage and pit tours, and a chance to meet 2-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip.
To enter, join Best Western's NASCAR-themed Speed Rewards program between May 1 and July 31.
Additional entries are earned by staying at participating Best Western hotels through the end of July. One stay earns a second sweepstakes entry, along with a free trial subscription to NASCAR Scene magazine. Two stays earn a third entry and an extra 500 Speed Rewards bonus points. And 3 stays earn a fourth contest entry plus an additional 500 bonus points.
> More...
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
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