U P F R O N T
This Week's Travel Newsbites
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It's been yet another week of scary travel newsbites. Among them...
Bankrupt Air Canada earlier today discontinued negotiations with a key labor group, jeopardizing a critical loan from Deutsche Bank which is predicated on obtaining significant cost concessions from all unions.
Citing the anticipated impact of high fuel prices, Standard & Poor's revised the ratings outlook for Continental to "negative" from "stable" on Wednesday.
Delays of an hour or more have recently been reported at airport security checkpoints. And with summer air traffic projected to surge to record levels even as TSA screeners have been pared back from a high of 55,000 to 45,000 currently, the prospect is for more and worse delays to come. (Where flexibility allows, savvy flyers will schedule departures at off-peak times.)
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On a more positive note, the Dallas Morning News reports that American's new product strategy -- so far a work in progress -- will include more in-seat power ports and retain the airline's more-room-throughout-coach seating, albeit not on all planes. We've been a tireless advocate for more legroom and commend American for staying the course.
American has also reviewed simplified pricing models, but rejected them as not yet ready for prime time.
<< O N S I T E >>
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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Beach64 wonders: What can I do with 12K AAdvantage miles? British Air expired 53,347 of Lee's hard-earned miles. What's a disgruntled Executive Club member to do? Janice is seeking opinions on the Miles Card from Discover. 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 >>
Summer Award Sale at Alaska Air
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Beginning today, May 19, Mileage Plan members may book award travel on Alaska Air or Horizon between Seattle, Portland or San Francisco and Palm Springs or Sun Valley for 13,000 miles, a 7,000 mile discount from the 20,000 miles normally required. Discounted award travel may take place between June 5 and Sept. 2.
To receive the discount, booking must be made online at alaskaair.com.
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Alaska Air Brings More Award Bookings Online
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Effective May 20, Mileage Plan members can redeem miles and book award travel on American Airlines flights in the U.S., Canada and Mexico at alaskaair.com. And through Sept. 30, members will receive 1,000 bonus miles for each American Airlines award booked at alaskair.com.
Online award booking is already in place for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights.
> More...
Continental Discounts Last Minute Getaways
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Through June 5, OnePass members will receive a $40 discount on Last Minute Deals from Continental Airlines Vacations.
To get the discount, enter COP40F5Z in the promotion code field during checkout.
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Delta Doubles Miles on New Routes
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Delta is offering double miles on 2 new routes.
Between May 24 and July 31, SkyMiles members will earn double miles on nonstop Delta Connection/Atlantic Southeast Airlines flights between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Beaumont Airport (BPT).
And between May 27 and July 31, SkyMiles members will earn double miles on nonstop Delta Connection/Comair flights between Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).
Register using the below link.
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Delta Extends Bonus for San Juan Flights
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Delta is extending the double-mile offer for nonstop flights between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, through Aug. 31. The promo was originally scheduled to end on May 31.
Register at http://delta.com/deltaoffers.
Earn Northwest Bonus for New Tokyo Flights
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WorldPerks members will earn up to 10,000 bonus miles for flying roundtrip on Northwest's new Portland-Tokyo flights between June 10 and Aug. 31.
Bonus is 10,000 miles per roundtrip (5,000 one way) in World Business Class (J, C, Z classes) and 5,000 miles per roundtrip (2,500 one way) for qualifying travel in coach (Y, B, M classes).
Register prior to travel and no later than Aug. 15.
> More...
Points.com Partners with Starbucks, Greenpoints
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Points.com now offers 2 new exchange options: Starbucks and S&H greenpoints.
Exchange miles or points from participating programs for a new Starbucks Card (or replenish an existing Card), redeemable at over 4,000 locations. Example: 10,000 AAdvantage miles can be exchanged for a $45 Starbucks Card "reload."
Miles and points may be converted into S&H greenpoints, and vice versa, at various exchange rates depending on the program.
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Double Southwest Credits for Hertz Rentals
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Through Nov. 30, Rapid Rewards members will earn double credits (1 credit instead of the standard 0.5 credits) and receive a free upgrade on all qualifying Leisure Weekly and Leisure Weekend Rate rentals of 2 or more days from Hertz.
To receive the bonus and upgrade, Rapid Rewards members must cite their membership number, Rapid Rewards Corporate ID/Rate (Discount Plan CDP number) 205418, and Promotion Code 950994 at time of reservation.
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United Discounts Bermuda Awards
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Between May 14 and June 26, Mileage Plus members may fly to Bermuda from select cities for 15,000 miles, versus the 35,000 miles normally required.
Applicable cities of origin: Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Madison, WI, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, OR.
This is United's new weekly Bermuda flight (UA1657 and UA1658), arriving and departing on Saturdays. So plan on a 1-week stay, minimum.
United is also offering double miles for the same Bermuda flights through June 26. Registration is required, using Promotion Code MPD 784.
> More...
Star Airlines Offer US Air Bonuses
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Following US Airways' May 4th entry into the 16-airline Star Alliance, a number of Star carriers will be promoting their services to Dividend Miles members with bonus miles. Among the upcoming offers --
Between June 1 and Aug 31, bmi will offer double miles for travel to/from London Heathrow on business class and select economy fares.
Between May 5 and June 13, earn double Dividend Miles on Singapore Airlines flights systemwide when traveling on first, business and select economy fares.
Between May 5 and July 5, earn double Dividend Miles on Thai flights systemwide when traveling on first, business and select economy fares.
And earn up to 50,000 bonus miles when flying United between Chicago and Osaka (June 10 - Sept. 30) or between Washington and Zurich (July 1 - Sept. 30).
Registration is required for all bonuses. Pay special attention to the fine print on eligible coach fares. As has traditionally been the case, foreign carriers tend to be stingy with miles when it comes to discounted economy tickets.
> 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...
Summer Sale on 4 Airlines from $88
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American, Delta, Northwest, and US Airways are battling for your dollars with the first domestic fare war for summer travel. Sale fares start as low as $88 roundtrip, and departures are valid through June 26 on all 4 airlines.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by May 26 on Delta and Northwest. American and US Airways have not announced booking deadlines, so the sale fares could disappear at any time.
> More...
Canada sale fares from $192
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Air Canada, American, and United are offering sale fares from the U.S. to Canada starting as low as $192 roundtrip. Departures on all 3 airlines are valid through Aug. 19.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance. Book tickets on Air Canada and United by Thursday, May 27. American has not listed 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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"Rants & Raves" returns next week.
If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
<< S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S >>
"Choose Your Adventure" Sweeps from Alaska Air
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Enter the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature "Choose your Adventure" sweepstakes by June 30 to win a trip for 4 to London, Venice, Tahiti or Africa, including air and hotel. Other prizes: 10 sets of Alaska Air tickets.
New applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card are entered automatically. Others may enter by mail.
> More...
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
Until next week...
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