Southwest Bucks Nickel-and-Dimeing Trend

In last week's Crier, we ripped American for their new fees for checking a single bag. (According to some readers, we were too harsh. See "Rants & Raves" below.)

While we haven't seen any announcements yet, it's a sure bet that many if not most other airlines will follow American's example. That's one reason their move was so unfortunate, and why it elicited so much attention and criticism.

Against that backdrop, Southwest's decision to forego the extra fees is all the more noteworthy, and, from a consumer standpoint, commendable. From Southwest's press release: "We want to assure you that Southwest Airlines still allows you to check up to two free bags when you travel with us, and has no plans to change that. You can still count on Southwest Airlines to provide high quality air travel at a low fare, without a lot of extra fees."

Separately, Southwest just reported its 127th consecutive quarterly profit. Or could it be that those two events aren't really so separate after all?

"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Silverjet, Mesa Air face uphill climb
  In a troubled industry, some airlines are especially vulnerable.
• American's desperation casts pall over industry
  New fees are symptom of deep problems for all airlines.
• The top five miles and points deals for May 2008
  Offers are from AirTran, Priority Club, Midwest, and more.
• United nixes 500-mile minimum for short flights
  With policy change, United joins US Airways in race for bottom.

"Extra Mile" - Think Your Frequent Flyer Miles Are Safe?

Maybe they are. Maybe they're not.

The industry is in a funk. But some airlines are closer to the edge than others. We rounded up a group of industry wiseguys and asked them which airlines are most likely to follow Aloha, ATA, Skybus, and Eos into liquidation.

:: Read the full article here.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, mbogda raises the question of elite status-matching: "I currently have Silver Elite status with Northwest Airlines, I've searched the forums and the web but haven't found any answers other than 'sometimes some airlines will match' but nothing specific. Does anyone know of any airlines that will indeed match status, and/or how to go about it? Ideally if anyone knew of any way to use my NW status to help me get Air Canada (Aeroplan) or even any Star Alliance partner status that would be great."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Gary Steiger provides a heads up on Amtrak's new points transfer policy (limited to Guest Rewards members with Select or Select Plus status, or cardholders of the Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard with Amtrak travel charges of at least $200), and points out: "They did this sort of thing before, by cancelling transfers of points to United Airlines miles without warning."

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

:: More

Double American Miles for London Flights

Through June 30, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for non-stop American flights between New York (JFK) and London (Heathrow or Stansted airports). Eligible fares are those booked in F, J, A, D, I, Y, B, H, K, L, M, S, or V.

Registration is required, using promotion code NYL08.

:: More

Delta Miles and Tunes for N.Y.-Chicago Flights

Through July 15, SkyMiles members will earn 2,500 for each nonstop round-trip Delta flights between New York (La Guardia) and Chicago (Midway), plus a $15 iTunes gift card for each New York-Chicago round-trip booked online at delta.com. The bonuses may be earned up to four times for a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles and $60 in iTunes.

Registration is required.

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Midwest to Lose Hotel, Impose New Fee

From Midwest's latest program newsletter:

1) The last day to earn miles for stays at Loews Hotels will be June 30.

2) Beginning on July 1, there will be a $25 service fee on all mileage transfers from Midwest Miles accounts to Hilton or Amtrak.

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Northwest Offers Miles to Go

Through July 31, WorldPerks members can earn up to 50,000 bonus miles by dining out, shopping, renting a car or staying in a hotel. First, members are awarded points for transactions with selected WorldPerks partners. Then those points are converted to WorldPerks miles at the end of the promotion.

Registration is required. Once registered, members can also enter the "Miles To Go" sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 1,200 prizes, including trips, free hotel stays, gift cards , etc.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $60 Round-trip Sale Fares on Spirit

Through Thursday, Spirit is offering round-trip sale fares starting at $60. Destinations include Atlantic City, Ft. Lauderdale, Cancun, and San Juan.

Travel is valid on select dates from May 30 through September 30. Book by May 29, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) Latin America Fares on Delta from $238

Delta's latest sale features flights to Latin America from Atlanta. Fares start at $238 round-trip for travel through late June.

Book by June 3, 11:59 PM ET.

:: More

Win a Trip for 2 to Hawaii or Canada

Enter one (or more) of United Vacations' nine sweepstakes by June 30 for a chance to win trips to Hawaii or Canada, including airfare and hotel accommodations.

The four Canada trips include three-night stays for two; four of the Hawaii trips include five-night stays for two; and one Hawaii trip is a family vacation -- five nights for four persons.

:: More

[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Subj: A little harsh?

"I think American and the other airlines are fighting for their lives right now.

"When oil first hit $60 a barrel a few years ago, everyone thought it was unsustainable and would retreat back down to $45 or lower. Now reaching over $130, it's more than doubled since then. American would love to raise its fares, but it can only do it at a pace set by the industry. And the industry is often fragmented and kind of dumb about these things.

"I don't think that the new baggage fee represents a low blow. I don't even see it as a customer negative move either. If there was a $15 increase in fares, I'd have to pay that. But I only pay the baggage fee if I check one. Seems fair to me. If I wanted to pick a bone with fees, I'd do it with the airports that build multi-billion dollar expansion projects and then bill that debt to the passengers in the form of 'passenger facility' fees.

"At the end of the day, the airlines operate in a tricky and complex environment with both fragmented competitors and employee groups. And oil represents a major hurdle in achieving profitability. These guys are going to need all the $$$ they can find.

"I think major issues for me as a customer are more centered around the airport hassle, the flying experience, how well the airlines cater to my interest in both routes and marketing, and related areas. I'd gladly pay a fee to just keep my shoes on at the airport." [Glenn S.]

"A couple of points about the new policy by American

"As a person with a disability, I am required to bring liquids in excess of the amount allowed by Homeland Security for carry-on luggage. With the recent change and a charge for checking my bag, I feel that the new policy is discriminatory.

"For others, that dreaded announcement that overhead space is full and that the remainder of bags need to be checked, just means that some unfortunate person will have to pay the fee. I guess one would have to decide what the boarding policies of an airline are so that he or she can board first and stow luggage overhead. Maybe people will choose to board with a family with children or dress as a senior citizen.

"How ridiculous and unfair. Just charge everyone a little extra and raise the fare to cover costs rather than establish an unfair and discriminatory revenue generating policy. We are all feeling the impact of fuel costs, but adding insult to injury doesn't help." [Sheldon S. - Washington, DC]

"Just stop flying!

"I said 'stop flying' four years ago on this page again and again. I dumped my 100K, Platinum statuses, reduced my company's sales territories to avoid flying, bought video teleconference equipment for my company and even some customers, limited attendance at professional association meetings to "local only" and chose closer regional meetings versus major events requiring extensive travel. Two years ago I setup my own consulting company, limited clients to California and now drive to meetings and court dates up and down the state. I'm healthier (much healthier) and MUCH less stressed because I drive on my own schedule with breaks for pee and food anytime (not when some pilot accepts his dingbat stews saying 'keep the seatbelt light on so we can serve 2.1 oz drinks and 11-peanut packages.') Most amazing - the drive time door-to-door is the same for most trips than flying, I'm available for phone calls anytime, side trips to prospects are much easier so I do more business - and I never have to get groped by strange federal employees or take off my shoes. Hell, I now travel in flip-flops and carry as much hair shampoo as I want.

"Lovin' not flyin." [Lawrence L., Camarillo, CA]

"What's next - charging us for bringing food onboard?" [Steve Y.]

Until next week...