U P F R O N T
We're Turning 250
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This is issue #250 of the FrequentFlier Crier!
We published issue #1 on June 28, 1998, leading with coverage of the launch of American's new website. The AA.com debut was an inauspicious one, plagued with technical problems. And making matters worse, American had mounted a major media self-promotion blitz, proclaiming itself the biggest and the best. In a preview of crankiness-to-come, I suggested that American would have been better served by under-promising and over-delivering, rather than the reverse.
The follow-up story was an Amex promo: double miles for charges at gas stations and supermarkets.
In the intervening years, we've followed the travel industry as it swung from its most profitable to its most precarious. American has debugged its website. Amex has practically institutionalized double miles and extended its merchant base. And much else besides.
It's been a wild ride. Thanks to our subscribers, old and new, for hanging with us through it all.
[All 250 issues are posted on the FrequentFlier.com website. Begin your walk down memory lane here.]
This Week's Travel Newsbites
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As predicted, last weekend in Washington the Star Alliance executive board voted to invite US Airways to join "the world's largest alliance."
From a frequent flyer program standpoint, Star participation has 2 major pieces:
1) US Air will become an earning and redemption partner in the programs of all other Star airlines;
2) All other Star airlines will become earning and redemption partners in the US Airways Dividend Miles program.
So, when the mileage portion of the alliance takes effect -- probably in the first quarter of 2004 -- the Dividend Miles partner roster will fairly explode, to include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, bmi, Lauda Air, LOT Polish Air (from Oct. 2003) Lufthansa, Mexicana, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore, Spanair, Thai, Tyrolean, United (already a Dividend Miles partner) and VARIG.
That's a quantum leap forward in earning and awards opportunities for Dividend Miles members.
M I L E S & P O I N T S
Earn 10K AAdvantage Miles for Mexico Trips
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AAdvantage members will earn 10,000 bonus miles for booking Mexico packages from American Airlines Vacations.
To qualify, make reservations between June 1 and July 31 for travel between July 1 and Dec. 15.
> More... or call 1-800-321-2121
SkyMiles Offered for AT&T Internet Access
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Effective immediately, SkyMiles members can earn 500 miles per month for unlimited Internet access with AT&T Worldnet Service.
For more details or to sign up for AT&T Worldnet Service, visit http://download.att.net/delta.
New Mileage Credit Cards from Frontier
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Members of Frontier's EarlyReturns program now have their choice of 2 new mileage-generating credit cards issued by Juniper Bank.
The EasyReturns Platinum MasterCard has no annual fee, but only awards 1 mile for every $2 in charges. There's a 2,500-mile bonus the first time the card is used.
The Worldcard has a $49 annual fee, but awards the industry-standard 1 mile for every $1 in charges, plus 2 miles for every $1 spent on Frontier tickets. First-purchase bonus: 7,500 miles.
Both charge a 13.99% annual percentage rate (variable, Prime + 9.74%).
> More...
Marriott Pumps Up Elite Benefits
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With effect June 2, members of Marriott Rewards will find elite status easier to come by, and more lucrative once attained.
Entry-level elite status, Silver, is now awarded for 10 nights per year, down from 15 previously.
Elite bonuses (20% for Silver, 25% for Gold, 30% for Platinum) will be earned for stays at all Marriott brands, including the lower-priced Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn and Towne Place Suites. Bonuses were previously earned only for stays at full-price hotels.
Elite members will be offered special elite-only awards, and have access to a dedicated elite-only phone line.
Platinum members are guaranteed 48-hour room availability and will receive welcome gifts at all participating Marriott brands.
> More...
Stay 3X, Earn 5,000 Priority Club Points
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Priority Club Rewards members will earn 5,000 bonus points or 1,500 airline miles after every third qualifying stay -- up to 25,000 bonus points or 7,500 miles -- at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, or Staybridge Suites hotels between June 16 and Aug. 31.
Registration is required.
> More...
United Says: Fly 3, Get 1 Free
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United is offering Mileage Plus members a free ticket after every 3 paid roundtrips... provided you're not flying coach and making a Saturday-night stay.
To qualify, fly 3 United or United Express roundtrips, domestic or international, in any class of service, between June 5 and Sept. 30.
Economy-class trips which include a Saturday-night stayover DO NOT qualify. That effectively eliminates the bulk of leisure trips which might otherwise earn the free ticket. Unfortunate from a consumer standpoint, but consistent with United's stated goal of stimulating business travel.
Registration is required (link below). Only residents of the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible. And there's a limit of 2 free tickets per customer.
The free ticket will be good for travel in the 48 contiguous states between Sept. 2, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2004. Some travel dates are blacked out, mostly surrounding the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
> More...
Charge It to Earn Double Dividend Miles
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Through Aug. 31, Dividend Miles members who charge US Air tickets to their Dividend Miles Visa credit cards will earn double flight miles. (Purchases made using Dividend Miles debit cards or business cards do not qualify for this offer.)
Bonus miles will count toward Dividend Miles Preferred status.
Registration is required.
> 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...
Fly to Bangkok from $599
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With Cathay Pacific's sale fares from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York to Bangkok, Thailand, you can fly roundtrip from either coast for $599, not including additional taxes and fees. A free stopover is permitted in Hong Kong in either or both directions. However, with the SARS advisory still in effect, you can also go directly to Bangkok, just stopping in Hong Kong long enough to change planes.
Departure is valid from July 1 through Aug. 31 on any day of the week; all travel must be completed by Sept. 30. Book tickets online only and by Monday, June 30. No advance purchase is required.
> More...
Fly to the Bahamas this summer from $138
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US Airways is repeating its Bahamas sale, offering low fares to the Caribbean and the flexibility to travel 7 days a week. Roundtrip flights from East Coast cities and Chicago are $178 or less, valid through Aug. 31.
Book tickets online only, at least 7 days in advance, and by Sunday, June 15.
> More...
S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S
From Westin: Modern Luxury Sweepstakes
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Through June 22, enter the Westin Modern Luxury Weekend Sweepstakes for a chance to win 1 of 3 all-inclusive trips (a shopping weekend in New York, a golf weekend in Florida, a spa weekend in Scottsdale).
Enter online (link below), by making eligible Westin stays, or via mail.
U.S. and Canada residents only.
> More...
[Thanks to Abo-san for the tip.]
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
This Week's E-Mail Bag
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"Not sure if you've heard about American's recent policy changes which have resulted in increased inconvenience to their top-tier fliers. Well, the top-tier fliers have heard about them, and they're not happy.
"American has recently decided to make two changes to its seat assignment policy: they're holding fewer seats in reserve for frequent customers, and they've eliminated their policy of "blocking" an empty seat next to top-tier fliers - holding a seat empty until all the "non-blocked" seats, presumably those which aren't next to top-tier customers, have been filled.
"These moves are certainly good news for the general public, who will benefit by having more seats available at the time theybook or check in. But frequent fliers - who often have little choice but to book flights at the last minute - will take a back seat (literally!) to casual fliers who have the luxury of booking their tickets well in advance.
"The empty-seat-blocking issue may seem even more trivial to those who don't fly too often, but for top-tier fliers, the assurance that the airline will do everything it can to keep a seat next to them empty is a long-cherished (and, for the airline, a zero-cost) privilege. Extra space is a highly desirable asset - customers are still exclaiming about American's "more room in coach" program, just as they'll likely be very disappointed now that American has announced that they're restoring their traditional, pre-"more-room" seat pitch on some flights - and top-tier fliers have come to expect some preferential treatment when the flight starts to fill up and the airline has to start picking which aisle- and window-seat occupants to inconvenience by assigning newly arrived passengers to heretofore empty adjacent middle seats.
"The net result of these new policies is that top-tier fliers are pretty angry, at least according to an American Executive-Platinum desk staffer I just spoke to.
"American must really be in deep trouble if it's willing to thumb its nose at its most loyal customers in such a flagrant way."
- Hal
[Blocked seats were never a published elite benefit, but they nevertheless came to be both valued and expected. If you are aggrieved by the policy change, register your displeasure at http://www.aa.com/customerrelations/.]
F R E Q U E N T F L I E R F U N N I E S
True (Funny) Travel Stories
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"Anyone who has ever had to unwillingly engage in airplane conversation with their seat neighbor will appreciate this story.
"About six years ago, on my way to Taipei, my NW connecting flight to DTW was cancelled. NW got me to MSP, where I picked up a different Tokyo flight. However, business class was completely sold out, so they had to put me in first. 'Uh, OK, if you have to, I'll make the sacrifice.' As you can imagine, I was quite pleased with this turn of events.
"As I reached my seat upstairs on the 747, I engaged in some light banter with the gentleman in the window seat next to me. He worked for a computer peripheral manufacturer, traveled to Singapore every six weeks, blah blah blah. After about a half hour, and as we were settling in to our seats for our 12 hour flight, he asked how often I made this trip. I told him this was my second time, and he asked if he could give me a little advice. 'Sure,' I said, eager to glean the wisdom of this road warrior. 'Get yourself a really good CD player, and then buy the absolute best headphones money can buy.' As he finished saying this, he put his headphones on, sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. We didn't share another word the rest of the flight.
"Although he dissed me in a big way, I had to smile at the way he did it. I have since had the opportunity to use this line myself, and found it to be quite enjoyable."
[Thanks to Mark, who contributed this week's story for the enjoyment of Crier readers.]
Until next week...
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