M I L E S & P O I N T S

Everybody Together Now: BUY 3, GET 1 FREE
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We reported on United's buy-3/get-1-free offer in last week's Crier with the expectation that some carriers would match.

First came the trickle, with comparable offers from American and Northwest hitting the streets before the end of last week. Then nothing until yesterday, when the floodgates opened wide.

As we go to press today, similar offers are on the table from Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways.

To recap United's offer (because it's the template for everything that followed): Mileage Plus members who fly 3 United or United Express roundtrips, domestic or international, in any class of service*, between June 5 and Sept. 30, will earn 1 free coach ticket good for travel in the 48 contiguous states between Sept. 2, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2004. There's a limit of 2 free tickets during the promo period. And registration is required.

* In keeping with United's stated goal of stimulating business travel, economy-class trips which include a Saturday-night stayover DO NOT qualify.

Except as noted below, the counteroffers trotted out by other carriers are similar if not identical to United's.

Because of the restrictions on qualifying trips (high-priced unrestricted tickets) and on the free ticket (heavily restricted, limited-inventory coach), the "buy-3/get-1-free" proposition is misleading. In fact, in dollar terms, it amounts to getting a free entry-level Hyundai after purchasing 3 high-end Mercedes. Still, for those who would be paying the higher fares in any case, the freebie amounts to a welcome perk.

And there are pockets of extra value among the competing offers. For example, while they excluded some of their cheapest fares, Northwest stopped short of disqualifying all coach fares with Saturday stays. That means that some leisure travelers can participate in the promo.

Alaska Air's version of the promo awards 20,000 bonus miles for every 3 qualifying roundtrips rather than a certificate. That's enough for a domestic award ticket in Mileage Plan; but the miles could also be combined with others and used for an award on 1 of Alaska's other program partners.

And read the fine print governing use of the free ticket carefully. In most cases, the free ticket is good ONLY for travel within the contiguous 48 states. Those living in Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico, will be left with an orphan ticket. But United thoughtfully included a clause allowing residents of those areas to use the award ticket for travel to the mainland.

America West, 1 of the few large carriers declining to enter the fray, publicly pooh-poohed the promo as follows: "The recent Fly Three, Fly Free promotions offered by several other full-service airlines require customers to purchase three expensive fares to qualify for a fourth ticket for free. Customers could purchase three tickets on America West Airlines for the same amount they would spend for one ticket with another airline." Not very catchy as an ad jingle, but a point worth considering.

Cathay Scales Back AAdvantage
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Effective Aug. 1, AAdvantage upgrade awards on Cathay Pacific will be discontinued. All upgrade award bookings must be made by July 31, and upgraded travel completed by Dec. 31, 2003.

And effective Sept. 1, AAdvantage members residing in Canada will no longer earn AAdvantage miles on Cathay Pacific discount economy fares booked in K, L, M or S.

Caribbean Trips Earn OnePass Bonus
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Through June 30, book a Continental Vacations package to Grand Cayman, Aruba, Nassau or Montego Bay, Jamaica to earn 1,000 bonus OnePass miles.

Travel must be completed by Aug. 31.

> More...

Radisson's Miles & Points for Stays
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Between June 1 and Aug. 31, members of the Radisson Gold Points program will earn 500 AAdvantage miles for every stay of 2 or more nights, plus 1,000 Radisson Gold Points per night, at participating Radisson hotels in the Midwest.

Each 1,000 Gold Points can be converted to an additional 125 AAdvantage miles.

Register at http://www.quadmiles.radisson.com.

Ramada Offers Airline Miles Plus Points
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Between June 1 and Sept. 30, Club Ramada members will earn 250 airline miles (American, Continental or Delta) in addition to Club Ramada points for each stay, as well as a chance to win 100,000 miles, in Ramada's 2wice as Nice promotion.

To qualify for the bonus miles, register your airline program information with Club Ramada and complete a qualified stay at any Ramada hotel.

Anyone who registers will be entered into the monthly sweepstakes for a chance to win 100,000 airline miles with each qualified stay.

> More...

TWA Miles Are Going, Going...
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Remember TWA?

If the number of e-mails I receive wondering "What became of my TWA miles?" is any indication, there are scores of Aviators members who still haven't converted their miles to AAdvantage.

Procrastinate no more!

During the almost 19 months since Aviators was terminated, American has been quietly honoring past-deadline requests to transfer TWA miles to AAdvantage. But according to a note received this week from the AAdvantage executive office: "[P]lease know that we will no longer make any TWA mileage exchanges effective June 30, 2003. Therefore, any requests that we receive in-house on or after that date will have to be turned down."

Life doesn't offer up many second chances. Call the AAdvantage service center at 1-800-882-8880 and save those miles!

United Bonuses Australia Flights
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Mileage Plus members who fly United roundtrip between the U.S. and Sydney or Melbourne between June 1 and Aug. 31 will earn 2,500 bonus miles for first or business class, or 1,000 miles for selected coach fares (Y, B, M, H, Q or V classes).

Registration is required.

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...

San Francisco to Hong Kong for $299 R/T
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Singapore Airlines' latest sale includes flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong for $299 roundtrip. Departure is valid from June 21 through July 20. Book tickets by June 23.

Continental is also promoting sale fares to Hong Kong, connecting via its nonstop service from Newark. Departure is valid from Aug. 1 through 31, and all travel must be completed by Jan. 31, 2004. Book tickets online only, at least 7 days in advance, and by June 17.

> More...

Fly to Florida with sale fares from $138
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US Airways' new Florida sale offers savings to the Sunshine State through Nov. 5. Most airlines have matched the sale prices, though, so you can compare the fares on the days you want to go to find the best deal. Book tickets at least 7 or 14 days in advance, depending on your destination, and by Friday, June 13.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

Win a Segway from Thrifty
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Enter the Thrifty sweepstakes for a chance to win 1 of 3 Segways or 1 of 84 free weeklong car rentals.

Sweeps runs from June 9 through Aug. 31. Enter at http://www.thrifty.com/. No purchase necessary.

S I T E 2 S E E

Concorde Trip Report
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After almost 30 years of setting the standard for airliner grace, beauty, and speed, the Concorde is coming to the end of its useful life, victim of inept operating economies in a fiscal environment which tolerates inefficiency only on pain of bankruptcy.

Air France has completely grounded its Concorde fleet, and will donate its oldest SST to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. British Air will continue its Concorde service, but only through Oct.

If the Concorde's passing sorrows you, treat yourself to a vicarious Mach 2 trip with Nathan Roemer, who documented a recent BA flight, from check in to lounge and throughout the flight. He recorded the pilot's announcements, scanned the menus, took copious photos, and even has a few souvenir items for sale on eBay.

According to Roemer, this was the dream of a lifetime, and his respect and reverence for the subject matter are infectious.

Did I mention that his Concorde trip was purchased with frequent flyer miles?

> More...

Until next week...