New Mileage Manager Launched

FrequentFlier.com has been working with DeskPort Technologies (developer of the mile manager available through USA Today) on a new mileage manager, MilePort. After extensive development and testing, it's finally ready. Here's the executive summary:

MilePort consolidates account information from more than 105 airline, hotel and other points programs into a single statement, making it simple to review balances and manage program activity to maximize earnings and awards.

MilePort automatically updates itself to include new programs and features.

Unlike other mileage managers, MilePort runs on the user's computer rather than on a remote server. So your account data resides on your own hard drive.

MilePort features real customer support: if you have an issue or question, it will be addressed quickly, by a real person.

MilePort is free. The program is supported by unobtrusive ads from selected companies offering premium products for travelers.

For more details and to download MilePort, visit http://www.mileport.com/.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, former_employee raises a perennial question: who owns the miles earned for business travel, the company or the employee?

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, avidflyer wonders what to expect when he passes the one million mile mark: "I am 1 trip short of attaining 1 million lifetime (6 years) miles on NWA. Does anyone know if there are any additional perks for that status?"

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

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Tune into XM Radio for Aeroplan Miles

Through Aug. 31, Air Canada Aeroplan members will earn 7,500 miles when signing up for eligible XM Satellite Radio service plans.

Bundles, including hardware and one-year subscription, start at $200.

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More AirTran Credits for EarthLink Access

Until further notice, members of AirTran's A+ Rewards program can earn 16 credits -- enough for a free roundtrip -- for signing up for new EarthLink Internet access service. Previously, the bonus was eight credits.

There's no published end date for the promotion, so this could revert back to the original eight-credit offer at any time.

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Double CO Miles for Cleveland-W. Virginia Flights

Through Aug. 31, OnePass members will earn double miles on newly launched Continental Connection nonstop flights between Cleveland (CLE) and Clarksburg (CKB), Morgantown (MGW) and Parkersburg (PKB), West Virginia.

Registration is not required.

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Delta Million Milers to Receive Hartmann Bags

This month's issue of "The Ticket" newsletter, which covers all manner of Atlanta-related travel news, reports that Delta is pumping up the benefits awarded to SkyMiles members who attain Million Miler status:

"Delta is upgrading the merchandise freebies it offers those who reach Million Miler status. In addition to offering lifetime Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion status at the 4 million, 2 million and 1 million mile thresholds, respectively, all Million Milers now at any level will receive a choice of Hartmann rollaboards, duffels, suitcases, garment bags, briefcases or similar items, which are generally worth between $500 to $1,000 retail."

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Rent for Less from Hertz

Through Aug. 31, Hertz #1 Club Gold members can save $25 on weekend rentals of two or more days or $35 off weekly rentals of any car class on Standard or Leisure Weekend and Weekly Rental Rates at participating locations in the U.S. and Canada.

For weekend rentals, cite promotion code 988735 when booking; for weekly rentals, cite promotion code 988713.

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At Hilton Garden Inn, Stay Today, Golf Tomorrow

Through Oct. 22, travelers who stay at a Hilton Garden Inn on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday night will receive a voucher good for greens fees for two at one of 330 participating local golf courses.

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Bigger Bonus for Priority Club Visa

Through June 30, consumers who successfully apply for a new Priority Club Rewards Visa Signature card will earn 15,000 points, 5,000 more than usual and enough points for a free room night at many of the 1,600+ Holiday Inn Express hotels in the Priority Club network.

The card carries no annual fee for the first year and cardholders receive automatic Gold elite status.

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Bonus United Miles for Hawaii Stays

Through Dec. 31, United Mileage Plus members can earn 25,000 bonus miles for booking six-day/five-night stays at two Marriott Vacation Club resorts in Hawaii, the Marriott Maui Ocean Club and the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club.

Both are priced at $850 and include a $25 resort voucher.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $50 Discount on British Airways Flights to Europe

British Airways is offering $50 off select flights to Europe. Flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Paris are included in the offer, and you must be a registered user at British Airways' website to access the deal.

This offer is valid through June 19, and must be booked at least seven days in advance. Eligible destinations are Amsterdam, Basel, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Helsinki, Madrid, Paris, Vienna, and Zurich for roundtrip flights from Aug. 21 through Oct. 25.

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2) Tahiti Sale Fares from $658

Fall flights to French Polynesia are on sale from Air Tahiti Nui. Los Angeles departures to Tahiti start at $658 roundtrip, and New York departures start at $858 roundtrip, not including taxes and fees. August flights are available for an additional $40.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, and must be booked by July 31. Travel at higher prices is valid from Aug. 18 through 31, and must be booked by June 30. The maximum stay is one month.

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Win 200,000 ANA Miles

Enter All Nippon Airways' Photos@Air Contest by Sept. 30 for a chance to win the grand prize of 200,000 ANA Mileage Club miles. Other prizes include more miles and Canon PowerShot cameras.

Unlike the sweepstakes usually featured in this space, which award prizes randomly, this is a true contest, which awards prizes based on merit. To enter, submit a photo taken at the airport or onboard an ANA flight. Entries will be judged by Hiroshi Sugimoto, whose own photos are in the Museum of Modern Art's collection.

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[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I was unaware that British Air did not give ff miles on American Air lines accounts for flights from the U.S. overseas. On a recent flight from MIA to LHR and back I was denied mileage and calling AA about this it said the information was buried in the literature somewhere where it was not likely to be seen. I believe all your readers should be aware of this and book airlines accordingly." [Gerald M.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - This is a government-imposed restriction, designed to foster competition between the two dominant U.S.-U.K. carriers. While both American and British Airways do note the policy in their fine print, they have obviously failed to effectively communicate it since we continue to hear from travelers like yourself who remain unaware of the rule.]

"I am Platinum with Delta, have been for some time. I have also used their site countless times, as I do all of my own bookings online.

"Ever since Delta changed the look and functionality of their site about a month ago, I simply cannot complete a transaction. I can get to the point where I can view flight options outbound, but I cannot 'select' those flights, to get to the next screen (return flight options). Click and nothing happens. I'm dead in the water half way through the process.

"I have tried this on different city pairs, domestic, international, etc. I called the HELP! desk, but the young lady there was no HELP! at all. After suggesting that I select and deselect several options on my browser, she was dumfounded. Then, she suggested that I contact my ISP! Uh. . . my browser works just fine there Little Missy!

"I have high speed connection. My computer has not changed. I book flights on other airlines, book hotels, car rentals, etc. And, I did not fall off a cliff, landing precariously on my head. The only thing that has changed is that Delta has changed the functionality and look of their site. This coincides exactly with the time that I started having problems.

"Is anyone else having the same problem? What to do?" [Jeff H. - San Antonio, TX]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - This is the first I've heard of any issue with Delta's website. Have you tried changing your browser? If you're using Internet Explorer, switch to Mozilla Firefox. Or vice versa. Also, be sure you've installed the latest version of whatever browser you use.]

"Reading this week's column, here are all these frustrated mileage holders! It's like yeast rising...

"No solace, but the parallel is too close. It goes like this (with full copyright credit to Scott Adams) -- and think 'airline mileage plan' or 'credit card program' in place of 'grocery checker.'

Grocery Checker: "Here's a game card that gives you a chance to win groceries."

Dilbert: "No thanks. Just take a penny off of my bill and we'll call it even."

Grocery Checker: "Um . . . I can't do that."

Dilbert: "Why not? Isn't that game card worth a penny?"

Grocery Checker: "We don't have a procedure."

Dilbert: "How's that my problem?"

Grocery Checker: "Look, maybe you could eat something that's worth a penny and I'll look the other way."

Dilbert: "How about a grape? I like grapes."

Grocery Checker: "It would have to be one that's been on the floor."

Dilbert (to Dogbert): "It tasted like victory."

[Ed N.]

"Does anybody know where to complain about (possible) booking errors? This is the second time in 2 months that I made electronic plane reservations, weeks in advance, through American Express and when I got to the ticket counter my flight was not booked. They claim I did not call back within the first 24 hours to confirm. A claim I dispute. After several years of using them all of a sudden there are 2 of the same errors close together in time. Both times I was able to get a ticket through the airline, but at the high price for tickets issued for immediate use.

"The standard approach that AmEx wants you to use is to complain to someone and they will study it for many weeks (until you forget) and then issue you a refund of the excess payment or deny it. There must be a better person to call. Also is anybody else experiencing this same phenomena or did I goof by not calling back in 24 hours?" [George B. - Weston, OH]

Until next week...