"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Oil crisis could lead to industry catastrophe
  Will any airlines survive the fuel crisis? The outlook is bleak.
• Top five miles and points deals for June 2008
  Featured offers are from Delta, Hyatt, Northwest, and Starwood.
• Free flights? Not on US Airways!
  US Airways imposes fees for frequent flyer award tickets.
• Former American Airlines CEO on the airline mess: "We can't stand much more."
  Industry titan suggests (gasp!) reregulating the airlines.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Max Bialystock weighs in on US Airways' new award fees: "Just visited the US Air website. After 06 August, '08, FEES will apply for anyone having the nerve to actually redeem FF miles for an award seat: from $25 up to $50, depending on destination. So, pay for your ticket now, then pay-up again once you're ready to receive what we pledged to you... My buddy here in B.C. tells me the scheme resembles what Air Canada has done: cheaper fares offered if you don't care about being credited with FF miles in the AeroPlan. It's presented as a 'discount.' Truth: we're paying more for LESS."

And in the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, maverick83617 wonders whether the new Delta Reserve credit card lives up to the hype: "Anyone heard of this one and if there is a fee? Longtime Amex SkyMiles cardholder, never moved up to platinum cuz of the higher fee though and considering dropping completely for Hilton Amex, recently got an email offering this card with a few perks like companion cert (which platinum had) and MQM mile bonuses, as well as Crown Room entry. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on the advantages/disadvantages of this card. (Might be just another name/new name for getting the same thing as platinum used to be?)"

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

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Choice Offers Shortcut to Elite Status

New members of the Choice Privileges program, who enroll by September 30, can reach Gold status after staying five nights by the end of the year, rather than the 10 nights normally required.

Once earned, elite status remains in effect through December 31, 2009.

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Exchange Diners Points for More BA Miles

Through September 30, Diners Club Rewards members may exchange their points for 50% more miles in British Airways' Executive Club.

At least that's what the headline claims on the Diners website. But the follow-on copy reads as follows: "Your vacation to London and Europe is closer than ever. From June 1 through September 30, 2008, exchange your Club Rewards points for 50% more BA Miles. Just 35,000 points will give you 50,000 BA Miles - enough to fly round-trip in World Traveller (economy class) from the US to London or select cities in Europe." OK, but 50% more than 35,000 miles would be 52,500 miles. Or, to put it differently, 50,000 miles is only a 43% bonus on 35,000 miles.

In any case, during the promotion period, there's a nice bonus to be had when redeeming Diners points for BA miles.

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Free Hertz Rentals for Candlewood Stays

Through July 31, members of the Priority Club Rewards program will earn one free weekend car rental day from Hertz after staying three or more consecutive nights at any Candlewood Suites hotel; and they'll receive a second day from Hertz after six consecutive nights.

Registration is required.

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Marriott Offers $25 Gift Cards for Weekend Stays

Through September 1, travelers who stay over a Friday or Saturday night at Marriott or JW Marriott hotels will receive a $25 Visa gift card when charging the stay to a Visa card. The gift card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

The offer is valid on Weekend and Stay for Breakfast promotional rates only, and is not restricted to Marriott Rewards members.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $1 Italy Companion Fares on Alitalia

Alitalia is offering $1 companion fares for travel to Italy this summer and fall. The offer applies to travelers departing from Boston and Chicago who purchase one ticket starting at $948 round-trip, not including taxes and fees. Destinations included in the offer are: Bari, Lamezia Terme, Milan, Naples, Palermo, and Rome.

Book tickets by July 10. Companions must travel on the same itinerary as the paying passengers, and must pay taxes and fees on the one dollar ticket.

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2) Sale Fares on AirTran from $49 Each Way

Domestic flights through early November are on sale from AirTran. Fares start at $49 one-way or $98 round-trip, and Atlanta, Orlando, and New Orleans are featured.

Travel is valid from June 17 through November 5. Book by July 1, 11:59 PM ET.

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Win a Caribbean Cruise for 2

Enter Pricelinecruiseoutlet's "10 Cruises in 10 Weeks" sweepstakes by July 27 for a chance to win one of 10 four-night cruises for two to the Caribbean on Carnival Cruise Lines. To enter, sign up to receive the "Cruise Deal Alert" email newsletter.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"How about some good news?

"In April, my return flight on Alaska Airlines from San Jose, California to Seattle was delayed so long that our flight and the regularly scheduled flight left at the same time. That did not make me a happy flier, so I sent an e-mail to register my complaint. Low and behold.... just this past week (mid-June but who is counting?), I received an e-mail of apology and a $100 credit towards any Alaska flight good for a year. Since I fly on Alaska often, this is a very good thing.

"Yay for Alaska!" [Ann E. - Silverdale, WA]

"In response to the letter from Flying Texan (in last week's newsletter), I too am angry about American's new fee for the first checked bag. But since American announced their new policy, other airlines have copied the nasty policy, so I don't really feel I have any real alternatives."

"And that in a nutshell seems to me to be the dilemma we travelers face. As unhappy we might be with a particular airline, the others are probably just as bad." [Jesse]

"In April my husband became very ill and we had to interrupt a trip. Our return half of our US Air tickets were unused, since we had to get him home quickly.

"Our travel insurance refused to pay for the air tickets. US Air refused to give us a refund, saying that 'we could use them within a year.' I told them my husband had terminal cancer, and asked if our children could use them. No, was the response. What do I do with two tickets worth over $500--and why is US Air totally unreasonable?" [W.L.]

"I recently returned from two weeks of traveling around England and found that the practice of nickel and dimeing isn't just an American travel industry trend.

"Upon checking into my room at a Travelodge (think of a Red Roof or Days Inn) off of the M-6 motorway I was greeted by a prominently placed sign in the bathroom that proudly proclaimed...

Travelodge can offer fantastic value accommodation all year round because we do things differently to other hotel companies. We keep our costs low and pass on the savings to our customers with low room prices. How we do this? (Not a typo on my part, I swear). Everything you need and nothing you don't. (Sounds suspiciously like the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation, doesn't it?) Unlike other hotel companies we don't provide a trouser press, chocolates on pillows, toiletries or other unnecessary items.

"Think I am making this up? Check out their website under the Learn About Us tab.

"As to their explanation of how they are keeping costs low... Okay, fine, I'm on vacation so I don't really need a trouser press. Chocolates on the pillow would be nice, but if you saw my waistline, you'd agree that they are right when they say I don't need it. Toiletries or unnecessary items... Ah, there is the rub. While I concede that soap could be classified as a toiletry, I am unclear as to how it could be an unnecessary item to a traveler far away from his own bar of Irish Spring bathroom soap. Admittedly, I am no math major or financial management type, but I just can't wrap my mind around how not providing a thin sliver of soap, which couldn't have cost more that a dollar a gross, could help keep the cost of what I am paying for the room low.

"I already have to carry a pocket packet of tissues when I go to Tokyo for the toilets that don't offer toilet paper. Now I have to carry a bar of soap with me? I shudder to think of what bright ideas the corporate bean counters will come up with next." [Christopher E. - Washington, DC]

Until next week...