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UP FRONT..........................................................
The Promise of Free Seats, Broken
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As regular Crier readers know, the question of frequent-flyer award availability -- in particular, the lack thereof -- is at the top of my list of critical industry issues.
Due to the rising tide of consumer anger regarding this issue, it's received substantial media attention in recent months. I have done my part to both initiate such media coverage and to support it, by lending my "expert commentary" when requested. (I'll be addressing the topic again tomorrow on L.A.'s main news radio station, KNX.)
In short, the issue finally has gained momentum.
I encourage our subscribers to keep up the pressure on the airlines to deliver on the promise of loyalty programs: viz. that program participants have a reasonable chance of redeeming their hard-earned miles for a free ticket, at restricted award levels, on the route of their choice. Failing that, the programs are effectively fraudulent, whether they've crossed the legal line or not.
As yet another contribution to the discussion, following is an excerpt from the July issue of Bob Cowen's "Internet Travel Tips" newsletter (www.InternetTravelTips.com):
"Frequent flyer seat availability rant: Most of the airlines advertise that you can get a free ticket for 25,000 miles. While you are reminded that miles do not expire, seats may be available 320+ days ahead etc. We all know they are very hard to find. The airlines are willing to make seats available for double the miles, to me that is bait and switch. I consider the situation unacceptable. From my observations, if an airline has any seats available at the last minute that cannot be sold, they are offered as frequent flyer seats. Very short notice is not a practical way to plan a vacation. While I enjoy free upgrades (because of my status on Northwest), my loyalty is at an all time low because free seats are not more easily available. My suggestion is that you no longer consider frequent flyer points when choosing an airline. They have no value if they can't be redeemed."
I wouldn't go so far as to discount the value of frequent flyer miles altogether, as Bob suggests. But the fact that informed industry-watchers like Bob are increasingly dismissing mileage programs should be a red flag to airlines, who badly need the revenue generated by the sale of frequent flyer miles to partner companies, as well as the extra ticket sales to mileage-driven customers. If they kill the goose that laid the golden eggs, it'll be a bad day for all concerned.
Packed Planes Crowd Summer Skies
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If you traveled by air during June, you know the flights were running full.
How full?
In what is shaping up as the busiest travel season ever, load factors (percentage of seats occupied) for the month exceeded 80% for most airlines.
Airline Load Factor %
June 2004 June 2003
AirTran 75.4 73.2
Alaska 76.6 73.0
American 79.0 78.8
America West 80.5 81.7
ATA 80.9 81.6
Continental 82.4 81.0
Delta 81.9 80.5
JetBlue 85.5 87.0
Northwest 86.4 81.8
United 86.0 82.0
US Airways 81.6 78.6
Where the rubber meets the road, the high load factors translate directly into traveler discomfort -- longer lines, more crowded flights.
Neither, paradoxically, do the heavy loads spell financial relief for the profit-parched airlines themselves.
Notwithstanding the robust June traffic, the major carriers are expected to post big losses for the 2nd quarter (Apr. - June) due to high fuel prices and persistently low ticket prices.
(At the risk of stating the obvious, the heavy demand also has the inevitable effect of reducing the number of seats available for use by frequent flyer program members.)
ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
Marathon Man, a Forum regular, has launched a new website (http://www.theothersideoftraveling.com) dedicated to exposing and addressing various loyalty-program glitches. Ronald has info on a slew of promos that might otherwise go unnoticed. Jay requests an "update" on the transfer of TWA miles to American. (As Mike points out, the official deadline for that transaction is long past. And at this point, American cannot accept Aviators miles even on a good will basis.) And much more...
Do you have questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forum/index.cgi
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Earn Double/Triple AAdvantage Miles from Cathay Pacific
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AAdvantage members who fly roundtrip or 1-way on a qualifying first or business-class ticket between July 1 and Sept. 30 on Cathay Pacific's new nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Hong Kong will earn triple base miles.
Cathay is also offering double miles for first/business-class travel on their existing direct service from New York to Hong Kong via Vancouver, or from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Hong Kong.
Registration is required, either online at www.aa.com/offers or by calling 1-800-882-8880. Promotion Code: CXCEL.
-> More: http://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewAAdvantageAirlineSpecials.jhtml
More Miles from Best Western
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Between July 1 and Aug. 31, Gold Crown Club members will earn 25% more miles when converting Gold Crown points into miles in the programs of Air Canada, Alaska, American, America West, Asiana, Delta, Northwest, and TAM Brazilian Airlines. With the bonus, 500 Gold Crown Club points convert to 1,250 airline miles.
A maximum of 5,000 points may be converted to miles, for a maximum of 2,500 bonus miles.
-> More: http://www.goldcrownclub.com/offers/convert.asp
Budget Is New CO OnePass Partner
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OnePass members may now earn miles when renting cars from Budget -- 50 OnePass miles per day on all qualifying Budget rentals at participating locations worldwide.
-> More: http://www.budget.com/continental
Double Delta Miles on Three New York Routes
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Between July 1 and Aug. 31, SkyMiles members will earn double miles on nonstop Delta Connection/Comair flights between New York (JFK) and Greensboro's Piedmont Triad Airport (GSO), Norfolk International Airport (ORF), and Lambert-St. Louis (STL).
Register at http://delta.com/deltaoffers
Fewer Diners Points for America West Tickets
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Through Sept. 30, Diners Club Rewards members can save up to 20% when redeeming Club Rewards points for first-class tickets on America West.
During the promotion, members may redeem 48,000 Club Rewards points (normally 60,000 points) for an America West short-haul first class ticket, or 80,000 points (regularly 100,000) for a long-haul first class ticket.
Promotion codes are "0976" for long-haul flights (750 or more miles each way) and "0977" for short-haul flights.
Travel must be completed by Dec. 31.
-> More: http://www.clubrewards.dinersclubus.com
Award Certs for Fewer Priority Club Points
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Priority Club Rewards members have until July 31 to save 10% when redeeming points for retail and dining certificates. With the discount, a $50 certificate may be had for 18,000 points, and a $100 certificate for 34,200 points.
-> More: http://ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/c/2/content/dec/pc/0/en/points/us/rd.html
La Quinta Offers Double Southwest Points
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Between July 1 and Sept. 30, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Members who are also La Quinta Returns Members will earn double Rapid Rewards credit -- 1 credit rather than the usual 0.5 credits -- for every qualifying stay.
To earn the bonus, make reservations at southwest.com or laquinta.com, or call 1-800-531-5900. Provide a Rapid Rewards membership number when checking in and ask for double Rapid Rewards credit.
-> More: http://www.lq.com/lq/index.jsp
FREQUENTFLIER FITNESS.............................................
A New Take on the Skinny Latte
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Provided by Healthy Travel Network (www.healthytravelnetwork.com)
Trudging through airports during the hot summer months can work up an appetite for a tall, cold drink. Passing by the airport Starbuck's, I'm always tempted to get a Frappuccino, but the calorie count has (mostly) held me back. The 16-ounce Coffee version of these frothy beverages weighs in at 260 calories, while the Java Chip flavor tops the scales at whopping 510 calories.
Fortunately, Starbucks has introduced a newer, lighter Frappuccino. Made from low-fat milk and sweetened with Splenda, these new beverages have significantly reduced calories, fat, and carbohydrates. For comparison, the light version of the 16-ounce Coffee flavor has only 150 calories with less than half the fat and sugars. Java Chip is still the most deadly of the bunch, but the light version packs about half the damage as the full fare version.
I visited my local barista to sample the Coffee flavor; I found it to be just as good as the real thing. It was perhaps not quite as sweet but was just as flavorful, creamy, and satisfying. Having tackled both the fat and sugar, Starbucks has created a tasty beverage that, in moderation, will fit into your low-cal, low-fat, or low-carb diet.
Visit http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp for full nutrition information.
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Domestic Sale Fares on Continental from $99
Continental is offering flexible domestic sale fares that are available for one-way travel, and do not require a minimum or maximum stay. Sale fares start at $99 one way.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance. Continental has not announced a booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6848
2) U.S., Canada, and Mexico Fares on Alaska from $78
Alaska has announced domestic summer sale fares valid for flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only through Aug. 24. Destinations include cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and prices start at $78 roundtrip.
Book tickets at least 14 days in advance, and by Saturday, July 31.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=6824
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Home Renovation Is Fairmont Sweepstakes Prize
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Grand prize in Fairmont's "Renovation Renaissance" sweepstakes is a $20,000 Neiman Marcus Home gift card plus a 4-hour personal consultation with a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts interior designer at the winner's home. Five first prizes each consist of a $1,000 Neiman Marcus Home gift card.
To be entered automatically, stay at an eligible rate at a participating Fairmont hotel by Dec. 31. Or submit entries by mail, again by Dec. 31.
-> More: http://www.fairmont.com/renovations
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"Rants & Raves" returns next week.
If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
Until next week...
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