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Just a reminder: If you're not already doing so, use this link to follow us on Twitter and stay abreast of the latest in frequent flyer program news, opinion, and advice.

"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Do 10,000 Bonus Points Make the JetBlue Credit Card a Good Buy? Maybe.
  "JetBlue is offering 10,000 TrueBlue points upon first purchase... Is it wise to open this account, or bad credit waiting to happen?"
• From Hilton: Double Miles or Points Through September
  While other hotel chains are using free nights to bolster business, Hilton is offering bonus airline miles and hotel points
• Delta Will Require Weekend Stays for Some Awards
  Beleaguered program takes a step in the wrong direction with new restriction on awards.
• The Best Time to Get a Starwood Credit Card May Be Now
  Starwood's latest sign-up promotion is a very good offer for an excellent card.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, marcnyc is looking for help with an upcoming award trip:

"I have a bunch of Delta SkyMiles and I would like to go to Indonesia or maybe India with them around Xmas/New Year's, so I am starting to look now before all the award seats are gone... On the Delta website nothing comes up... Do you guys know if there is any website where you can check the availability of award flights/seats? The routes served by the awards? Or find award deals?"

Our readers weigh in with their suggestions.

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

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $138 Summer and Fall Sale on American

American competes with Southwest, AirTran, Delta, and Frontier with this newly announced domestic sale. The 936 routes on sale include destinations such as Chicago, Orlando, and New York City, and more than 35 other cities. Fares start at $138 round-trip.

A booking deadline hasn't been established. Travel is available through mid-November.

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2) Caribbean and Latin America Sale on Delta From $298

Explore the Caribbean and Latin America with Delta's latest sale. Destinations include cities in Belize, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Mexico, and other countries. Fares start at $298 round-trip.

Travel is available mid-July through September. Book fares before Monday, July 12.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Sedona, AZ

Enter Eucerin's "Daily Skin Balance" sweepstakes by December 1 for a chance to win a three-day trip for two to Sedona, Arizona, including air, two nights at the Enchantment Resort, spa treatment, some meals.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes -- Updated this week.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.

Spamming Sweepstakes Entrants?

"FYI: I entered the Amtrak sweepstakes you pointed us to [in last week's newsletter] and immediately got a TON of spam. I've had to enter several filters to stop the junk. Please watch out for these spammers." [Anthony B.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - I do hope the two things are unrelated. It's hard to imagine a reputable company like Amtrak so blatantly misusing the contact information of sweepstakes entrants. Plus, I entered myself and saw no spike in spam.]

Expired Miles... Why?

"I don't get it, I just don't get it: when people post comments, in total fear of losing all of their miles, because they have not flown XYZ Airlines in the past 12-18 months. In most cases, all they have to do is go to XYZ Airline website, click on the Frequent Flier program, and patronize one of the airline partners.

"Send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates to yourself, rent a car for a day, DO SOMETHING! The simplest purchase can be considered 'activity' on the account and prevent the miles from expiring. Better yet -- enroll in a participating Wine Club and I will save your Frequent Flier miles for you!

"Best wishes for a safe and Happy 4th of July!" [RJ - Miami Beach, FL]

No Triple United Miles for Nebraska Residents

[Regarding the residency requirements to participate in United's triple-mile promotion] "This is totally discriminating on United's part. My husband travels roundtrip from OMA to LGA via ORD EVERY WEEK. Because he lives in Nebraska he doesn't qualify for the promotion.

"Each leg between ORD and LGA is 733 miles. He does that twice a week for a total of 1,466 miles a week for 6 weeks = 8,796 miles (during the promo time period) times 3 = 26,388 miles he's missing out on. That's a free saver ticket.

"And United wonders why it's losing it loyal business clients. HMMMMMMMMMMMM..." [MM]

Disappearing Bags

"I recently flew US Airways to Chicago and then United to Bismarck, ND. My checked bag never arrived, and neither did those of several other passengers on the small regional jet. I wound up spending almost $400 on clothes and toiletries so I could attend the event the next day.

"In talking with both UA and US Air employees in Bismarck and Chicago, all of them said disappearing bags are a frequent occurrence on that route because the jet can't handle the load. This was the first time I'd heard of an airline making such a conscious decision to inconvenience passengers. Does this happen on other routes? If so, what can be done about it?" [Jeff B. - Salisbury, NC]

Fire the Editor!

"'...either of the three largest airlines' is dreadful. 'Either' refers only to a choice between two alternatives. Try 'any of the three largest airlines' -- and get a better grasp on the native language." [Robert W.]

Until next week...