Travel Si, Politics Nyet

As regular readers of this newsletter's know, the discussion in the "Rants & Raves" section has been especially spirited in recent weeks.

First, we received several comments regarding the politics of fuel pricing, national energy policy, and basic economic theory. The comments were heartfelt, to say the least, and overtly political.

In the spirit of openness, we published the counter-comments as well, expecting that the thread would quickly play itself out and we'd get back to more travel-specific discussion. Instead, the debate escalated, as did tempers and language.

That imbroglio has in turn given rise to a related argument: Should we be discussing politics or travel? On that score at least, there has been a clear consensus, as epitomized by the following:

• This is not a political blog. I try to find out what's happening with the airlines and my frequent flyer miles. I am NOT interested in anyone's politics!!! [C.B.]
• I'm here for travel tips, not to waste my time reading political diatribes from people wearing tin foil hats. [Joe M.]

The above, it should be noted, are just the tip of the iceberg.

So, dear readers, please: Let's stick to miles, points, and travel. At least if you want your comments published in our weekly feedback roundup. And if you choose to wear a tin foil hat, that's fine -- just don't flaunt it.

"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Southwest, Ryanair set to rule the skies
  For better or worse, the Southwest model is prevailing worldwide.
• Southwest says there's no mileage program in your future
  Southwest CEO is negative on frequent flyer programs' future.
• Alaska's mileage program goes under the knife
  Upcoming changes will degrade this once-popular program.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, DJHerm has details and a link to a double-mile offer for purchases at select vendors participating in the AAdvantage eShopping Mall.

And in the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, a thread started by CCsuck ("Which CC to use for rewards?") has developed into a wide-ranging discussion of various rewards cards, including those that generate a cash rebate.

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

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Delta Will Add 3rd Award Tier

As has been expected since Delta announced that SkyChoice awards would no longer guarantee last seat availability on all flights, the details of Delta's new three-tier award chart, effective September 1, were made public today.

Rather than a single restricted category of award seats, there will now be two, plus a third category which guarantees last-seat availability.

For example, in place of the current domestic coach awards now offered at 25,000 miles for restricted and 50,000 for SkyChoice, there will be two restricted buckets -- Discounted at 25,000 miles, Expanded at 40,000 miles -- and, at 60,000 miles, a Last Seat award.

It's impossible to predict whether the new scheme will be a net plus or net minus for SkyMiles members. Whether more or fewer awards will be available at a lower price overall ultimately depends on how generous Delta is in allocating seats to the Discounted and Expanded award categories.

And that Last Seat award? It'll cost you as much as 370,000 miles for a first-class round-trip to Asia, up from 240,000 - 300,000 miles currently.

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More Miles at the Online Malls

Bonus miles are on offer at online retailers through several airline and hotel mileage malls.

Through September 7, American AAdvantage members can earn double miles for purchases at the following eShopping Mall merchants: Bloomingdale's, Dell Home, Lands' End, Lucky Brand Jeans, Macy's, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, Sears, and Sony Style.

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Through September 30, Northwest WorldPerks members can earn double miles at all but a few WorldPerks Mall merchants. Registration is required.

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Through September 10, United Mileage Plus members can earn bonus miles at nine Mileage Plus Mall retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Lands' End, and Target.

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Marriott Rewards members can earn double points at 10 participating online merchants, including Office Depot, Apple Store, and JCPenney, through September 7.

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And also through September 7, Priority Club Rewards members can earn double points for purchases made at 10 program-affiliated retailers, including Kmart, Sears, and Nordstrom.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) U.S. and Mexico Sale Fares on Alaska from $79 Each Way

Flights to the Western U.S. and Mexico are on sale from Alaska Air. Fares start at $79 one-way or $158 round-trip, and destinations include Denver, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Puerto Vallarta.

Travel is valid from July 29 through October 30. Book by August 7, 11:59 PM ET.

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2) Rome Sale Fares on American from $750

Rome is featured in American's latest international offer. Sale fares start at $750 round-trip for travel in September, October, and early November. Business-class fares starting at $3,312 round-trip are also available within this offer.

Travel is valid on Mondays through Thursdays from September 2 through November 8. Book by August 7, 11:59 PM CT.

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Win a Trip for 5 to Los Angeles

Enter the Sears "Back To School" sweepstakes by September 4 for a chance to win a trip for five to Los Angeles via private jet, plus $500 spending money and a $1,000 Sears gift card.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"I fly a lot and have been Chairman's level eight of the last ten years. I had to cancel a non-refundable ticket. Recently I saw that I was nearing the end of the one year window to rebook the ticket. I tried to do it on line but it requires a telephone call to the US Airways representative. I had no trouble booking the new flight but had $87 left over as the new ticket was less then the old ticket. I was then told that there would be a $100 charge for the change fee. I said to apply the $87 to the change fee. They refused. I told them that it was going to end up costing me $187 to change the ticket.

"I have done well over 2,000 flights on US Airways and have had some good service in the past. However, it is the age of 'airline robbery' now." [Wally]

"This is a note to Brian P. re: US Airways [in last week's newsletter] --

"I have booked flights on US Airways using United miles and have had to pay $10 per ticket (just did this for a flight in October) for booking by phone b/c they have no way to book this combo on the internet. I would question the $40 per ticket -- that sounds so out of line." [Myra G.]

"After patiently collecting hundreds of thousands of Hilton HHonors points, for years of business travel, I had no occasion to stay in a Hilton for a year. As a result, they took away ALL the points I had so carefully saved! They say their rules require at least one stay during a calendar year, but if I had known that, I would have made a point to stay at some Hilton property at least once. I complained to no avail. So, I will NOT do business with Hilton again, and I'm taking my convention and meeting business to other brands. Beware of this scam." [John M.]

"Only the most naive flyers still believe that airlines are actually required to fly you to/from the destinations on your FULLY PAID tickets...

"Increasingly my foolish friends and colleagues (those who still fly) are receiving airline calls saying that flight times have changed. Sometimes the changes are a few hours. Other times, like my friends son scheduled to return from a summer study program in Italy, are discovering that, as United said, "... the hop from St. Louis to Florida has been cancelled and there is no alternate - except two days later." He's spending an extra day in St. Louis and missing the first day of college classes. Remember, airline flights and times are only 'estimates' which may, or many not occur depending on the profitability of that route specifically and of the airline generally. No guarantees, no airline liability and no accountability.

"P.S. - no refunds unless requested in writing from a distant office and then after 6-10 weeks (maybe.)

"P.P.S. - what's a non-refundable ticket credit worth on a defunct or dysfunctional airline? Why are you people still flying... I mean trying to fly?" [Lawrence L.]

"AA has two main ticket offices in Caracas yet they now close them all not only on Sundays but on Saturdays as well, leaving open only two small booths with one or two employees in two shopping centers. I am a senior citizen and had to line up for more than an hour (no chairs) to pay for a ticket (no cash accepted).

"That is the wrong way for the Airline to save by alienating its paying customers! Are they in such dire situation that they need to save on the electric light in their city office locations?

"By the way, they also closed phone service in Venezuela and answer local calls in Mexico City and/or Lima, Peru." [Pedro S.]

Until next week...