Bankruptcy Watch

In last week's newsletter, we reported that Northwest's flight attendants had threatened to begin random, unannounced work disruptions -- code-named CHAOS -- as soon as 10:01 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 15, to protest salary cuts and other concessions forced on them by the carrier.

But in light of the latest terrorist threat and heightened security levels, the union has elected to extend the strike deadline.

According to the flight attendant union's website, "In light of the heightened security concerns throughout the airline industry, Northwest Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), informed the company today that they would extend their deadline to bring CHAOS to the airline by 10 days. This extension makes the strike deadline effective August 25 at 9:01 pm CDT."

Northwest customers ticketed on flights departing on or after Friday next week should monitor the situation closely and be prepared to make alternative flight arrangements if the strike takes place.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, lee608 is pondering the mystery of elite upgrades: "Does any know the formula the NWA uses for automatic upgrades to first class? It seems a mystery. I am platinum and sometime receive my upgrade well ahead of time - other times it is at the gate and yet other time I do not get the upgrade while less frequent travelers do get upgraded. These are all advance purchase tickets and not last minute changes."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, aero_ub is seeking clarity on hotel stays: "I will be staying a LOT at Holiday Inn/Express for work. The Southwest site says that you can earn '0.5 credits per stay.' My question is, what do they consider a 'stay'? If I book for 5 days from the start I just want to make sure that would count for 5 stays?"

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

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Alaska's Online Booking Bonus to End

After Sept. 5, members of Alaska's Mileage Plan will no longer receive the longstanding 1,000-mile bonus for booking trips online.

However Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders can continue earning the bonus by booking on alaskaair.com and charging the tickets to their Alaska cards.

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TAP Portugal Will Leave Continental Program

Effective Sept. 1, TAP Portugal will no longer participate in the Continental OnePass program.

OnePass members may continue to earn OnePass mileage or redeem miles for award travel on TAP flights through Aug. 31. Award travel must be completed by Aug. 31, 2007.

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Netflix Is New Delta Mileage Partner

Effective immediately, Skymiles members can earn a one-time 1,500-mile bonus when signing up for a DVD rental plan from Netflix.

Eligible subscription plans begin at $9.99 per month and only new subscriptions qualify for the bonus.

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Marriott Increases Points-for-Merchandise

Through Aug. 31, Marriott Rewards members will earn double points for purchases at selected merchants at the Marriott Rewards Mall: HP Home Store, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, and Staples.

With the bonus, members will earn eight points per $1 at Nordstrom, six points at Overstock.com, four points at Staples, and two points at HP Home Store.

Use the FrequentFlier Mile Search to find other miles-for-merchandise opportunities.

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More Priority Club Points for Merchandise

Priority Club Rewards members will earn double points for purchases made through Aug. 31 at the following Priority Club Shopping mall merchants: HP Home Store, Irv's Luggage Warehouse, FinishLine, OfficeMax.com, Overstock.com, and Target.com.

With the bonus, Priority Club members will earn 14 points per $1 at Irv's Luggage Warehouse, 10 points at OfficeMax.com, eight points at Target.com and Finish Line, six points at Overstock.com, and two points at HP Home Store.

Use the FrequentFlier Mile Search to find other miles-for-merchandise opportunities.

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Triple Miles for Thrifty Rentals

Through Nov. 15, members of the programs of seven airline programs can earn triple miles for Thrifty car rentals of between two and seven days booked on THRIFTY.com. Qualifying rentals must be of a midsize or larger car.

Participating airlines: Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways.

Qualifying rentals can be booked from the "Partner Specials" page of THRIFTY.com.

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United Doubles the Miles to Hawaii

Between Sept. 5 and Nov. 15 Mileage Plus members will earn double miles for qualifying flights to Hawaii.

Bonus applies to fares in F, P, A, C, D, Z, Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V or W booking classes. Registration is required.

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Join MyToyota to Earn 500 United Miles

Through Aug. 31, Toyota owners who join MyToyota will be rewarded with 500 United bonus miles.

Joining MyToyota is free. Benefits include discounts on maintenance and deals from partner companies.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Ireland Fares on Aer Lingus from $358

November and December flights to Ireland are on sale from Aer Lingus. Dublin and Shannon fares start at $358 roundtrip.

Travel is valid from Nov. 1 through 30, Dec. 1 through 16, and from Dec. 26 through 31.

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2) Hawaii Fares on United from $328

August and September flights to Maui and Oahu are on sale from United. Prices start at $328 roundtrip.

Travel is valid through Sept. 30. Book tickets at least seven days in advance. United has not listed a booking deadline. Fares require a three-night stay.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Europe

Through Sept. 29, enter the American Express "Visit Europe" sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to Europe, including air and hotel accommodations.

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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"At the risk of REALLY being callous, it looks to me once and for all in the era of increasing fuel costs, surcharges, telephone booking fees, and what-have-you, many airlines' frequent flyer programs are just soda and no pop. Which is another way of saying it looks like the "legacy" carriers are making more money from their promotions, including frequent-flyer programs, than they are in selling seats on planes that actually fly.

"While I'm not sure whether the public ever will wake up to what has become little more than a marketing scam, the bare fact that the major airlines and credit card companies continue to lure and entice the traveler with mileage programs ought to be addressed as good for the airlines and the banks, and of slim benefit to you and me. There is something insidious, if not also just plain silly, that you can 'earn' flying miles for buying a bouquet of flowers or spending big bucks on a dinner in your favorite restaurant. Why not just wipe it all out and reduce fares? Wasn't that what airfare deregulation in 1978 was supposed to be all about? (Of course, 1978 is ancient history to most of today's 'road warriors.')

"We're being ripped off as suckers. P. T. Barnum would know and applaud." [Ed N. - Portland, OR]

"I've been getting a lot of offers for a United Airlines VISA card that will give me 20,000 bonus miles for the first purchase. About 8 years ago I availed of this offer but cancelled after using it for about a year. If I apply and am sure will be approved, will I get again the 20,000 bonus miles?" [Betty]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - According to the fine print, "This offer is valid for first time United Mileage Plus cardmembers only." That would suggest that you would not be eligible to receive the bonus when reapplying for the card. To confirm that the policy is actually applied as written -- something which can never be assumed -- we asked United to comment, but they hadn't replied by press time.]

Until next week...