"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Continental Will Join Star Alliance, Modify Mileage Program
  Continental will shift from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance in October, resulting in a host of changes to its OnePass program.
• The Top Five Frequent Flyer Deals for September 2009
  This month's offers are from American, Continental, Delta, United, and eight hotel chains.
• Continental Matches Elite Offers from American, United
  With Continental's new promotion, double elite-qualifying miles are now on offer from three airlines. And there are probably more to come.
• InterContinental Offers New Award Option for Priority Club Members
  With Flights Anywhere, members of InterContinental's rewards program can now redeem their points, or a combination of points and cash, for flights on more than 400 airlines.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, in response to vmorris828's query about combining cash and miles to purchase an upgradeable fare, and then using miles to upgrade, ncvet61 responded as follows: "I don't think you can use miles to bring down the cost [pay with miles and cash], and also use miles to upgrade to Business. You would need to use "pay with miles and cash" on a Business ticket. Some fares, L/U/T, are upgradeable to Business, however there must be an award seat available."

And in the "Rental Car Programs" Forum, Otter had the following to say about Dollar: "Dollar (and its sister company Thrifty) tend to have lower rates than most of the other mainstream companies. They might be able to offer lower rates by limiting their staff and shuttle services. If you comparison shop and find them to be substantially lower (especially on a longer rental) you should decide whether the possible inconvenience is worth it. They are not always the lowest price, but they usually are. Of course, joining any car rental company "speedy service" program can expedite your getting your car when you arrive."

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

:: More

ANA Offers Upgrades for Fewer Miles

Through December 24, members of ANA's Mileage Club can upgrade from select coach fares to business class for half the normally required miles. So, for example, upgrading on ANA's New York - Tokyo flights are available for 14,000 miles each way, rather than 28,000 miles.

Offer applies to international flights only, and upgrades to first class are not included.

:: More

Marriott Brings Back the MegaBonus

Between September 15 and January 15, Marriott Rewards members can take advantage of yet another iteration of the MegaBonus promotion: 2,500 points for the second and subsequent stays at Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, and TownePlace Suites hotels.

Qualifying stays must be charged to a Visa card, and there's a maximum of 25,000 points that can be earned during the promotion.

:: More

United Offers Year-End Elite Bonuses

Depending on their status and elite-qualifying mile (EQM)/elite-qualifying segment (EQS) balance on December 31, 2009, United Mileage Plus elite members will receive the following:

~ Premier members with 35,000 EQMs/40 EQSs or more can choose between a one-time United Red Carpet Club pass or 7,500 bonus miles.

~ Premier Executive members with 75,000 EQMs/85 EQSs or more can choose either two one-time Red Carpet Club passes or 15,000 bonus miles.

~ 1K members with 125,000 EQMs/125 EQSs or more can choose from two systemwide upgrades, a one-year annual fee waiver ($375 value) on the Mileage Plus Club Visa card, or 25,000 miles.

The year-end awards are in addition to the regular Elite Choice awards.

:: More

US Airways Adds Elite Bonus to Purchased Miles

In an unusual twist on elite mile promotions, US Airways is offering 1,000 elite-qualifying miles for every 10,000 redeemable miles purchased on its website, up to a maximum of 5,000 EQMs.

The bonus is in effect through the end of September.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Through Thursday: Southwest Sale Fares From $49 Each Way

Through Thursday, Southwest's sale latest sale starts at $49 one-way or $98 round-trip. Travel is valid late September through mid-December, and featured destinations include Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Seattle, among nearly 3,000 routes.

Travel is valid from September 29 through December 17. Book by September 17, 11:59 PM PT.

:: More

2) Caribbean & Latin America Fares on American From $158

American Airlines has refurbished a sale for travel from South Florida to the Caribbean and Latin America. Fares start at $158 round-trip and destinations include Aruba, Colombia, Guatemala, and Jamaica, among others.

Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays from September 16 through December 10. Book by September 28, 11:59 PM CT.

:: More

Win a Trip for 4 to Disney World

Enter Georgia-Pacific's "Save, Play and Celebrate" sweepstakes by November 30 for a chance to win a seven-day trip for four to the Walt Disney World Resort, including air, hotel, theme park passes, a $500 gift card, and Mickey Mouse hats (with ears).

:: More

[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

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.

United Not Releasing Award Seats (continued)

"I had to add my $0.02 to the comments [last week] regarding United mileage redemption.

"My recent experience cashing United miles for overseas flights has been horrendous. After failing to find award seats on United flights, I tried booking on United's airline partners in the Star alliance. No luck either way.

"I've been a frequent flyer for several decades and consider myself knowledgeable in the ways of frequent flyer programs. If I'm unable to find award seats, I can only imagine how tough it would be for the 'average' traveler. No wonder the airlines have such a bad reputation!

"Perhaps it's time for a government investigation into these 'schemes'?" [James L.]

'Insecure' Sweepstakes Webpages

"Many of your sweeps entries are on insecure pages. Shame on you." [Ray U.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Insecure? Perhaps they don't adhere to the same standards of encryption observed by banking and brokerage sites, but the sweepstakes we feature only ask for very basic contact information. So such security really isn't called for. Pretty much all the sweepstakes we cover are sponsored by Fortune 500 companies, so their security is by definition industry-standard. For what it's worth, I personally enter most of the sweepstakes, and have no security concerns whatever about doing so.]

Exchanging American Miles for United Miles

"I would like to cash in my American Airlines miles for United Airlines miles. Is this possible?" [Angelo N.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - In some cases, it's possible to convert miles between programs using the exchange functions in American Express Membership Rewards, Diners Club Rewards, Hilton HHonors, or Points.com. Converting between American and United miles, your only option is Hilton's Reward Exchange, as follows: Exchange your American miles for HHonors points (5,000 miles = 10,000 points); then exchange the HHonors points for United miles (10,000 points = 1,000 miles). The obvious caveat: In the end, you will have given up 5,000 American miles to get 1,000 United miles, an 80% loss.]

Until next week...