Vote for the Airlines You Love... And Hate!

Make your voice heard!

Vote for your favorite (and least favorite) airlines in the first-ever Readers' Choice Awards hosted by SmarterTravel.com, our sister site.

Awards will be handed out for the best customer service, the best prices, the best frequent flyer programs, and more.

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"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• New Northwest Mileage Enhancement Raises Question of Program's Future
  Latest improvements to WorldPerks should be adopted by Delta.
• Top Five Miles and Points Deals for September 2008
  This month's offers are from Amtrak, Delta, Midwest, Northwest.
• Delta Offers Frequent Flyer Miles at 500 Retailers
  Its expanded mall has a search-and-compare capability.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Kevin@ATL ponders an upgrade question that has surely stumped many: "I was recently on a Delta flight coming back from a meeting in Belgium. It was a direct flight form Brussels to ATL. I ran into a friend who is also a Platinum member. I had arranged for an upgrade prior to my departure, my friend made his reservations on the same flight at the last minute. First class was 1/3 full. He was told he could not upgrade with miles, Euros, dollars etc. Actually the Delta folks in Belgium were not very helpful. Why does Delta have this policy? Wouldn't it make more sense to offer upgrades when there are empty seats in first class? Delta would make money or use up FF miles and make Platinum flyers happy."

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, DJHerm has details and a link to a Hilton sweepstakes with a grand prize of 1 million HHonors points. [Note that while the promotional copy seems to suggest that a hotel stay or car rental is required to be entered, the Terms & Conditions indicate that no purchase in necessary to participate.]

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

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AirTran Upgrades Elite Perks

Effective immediately, elite members of AirTran's A+ Rewards program and one traveling companion will be upgraded to business class at the gate beginning 40 minutes prior to departure, regardless of the purchased fare class and based on availability.

Also new: a dedicated customer-service phone line for elites. Plus, elite members will receive priority standby on AirTran flights, and special perks when flying on Frontier, including free DIRECTV, complimentary inflight beverages and exemption from redemption and change fees.

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American Miles for Blackberry, DIRECTV Service

Through December 31, AAdvantage members can earn 4,000 bonus miles when activating a new BlackBerry and new wireless rate plan with Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon Wireless, or when upgrading an existing rate plan and upgrading to a new BlackBerry.

Also through December 31, AAdvantage members can earn 7,500 bonus miles by signing up for a new DIRECTV satellite television account. Account must be maintained for at least 60 days; existing customers are not eligible.

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Starwood's New Promo Boasts a Variety of Awards

With Starwood's "You Choose" promotion, Preferred Guest members choose how to be rewarded for qualifying stays between October 1 and December 31. Options range from double points, to 2,000 bonus points for two stays, to 25,000 bonus points for 10 stays or 20 nights.

Registration is required, and must be completed by November 15.

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Double Points for Wyndham Stays

Through January 8, 2009, Wyndham Rewards members can earn double points or airline miles for stays at participating AmeriHost Inn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Hawthorn Suites, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge (U.S. hotels only), Wingate, and Wyndham hotels. There's a limit of four offers per member during the promotion period.

Registration is required.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Caribbean and Latin America Fares From $158

Flights from South Florida to the Caribbean and Latin America are on sale from American. Fares start at $158 round-trip, and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Peru are featured.

Travel to Central and South America is valid Mondays through Thursdays through November 27. Travel to the Caribbean is valid Mondays through Thursdays through November 20. Book by September 22, 11:59 PM CT.

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2) U.S. and Canada Sale Fares on Horizon From $59 Each Way

Flights within the Western U.S. and to Western Canada are on sale from Horizon. Fares start at $59 one-way or $118 round-trip, and the sale features Santa Rosa, Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Travel is valid from September 26 through November 20. Horizon has not listed a booking deadline, but tickets must be purchased at least 14 days before departure.

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Win 5 Nature Trips for 2, Including Antarctica and the Galapagos

Enter Natural Habitat Adventures' new "Wild Wonders" sweepstakes by February 28, 2009, for a chance to win five nature expeditions for two, including airfare, over a period of five years. Destinations: Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands; Tanzania; the Galapagos Islands; the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba; and the Amazon and Machu Picchu. According to the company, the total value of the prize exceeds $90,000.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"In [last] week's newsletter, Natalie L. was asking about a refund on a lower price. I use Yapta.com to track my trips & they tell me when my fares drop. On two occasions this year, I received vouchers for future travel when the fare dropped. You call United & they will give (send) you a voucher. When you get ready to book your next ticket, you call & book online. The only drawback is that you have to go where they have a live United person to actually use them. I only live about 15 minutes from the airport, so it's no big deal for me. Saved $200." [Chuck H.]

"Perhaps I am wrong but at the end of the Crier dated 9/10/08 it stated: 'To those that are upset that they can't take their water bottles on board this is what I do. I like a small bottle to carry in my purse as opposed to hand carrying a bottle, I dump the water before I go through Checkout, they don't say a word about my empty bottle, then when I am on the other side and walking to my gate I fill my bottle at the water fountain. [V.D.]'

"I thought it was illegal to carry a container of more than 4 ounces even if empty because it can be used to mix dangerous things. If you did advocate an illegal act please send a correction or all us loyal readers will get in trouble." [C.B.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - We contacted the TSA to get clarification on this issue. They assured us that it is fine to take empty containers through security and fill them with water or other beverages before boarding. The TSA's list of prohibited items is here.]

"I had a recent wonderful experience with AA. My wife and I bought 2 economy return tickets from Raleigh-Durham to Miami for $150 each including all taxes. These were one of those fare specials they ran each week. Since my wife needed just a few miles to complete her Gold challenge (I am Plt on AA), we thought we would spend a weekend in Miami. We were scheduled to leave in Sat early afternoon and come back Monday late evening. However, hurricanes came into play. First, Hanna, which was supposed to hit North Carolina on Saturday. I called American and they changed our departing flight to leave Friday evening, the agent was very nice. Then while in Miami, Ike was threatening to be there on Monday. So I called American again and the first agent I spoke to said only one change per ticker is allowed and refused to change it (though she was very nice too). However, the second agent I called, said he saw that I called earlier and was refused, but he thought that the second change was due to a different hurricane and changed the flight to depart earlier on Monday. All flights were on time, and despite a bit of a hassle due to hurricane season, we had a wonderful trip! And all for $150 pp!! Thank you, American!

"I should say that even with somewhat eroding value of FF programs, I still feel like American gives a very good value. I have no trouble at all securing award tickets with some flexibility and planning for the minimum 25K miles. With Platinum (or Gold) status, I always get good seats, priority check in, security and boarding. I often fly from London to Kiev, Ukraine and I am ALWAYS able to get a seat on British Airways for 20,000 miles with a few DAYS notice (great value). I change it frequently and the flight is always available a day earlier or later. Being Platinum on AA, I have access to BA lounges in London and Kiev. Over recent years American has done many good things, where they have exceeded my (high) expectations. I am not saying bad things do not happen, when I travel -- they do, and I expect them. But the surprises with AA were always positive for me. Way to go, American, you are clearly the best!" [Sergey S. - Chapel Hill, NC]

"I thought I would share a success story. Last week, I called American Airlines to request flights using award miles for me and my husband. With 2 months notice, we were able to get flights to Tel Aviv by way of D/FW and Newark and return flights from Cairo via London Heathrow and Chicago back to Texas. The fees were $95 and the only downside was having to pay an additional $20 for booking with a live agent as we were unable to book the award travel online." [Jean from TX]

"Natalie asks whether United will refund money if the price goes down. This happened to us on tickets we had bought for a trip to Germany. I called United and they sent us vouchers for the difference which can be used on a ticket worth at least as much as the voucher. It must be used within 12 months. We have already used one of the vouchers and will be using the other soon. I hope this helps her. The cheaper price must be offered on the exact flights you have booked." [Linda C.]

"My husband and I have 109,000 frequent flier miles with Delta. We will have a GREAT grandson around the 20th of September up in Virginia. We are so excited and want to fly up to see him! (We are elderly senior citizens living in Florida on a very fixed income.)

"So I got two tickets on line using our frequent flier miles. We have a 13 lb., 5 year old toy poodle and we always take him with us. He is our little boy. (I have a disability and my doctor recommends that he should always accompany me.)

"The airline requires you to carry your dog in a small cage on board in the cabin and to place that cage under the seat in front of you for the entire trip. In the past we have had to pay $100 round trip for George, but Delta has changed their price to $150 EACH WAY!!!!! That's $300 round trip!!

"We just cannot afford that price, so we won't be able to see our GREAT grandson. That is so sad, so I asked Delta management to let me use frequent flier miles to pay for George. Delta will not allow us to do that.!

"Please help me to get Delta to change this ridiculous rule." [Charlotte T.]

Until next week...