"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• American's New Priority Services Are Bad for Average Flyers
  New benefits come at the expense of average travelers.
• Latest Hotel Offers Make Fall a Bonus Bonanza
  Starwood and Wyndham are among the current hotel promotions.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, DJHerm has info and a link to a new American Express offer: a 20% bonus when exchanging Membership Rewards points for Delta miles.

And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, ronald shows how to earn 500 bonus points for enrolling in the newly launched Accor loyalty program. (See "Miles & Points" below for more on the program.)

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

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Accor Launches AIClub

Accor, which operates 2,000 hotels under the Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, ibis, all seasons, and Accor Thalass brands, has launched a new loyalty program: AIClub.

Members earn points according to their spend at participating hotels. Points can be used two ways: redeemed for vouchers good at Accor Hotels; or exchanged for miles in the programs of eight airlines, only two of which are U.S. carriers (Delta and US Airways).

The program features three elite levels, with such perks as bonus points, welcome drinks, and late departures.

With the limited number of participating hotels in the U.S., and limited options to convert points for miles in U.S. airline programs, this program is of marginal utility to U.S. residents.

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American Offers Free Ticket to U.K. Flyers

AAdvantage members who fly American to the U.K. (London or Manchester) on a first, business, or full-fare coach ticket by December 31 will earn a free companion ticket good for travel to the U.K. or the Caribbean.

Among the offer's many conditions: you must register in advance; and you must sign up for one of American's marketing emails.

In fairness to American, they were matching an essentially identical promotion from British Airways.

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Delta Doubles the Miles on International Flights

Through December 15, SkyMiles members will earn double miles for Delta flights between Atlanta and Seoul, Shanghai and Stockholm, or between New York and Amman, Edinburgh, Malaga and Shannon. Double miles are also on offer for Air France flights between Los Angeles or New York and London/Heathrow, New York, and Lyon, and between Salt Lake City and Paris.

Flights booked at delta.com earn an additional 1,000 bonus miles.

Registration is required.

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Southwest Elites Will Receive Expedited Security Clearance

Southwest is on the verge of launching "Fly By" -- priority security lane access for Business Select and Rapid Rewards A-List members at select airports, including Baltimore/Washington International, Dallas Love Field, Phoenix, Orange County John Wayne, Denver International, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The service will be extended to additional airports starting in November.

As we opined regarding American's new PriorityAAccess service, the problem with such benefits is that they come at the expense of the average traveler. Only so many passengers can be processed through airport security checkpoints, and if someone is given faster service, someone else will receive slower service.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Mexico and Caribbean Sale on American From $150

American's latest deal features flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Fares start at $150 round-trip, and destinations include Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and San Juan.

Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays from October 1 through December 10. Book by October 10, 11:59 PM CT.

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2) Frontier Fall Sale Fares From $49 Each Way

Through Thursday, Frontier is offering sale fares starting at $49 one-way or $98 round-trip. Flights to Chicago, Denver, and San Diego are included.

Travel is valid from September 30 through December 17. Book by October 2, 9:59 PM MT.

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Win a Trip for 2 to Tuscany, Italy

Enter the Buitoni "Go Italian" sweepstakes by December 31 for a chance to win a trip for two to Tuscany, Italy, including airfare, hotel accommodations, a cooking class, and wine tour.

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[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"To Geo [writing in last week's newsletter], if you had read the last few weeks you would of seen that you dont have to 'dehydrate yourself' (your words) on your US Air flight by having to pay for your water, just take an empty bottle with you through check out, it is allowed. Trust me, I do it all the time. When you are through inspections, fill your bottle at the water fountain and you will be just fine.

"I find it hard to believe that you drink 8 oz. of water 24/7 as you stated, but going 4 hours without water is not gonna hurt your health. Lets not be so dramatic!!!!!!!!!!!!!" [V.D.]

"I just booked a 'free' trip on Delta, but I went through Continental where I pulled up all CO and partner flights going there. I was transferring in Amex miles so it didn't matter if I used CO or Delta miles. First/Business class round trip was a bargain 60,000 miles plus $100 in fees at the Continental site. The same exact itinerary at the Delta site was also 60,000 miles, but $200 in fees.

"Obviously, it pays to check all the options before you book!" [S.G.]

"Last week I fell down the stairs. This week I will have to fly United airlines. Although I have a number of disabilities and am physically handicapped, I strive to be independent particularly since my handicaps are not obvious. I schedule my flights so that I can make connections and walk to my connecting flights; I carry minimal luggage and use my wheeled carryon for support in walking.

"This fall makes it mandatory that I 1. use a wheelchair and pay a 'tip' to someone who is employed and even at minimum wage would make more than I do; and 2. check my lightweight carryon bag and pay $15.

"I have no alternative. I have no choice. I will be severely uncomfortable and in pain just being seated, let alone for a long flight.

"I just feel penalized, trapped, frustrated." [Marjie D.]

"Hi, I live in Boca Raton Florida and travel quite a bit.

"I was suing Delta miles and was sorely dissapointed this summer when on cancelling two mileage tickets, I had to pay $100 each to buy back my miles?!?

"I am also with AAdvantage miles. I am now looking to use a points credit card instead of mileage, the bar just keeps being raised and it is no longer worth it." [Zabeth T.]

"Is there a reason the price of a roundtrip ticket that originates from the U.S. to China and back is half of one that comes from China to U.S. and return to China?" [Joanne R.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - It's simply a matter of supply and demand. The airlines are able to charge more for U.S.-originating tickets, so they do.]

Until next week...