Issue #16 -- October 8, 1998
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Oops!
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If this were the Wall Street Journal, we'd call this "Errata," and bury it in the nether regions of the paper. Here, we'll settle for "Oops" and put it right up front.
It was pointed out that in last week's Crier, I misidentified the inflight movie which (I whined) had caused me such discomfort. The film I was alluding to was "Drive"--not, as I mis-called it, "Ride."
Oops.
>> More <<
o I'm saving up for a brain transplant.
o When I was younger, I remembered everything (whether it happened or not).
o Send money and I'll hire a fact-checker.
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Earn Miles Two Ways for US Airways Shuttle Flights
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As part of their recently implemented marketing co-op agreement, US Airways and American Airlines now allow US Airways Shuttle passengers to earn 500 Dividend Miles plus AND 500 AAdvantage Miles for each US Airways Shuttle segment flown between New York La Guardia Airport and Boston Logan Airport, and between New York La Guardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
To make this offer even more attractive for AAdvantage members, miles earned on Shuttle flights will count towards qualifying for Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum status in the AAdvantage program.
>> Register to Participate <<
Customers must be enrolled in both the Dividend Miles and AAdvantage programs. Also, to qualify for the dual mileage offer, members of the programs will need to register one time with US Airways prior to originating travel. Customers should register with US Airways by calling 1-800-872-4738 between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Once registered, members need only to provide their Dividend Miles numbers when checking in for Shuttle flights and the miles will be deposited automatically to both accounts. This program is available through September 30, 1999.
American Airlines and US Airways began allowing AAdvantage members and Dividend Miles members to claim awards for travel on both airlines on August 1. The relationship also allows US Airways Club members and American's Admirals Club members reciprocal access to each other's clubs when traveling on either airline. US Airways operates 26 clubs throughout the United States and American Airlines has 47 Admirals Clubs throughout its system, including Latin America, Europe and Japan.
The second phase of the agreement, which went into effect on August 24, offers frequent travelers the ability to combine miles for award travel to any American Airlines or US Airways destination. Dividend Miles and AAdvantage members who belong to both programs can combine miles from their AAdvantage and Dividend Miles accounts to claim award travel on US Airways, American Airlines, or on a combination of both airlines.
The US Airways Shuttle offers daily round-trip flights every hour on the hour between Boston's Logan International Airport and New York's La Guardia Airport, and between La Guardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Other Shuttle features include quick check-in with assigned seats and a light meal or snack on all weekday Shuttle flights. On evening flights, Shuttle passengers receive a complimentary copy of The Latest News, which offers updated news from around the world and the latest stock quotes.
>> More <<
o US Airways
o American
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Mileage Plus Expiring Miles Can Be Extended
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If you are a Mileage Plus member with 20,000 or more miles in your account and some portion of the miles are set to expire in 1998, you can register to extend those expiring miles. Once registered, any miles that would have expired at the end of 1998 will be extended through December 31, 1999. Any miles extended from 1998 must be ticketed or used before the end of 1999 or they will expire at that time.
Register for the extension at United's website, or by phone (below).
Kudos to United for making a meaningful gesture of recognition to their proven customers. Next step would be to make this a permanent feature of Mileage Plus.
>> More <<
o United online
o Register by phone at: 1-800-447-6772 (after 10/15/98)
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American Automates Upgrades
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American Airlines is introducing an automated upgrade system for customers who are members of its AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, Gold and AAirpass programs that will automatically process upgrade requests and provide confirmation by pager, fax, phone or e-mail.
The program works like this: Executive Platinum, Platinum, Gold and AAirpass members will be able to request an upgrade at the time they make a reservation. When their eligibility "window" opens (for example, 24 hours before departure for a Gold member), American's SABRE computerized reservations system will automatically process the upgrade. If the upgrade is confirmed, the member will be notified by either fax, phone, e-mail or pager (the customer selects one option at the time of reservation). If the upgrade cannot be confirmed, SABRE will continue to try to process the upgrade at specified intervals up to two hours before departure. If the upgrade has not been confirmed two hours before departure, the member checks in at the gate.
This, in principle, is great. It frees the traveler (and American's customer service agents) from the tedium of repeated checks to confirm the status of upgrades. And the auto-notification feature closes the loop neatly. Always the skeptic, I'd be inclined to continue using the traditional low tech procedure, while simultaneously putting the new procedure to the test. If the new procedure yields the same (or better) results, with less hassle, then by all means abandon the old way.
>> More <<
American
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At Northwest, a Call for Federal Mediation, Again
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The good news: Northwest is back in the air after a 15-day pilots strike.
The bad news: Northwest still has open contracts with five of its six unions; and the union representing the carrier's flight attendants has requested help from a federal mediator in reaching a contract agreement.
Northwest's 12,000 flight attendants are represented by The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of five Northwest unions with labor contracts that have been open since 1996. Points of contention include compensation, job security and scheduling. Northwest flight attendants earn between $14,000 and $34,000 a year.
A federal mediator also coordinated talks between Northwest and its pilots, and another mediator has guided negotiations between Northwest and its largest union, the International Association of Machinists.
Stay tuned.
>> More <<
Northwest
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Free Drinks Cause Further Discord
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Labor discord at Northwest isn't limited to contract issues.
In addition to the usual list of union gripes, Northwest's flight attendants have protested the company's largesse in giving free drink coupons to frequent fliers as an apology for the recent pilots' strike.
Flight attendants are concerned that extra inflight drinks will translate into extra onboard drunks, leading to an increase in abuse, obscenity and general chaos-in-the-cabin.
So far, there have been no reports of extra-drink-related problems.
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America West Discounts Seats
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America West is discounting fares in many markets from its Phoenix and Columbus, Ohio, hubs, with fares starting as low as $99 each way based on round-trip purchase. The sale is effective through October 15, 1998 and travel may commence as early as October 8 but must be completed by April 2, 1999.
Tickets must be purchased within 24 hours of making reservations. Minimum stay, advance purchase and other restrictions apply.
Sample sale fares follow. Fare savings are available in additional markets.
Sale Fare*
Phoenix to: (each way based on round-trip purchase)
Austin, Texas $99
Baltimore $99
Chicago $99
Cleveland $99
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $99
Tampa, Fla. $99
Columbus, Ohio to:
Albuquerque, N.M. $99
Los Angeles $99
El Paso, Texas $99
Las Vegas $99
San Francisco $99
Salt Lake City, Utah $99
*Fares quoted are each way based on round-trip purchase and do not include a $2 federal excise tax which will be imposed on each flight segment of the itinerary. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and landing. Fares are subject to change. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Tickets are non-refundable. Minimum stay required, but no maximum stay. Seven-day advance purchase is required. Passenger facility charges of up to $12 per round-trip may apply, depending on itinerary. Blackout dates are Nov. 25, 29, 1998; Dec. 18-19, 23-24, 27-28, 1998; and Jan. 2-3, 1999. In Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 28 - Feb. 2, 1999 is also blacked out.
>> More <<
o Call: 1-800-2-FLYAWA (1-800-235-9292)
o America West's website
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America West, Union at Peace
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America West announced that a five-year collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by the carrier's mechanics and related personnel, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The mechanics workgroup includes approximately 400 employees.
The contract, tentatively agreed last month between the company and the union, was approved by 74 percent of the voting employees.
According to America West's news release: "The ratification vote and the new contract are critical components of our plans to grow the Airline, strengthen our operations and improve relations with our employees. The contract addresses key issues raised by America West's maintenance technicians while allowing the Airline to maintain its productivity and strategic cost advantage. The new agreement is a win for our employees and a win for our shareholders as well."
For all the talk of winners, what America West leaves unsaid is that the real losers in the protracted labor conflict have been the airline's customers, who suffered through many months of late and cancelled flights. These service breakdowns are widely understood to be the results of unofficial labor slowdowns.
Let's hope that America West can now focus on what's important: meeting the needs of its customers.
>> More <<
America West online
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Another Global Get-Together
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On the heels of last week's announcement of the Oneworld alliance by American, British Airways and their partners, Continental Airlines' chief Gordon Bethune let it be known that his airline is in talks with Northwest, KLM, Air France and Alitalia to mount their own world-spanning coalition-of-carriers.
As with Oneworld and the Star Alliance, against which this new amalgam will compete, the partnership would include code-sharing and reciprocal frequent-flier program ties. While no specific details were divulged, there has apparently been discussion of the group's name: Wings. As to timing, implementation will have to await approval of the bilateral alliance between Continental and Northwest, under review by the U.S. DOJ since January.
In addition to American and British Air, Oneworld will include Cathay Pacific, Canadian Airlines and Qantas. The Star alliance comprises United Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Air Canada, Varig, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines.
Expect to hear next from Delta, with its own plan for global dominance, likely an extension of its existing ties with Swissair, Austrian and Sabena.
>> More <<
Continental
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Hertz Matches Avis Triple Miles Deal
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In last week's Crier, we reported on the Avis triple bonus mile promotion. This week, Hertz, the world's largest car rental company, countered with its own "Triple Miles" promotion.
Hertz will offer members of the U.S. frequent flyer programs in which it participates triple miles on all qualifying rentals of two days or more commencing between October 6, 1998 through December 15, 1998 at participating Hertz locations worldwide.
According to a Hertz spokesperson: "This promotion is a competitive response to Avis' recently announced Triple Miles promotion. We will not remain uncompetitive and lose market share on the basis of frequent flyer miles."
[DIGRESSION. Funny thing about marketing and, specifically, about promotions. It's considered unseemly for a company to just come right out and say it: "We're desperate for customers, so we'll offer you a zillion frequent flyer miles if you'll fly/stay/drive with us." Or: "United did it, and by God we're not going to be left behind." Instead, we're presented with "A Celebration of Fall" or "The 13th Anniversary of the First Flight to Biloxi." (And by the way--wink-wink, nod-nod--give us your business and we'll make it WAY worth your while.) In that context, it's refreshing to find Hertz presenting its promotion straightforwardly, as a competitive response. Which is exactly what it is!]
Triple miles may be earned with the following airline partners: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Midwest Express Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.
Hertz offers one mile per one rental dollar spent for qualifying commercial contract and government rentals and two miles for all other qualifying rentals, with the exception of American Airlines, in which Hertz offers one mile per one rental dollar spent for all qualifying rentals and Southwest Airlines offers one flight credit for each qualifying rental.
The triple miles promotion will allow frequent flyer members to earn three miles per one rental dollar spent for qualifying commercial contract and government rentals and six miles per dollar spent for all other qualifying rentals; American Airlines members will earn three miles per one rental dollar spent for all qualifying rentals and Southwest Airlines members will earn three flight credits per transaction instead of one.
To receive mileage or credits, qualifying rentals must be in conjunction with a qualifying flight and must occur within 24 hours of arrival or departure, with the exception of American Airlines, where no flight is required.
>> Don't Forget to Register <<
Advance reservations are required and customers must provide Promotion Code #98000 when making reservations.
>> More <<
Hertz
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Thrifty not to be Outdone by Avis, Hertz
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Speaking of head-on promotions, Thrifty has waded into the promotional fray with the following headline: "Thrifty Double-Miles Promotion Awards Three Times as Many Miles as Competitors' "Triple-Miles" Promos."
Sounds a bit like double-speak, but the claim they're making (if you can understand it) is basically valid. To recast it in simpler terms: while Avis and Hertz are offering to triple your base miles, Thrifty offers so many more base miles to begin with that doubling them results in more miles overall than tripling those of Avis or Hertz.
To reap the extra rewards, there is one extra hurdle imposed by Thrifty's promotion: you must pay for the rental with an American Express card.
Hertz is awarding triple miles based on miles per dollar spent ($1 spent = 3 miles earned) and Avis is offering base miles of 50 miles per day (tripled to 150 miles) in most of its airline programs, both of which may net the customer as few as 300 miles per two-day car rental. But with Thrifty, a standard base of 500 miles per flight segment will double for consumers to 1,000 miles under its promotion for a two-day car rental.
The double-miles promotion at Thrifty is good when customers rent and pay with an American Express card through October 31, 1998.
To receive double miles, the rental must be picked up between Sunday and Wednesday and be kept a minimum of two days. Those paying with American Express are eligible for double miles on these partner airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, America West, Continental, Horizon Air, Reno Air and TWA. American Airlines AAdvantage members may pay via any method and still receive double miles from Thrifty.
Here's the calculation underlying Thrifty's our-promotion-is-better-than-their-promotion claim:
Base Promotion Miles
Miles x Effect = Earned
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Avis 100 [1] 3 300
Hertz Varies [2] 3 Varies [1]
Thrifty 500 2 1,000
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[1] (50 base miles per day) x (2 days)
[2] One or 2 miles per dollar spent, depending on the type
of rate, the airline, the zip code of your mother's
hairdresser... TOO COMPLICATED!
>> More <<
Thrifty's website
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Westin Launches ValueStays
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From October 26 through December 13, 1998, Westin ValueStays rates will be available at over 100 Westin properties worldwide with prices beginning at $99 per night (rates differ by property).
Customers who take advantage of Westin ValueStays will be able to earn credits toward free travel in Starwood's (parent company of Westin and Sheraton) new frequent guest program, due to debut in January 1999. Current Westin Premier members will continue to earn points when staying at Westin hotels worldwide through the end of the year, at which time, the total balance of unexpired points in all active member accounts will be automatically converted over to the new Starwood program.
According to Starwood: "With more than 550 participating hotels and resorts in more than 60 countries, including 100 resorts around the world, the new Starwood program will not only be the industry's most global, but promises to be the best of the competition with a structure focused on simplicity, flexibility in redemption options and inclusion of all of Starwood's brands (The Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points Hotels and the soon-to-be-launched W brand)." We'll see.
Reservations require a seven-day advance booking, are subject to availability, and blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
>> More <<
Westin: 1-800-WESTIN-1
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Omni Hotels Discounts Friday Stays
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Omni Hotels is extending its summer "Phenomenal Fridays" campaign into the fall. Until December 26, 1998, participating Omni Hotels will offer reduced weekend rates, some as high as 50 percent. As part of the promotion, weekend guests will receive an additional 20 percent discount off the already discounted weekend rates when their stay includes a Friday night.
In addition to low weekend rates and the added kicker of a 20 percent discount, Omni Hotels is offering late 5 p.m. check-out to all guests as part of the promotion.
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Omni Hotels is a privately owned chain of 43 first-class and luxury hotels and resorts located throughout the United States and Mexico.
>> More <<
o Omni online
o Omni offline: 1-800-THE-OMNI
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Welcome Back, PAL
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Reports of Philippine Air's demise (including my own) were, apparently, premature.
After a two-week shutdown, Asia's oldest airline is back. Domestic operations resumed on October 7, and plans call for resumption of international flights from October 15, with twice-a-day flights to Hong Kong and a daily flight to Taipei. By December 1, the airline expects to have restored all flights in operation before the shutdown, and even to begin operating special flights catering to holiday traffic around Christmas and New Year.
PAL's resurrection follows ratification of a new contract by 69.99% of PAL's union members, calling for a 10-year suspension of collective bargaining in exchange for 20% ownership of the airline and four board seats, including three offered by management and one offered by the government. Notwithstanding the majority approval, there have been threats of disruption from workers who oppose the new accord.
>> More <<
PAL's website
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Swissair Flight 111 Update
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It's a bit off topic for The Crier, but for those following the SR111 investigation, the CVR (cockpit voice recorder) transcripts have been released (leaked?), and provide a very detailed picture of events in the cockpit and cabin in the minutes before the crash.
The below link is to the Reuters version of the story.
>> More <<
The Reuters story posted on Yahoo
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