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FrequentFlier Forum Topics
As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Kohoutek provides info and links to several mileage offers, including dining-for-miles promotions from American, United, and US Airways.
And in the "Hotel Programs" Forum, hawktwo is wondering where his Gold Points went: "I went online to check points total and in Gold Points where I previously had 18,500 points, I now had zero with a redemption of 19,000 points -- which I never redeemed."
Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!
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Double American Miles-for-Dining
Through November 30, AAdantage members who participate in AAdvantage Dining can earn 10 miles per $1 spent when spending $50 or more at participating restaurants. That's twice the normal earning rate.
Registration is required.
We're generally big fans of the dining-for-miles programs, and welcome the regular promotions. This one, however, is a disappointment -- the $50 meal minimum puts the bonus miles out of reach in the great majority of cases.
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More Hilton Points for U.K., Europe Stays
Through December 15, HHonors members can earn up to 15,000 bonus points for stays at Hilton Family hotels in the U.K. and Europe. Qualifying stays must include a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night.
Members earn 1,000 bonus points for the first stay, 2,000 for the second, 3,000 for the third, 4,000 for the fourth, and 5,000 for the fifth, for a total of 15,000.
Registration is required.
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Shop for Bonuses at the Mileage Plus Mall
Through December 22, Mileage Plus members will earn up to 2,000 bonus miles for purchases at the following 20 Mileage Plus Mall retailers: Art Select, Barnes and Noble, Bloomingdales, Clinique, Dell Home, GiftBaskets.com, Harry and David, Hickory Farms, Ice.com, Kiehl's, Kodak, Landsend.com, macys.com, Magazines.com, NORDSTROM.com, Origins, Red Envelope, Sears, Sephora, and William Sonoma.
Bonuses are 1,000 bonus miles for spending $500 - $749; 1,500 for spending $750 - $999; and 2,000 for spending $1,000 or more.
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Virgin America Program Goes Live
Members of Virgin America's Elevate program can now redeem their points for free flights. (Virgin has signed up members and awarded them points from the company's launch, in July 2007, but redemption was delayed until now.)
Award prices are dynamic, reflecting supply and demand at the time a booking is made. Test booking a flight between LAX and JFK, for example, showed coach seats available in early November for 6,930 points each way.
The coach fare for the dates in question was $149 each way, so, with an earning rate of five miles per $1 spent, it would take 9.3 flights to earn the 13,860 points required for a round-trip award ticket.
The program's "no blackout dates" policy and streamlined award booking application are praise-worthy. Unfortunately, the program is hobbled by a lack of earning opportunities and points that expire after just 18 months.
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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com
1) Ski Destinations on United From $166
Ski destinations in Colorado and Wyoming are on sale from United. Fares start at $166 round-trip, and Aspen, Vail, and Jackson Hole are included.
Travel is valid from October 6 through February 28, 2009. Book by October 10, 11:59 PM ET.
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2) Free Companion Airfare From Eurofly
Eurofly is offering free companion airfare for travel to Rome from New York City in November and December.
To take advantage of this promotion, book a round-trip flight to Rome in economy or business class. Economy fares start at $679 and business-class tickets start at $2,778. Travel is valid from November 7 through December 14, and tickets must be booked by October 10. The maximum stay is 30 days.
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Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"Having recently flown on American Airlines for a trip to Paris we were surprised to learn that the international mileage was disallowed for the AA Advantage program.
"Having purchased these from a third party rather than American directly these 'Q' class tickets did not qualify for mileage. As a member of this program since 1988 this was unexpected but something your readers may want to be aware of.
"The agent was cordial and accommodating and I was informed that this was a long standing policy though this is seldom an issue for purely domestic travel.
"On AA's website they do list the class of ticket and this is something that purchasers may want to cross-reference when using any third party discounters to book flights." [E. K.]
[In response to V.D.'s commments last week] "Geo has made a fair comment in regards to the water issue: not to have a minimum of 8 glasses of water/day (this does not include coffee, tea, etc), let alone in an air-conditioned vehicle, whether it be a plane or bus, is unhealthy. Also, the increased risk of DVT's whilst in Flight is reduced, not only with exercises but also drinking frequent cups of water.
"If you travel on a Qantas Flight, you will be frequently offered a cup of water, in order to aid hydration, so Geo fair comment." [Colleen]
"Thank you for publishing my letter about airlines not allowing owners to use their frequent flier miles to 'pay' for small pets. The pets are the ones which are placed in the cabin on board in carriers and put under the front seat of the owner. Then the owner takes them off at the conclusion of the trip. The pet definitely does not take up a seat for the airline. Delta charges $150 EACH WAY for the pet. That's $300 round trip!!! Other airlines charge similar amounts in cash or credit card, never allowing people to use their frequent flier miles.
"Please ask all the wonderful people who read this to ask their airline to change this policy. Small pet owners who have the frequent flier miles need everyone's help." [Charlotte T.]
"Gosh, this issue [October 1] looks like the 'Frequent Whining Flyers'!
"Way too much complaining and not enough travel info and hints.
""As for the special access for first and business, it makes sense to give more service to those that pay more, we aren't a socialist country yet." [S in Houston]
"I read and re-read Marjie D.'s complaint [in last week's newsletter] about United Airlines causing her to feel 'penalized, frustrated and trapped.'
"How is it the fault of United that she fell down the stairs? Why does she have to check her small carry-on bag? Just carry it on her lap in the wheelchair. If she begrudges the person pushing her wheelchair a $2 tip, why is she spending the money to fly?
"I see absolutely no fault on United's part, just her whining that someone else should bear the cost for her. Typical of many fliers today, unfortunately." [D]
"'Last week I fell down the stairs. This week I will have to fly United [A]irlines.'
"Started to laugh in reading this, thinking 'why of course, one follows the other!' only to find the writer was serious...
"Ouch!" [Ed N.]
Until next week...
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