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The FrequentFlier Crier - A weekly summary of travel news and opinion
Issue #421  --  October 11, 2006
 

CONTENTS

 

Up Front

  • MilePort Now Tracks Expiring Miles

On Site

  • FrequentFlier Forum Topics

Miles & Points

  • Double AA Miles at StubHub
  • Carlson Hotels Offers Triple Points
  • Delta Automates Elite Upgrades
  • Triple Southwest points for La Quinta Stays
  • Northwest Bonus for InterCon Stays
  • Northwest Offers New Member Bonuses
  • Bonus United Miles-for-Dining
  • US Air Reschedules Mileage Policy Change

Steals & Deals

  • Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

Sweeps & Freebies

  • Win a Trip for 2 to Super Bowl XLI

Reader Rants & Raves

  • Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
 
LuggageOnline

UP FRONT

MilePort Now Tracks Expiring Miles

MilePort has begun tracking mileage expiration dates for programs that list them on their web sites (not all do). Expiration dates are now supported for the following programs: Aeromexico, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Delta, Hertz, Hyatt, and Southwest.

Users can check the expiration dates of their miles and points by clicking on the "View" link next to each program on the "View my accounts" page.

Expiration tracking for additional programs will be added to the list with future upgrades.

Separately, in response to requests from MilePort users, support was recently added for American Express Membership Rewards Canada (CA) and American Express Membership Rewards Netherlands (NL), bringing to 121 the number of programs users can monitor.

MilePort also recently updated several other programs including: Chase, Capital One No Hassle, SAS EuroBonus, SN Brussels, Radisson, Alitalia, BMI, Mexicana, and TAP.

MilePort can be downloaded and used for free.

:: More

ON SITE

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, dickybilly's request for tips on reaching elite status before year's end has blossomed into one of the most fruitful threads ever, including a very succinct summary by nako on American's elite challenge. Required reading!

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, ronald initiates a discussion of US Air's new mile expiration policy (see "Miles & Points" below). Opinions of the new policy range from resigned acceptance to "US Air can go eat beach sand."

And much more. Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!

:: More

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

MILES & POINTS

Double AA Miles at StubHub

Throughout the month of October, AAdvantage members will earn double miles for sports, concert and theater tickets purchased at StubHub.

Offer applies to purchases made through www.stubhub.com/aa or via 1.866.StubHub.

:: More

Carlson Hotels Offers Triple Points

Between October 1 and December 31, members of Carlson Hotels' goldpoints plus program, can earn triple points for their second and subsequent stays at Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn, and Park Inn hotels.

Registration is required.

:: More

Delta Automates Elite Upgrades

Effective October 4, upgrades for SkyMiles elite members will be processed automatically, according to the rules applicable to the elite member's tier, fare type, etc.

Auto-processing applies to reservations made by phone, at the airport, through a travel agent, or at delta.com.

:: More

Northwest Bonus for InterCon Stays

Between October 2 and December 29, WorldPerks members can earn a one-time 2,000-mile bonus for stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites hotel in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.

To earn the bonus, guest must also be a Priority Club Rewards member and must register a member number in advance.

:: More

Mileage Pro Book

Northwest Offers New Member Bonuses

Between October 1 and December 31, new WorldPerks members can earn up to 7,000 bonus miles for flying and signing up to receive Northwest marketing communications.

Earn 1,000 bonus miles after completing the first flight (one-way or roundtrip), 5,000 bonus miles after the second flight (roundtrip only), and 1,000 bonus miles for subscribing to NWA email for two consecutive months.

All flights must be completed within six months of WorldPerks enrollment date.

:: More

Triple Southwest points for La Quinta Stays

Through January 31, 2007, Rapid Rewards Members will earn triple Rapid Rewards credit (1.5 credits instead of the standard 0.5 credits) per qualifying stay at La Quinta hotels.

To earn the bonus, Rapid Rewards members must also be Returns members and request triple credits at check in in lieu of Returns points.

:: More

Bonus United Miles-for-Dining

Through November 15, Mileage Plus members who have not already done son can earn double miles-for-dining after Mileage Plus Dining online profile.

A maximum of 2,500 bonus miles can be earned with this promotion.

:: More

US Air Reschedules Mileage Policy Change

In last week's Crier, we reported on US Airways' upcoming mileage expiration change. At the time, the effect date of that change was to be December 1, 2006.

On Tuesday of this week, US Airways pushed the effect date two month further into the future, to January 31, 2007. Here's the revised notice from the carrier's website:

"Effective January 31, 2007, active membership status is based on having earned or redeemed miles within a consecutive 18 month period."

We'll have a summary of recent and forthcoming mile expiration changes in a future newsletter. For now, here's a summary:

~ In August 2005, Southwest extended the life of Rapid Rewards points from one to two years.

~ In August 2006, JetBlue modified its one-year points expiration policy to permit TrueBlue members to extend the life of their points an additional 12 months every time they charge $200 or more, or a JetBlue ticket, to the American Express JetBlue credit card.

~ Beginning October 1, Travel Awards points will be valid for two years, twice their previous life span.

~ And after December 31, 2006, miles will expire after two years of account inactivity. The new policy applies retroactively as well: miles in accounts with no activity during calendar years 2005 and 2006 will also expire on December 31, 2006.

:: More

American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

STEALS & DEALS

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) Free Vegas Companion Ticket on Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air is offering a free companion-flight promotion valid on flights to Las Vegas. To take advantage of the offer, you must purchase a Las Vegas airfare-and-hotel package, and your companion can fly to Vegas for free.

This offer must be booked by October 23. Travel is valid from October 15, 2006, through February 1, 2007. Each companion must fly on the same itinerary as the paying traveler. Packages require a two-night minimum stay.

:: More

2) Off-peak Europe Airfares from $329

1-800-FlyEurope, an online airfare and vacation package provider, is offering late fall and winter flights to Europe from $329 roundtrip. Destinations include Amsterdam, London, Madrid, and Venice.

Departures are valid midweek from November 1 through December 13, 2006, and from January 9 through March 31, 2007. Book tickets by October 20.

:: More

SWEEPS & FREEBIES

Win a Trip for 2 to Super Bowl XLI

Enter Southwest's Rapid Rewards Super Bowl Sweepstakes by December 8 for a chance to win a trip for two to Ft. Lauderdale to attend Super Bowl XLI, including air, hotel, game tickets and lunch with Super Bowl players or coaches.

:: More

[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

READER RANTS & RAVES

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"US Air adds insult to injury.

"I just received a US Air Dividend Miles e-Statement with a 50,082 miles balance. I logged on to use the miles and had 0 miles. I called Dividend Miles and was told my miles had expired a year ago even though US Air continued to send monthly emails showing a balance. I'll drive before I fly US Air." [Robert M.]




"This is old news I guess, but I just found out all my Hilton Honors points are gone; somehow I missed this policy. This makes the US Air '18-month-grab-back' look generous:

"Your account was found in our inactive account system. In an effort to offer the benefits that you have grown accustom to and effectively manage program costs, HHonors does require activity in the form of one eligible stay or HHonors point earnings through any of our HHonors sponsored credit cards at least once every 12 months. If this requirement is not met on any HHonors account, all points are forfeited."

"That's not friendly either." [Dale H.]




"With regards to 'US Air Makes Everything Count (Toward Elite Status)' [in last week's newsletter], US Air is not the first airline to delude the elite benefit. Three weeks ago, I received a targeted offer that by applying for the Chase's Mileage Plus Platinum Class Visa before September 30, 2006, I'll earn 20,000 bonus miles and Mileage Plus elite status (by paying the $140 annual fee)!

"Consider one needs to spend $25,000 or more to get US Air's elite status, paying $140 to get 20,000 bonus miles and become United's elite seems to mean that one can get Mileage Plus Premier Associate status for free." [Ben-Roy D.]




Until next week...