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UP FRONT..........................................................
Industry Newsbites (Signs of the Times)
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US Airways got some breathing room with this week's provisional extension of the near-death carrier's ability to tap $745 million in cash pledged as collateral against the Air Transportation Stabilization Board loan used to finance the airline's emergence from its first stint under bankruptcy protection last year. However, the extension only takes effect if the presiding bankruptcy judge approves US Airways' request to temporarily cut wages by 23%. That issue will be addressed by the bankruptcy court on Thursday.
Bottom line: assuming the extension is granted, and barring a disaster of monumental proportions, US Airways should remain in the air at least until Jan. 15, 2005.
ON SITE...........................................................
FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum.
In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Goingcrazey worries: "I was just informed... that Delta SkyMiles members had better use their SkyMiles quickly because Delta is planning on dropping the SkyMiles program in 6-8 months. Has anyone else heard this? Is there any validity to this rumor?"
As cooler heads suggest, discontinuing frequent flyer programs -- which are profitable businesses unto themselves -- is tantamount to financial suicide. Not impossible to imagine, given the recent history of airline mismanagement, but highly unlikely.
Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Bil has the goods on United's new elite-miles-for-sale promotion (look for details in next week's "Miles & Points" section).
In the "Contests & Sweepstakes" Forum, Ronald shares info and links to the Travelzoo sweepstakes. Prize: 250,000 Starwood points.
And much more... Questions, answers? Post them to the Forum!
-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php
MILES & POINTS....................................................
Aeroplan Bonus for Lima Flights
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Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, Aeroplan members will earn 5,000 bonus miles for every Air Canada roundtrip or 2 1-way segments in Executive Class (J or C booking classes) or 2,500 bonus miles for every roundtrip or 2 1-way segments in Hospitality Service in any booking class.
-> More: https://www.aeroplan.com/en/offers/promotion_sep172004b.jsp
Air Frances Offers More Miles for DC-Paris Flights
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Members of Air France's Frequence Plus program will earn 4,040 bonus miles for every Washington, DC-Paris flight between Oct. 15 and Dec. 15.
Offer is valid for U.S.-resident Frequence Plus members only.
-> More: http://www.airfrance.com/us
American Will Impose Fees for Upgrades
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Beginning Dec. 1, members of American's AAdvantage program who use their miles to upgrade from discounted coach fares between the U.S. and Europe, Japan or some countries in Latin America will be charged $250 in addition to the 25,000 miles normally collected. That's for a one-way upgrade, so a roundtrip will cost 50,000 miles plus $500.
American's reasoning: "With fares so low, the disparity between discount and premium class fares is too great to be offset by miles alone. Rather than limit upgrades awards to full-fare tickets only, the addition of a co-pay will allow members to continue to use their miles to upgrade even if they purchase discounted tickets."
Indeed, among the Big 6 airlines, only Continental allows mileage upgrades from most discounted coach fares. And Continental already charges a cash co-payment of up to $400 each way, which will increase to $450 in 2005. In that context, American's mileage upgrades look like a bargain, even factoring in the upcoming co-payment.
Still, the trend toward adding fees where none previously existed is worrisome.
Upgrades requested on or before Nov. 30 will not incur the new co-payment, so AAdvantage members still have time to snag a fee-free upgrade.
Earn Up to 30,000 AAdvantage Miles for Cruises
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AAdvantage members can earn up to 30,000 miles for cruises booked through the AAdvantage Cruise program by Nov. 30 and completed by Dec. 31.
Members earn up to 10,000 miles, depending on the length of the cruise, plus up to 20,000 additional miles, depending on the price of the cruise.
-> More: http://www.aadvantagecruise.com
Amex Offers Private Jet Bookings
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Holders of high-end American Express Platinum and Centurion cards may now book travel on their choice of 6 charter-jet companies (Bombardier Skyjet, CitationShares, Delta AirElite, Le Bas International, Sentient Jet, TAG Aviation) through the Private Jet Services Program.
Depending on the charter operator chosen, Amex cardholders receive various value-added extras, including complimentary extra flight hours, credits for use toward in-flight catering, FlightPhone or ground transportation, or frequent flyer bonus miles or points.
Cardholders can book travel with the Private Jet Services Program by calling Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service.
More Continental Miles for Marriott Points
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Marriott Rewards members will earn a 25% bonus when exchanging their hotel points for miles in the Continental OnePass program between Oct. 1, 2004 and Jan. 31, 2005.
There's no limit to the number of points that may be transferred.
-> More: http://continental.com/OnePass/news/hotel/htl_20041001_01.asp
Earn Double Delta Miles for Amex Charges
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Between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, SkyMiles members will earn double miles for purchases at selected retailers charged to an Amex SkyMiles credit card.
Among the eligible retailer categories: clothing and department stores, electronics and computer stores, sporting goods and hobby stores, discount superstores and bookstores.
Bonus category does not include travel, restaurant, entertainment, charities, wholesale goods and services, and business services. Members may earn a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles during the promotion.
To earn the bonus, enrollment is required.
-> More: http://www.americanexpress.com/deltaenroll
Marriott Rewards Diners with Extra Points
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Through Dec. 30, Marriott Rewards members can earn up to 1,500 points per day for dining at any of the following 5 hotel restaurants: Todd English's Fish Club at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront, Michael Mina's Arcadia at the San Jose (Calif.) Marriott, Bradley Ogden's Parcel 104 in the Santa Clara (Calif.) Marriott, Arterra at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, and Michael Kang's Five Feet at the Anaheim Marriott Suites.
In addition to earning 500 points for lunch and 1,000 for dinner, diners will receive a complimentary chef's choice dessert sampler for the table.
To receive the bonus, members should present their Marriott Rewards cards when dining.
-> More: http://www.marriottrewards.com
MileTracker Gets It Together for Mileage Mavens
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Having trouble keeping track of miles and points earned in multiple programs? The newest version of MileTracker software keeps tabs on 96 programs, pulling together account info into a single easy-to-monitor interface.
The latest MileTracker, released last week, is offered in conjunction with USA Today and is now independent of DeskPort.
It's a free download at http://www.usatoday.deskport.biz/.
STEALS & DEALS....................................................
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Bermuda, Caribbean, and Mexico on Delta from $138
Delta has announced sale fares to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Mexico starting at $138 roundtrip. Travel is valid through Dec. 15.
Book tickets at least 7 days in advance, and by Thursday, Oct. 14.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7567
2) Australia 3-city Air Pass on Qantas from $999
Qantas has announced a new "Aussie Air Pass" for roundtrip travel from the U.S. to Australia, plus 3 domestic flights within Australia for a period of 7 to 21 days. The pass starts at $999 roundtrip, and travel is valid from Nov. 1 through Dec. 9, 2004; from Apr. 26 through June 17, 2005; or from July 19 through Aug. 26, 2005.
Book tickets at least 30 days in advance, and by Friday, Dec. 31. Qantas will waive the advance-purchase requirement for departures through Nov. 10.
-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7374
SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................
Win a Getaway from Thrifty
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Enter Thrifty Car Rental's "Football Giveaway or Getaway" sweepstakes by Nov. 30 for a chance to win a spa outing or tickets to a major college football bowl game.
The grand prize includes roundtrip airfare, hotel, and car rental for 4 people, plus a choice of general admission tickets to the football game or 4 spa passes.
Register for the contest on the Thrifty website. No purchase necessary to enter.
-> More: http://thrifty.com/contestpromotion/contest.aspx
[Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]
READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................
Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"I checked with American Airlines for an upgrade to the Orient today, and was told that it would take only $250.00 one way and that it could not be used on a cheap ticket. Also checked with Continental airlines and was told that the 35,000 miles program for flights that I wanted was not available but for 70,000 I could get the flights that I wanted. Some deal. I think it is better now to get the credit cards that offer 4% back at the end of the year for purchases." (G.G.)
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"I recently traveled: Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) --> Vancouver --> Chicago (O'Hare) --> Istanbul (and return). All these airports claimed to have areas that were Wireless-connected. I didn't bring my computer on this vacation, so I couldn't check for sure; but there were people in the designated areas using computers, possibly on the web." (Jeff )
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If you have a rant or a rave, e-mail us at rants@frequentflier.com.
Until next week...
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