B-A-A-A-A-A-A-D D O G G I E

In the Doghouse: ATA
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As is often the case, the missive from ATA begins with a come-hither headline: "Honestly Easy Travel Awards Just Got Easier."

So Melvin the Mileage Mutt is thinking, "OK, great, ATA is lowering award levels." After all, what else could 'easier' mean in this context?

Reading further, it turns out that the great leap in the direction of enhanced ease is that Travel Awards members will "soon" be able to access their account info online. And they'll be able to book award travel online. Not exactly ground-breaking program features. And they're "benefits" which are widely recognized more as cost-savers for the airlines than as member perks.

And oh, by the way, they're converting from a flight- to a point-based program, at some yet-to-be-determined date.

So far, Melvin is just bored, bordering on annoyed that his time has been wasted with such insubstantial self-promotion.

And finally, there it is, lurking guiltily at the very bottom of the page, the bad-news landmine: "In addition, please note that effective November 1, 2003, applicable fees and taxes will apply toward Awards redemptions for all new participants in the ATA Travel Awards Program." (Members who registered online prior to Nov. 1 won't be subject to the new fees until Jan. 31, 2005.)

Melvin's eyes are now bugging, the veins in his neck throbbing. "Insult my intelligence (and undermine my trust) by burying the bad news beneath the fluff? And then fail even to follow through on the bad news by explaining what "applicable" fees and taxes would apply? A pox on you, ATA."

But it was the final sentence that made Melvin positively apoplectic: "Be on the lookout for further news!"

You bet he will!

M I L E S & P O I N T S

Alaska Doubles LAX-Spokane Miles
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Mileage Plan members will earn double miles when they fly Alaska's new L.A. - Spokane service between Oct. 26 and Dec. 31.

Registration is not required. View full details are here.

From Alaska: Dine & Stay Bonuses
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Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Mileage Plan members may earn bonus miles 3 ways for dining and hotel stays through Mileage Plan Dining and Hotel Rewards by iDine.

1) Earn 250 bonus miles for dining 3 times at participating restaurants during the promo period.

2) Earn double miles (10 miles per room-rate dollar) at selected hotels.

3) Earn 500 bonus miles for combining a qualified hotel stay with a meal at a participating restaurant.

Registration is required.

> More...

Delta Ups Award Prices
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Bad news from Delta...

Effective Mar. 16, 2004, the number of miles required for selected SkyMiles award tickets and upgrades will increase. Here are the award-ticket changes:

Within the continental U.S., award levels will rise from 40,000 to 45,000 miles for first class. Free Hawaii tickets rise from 30,000 to 35,000 miles for coach, and from 60,000 to 75,000 for first.

And:

Central America - awards increase from 50,000 to 60,000 miles for business class.
Northern S. America - from 60,000 to 70,000 for business.
Southern S. America - from 75,000 to 90,000 for business.
Europe - from 80,000 to 90,000 for business.
N. Asia - from 90,000 to 120,000 for business; 120,000 to 140,000 first.
S. Asia - from 95,000 to 120,000 for business; 130,000 to 140,000 first.
India - from 100,000 to 120,000 for business.

Among the upgrade changes, the most notable is the increase to 1-way, 1-class upgrades between the U.S. and Europe: from 10,000 to 15,000 miles for upgrades from full-fare economy, and from 20,000 to 25,000 miles for upgrades from discounted economy fares.

According to a Delta SkyMiles rep (who was unaware of the changes until my call), the Mar. 16 effect date applies to ticketing, not travel. So be sure to make award reservations before Mar. 16 to take advantage of the current lower rates.

> More...

Delta Extends Double Miles Offers
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Delta has extended 2 previously announced double SkyMiles offers -- for travel between Atlanta and Asheville, N.C. (promo code 4056) through Nov. 15; and for travel between Cincinnati and Atlantic City (promo code 4046) through Dec. 31.

> More...

Hyatt "Free Nights Faster" Returns
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Between Oct. 15, 2003, and Feb. 29, 2004, Gold Passport members will earn 1 free night after every 2 Hyatt stays charged to a MasterCard. Free nights may be redeemed between Nov. 1, 2003, and Apr. 30, 2004.

The number of free nights that can be earn is unlimited. Registration is required.

> More...

Loews Offers Free Companion Ticket for Stays
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Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 28, consumers who stay 2 or more consecutive nights at Loews hotels at the Fall in Love promotional rate (promotion code PROLOV) will receive a coupon redeemable for a free companion ticket with the purchase of 1 ticket at a designated price ($229-$599).

> More...

Northwest Resuscitates Mile-A-Rama
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Northwest's "Mile-A-Rama" promotion is back, offering WorldPerks members a chance to earn up to 100,000 bonus miles between Oct. 1, 2003, and Feb. 29, 2004.

After registering, points are earned for selected activities, including Northwest flights and e-services, hotel stays, car rentals, etc. Then, at the end of the promo period, points are converted to miles. Unnecessarily complicated, to be sure.

Register by Jan. 29, 2004.

> More...

Song Charges Earn Bonus
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Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 31, American Express cardholders (including those using the Delta SkyMiles credit card) will earn triple SkyMiles when they use their Card to make Song purchases, including airline tickets at http://www.flysong.com and for all in-flight purchases. Cardholders also receive a 1,000-mile bonus for their first in-flight purchase with the card.

United Puts Elite Status On Sale
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For a $100 fee, Mileage Plus members may earn double elite-qualifying miles for United and United Express flights between Oct. 15 and Dec. 15.

The bonus miles count toward 2004 Premier, Premier Executive and Premier Executive 1K status, but cannot be redeemed for awards. Offer is not applicable on United-marketed code-share flights operated by other carriers.

Register at http://united.com/doubleEQM.

S T E A L S & D E A L S

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...

Florida Fare Sale: Orlando, Tampa, and More for $158
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Fly to Florida this winter for as low as $158 roundtrip on Southwest, with sale fares from cities in the Northeast.

Travel is valid through Mar. 6, 2004. The airline hasn't announced a specific booking deadline, so these fares could disappear at any time. For the lowest fares, book tickets at least 14 days before departure.

> More...

JetBlue Adds Boston, Extends Fall Fare Sale from $78
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JetBlue has resumed its fall sale, with fares starting at $78 roundtrip on flights to and from California, Florida, San Juan, PR, and other destinations throughout its system. The airline has also announced that it will introduce service between Boston and Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, and Denver in Jan. 2004.

The sale fares are valid to/from most cities through Feb. 10, 2004. Book tickets at least 7 days before departure, and for most destinations, by Friday, Oct. 31.

> More...

S W E E P S & F R E E B I E S

From Starwood: Two Million Starpoints Sweepstakes
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Enter the Starwood sweepstakes by Nov. 15 for a chance to win 1 million Starpoints. Ten runners-up will win 100,000 Starpoints each.

To enter, either a) book by phone or online and stay at a participating Four Points by Sheraton in the United States or Canada during the sweepstakes period, or b) mail in a maximum of 3 entry forms per person.

> More...

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

R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S

This Week's E-Mailbag
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"Heard the following again today and wondered if you have heard anything yourself and if any truth to this increasing rumor. 'AA is buying UAL's Pacific routes.' This one says AA will even activate some currently unflown UAL routes (if there are any?) and will move most int'l flights from SFO to LAX due to more AA feed at LAX."

- Richard

[Editor's Note - As I responded to Richard, I have no idea whether this rumor has any basis in fact. It's certainly an intriguing scenario, and one which squares nicely with the known facts (United's need for cash, American's lack of a Pacific network). And coming off the SARS traffic and revenue dip, this would be a buyer's market for Pacific routes. Stay tuned.]

Until next week...