UP FRONT..........................................................

3rd Quarter Results: Read 'Em and Weep
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With the exception of ATA, the larger U.S. airlines have reported financial results for the 3rd quarter (Jul. 1 - Sept. 30), traditionally the year's strongest period for revenue and profit.

Airline                 Q3 Profit/(Loss)*
                        2004        2003
========================================
AirTran                 ($10)        $20
Alaska                   $79         $41
American               ($214)         $1
America West            ($47)        $33
ATA                         Not avail
Continental             ($16)       $133
Delta                  ($646)      ($164)
Frontier                 ($2)         $2
Independence            ($83)        $21[B]
JetBlue                   $8         $29
Midwest Express         ($13)        ($4)
Northwest               ($46)        $42
Southwest               $119        $106
United                 ($274)      ($367)
US Airways             ($232)       ($90)
[B] - Operating as Atlantic Coast Airlines 
  * millions

Only Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest were profitable, and only Southwest outperformed its year-ago results. With more than $1 billion in losses for the quarter, the majors have lost $5.1 billion for the year to date, and are on track to lose more than $6 billion for the full year.

The principal culprit: jet fuel, up 29% from the same period last year.

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, Koli has a dilemma: "I have over 100k miles on NW & about 180k miles on Delta. Most of both miles were accumulated on credit cards (WorldPerks Visa & Amex SkyMiles). However, I no longer fly that much. I would like to use the miles, assuming I don't get roasted on the conversion, to buy something (perhaps a TV?)."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Chromeboy poses the following brain-teaser: "Does donating 1 mile to a charity counts as activity to prevent my miles from expiring?"

In the "Credit Card Programs" Forum, Woodcuts is looking to maximize his earnings by charging building supplies. "I already have Amex, but most of my suppliers won't take it. I'd like to get a card that I can get certificates good on most airlines, not just Delta.....is Capitol One a god one?"

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

-> More: http://frequentflier.com/forums/index.php

MILES & POINTS....................................................

More OnePass Miles for Amex Membership Rewards Points
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Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, Amex Membership Rewards members will earn 1,000 bonus miles when converting a minimum of 5,000 Membership Rewards points into 5,000 OnePass miles.

Registration is required.

-> More: http://www.continental.com/onepass/news/default.asp

Delta Offers More Miles for Shopping
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Through Dec. 31, SkyMiles members will earn 150 bonus miles when making purchases of more than $100 and 500 bonus miles when making purchases of more than $250 at the following SkyMilesShopping.com retailers: Harry and David, FTD.COM, macys.com, RedEnvelope, Lands' End and Hickory Farms.

Additionally, SkyMiles members can earn 500 bonus miles when spending $150 or more with any 2 SkyMilesShopping.com merchants during the promotion period.

Bonuses are in addition to the miles normally earned through each partner.

-> More: http://www.SkyMilesShopping.com/holiday

Charge Song Tickets to Earn Up to 20,000 Bonus Miles
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Through Dec. 15, SkyMiles members can earn up to 20,000 bonus miles for charging Song tickets to an American Express card and booking flights online at flysong.com. Earn 5,000 bonus miles for the first Song roundtrip, 5,000 more for the second, and 10,000 more for the third. (Of the total bonus miles awarded for each roundtrip, 1,000 are an online booking bonus.)

Registration is required.

-> More: http://www.flysong.com/create_a_trip/promos/amex/index.jsp

Marriott to Sever Ties with Amex
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In a setback to members of both programs, effective Jan. 1, 2005, members of the American Express Membership Rewards program will no longer be permitted to transfer points into their Marriott Rewards accounts.

-> More: http://marriott.com/rewards/rewards.mi

Priority Club Discounts Gift Certificates
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Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, Priority Club Rewards members can redeem 10% fewer points for $50 or $100 gift certificates from a range of retailers and restaurants, from Amazon.com to Waldenbooks. So with the discount, $50 certificates are reduced from 20,000 to 18,000 points, and $100 certs are discounted from 38,000 to 34,200.

-> More: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/fo/05388

Southwest Extends Bonus (Again)
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Southwest has extended until Apr. 1, 2005, the Rapid Rewards 50% bonus offer -- 3 credits for each roundtrip or 1.5 credits for each 1-way trip booked at southwest.com. With the bonus, a free ticket can be earned after 6 roundtrips (actually 5 roundtrips plus a 1-way flight) within a 12-month period.

-> More: http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rr_promotions.html#bonus

FREQUENTFLIER FITNESS.............................................

Crunch Before You Munch
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Provided by Healthy Travel Network

It's late, and you're sitting in your hotel room, tired, bored, and stressed all at the same time. Nothing would taste better than a candy bar from the vending machine. You know you shouldn't, but your resolve is weakening quickly. Instead of reaching for your wallet, try "Crunch Before You Munch," a great tip from one of our readers.

Commit to doing 20 crunch sit-ups before allowing yourself a snack. Not only do the extra calories burned help offset some of the chips, cookies, or whatever goodie you've selected, but more importantly, you'll often find that once you do the sit ups, you aren't interested in eating anymore.

If you're not a fan of sit-ups, try a walk around the block, a phone call home to a loved one or friend, 20 squats, or drinking an eight ounce glass of water. The objective of Crunch Before You Munch is to avoid snacking, so find an activity that works for you.

STEALS & DEALS....................................................

Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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1) Caribbean Sale on American from $227

If you're looking for a good deal to the Caribbean for travel during the winter peak season, take note of American's fall and winter sale. Prices start at $227 roundtrip, and destinations include Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.

Travel on most routes is valid through Feb. 16, 2005, on Mondays through Thursdays. Book tickets at least 3 days in advance, and by Nov. 5. Fares require a 2-night or Saturday-night minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7662

2) Bahamas, California, Florida, etc. from $39 on AirTran

AirTran has put all of its routes on sale for travel into the winter months, including flights to The Bahamas, California, and Florida. Prices start at $39 1-way, and fares can be combined for roundtrip travel.

Travel is valid through Mar. 2, 2005. Book tickets at least 10 days in advance, and by Nov. 4, 2004.

-> More: http://www.smarterliving.com/air/deal.php?id=7642

SWEEPS & FREEBIES.................................................

Continental's "Our Gift to You" Sweepstakes
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Enter Continental's "Our Gift to You" sweepstakes by Dec. 31 for a chance to win 1 of the following prizes: a $5,000 Circuit City gift card, an L.L.Bean Camping Package for 4 or Kayaking Package for 2, a Dell 17 inch LCD TV, or a Staples Digital Imaging Package.

Each sweepstakes entrant will receive 100 bonus OnePass miles. Limit: 1 entry per person.

-> More: http://www.continental.com/onepass/news/default.asp

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

READER RANTS & RAVES..............................................

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
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"While no customer likes less leg room, I disagree with many of the points made in your American Airlines editorial in last week's Crier (http://frequentflier.com/ffc-102704.htm).

"First, the incremental seats do add a lot of value. CEO Arpey recently quoted $60 million in extra revenue from the added seats on B767 and A320 aircraft, which represent just a fraction of American's fleet. And there are data points including high load factors that show customers are willing to book a B757 seat with less room as quickly as with more room if it's offered at a competitive price.

"Second, if American expects that load factors will remain constant before and after the reconfiguration is complete, then your assertion that the extra seats will go mostly unsold is irrevelant. Of course each marginal seat might be mostly unsold, but if I followed that reasoning, I never would have added a second seat to the aircraft. The marginal revenue is still substantial.

"Third, it's also not going to be as bad as you might expect. American took two rows of seats off its fleet in implementing More Room, but is only adding back one row. And while I personally have found the reconfigured B757 aircraft with less room less comfortable, I've also valued upgrades on those aircraft that much more, which is something that JetBlue and Southwest can't offer.

"And speaking of the low cost guys, Southwest has warned that if fuel prices don't abate, they expect a fourth quarter loss significant enough to result in a full year loss. At that point, Southwest will increase prices. And the rest of the industry will follow suit. Every dollar that American can generate from fees or added seat density is a dollar that it won't have to earn from higher prices, which is great news for all of us." (Glenn)

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"I signed up for the ATT advantage program in March 04 prior to the Date that AA discontinued the program. I was told that I will received 5,000 advantage miles. 8 weeks went by, no miles, I called AA advantage desk. At that time I was told that they had no record of me being signed up for the program. Called ATT, I was told I will received my miles in 4 weeks. Called in August, neither ATT or AA had any record of me being in the ATT Advantage program. Lesson to be learn Always get a written confirmation." (Kevin)

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[In the interest of keeping the newsletter short, the rest of this week's "Rants & Raves" are in the online version of the Crier, posted here: http://frequeentflier.com/ffc-110304.htm#raves .]

"FYI for all of you who think you will be fully reimbursed when UNITED AIRLINES loses your luggage.

"August 8, 2004, from Denver to Charlotte, I arrived, my luggage did not. In fact, my "missing bag" wasn't on the next TWO flights into Charlotte. Not ONE of the many calls to united provided a shred of information. I WAS told to go purchase what I would need for my business meetings the next day.

"I waited until the next day, called United ONE MORE TIME, and was told they had NO CLUE where the bag was or WHEN I'd get it. Then, and only then did I go to the mall and buy a jacket, slacks, shirt and minimal make-up. Later that day the bag did arrive.

"Long story short, the receipts were sent to United... Remember this was AUGUST...On October 20, I received a letter stating.....and I quote: "Our corporate interim expense policy allows us to consider from 0% to 50% of your documented expenses for reimbursement. They sent 25% of what I was FORCED to spend...

"So beware, You can go to Brooks Brothers or Wal-Mart...you won't get MORE than 50%....and If I didn't have my Corp. travel department on my side, I probably wouldn't have gotten a dime!! I don't care if I have to have a crane haul my luggage to the gate, I will NEVER check a bag with United again." (Carla)

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"Switching AA Miles to Hilton Honors... At last you can make this transaction on line. I couldn't believe it when I saw the fee of $25 per switch!! American must want us to keep our miles in their program and get free flights, rather than switching their miles to another program. I think that is just crazy." (Paula in Norfolk, VA)

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Until next week...