Issue #66  --  November 4, 1999

<< U P F R O N T >>

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Millennial What...?
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Two months to go before the Millenium hoopla begins, and I'm firming up my plans to go nowhere and do nothing.

Actually, I'm of 2 minds. My curmudgeonly side says: avoid the crush and chaos... order in Thai take-out... and pop the cork on that split of Mum's Champagne. My "no man is a rock" side favors a celebratory (small 'c') restaurant meal, with a small group of friends. (Note that no part of me is inclined toward traveling.)

This is all about being strategically contrarian, which means that by definition I hope to be doing what others aren't. (Which means the restaurant idea probably goes by the boards.)

All of which leads to a question: What are you, dear readers, planning for this upcoming super-hyped New year's eve?

Let us know and we'll share interesting ideas with our extensive readership of inquiring minds.

<< M I L E S >>

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Delta Launches Miles-for-Shopping Program
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Delta has launched "The SkyMiles Shopping Program" which gives consumers miles for purchases made with stores, catalogues and services.

Participating in the new program are national and large regional companies, including The Sharper Image, Spiegel, Cushman Fruit Company, ComputAbility, Jos. A. Bank, CertificateXpress.com and ClubComputer.com.

SkyMiles members can register up to three credit cards and earn up to five miles per dollar each time a registered card is used to purchase goods or services from participating merchants. Miles earned are automatically credited to the customer's Delta SkyMiles membership account.

Delta has joined together with Momentum, a full-service loyalty marketing company to establish the SkyMiles shopping network.

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Delta

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Double AAdvantage Miles for Rio Flights
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Travel between October 1 and December 9, 1999 on American's new daily nonstop service between New York-JFK and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 1 through December 9, 1999, and earn double AAdvantage miles.

Fly on a purchased, published roundtrip fare in: First or Business Class and earn 15,000 bonus miles; Full-Fare Economy Class and earn 10,000 bonus miles; or Discounted Economy Class and earn 5,000 bonus miles.

Register before flying by calling AAdvantage Dial-In at 1-800-882-8880. Press 1, 2*, 4* and, when prompted, enter promotion code NYGIG.

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American

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Rapid Rewards Bonus for Dollar Rentals
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Dollar Rent A Car is offering triple bonus half credits (1 1/2 credits per rental transaction) to all Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Members who book rentals on the DOLLAR Web site through February 29, 2000.*

Rapid Rewards Members must provide their Rapid Rewards identification number at the time of rental and indicate the promotional code "DLR4" when making the booking over the Web site, dollar.com.

This bonus credit offer is available for rentals from November 1, 1999 through February 29, 2000. Holiday and other blackout periods apply. Offer is available at participating U.S. locations. Twenty-four hour advance reservation is required. Certain rental rates may not qualify for frequent flyer mileage. Frequent flyer awards are subject to a $.50/transaction tax recovery surcharge.

>> More <<
o Dollar
o Southwest

<< S T E A L S & D E A L S >>

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ATA Goes Low
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ATA is offering special "How Low Can You Go" sale fares starting at $89 for travel now through February 16, 2000.

Tickets must be purchased between November 1 and November 22, 1999.

"How Low Can You Go" fares are valid for travel through 2/16/00, and must be purchased by 11/22/99. Fares generally not available for purchase within seven days prior to travel, not available 11/18 - 11/30/99, 12/17/99 - 1/10/00 and during other high-volume travel periods. Fares quoted are one-way for off-peak travel days, will be higher during peak travel times, and are non-refundable. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights and dates. Restrictions apply.

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ATA online

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United Discounts New Shuttle Flights
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United Shuttle this week announced introductory fares for travel between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and West Coast destinations that recently introduced nonstop L.A. Shuttle service. The low roundtrip fares are available for flights between LAX and San Diego, Calif., ($75.00), Palm Springs, Calif. ($95.00), Santa Barbara, Calif., ($75.00), Reno, Nev. ($95.00), and Medford, Ore. ($198.00).

These special introductory fares require a 14-day advance purchase and a Saturday night stay. Travel must be completed by December 15, 1999, and there is no blackout for travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The fares quoted do not include passenger facility charges of up to $12 which may apply depending on the passenger's itinerary. Fares quoted also do not include a $2 per flight segment tax.

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United online

<< G U E S T A R T I C L E >>

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Easing E-Mail
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By Dr. Donald E. Wetmore

It's interesting. Technology is often heralded as a servant for us yet frequently we become a servant to it. E-mail was trumpeted as the new communications tool that would surely put first class "snail mail" out of business. Last year, the U. S. Post Office delivered more pieces of first class mail than ever and e-mails exceeded the volume of first class mailings. We have created another layer of communicating with one another and an additional responsibility to monitor and manage.

E-mail is a useful tool but many feel controlled by this new vehicle. The average businessperson is getting around 80 e-mails per day and many feel that about 80% of the messages in their "In Box" are of little or no value.

So, as always, rising to the occasion, I have four suggestions to help you to become better at "Easing E-mail".

Get off the lists. The best way to deal with a problem is to never have it. If you are receiving a lot of unwanted e-mails, ask to be removed from the various lists. This would include your inclusion in unwanted "cc" lists or unappreciated solicitations from those promising "unlimited wealth without risk or effort".

"Unlisted address". Just like getting an "unlisted" telephone number that you share only with those whom you want to give direct access, you might want to get a separate e-mail address that you use only for the important communications you wish to receive.

Check it once or twice per day. Many I speak with become chained to their e-mail server, monitoring incoming e-mail on a continuous basis. Maybe this is because e-mail creates its own sense of urgency, but most of the communications are not all that urgent. I let my "incoming" batch up and I respond to them a couple of times per day.

Deal with it. Like handling paper, you don't want to get into the "shuffling blues" where you read e-mail, postpone action, save it, re-read it later, and allow things to slip through the cracks. As you open each e-mail do one of the following:

o If it requires a quick response, (it will only take a minute or two), respond to it and delete it.

o If it requires a response but is not the best use of your time, try to think of a way of delegating it. There's a lot of difference between "I do it" and "It gets done".

o If it is going to take any serious amount of time to respond (beyond a minute or two), schedule it for action in your Day Planner and then download the message, save it, or print it out for future action.

I personally receive approximately 250 e-mails per day and by practicing the suggestions above, I can handle that volume in about an hour, taking advantage of this fantastic tool but not being controlled by it to the distraction of more important tasks in my day.

There is a big hole in your day that drains away productive time. I discuss this in an article entitled, "The Big Hole in Your Day". It's free. To get your copy, email your request for "hole" to ctsem@msn.com

Dr. Donald E. Wetmore - Professional Speaker
Productivity Institute
Time Management Seminars
60 Huntington St. P.O. Box 2126 Shelton, CT 06484
(800) 969-3773
(203) 929-9902
Fax: (203) 929-8151
mailto:ctsem@msn.com
http://www.balancetime.com

<< I N D U S T R Y N E W S >>

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US Airways, Flight Attendants at Odds
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The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the union that represents US Airways flight attendants, announced this week that it would begin 19 days of round-the-clock negotiations with the airline after which, if there's no agreement, it would put in motion plans to implement CHAOS at the airline.

At issue is the airline's proposed package of concessions. Additionally, according to AFA, "Flight attendants are also angry that US Airways, which earned $538 million last year, hasn't provided them with raises in nearly four years and that the airline awards pensions in a manner that penalizes married flight attendants."

AFA vows that if there's no agreement by November 19, the union will ask the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse and start the federally-mandated 30-day cooling-off period. If no agreement is reached by the end of the 30-day period, flight attendants will engage in CHAOS. Creating Havoc Around Our System is a strike action that may take a variety of forms. Flight attendants may stage a walkout for a day or a week or strike individual flights. The airline will receive no warning, AFA warns.

Talks between the airline and AFA are taking place in a secret location outside Washington, DC.

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American, Pilots Reach Accord
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Also on the labor-relations front, American and its pilots have agreed on conditions under which pilots from Reno Air will be integrated into American's workforce.

The issue had been a point of contention between management and the pilots, and was behind the February job action in which many American pilots called in sick, delaying and canceling thousands of flights and costing the company $225 million in lost revenue. A federal judge, in turn, found the pilots had acted in violation of a court-ordered back-to-work directive, and fined the union $45.5 million.

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

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Jackie's Dharma
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Just thought I'd write back and say keep the horror stories coming. I love 'em!

I can also answer Jackie's question "Why do they do that" Its because she didn't do her job. From the Airline's point of view, her dharma, as a business traveller, is to pay full fare. They don't care if she saves her employer money!

Regards & Keep up the good work

 - Owen

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WorldPerks -- Pro & Con
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>> Pro
I have been a World Perks customer for several years now, we take advantage of every frequent flyer mile possible. I have never been treated 3rd class or been denied a flight (considering that I am somewhat flexible) on Northwest Airlines! Most of the time it has fit into my schedule. I feel that NW Air has a great program, you can fly 9 months out of the year for only 20,000 miles. For a family of 5 to travel to Hawaii in December is a big request, Aren't the airlines filling the seats at full coach price then?!?! Isn't it only business to put blackout dates on certain dates of travel. We are basically getting miles for free, it's a free service they offer, even a company that sells Christmas cards aren't going to give them away for free in December when people will pay regular price for them. If we plan ahead for a vacation in December then we will probably get the seats if they aren't on a black-out date. A person has to plan ahead for this, it's just part of being in a Frequent flyer program!

Thanks for letting me gripe back!

 - Jude

>> Con
Sympathise with JK this week's experience.

What a name! Nearly makes me airsick to say it.(perk in this country means
to bring up your stomach contents).

I tried to use my WorldPerks points to fly from Edinburgh to Munich but was told there were no seats on or about the day I wished to travel. Using their internet site I placed about 100 random dates in for the next year and guess what-there weren't any seats available on any dates!!

I was so mad that I wrote a letter to WorldPerks asking if their frequent flier program was any use and why should I continue to patronise it? Their reply was very vague and not to the point.

 - Mark

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AAdvantage Miles for Aer Lingus Flights
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You had mentioned a few weeks ago that Aer Lingus was to cease participation in the Delta SkyMiles program. FYI - they are now a participant in the AAdvantage program, presumably as a precursor to their stated intention to gain membership in the oneworld alliance.

Continued thanks for a useful and informative newsletter.

 - SAAB

<< S I T E 2 S E E >>

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CARE's Virtual Madagascar
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As much as many of us travel, most will never get to Madagascar, home to lemurs and indri.

Enter the world wide web, in the form of CARE's "Madagascar Virtual Field Trip" website. The site features day-by-day journals, photos, video clips... even a screensaver.

It's presented as a field trip with the CARE team. And while they'd like visitors to make a contribution to CARE (a worthy organization, certainly), there's no pressure to do so. In fact, it feels much more like a passionate travelogue, with bits of self-promotion and fund-raising unobtrusively arranged around the edges.

You won't pick up Malagasy (the local language), but neither will you have to worry about malaria or bacteria in the drinking water.

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Madagascar online

Until next week...