"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Warning: Frequent Flyer Changes at US Airways
  With US Airways' new GoAwards, more Dividend Miles members will likely pay more miles for more awards.
• Introducing the World's Most Lucrative Credit Card
  With a 100,000-mile bonus, the new British Airways credit card may be the best travel-rewards card ever offered.
• American and United Launch Miles-for-Shopping Deals
  Among the mileage mall promotions for holiday shopping are offers from American and United. Which offers the best bang, and the most miles, for your buck?
• Grim Outlook for Free Flights This Fall
  Flights were full in October, leaving little room for award travelers. If that's a portent of things to come, a window of opportunity for mileage redeemers will have slammed shut.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, Gary Steiger shares info and a link to an easy 100 Continental miles.

And if you've been following the "just need 39 miles" thread in the "Airline Programs" Forum, Max Bialystock finally got them. "I DID get the miles, from Opinion Place. Thanks again for reminding me. Now I'm over the 25,000 mile threshold with AA. And I think that in my entire life, I've been on their planes a grand total of three times. Gotta love it."

Questions, answers, opinions? Post them to the Forum!

:: More

Double Miles for ANA Flights to Japan

Through February 14, 2010, members of ANA Mileage Club residing in North America or Europe can earn double miles for flights between the U.S. or Europe and Japan (Honolulu flights not included).

Eligible fares for U.S.-originating flights include first, business, Premium, and Super Premium Eco Value coach (F/A/C/Z/J/D/Y/E fare codes).

Registration is required.

:: More

New JetBlue Program Takes Off

JetBlue's newly relaunched TrueBlue program awards points based on the number of dollars spend, and allows members to redeem points for every seat on every flight (although there's an asterisk next to that last claim).

One change for the better is the program's new expiration policy: "Points don't expire as long as you earn points through flying JetBlue or through the use of the JetBlue Card from American Express on eligible purchases at least once in a 12-month period."

We'll have a full review in the coming weeks. For now, existing TrueBlue members need do nothing -- they've been automatically migrated to the new program.

:: More

Mexicana Is New oneworld Alliance Partner

Effective November 10, Mexicana became a full partner in the oneworld global airline alliance, alongside American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Qantas, and Royal Jordanian, plus around 20 affiliate carriers.

American, the sole U.S. oneworld carrier, already had a frequent flyer and code-share relationship in place with Mexicana, but the alliance link deepens the ties. For example, American miles earned on Mexicana flights now count toward elite status in the AAdvantage program.

:: More

Buy Starpoints for Less

Through December 31, Starwood Preferred Guest members can save 20% when purchasing points for themselves or as gifts.

With the discount, the price of 500 points, for example, is reduced to $14, from $17.50 normally. A maximum of 20,000 points may be purchased annually.

:: More

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $18 Sale Fares From Spirit

Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-fare carrier with a reputation for offbeat promotions, is at it again this week with another gimmicky sale for members of its $9 Fare Club. Flights to many sunny destinations start at $18 round-trip for members (non-member prices start at $58 round-trip).

Destinations include Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, Cancun, and San Juan. Dates and availability are limited, but if you're lucky enough to nab one of the sale fares you'll enjoy significant savings. Book by Thursday, November 12, at 9:59 a.m. ET.

:: More

2) United Matches Southwest Sale With $118 Fares

United is responding to Southwest's latest sale by matching prices and dates. Fares start at $118 round-trip, and travel is valid from December through early March, with some holiday dates excluded.

Although United hasn't listed a booking deadline, this sale will likely end on Monday, November 23, the same day Southwest's sale expires.

:: More

Win 1 Million Delta SkyMiles

Enter SkyMall's "Win a Million Miles" sweepstakes by December 31 for a chance to win one million Delta SkyMiles.

Runner-up prizes include 250,000 miles, laptop computers, and 30-day passes for Gogo Inflight Internet.

:: More

[Visit FrequentFlier.com for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.

British Airways' Advance Seat Assignments

"In response to Barbara H. and her complaint about British Airways' Advance Seating Assignment [in last week's newsletter], with all due respect, I can only say, 'Pfffff, what did you expect from BA?'

"First of all, European carriers are notorious for not allowing advance seating choice by the passenger. For many years I have been flying between NYC and Paris at least monthly and learned ages ago to do it only on American Airlines for this reason (among others). Although I have older French friends with elevated status in the Flying Blue program who still go to the airport early in order to obtain a decent seat, I believe that Air France has begun to allow advance online seat choice.

"That aside, my real reaction to Barbara's comment is, 'Why would you ever fly BA?' In addition to no advance seating until now for a $120 fee, they have the rudest staff on planes and on the ground I have ever encountered, and Heathrow must be the worst airport in a developed country. I would hazard a guess that there are Central African airports where one has a better chance of retrieving luggage after a flight. At least if you fly Business Class on American Airlines or another carrier into Heathrow, you will have a buffer between you and the horrible BAA employees when your luggage is lost upon arrival. 747's upper deck seating is nice but not worth the BA abuse." [Allen L.]

Continental Missed Connection

"I had a trip from Vegas to PVD (Providence) connecting at EWR (Newark) on 10/29, CO356 to CO3286. Scheduled arrival time was 8:57 PM and the connecting flight's departure time was 9:30 PM. It was the last flight of the night to PVD.

"So you guessed it, the Vegas flight landed at about 9 and by the time it got to the gate it was 9:15. If the gates were next to each other that would be no problem, but they were 3 piers away (Vegas arrived at 132, Providence was departing at 81). There were three people on the connection for PVD from the Vegas flight, do you think Continental held the flight?

"Here is my big question, why does CO or anyone else for that matter schedule connections this close for the last flight of the day at an airport that is notorious for air traffic delays late in the day? Does it really make a difference if the connection goes out at 10 PM as opposed to 9:30?" [Bill M.]

Re: US Airways Reprises 100% Bonus on Purchased Miles

"You state [in last week's Crier] that 'the effective discount makes purchasing miles for a free domestic ticket (25,000 miles for $342.50) a decent deal, and purchasing enough for a business-class international ticket (80,000 miles for $1,030) a downright winner.'

"While in theory that may be true, have you ever tried redeeming US Airways miles for an award? In my experience, redeeming an award at the 'Saver' levels you refer to is next to impossible. Most often US Airways charges double those miles for an award. Before buying Dividend Miles based on the above assumption, I would make sure there is availability at those lower levels." [Jeffrey A.]

Until next week...