Giving Thanks, Earning Miles

Being a celebration of friends, family and food, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. And spending it close to home makes it sweeter still.

Best holiday wishes to Crier subscribers. And if you're traveling by air... well, let's hope the frequent flyer miles are some compensation for the hassle of flying during the year's busiest travel week.

Highlights of this week's holiday newsletter:

• Two media queries (see below)! (The Crier regularly serves as a bridge between our subscribers and travel journalists writing for the mainstream media. Writers get insight and quotes for their articles; readers get a chance to weigh in on travel topics.)
• Link to the newly updated Sweepstakes page on FrequentFlier.com.
• Link to "'Tis The Season To Earn More, Give More Frequent Flyer Miles" -- a roundup of year-end opportunities to earn miles, reach elite status, and donate miles to charity.

Media Query #1

For an article on hotel rewards programs, I am interested to hear from readers who participate in hotel rewards programs, especially if you have recently switched from redeeming frequent flier miles for your hotel stays to redeeming points with the hotel's program. I'd also be interested in hearing about any "redeeming" experience you've had: how does it compare with redeeming frequent flier miles -- is it a hassle? Please email me by next Monday (November 28) at atodorova@smartmoney.com. Thank you!

Media Query #2

Have you ever done your holiday shopping using the malls or retailers that are partners in your airline or hotel loyalty programs? Do you find their holiday-related offers for bonus miles or points attractive? Will you take advantage of these offers or shop this way this year?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes and you are willing to discuss your experience with a reporter from a major newspaper, please submit your name, office and cell phone numbers and email address to this email address by Tuesday, November 27.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, franckparis12 has something to celebrate: "Last year I qualified as Platinum on American Airlines... I just qualified at the same Platinum level with Air France!!!! I have always found collecting miles fun. I discovered a lot with this very forum.... so I just wanted to say "THANKS" to all the regular contributors and 'KEEP GOING' to all the 'newbies' as some of them call them themselves... and ENJOY."

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, jh6000 shares a link to a review of e-miles.com, which rewards consumers for watching ads with frequent flyer miles. (More about e-miles in a future Crier.)

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

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Continued next week

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) American's Caribbean and Mexico Sale from $168

American is offering Mexico and Caribbean sale fares starting at $168 roundtrip. Destinations include Cancun, the Dominican Republic, and Anguilla. United is also offering a Caribbean and Mexico sale.

Departures are valid Mondays through Thursdays from January 10 through February 27, 2007, and travel must be completed by March 1, 2007. Book tickets at least seven days in advance, and by December 6. Fares require a two-night stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

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2) Tahiti Fares from $548

Fall and winter flights to Tahiti are on sale from Air Tahiti Nui. Los Angeles departures to Papeete, Tahiti, start at $658 roundtrip, and New York departures start at $768 roundtrip, not including taxes and fees.

Travel is valid on select flights in November and December. Book tickets by December 10.

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Win Roundtrip Tickets to Hawaii

Enter Hilo Hattie's "Trip To Hawaii!!" sweepstakes by December 31 for a chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii, including air and a $250 gift certificate good for Hilo Hattie Hawaiian apparel.

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[UPDATED THIS WEEK -- Visit http://frequentflier.com/sweeps.htm for more travel sweepstakes.]

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"Delta has now changed their expiration policy for miles to two years instead of three...." [Jennifer B.]

[FrequentFlier replies - Delta is one of a number of carriers which have made changes to their mileage-expiration policies. See this article for a roundup.]

"Some comments that would have added to your story on Delta.

"1st - Delta has a huge relationship with American Express which I believe is directly linked to Air France KLM Holdings relationship with Amex. In fact I believe that without the AF/KLM connection Amex would have never extended the credit they have done so far to Delta.

"2nd - It is widely believe in European circles that AF/KLM wants to see Delta and Northwest merged together. They have the power and connections to surely give Parker a headache.

"Don't forget that the star alliance was United/Lufthansa. Parker should not lose sight of that history as well.

"Parker also needs to understand that he is now living in a Global marketplace and that also includes banking. While his launched a hostile bid for Delta, he should be worried that someone from Europe might do the same to him." [Tom S.]

"I want to know how to travel first class overseas paying economy fare." [Peter K.]

[FrequentFlier replies - If there were an easy way to fly first class for coach prices, we'd all be doing it! How about using miles to upgrade from coach to first?]

"It is a travesty the way UA advertises, getting miles here and there, and then when you want to travel you cannot get seats. You have to book over a year in advance.

"It looks to me like fraud. Trying to contact United is next to impossible. You get someone in India or Sri Lanka." [Ketil R. - Palm Springs, CA]

Until next week...