Mileage Pro -- Free Standard Shipping

Last week, we arranged with the publisher to offer our readers a 15% discount on "Mileage Pro - The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs" -- the world's most comprehensive book on managing travel loyalty programs, co-authored by Tim Winship (publisher of this newsletter) and Randy Petersen.

This week, we're pleased to be able to offer you an even better deal.

Through Dec. 31, the book is available with free standard shipping within the U.S., which amounts to a more significant savings than the previous discount off the book's cover price.

To receive free shipping and handling, enter promotion code DGD5MY on the "Buy" page, and press the "Recalculate" key to apply the discount.

Visit the Mileage Pro website for more on the book, including rave reviews from the mainstream media.

This Week's Travel Industry Newsbites

SkyMiles members breathed a collective sigh of relief as Delta and its pilots stepped back from what could have escalated into a take-no-prisoners confrontation.

Delta has averted a pilots strike -- at least for the time being -- with a "tentative interim agreement" to cut wages 14% in the short term as management and the pilots union continue negotiations on a long-term pact.

Delta had asked the bankruptcy judge for permission to impose a 20% wage cut on the pilots if no agreement could be reached. The pilots responded by threatening to strike -- a potential death blow to an airline in Chapter 11.

The deal calls for a permanent contract to be in place by Mar. 1, 2006.

FrequentFlier Forum Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, helferdm is about to discover one of the dirty little secrets of award tickets: "I plan on award travel to meet a cruise ship in Chile and then returning home from the cruise's termination port in Argentina. It seems best (in order to use SkySaver versus SkyChoice awards) to book a one-way ticket to Chile, then a one-way ticket from Argentina. What is the mileage req't for a one-way ticket? The online reservation form charges the same for one way as it does for both ways. Is this a programming error?"

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, graffka is wrestling with a different award-travel challenge: "I fly approximately 150 times per year, mostly on American. With my wedding being in Costa Rica this coming March, I called American to check on using mileage on a 2 week Sunday (morning) to Sunday (afternoon) first class trip. I had some issues trying to secure a few coach seats for family members a couple months ago, but figured first would be no issue. But, of course, nope, none available, but they can do a Monday to Saturday (7am home) or Monday to Monday (9am home). So, as my completely inept agent is fumbling around the system - she asked me why I'd want to connect to Miami to go to San Jose, California after I said Costa Rica 3 times - I decided to check the seat availability on American's website. Well, the flight I want to Miami has 18 out of 22 seats available, the flight to San Jose, CR has 15 of 16, the flight home from San Jose to Miami has 16 of 16 available, and teh fligh to Ohare has 17 out of 22 available. Yet, as we all have come to expect, I cannot book these tickets. So, even though I am an extremely committed American frequent flier, I am still blacked out from these dates. I really do hate dealing with these people."

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

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Earn AAdvantage Miles at StubHub.com

AAdvantage members can now earn one mile per $1 spent on tickets to concerts, shows and sporting events at StubHub.com.

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Continental Bonus for MasterCard Charges

OnePass members who charge Continental tickets at continetal.com between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31 will receive 1,000 bonus miles per ticket, up to a maximum of 5,000 bonus miles for five tickets during the promotion period.

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Good News, Bad News for Delta Elites

The good: Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, elite members of Delta's SkyMiles program will be eligible for complimentary upgrades from the U.S. to the following destinations in Latin America: Belize City, Belize; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Liberia, Costa Rica; Panama City, Panama; San José, Costa Rica; San Salvador, El Salvador; Managua, Nicaragua; San Pedro Sula, Honduras; Roatan, Honduras; Bogota, Colombia; Caracas, Venezuela; Lima, Peru.

Complimentary upgrades will not be available on flights to and from South American cities that are serviced with Delta's BusinessElite product (i.e., Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil).

Complimentary upgrades are currently offered on Delta flights within or between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

The bad: Also effective for travel on or after Jan. 1, 2006, comp upgrades from B and M fares will clear five, three, or one day(s) in advance, based on Medallion level (Platinum, Gold, Silver) and availability. Upgrades from Y fares will continue to clear at the time tickets are purchased if seats are available.

Currently, elite members purchasing tickets in Y, B, or M receive complimentary upgrades immediately if seats are available.

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Hilton Launches Point Transfer, Point Registry

Hilton HHonors members may now transfer points to other HHonors members.

Transfers must be made in increments of 10,000 points. Cost: $25.00 per 10,000 points transferred, up to 200,000 points. After 200,000 points have been transferred in one calendar year, there's no additional cost for additional transfers.

Hilton has also established the HHonors Point Registry -- like a wedding registry, a mechanism whereby would-be points recipients can register to receive them from friends and family.

Update - Mileage Mall Promotions

In the run-up to Christmas, we'll continue updating the list of links to miles-for-shopping bonuses from the airline and hotel programs.

:: More (Alaska)
:: More (American)
:: More (Continental)
:: More (Delta)
:: More (Northwest)
:: More (United)
:: More (Marriott)
:: More (Priority Club)

Triple Points at Mid-Atlantic Starwoods

Through Jan. 31, 2006, Starwood Preferred Guest members will receive triple points for qualifying stays at participating Starwood hotels in the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia).

Bonus is for Sunday through Thursday stays only, and may not exceed a four-night stay. Reservations must be booked using Rate Plan MAQ4BUS.

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United Extends Bonus for Economy Plus Access

Previously scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, United has extended through Feb. 28, 2006, the 5,000-mile bonus for purchasing any of three available Economy Plus packages, as follows:

For an annual fee of $299, Mileage Plus members who purchase Economy Plus Access will be able to book coach seats for themselves and a traveling companion in the Economy Plus section, which features as much as five extra inches of legroom.

For $699 a year, program members receive Economy Plus Access and a 12-month membership in United's Red Carpet Club airport lounges.

And for $749, members get Economy Plus Access bundled with Premier Fast Track, which awards Premier elite status after 15,000 miles or 15 segments flown on United or Ted during the subscription period (versus the normal 25,000 miles or 30 segments).

For our assessment of Economy Plus Access, see the Aug. 3 newsletter.

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Fly United to CO to Receive Free Lift Tickets

Mileage Plus members who purchase a qualifying United, United Express or Ted ticket to Colorado will receive a complimentary lift ticket at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, or Keystone resorts.

Valid for flights purchased on united.com by Feb. 7, 2006, and used for travel between Jan. 3 and Feb. 10, 2006. Last date to redeem lift ticket coupon: Feb. 15, 2006.

Registration is required.

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Healthy Giving
Provided by Healthy Travel Network

Take a break from the usual array of holiday gifts and give the gift of health and fitness this year. Your friends and family will appreciate your creativity and care. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Instead of yet another video game for the kids, sign them up for a unique activity such as a fencing, rock climbing, wind surfing, or karate lesson. To the adults on your list give a personal training session at one of the many popular "one-on-one" personal training centers. Typical costs range from $40 to $80 per hour.

For the MP3 lovers on your gift list, look for fitness-oriented programs, such as a running/walking interval training routine or a travel workout. Costs range from $5 for a download to $20 for CD-based versions.

Giving someone a home gym doesn't have to break your bank account. Look for compact, home gym kits that use resistance bands and balls and other small, inexpensive equipment. Costs range from $10 to $100.

Help people launch their own 10,000 steps-a-day walking program with a training watch, pedometer, walking resistance system, or training diary.

Rather than sending store-bought, high-calorie, highly processed foods, stop by the organic section in your local grocery and pick up non-perishable goodies like no-sugar added dried fruits and mixed nuts, trans-fat free fancy cookies, and other gourmet items.

For more travel fitness tips, sign up for Healthy Travel Network's free monthly newsletter.

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) London Sale Fares on British Airways from $258

British Airways is offering London sale fares for members of its U.S. Executive Club frequent flyer program and registered users of its website. Prices start at $258 roundtrip, and departures are available from both coasts.

Departures at the lowest prices are valid from Jan. 15 through 31, 2006. British Airways has not listed a booking deadline, but its "exclusive offers" generally last about two weeks.

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2) U.S. and Canada Fares on American from $118

American's holiday sale starts at $118 roundtrip and features cities in the U.S. and Canada. The prices are the lowest available for the Chicago/Montreal, Dallas/Chicago, and St. Louis/Newark routes. However, we found lower prices for the other routes we checked.

Travel at the lowest prices is valid through Dec. 20, on Dec. 25, from Dec. 29, 2005, through Jan. 1, 2006, and Jan. 5 and 6. Travel on other dates may be available at higher prices. Travel to/from Canada is valid through Dec. 21, and Dec. 25. Book tickets at least seven days in advance. American has not listed a booking deadline. Fares may require a one- or three-night minimum stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

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Win a Trip for 4 to Orlando

Enter the "Vacation from the Ordinary" sweepstakes by Dec. 31 for a chance to win a vacation for four from Universal Orlando Resort, including theme park tickets, hotel accommodations, and airfare.

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

Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel

"The following offer was on my Delta SkyMiles statement:

American Express- Earn 2,500 miles when you load $750 or more onto an American Express Travelers Cheque Card. Purchase at www.americanexpress.com/deltatcc. Valid through 12/31/05.

"Upon further investigation, I learned the American Express Travelers Cheque Cards cost $14.95, and I can have up to four cards in my name (some exceptions may allow you to have more than four.) If I buy the first card before Dec 31, 2005 I will also receive a $25 American Express Gift Card by mail.

"So if I understand this correctly, I am essentially paying $14.95 to get 2,500 SkyMiles, and if I purchase the card before 12/31/05 I will also get a $25 American Express Gift Card. This appears to be a pretty good deal (even without the Gift Card) since buying 2,500 SkyMiles will cost you $98.91 on the Delta website. I might even be able to get 10,000 SkyMiles for $34.80 by purchasing 4 Travelers Cheque Cards before the end of the year (4 Cheque Cards X $14.95 - the one per person $25 Gift Card.) Delta charges $320.63 for 10,000 SkyMiles.

"Yes, in reality, you could be losing the 750 or more SkyMiles you would otherwise earn by simply using your SkyMiles credit card. However, I think the offer still looks good, all things considered." [Bob J. - Miami Beach, FL]

"As I waited to board a recent flight on United, the gate attendant announced initial boarding for first, business, and 'global services' customers. Several of us 1K mileage plus people were puzzled by this new elite status, especially since in the past the 1K travelers were boarded with the first class folks. I asked the MP people and they told me that global services represents less than 1% of their customers but are their highest revenue generators, hence the special treatment. Another reason to avoid United, I guess." [John C.]

Until next week...