"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• The Top Five Frequent Flyer Deals for December 2009
  This month, we feature frequent traveler promotions from Southwest, Spirit, and US Airways, plus a host of hotel and holiday shopping offers.
• British Airways Ends Historic Credit Card Bonus
  If you blinked, you may have missed your chance to earn a cool 100,000 bonus miles for signing up for British Airways' card and charging $2,000 within three months.
• Choice Hotels Triples the Rewards
  The latest promotion offers triple points for multiple stays at any of the Choice hotel brands. And everyone who registers is entered to win a trip to Hawaii.
• Free Miles, Get Your Free Frequent Flyer Miles Here!
  Can you earn a zillion frequent flyer miles without spending a dime? A recent offer from the U.S. Mint proves that you can. Sorta. Sometimes.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

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

In the "Airline Programs" Forum, ronald has details and a link to a TACA promotion offering a 100% bonus on purchased miles through December 31. (TACA miles can be redeemed for award flights on United and Lufthansa, among others.)

Also in the "Airline Programs" Forum, fishingmaniac posts a link to the Wall Street Journal article on earning free miles for purchasing coins from the U.S. Mint, prompting the following from Flying Texan: "Personally this scheme is on par with posters who several years ago boasted of searching through movie theater trash at a certain chain to gather stickers off of used soft drink cups to get miles... beneath our dignity."

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

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Fight Breast Cancer, Earn American Miles

American AAdvantage members can help fight breast cancer and earn five miles for every dollar donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure through December 31.

(This is just one example of the many opportunities frequent flyer program members have to support charities with contributions of cash or miles. This is, after all, the season to give as well as to receive.)

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Earn More Points for Carlson Stays

Between January 1 and February 28, 2010, members of the goldpoints plus program can earn up to 50,000 bonus points for multiple stays at Carlson hotels (Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites, Park Inn).

Stay two times to earn 5,000 points; three times to earn 7,500 additional points; four times to earn 12,500 additional points; and five times to earn 25,000 additional points, for a total of 50,000 bonus points.

Registration is required.

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Southwest Doubles the Credit for Florida Flights

Between January 4 and March 9, 2010, Rapid Rewards members will earn double credits for Southwest flights to or from Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers/Naples, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and West Palm Beach.

Registration is required, and must be completed between December 10, 2009, and January 31, 2010.

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Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) $238 Kingston and Montego Bay Sale From Air Jamaica

Find some winter reprieve with a vacation to Montego Bay or Kingston. With starting prices of $238 round-trip, Air Jamaica is offering sale fares for travel from January through mid-May. Departures are valid from a handful of cities: Baltimore, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Book fares by Tuesday, January 5.

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2) $465 Europe Sale Fares on Lufthansa

Lufthansa puts numerous European hotspots on sale, including Paris, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, Oslo, and Stockholm. Round-trip fares begin at $465, and travel is available from 16 departure cities.

Book fares by December 17 for travel through late April.

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Win 1 Million SkyMiles and a 7-Night Cruise

Enter the "SkyMiles Cruises" sweepstakes by January 31, 2010, for a chance to win 1 million Delta miles and a seven-night cruise for two aboard Royal Caribbean's new Oasis of the Seas.

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[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.

Cashless Flights

"Although I'm not as much of a frequent flier as I once was, I must agree with Two30SLK [commenting last week on cashless flights].

"I only carry cash, I'm very frugal. I very much do not appreciate that I may have to pay for a glass of water, or maybe even a potty break in the future. I wonder if they have a slot for a quarter or a credit card?" [SMR]

"With regard to the reader who questioned the legality of 'cashless cabins,' here is a statement from the U.S. Treasury's website regarding the acceptance of cash:

The pertinent portion of law that applies to your question is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled 'Legal tender,' which states: 'United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.'

This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.

"In other words, put simply, an ordinary consumer purchase is not a debt as no credit has been extended. I know this sort of no-cash policy troubles many, especially older people who are uncomfortable with debit cards tied to their checking accounts. The loss of such a card when traveling could be a serious problem, especially if the loss is due to theft.

"What such people might want to consider is purchasing a VISA/Mastercard-branded gift card with a small amount of money loaded on it, for incidental purchases like this. Even if stolen, there's no way for a thief to access more than the amount of money on the card." [Kevin M. - Baton Rouge, LA]

Business as Usual

"On Delta/NWA's hold message... 'Business As Usual' (BAU) makes me laugh, sometimes until the customer disservice person shows up. If it is BAU, then why do Platinums no longer get 1,000 miles for sitting in coach on planes with first class? If it is BAU, then how come many routes where 'real size' planes used to be full every Monday and Friday now have CRJs, the worst airplane to attempt to fit adults into? If it is BAU, how come the prices for the same tickets have gone up 20 - 40% in the last couple months? I call BS on BAU, Delta/NWA.

"To Paul B., [commenting last week on the] lack of 25k seats for frequent flyer miles, try to find them on any airlines, especially BAU one above -- another thing destroyed by the merger -- there aren't any, anymore. What do they do, allow one seat per plane or something?

"And to Mary-Lynne F. [who commented on unruly children on planes], where were the fathers? Ask yourself an easier question, where are any parenting skills anymore? Over the 16+ years I have flown for work, I have watched parenting skills go the way of the meaning of customer service (extinct). Ever hear anyone say to their kids now, 'stop that right now, or we are out of here'? No, you hear, 'stop that' and the parents go back to ignoring their kids whining about the way airlines and TSA treats people today. I am happy to hear an airline kicked rowdy brats off a plane for a change...

"And finally, to all the greedy people on top of the airlines' boards who continue to draw huge salaries and bonuses while your employees, you know, those true people who actually run the airlines, get pay cuts and reduced hours, I wish to remind you of one word. Karma. Good luck with that someday.

"Happy Holidays everyone." [Kevin D. - Two Harbors, MN]

Aer Lingus?

"I'm considering flying Aer Lingus business class to Dublin in February.

"Are there any warnings or recommendations about doing so?" [Dirk H.]

[FrequentFlier.com replies - Sorry, Aer Lingus has mostly flown below our radar lately. Perhaps our readers can comment?]

Until next week...