FrequentFlier.com Sweepstakes Return for 2012

Our first sweepstakes of 2012 features a Tumi T-Tech Rolling Carry-On, donated by the Delta Sky Store: "Made from tough ballistic nylon with rich leather trim, Data travel and business cases are conservative and sophisticated in their styling, and offer functional interiors with smart detailing. This compact case offers an expandable (1.5") main compartment and is ideal for international travel. Features include a zip compartment with suiter and numerous accessory pockets." This is a Sky Store "Top Seller" at $345.

The drawing is open to anyone who subscribes to the FrequentFlier Crier newsletter. To enter, simply send us a blank email by Friday, February 17. We'll pick a winner and notify him or her by Wednesday, February 22. One entry per person, please.

"Up Front" Blog Entries

Following are some of Tim's recent blog posts:

• Are Taxable Frequent Flyer Miles in Your Future?
  The IRS wants you to pay taxes on miles earned for opening a savings or checking account. What's next: a tax on miles earned for signing up for credit cards?
• When Should Hotels Announce Upcoming Promotions?
  Hotels wrote the book on "Location, location, location." But when it comes to "Timing is everything," they just don't get it. We take them to school on communications timing.
• Starwood Will Upgrade Elite Benefits
  In what the company claims will result in "the richest elite program in the industry," Starwood has added a slew of new benefits for elite members of its Preferred Guest program.
• Hyatt's Winter Promotion Targets Road Warriors
  Between February 1 and April 30, Gold Passport members can earn up to 44,000 bonus points for stays at Hyatt hotels. The more you stay, the better it gets.
• Q&A: What's an American AAdvantage Member to Do?
  Our reader wonders whether to maintain her loyalty to American, given the bankrupt carrier's uncertain prospects. Tim Winship provides perspective, and some suggestions.
• Winter 2012 Hotel Promotions, Compared
  Our head-to-head comparison of all the winter hotel promotions worth considering. Which are the most, and least, generous?
• The Best Current Frequent Flyer Deals & Offers
  Check out our collection of the best frequent flyer bonuses and discounts on offer from the airlines, hotels, rental car companies, and credit card issuers.

More blog posts are here.

The FrequentFlier Forum - Hot Topics

As always, there's plenty of activity on the FrequentFlier Forum, where fellow travelers discuss airlines, hotels, credit cards, and frequent flyer miles.

In the "Credit Card Programs" forum, Gary Steiger alerts us to a new Southwest credit card offer:

Southwest Airlines now has a 50,000 point credit card offer on its home page. You can use the same link to get the business card. You should be able to get both the personal and the business card. The 100K is almost enough for the required 110K needed to get the very valuable companion pass, good through 2013 for a free companion ticket any time you fly Southwest.

Questions, answers, tips, observations? Join the conversation!

:: More >>

Deal Alert from SmarterTravel.com

1) New Sales from Southwest, Virgin America, Alaska, More

Southwest, AirTran, Alaska, and Virgin America have all launched new airfare promotions this week, putting thousands of routes and hundreds of domestic and Caribbean destinations on sale for winter, spring, and even early summer travel. Offers from JetBlue, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Direct Air all remain valid for a few more days, as well.

Southwest, for example, has discounted over 2,000 routes to more than 70 U.S. destinations. Travel availability is for Tuesdays and Wednesdays from February 21 through June 6. Bookings must be made at least 10 days before departure and by February 16 -- a much lengthier promotion than Southwest's typical three-day sales. Sale fares start at $130 round-trip.

:: More >>

2) China and Japan Airfare Sales

China and Japan flights are on sale with American and Delta. Featured destinations include Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

American's Far East sale features Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo from $838 round-trip, inclusive of taxes and fees. Travel must commence by March 31 and be completed by April 29. Bookings are available through February 29. Delta's discounted flights to several Asian cities start at $866. Bookings are valid through February 13 for travel through this spring and summer.

:: More >>

Win a Spirit Quest Tour of Egypt

Enter Spirit Quest Tours' "Red Goddess Rising" sweepstakes by April 30 for a chance to win the grand prize: a spot on the Spirit Quest Egypt tour, including air between New York and Cairo, domestic air, hotels within Egypt, Nile cruise, tours, some meals. The prize is based on double-occupancy, with a single supplement available for $990 if the winner doesn't want to share a room.

:: More >>

[Wanna get away? Check out our review of the best current 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 via email.

United's Downgraded Million Miler Program (continued from last week)

"Last issue one of the frequent fliers urged us to write to United's President because he was told no one had voiced any concern over the terrible program changes in the Million Miler Program, so I wrote. Here is the response I received:

Good Morning,

Your letter was forwarded to me for review and response by Mr. Foland.

Thank you for the time you took to let us know your feedback on the new program and that specifically, that you do not perceive the 50,000 mile status level in 2012, Premier Gold, to be the equivalent to the 50,000 mile status level, Premier Executive, you earned by reaching 1,000,000 lifetime flight miles on United on May 9, 2010.

I can certainly appreciate that with the move to a four-level Premier program in 2012, from the current three-level MileagePlus elite program, that the Premier Executive status you enjoy today and the Premier Gold status you will enjoy going forward may not seem equal in all aspects. However, as these levels are both 50,000 EQM earned tiers, and the benefits largely comparable, we are confident that the 2012 Million Miler program's alignment of lifetime Premier benefits does fairly honor past activity and reward members for extraordinary long-term commitment to United and Continental.

I also understand the removal of the two annual Regional Premier Upgrades is disappointing, however when the current MileagePlus Million Miles and Beyond program was announced in 2007, members only had two choices to upgrade domestically-either 500-mile certificates, or Regional Upgrades, which were at the time available only to 1K members. Since then, we have implemented Unlimited Domestic Upgrades (continuing as Complimentary Premier Upgrades in 2012), which also apply to a companion traveling on the same reservation as a Premier member on any eligible flight you take. You are also now able to earn unlimited Regional Premier Upgrades, two for every 25,000 EQM starting at 75,000 EQM, which provide additional new opportunities that were not available as recently as 2010. We are therefore confident that your upgrade opportunities have increased.

We certainly appreciate the loyalty you have demonstrated to United and look forward to having you onboard for years to come.

"So, United continues to LIE LIE LIE to everyone when they say they care, when they say write, when they say that Smisek reads EVERY email... ALL BS. I'm hoping American pulls the 'match trick' United is using on them to pull people to American once they emerge from bankruptcy. People who bought and paid for a million miles and were promised lifetime Premier Executive should now be Premier Platinum, not Premier Gold. United is also getting rid of all the more comfortable planes and replacing them with long haul 737's. Look at Tokyo to Singapore... now a 737!!! This airline disgusts me and every day they get worse and worse. When they hemorrhage enough of the super loyal they'll understand what they have done..." [Bret T.]

"I would tell this person (Anna K., who complained about United's new million miler program) that if she fails to even spell his name (United's Jeff Smisek) correctly after supposedly flying each week..., she should suck it up and accept.

"I am completely content with the changes and think that they applied the combination of CO and UA as well as possible given the difference in structures. I am a little unsure why they gave the Infinite Platinum members, that qualified in the 90s, 1K status for life (rather than Platinum), but overall, I think that UA/CO did a great job with the whole conversion." [Bret A.]

Until next week...