Frequent Flyer Program News
AAdvantage, OnePass and SkyMiles programs will continue earning five miles for every $1 spent on AT&T residential local and long-distance service ONLY for months during which their bills exceed $50 beginning September 24 2004. The policy change is outlined at http://loyalty.att.com/aadv/assistance/mileage?soac=56003
AIR CANADA AEROPLAN
U.S. based Aeroplan members will receive 15,000 bonus miles for roundtrip Toronto-Delhi flights on Air Canada in Executive First (J or C booking class) and full-fare coach (Y booking class only) through December 15 2004. In addition to the bonus, Aeroplan members who purchase Executive First tickets (J booking class only) to or from Delhi via Toronto will automatically earn elite status through November 15 2004. Details are at https://www.aeroplan.com/en/offers/promotion_jul122004.jsp
AIR NEW ZEALAND
Air New Zealand will launch a new frequent-flier program called Airpoints Dollars from Nov. 16 2004. The program converts points to dollars and promises seats on every flight and in every fare category. MD and CEO Ralph Norris said, “Over the past year we have spent a lot of time talking to Airpoints members to better understand how we can improve the program. Members were clear that they wanted us to make it easier for them to claim reward flights on ANZ. One of the great benefits of moving to Airpoints Dollars is that even the lowest special fares, as well as children’s fares, are available in Airpoints Dollars.” On Nov. 16, all members’ existing Airpoints balances will be converted to Airpoints Dollars with 84 Airpoints equating to one Airpoints Dollar. The airline claimed that passengers redeeming their points will be better off with the new scheme as they will be able to use Airpoint Dollars to purchase any “sale” fare. Norris said the program is designed to reward frequent fliers more fairly.
AIR TRANS A-PLUS REWARDS
AirTran’s A-Plus Rewards program will earn a 50 percent bonus through May 31, 2005 when using an American Express card to purchase a full-fare coach ticket (Y, B or M fares), and a 67 percent bonus when purchasing a biz-class ticket. Visit http://www.airtran.com/programs/aplus/amex.jsp
Members of AirTran’s A-Plus Rewards program who book online at airtran.com and fly twice, one-way or roundtrip, between Boston and Philadelphia by November 15 will earn one free ticket, one-way or roundtrip respectively, on the same route. The free ticket will be in the same class of service as the qualifying tickets. To earn the free ticket, bookings for the qualifying flights must include the member’s A- Plus membership number. Visit http://www.airtran.com/programs/aplus/specialoffers.jsp
Elite members get two new perks: guaranteed full-fare coach seat availability and the ability to transfer credits to other A+ Rewards members. More information is at http://www.airtran.com/programs/aplus/index.jsp
ALAMO
Alamo is currently offering bonus mile deals with America West, American, and Southwest. You can earn up to double miles plus additional perks, such as discounted rates and free ski racks, with these special offers.
Alamo and National car rental brands owner Vanguard Car Rental USA has announced that it has enhanced National Car Rental’s Emerald Club Program. While maintaining its standard fast rental procedures, the new club will offer renters a paperless transaction that lets them bypass the counter and choose their own car on the lot. Members will also be able to earn free rental days and, for higher-level members, guaranteed car upgrades. A new Web site, www.emeraldclub.com, has been created to help track and redeem rental credits and update member profiles.
ALASKA MILEAGE PLAN
Alaska Mileage Plan members may now book coach Saver awards for travel between September 7 and December 8 on Alaska or Horizon Air between Portland, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Medford, North Bend/Coos Bay, Pendleton, Redmond, or Eureka and Burbank, Los Angeles, Ontario, or Orange County for 13,000 miles&emdash;a 7,000-mile discount off the normal 20,000-mile price. There’s a 1,000-mile bonus for online bookings, bringing the net award price down to 12,000 miles. Award bookings must be made online at alakskair.com to qualify for the discount. See http://alaskaair.com/shopping/OnlineAwards/AwardPromo.asp?promo=ASYOS
Alaska Airlines is offering award discounts for travel this spring between the Bay Area and select Pacific Northwest cities. You can redeem an award ticket for only 13,000 Mileage Plan miles, a savings of 7,000 miles.
New Partners for 2004:
Cathay Pacific: Mileage Plan members can now redeem Alaska miles for award travel on Cathay Pacific, as well as earn Alaska miles on Cathay Pacific flights.
TrueCredit.com: Earn 350 miles when you manage and monitor your credit profile online.
AMERICA WEST
Members of America West’s FlightFund program may now earn miles for banking services at online-only NetBank, including online checking, money-market accounts, direct deposit and online bill payment. Members earn 2,500 miles for opening and funding a NetValue or SuperValue checking account, 2,500 miles for opening and funding a money-market account, 1,500 miles for initiating direct deposit with NetBank, and 500 miles for enrolling in and using NetBank’s online bill payment service.
America West FlightFund members will earn double miles when flying Virgin Atlantic systemwide on eligible fares Through November 30 2004. See http://americawest.com/flightfund/promotions/ff_airlinepartner.htm
America West Airlines announced on June 2 2004 that members of FlightFund, the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program, who fly two roundtrip nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Boston, New York/JFK or Washington, D.C./Dulles can earn a companion pass to one of nine nonstop destinations originating from Los Angeles (LAX). The companion pass may be used to take a friend to any of the following America West destinations: Boston; Edmonton, Alberta; Las Vegas; Mazatlan, Mexico; New York/JFK; Phoenix; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Washington, D.C. To qualify, the two roundtrip flights from Los Angeles must be completed by Nov. 15, 2004. The companion pass to any of the nine destinations from Los Angeles is good for travel from May 24, 2004 through Feb. 16, 2005. Blackout dates apply from Dec. 16, 2004 through Jan. 5, 2005. Customers must pre- register at www.FlightFund.com/lax for this promotion before booking travel. Tickets for Los Angeles to Boston, New York (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (IAD) can be purchased online at www.americawest.com or by calling 1-800-2-FLY-AWA. After the two qualifying roundtrip flights are complete, members will receive an e-mail containing a special “e- Certificate” and instructions on how to redeem their companion pass. Tickets from Los Angeles utilizing the companion pass to the nine specified destinations must be purchased online.
America West has announced changes to mileage requirements for award tickets, as well as elite bonuses and other perks. While the airline touts its cheap awards, many people will find that award seats just got more expensive.
America West FlightFund members can now reserve award tickets online for flights within the continental U.S. Effective January 1, 2004, America West FlightFund elite members will receive fewer elite bonus miles. Under the new scheme, members receive 100% / 50% / 25% mileage bonuses for Platinum/Gold/Silver elites, respectively, versus the previous 125% / 100% / 50% bonus rate. Plus, Platinum Reduced Top Value Award redemptions will be discontinued. Details are at http://americawest.com/flightfund/aboutprogram/ff_ffelitechanges.htm.
New Partners for 2004:
Capital One Auto Finance: Earn 5,000 miles when you fund a vehicle loan through Capital One Auto Finance.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
American Airlines announced a special opportunity to make travel planning easier for customers. With the American Airlines Credit Card program, you can fly now and pay later thanks to the card’s “90 days same-as-cash” offer. And with a low purchase threshold of just $199 to qualify for the same-as-cash offer, that next special getaway will be easier than ever to take. There’s never been a better time to enroll in this unique program. The American Airlines Credit Card is a no annual fee, private label credit card that can be used to purchase AmericanAirlines tickets, AmericanAirlines Vacations packages, Admirals Club memberships, and American Airlines Incentive TrAAvel flight certificates and gift certificates. And the card provides access to ATMs worldwide for emergency cash, too. Even trips on oneworld Alliance partners and other airlines can be purchased with the American Airlines Credit Card if one segment of travel is on American. Sep 29, 2004
AAdvantage members who have their Citibank AAdvantage credit cards enrolled in the Rewards Network (previously iDine) Dining and Hotel programs will earn between August 1 and November 15 2004:
a) 250 bonus miles for dining twice at participating restaurants; b) double miles for hotel stays at Bonus hotels booked through the AAdvantage Hotel program and completed during the promo period; and c) 750 bonus miles for dining at a participating restaurant and booking and completing a hotel stay. Register at http://aa.rewardsnetwork.com/site/bonus.jhtml
American has extended its buyAAmiles, giftAAmiles and shareAAmiles programs, originally scheduled to end July 31 2004 through January 31, 2005. The programs enable AAdvantage members to purchase, give away or share their miles. More information is at http://www.buyaamiles.points.com
AAdvantage members may redeem 15,000 miles for short-haul (less than 750 nonstop miles each way) roundtrip coach-class MileSAAver award trips – a 10,000-mile discount from the 25,000 miles normally required between September 1, 2004 and February 28, 2005. Short-haul first or business- class roundtrip saver awards are discounted as well, to 30,000 miles, down from 45,000 miles regularly. Discounted short-haul awards must be booked online at http://www.aa.com
Lower rates apply to flights operated by American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection carriers in the continental United States and Canada. Details are at http://www.aa.com/shorthauls
AAdvantage members will earn double miles for travel on American Eagle’s new nonstops between Dallas and Torreon, Mexico from August 1 through October 31 2004. Register at http://www.aa.com/offers or by calling 1- 800-882-8880, promotion code TRC2X
AAdvantage members who fly roundtrip or one-way on a qualifying first or business-class ticket through September 30 2004 on Cathay Pacific’s new nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Hong Kong will earn triple base miles. Cathay is also offering double miles for first/business- class travel on its existing direct service from New York to Hong Kong via Vancouver, or from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Hong Kong. Registration is required, either online at www.aa.com/offers or by calling 1-800-882-8880. Promotion Code: CXCEL. Details are at http://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewAAdvantageAirlineSpecials.jhtml
American Airlines and Cinemark announced on June 1 2004 the launch of a unique summer promotion that offers Cinemark moviegoers AAdvantage miles with the purchase of Coca-Cola fountain beverages. The promotion offers Cinemark patrons 300 AAdvantage miles with the purchase of three large Coca-Cola fountain drinks at any of Cinemark’s 188 U.S. theaters in 33 states. After earning 300 miles customers are automatically entered for a chance to win one of five 50,000 AAdvantage mile awards. Each subsequent purchase of a large Coca-Cola fountain drink also earns an additional 100 AAdvantage miles.
American has increased the rate at which selected fares will generate points which count toward AAdvantage elite status.
Point accrual rates for the highest- and lowest-priced fares remain the same. But those purchasing tickets in the two higher coach tiers earn an extra .5 points per mile. And the bonus for business-class tickets was increased .25 points per mile.
Fare Purchased Points Per Mile 2004 2003
First Class 1.50 1.50
Business Class 1.50 1.25
Full-fare Coach (Y, B fares) 1.50 1.00
Discount Coach (H, K, M, Q,
except AA transatlantic fares
booked in Q, W, V) 1.00 0.50
Deep Discount Coach
(G, L, N, S fares) 0.50 0.50
The new rates will apply retroactively to 2003 travel for 2004 elite status. See http://www.aa.com/content/urls/elitepoints.jhtml for more.
New Partners for 2004:
Gift Sense: Earn 10 miles per dollar spent. Be sure to provide code 8933 in order to earn miles.
Samsonite: Earn 500 miles when you spend $100 or more on Samsonite and American Tourister Luggage. To receive miles, you must mention promotion code 7239.
wine.com: Earn three miles per dollar spent at wine.com. In addition, you’ll also earn 500 miles for signing up for a monthly wine club and 1,000 miles for a 12-month club.
ATA’s Travel Awards
ATA’s Travel Awards program now features an elite tier for members earning 15,000 points in a 12-month period. The elite benefits package includes dedicated check-in lines, priority security clearance (where available), priority boarding, special front-of-the-plane seating. ATA’s Web site is at http://www.ata.com
ATA’s Travel Awards is one of the lesser-known programs in the frequent flier world, but with a new promotion that will let you earn a free ticket to Hawaii after just five round-trips, you might want to start paying attention. If you prefer to book online and fly often to ATA’s destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, you should consider this frequent flier program as an additional way to earn free travel. ATA’s program is based on the number of flights you take, rather than miles flown. Each one-way trip earns 500 points; therefore, a round-trip flight is equivalent to 1,000 points. To earn points, you must register for an ATA Travel Awards account and book your tickets online. This program is not for technophobes, as flights booked through ATA’s customer service number or ATA Vacations do not earn you any credit.
BETS WESTERN GOLD CROWN CLUB
Members of Best Western’s Gold Crown Club International will earn double points or airline miles for qualifying stays at Best Western properties between September 1 and November 30 2004. Pre-registration is required at http://www.goldcrownclub.com/offers/doubleup_dbl04.asp
Members of Best Western’s Gold Crown Club International (GCCI) program can earn up to 400 bonus points for qualified stays charged to a Diners Club card between July 15 and September 30 2004. GCCI members earn 100 bonus points after the first stay, another 100 points after the second stay, and an additional 200 points after the third stay. To participate, members must have a North America mailing address and register for the offer prior to their first stay at http://www.goldcrownclub.com or by calling 1-800-237-8483, promotion code DC400.
BUDGET
Budget TripRewards. The newest loyalty program on the scene, TripRewards, will allow budget travelers to earn hotel points or airline miles for stays at Cendant owned hotels. TripRewards has become the world’s largest loyalty program based on the large number of participating hotels. You can earn TripRewards points at 6,000 Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Travelodge, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Villager, Wingate Inn, and AmeriHost Inn hotels. Although the program features fewer ways to earn miles than hotel points, travelers should pay close attention to mileage-earning options in order to maximize their miles. For more information or to enroll, see http://triprewards.com
CHINA SOUTHERN
China Southern Airlines announced on June 23 2004 that its Sky Pearl Club frequent flyer program is partnering with Best Western International. The announcement was made at the official signing ceremony here in Guangzhou. The Sky Pearl Club is the largest frequent flyer program in China, with more than 2 million members. Approximately 700 people join the Sky Pearl Club every day. Best Western’s guest loyalty program, Gold Crown Club International, has approximately 4 million members worldwide and offers one of the most generous reward structures in the lodging industry.
China Southern Airlines has added the new Shangri-La Hotel in Zhongshan to its Sky Pearl Club frequent flyer program. Sky Pearl Club members earn miles and special room rates throughout China and Asia under the program. This is the second Shangri-La in the Guangdong Province to join the program. It is the first international deluxe hotel in the city, located 15 minutes from the Zhongshan Ferry Port, which provides access to Hong Kong. Rack rates start at $118 for a superior room on weekdays and $130 on weekends.
CHOICE HOTELS
Choice Hotels’ Choice Privileges program will earn a 5,000-point bonus for every two qualifying stays at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, or MainStay Suites hotels in the United States between September 1 and December 31 2004. During the same period, stays at Choice’s lowest-priced brands, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn, will earn double America West FlightFund miles (300 instead of 150) and triple Southwest Rapid Rewards credits (1.5 rather than .5). See details at http://choicehotels.com
CONTINENTAL ONEPASS
Continental is making a few changes to its OnePass frequent flyer program, including a dedicated priority desk to help Elite members. On Oct. 1 2004, it will have the staff on hand seven days a week to process requests by those members. The airline also is making it easier for all members to book reward travel online. Users can search for standard rewards on a calendar that will show seat availability over a two-month period based on the date of the preferred flight. But, due to the decline in international fares, Continental will be raising the cost to upgrade to BusinessFirst on discounted economy tickets, effective Jan. 1 2005. One-way upgrade fees for tickets booked in B or O class will cost $350, up from $300. Those in V or U class will have upgrade fees of $400 instead of $300, and tickets in Q, I, S, W, T, X or L class will cost $450, up from $400. The upgrade fee for K class stays at $200. Sep 14, 2004
Continental OnePass members may now earn miles when renting cars from Budget 50 OnePass miles per day on all qualifying Budget rentals at participating locations worldwide. There’s more online, at http://www.budget.com/continental
Continental OnePass members who order from the SkyMall catalog using the SkyMall/OnePass Onboard Order Form while flying on Continental Airlines will earn 15 miles per $1 spent.
OnePass members who buy a full-fare coach ticket on Continental or Continental Micronesia will be compensated with 2,500 bonus miles if they find themselves stuck in a middle seat. Details are at http://continental.com/onepass/news/continental/co_20040312_01.asp
Effective March 1, Continental OnePass members will earn 150 percent of elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) and two elite-qualification points (EQPs) when flying on H-class fares. The change elevates H fares to the same status as Y fares. The new policy is described at http://continental.com/onepass/news/continental/co_20040303_01.asp
Continental has announced new domestic and international routes, and if you’re one of the first to fly, you can earn double or up to 4,000 OnePass miles in addition to your flight miles. Just remember to register for each promotion prior to travel to be eligible for flight miles.
The new routes are to and from Continental’s hubs in Cleveland, Houston, and Newark. Travelers from other cities can still earn bonuses by connecting through a hub, though the double miles will only apply to the leg of the journey encompassing one of the new routes.
Members of the Continental OnePass program can now redeem miles earned for award travel, upgrades, and non-travel awards. To redeem miles, go to Continental’s website.
New Partners for 2004:
1-800-CONTACTS: Earn five miles per dollar spent at 1-800-CONTACTS.
AeroMexico: AeroMexico and Continental have signed an alliance agreement for flights between the U.S. and Mexico, to begin in the first quarter of this year. Members of the airlines’ frequent flier programs will be able to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights.
Azteca: Azteca will end its participation in the OnePass program on March 1. OnePass members can earn miles and request award travel on Azteca through February 29, and all award travel must be completed by February 28, 2005.
Copa: Continental and Copa have expanded their alliance by increasing the number of code share flights from 27 to 127 U.S. destinations. Members of the airlines’ frequent flier programs can earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights.
TripRewards: Earn two miles for every dollar spent at any participating AmeriHost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Villager, or Wingate Inn.
DELTA SKYMILES
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members now can donate miles to assist families of hospitalized military personnel with their travel needs via a new SkyWish partnership with Fisher House Foundation.
SkyMiles members may now earn miles for qualifying transactions with online brokerage ShareBuilder. Non-elite SkyMiles members will earn 2,000 bonus miles, and Medallion members 3,500, when opening and funding a new individual, joint, custodial, Education Savings Account or IRA. Thereafter, members earn 500 miles for each quarter they remain subscribed to either the Standard or Advantage Investing Program. Details are at http://www.sharebuilder.com/skymiles
SkyMiles members will earn double miles on nonstop Delta Connection/Comair flights between Cincinnati (CVG) and Sioux Falls (FSD) between July 29 and September 30 2004. Registration is required, at http://delta.com/deltaoffers
Delta Air Lines is offering its SkyMiles Medallion members more choice and customization through a new and expanded slate of Medallion threshold benefits for 2005. Members earning 40,000, 75,000 or 125,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) by the end of the 2004 calendar year will be able to select from a varying menu of benefits that may include: Up to 45,000 bonus miles Silver or Gold Medallion status for a friend or family member and bonus miles for themselves, Crown Room Club day passes Discounted SkyChoice awards, Up to a 150 percent mileage bonus for qualifying flight activity in the first quarter of 2005. For example, members with 2004 year-end balances of 75,000 to 124,999 MQM will be able to choose one of the following benefits: 25,000 bonus miles; Silver Medallion status for a friend or family member and 5,000 bonus miles for themselves; one Economy Class SkyChoice award valid for travel within or between the continental United States, Alaska and Canada for the reduced amount of 25,000 miles; or, a 100 percent mileage bonus for qualifying flight activity in the first quarter of 2005.
SkyMiles members may now redeem their miles online for subscriptions to selected magazines and newspapers, including Time, The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, etc. Subscriptions begin at 400 miles and can rise as high as 7,200 miles for the daily Hollywood Reporter. To promote the program, members will receive a one-time bonus of 100 miles for their first subscription order placed on or before June 15 2004. See https://delta.mpmvp.com/magazine/default.asp for more.
Delta and Avianca have linked mileage programs, allowing members of SkyMiles to earn and redeem miles for Avianca flights, and Avianca’s Privilegios members to do the same on Delta flights.
Delta SkyMiles members may now reserve award seats online for travel with Delta and all of its airline partners. To book an award ticket, go to Delta’s website and click on “Award Ticket.” Then enter your SkyMiles number and PIN and click “Go.”
Beginning January 1, 2004, Delta began offering SkyMiles Medallion members unlimited, complimentary upgrades, subject to availability, when purchasing most published fares on most Delta flights within or between the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) and Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Upgrade requests are processed automatically, depending on the member’s elite status and the type of fare purchased. Medallion members will also be able to upgrade a travel companion. Also beginning in 2004, the formula used to calculate MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) will be based on a 750-mile minimum or actual miles flown, whichever is greater, rather than the previous 500-mile minimum. The changes are itemized at http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about/medallion_updates/index.jsp
Delta has renewed its partnership with Nextel, allowing SkyMiles members to earn 7,000 bonus miles when they subscribe to Nextel service. To subscribe to Nextel service and begin earning miles, visit http://www.nextel.com/delta7k or call 1-877-607-9002 or visit the closest Nextel retail store.
New Partners for 2004:
SkyMilesShopping.com: Earn up to 10 miles per dollar spent at over 100 online retailers. You must register prior to shopping. In order to earn miles. Earn up to 10 miles per dollar with online retailers such as Circuit City, Eddie Bauer, Gap, L.L. Bean, The Sharper Image, and Target. The average earnings are four miles per dollar. To be eligible to earn miles, you must register your SkyMiles account number at SkyMilesShopping.com before you begin to brows.
DINERS CLUB REWARDS
Diners Club Rewards members can save 20 percent when redeeming Club Rewards points for first-class tickets on America West Through September 30 2004. During the promotion, members may redeem 48,000 Club Rewards points (normally 60,000 points) for an America West short-haul first- class ticket, or 80,000 points (regularly 100,000) for a long-haul first-class ticket. Travel must be completed by December 31 2004. Promotion codes are “0976” for long-haul flights (750 or more miles each way) and “0977” for short-haul flights. Visit or details: http://www.clubrewards.dinersclubus.com
DOLLAR
Dollar Rent A Car is a teaming up with another rewards program, offering its customers opportunities to earn points to redeem for merchandise. This time, the car rental firm has partnered with Hudson’s Bay Company (Canada’s largest department store retailer) and its Hbc Rewards Program, which allows members to earn points for gift cards and merchandise redemption. Both U.S. and Canadian customers who are in the program can earn 10,000 Hbc points with every Dollar rental. Similarly, Dollar is giving customers triple points for rentals now through July 31 2004.
ECONO LODGE
Whether you’re interested in free flights or free nights, you can speed up your quest with stays at the Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn through the spring. The hotels are offering double miles or double EA$Y CHOICE stamps for stays. You can earn double EA$Y CHOICE stamps, double Southwest credits, or double miles on America West, American, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways. You can earn 300 miles per stay (normally 150 miles), one Southwest credit per stay (normally 0.5 credits), or two EA$Y CHOICE stamps per night (normally one stamp; you can earn up to 10 stamps per stay).
FIESTA HOTELS
Fiesta hotels in Mexico (Fiesta Americana Grand, Fiesta Americana, Fiesta Inn) are offering bonus miles and other perks for qualifying stays through December 31 2004. Fiesta is awarding 1,000 miles per night in the following programs: AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Club Premier/Aeromexico, Mileage Plan, Frecuenta/Mexicana and OnePass. Plus, guests receive complimentary Gold Membership in the Fiesta Rewards Program, and a free-night certificate for a subsequent trip. Request the Fiesta Rewards Promotion when booking and again at check-in, citing promotional code PROMOFR004
FRONTIER
Frontier Airlines has declared June 22 2004 as “Frequent Flyer Day”, to honor all of its most loyal customers. As part of a ceremony held today at Frontier’s Denver (DEN) hub, the airline honored its Top Five frequent flyers, who together have flown over one million miles on Frontier. In addition, the airline celebrated signing its one millionth EarlyReturns member recently. To honor its top five members, Frontier provided each with a free trip for two to Ixtapa, Mexico, including accommodations at the all-inclusive Intercontinental Hotel’s Presidente Ixtapa Resort http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/zihha?irs=null, located on the beautiful beach of Playa del Palmar.
Frontier is offering a 1,500-mile enrollment bonus for new EarlyReturns members. Sign up at http://frontierairlines.com/myFrontier/ff_registration.asp
Members of Frontier’s EarlyReturns program will earn double miles from April 11 through June 30 when flying to/from Los Angeles or Washington, DC. Details are here: http://frontierairlines.com/travel/early_returns.asp
Frontier EarlyReturns members may redeem fewer miles for Frontier award tickets to Mexico through February 2004. During the promotion, restricted Mexico awards are offered for 15,000 miles (vs. 25,000 normally), and unrestricted awards are reduced from 45,000 to 25,000 miles. For details, visit http://www.frontierairlines.com/specials/ff_promotions.asp.
Frontier EarlyReturns New Partners for 2004:
Dollar: Earn 50 miles per day, when you book directly through Dollar. Check with a car rental agent when making reservations and at pickup to make sure Frontier will credit your miles.
HomeLoanCenter.com: Earn 1,400 miles for every $10,000 borrowed for every purchase or refinance transaction, or 7,500 miles with a new home equity line of credit.
SuperShuttle and ExecuCar: Earn 50 miles per direction when using SuperShuttle “Blue Van” airport transportation. Earn 150 miles per direction when using ExecuCar, SuperShuttle’s private sedan service. You must make reservations online to earn miles.
GLOBAL PASS & PRIORITY CLUB
GlobalPass, a mileage-based consumer-frequency program with an interactive online tool, announced that Priority Club Rewards members would earn 20 percent bonus for points transferred to GlobalPass. From Aug. 1 through Nov. 1 2004, GlobalPass will award a 20 percent bonus on transfers for Priority Club Rewards points converted to GlobalMiles. For example, the minimum transfer of 10,000 points required will now result in 3,000 GlobalMiles vs. the 2,500 awarded under the standard program. To earn the bonus miles, customers must be members of Priority Club Rewards and GlobalPass. For more information about the promotion, visit www.globalpass.com or www.priorityclub.com or call (877) 946-4537 if you’re in the United States or (305) 870-7500 if you’re outside the United States.
Priority Club Rewards is the world’s first and most global hotel loyalty program available in more than 3,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries. With more than 300,000 new travelers joining the program each month, Priority Club Rewards is also the fastest-growing hotel loyalty program in the hotel industry. Membership has doubled over the last three years, to more than 19 million members.
GlobalPass customers earn miles when purchasing airline tickets through the GlobalPass online booking engine, which provides access to nearly 500 airlines worldwide. GlobalPass is the only program offering this feature, even providing earning capabilities on many airlines that do not otherwise have their own frequent flyer programs. Customers have the option to purchase tickets on these airlines using their miles as money, another unique feature.
GlobalPass customers may also earn GlobalMiles when flying on affiliated airlines, renting a vehicle from one of the participating rent a car companies, staying at a participating hotel or shopping the GlobalPass online shopping mall with almost 300 online merchants.
Enrollment in GlobalPass is free. For more information about the promotion, visit www.globalpass.com or www.priorityclub.com or call (877) 946-4537 if you’re in the United States or (305) 870-7500 if you’re outside the United States.
HAWTHORN SUITES
Gold Passport members will earn one free night at a Hawthorn Suites after the second and every subsequent Hawthorn stay at different locations through December 31 2004. There’s no limit to the number of free nights which may be earned. Free nights may be redeemed at participating Hawthorn Suites from August 15, 2004 – June 30, 2005. Promotion details are at http://www.hawthorn.com/hyattgoldpassport/promo.asp
HERTZ
Hertz rentals of five or more days now earn 500 miles in the following airlines’ programs: Alaska, Continental, Delta, Midwest and United. The normal 50-miles-per-day rate still applies to rentals of one to four days. For more information, see http://hertz.com
Bonus mile offers come and go, but you can always earn miles with Hertz. Currently, you can earn 250 miles, plus get a double upgrade, when you rent a car. Special offers let you earn double or triple miles on your rental as well.
HILTON HHONORS
HHonors members will earn 10,000 bonus points for three-night air/hotel/car packages at the Hilton Hawaiian Village or Hilton Waikoloa Village, and 5,000 bonus points for comparable stays at the Doubletree Alana Hotel – Waikiki through December 26 2004. During September only, members will receive a $100 dining credit when booking four or more nights in ocean-view category rooms or higher at the Hilton Hawaiian Village or Hilton Waikoloa Village. Full details are online: http://www.hiltonhhonors.com/index.aspx
LUFTHANSA MILES & MORE
Lufthansa and Air-India signed “an extensive” cooperation agreement in Mumbai that will begin Oct. 1 2004 and includes codesharing and reciprocal frequent-flier mileage accrual. However, the statement did not address the possibility of Air-India’s eventually becoming a member of the Lufthansa-led Star Alliance.
“With Air-India, Lufthansa has found a partner which is optimally placed in its home market. Together the strategically outstanding position will be exploited in order to continue to be the leading European airline to and from India,” said Deutsche Lufthansa AG Executive Board Chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber.
Codesharing eventually will be extended to “all flights between the two countries” and into beyond markets as well, according to a statement. Lufthansa currently offers the most flights to India of any European carrier. It serves Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai from Frankfurt as well as Delhi from Munich and plans to add a fifth destination in India by autumn.
Air-India’s Delhi-Frankfurt service is expected to increase to daily and will continue from the German hub to the US West Coast. AI also plans to serve Bangalore and Hyderabad direct from Frankfurt. It will place its code on LH flights to nine German and European destinations as well as to Washington, Denver, Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The agreement is based on an MOU signed in Aug. 2003 that also contemplates cooperation in sales and marketing, IT and other areas.
MARRIOTT REWARDS
LANPASS is Marriott Rewards’ 25th airline frequent-flier program partner, offering members up to three miles (converted to kilometers) per $1 spent at participating Marriott Rewards brands. More program information is online at http://marriott.com/rewards/rewards.mi
MIDWEST
Midwest Miles members can visit the airline’s website to book award trips on Midwest, Skyway, or partner airline flights to destinations in the continental U.S. To make a reservation, visit Midwest’s website.
NORTHWEST
Northwest began charging $5 for each domestic ticket issued through Northwest reservations offices in the United States effective August 27 2004, $10 for each domestic ticket issued through Northwest’s airport locations in the United States and Canada, and $3.75/$7.50 for one- way/roundtrip tickets issued through the CRSes (computer reservations systems) used by travel agents to book trips. The fees apply to WorldPerks award tickets for domestic travel if not booked at nwa.com. For more got to: http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/newsc/2004/pr082420041482.html
If you want to go to Hawaii, but you’re short on cash or short on miles, Northwest’s latest offer could let you vacation in a tropical paradise this spring. All you need is 20,000 or 35,000 WorldPerks miles and between $260 and $980.
Northwest WorldPerks members can now visit the Northwest website to book their award trips on Northwest, Northwest Airlink, KLM, Continental, and Alaska Airlines flights worldwide. Go to Northwest’s website to request award travel.
PRIORITY CLUB
Beginning March 29 2004, Priority Club Rewards members will earn points or miles at more than 100 Candlewood Suites hotels in the United States.
Earning bonus miles for Priority Club family hotel stays. Members of nine frequent flier programs can earn 500 miles for every third stay, or if you’d rather save up for free hotel stays, you can earn 3,000 Priority Club Rewards points instead. Just stay three nights at any InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Staybridge Suites hotel worldwide, between January 19 and April 30 2004, and you can earn 3,000 Priority Club Rewards points or 500 Air Canada, Alaska, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, or US Airways miles. To be eligible, you need to be a Priority Club Rewards member and choose a preferred airline for earning miles. In addition, you must register for this promotion prior to your first stay.
RED ROOF INN REDICARD
Members of Red Roof Inns’ RediCard Preferred Member program will earn 4,000 RediCard bonus points after every two stays at any Red Roof Inn between September 6 and October 17 2004. With the bonus, total earnings for the two stays will exceed 5,000 points, enough for a free night or 1,000 Delta SkyMiles. Offer details are at http://www.redroof.com/promotions/redicard/index.asp
SOUTHWEST
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards is offering double credit to members for a limited time only on southwest.com! Beginning today, members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program can receive double credit when they purchase airfare on southwest.com using their Visa card. Purchase and travel must be completed by Dec. 15, 2004. To take advantage of this great offer and for more information, visit http://www.southwest.com/visadoublecredit?src=PR_visa_1001
During this offer if air travel is purchased online with any Visa card and flown before Dec. 15, it will take just four roundtrips to earn free travel. Oct 1, 2004
Members who are also La Quinta Returns Members will earn double Rapid Rewards credit, one credit rather than the usual 0.5 credits, for every qualifying stay Between July 1 and September 30 2004. To earn the bonus, make reservations at southwest.com or laquinta.com, or call 1-800-531- 5900. Provide a Rapid Rewards membership number when checking in and ask for double Rapid Rewards credit. For details, see http://www.lq.com/lq/index.jsp
Southwest Rapid Rewards members can now book award travel online, but they must request an e-ticket. Go to Southwest’s website and enter your cities and dates; you will need to provide your Rapid Rewards number and password.
Southwest has extended the end date of its online booking bonus from June 30 until December 31, 2004. The promo offers Rapid Rewards members one bonus credit for each roundtrip, or a half-credit bonus for one-way trips, booked on southwest.com and flown by December 31 2004. Details are at http://southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rr_whats_new.html#bonus.
Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program now have two new credit- card options, the Rapid Rewards Visa Signature card and the Rapid Rewards Visa Business card, both issued by First USA.
Both offer two Reward Dollars for every $1 in Southwest Airlines purchases, excluding Southwest Airlines Vacations purchases, and one Reward Dollar for every $1 in everyday purchases. (1,200 Reward Dollars = one Rapid Rewards Credit.) Annual percentage rate for both cards is 12.65%, variable, and the annual fee is $59. For further information, see http://www.Southwest.com/visa or call 800-SWA-VISA.
THRIFTY
Thrifty Car Rental kicked off its Blue Chip Rewards program as a new facet of its popular Blue Chip Express Rental Program. Blue Chip members will earn credits through the program that can be redeemed for free rental days throughout the U.S. and Canada. Normally, one free day is earned after 16 credits are earned (usually one credit per rental day), but now through Sept. 30 2004, Thrifty is giving members double rewards when bookings are made through the company Web site www.thrifty.com. Single credits will be earned when bookings are made through other channels.
UNITED MILEAGE PLUS
United will begin collecting a $15 “handling fee” for Mileage Plus award tickets effective October 15 2004, including Star Alliance and other Mileage Plus airline-partner awards, issued through United Reservations or other United ticketing locations. The handling fee does not apply to upgrade awards or awards booked online at united.com. 1K and Global Services members are exempt. At the same time, United will increase its fee from $75 to $100 for making changes to award tickets. See http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50987,00.html
Matching a similar move by American, United will lower the mileage requirements for award trips of less than 750 miles each way between September 1 and December 31 2004. Coach-class Saver awards on United, United Express and Ted flights will be discounted from 25,000 miles to 15,000 miles, and first- or business-class Saver awards will be reduced from 40,000 to 30,000 miles. Discounted awards must be booked online at www.united.com
United Mileage Plus members who take two qualifying roundtrips on United from Los Angeles (LAX) to their choice of three popular East Coast cities – Boston (BOS), New York (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (IAD) by Nov. 15, 2004, can take along someone special for free on an upcoming trip. The earned companion ticket will be valid for future travel in United Economy on United, United Express or Ted between LAX and all 52 nonstop destinations in the 48 contiguous United States or Canada.
Just in time for summer, United Airlines and Hertz are teaming up to make your travel easier and cheaper. Each time you purchase a ticket on United, United Express, Ted or Star Alliance, you’ll qualify for one free rental day from Hertz. All United flights and Hertz rental cars associated with this promotion are eligible to earn Mileage Plus miles.
United Mileage Plus and Newspaper Subscription Services announced a partnership to offer Mileage Plus members the opportunity to earn miles by subscribing to any of over 60 local and national newspapers. Some of the titles include USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Denver Post and others. Through the partnership, United Mileage Plus members can earn up to 1,000 miles when they purchase a new subscription, or can redeem miles for 50-100% discounts on select subscriptions.
United Airlines announced on June 3 2004 that it will offer introductory fares as low as $60 each way* based on required roundtrip travel, and a double miles bonus offer for new seasonal service this summer from United’s hub at Denver International Airport (DEN) to Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming. New service will operate from June 3 to September 30, 2004.
Frequent diners can now become elite members of Mileage Plus Dining and earn even more United miles for eating out. To upgrade your account, just dine 12 or more times at iDine-affiliated restaurants by December 31 2004.
Members of the United Mileage Plus program can now book award travel online to destinations within the U.S. or Canada. To make a reservation, visit United’s website and enter your Mileage Plus number and password. Then click “Login.”
United has released an extensive package of changes to the elite tiers of Mileage Plus. Beginning January 1, 2004, Mileage Plus members’ United class-of-service bonus miles and segments will count toward earning elite status. (Members earn a 50% mileage or segment bonus for first class, and a 25% bonus for business class.) Members will also earn two systemwide upgrades upon reaching 125,000 flight miles or 125 flight segments; and two more at 150,000 flight miles or 150 flight segments.
In 2004, elites will receive the following, based on their flying in 2003:
* 2,500 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier members with 25,000 flight miles or 30 flight segments.
* 10,000 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier Executive members with 50,000 flight miles or 60 flight segments.
* Six electronic systemwide upgrades with limited restrictions for Premier Executive 1Ks with 100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 100 Elite Qualifying Segments.
* Two more systemwide upgrades for 1Ks with 100,000 flight miles or 100 flight segments.
* Plus, Million Milers will receive two Confirmed Regional Upgrades on United or United Express.
New Partners for 2004:
E*TRADE: United and E*TRADE have ended their partnership, as of December 31, 2003.
Sony: United and Sony have announced a new program, in which Mileage Plus members can earn and redeem United miles for downloading music through Sony’s new Connect (TM) music service. The product is expected to launch in spring 2004, and the Mileage Plus music site will also launch at that time.
US AIRWAYS
Dividend Miles members may now earn five miles per $1 in room-rate spent at hotels booked through Dividend Miles Dining & Hotels (formerly iDine). As a launch promotion, the earning rate at selected hotels is doubled through September 30, to 10 miles per $1. More information is at http://usairways.rewardsnetwork.com/site/homepage.jhtml
Preferred members may request unlimited free upgrades to first class when flying US Airways in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean beginning March 1 2004. Preferred members ticketed on full coach fares (Y, B, U) may reserve upgrades subject to availability any time before departure. Members traveling on qualifying discount fares may request upgrades according to their Preferred level. Chairman’s Preferred members may request upgrades discounted fares at least seven days before departure. Gold Preferred members may request upgrades three days before departure, and Silver Preferred members may request one day prior to departure.
Effective December 16, 2003, Dividend Miles members may earn mileage credit for Spanair flights. Coach fares earn actual flown miles, and there’s a 50% bonus for business class. Spanair miles count toward Preferred status, and Spanair flights earn Preferred bonus miles. There’s been no start date announced for award travel on Spanair.
If the award destination is serviced by US Airways, and not only by a partner airline, Dividend Miles members can redeem their miles for award tickets online at US Airways’ website. Enter your Dividend Miles number and PIN, then click “access account” to make reservations up to six hours prior to departure.
New Partners for 2004:
Lufthansa: As of October 26, 2003, Dividend Miles members can earn actual miles flown on paid economy class flights booked through Lufthansa. Earn 50 percent more miles when you fly in business or first class. If you are a Silver Preferred member, you will receive a 50 percent bonus when flying Lufthansa. If you are a Gold or Chairman’s Preferred member, you will earn a 100 percent bonus. Qualifying miles count toward elite status.
Spanair: Earn actual miles flown or a minimum of 500 miles on paid economy class flights booked through Spanair. Earn 50 percent more miles when you fly in business class.
Quadruple miles with 11 airlines. Members of Hyatt Gold Passport can take advantage of special offers to earn double, triple, or quadruple miles at select hotels in the coming months. If you belong to Priority Club Rewards instead, you can still earn miles. The hotel group is offering 500 miles for every third stay. Hyatt Gold Passport. You can always find specials for individual properties offering bonuses for stays on Hyatt’s website. If you’re a member of Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Mileage Plan, America West FlightFund, American AAdvantage, Continental OnePass, Delta SkyMiles, Midwest Miles, Northwest Worldperks, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United Mileage Plus, or US Airways Dividend Miles, you should keep tabs on these special offers in order to earn double, triple, or even quadruple airline miles for your hotel stay. If you prefer to earn hotel points, the majority of offers on Hyatt’s site are for bonus points (though we’re not listing them here), so you’re a winner either way. All airlines, except Southwest, normally earn 500 miles per stay, while Southwest frequent fliers normally earn half a credit per stay. Take advantage of these promotions and you can earn up to 2,000 miles or two credits per stay.
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