USA Today has a good summary article highlighting some of the recent changes impacting frequent fliers of the major carriers.
A Few Choice Highlights
- Continental Airlines said Friday that it is reducing the number of miles it awards fliers on many short flights and lowering the bonus miles it gives to many of its most-frequent fliers.
- Last month, US Airways ended bonus miles for its most-frequent fliers.
- In August, Delta Air Lines began an "award travel fuel surcharge." SkyMiles members redeeming trips online now pay $25 for a domestic ticket; $50 for an international one.
- Starting Sept. 15, Northwest will begin charging $25 to redeem a domestic frequent-flier ticket, $50 for a trans-Atlantic ticket and $100 for a trans-Pacific ticket.
- Continental says that on March 1 bonus mileage will drop from 125% to 100% for Platinum Elite members and from 50% to 25% for Silver Elite members. Fliers who annually earn 75,000 miles achieve platinum status, and those who earn 25,000 miles reach silver status.
- Beginning Jan. 1, for tickets bought on or after Nov. 15, Continental will stop giving a minimum of 500 points on flights shorter than 500 miles. Fliers will instead earn the number of miles flown.
- Denver-based Frontier Airlines, too, will stop awarding a minimum 250 miles on most short routes on Sept. 15. Fliers will earn the number of miles flown. Exceptions: Flights between Denver and four Colorado cities — Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Durango and Aspen — will earn 250 miles.
- United Airlines also stopped giving a minimum of 500 miles in July, and US Airways eliminated its mileage minimum last year.
Airlines need to go back to business school and re-learn the concept of building customer loyalty and how it affects profitability.
Better late than never. A snippet from the email has all the information you need:
To thank you, our elite members, we’re offering you 500 bonus Starpoints® per eligible night in September 2008. These bonus Starpoints are in addition to any bonuses for which you’re already registered.
Simply register by September 15, 2008, at http://SPG.com/thankyou500 and start collecting bonus Starpoints for all your September nights. Feel free to forward details to your friends and family so they can take advantage of this offer, too.
We know the airlines aren’t giving us any point perks so get ‘em while you can.
United Airlines recently added the feature for Mileage Plus members to purchase an additional 1,000 miles on upcoming roundtrip flights for a fee of $20. So, in addition to the miles you earn with your flight, they are letting you tack on a few extras. Registration in advance of your flight is required.
Terms and Conditions
As you are a valued United® Mileage Plus member, we are pleased to offer you a special opportunity: Receive an extra 1,000 bonus miles on your next United roundtrip for just $20. Simply register and pay $20, and your account will be credited with 1,000 bonus miles after your next paid, qualifying flight on United, United Express® or TedSM.
Registration is required prior to travel for each qualifying roundtrip completed before December 31, 2008. There is no limit to the number of bonuses you can earn, though only one bonus can be applied per roundtrip. The registration fee is $20 per bonus.
Members must register for this offer at united.com/addmiles between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. Valid credit card will be billed immediately for the registration fee. Registration fees are non-refundable and are subject to change. Prices are quoted in USD and include applicable federal excise tax. Roundtrip is required. A roundtrip is defined as travel from an origin city to a destination city with return travel beginning in the outbound destination city back to the first origin city with all segments on United, United Express or Ted. Open jaw and circle trips do not qualify. Valid only on paid, qualifying roundtrips completed between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. Members will earn 1,000 bonus miles on the first qualifying roundtrip originating and completed after offer registration. Valid only on flights operated by United, United Express or Ted and not on United-marketed code share flights operated by other carriers. Offer is combinable with other bonus mile offers. This bonus may be earned a maximum of one time per qualifying roundtrip. Members may register to earn this bonus an unlimited number of times for qualifying roundtrips completed by December 31, 2008. The registration fee is $20 per bonus. Must be a Mileage Plus member to participate in this offer. Miles for the completed qualifying flight must be posted to the Mileage Plus account in order to qualify for this bonus. Allow 1-2 weeks after your flight posts to your account for the bonus miles to be applied. Bonus miles do not count toward elite qualification. All standard Mileage Plus rules and conditions apply. Miles accrued, awards issued and bonus offers are subject to the rules of the United Mileage Plus program. The Mileage Plus program, including accruals, awards and bonus miles offers, is subject to change without notice. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. United and Mileage Plus are registered service marks. For complete details about the Mileage Plus program, visit www.united.com (MPD038)
This seems like a reasonable cost for miles ($0.02/mile) which is about market value of a mile. However, the miles do NOT count toward Elite Qualification.
This might also be viewed as a way for the airlines to capture more revenue from the consumer while further de-valuing the miles you accrue through actual flights.
For those who travel on the Monday to Thursday schedule, the idea of being out of town Sunday night can be both disheartening and de-moralizing. However, it does come with a few upsides: 1) airports are usually less crowded; 2) flights are less full, making it easier to get the elusive space-available upgrade; and 3) the added rest of not waking up at 4 AM on Monday helps you make it through a busy Monday out of town.
Starwood has just added an incentive to travel out on Sunday with added Starpoints for Thursday through Sunday stays. Register for the promotion here.
Terms and Conditions
Now through September 30, 2008, earn 1,000 bonus Starpoints for Sunday through Thursday stays at participating Starwood hotels and resorts.
*Participation dates vary by hotel. In addition, stays at Four Points® by Sheraton hotels will receive 500 bonus Starpoints rather than 1,000.
View participating hotels in: United States Canada Caribbean Hawaii
Happy travels.
We’ve received a few SPG promotions recently. This promotion targets travelers to the Chicagoland area. Register here and start collecting your bonuses.
Terms and Conditions:
Come back to Chicago this summer – we’ll make it worth your while!
Register now to receive:
- 1,000 bonus Starpoints for every 1-night stay
- 2,500 bonus Starpoints for every 2-night stay
- 5,000 bonus Starpoints for every 3-night stay
Up to a total of 25,000 Starpoints!
Just register now and your points will be awarded automatically. Valid for stays now through September 30, 2008, seven days a week at hotels in downtown Chicago, at the airport and throughout the Chicagoland suburbs.
Don’t miss this special bonus Starpoints offer. Simply register now, and be sure to book online to get the best rates!
Might not apply with special rate codes, so let us know your experiences with this one.