Frequent Flyer Program News

Airguide Online, August, 2004

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

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

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.