American is matching (registration required) United’s first quarter flight bonus of up to triple miles during most of the quarter.
As Christmas approaches
You can track Santa on the NORAD website.
Czech freedom!
US airlines may not stand up to the US government when it comes to demands for private passenger information, but Czech Airlines is standing strong. Czech law does not permit turning over passenger information as required by US law for flights entering the United States.Never thought I’d feel like the Czechs has a leg up on us Yankees…
Free stuff
IBM has a short survey for a free gift (e.g. umbrella, calculator/currency converter/calendar). Don’t worry, I didn’t know what all the questions meant, either.
KLM extends elite status
KLM announced that all Platinum members will retain their status in 2004, regardless of whether they flew a single flight in 2003. All Gold and Silver members will retain their status provided they flew at least once in 2003.Plus elite members with a Dutch bank account who get an American Express card will have their status extended through February 2006 whether they set foot on a plane or not.
More commentary on Delta’s elite level changes
Patrice Miles, one of the best names ever for an airline marketing exec, says of the changes just announced “I will tell you we’ll have a lot of pleased customers,” Ms. Miles said. Which just begs the question of why they didn’t make these changes 18 months ago…
Something to look forward to in the sky
We’re only six months away from the launch of Beer Airways!Another great airline has to be Excel Airways. Strangely they don’t serve Redmond, Washington.
Delta reverses course on medallion segment upgrades
Beginning January 1st, Delta will provide complimentary upgrades to elites. This is a major rollback of changes made to the Skymiles program, and is directly attributed to customer feedback. “We said early on that we would live with the program for 10 months and take customer feedback,” said Patrice Miles, Delta’s vice president of consumer marketing. “Well, we listened, and the number one thing we heard is that Medallion members wanted more upgrades and to simplify the process.” So I certainly have to tip my hat to the loudest voices, SaveSkyMiles.Delta is retaining their new qualifying system, making gaining elite status more dependent upon higher fares and more complex. However, once making that status, the reward may be a first class seat.Way to go Delta (and I haven’t said that for a long time)!Update: The…
Southwest Airlines credits
Southwest Airlines will give you two Rapid Rewards credits for filling out a survey. Thanks to Gary Steiger of Free Frequent Flyer Miles for the pointer.
American Airlines announces elite changes
American has announced changes to its elite program for 2004. It would seem that benefits stay the same. Qualification stays the same on the lowest fares, and gets easier for customers flying on higher fares. What’s more, the new qualification rules apply retroactively to 2003 as well — anyone who would earn a higher tier status based from their 2003 flying based on the 2004 earning chart will have the higher status in 2004.Thumbs up!
