The Dallas Morning News carries a eulogy for Continental’s Ellington Field service which ends September 7th. This airport on the south side of Houston offered service to Continental’s hub at Houston Intercontinental, providing convenient checkin and free parking to many in addition to 500 frequent flyer miles for each segment. In a similar vein I miss United’s Baltimore-Washington Dulles service which ceased September 6, 2001. Atlantic Coast flew Jetstream 32 aircraft several times a day for this roughly 38 mile flight, giving me an extra segment credit and extra miles each way in addition to generally a lower ticket price.
Another Great Investment of Tax Dollars
MidAmerica Airport, built in the 90s at a cost of $313 million ($220 million from the federal government), was supposed to be a second St. Louis airport. This in spite of the fact that the existing St. Louis airport has struggled to keep service. It should be no surprise, then, that the second St. Louis airport had problems. MidAmerica is seeking to recoup some of the additional subsidies it provided to Great Plains Airlines, now no longer operating and in bankruptcy.No airline currently offers scheduled service at MidAmerica Airport.
Startup Carrier Shuts Down After a Week
I’m so glad for regulators here and abroad. The EU model is especially appealing. Because regulators never let anything like this happen. Oh, wait. Passengers aren’t going to get refunds, but maybe the Irish government will refund tax dollars that were supposed to ensure this didn’t happen? The irony is that every time government fails, there is a call for more government. A new Irish airline offering flights for one euro ($1.19) shut down services on Wednesday after a week’s operation, stranding hundreds of passengers in Spain. In a brief statement, JetGreen Airways apologized to customers for closing down the business without warning but said it would not repay any of the more than 40,000 people who had bought tickets, including more than 400 people expecting to fly home Wednesday from their Spanish vacations.
Marriott Rewards Milestone
Marriott Rewards hit 20 million members in its program this week and awarded the 20 millionth member with airfare and a week’s hotel stay for two at any Marriott property and lifetime Platinum status.And I thought I got a good deal when I named the new Sheraton Checkin Kiosk.
20,000 Miles for a New United Visa
The 20,000 mile signup bonus for getting a new United Visa is still available. This one doesn’t waive the $60 annual fee, though.
United’s Finance Shop in Disarray
United Airlines, struggling to exit bankruptcy, is counting on government-backed loans from the Air Transporation Stabilization Board, which was set up after 9/11 to overcome (perceived) temporary financial market disruption. Somehow the ATSB still exists. United says they can’t access funds in the private market, which they judge to be a market failure but may really be a reflection of United’s prospects for profitability. The Financial Times (sorry, no link handy) carries a piece suggesting United’s financial planning is in disarray. “We have got to get out of model land,” a stunned Jake Brace, finance director at United, told a team of business planners last July in his conference room at the airlines’ headquarters on the outskirts of O’Hare airport. Mr Brace had just been told that a mistake had been found in the companies’…
Mileage Plus Visa Offer
The United Mileage Plus Visa is available with a 15,000 mile signup bonus and fee waived the first year. This was sent as part of a targeted email, but past practice suggests that it should work for anyone. Apply at the link above and print out the page which indicates the fee is waived. In addition, my experience is that existing cardholders can take advantage of these offers and obtain a second card.
Discounts at Site59
Site59, the last minute travel package site, is offering $50 off $500, $75 off $750, or $100 off $1000 through May 14th with Promo Code: S59SALE.
Two for One to Paris
Air France is offering a two-for-one sale from the US to Paris. Book by May 15th for travel October 15th through March 2005. December 17th – 24th is blocked out, and a Saturday stay is required. Prices from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and DC start at $505 for two roundtrips with other cities slightly higher. Taxes are extra.
How to Find the Best Hotel Deals
Priceline A great, straightforward and simple introduction to successful Priceline bidding is this 2003 article from the Washington Post by Michael Shapiro. About.com has a good, clear explanation of how free re-bids work. That’s probably the single most important ‘trick’ to learn. The best uber resource for informed Priceline bidding is Bidding For Travel.com. Some users are unhappy with the level of moderation there, but it is indispensable for the lists of hotels by zone and quality level and the tremendous amount of successful and unsuccessful bids that have been posted. Their Hotel FAQ is also important reading to understand how to get the hotel(s) you want in the right location and at the best price. Furthermore, their discussion boards contain really interesting tips such as advanced rebidding techniques that increase your free re-bids beyond…
