Canadian shopping loyalty program Air Miles faces a newly intensified challenge from Air Canada as its Aeroplan program branches out into more partnerships in retail. This is hardly new for a frequent flyer program, many of its US and Asian counterparts have already recognized that their currencies are powerful incentives beyond distinguishing commdity airline seats, and the partnerships are profitable as airlines sell their points to retailers for a higher price than the cost of airline seat redemptions.As Air Canada reaches more consumers through non-aviation earning opportunities, look for them to offer more non-aviation redemption opportunities as well — just as Air Miles offers low point redemption for movie tickets, many US carriers offer miles for magazines, and United now partners with Sony to offer music downloads.
A writer goes to Iceland and learns to to appreciate miles and the people who love them
Last week Slate ran a five part series by Marisa Bowe who took advantage of the $61 roundtrip mistake fare to Iceland and met alot of Flyertalkers along the way. Here’s Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V. Bowe also shares the Iceland Tourist Board’s press release about the mistake fare. They offered free admission to the seven geothermal pools of Reykjavik to anyone presenting a $61 ticket.
Second night free at Mandarin Oriental DC
I almost forgot about this deal, but a friend of mine was asking about great hotel rates for a two night stay in DC and I came up with this offer from the Mandarin Oriental: stay one night and get the second night free, through August 30th.That makes a two night stay run $175 per night, an outstanding deal for the newest luxury property in the District… considering that pre-paid internet rates can run as high as $299 at the rather blase’ Grand Hyatt.
Free Stuff Sunday
It’s Sunday, and time for my semi-regular roundup of random stuff you can get for free. Free coffee sample from OneFreshCup Coffeesuite is offering free samples (see the section contact us on the main web page) Free coffee from Ospina ($1.50 shipping) Free massage lotion and oil Join Clairol for free samples Free brain stress toy Free jar of dill pickles Free Curel lotion Two-year subscription to Backpacker magazine Free sample of Ponds Age-Defying Cleansing Towlette Free Stork’s Choice Diapers ($2.99 shipping) Free Alhalabi Nuts sample Free sample of Thompson Beef Jerkey Free sample of Velvet Fudge With most things free, of course (fare glitches aside), you get what you pay for…
Acrimonious labor relations at Hawaiian
Hawaiian Airlines bankruptcy trustee was kicked off a Hawaiian flight by its pilot. A Hawaiian Airlines pilot asked bankruptcy trustee Josh Gotbaum to get off a plane preparing for takeoff Thursday, saying he was angry about Gotbaum’s policies and could not safely fly the Boeing 767-300 with the trustee aboard. Gotbaum agreed to leave rather than delay the takeoff, an airline spokesman said yesterday. “The pilot told him he wasn’t happy to have him on the flight,” said Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner. “Rather than delay the flight by discussing it at that point, he decided to take another flight.” The pilot, Capt. Craig Kobayashi, said yesterday: “So many employees are so emotional about him after all of the things Gotbaum has done, such as freezing our pension plan.” I wouldn’t want to be a passenger…
Best Deal Miles for Flowers
The FTD offer for 30 United miles per dollar spent still works. It was originally marketed to United 1K members but works for anyone.
Two Travelocity Offers
Save $25 on last minute deals and earn triple miles from Budget car rental.Update: As many readers know, Travelocity is selling the same packages as Site59. Alert reader Vito emails to point out that there’s a better offer than Travelocity’s $25 off — just go to Site59 and type MC59 into the Promotional Code field on the billing page during check out and use your MasterCard to purchase for $59 off. Offer valid through September 30, 2004. Thanks for the heads up!
Continental miles sweepstakes
Lending Tree is giving away 500,000 Continental miles. No purchase necessary. No warranty on your ability to use the miles except at the EasyPass level, however. 😉
More Companion Ticket Offers from Los Angeles
Last month, America West began offering free companion tickets after two roundtrips to and from Los Angeles.United has matched this offer, as has American.Registration is required for all of the offers, and flights must be completed by November 15th.
Hilton Personalizes Benefits, too
It isn’t just Air Canada and Delta. Hilton HHonors members can register their preferred way to earn points for hotel stays. Beginning July 1, members can choose between:10 HHonors points and 1 airline mile per dollar spent10 HHonors points and 500 airline miles per stay 10 HHonors points plus 5 bonus HHonors points per dollar spent Members can switch their choice at any time — a good idea to focus on the fixed point offerings for single night stays, and variable offerings for longer, costlier stays.
