Just another reason why Alaska Air has an outstanding frequent flyer program. When you redeem a free ticket to Australia, they’ll given you another free ticket good anywhere in the U.S. (including Alaska). So what are the other reasons that I like Alaska? First of all, their elite-level is pretty outstanding. Free upgrades from any fare — 2 days out for MVPs and at the time of booking (subject to availability) for MVP Golds. Note also that they have the lowest threshold of any US airline for qualifying as an elite — only 15,000 miles. They even give MVP Golds upgrade coupons to pass out to their friends. Second of all, their partnerships are excellent — American and Northwest, to name a few. Third, they are a good airline, even in coach. They have one…
America West has a website
America West has a website (intended for internal use) which will show you exactly how many passengers are booked on any of its flights.
The Vatican is
The Vatican is looking to name a patron saint for the Internet by Easter. Goodness knows the pathetic websites of United, Continental, and USAirways could use one.
Hooters Air really
Hooters Air really will be staffed by Hooters waitresses — two per plane to serve beverages, etc.
The most important thing I
The most important thing I read today — Jude Wanniski’s hawk/dove quiz which offers a debunking of common myths about Iraq. (Thanks to Mark Brady for the link.)
I haven’t been able to
I haven’t been able to travel — or post — much recently. Because I’ve been on the phone. With the IRS. Well, I’ve been busy at work dealing with some crises (like a flood). So it’s not entirely because of the IRS. But I’ve spent way too much of the past few days jousting at bureaucratic windmills. Yesterday I spent nearly three hours on the telephone trying to find out where to get a simple IRS form. Three hours of my life that I’ll never get back. After calling the main help line, the phone number for my local IRS office, several other offices, and the taxpayer advocate, I still had no answer. Here are the highlights: The form I needed cannot be printed from the website. Oh, it’s there, mind you. With a notice…
USAirways is offering
USAirways is offering systemwide double miles. Remember that these are on top of all the other USAIrways bonuses.
Lots of folks are angry
Lots of folks are angry at the changes to Delta’s Frequent Flyer elite-level benefits, but the Delta American Express still have one of the better bonuses going — up to 25,000 miles.
More USAirways Bonus Miles
More USAirways Bonus Miles Earn 2,500 to 10,000 bonus miles for flying 4-12 segments Double or triple miles to and from Denver 25,000 bonus miles for traveling to Europe in paid business class 10,000 bonus miles for traveling to Europe in coach Double miles to Ireland
In fairness to United… Many
In fairness to United… Many of United’s 747s have been going away, being replaced by 777s. That means the business class capacity drops tremendously (almost in half!) across much of the international route network. That means available upgrade inventory likely drops dramatically as well. So the upgrade inventory needs to be rationed somehow. Otherwise United would have had a whole bunch of flyers with upgrade certificates that could never be used, because there simply were too many coupons out there for the number of available seats. Making Systemwide Upgrades good only on pricier fares means rationing based on price. Of course, if a competitor doesn’t restrictions use of similar certificates or reduce available business upgrade inventory, United will lose A will lose… I still think they would have been better off solving the problem in…
