Delta 'bidding' and outsmarting the airlines

OK, I've been reading and reading these articles for the last few days about the new airline 'bidding' on taking a bump. It's so frustrating, because does everyone even realize that there are rules in place so that the airlines have to pay up to $800 already? Please don't put a bid in for your flight for anything under $800.......or else you're allowing the airlines to get around their own rules!!!

Here is one article:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/01/17/how.to.outsmart.airlines/index.html
This is a great article.

Here is another:
http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/can-deltas-bidding-for-bumping-become-an-airline-cash-cow/
Coming from a travel agent, and I too have seen a lot of 'greedy' airlines, I agree with parts of this one!!!!
Hope this info is helpful in deciding whether or not to 'bid' on your vacation plans.......

What NOT to pack (in your checked luggage)?

I find myself reading articles like this, and really want to share this with everyone!!!
Most of it seems like common sense, but sometimes we forget....
Here is the article:

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/what-not-to-pack-in-checked-luggage-when-flying/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tripso+%28Consumertraveler.com%29


There’s a general consensus about what travelers should definitely not check:

Electronic equipment:

- computers
- phones
- cameras
- I-pads

Valuable items:
- jewelry
- silver

Essential documents:
- travel papers including confirmation slips
- prescriptions and medications
- insurance papers
- passports
- sensitive work-related materials
……….and the list goes on.

Airlines charging for CARRY ON luggage!

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-33623430

Well, here it is folks! We all knew this was coming....the airlines yet again nickel and diming the traveling public. Pretty soon they'll start charging for use of the restroom onboard, seatbelts, oxygen....oh you name it, you will eventually be charged!!!!

I think this is ridiculous!
Spirit Airlines started this one, and hopefully it will be a while before the rest of the airlines follow suit.......hopefully.......

Flight Attendants battle the Carry Ons!!

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/flight-attendants-battle-carry-crunch/story?id=10195036

The AFA is lobbying the government to pass a bill before Congress that would make a universal maximum size for all carry-on bags.

Flight attendants and passengers are being injured by excess amounts of oversized carry-on items.

World's Worst Airline!!

This is an oldie, but a goodie!!!!

Hobbit Travel Closed!

As some of you may have heard, Hobbit Travel has closed their doors. Temporarily? Maybe, maybe not, but for now there are likely a lot of stranded travelers with reservations paid and no airline confirmations.

Are you one of these passengers? Do you need to be rebooked on another airline?
Please contact us, we can help you make a new reservation. Our agency and our agents are professional and willing to help you out!!!

We've been in business a long time, and realize the importance of good service and VALUE for you....our client..... It's not ALWAYS about the lowest price. Sometimes the lowest price isn't the best value. We take the time to understand your needs and wants for your dream vacation, and will assist you in any way we can to make your dreams come true.

So take the time to meet our agents, and book with confidence with Travel Leaders Suntime Travel. Contact us: melissa@suntimetravel.com

Here is the latest article I read in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/79947677.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUss

Flight to the North Pole

Well, Sun Country has done it again. Our hometown airline continues to impress!!!!

SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES ANNOUNCES ANNUAL“FLIGHT TO THE NORTH POLE”
Airline Partners with Greater Twin Cities United Way & Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

http://www.suncountry.com/hometools/releases/FlightNorthPoleService.shtml

St. Paul, MN—December 15, 2009
Sun Country Airlines will welcome 80 children, ages 5-12, to the Humphrey terminal on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, where they will board a Sun Country Boeing 737, and take a “Flight to the North Pole.”

Sun Country, the Hometown Airline, has partnered with United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters to give 80 kids a unique holiday experience. The children will board the “Flight to the North Pole” where employees of Sun Country including Pilots, Flight Attendants and agents will greet with holiday cheer. The plane will be decorated for this special event.

While the plane taxis for approximately 30 minutes on the ground, children will enjoy a detailed description of their “flight” to the North Pole. On-board activities will include singing holiday carols, writing letters to Santa, keeping watch for Santa and his reindeer and touring the cockpit. Also, a meal will be provided by Sky Food Catering. Following the “flight” the children will be greeted by Santa who will give them gifts donated by Sun Country employees.

"United Way continues to value and appreciate the wonderful partnership of Sun Country Airlines. This is a great example of how our local companies are stepping up to the plate this year to support our community. It is especially important during the holiday season and these economic times to provide some extra holiday cheer,” says Andy Goldman-Gray, senior vice president of Strategic Marketing, United Way.

"We are thankful to Sun Country for this unique opportunity to expand our young people’s horizons with an unforgettable ‘flight’ to the North Pole,” said Kimberlee Sinclair, Vice President of External Affairs for BBBS. “Generous supporters, such as Sun Country, and our volunteers are the sources of genuine magic in the lives of our children.”

Sun Country’s “Flight to the North Pole” will depart at 5:45p.m. from gate H3 at the Humphrey Airport and return by 6:30p.m. The Metropolitan Airport Commission has donated the funding to cover all airport fees.

"This annual event is very special to us at Sun Country,” said Wendy Blackshaw, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “We are delighted to partner with United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters because of the impact and active roles they play in this community.”

Please click HERE for the full article.

Northwest World Perks to Delta Sky Miles

OK, so you've received a hundred different promos from the Delta American Express, but did you receive your NEW Delta Sky Miles number?

You should have, or will be shortly, they started sending all the new numbers out in October!!!

If you had a Northwest World Perks number, and did NOTHING with it. You didn't bite on any of their little promos they offered, you just sat on your number. (I did too actually....) Then you were automatically issued a new number with Delta Sky Miles and you need to do nothing more.

Well, other than let your travel agent know, as we keep records of all of this stuff for you....

Were you one of those that already had a Delta Sky Miles number, and are now wondering what to do??? Let's say you have a NW number and a Delta number...... Then the merge happened.....

YOU DO NEED TO MERGE THESE ACCOUNTS!
This will not automatically happen for you!
Yes!!!
You must merge your accounts.....
Here is the website: delta.com/mergeaccounts

Confusing as usual!!!
But the basics are: If you have 2 Delta Sky Miles numbers now, you need to merge them, they will not automatically merge.

Luggage/Baggage Fees go up again!

No big surprise I guess, but it's still funny to me the nickel-dime, nickel-dime action going on at the airlines!!!
Did you know......
Now with USAirways, they charge the SAME service fee to call in for a ticket as we at Travel Leaders Suntime Travel do.....that is insane! Do you think when you call USAir, they give you the same service that a travel agent would?
Same service fee, WAY different service.....

Also, the luggage and baggage fees are on the rise.....big shocker.....
The first bag is now $20 and the second bag is now $30 IF you prepay online
But at the airport it's up to $25 for the first and $35 for the second. (non-prepaid)

I'm assuming that the other airlines will follow suit, as they all do beat to the same drummer in most cases.....

Have you been on http://www.suntimetravel.com/ yet?
We have a fabulous guide that can assist you in planning for your luggage fees, and so much more! Click on Traveler's Tools, and click on Airline Luggage Guidelines and Policies, then click on your specific airline. How helpful!!!!!!!!!

As with all of these nickel-dime fees that the airlines are charging, who are they helping, and who are they hurting? Ultimately, it's always the traveling public that is hurting......always.

World Perks will now be Sky Miles

For those of us lucky enough to be in the midst of this 'integration' (is what they're calling it), updates are much needed, as there is some very confusing and conflicting information out there!!!

Here is the latest info, that will hopefully clarify how our World Perks accounts will become Sky Miles accounts...... This came from an email from Northwest Airlines.

"In October, the WorldPerks program will officially merge into the SkyMiles program. At this time, you will receive a new SkyMiles account number which will be sent to you via e-mail and in a new SkyMiles Program welcome kit that you will receive in the mail. Your existing WorldPerks status and account information will be transferred into your new SkyMiles account, including your redeemable, Elite qualifying and lifetime mileage balances. This mileage deposit into your new SkyMiles account will be considered activity, which extends your 24-month mileage expiration date. Moving forward, as long as you have any qualifying earning or redemption activity in the account at least once every 24 months, your miles will never expire."

So as you can see.........

Please refer back to my previous blog posting:
http://melissasuntimetravel.blogspot.com/2009/04/prevent-your-frequent-flyer-miles-from.html

YES, your frequent flyer miles will expire.
The answer to that question is YES!!!!!!!
So make sure you're proactive and are preventing this from happening! Buy a flower or a magazine or something to keep those accounts active. That's the last thing you'd want is for all of those precious miles to expire right out from under your nose!!

Now the posing question...... when does the ticker start for this '2 year' expiration? Does it begin when you get your Sky Miles account, or does it date back to when you were a World Perks Member........stay tuned, hopefully we can find the answer together.

Clear as mud.....

As always!

Airlines want you to pay for the privilege of purchasing a ticket

DON'T WE DO THAT ALREADY?

I read a lot of articles in the travel industry, and rarely do the airline 'rules' make any sense in the real world. How is it logical that once you've paid for an airline ticket, you cannot do a name change. In the real world, if you buy a shirt but your friend wears it, the retailer doesn't charge you a fee for this change...... Airlines are goofy. Really goofy!

Here is an article posted by Charlie Leocha with consumertraveler.com, and once again it really makes sense!!!!

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/airlines-want-you-to-pay-for-the-privilege-of-buying-tickets-dont-we-do-this-already/

Wi-Fi in the Sky??

I just received communication from USAirways that they are now going to offer Wi-Fi in the sky!

WOW!

I'm pleasantly surprised by this new announcement!!!

Here is a little more detail according to USAir:

"Although the cost of service hasn't been determined yet, Aircell's current prices for Gogo Inflight Internet range from $5.95 to $12.95, depending on the length of flight and type of Wi-Fi enabled device used. We'll be sure to let you know more as we get closer to the early 2010 launch date."

Awesome...

United Airlines charging travel agents?!!!!!?!!!!!?!!!!!?

Seriously.........
What is this world coming to, when the airline won't allow travel agents to issue a ticket to the client credit card?
I'm not sure if you have read the many many many many many articles on this recent issue, but PLEASE write to your state senator, and make the airlines understand that ultimately it's the CONSUMER that suffers when changes like this are made.

The consumer always loses, when airlines get greedy!

As quoted in USA Today: "Credit card processing costs are escalating at a high rate," says United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski, noting that United's distribution costs, which include credit card fees, totaled $710 million last year. "We're continuing to explore ways in the current economic environment to reduce our costs and run an efficient airline."

Unbelievable.

Please contact your congressman to REJECT this new policy, and make sure that the other airlines won't follow suit.....
Click here to find your United States Senator; click here to find your U.S. Representative.

To read more click on any of these website articles below:

USA Today article

Eye For Travel article

Breaking News 24/7 article

Another USA Today article

7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant

OMG, this article made me laugh out loud!!
Thought I'd share.....

Thank you to Yahoo News for this fun article!
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-28078669;_ylc=X3oDMTF2YWJnM21wBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDMjcxOTQ4MQRzZWMDZnAtdG9kYXltb2QEc2xrA2Fubm95YXR0ZW5kYW50LTYtMi0wOQ--

7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant
Our anonymous flight attendant has worked for a well-known commercial airline for 12 years. She dishes on what irritates her most in passenger behavior.

1. Bring your pet on the plane and then act like an animal.
Over the years, I've seen a pet on a passenger's lap, a pet tucked into a seatback pocket, and a pet loose in the aisle (I nearly hit one with my beverage cart). All of this is against federal regulations. People tell me how well-behaved their pet is, but they can't follow the rules themselves! Your pet must stay in its carrier while you're on the plane. Yes, even if you've paid a "pet-in-cabin" fee.

2. Shove your bag into the first bin you see and then walk to your seat in the back of the plane.
You think you're clever, I know. You expect to grab your bag on your way out of the plane, but you're selfishly inconveniencing others. I can't lie and say we flight attendants don't take some small satisfaction when we tell you, "We couldn't identify the bag's owner, so we sent it to cargo." It's a security issue, for real. Carry-ons need to stay near their owners! So don't look so shocked when we say, "The signs will direct you to baggage claim. You can pick up your bag there."

3. Think that because you're on an airplane you're off-duty as a parent.
Stop expecting us to have spare diapers, formula, medicine, toys, playing cards, or batteries for DVD players or Game Boys. It's an airplane, not a 7-11. Take your kid to the restroom before you board. Leave the dry cereal and Legos at home and bring snacks and toys for your kids that won't make a horrible mess.

4. Drag on an oversize bag that's too heavy for you to lift by yourself.
I won't be compensated for any injuries I might sustain if I heft your bag into the overhead compartment for you. (And other passengers shouldn't have to step up and take the risk either.) The guideline is simple: You pack it, you stack it. Try this at home as a test (and this is to you ladies, especially): After you've packed your bag, put on the shoes you plan to wear on the plane and see if you can lift your bag and place it on top of your refrigerator. You can't? Pay the fee and check the bag.

5. Gripe that you haven't been seated in a roomy exit-row seat.
The exit rows weren't created as a reward for people who are tall, overweight, or just plain nice. They were designed to help passengers get out of the plane in an emergency. The people seated in an exit row must be able to see and speak clearly, open the emergency door, and help others. I prefer to see uniformed military, firefighters, law-enforcement officers, or off-duty pilots and flight attendants sitting in those seats. While the gate agent may assign exit-row seats first, the flight attendant makes the final determination about who gets to sit in them. And the quality of our choices is one of the frequent concerns of Federal Aviation Administration officials when they audit airlines for safety practices. So please don't complain. I'm just doing my job.

6. Act like you don't know the meaning of the words "under the seat in front of you."
Someday I will be muttering "under the seat in front of you" in the old-age home for flight attendants. What is it that you don't understand? To be clear, items should not be stowed behind your calves, under your feet like a footstool, in the open seat next to you, or in your lap. It's under the seat in front of you. And it applies to everything you carry on board. Items stored carelessly can trip others, or dislodge during takeoff and get lost, or inconvenience others. And while I'm on the topic: Please don't wrap your purse (or umbrella strap) around your ankle to keep from forgetting it. What will happen in an emergency, when every second counts and there's no time to disentangle yourself from your precious bag? Will you drag it ball-and-chain-style down the aisle of a burning plane?

7. Whine about the high price of flying.
When I hear people complain about coach airfares, I know they're not keeping up with the news. Fares have rarely been cheaper. In recent years, it's not uncommon for you to be able to cross the continent for under $130 each way, with a maximum of one layover. It's a bargain! At that price, you're barely paying for the fuel to get your body there—never mind the cost of shipping your 50 pounds of gear. You're already on the gravy plane. People point to first class ticket holders and want to know why they don't get the same treatment. Wake up folks: You're getting a great deal. If you want even more, pay more!

Welcome JetAmerica to Minneapolis!!!

Although change can some times be hard, we here in the Minneapolis market have seen quite a bit of CHANGE in the past year!!! From Delta gobbling up Northwest, to Southwest FINALLY making an appearance here, to JetAmerica sliding in to corner the less-traveled markets!! Uf-dah, we've had a roller coaster of a year..... But like our Minnesota nice, we welcome the change, and hope for good things in the future!!

Competition is good, keep it coming!!!

Thank you to Yahoo News for this article.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-lowcost-airline-targets-apf-15348934.html?.v=5

New low-cost airline targets smaller markets
Low-cost carrier JetAmerica aims to serve smaller markets it believes bigger airlines neglect
Victor Epstein, Associated Press Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A new low-cost airline will begin serving mid-sized U.S. cities that it thinks larger carriers have left behind.

Clearwater, Fla.-based JetAmerica said 34 nonstop passenger flights a week will start July 13 at Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Ind.; Melbourne, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; Minneapolis and Lansing, Mich. Twenty-eight flights start or end at Newark Liberty International Airport. The carrier will add six more flights -- from Toledo to Minneapolis -- starting Aug. 14.

JetAmerica is targeting small and midsize cities like Lansing, which has seen the number of daily flights at its Capital Region International Airport fall from 35 to 12 the past five years. The decline is part of a national trend that has seen airfares increase at those airports as daily flights have decreased.

Robert Selig, head of the Capital Region Airport Authority, said JetAmerica will give Lansing business travelers direct access to New York City and carry leisure travelers to central Florida.
"We don't have access to either one right now," Selig said. "So, this is going to fill a major void in our schedule."
Filling that void won't be cheap.

The Lansing, South Bend, Melbourne and Toledo airports are subsidizing JetAmerica with $1.4 million in grants in its first year, along with about $867,000 in waived airport fees and $1.1 million in marketing and advertising assistance.

South Bend, Toledo and Melbourne received their grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program, which has awarded $104 million to 223 recipients since 2002 in an effort to restore lost service and bring air fares down.
Newark and Minneapolis, each of which serve more than 20 million passengers a year, are not offering assistance to JetAmerica.

John Weikle, chief executive of JetAmerica, said the subsidies will help insulate the new carrier from spikes in jet fuel prices. Higher fuel prices have contributed to the failures of at least four major airlines since 9/11. Smaller carriers have also been hurt.
Surging fuel prices helped bankrupt ultra-discounter Skybus Inc. last year. Weikle founded that Columbus, Ohio-based airline known for its $10 fares. The bankruptcy cost 450 employees their jobs.

JetAmerica's pricing scheme will share some Skybus characteristics.
Prices will start at $9 a seat and top out at $199. The $9 price will apply to the first nine to 19 seats on each plane. Passengers will pay $15 to check a bag. Food, drinks and in-flight TV will also come at a cost.

The carrier is starting out with one leased Boeing 737-800, expects to add a second in the first month, and have as many as four by July of next year. Weikle's business plans calls for an additional 189-seat jet to be leased every four months.

Each Boeing 737-800 can fly to four cities a day, Weikle said.

Weikle estimated JetAmerica's revenue at more than $50 million in the first year and about $150 million in the second. He compares his business model to that of Wal-Mart Inc., which started out by serving cities of less than 50,000 people because competitors were not interested in them.

JetAmerica plans to serve Melbourne, Fla., with at least six flights a week. Richard Ennis, executive director of Melbourne International Airport, said JetAmerica's planes and nonstop routes persuaded him to support the carrier. Melbourne, a coastal community about 70 miles southeast of Orlando, recorded a 45 percent decline in passenger traffic at its airport from 2000 to 2008.

Ennis said carriers with larger jets like the Boeing 737-800 charge less per seat, which is an advantage enjoyed by Orlando International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport.
"It's the only way I can beat them out," Ennis said of the neighboring airports.

Continental, Northwest, Delta Merger (mileage)

I was just reading this timeline……….wasn’t sure if you all were aware
I thought that October 2009 was an interesting one……CO will no longer be a partner with NW and DL, so you won’t get miles from CO on your World Perks……..

Here is the web link: http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/sm_wp_integration_program/index.jsp

SkyMiles/WorldPerks Integration Timeline
We're working to align the Delta SkyMiles and Northwest® WorldPerks programs to create the world's largest and best airline loyalty program—and there's a lot going on.
Check out the timeline below for the latest news and an overview of what's happening in 2009.
And remember that your base miles, elite qualification miles, membership status, lifetime mileage, and lounge memberships are safe and will be honored.The timeline will be regularly updated with the latest program news so check back often.
October 2008
Delta and Northwest merger approved.

November 2008
Delta & Northwest Elite Upgrade Reciprocity began. Delta announced expanded alliance partnership with Alaska Airlines.

December 2008
American Express named as the exclusive co-brand credit card issuer. American Express will continue to be the co-brand credit card partner for the current and integrated SkyMiles program.

January 2009
WorldPerks & SkyMiles Program alignment begins.
·Continental Airlines® announced it's leaving SkyTeam® alliance in October 2009. SkyMiles and WorldPerks members can continue to redeem miles for Continental Award Tickets until further notice.
·SkyMiles members can earn Medallion status via segment qualification.
WorldPerks program changes include:
·Award fee alignment to Delta and competitive industry levels.
·Saturday night stay requirement removed from Award Tickets.
·WorldPerks Platinum Elite members receive six systemwide upgrades.
·WorldPerks members may now book Award Travel on Northwest operated flights at low, medium, and high mileage Awards in Economy Class.
Interesting fact: Delta has offered Platinum Medallion upgrade certificates since 1997 and Northwest has had a Saturday night stay requirement for Award Tickets since 1999.

February 2009
Account linking and mileage transfer launched.
WorldPerks and SkyMiles members can link and transfer miles between WorldPerks and SkyMiles accounts; link accounts before April 15, 2009 and earn 500 bonus miles.
Interesting fact: So far more than 350,000 accounts have been linked. We encourage all others to link accounts today.

March 2009
Continued alignment of Delta and Northwest program benefits, including details of mileage upgrade reciprocity for all members and systemwide upgrade reciprocity for Platinum Elites/Platinum Medallions.
Effective March 1, 2009:
· WorldPerks Platinum Elites and SkyMiles Platinum Medallions receive two reissue and redeposit fee waivers and pay $50 for every other instance.
· Similar to SkyMiles members, WorldPerks members now earn an incremental 50 percent mileage bonus when booked in Y, B and M coach fare classes.
· SkyMiles program removes Saturday night stay requirement for booking Northwest Award Tickets.

April 2009
Communicate new benefits to Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers in the United States.
For Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles and Delta Reserve Credit Cardmembers:
·Use Pay with Miles on Northwest operated flights.
·If you redeem a companion certificate over the phone your $20 direct ticketing fee is waived, effective March 26, 2009.
·Companion certificates issued after April 20th, 2009 can be redeemed online.
For the Platinum Delta SkyMiles and Delta Reserve Credit Cardmembers:
·If you redeem an Award Ticket less than 21 days prior to departure your award ticket redemption fees are waived.
·If you redeem an Award Ticket on a partner airline your partner airline award handling fees are waived. For SkyMiles Platinum Medallions, unlimited partner airline Award handling fee waiver.
Interesting fact: WorldPerks and SkyMiles members will be able to use Platinum systemwide upgrade certificates or book mileage-based upgrades on both Delta and Northwest flights to six continents.

May 2009
Begin communicating detailed information regarding the integration of WorldPerks into the SkyMiles program and the additional alignment of program benefits.
New benefits coming this month:
·WorldPerks and SkyMiles members’ ability to redeem mileage upgrades on both Delta and Northwest operated flights.
·WorldPerks Platinum Elites and SkyMiles Platinum Medallions’ ability to redeem systemwide upgrade certificates on both Delta and Northwest operated flights.
·The ability for SkyMiles members to book low, medium, and high mileage Awards on Northwest operated flights and the expansion of the new three-tiered Award structure to Northwest premium cabins.
Interesting Fact: In 2008 Delta issued more than 3 million Award Tickets, and 500,000 of these Award Tickets were flown on dates when other airlines blacked-out award travel.

June 2009
Launch ability for WorldPerks members to book Award Tickets on Delta operated flights at all low, mid, and high mileage Awards in Premium Class.

July 2009
Communicate launch date for when SkyMiles Gold and Platinum Medallion members will be eligible for Complimentary Medallion Upgrades on Award Tickets.

August 2009
Announce the 2010 SkyMiles Medallion/Elite program details and tentative launch date of a new domestic SkyMiles co-branded debit card.
In addition to the existing 2009 Medallion/Elite Program benefits, the 2010 SkyMiles Medallion/Elite Program will have four elite levels

September 2009
Communicate final and complete details regarding the integration of the WorldPerks program into the SkyMiles program.

October 2009
Continental Airlines leaves SkyTeam Alliance and no longer offers our SkyMiles and WorldPerks members the ability to earn or redeem miles on Continental flights.

November 2009
Program integration enters the final stage.

December 2009
WorldPerks members transition into the SkyMiles program.
·All 2009 WorldPerks Elite Qualifying Miles, Elite Qualifying Segments, and mileage balances will be transferred from WorldPerks accounts to their linked SkyMiles accounts to ensure proper status for 2010.
·WorldPerks members who do not have a SkyMiles account will receive a new SkyMiles number, and all WorldPerks EQMs and mileage balances will be transferred to their new SkyMiles accounts.
Interesting fact: The SkyMiles program will include more than 74 million members once WorldPerks members become part of the SkyMiles program.

January 1, 2010
Launch of the new 2010 SkyMiles Medallion program.

January & February 2010
Mail new SkyMiles Medallion credential kits.
Non-Medallion members will receive a SkyMiles membership card upon completion of their first Delta activity.

What if the world starts thinking like airlines....??

OK, this is an oldie but a goodie.......

Thank you to tripso for posting this again. I have read this one, and a couple other that are similar, but it always makes me giggle.

Hope this brightens you day too!!!

The following scenario may sound far-fetched when applied to buying a pair of shoes. But substitute the word airline, and …

Customer: “I’d like to buy a pair of the “Supercool Superfast” running shoes you have advertised for $39.99, size 8 medium.”

Clerk: “Certainly ma’am, that will be $159.99.”

Customer: “Wait a minute,the advertised price said $39.99.”

Clerk: “Yes, but that’s per shoe.”

Customer: “That’s still only about half of what you are charging me.”

Clerk: “Yes, but that doesn’t include the fuel costs involved to get the shoes to our store. And of course sales tax, a fee to cover our store security, and local taxes from China where the shoes were made. Plus there’s a couple others, I don’t remember them exactly.”

Customer: “That doesn’t really seem right.”

Clerk: “And that final price does include a surcharge for my personal assistance. We do have to charge a little more when you don’t order online.”

Customer: “So I could have gotten a better price without actually coming to the store?”

Clerk: “Yes, if you could have figured out our Web site, I have been told it’s a little confusing. And then there would have been a restocking fee if you didn’t like the shoes.”

Customer: “So there really were no shoes available at the advertised price?”

Clerk: “No, the ad is correct. But actually, it’s all explained in the fine print. You know the price would have been cheaper if you came in Tuesday or Wednesday night. And the least expensive price is only available for size 5 narrow. Most sizes are more. Just be glad you don’t need one of our premium sizes.”

Customer: “Well, I need the shoes, and they are supposed to be great. So fine, I’ll take them.”

Clerk: “Great, and would you like laces for an additional $20?”

Prevent your Frequent Flyer Miles from Expiration!!!

Thank you to Money Blue Book, for posting this great article:

This post dates back to October 2007. I'm sure there are updates to these programs, but here are some great tips to keep your account active....

I used to fly a lot and racked up a lot of frequent flyer miles over the years, but now I have to be extra careful. Airline travelers who don’t use their frequent flyer miles…well, frequently, may soon discover that their miles have expired. It is a growing trend, but airlines have shortened the time period that an account can remain inactive before miles expire. In most cases that time period ranges between 1 to 2 years.

Here Are the Expiration Policies For Some of the Biggest Airlines(current Oct 2007):
AirTran: Points in A+ Rewards expire after 12 months.
American Airlines: AAdvantage® miles expire after 36 months of inactivity.
Continental Airlines: OnePass miles do not expire. There is a written policy that says they do, but the airline does not enforce the policy.
Delta Airlines: Delta SkyMiles expire after 2 years of inactivity.
JetBlue: TrueBlue points expire one full year from the date that they are earned.
Northwest Airlines: Northwest WorldPerks miles expire if none are earned for 3 calendar years.
Southwest Airlines: Rapid Rewards points expire after 2 years.
United Airlines: Mileage Plus miles expire after 36 months of inactivity. Starting December 31, 2007, miles will expire after 18 months of inactivity.
U.S. Airways: Dividend Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity.

How You Can Easily Prevent Mileage Expiration
The way to prevent your miles from lapsing due to inactivity is to simply generate miles-earning activity for each airline that you have an account with. Other using than using a specialized miles-generating credit card rewards like the Starwood Preferred, another relatively easy way is by making a purchase at the airline’s own shopping portal, where you earn miles for each purchase. This will allow you to earn a few miles, enough to reset the inactivity clock. Most of the popular stores such as iTunes, Best Buy, and Circuit City can be found at each airline’s shopping website.

Links to the Major Airlines’ Shopping Websites:
American Airlines: AAdvantage® eShopping
Continental Airlines: ShopOnePass
Delta Airlines: Delta SkyMile Shopping
Northwest Airlines: WorldPerks Mall
United Airlines: Mileage Plus Mall
U.S. Airways: Dividend Miles Shopping Mall

Make Sure Your Purchases Count To Reset the Account Activity Clock
--- To ensure that you receive mileage credit for the purchase made through the airline’s shopping portal, make sure your shopping cart is empty before doing the click through. For example, don’t visit Best Buy, add something to your cart and then revisit Best Buy by clicking through the airline’s shopping portal website. You may not receive mileage credit for the items already in your cart. Visit the store through the airline’s website first before making purchases to receive proper mileage credit.
--- There is no minimum mileage you need to earn to reset the inactivity clock. If you can make a quick purchase for a $1 item that allows you to accrue a few miles towards your frequent flyer plan, that is sufficient to reset and prevent expiration.
--- One way to track your miles and monitor your most recent activity in each of your frequent flyer accounts is by using USA Today’s downloadable MileTracker application.