Pssst … want to hear something? With the airlines in a bit of a jam and even
the healthy ones being offset by desperate competition, here’s a glimpse of
what the fall will be like. Elite members? Continental has struck first and
is offering members the opportunity to fast track themselves for 2003 Elite
benefits by purchasing unrestricted Continental fares between Sept. 1 and
Dec. 31 for which members will earn up to six segments/points per flight
credit toward 2003 Elite status. You can bet others will create their own
versions of fast track elite requalification for 2003, though our guess is
that they won’t be giving them away as they did last year. Now for the real
whammy. Alaska Mileage Plan is offering members double miles for all flights
between Sept. 3 and Oct. 31. They love to create havoc for United Mileage
Plus out on the West Coast and this is certainly one way to do it. We’ll see
what United does to respond — as they must. Yes, early elite and double
miles flown does sound familiar doesn’t it?