Best Bets – August, 29 2003

by Randy Petersen

Best Bets – August, 29 2003
  1. Bring a friend for free! Through the end of the year, use your MasterCard to pay for an economy-class ticket on SWISS from the U.S. to any SWISS destination and you’ll earn a free companion ticket. Call (800) 568-0308 and refer to code G*LCN5W4, or visit online at http://www.swiss.com/tg-so-us-mastercard-companion to take advantage of this offer.
  2. In recognition of reaching the 10-million-member mark, ANA Mileage Club is offering a 20-percent reduction on all ANA international and domestic flights. That’s a lot of members, and a lot of discounted miles. An economy-class award from the U.S. to Japan, for example, will be reduced from 50,000 miles to 40,000 miles. The offer lasts until Nov. 14. Call the AMC Award Reservation Desk at (800) 262-4653 or visit online at http://www.fly-ana.com.
  3. You can still earn double credit when you book your flight at http://www.southwest.com and fly by Dec. 31, 2003. With double credit you can earn a free flight in as few as four roundtrips. This one is headed to the frequent flyer marketing Hall of Fame. What is amazing is how long they have extended this bonus. Keep clicking and keep flying.
  4. Frequent travelers who stay at any Fiesta Americana Grand, Fiesta Americana or Fiesta Inn in Mexico through Dec. 19 will receive 1,000 bonus miles per night in either the AeroMexico Club Premier, Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, Continental OnePass, Delta SkyMiles or Mexicana Frecuenta program. In addition, guests will receive a free night certificate good for one year and complimentary Gold status in the Grupo Posadas Fiesta Rewards program.
  5. Any bonus that offers 25,000 miles and doesn’t demand a first-born child generally attracts our attention. United Mileage Plus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when signing up for Sprint services. Sign up for local and long distance service for 10,000 miles, purchase and activate two new lines of wireless PCS Service for another 10,000 miles, and receive a 5,000-mile bonus for doing both. The offer is good through Sept. 15. Call (866) 845-7075 or visit online at http://www.sprint.com/25kua.
  6. In an unusual move for the increasingly stingy rental car industry, Thrifty Car Rental is offering triple frequent flyer miles on eight airlines, and triple points at Hilton until Nov. 14. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, Continental OnePass and Delta SkyMiles members can earn triple (150 miles) their normal mileage award per rental day when renting through Thrifty.com. America West FlightFund, Northwest WorldPerks, United Mileage Plus and US Airways Dividend Miles members can earn triple (750 miles) their normal mileage award. Hilton HHonors members will receive triple (750 points) their normal point award when paying for their stay with a Visa card at all U.S. Hilton locations. A two-day minimum is required and applies to compact cars and above. Advance reservations must be made at http://www.thrifty.com, by clicking on the Partner Promotions page and selecting the appropriate partner reward program.
  7. Who’s got the best deal in this “Fly Three, Fly Free” madness? That depends on what you’re looking for. For thrifty passengers looking to fly on the cheap, we’d recommend United — the ones who started it all. United’s offer is good for all classes of service. The only restriction is that economy-class travel cannot include a Saturday night. Register and fly before Sept. 30.

    Fly Three, Fly Three. The latest frequent flyer promotion has swept the industry by storm. Every one of the Big Six, along with Alaska Mileage Plan, have joined the dance, and most are giving you until the end of September to get it done.

  8. Alaska Mileage Plan has always done things a little differently, which might explain its “Program of the Year” Freddie Award. Mileage Plan was one of the last programs to join the “Fly Three, Fly Free” game, but it was certainly not least. The beauty of the Mileage Plan offer is that you earn miles, not a free ticket. As a result, no obnoxious restrictions will cramp your style. Alaska is offering 20,000 and 40,000 bonus miles for three and six flights, respectively. Register and fly before Sept. 30.
  9. In the “it’s about time” category, we’re pleased to report that Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is getting in on bonus mile action in a big way. From Aug. 25 to Sept. 30, online bookings for roundtrips made through singaporeair.com’s U.S. and Canadian Web sites will earn 10,000 bonus miles for Economy-class (B/Y fares), 20,000 miles for Business Class (C/J fares), and 40,000 miles for First Class (P/F fares). Travel must be completed by Nov. 28. In addition, new members who enroll and activate their account with a mileage-earning fare within the first six months will earn an additional 3,000 miles. Visit http://www.singaporeair.com for details.
  10. And you thought earning miles from car rentals was passe (or at least very slow). From now until the end of the year, British Airways Executive Club members can earn up to 6,000 miles by renting a car with Avis. Members who register at http://www.avis.com will get an additional 500 miles on their second rental, 1,000 miles on the fourth, and 1,500 miles on their sixth. Blue members, use code B335100; Silver and Gold members, use B335300.

Related Articles