Mile Alert: Best mileage program, new airfare strategies, airlinemergers, more

Mile Alert Newsletter
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
http://www.SmarterTravel.com/

THE JOY OF MILES
How to choose the best mileage program
The single most important decision you can make is which program to
join. Tim Winship helps you decide.
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

TRAVEL TIP
Five strategies for finding cheaper airfares in 2008
Use these new strategies, and a few old ones, to find deals.
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2496...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

ED PERKINS
Airline mergers are bad news for consumers
Find out why Ed Perkins is nervous about the possibility of a
Delta/Northwest merger.
http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5


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MORE NEWS & ADVICE
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1. Top five award destinations for February

Your five best bets for award travel this month.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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2. JetBlue defines Aer Lingus partnership

Plus, the airline now offers refundable fares.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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3. No extra points for JetBlue-Aer Lingus partnershjp

New airline partnership will not include mileage program links.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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4. United adds fee for checking a second bag

Let the 2008 airline industry nickel-and-diming begin.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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5. Earn 20,000 Continental miles for new debit cards

As debit card bonuses go, this one is uncommonly rich.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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6. Want 25,000 Delta miles? Get busy!

Delta promotion rewards consumers for using program partners.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2501...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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7. American cancels dozens of February flights

The airline will cancel at least 76 flights this month.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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8. Hilton scraps HHonors award restrictions

Free nights will be free of blackout dates and capacity controls.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2502...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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9. Continental to introduce in-flight DirecTV and Wi-Fi

Services are due to begin next January.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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10. Prepare for the low-cost airline sales pitch

Get ready for a constant stream of sales pitches if you fly Skybus.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2480...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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11. Tips for flying with prescription medicine

Find out the rules for flying within the U.S. and overseas.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2482...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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12. Should you earn frequent flyer miles for car rentals?

You will have to pay for the miles you earn.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2486...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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13. On the menu: More miles for dining

Earn 10 miles per dollar spent at thousands of restaurants.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2500...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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14. That can't be true, can it? Travel myths and facts

Separating travel facts and fictions.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2498...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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15. Baggage delayed? Ask for a stipend

Stipends can help you cover basic needs until your bags surface.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2482...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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16. Beware the world's most delayed airports

Find out which cities worldwide earn the dubious top honors.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2501...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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17. Not be so cheap after all

Ryanair tacks on extra charges for luggage and airport check-in.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2501...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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18. Airlines double fuel surcharge

Expect to pay an extra $40 for domestic round-trips.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2501...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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19. TSA launches blog to air security complaints

Share your security nightmares with others.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2505...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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20. Frequent flyer miles: What they're worth

You might be better off chasing some other rewards.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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21. The right rights?

Will the new passenger bills of rights yield any results?

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2498...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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22. More new (expensive) airline trends

Prepare to stay Saturday night and pay for curbside check-in.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5

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23. Why the pre-flight safety talk matters

Think the safety talk isn't worth listening to? Think again.

Click: http://rd.SmarterTravel.com/?r=i2504...6&u=SL4F6B4DC5