"My wife's grandfather, Sam Valencino, had a wonderful saying that he'd repeat often with a deep Southern drawl and a large scoop of sarcasm: "Everything's up but wages."
The thing is this, however: We all know it's true. When it comes to travel, it seems no fuel surcharge is high enough. No rental-car tax is too high. No hotel "resort fee" will go uncollected. Never mind fares. Now we're seeing the same upward creep in frequent flyer mileage plans.
So here's the nagging question: Now that we've spent our way to the poorhouse to build up this big bank of miles, why can't I find "saver tickets" for the family to fly from Anchorage to Miami and back? Huh? Inquiring minds want to know.
Welcome to the hide-and-seek game of frequent-flyer redemption.
I spend most of my time trying to game the system over at Alaska Airlines, since that's where I have most of my miles. In fact, I just ordered a bunch of magazines with the remainder of my Delta miles, which were set to expire. My choices included Men's Health, Nursing Week, Teen Cosmo and Spin. Woo-hoo.
In case you didn't notice, the cost to call in to Alaska Airlines and book a mileage ticket went up by 5,000 miles. If you can massage the Web site, www.alaskaair.com, you still can nab some of those saver awards for 20,000, plus the obligatory taxes. But this is one example where Alaska is able to offset the millions and millions of miles people are earning by charging up their credit cards.
Oh, don't worry too much, though. Alaska and partner Bank of America actively push the credit-card deals, including having Alaska flight attendants hawk the cards on every flight.
The credit cards, the phone tie-in with GCI, the groceries at Carr's and the partnership mileage arrangements with other airlines all add up to a mileage-churning machine that adds thousands of people into the qualifying pool of travelers that have 20,000 miles and want a free ticket on Alaska Airlines. There are tie-ins with mortgage companies, wine clubs, florists and most hotels and car rental companies.
In fact, Alaska Airlines is offering 20,000 bonus miles if you sign up for one of its credit cards on their Web site. That's a free ticket. If you can find one.
Many travelers, myself included, have struggled to find the 20,000-mile tickets during the busy summer travel season. On two occasions this summer, I pulled the trigger and booked first class on Delta, which cost me 45,000 Alaska Airlines miles each.
But as we ease into the fall, more of these seats tend to open up. Just today, I found 20,000-mile tickets in August and September from Anchorage to Orlando and Newark. To Chicago and Boston, the total went to 25,000 miles because at least one segment was on Delta or American, two of Alaska's partner carriers.
If you're having trouble finding the right date weeks or months in advance, you might have better luck waiting until the week before you travel. Personally, I hate to play "chicken" with travel reservations. But it's true that more mileage-redemption inventory appears just a few days before departure. And since there's no advance purchase requirement on mileage reservations, that's a real option for flexible travelers." [Via Anchorage Daily News]

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Labels: Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, frequent flyer, Mexico, Southwest, US Airways

Save 10,000 miles on awards to Mexico

Mexico Award SaleSave 10,000 miles off the regular 30,000-mile Mileage Plan Coach Saver award when you fly on Alaska Airlines from the Continental U.S. and Canada to Mexico.

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This offer is available for booking beginning July 25, 2007, and is valid for travel between September 3, 2007, and October 31, 2007.

Labels: Alaska Airlines, award ticket, Mexico, sale

If you've been holding your bid until the right package came along, get ready, because this month's Mileage Plan auction is about as good as it gets. Alaska Airlines has partnered with Air France and the InterContinental Paris Le Grand hotel to bring you this month's ultimate romantic retreat. Consider: you and a special someone, whisked away to Paris, the City of Light, the City of Love, of art, small dogs, and shoes-pick your cliché-because chances are, Paris has it. Art, history, culture, wine, food, decadence in countless flavors. And for six nights, Paris can be yours.

The extravagance begins with two First Class tickets on Alaska Airlines to Seattle, followed by two Business Class tickets on Air France's new nonstop daily flight from Seattle to Paris. Enjoy the attentive service, unique comfort of lie-flat seats, individual entertainment systems, exquisite cuisine and wines in Air France's L'Espace Affaires Business Class. Then, for the next six days you'll make your own Parisian history, exploring the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, the Champs-Elysées, and more.

This Elegant Parisian Package for Two includes a 6-night stay at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand, the sumptuous "luxury liner" docked along the side of the magnificent Garnier Opera House. The Grand is just steps away from some of the capital's most well known tourist attractions, famous department stores, and the luxury boutiques of the Place Vendome.

The icing on the cake—you will be transported between Charles de Gaulle and the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand in style and luxury by Executive Car (providing chauffeur driven transportation with English speaking drivers-guide in France since 1952).

Complete Vacation Auction Includes:

First Class round-trip airfare for 2 from any Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air city to Seattle
Business Class round-trip airfare for two to Paris, France on Air France's new Seattle-Paris flight
6-night stay in an exquisite Executive-level room at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand
Round-trip airport/hotel transportation in an Mercedes Sedan with an English Speaking chauffeur from Executive Car service
Daily breakfast at the Cafe de la Paix
Spa voucher for two
Enjoy crepes from a street vendor, treat yourself to unparalleled shopping, stroll along the Seine River, dine in first-class restaurants, or witness world-famous architecture. And do it all in style. Hurry, bid today!

The Pointswizard.com Spin: HURRY!!-e June 29, 2007 at 12:30:00 p.m. PT. Click on blue line above to get details.

Labels: Alaska Airlines, auction, bid, Continental Airlines

500 Miles for Insider Newsletter Sign-up

Mileage Plan members who subscribe to alaskaair.com's Insider newsletter will receive 500 Mileage Plan Bonus Miles just for signing up! Insider newsletter subscribers receive weekly alaskaair.com news and information along with handy quick reference prices for Web Specials, vacations, cruises and hotel rooms. There's also a weekly e-certificate with discounts you won’t find anywhere else.

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Labels: Alaska Airlines, bonue, Mileage Plan, miles

Everything Good Begins With a Dream
Disneyland Year of a Million Dreams

And now your family's dreams can become reality as the Disneyland® Resort celebrates The Year of a Million Dreams! Let Alaska Airlines Vacations grant your first wish with Kids Fly Free to the Disneyland® Resort ... where happily ever after happens every day.

The renowned heritage of personal service at the Disneyland® Resort has hit a high point. The Disney Cast are now empowered like never before to make Disney vacations dreams come true. Each and every day during The Year of a Million Dreams, the Disney Cast will be surprising Guests with enchanting dream-come-true entertainment and magical moments happening during this very special year.

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This offer is officially extended - book your trip until May 31; just make sure you complete travel by June 28, 2007, to take advantage.

Labels: Alaska Airlines, Disney, Disneyland, Kids, Kids fly free

Enter for your chance to win an unforgettable 14-day trip to Alaska, including air, deluxe lodging, an extraordinary four-night small-ship cruise, and wondrous activities. Just check off the adventures you’d want to be a part of your dream trip, and we can make it come true! Click here to register—and hurry, the "Your Alaska Dream Trip"

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Hurry! Sweepstakes ends midnight Alaska time April 13, 2007

Labels: Alaska Airlines, free, free trip

Double Miles between California and ANY city in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico

Double Miles to/from California It's all in the numbers: eight Southern California destinations, five Bay Area airports*, 18 California locations in total...and don't even get us started on total number of daily nonstops. And now we've got even more to offer: earn Double Mileage Plan Miles when you fly to or from any California city served by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air. That's right—Double Miles to or from any city we fly to in California!

Just book your flight at alaskaair.com, register, and watch the miles add up. See, math is fun!

To earn Double Miles, simply register prior to your first qualifying flight by providing your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number and selecting a registration code below.

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Labels: Alaska Airlines, bonus miles, California, Canada, Horizon Air, Mexico, U.S.A

Save 5,000 miles off the regular 20,000-mile Mileage Plan Coach Saver award when you fly on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air between San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento and any city in Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and Canada.

The Pointswizard.com Spin: This offer is available valid for travel between January 16 and March 21, 2007. The 5,000 mile discount is not available on February 16-20, 2007.

Labels: Alaska Airlines, Horizon Airlines, sale

And now your family's dreams can become reality as the Disneyland® Resort celebrates The Year of a Million Dreams! Let Alaska Airlines Vacations grant your first wish with Kids Fly Free to the Disneyland® Resort ... where happily ever after happens every day.

Where pure imagination coaxes the kid inside every adult to come outside and play along. Where a cast of dream makers have a remarkable talent for turning dreams into reality—no matter how big, no matter how small. Come unlock the power of the most remarkable magic of all—your dreams. And for a limited time, Everyone Plays for the Kids' Price at the Disneyland® Resort.

Just book your Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package between December 6, 2006, and March 20, 2007, and travel between January 3, 2007, and June 28, 2007. For best availability, visit alaskaair.com and book your magical vacation today.

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Labels: Alaska Airlines, Disney, Disneyland, Kids, Kids fly free