"Know if your carrier adheres to this rule — it could be your saving grace

Even though U.S. airlines have weakened the Rule 240 clauses in their contracts of carriage, it still pays to have a copy with you to show the airline's ground service agents what your rights are when your flight is badly delayed or canceled.

Before the deregulation of the U.S. airline industry in 1978, every U.S. airline had to follow the same set of rules — including those dealing with "irregularities" such as canceled flights.
In those days, airline fares and routes were regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board, the predecessor to today's Federal Aviation Administration.
One of these rules, number 240, specified that if an airline couldn't get you to your destination on time, it was required to put you on a competitor's flight if it would get you there faster than your original airline's net flight. Airlines were even required to put you in first class if that's all that was available.

They rarely advertised this perk, however, since airlines naturally didn't want to fork over scarce cash to fly customers on a rival carrier. But seasoned road warriors have always known they could approach the counter and say the magic words "240 me" to be put on the next flight out.

Airlines formed after deregulation — such as JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit — were never required to follow these rules. Even so, some of these newer airlines may attempt to put you on another airline if there's no other choice.
"While we don't have a traditional Rule 240, we will purchase confirmed seats as necessary on another airline to get customers to their final destination in the event of irregularities within our control," Todd Burke, JetBlue Airways' vice president for corporate communications, told Airfarewatchdog.com.
In addition, if there's a "significant delay," JetBlue's compensation may include a "partial or full refund," in addition to accommodation on another airline.

However, in recent years, as "legacy" carriers such as American, United, and Delta have struggled to remain profitable, and some have slashed costs to emerge from bankruptcy, many have quietly weakened their Rule 240s.

United Airlines, for instance, no longer states in its contract of carriage that it will fly you in first class on a competitor, if that's all that's available, although it will transport you in coach class on another airline.

Although Delta Air Lines still has a Rule 240 in its contract, it no longer makes any mention of transporting passengers on other airlines in the event of a flight disruption.

Continental Airlines will upgrade a delayed passenger only on its own flights—not on a competitor's—and only if doing so will get you to your destination earlier than would otherwise be the case.

US Airways has nothing in its terms of transportation concerning Rule 240, though spokesperson Amy Kudwa said the airline still applies the rule on all flights except international flights.

The good news is that Northwest Airlines still has a very traditional contract, little changed from the days of regulation. It will put you on another airline, in first class if necessary, if your original flight is delayed 60 minutes or longer.

It's important to emphasize that these rules generally apply to situations within the airline's control, such as mechanical problems. But if the flight irregularity results from a "force majeure event" such as bad weather, a riot, or a work stoppage, then all bets are off. And the legacy carriers may not have agreements with their newer competitors such as JetBlue and Southwest, so that they might not re-route you on those carriers.

Even if you are flying an airline that adheres to Rule 240, its employees may be reluctant to rewrite your ticket on a competitor because of the financial implications of doing so. So it pays to print out and carry a copy of the contract of carriage and present it to the gate agent if necessary." By George Hobica [Via msnbc.msn.com]

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Know your rights. We did another post on this topic on April 7. 2007

Labels: Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, rule 240, United Airlines, US Airways

Quadruple Miles, Quadruple Smiles

This winter, go global and earn four times the miles!

Between December 1, 2007 and February 29, 2008, stay at participating Hilton Family hotels worldwide and earn quadruple miles with Delta Air Lines®.

Just pick a global destination - you have six continents to choose from! Remember, wherever you go, there'll be a Hilton Family hotel nearby.
Quadruple Miles, Quadruple Smiles

This winter, go global and earn four times the miles!

Between December 1, 2007 and February 29, 2008, stay at participating Hilton Family hotels worldwide and ean quadruple miles with Delta Air Lines®.

Just pick a global destination - you have six continents to choose from! Remember, wherever you go, there'll be a Hilton Family hotel nearby.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Be sure you have Delta as the airline frequent flyer program with Hilton Honors.

Labels: Delta Airlines, HILTON, Hilton HHonors

"Delta Air Lines Inc.'s top executives, looking for a way to bolster the bottom line, are retooling the carrier's frequent-flier program, and it could mean that booking award flights -- already a daunting task -- could get even harder.

That could alienate the airline's most loyal travelers, who according to industry watchers, are already wandering.

Delta will implement a change Dec. 1 that will make fewer award seats available on popular flights, even for loyal customers willing to redeem double the miles to get a "free" ticket.

Delta will also start passing along a "surcharge" for miles tickets booked on SkyTeam airline partners.

In an Oct. 30 interview, Lee Macenczak, Delta's executive vice president of sales and marketing, said that, "90 to 95 percent of people using SkyChoice," Delta's premium award level, won't be affected.

"We perceive it to be a minor change, but it's elicited a much more emotional response," he said.

Travel industry watchers have been complaining, saying the move could be matched by other legacy carriers.

In other words, it's a "race to the bottom," said one industry observer.

"The real trend in the industry is to just make fun of people, basically," said Atlanta consumer advocate and WSB radio talk show host Clark Howard.

"They say, 'Hey look, how'd you like to get a free trip to Italy? Just kidding,' " said Howard, who decried Delta's move as the latest trick on people lured into loyalty programs that never really pay off.." [Via www.bizjournals.com/atlanta]

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
We hope other airlines don't follow this bad move by Delta.
To see the original story click on blue line above

Labels: Delta Airlines, frequent flyer

You've got the whole world ahead of you—and a lifetime to enjoy it. For the third year in a row, Delta brings you Tickets for Life. Enter for your chance to win the grand prize of 2.5 million miles and $25,000 in spending cash. Or, you could become a daily prizewinner of 50,000 bonus miles.

Register to win then purchase a round-trip ticket at delta.com by December 15, 2007, and fly by January 15, 2008. Use any American Express® Card to purchase your tickets, and you can get an additional entry each time you book.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
No purchase necessary. The Tickets for Life Sweepstakes is sponsored by Delta Air Lines. The promotion begins on 9/25/07 and ends on 12/15/07. Click blue line above to go to registration page.

Labels: Delta Airlines, Delta Skymiles.contest

Earn miles for activating your new DHL account. Simply send an express shipment or purchasing ShipReady and earn:

• 1,000 miles when you ship for the first time on your new DHL account or for your first purchase of ShipReady
• 1 mile for every $1 spent on your DHL Express shipments
• 2 miles for every $1 spent on DHL Express ShipReady prepaid overnight envelopes

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Click blue line above for all the details

Labels: Delta Airlines, DHL. SkyMiles

We keep hearing complaints about Delta Airlines playing with their schedule.

We recently went to Dallas for a family party and Delta Airlines changed 3 different family members flights from non stop to one stop ( no bad weather and from different cities ). Unfortunately they were traveling with small children.

Delta Airlines claimed in one case they called a phone number to inform my cousin but it wasn't the number he had given Delta. Another cousin got the call at 4:30 AM for a 7:00 AM flight that they were no longer on a non stop.

We have a Delta Airlines November flight that has gone from 9:15AM to 6:30 AM to 7:45AM. Currently set to leave at 9:00 AM. Hope it stays a non stop.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
9 Airline's Email Addresses for your complaints.
click blue line above or go to
http://www.elliott.org/category/help

Labels: complaints, Delta Airlines

It's as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Register for the Coast-to-Coast Bonus.
2. Then dine five times and spend $15 or more each time at any participating restaurants in the NYC Tri-State and Southern California areas before 9/30/07 on a day when benefits are being offered.*
3.Earn 5,000 Delta SkyMiles bonus miles!

The Pointswizard.com Spin: You must register-Click blue line above

Labels: Delta Airlines, Delta Skymiles. bonus miles, LA, NYC

Fall cruising means falling prices—sail away on an award-winning ship and get the best value for your vacation dollar.

And for a limited time you'll get up to 30,000 DeltaSkyMiles!

Choose from hundreds of voyages aboard the world's top fleets and you'll earn up to 10,000 DeltaSkyMiles based on the length of your cruise. Book a balcony or suite by September 30 and earn triple miles. That's up to 30,000 SkyMiles just for cruising—at the best prices guaranteed!

The Pointswizard.com Spin: Great deal- Cruise and get a lot of miles!!

Labels: cruises, Delta Airlines, free miles Skymiles

"Holders of the most exclusive American Express cards get a new perk starting today – free access to American Airlines Inc.'s airport clubs worldwide.

American Express Co. and American will announce today that Platinum and Centurion cardholders can get into American's Admirals Clubs on days that they travel on American.

Holders of those American Express cards already get access to a number of other airlines' airport clubs, but until now, about the only way they could get into an Admirals Club was to buy their way in.

Simon Kahn, vice president of Platinum and Centurion marketing for American Express, said its cardholders let American Express know what they wanted.

"We talk to our card members all the time," he said. "One of the things we hear from them is that they want access to American Airlines lounges. In research study after research study, American Airlines has come out as one of the most popular carriers for our base. We just think this is a terrific additional benefit for those cardholders."

The Platinum and Centurion cardholders – whether consumer, business or corporate members – tend to spend a lot of money. American Airlines spokesman Charley Wilson said the relationship will work to American's benefit as well.

"It provides American Express' Platinum and Centurion cardholders access to our clubs, and it also provides American Airlines an opportunity to talk to them and expose our products and services to them," he said.

To gain access to an Admirals Club, a traveler must show an American Express Platinum or Centurion card and an itinerary showing that he is flying on American that day. The cardholder can bring two guests.

Normally, American charges $50 for a one-day pass or $300 to $450 to join for one year, depending on frequent-flier status, with renewal costs of $250 to $400 a year. Its AAdvantage frequent-flier club members can also trade in miles for Admirals Club memberships.

Of course, getting in through an American Express card won't be free, either. Holders of the Platinum card pay a $450 annual fee, and the more exclusive Centurion card reportedly costs $2,500 a year.

The free access applies only to the cards issued directly by American Express, not to cards issued by bank partners such as Citibank." [Via Dallas News.com]

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
It's good to see an expansion of benefits for Amex's two most expensive cards. Delta, Continental and Northwest Airlines also have this benefit already.

Labels: american Airlines, american Express, Amex, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines

Planning for your future? There's never been a better—or more rewarding time—to work with our financial partners. Our financial partners include acclaimed institutions such as Ameriprise Financial, Chase Education Finance, Chase Home Equity, LendingTree, ShareBuilder, and TD AMERITRADE.

All you need to do is participate with one or more of these financial partners between August 1 and September 30, 2007, and you'll get an additional 25% mileage bonus to the partner offer. These miles can bring you closer to Award Travel to more than 450 destinations worldwide. Depending on which and how many partner offer(s) you choose, those bonus miles will really add up—making that dream destination a reality.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Register (click blue line above) by September 15, 2007, and see how rewarding financing your future can be.

Labels: Delta Airlines

Travel now, or travel later? Book a trip with Delta’s Preferred Partners, and you can do both. Just rent a car with Avis or Budget or a stay at any Hilton Family hotel between June 15 and August 31, 2007, and you’ll earn 1,000 bonus miles, plus 1,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles toward your 2007 status.
Get great service now from Delta’s Preferred Partners. Get extra miles you can use later toward an Award Travel trip or the next elite status level. Register today, earn more miles, and you can travel twice for less. It’s that rewarding.
Visit Avis, Budget and Hilton Family of Hotels to see their latest offers.
Not a SkyMiles member? Enroll Today

The Pointswizard.com Spin: ends August 31, 2007

Labels: Avis, bonus miles, Budget, Delta Airlines

Need a few more miles to earn Award Travel or upgrades? Looking to increase your account balance? For as little as $29.56 USD, you can begin to open up an entire world of travel opportunities.
Miles can be purchased in increments of 1,000 and are applicable toward all SkyMiles awards.*
You can purchase up to 30,000 miles for yourself per calendar year.
American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Diners Club are accepted.
Please check your mileage balance to find out how many miles you need prior to making your purchase.
*Purchased miles are non-refundable, and should post to the appropriate SkyMiles account within 72 hours. You must be a SkyMiles member to purchase miles;

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
A great way to top off your account to get enough miles for a free trip.

Labels: buy miles, Delta Airlines, Sky Miles

With the wide variety of deals available with DeltaSkymiles Cruises, there has never been a more perfect time to plan a getaway. Choose from popular destinations

Book your cruise vacation

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Triple miles offer is available for balcony or higher staterooms booked between 6/14/07 - 9/30/07 for travel departing by 12/31/07.

Labels: bonus miles, cruises, Delta Airlines, DeltaSkymiles Cruises, Mart

LOOKING FOR MONEY FOR COLLEGE?

Looking for a way to cover your college expenses that's fast, simple and worry-free? Apply today for a Private Education Loan from Chase—a leader in educational funding—and get the money you need now, when you need it most.*

* Borrow as much as $35,000 per academic year
* Get approval in minutes
* No payments until after you graduate college
* Applying is quick and easy

Money for Books, Bills and More
A Private Education Loan can provide a check to help you cover ALL your bills.

* Tuition
* Housing and Living Expenses
* Computer
* Books, Supplies and More
* Even Past Bills

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
click blue line above to get started

Labels: college tuition, computer, Delta Airlines, Sky Miles

You can earn 5,000 bonus miles, per rate plan activated with SkyMiles Wireless.

In addition, you can take advantage of our Spring Blowout sale and get a MOTORAZR FREE after instant discount with select service plans. Choose from a large selection of colors and carriers. Plus, as a valued SkyMiles member you will earn 5,000 miles per rate plan activated!

Choose your RAZR now.
Shop SkyMiles Wireless for the best phones with the nation's leading wireless service providers and earn valuable miles today!

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Click blue line above to get started.

Labels: bonus miles, cell phones, Delta Airlines, Razr

We're helping you celebrate the Moms, Grads and Dads in your life. Give your family and friends the gift of travel with Transfer Miles!

At just $0.01 per mile transferred, Transfer Miles is a great way to share your extra miles, enabling you to top off their SkyMiles account or give them enough miles for an Award Ticket. Transfer miles between May 1 and May 31, 2007 and we'll waive the $25 processing fee.

Additionally, we have doubled the maximum number of transferred miles any individual SkyMiles account can receive per calendar year to 300,000 miles, making it easier to receive the gift of travel. Up to 150,000 miles may be transferred out of any individual SkyMiles account per calendar year.

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Ends May 31, 2007

Labels: Delta Airlines, SkyMiles, tansfer miles

Enroll in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program now and experience all the terrific benefits of being a SkyMiles member. Plus, between May 8 and June 30, 2007, Starwood Preferred Guest® members will receive 4,000 bonus miles—just for enrolling!

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Ends June30,2007. Click blue line above to get started

Labels: bonus miles, Delta Airlines, SkyMiles, Starwood Hotels

Between April 13th and June 16th, all your purchases (at top stores like Bloomingdales, Sephora, Overstock.com and more) at Delta SkyMilesShopping.com count towards even more bonus miles. Shop for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a little something for yourself and just watch how your miles add up!

Labels: bonus miles, Dad, Delta Airlines, Grad, Mom, shopping

Your Source for real frequent flier miles

Earn points for every dollar spent
Redeem your points 1:1 for Dividend Miles on US Airways, SkyMiles on Delta Airlines, Starpoints with Starwood Preferred Guest, or redeem for GiftCertificates.com gift certificates

Labels: Air Miles Mart, Delta Airlines, Dividend Miles, GiftCertificates.com, SkyMiles, Starpoints, Starwood Preferred Guest, US Airways

Make your getaway more enjoyable with a great offer from Budget!

To earn your Quadruple SkyMiles:
Because Budget values your business, we’re offering Delta SkyMiles members an unprecedented deal. You can earn QUADRUPLE SkyMiles miles and up to 20% off each time you rent a Budget car! How’s that for multiplying your savings?

Rack up a maximum of 1000 SkyMiles per rental period (200 miles per day, up to five days). The more times you rent with Budget, the more Quadruple SkyMiles you earn! This limited time offer is available on all car groups at any participating Budget airport location in the U.S. and Canada between April 9, 2007 and May 25, 2007.


The Pointswizard.com Spin: get the code# by clicking on blue line above

Labels: bonus miles, Budet Rent a Car, Delta Airlines, SkyMiles