Booking a flight...

[sigirl]

I was booking a flight for my study abroad next semester, and found out that if you book a US Airways flight through Orbitz, they give you 1,000 frequent flyer miles...

I don't know how many of you have to fly a lot, but i really started accumulating ff miles when I was going to school on the west coast...I was able to fly to school like twice w/out paying bc i had gotten so many miles...

just something you guys might want to keep in mind.

[Munchkin03]

I've flown for free three times, and by virtue of my flying home between RI and FL 4-5 times a year and visiting the boy 2-3 times a year, I was bumped to Elite status for my airline (for miles flown during a calendar year). Now that Northwest, Delta, and Continental have synchronized FF programs, it's a great deal. I am more than willing to pay a little extra if it means I get miles.

[AlphaSigOU]

Honestly... you hafta do some serious frequent flying to reap the benefits. Many airlines have increased the number of miles needed to redeem for a free ticket or imposed ridiculous capacity controls that makes you jump through hoops or spend double the amount of miles for a non-capacity controlled award. Some frequent flyer programs nowadays do not give elite status credit for purchasing cheap fares.

Trick I learned from hanging out on the FlyerTalk frequent flyer forums (www.flyertalk.com) : for most airlines you can begin booking for reward travel as early as 330 days before your planned travel date; this is especially helpful if you're trying to snag a freebie ticket to Hawaii or other very popular destinations, especially near holiday periods.

As for elite status, it ain't all that cracked up to be. Most airlines deliberately limit the capacity of First Class, and on heavily traveled routes where there is a lot of business travel you're SOL unless you are in the top tier of the elites.

Hootie: if you still have your Mileage Plus number, you may be able to call the MP service desk and ask them to reset your password. It is possible your miles are still there but in 'limbo'. Most airlines will keep FF miles active for three years after your last transaction date (earn, redeem, etc.).

One cheap way to get credit for FF mileage and keep your account active: take advantage of the little offers that pop up once in a while, such as buying flowers online or something like that.

[smiley21]

airplanes give me the heebie jeebies

[DeltAlum]

I flew a lot in former jobs and have taken advantage of hundreds of thousands of miles to take my family (5 of us) on vacations, to my mom's funeral and other stuff.

At the moment, I'm sitting on enough miles for a couple of round trip Biz class seats to Europe for Mrs. DA and me. Just have to find the time and money to go.

[U.N. Jefferson]

I think that is a great deal... I saw an article about that on Reuters earlier today... I think it is great that they are giving us some more miles... From what i understood from the article they were bonus miles, so while you were right about having to fly a ton AlphaSigOU, this would most certianly help... I mean, between flying home for thanksgiving and christmas, going on spring break, summer vacation, and any other things that come up... i am flying a ton.. this should really help towards getting some free tickets... i am all for it...

[Tom Earp]

I flew every other week for 4/5 years. No bonus miles! Just paid via the Co.!

Last time I flew Delta to Fl. for a LXA Function!

Heres to Delta F U!

I know I am on their shit list! Tried to bust me cause I was pissed when they cancelled flights for not being full or what ever!

[sigmagrrl]

I'm earning all my Mileage Plus miles via shopping at Safeway. For every $250 I spend, I get 125 miles. I've earned about 8,000 miles so far....Yes, I like to grocery shop!!LOL

[LSUquadkid]

Well I fly home all the time, and I think that Orbitz promotion is really cool! I could totally use the extra miles, so eventually I'll get some free flights out of it.