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World Perks Visa Signature Card

or Platinum World Perks Visa Signature Card

Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to apply

“With airfares skyrocketing because of oil prices, summer travelers with frequent flier miles to burn are hoping to redeem them.
Just yesterday I booked a flight on American between MSP and Washington, D.C. using frequent flyer miles. I did get a flight requiring only 25,000 miles, but I was shocked to learn there was a $50.00 fee attached to booking the trip using miles. I feel lucky to be able to use the miles.

Some summer vacation travelers may have sticker shock if they’ve looked at airfares lately, and those higher prices are prompting more consumers to try to cash in frequent flier miles.

Tom Parsons, CEO of bestfares.com, warned Wednesday that some Twin Cities travelers could pay double what they did to fly last July. Northwest Airlines and other big carriers have been raising fares in response to record oil prices.

Travelers have been sitting on a mountain of frequent flier miles that can be turned into millions of free tickets. But many chose not to redeem those miles when they could buy round-trip tickets to the East Coast for as low as $200. Now that some prices have doubled, using the miles makes more sense.

“If people want to avoid buying a higher fare, perhaps they are more likely to turn to their miles as money in the bank to redeem,” said Jay Sorensen, who just completed a study on frequent flier programs.

At Northwest, Bob Soukup, managing director of WorldPerks marketing, said frequent flier redemptions are up about 10 percent in recent months. “As the fares are going up, WorldPerks miles do become more valuable,” Soukup said.

The increase, he said, has been driven by a program introduced in February called PerkChoice, which allows a customer to pay for a trip half in cash and half in miles.

“We are continually trying to improve the program, to make it easier for our members to earn their miles and burn their miles,” he said.

Enrollment for Northwest’s WorldPerks Visa card program, which generates airline miles for purchases made with the card, is up 19.3 percent this year — another indicator of strong consumer desire to earn miles.

Northwest and American, the world’s largest airline, both indicated that about 7 to 8 percent of their passengers typically are traveling on award tickets from their frequent flier programs.” ( via ) by LIZ FEDOR, Star Tribune

Pointswizard.com Spin: Read more here

Win an exciting, entertaining and unforgettable five-night trip to Paris from NWA WorldVacations!

With a vacation package to Paris from WorldVacations, you may find yourself surveying the view from atop the Eiffel Tower, strolling the Champs Elysees or perusing the Louvre.

Simply register below from April 1-30, 2008, for a chance to win this fantastic vacation!

Paris package includes:

• Roundtrip coach-class airfare via Northwest Airlines® to
  Paris, France
• Choice of accommodations for five nights

Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to see this promotion.

“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 [click to read via msnbc.msn.com]

The Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to see what your airlines policy is.
Know your rights.

The Customer is obviously NOT Their Priority.

This is a true story.

A number of weeks ago I booked 2 nonstop JFK to PHX tickets using Northwest Airlines miles on Delta Airlines - For the fall of 2008 A few nights ago I got an email saying the Friday JFK outbound AM Delta Airlines non-stop getting in to Phoenix at 11:30 AM is now a JFK-LAX then LAX -PHX getting in at 2:30PM There go my 2 early afternoon business appointments, totally unacceptable to me.

Call#1- I called Northwest Airlines World Perks first asking for a change to the day before 420pm JFK-PHX Delta Airlines - no free seats were available -call Delta Airlines they said.” It’s their problem.”

Call#2- I was on the phone with Delta Airlines for 40 min and they said they couldn’t do anything since it’s a Northwest Airlines ticket -They(Delta Airlines) said-why did they have you call us? - they have to accommodate you -they (Northwest Airlines must have a supervisor call our supervisor).

Call#3-Next I called back Northwest Airlines. Spoke to a World Perks person and explained. She kept cutting me off to go on hold as I tried to explain. Then she came back- I could change to Thursday Delta Airlines non-stop 4:30PM for a charge -she again put me on hold to find out how much money. She got back on and said I can’t change to Thursday (what happened to the “charge money “offer??Doesn’t make a lot of sense - Delta Airlines changes the schedule and I have to pay to correct their changing the schedule??

I called on the next day Northwest Airlines World Perks marketing. Over the next few days of exchanging emails (they accidentally sent me an internal email that was quite interesting) was unable to do what had to be done to correct the problem and make a customer happy. Northwest Airlines couldn’t of found some way of arranging this??

They blame Delta Airlines. From the last email I received ”I forwarded your last request to reservations, and again was told that we can’t get DL to change availability.” (DL=Delta Airlines)

Northwest Airlines final offer – 1000 miles to each account, and no charge to put miles back in account or we can get you either the day before flight that gets to Phoenix at 12AM-1AM (with luggage, rental car and travel to hotel and my body on east coast time what’s that 3am? by the time I get to sleep) or a 4:20PM flight on the original day of the outbound-useless to me with early and mid afternoon business appointments.

Why is this my responsibility? I MADE RESERVATIONS FOR A NONSTOP - THEY (NORTHWEST AIRLINES & DELTA AIRLINES) CAN’T FIX THE PROBLEM USING ANY INGENIUTY?

This is the same Delta Airlines Who a few months ago changed my outbound flight times 4x going to Cabo San Lucas and in the end I was leaving just about the same time as originally booked

This happened to a friend who arrived at the airport for a Delta Airlines nonstop and was told that there will be a change and they then spent 9 hours in the airport (after a tiring chemotherapy treatment at Duke University) waiting for a plane that never took off due to a bathroom they couldn’t be fixed.

The same friend on a Hartford to West Palm Beach non-stop found out that it had been changed to a 1 stop at the check in counter-the new flight was leaving 1 hour earlier –It left them a scant few minutes to make the first leg of the trip. (no weather delays involved)

In conclusion for me I have to pay $50 per ticket to get a “free ticket” one day earlier on Continental via Northwest Airlines miles. The least Northwest Airlines should have done is made the effort to get me on Continental Airlines and not charge me but no I had to do that myself. I spent 2 1/2 hours on this problem on the phone and emails. Is my time worth anything?

Does anyone wonder why Southwest Airlines and JetBlue are successful?

Pointswizard.com Spin: Now I know why there are sites like Northwest sucks and Delta sucks

WorldPerks Auctions.

Members now can bid their miles on luxury vacation packages, unique sporting events, merchandise, and much more.

Available items include a House of Blues VIP dinner and concert package, a First Class trip to Arizona including choice of luxurious accommodations, and closing on March 12, a Zamboni ride in Joe Louis Arena before enjoying four lower level tickets at a Detroit Red Wings game, a gift certificate for dinner in the club and a Gordie Howe autographed book.

This spring expect to see tickets for sporting events including baseball games, Eugene ’08 Track and Field Time Trials, the 2008 PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open.

With WorldPerks Auctions, there is no registration, no fee and no hassle. Members log in, check their WorldPerks miles balance, bid and win.

If a member wins an item, miles are automatically deducted from their WorldPerks account.

If the member doesn’t win, the miles can be used to bid on another item.

Shipping and sales tax are included, so there are no hidden fees or service charges.

Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to see the auction and bid.

Rewards Network has partnerships with many of the major airlines’ frequent flyer programs. 

Earn frequent flyer miles for every dollar you spend—including drinks, tax and tip. 

Available at thousands of restaurants, bars and clubs in the U.S. and Canada.No special cards to carry or coupons.

Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to go to Rewards Network and then click on airline miles(left side-halfway down).  A great way to pick up some extra miles.

“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

“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.

Weekend getaways that combine special airfares with discounted hotel rooms, rental cars and travel extras
Buy from 14 days up to 3 hours prior to departure
Choice of flights, hotel and car
Earn miles, with 500 Bonus WorldPerks miles on purchases over $500 per person

The Pointswizard.com Spin: use code LMP2007 to get $25 off or more in some cases