View from the Wing

Free one-year subscription to Wired magazine. (Hat tip to Scott Carmichael)

The standard media line is that Qantas has been taken to the shed over award availability by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the Commission has forced the airline to reform.

Mr Samuel said talks with Qantas had resulted in action by the airline to review and improve disclosure about the limited availability of frequent flyer seats. The most notable improvement was an internet site allowing consumers to identify flights where frequent flyer seats were available.

So the government has forced the airline to do what almost all major world airlines are doing, working to put award availability online. And Qantas’ willingness to do this is unlikely to be related to the cost savings it will see from reduced agent time spent on award bookings?

Airlines worldwide are pushing consumers to their websites because of the lower distribution costs involved. And award bookings are often the most time-consuming (as it can be difficult to find find) and thus most costly.

Somehow this is a victory for the Australian government?

Canadian shopping loyalty program Air Miles faces a newly intensified challenge from Air Canada as its Aeroplan program branches out into more partnerships in retail.

This is hardly new for a frequent flyer program, many of its US and Asian counterparts have already recognized that their currencies are powerful incentives beyond distinguishing commdity airline seats, and the partnerships are profitable as airlines sell their points to retailers for a higher price than the cost of airline seat redemptions.

As Air Canada reaches more consumers through non-aviation earning opportunities, look for them to offer more non-aviation redemption opportunities as well — just as Air Miles offers low point redemption for movie tickets, many US carriers offer miles for magazines, and United now partners with Sony to offer music downloads.

Last week Slate ran a five part series by Marisa Bowe who took advantage of the $61 roundtrip mistake fare to Iceland and met alot of Flyertalkers along the way.

Here’s Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V.

Bowe also shares the Iceland Tourist Board’s press release about the mistake fare. They offered free admission to the seven geothermal pools of Reykjavik to anyone presenting a $61 ticket.

I almost forgot about this deal, but a friend of mine was asking about great hotel rates for a two night stay in DC and I came up with this offer from the Mandarin Oriental: stay one night and get the second night free, through August 30th.

That makes a two night stay run $175 per night, an outstanding deal for the newest luxury property in the District… considering that pre-paid internet rates can run as high as $299 at the rather blase’ Grand Hyatt.

It’s Sunday, and time for my semi-regular roundup of random stuff you can get for free.

• Free coffee sample from OneFreshCup
  

• 
  Coffeesuite is offering free samples (see the section contact us on the main web page)
  

• 
  Free coffee from Ospina ($1.50 shipping)
  

• 
  Free massage lotion and oil
  

• 
  Join Clairol for free samples
  

• 
  Free brain stress toy
  

• 
  Free jar of dill pickles
  

• 
  Free Curel lotion
  

• 
  Two-year subscription to Backpacker magazine
  

• 
  Free sample of Ponds Age-Defying Cleansing Towlette
  

• 
  Free Stork’s Choice Diapers ($2.99 shipping)
  

• 
  Free Alhalabi Nuts sample
  

• 
  Free sample of Thompson Beef Jerkey
  

• 
  Free sample of Velvet Fudge

With most things free, of course (fare glitches aside), you get what you pay for…

Hawaiian Airlines bankruptcy trustee was kicked off a Hawaiian flight by its pilot.

A Hawaiian Airlines pilot asked bankruptcy trustee Josh Gotbaum to get off a plane preparing for takeoff Thursday, saying he was angry about Gotbaum’s policies and could not safely fly the Boeing 767-300 with the trustee aboard.



Gotbaum agreed to leave rather than delay the takeoff, an airline spokesman said yesterday.



“The pilot told him he wasn’t happy to have him on the flight,” said Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner. “Rather than delay the flight by discussing it at that point, he decided to take another flight.”



The pilot, Capt. Craig Kobayashi, said yesterday: “So many employees are so emotional about him after all of the things Gotbaum has done, such as freezing our pension plan.”

I wouldn’t want to be a passenger on a flight where the pilot claims to be so easily rattled as to compromise safety. For the ongoing benefit of passengers, this pilot should be immediately placed on leave.

The FTD offer for 30 United miles per dollar spent still works. It was originally marketed to United 1K members but works for anyone.

Save $25 on last minute deals and earn triple miles from Budget car rental.

Update: As many readers know, Travelocity is selling the same packages as Site59. Alert reader Vito emails to point out that there’s a better offer than Travelocity’s $25 off — just go to Site59 and type MC59 into the Promotional Code field on the billing page during check out and use your MasterCard to purchase for $59 off. Offer valid through September 30, 2004. Thanks for the heads up!

Lending Tree is giving away 500,000 Continental miles. No purchase necessary. No warranty on your ability to use the miles except at the EasyPass level, however.

Last month, America West began offering free companion tickets after two roundtrips to and from Los Angeles.

United has matched this offer, as has American.

Registration is required for all of the offers, and flights must be completed by November 15th.

It isn’t just Air Canada and Delta.

Hilton HHonors members can register their preferred way to earn points for hotel stays.

Beginning July 1, members can choose between:

• 10 HHonors points and 1 airline mile per dollar spent

• 10 HHonors points and 500 airline miles per stay
  

• 10 HHonors points plus 5 bonus HHonors points per dollar spent

Members can switch their choice at any time — a good idea to focus on the fixed point offerings for single night stays, and variable offerings for longer, costlier stays.

Purchase a set of Michelin tires by November 15th and earn 2500 Delta miles.

It turns out that cars may be more fuel efficient than trains (link via Marginal Revolution).

Challenging assumptions about railways’ green superiority, the study finds that the weight and fuel requirements of trains have increased to the point where rail could become the least energy-efficient form of transport.



Engineers at Lancaster University said trains had failed to keep up with the motor and aviation industries in reducing fuel needs.



They calculate that expresses between London and Edinburgh consume slightly more fuel per seat (the equivalent of 11.5 litres) than a modern diesel-powered car making the same journey.



The car’s superiority rises dramatically when compared with trains travelling at up to 215mph.

Here’s the money quote:

“I know this will generate howls of protest, but at present a family of four going by car is about as environmentally friendly as you can get.”

Through June 30th there is a 25% bonus for transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeromexico.

Of course, Aeromexico is a partner of Delta (and a member of Skyteam) so this may be of value far beyond Mexico.

It’s worth checking the Visa website occasionally. They have several discounts and free offers to take advantage of with companies you’re probably buying from anyway. Just a few examples:

• $10 off $50 at Office Depot
  

• Second night free at Radisson hotels
  

  
  

• Free half-pound of African coffee when you add $35 to your Starbucks card
  

• 
  15% Off at JC Penney
  

In my discussion of strategies for Northwest’s Fly Free Faster 4 bonus I mentioned earning a partner credit by shopping at Office Max through the Northwest Mall and purchasing some “free after rebate” items.

From today through Saturday, June 26 the following items are free after rebate at Office Max:

Belkin Double-Sided Copy Clip (0223-2300)

$4.99 - $4.99 = $0



3M 10-oz. Electronic Equpiment Cleaner (2034-5253)

$5.99 - $5.99 = $0



Endust 10-oz. Duster (0221-4142)

$8.99 - $8.99 = $0



Digital Camera Memory Card Readers (2068-8481/2068-8506/20688711/2068-8490)

$29.99 - $19.99 - = $0



Sakar Trimstyle Caller ID Phone of 13 Memory Desk Speakerphone (2017-2965/2017-2956/2033-2089/2033-2052)

$19.99 - $9.99 - $10 = $0



24-CD Wallet (2055-6649)

$4.99 - $4.99 = $0



Royal Expert 2 Organizer (2004-5782)

$14.99 - $7 - $8 = $0

Remember that your order has to total over $25 to count towards Fly Free Faster 4, so be sure to order more than one item.

MSNBC’s Savings Sleuth offers tips for renting a car in Europe. Since I can’t figure out how to provide a permalink to the piece, I reproduce much of the advice below:

1. Reserve your car ahead, before you depart from the US
Without fail, you’ll find that rates will be lower when you book from home. If you’re already on vacation and you decide you want to rent, it’s even worth it to have a friend or family member reserve on your behalf from the US.




2. Stick to the big car rental agencies
When it comes to renting a car in Europe, you’ll more often than not get the best quotes from the biggest agencies: Avis, Hertz, EuropeCar, and AutoEurope. Be sure to inquire about current specials and discount initiatives.




3. Rent a manual shift
You’ll save a bundle by renting “a stick” shift car. Manual vehicles are far more common in Europe than they are in the US, which is why you’ll wind up paying a premium for an automatic.




4. Rent a diesel
Diesel fuel costs one-third the price of regular unleaded gas, so it’s worth your while to inquire about car in the fleet that run on diesel fuel. Seat, Renault, and Peugeot all make diesels, and are common rental models at many European agencies. Just be sure to learn the local word for “diesel” before you pull up at the pump. Remember, there are 3.8 liters per gallon—multiply the cost per liter by 4 to get the approximate price of a gallon.




5. Rent by the week, not by the day
Weekly rental rates beat daily rates by a long shot in Europe. Even if it means keep the car over the weekend, you’ll save money with a seven-day contract.




6. Look into leasing
If you’re renting longer than three weeks, then it’s worth it to investigate a “short-term” lease. (AutoEurope, for one, offers decent terms.) Click here for more information on that.




7. Know your insurance
Unlike in the US where insurance is optional, many countries in Europe require you to purchase collision damage insurance from you car rental agency. This can run you as much as $125/wk. Italy requires that you purchase theft insurance too ($75/minimum).




8. Avoid renting and parking in cities
Driving can be hairy and parking costly in Europe’s major metropolitan areas. Try to avoid having a car in a city, if you can. Parking can cost $20/day or more.




9. Don’t bother with an international driver’s license
Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need an international driver’s license to get behind the wheel in Europe. All an international driver’s license does is translate the information on your regular license into 10 languages. Spend the $10 you’d pay to AAA for an international driver’s license on a nice market lunch instead.




10. Learn what the signs mean
There are several websites that outline basic road signage in Europe. Give them an eyeball before you get behind the wheel. Also, be aware that Europeans tend to be more aggressive on the road.




11. Keeps lots of cash ready for tolls
Europe’s ever-improving network of superhighways may be efficient but they also cost lots of money. Don’t be surprised if you have to shuck out as much as $15 per stretch. France and Italy, for example, charge roughly $5-7 per hour on the road.



12. Have a good map
The name to remember when it comes to good driving maps for European roadways is Michelin. Be sure to buy one for the country or region you’re visiting. They’re the best.

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USAirways is offering triple miles (registration required) for flights between Washington DC and 17 cities to promote the arrival of ‘Go Fares’ in DC.