http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/?source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship Frequent flyer expert Tim Winship offers his take on the world of travel. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:19:59 -0500 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:19:59 -0500 Pay your credit card bill late and American Express will withhold your points in the programs of Delta, JetBlue, Hilton, and Starwood. Miles can be reinstated for a $29 fee. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/new-from-amex-frequent-flyer-fees.html?id=3868881&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:26:19 -0500 The architect of Southwest's new program provides some perspective on the current and future Rapid Rewards. But details of the new program, to be launched next year, remain scarce. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/southwest-is-mostly-mum-on-new-rapid-rewards-program.html?id=3866416&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Should frequent flyer program members be free to sell their airline miles? Ruling on a lawsuit filed by Alaska Airlines, a judge said No. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/judge-says-selling-frequent-flyer-miles-is-illegal.html?id=3855589&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:01 -0500 This month, we feature frequent traveler promotions from American, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Spirit, United, and six hotel chains. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/the-top-five-frequent-flyer-deals-for-november-2009.html?id=3850557&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:14:48 -0500 Frontier's new Stretch seats provide more legroom for some, less for others. Is that why the product launch has been more stealthy than splashy? http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/frontier-upgrades-mean-downgrades-for-some.html?id=3846292&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:01:45 -0500 JetBlue has completely overhauled its TrueBlue program. The new scheme awards points for dollars spent and scraps blackouts. While improved, it remains a work in progress. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/jetblue-revises-relaunches-trueblue.html?id=3842851&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:55:28 -0500 With US Airways' new GoAwards, more Dividend Miles members will likely pay more miles for more awards. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/warning-frequent-flyer-changes-at-us-airways.html?id=3824475&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:42:02 -0500 With a 100,000-mile bonus, the new British Airways credit card may be the best travel-rewards card ever offered. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/introducing-the-world-most-lucrative-credit-card.html?id=3817201&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:39:10 -0500 Among the mileage mall promotions for holiday shopping are offers from American and United. Which offers the best bang, and the most miles, for your buck? http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/comparing-american-united-mileage-promotions.html?id=3810575&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:48:49 -0500 Flights were full in October, leaving little room for award travelers. If that's a portent of things to come, a window of opportunity for mileage redeemers will have slammed shut. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/grim-outlook-for-free-flights-this-fall.html?id=3807515&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:33:37 -0500 Marriott opens the season for earning bonuses at the mileage malls with double and triple points at 19 online retailers. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/marriott-mileage-mall-bonus-let-the-shopping-begin.html?id=3786647&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:38:28 -0500 This month's best bets for award travel include Reno, Salt Lake City, Canada, Mexico, and Nassau. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/the-top-five-award-destinations-for-november.html?id=3784473&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:44:45 -0500 Continental's move from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance reshuffles the deck for frequent flyers. Among the new benefits: OnePass miles on United and US Airways, and more awards. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/in-continental-partner-switch-delta-is-out-united-is-in.html?id=3774423&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:44:26 -0400 For the seventh time this year, United is cutting award prices. But as in the past, Mileage Plus members will have to act fast to take advantage of the discounts. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/united-discounts-europe-middle-east-awards-by-20-percent.html?id=3753181&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:02 -0400 Earn 25,000 frequent flyer miles (which might or might not be enough for a free ticket) after staying six nights with Red Lion hotels at a premium room rate. Deal or no deal? http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/red-lion-promotion-offers-less-than-meets-the-eye.html?id=3746646&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:37 -0400 Think you're a bona fide frequent flyer mile junkie? If you identify with the characters in this new documentary, you probably are. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/new-film-shines-light-on-mileage-addiction.html?id=3740704&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:20:24 -0400 Beginning next year, members of Hilton's HHonors program will pay more points for award nights that are worth less. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/coming-from-hilton-higher-award-prices.html?id=3737655&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:14:57 -0400 A new card from American Express is aimed at big-spending frequent flyers. If you fit that profile, the $175 annual fee may be worth paying. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/new-charge-card-awards-triple-points-for-airfare.html?id=3718931&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:29:11 -0400 This month, we feature promotions from American, Continental, Southwest, United, US Airways, and 10 hotel chains. Among the offers: more miles and points, and faster elite perks. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/the-top-five-frequent-flyer-deals-for-october-2009.html?id=3714696&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:46 -0400 Everyone's favorite airline plans to add fees when it launches its revised mileage program next year. Where's the love, Southwest?! http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/southwest-targets-frequent-flyers-wallets.html?id=3711677&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:48:44 -0400 United is discounting its most popular frequent flyer award, the domestic coach ticket. But you'll have to book quickly to get one at the discounted rate. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/united-offers-award-flights-for-just-20-000-miles.html?id=3707810&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:41:57 -0400 To qualify for Virgin America's new bonus, Elevate members must book flights by October 18. A one-week window to commit to flights as far as three months out? Huh? http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/want-double-virgin-america-points-you-better-book-now.html?id=3693256&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:33:26 -0400 InterContinental Priority Club Rewards members can redeem just 5,000 points for stays at 100 participating hotels. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/stay-at-100-hotels-for-just-000-priority-club-points-night.html?id=3686767&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:06:20 -0400 If Frontier's current EarlyReturns promotions are indicative of things to come, program members can look forward to having their loyalty to Frontier returned in kind. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/frontier-exits-bankruptcy-with-frequent-flyer-focus.html?id=3683626&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:08:15 -0400 Unlike many current hotel promotions, which require multiple stays, Hilton is now offering a bonus after just a single stay. http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/new-hilton-promotion-rewards-frequent-and-infrequent-travelers.html?id=3673971&source=rss_up-front-with-tim-winship up-front-with-tim-winship Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:30:19 -0400