Austrian Airlines will join the US Airways Dividend Miles program on Dec. 1, and members who travel on Austrian by Feb. 28 get a one-time bonus 5,000-mile credit for coach-class travel and a bonus 10,000 miles for business-class travel. (from USToday)

I start guessing: what is behind this. Austraian Arilines are very close linked to/with Swissair and the Qualiflyer Group - which has Delta as american partner ....????).

more details from flier-crier: Austrian Airlines becomes the newest partner in US Airways' Dividend Miles program on December 1, 1998. At the same time, Austrian Airlines will be joined by existing members Sabena and Swissair in offering program members the ability to both earn and redeem miles for travel originating anywhere in the world.

As an added bonus for travel on Austrian Airlines between December 1, 1998, and February 28, 1999, Dividend Miles members will receive a one-time bonus 5,000-mile credit for economy class travel and a bonus 10,000-mile credit for business class travel.

Under the agreement, when traveling on any of the three carriers, Dividend Miles members will receive a minimum 500-mile credit or the actual miles flown, whichever is greater.