SanDiegoShaun
Jul 1, 03, 5:59 pm
http://www.smarterliving.com/ff/deal.php?id=5195
America West raises cost of award travel, offers shortcut to elite status
There's good news and bad news for America West's frequent fliers. On the down side, the airline has just raised the mileage balance needed for a first-class award ticket, and for several types of awards with its partners, by 5,000 to 75,000 miles. On the up side, the airline has announced a summer shortcut to elite status; travelers can earn FlightFund Silver Elite status with only six round-trips.
First-class and partner flights more expensive
The lowest level of award ticket, a domestic coach flight with restrictions, remains at 20,000 miles, still a better deal than the 25,000 miles you need for a ticket on most airlines. However, restricted first-class awards have gone up by 5,000 miles for domestic travel, and by 10,000 miles for trips to Mexico.
Since America West serves mainly the Western U.S., and does not fly outside of North America, the changes to its partner award structure will affect many of its frequent fliers. Coach and first-class domestic award tickets on Northwest will increase by 5,000 and 10,000 miles respectively, making those awards that much more expensive than using WorldPerks miles for the same Northwest tickets. Restricted coach tickets to Europe remain the same, but flights to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or Africa on Northwest or British Airways will increase in cost. First-class partner awards to most destinations have gone up as well; an unrestricted first-class award to Africa on British Airways has increased from 125,000 to 200,000 miles.
Not only has the airline increased the regular mileage levels needed to redeem a ticket, but it has made award travel during the high season even more expensive. America West will now differentiate between peak and off-peak travel periods for flights between North America and Europe on British Airways, with more miles required from May through September, and between the U.S. and Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines, with March through July costing more.
The good news
However, not all of America West's program changes are negative. Two tickets actually will become 5,000 miles cheaper: an unrestricted coach ticket between the U.S. or Canada and Mexico on America West, and the same ticket between the U.S. or Canada and Mexico or the Caribbean on Northwest.
Plus, America West will soon let you redeem miles for flights on British Airways between North America and Asia, and on Virgin Atlantic between North America and Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, giving you more ways to use your miles.
Finally, non-elite members can now upgrade K, V, and M-class fares for 15,000 miles one-way and 30,000 miles round-trip; previously, only elite members could upgrade these fare classes.
Visit America West's website for a complete list of the award level changes.
Frequent travelers on any airline should take note of the growing number of airlines that are raising their mileage requirements on some award tickets; although your frequent flier program may not have increased mileage costs, it could soon join the growing number of airlines who have, including American and Continental and Northwest.
Shortcut to elite status
The other good news is that it's just become easier to attain Silver Elite status with America West. All you need to do is register for the Freddie FastTrack to Silver Elite promotion, book your travel online at americawest.com, and fly six round-trips by September 30. Once you've completed your qualifying travel, you'll have Silver Elite status through February 2004. Normally, you'd need to fly 25,000 miles or 30 segments to reach this elite level.
America West's elite program, winner of the Freddie Award, entitles frequent fliers to mileage bonuses, priority check-in and security line access, preferred seating, early boarding, and unlimited first-class upgrades.
To qualify for this promotion, you must register before your first flight. Only flights on America West or America West Express with paid tickets count toward your trip total. You will receive elite status up to four weeks after you qualify. For more information, visit America West's website.
[This message has been edited by SanDiegoShaun (edited 07-01-2003).]
America West raises cost of award travel, offers shortcut to elite status
There's good news and bad news for America West's frequent fliers. On the down side, the airline has just raised the mileage balance needed for a first-class award ticket, and for several types of awards with its partners, by 5,000 to 75,000 miles. On the up side, the airline has announced a summer shortcut to elite status; travelers can earn FlightFund Silver Elite status with only six round-trips.
First-class and partner flights more expensive
The lowest level of award ticket, a domestic coach flight with restrictions, remains at 20,000 miles, still a better deal than the 25,000 miles you need for a ticket on most airlines. However, restricted first-class awards have gone up by 5,000 miles for domestic travel, and by 10,000 miles for trips to Mexico.
Since America West serves mainly the Western U.S., and does not fly outside of North America, the changes to its partner award structure will affect many of its frequent fliers. Coach and first-class domestic award tickets on Northwest will increase by 5,000 and 10,000 miles respectively, making those awards that much more expensive than using WorldPerks miles for the same Northwest tickets. Restricted coach tickets to Europe remain the same, but flights to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or Africa on Northwest or British Airways will increase in cost. First-class partner awards to most destinations have gone up as well; an unrestricted first-class award to Africa on British Airways has increased from 125,000 to 200,000 miles.
Not only has the airline increased the regular mileage levels needed to redeem a ticket, but it has made award travel during the high season even more expensive. America West will now differentiate between peak and off-peak travel periods for flights between North America and Europe on British Airways, with more miles required from May through September, and between the U.S. and Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines, with March through July costing more.
The good news
However, not all of America West's program changes are negative. Two tickets actually will become 5,000 miles cheaper: an unrestricted coach ticket between the U.S. or Canada and Mexico on America West, and the same ticket between the U.S. or Canada and Mexico or the Caribbean on Northwest.
Plus, America West will soon let you redeem miles for flights on British Airways between North America and Asia, and on Virgin Atlantic between North America and Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, giving you more ways to use your miles.
Finally, non-elite members can now upgrade K, V, and M-class fares for 15,000 miles one-way and 30,000 miles round-trip; previously, only elite members could upgrade these fare classes.
Visit America West's website for a complete list of the award level changes.
Frequent travelers on any airline should take note of the growing number of airlines that are raising their mileage requirements on some award tickets; although your frequent flier program may not have increased mileage costs, it could soon join the growing number of airlines who have, including American and Continental and Northwest.
Shortcut to elite status
The other good news is that it's just become easier to attain Silver Elite status with America West. All you need to do is register for the Freddie FastTrack to Silver Elite promotion, book your travel online at americawest.com, and fly six round-trips by September 30. Once you've completed your qualifying travel, you'll have Silver Elite status through February 2004. Normally, you'd need to fly 25,000 miles or 30 segments to reach this elite level.
America West's elite program, winner of the Freddie Award, entitles frequent fliers to mileage bonuses, priority check-in and security line access, preferred seating, early boarding, and unlimited first-class upgrades.
To qualify for this promotion, you must register before your first flight. Only flights on America West or America West Express with paid tickets count toward your trip total. You will receive elite status up to four weeks after you qualify. For more information, visit America West's website.
[This message has been edited by SanDiegoShaun (edited 07-01-2003).]