At least, that's what the certificate says. (I don't think this has been posted yet - if it has, I apologise.)

The certificate (form) is an offer from Healthy Choice. It is good only in the US (and US government overseas addresses) - sorry Rudi; you really must get a US address.

The idea is that you purchase Healthy Choice (brand name) products, and send the cash register tape and "proofs of purchase" (usually UPC symbols) to the address on the form, and for each 10 proofs of purchase they send you Frequent Flyer Certificates good for a total of 1000 miles in participating airline frequent flyer programs. The participating airlines are: American; Delta; Northwest; TWA; United; and US Airways.

If, as we generally figure, a mile is worth about 2 cents, this means for ten purchases, they are providing 1000 miles worth $20, or $2 per purchase. Lots of Healthy Choice items -- ice cream, cold cuts, soups, popcorn, etc. -- also have manufacturers coupons out which can bring the purchase cost below $2, so you're really getting a bargain. Offer ends 31 May 1999.

I'd recommend it to any frequent flyer who eats. (Those who have successfully broken that habit, please let me know your secret.)

Fine print: "Buy any ten (10) Healthy Choice products. Send this completed certificate and ten (10) Healthy Choice UPC symbols plus dated cash receipt(s) with the purchase price for each Healthy Choice product circled, for two (2) 500 mile Frequent Flyer Certificates.

"Offer expires 5/31/99. Maximum number of 500 mile certificates to be deposited within a 12 month period: Delta Air Lines 100, United Airlines 40, and U.S. Airways 100. American Airlines, Northwest Airlines and TWA do not have certificate limits. Consumers must mail each Frequent Flyer Certificate to the designated airline within 12 months to be credited to their account." (More boilerplate follows.)

You only need one form, since the form itself allows you to submit as many UPCs as you want to (must be in multiples of 10) so you can save up and send them all in in late May. Although some are frozen, many Healthy Choice products (soups, microwave popcorn) keep in pantries, so if one were so inclined he or she could take the opportunity to really stock up on both food and miles.