<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">SPECIAL ISSUE ~ CHEAP MILES FROM MILESPY

As mentioned in last week's Crier, we had planned on taking this week
off. That was before I received an e-mail from Steve Belkin at MileSpy (http://WWW.MILESPY.COM). Steve gained some
notoriety a couple of years ago by earning 10.5 million Mileage Plus miles by making creative use of a special limited-time United promotion.

This time, he's turned his proven mileage-earning savvy into a business opportunity for himself, and a buying opportunity for anyone who wants or needs frequent flyer miles.

The Offer

Through MileSpy, for a very limited time (see Deadline info below), you
can purchase an unlimited number of miles for $0.02 each. These are real miles, not "generic miles," in your choice of airline programs, including those of Air Canada, American, America West, Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental, Delta, EL AL, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Latin Pass, Mexicana, Midwest Express, Northwest, Qualiflyer, United and US Airways.


The Value

Is this a good deal? In a word: Yes.

As a point of comparison, the airlines will sell you miles for $0.02 to $0.025 apiece. But there's typically a service charge added to the total, effectively increasing the per-mile cost. And there's normally a cap on the number of miles that can be purchased annually.

Alternatively, you could purchase miles from Miles4Sale http://www.miles4sale.com) for between $0.036 and $0.04 each, depending on quantity -- a hefty premium over the airline-direct prices. And they only sell miles from American, Continental, Northwest, America West and Delta.

Miles EARNED VIA THIS LIMITED TIME PROMOTION from MileSpy, on the other hand, are priced at $0.02 each, and there is no maximum number of miles you can purchase at that price. Nor is there a service charge or other add-on costs.

There is a minimum, though: 100,000 miles, for $2,000.

Also, if flexibility is a key consideration, instead of airline miles in a specific program, you can EARN Gold Points in the Radisson Gold Rewards program, which can then be converted to airline miles as needed.

Cheap Miles, Cheap Tickets

To give you a sense of how miles EARNED VIA MILESPY might translate into actual award-ticket costs, here are some sample calculations, based on the United Mileage Plus award chart:

1. CAPACITY CONTROLLED AWARDS
Domestic - coach class: 25K x $.02 = $500
Domestic - 1st class: 40K x $.02 = $800

US-Europe - Business class: 80K x $.02 = $1,600
US-Europe - 1st class: 100K x $.02 = $2,000

US-Asia/Australia - Business class: 90K x $.02 = $1,800
US-Asia/Australia - 1st class: 120K x $.02 = $2,400

2. "ANYTIME" AWARDS
Domestic - coach class: 40K x $.02 = $800
Domestic - 1st class: 80K x $.02 = $1,600

US-Europe - Business class: 150K x $.02 = $3,000
US-Europe - 1st class: 200k x $.02 = $4,000

US-Asia/Australia - Business class: 150k x $.02 = $3,000
US-Asia/Australia - 1st class: 200k x $.02 = $4,000


The Deadline

Miles at this rate are only available through Jan. 4, 2002. This is a use-it-or-lose-it opportunity (which is why we're altered our publication schedule to get the word out).

How it Works

Without getting into the RATHER COMPLEX underlying mechanics, MileSpy basically leverages partner offers in the Gold Points Rewards program. It's creative, but perfectly legal.

Enjoy!
</font>