American Drops Close-in Processing Fees for Elites

Effectively immediately, American Airlines is dropping close-in processing fees for Gold and Platinum elite AAdvantage members. Previously, award travel ticketed within 21 days of departure involved paying up to $100.00 - known in the industry as a close-in processing fee. Executive members are already exempt from the fee, while non-elite's will still need to pay up.

United, Continental Offer Free Upgrades to Most Loyal Customers

In a relationship that seems to be getting rather close, Continental and United Airlines jointly announced a wonderful reciprocal benefit for elite-level flyers: Complimentary Domestic upgrades. This means United Mileage Plus elite members can enjoy free rides up front on Continental (and United), and Continental One Pass elite members can taste United's first and business class product as well. The complimentary upgrade policy goes into effect next Summer.

Clearing order for complimentary upgrades (as space is available):

Traveling on United: United Global Service, 1K, and Premier Exec clear first, followed by Continental Platinum and Gold Elite.

Traveling on Continental: Continental Platinum Elite, followed by United Global Service and 1K, then Continental Gold and Silver members.

Continental just joined the Star Alliance program a few weeks ago but their relationship with United dates back to June 2008. Recently, for example, United announced Red Carpet Club members can now access the network of Continental President's Club lounges worldwide.

Register Now for Double Elite-Qualifying Miles on American Airlines

Similar to the promotion offered this past Spring, American Airlines is offering double elite-qualifying miles for all flights between September 2 and December 15, 2009. Another similar offer, targeted to existing elite members, rewards members who reach additional mile/point milestones. Register for both these promotions today.

Register Now for Bonus Elite Qualifying Miles

As of Monday, all the major U.S-based airlines began offering some sort of fast track toward elite status promotion. American and United launched their promotions first, followed by the other three carriers. Here's how it works: Sign up first! I've provided links to the sign up pages below. Read the terms and conditions of the promotion carefully. In general, you are required to purchase and fly between now and June 15, 2009, and you will earn elite-qualifying miles at an accelerated rate. Elite-qualifying miles are used to calculate various elite levels within each airlines' frequent flyer program. For example, if you flew 12,500 qualifying air miles during this promotion, those would convert to 25,000 elite miles, earning you the first-tier of elite status valid through 2010. 

United: Earn double miles, all paid, published United fares.

American: Earn double miles, all paid, published American fares.

Continental: Earn double bonus miles, all paid, published Continental fares. 

Delta: Earn up to triple bonus miles, select paid, published Delta and Northwest Airlines flights.

No bonus for deeply discounted fares.

Northwest: Earn up to triple bonus miles on select paid, published Northwest, Delta and KLM flights.  No bonus for deeply discounted fares.

American Changes 'Minimum 500 Mile' Accrual Policy

Change impacts non-elite AAdvantage members

Following in the footsteps of United and U.S Airways, American Airlines says effective January 1, 2009, it will award frequent flier miles based on actual miles flown, stripping away the minimum 500 miles awarded for short-haul flights less than 500 miles in length. For example, a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles - about 337 miles in length, would earn the 500 mile minimum based on the old policy. With the new change, only 337 miles are earned. United and U.S Airways recently adopted the same policy.

Unlike the United and U.S Airways policy change however, American airlines has exempted its elite members from this. Thus, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Gold members will continue to enjoy the 500 mile minimum on most flights.

Continental OnePass Program Changes

In an announcement this week, Continental Airlines announced two key changes to OnePass, it's frequent flyer program.

First, the elimination of 500-mile minimum on short-haul flights for tickets purchased on or after November 15, 2008, for travel on or after January 1, 2009. Previously the airline awarded a minimum 500 frequent flyer miles for short trips - destinations less than 500 air miles. This change matches a similar move by United and U.S Airways earlier this summer.

Second, a change that affects Continental elite members. Starting March 1, 2009, Platinum elite members receive a 100% (down from 125%) bonus miles on each flight, while Silver elite members receive a 25% bonus (down from 50%). Gold elites will continue to receive a 50% bonus. Although this comes as a sting to many Continental elite flyers, the miles adjustment matches current bonuses awarded by other airlines.