United Promo: 30% Off Short Haul Award Redemptions

For a limited time, spend 30% less of your United Mileage Plus miles for flights 700 miles or less in distance. For example, a roundtrip flight between San Francisco and Seattle which normally costs 25,000 miles, is now available for 17,500 miles. The 30% discount applies to tickets booked by August 31, 2010, for travel through January 7, 2011. These are pretty good deals particularly into regional airports, which are often costly to purchase. More details here.

Southwest Airlines $39 Short Haul Sale - Book Soon

Southwest Airlines has launched a $39/one way "short haul" sale good for travel thru May 25, 2010. From the Bay Area, short haul flights include all Southwest-served cities in Southern California and Nevada. For example, a flight between Oakland and Las Vegas is just $99/roundtrip, after all taxes and fees. Among the rules: Fare not available on Fridays or Sundays; tickets must be purchased by February 11th for these reduced prices. Click here for more information.

Other airlines may match these discounted rates in certain markets. So shop around!

Continental Reverses '500 Mile Minimum' Accrual Policy

Earlier this month Continental Airlines announced program changes to its frequent flier program, eliminating the 500 mile minimum travelers accrued in their account for flying short-haul flights effective November 15th. This meant a short flight of a few hundred miles would earn the actual miles flown, rather than the 500 mile minimum. Now, Continental has backed off from earlier announced changes, and is exempting its elite passengers from the policy change. This means Continental elite fliers will continue to receive a minimum of 500 miles for each flight, regardless the distance.

United and U.S Airways who also eliminated the 500 mile minimum recently, have yet to react to Continental's move.

American's short-hop for short-hauls still available

American Airlines continues to offer its short-hop frequent flier award. With short-hop, you can fly short distances for fewer miles; specifically, destinations 750 miles or less require 15,000 miles instead of the normal 25,000 miles. Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego* are qualifying cities from San Francisco and San Jose Airports. Short-hop is valid for departures thru February 08. More details can be found here.

*San Diego service is from San Jose Airport only.