Seasonal Service Resumes San Francisco to Milwaukee

Frontier Airlines resumes seasonal non-stop service between San Francisco and Milwaukee today. The flight, still branded under the Midwest Airlines name, is a "red-eye" flight departing at 11:45 PM each night, arriving into MKE at 5:45 AM the next day. Service will discontinue in mid-November.

Midwest + Frontier = Frontier Airlines

In a live web feed today, Midwest and Frontier Airlines announced the two combined brands will become one: Frontier Airlines. The combined airline will, "keep the best of both what is Frontier and Midwest," said Bryan Bedford, Chairman of the parent company, Republic Airlines. Republic purchased both airlines last year, but until now had not announced which airline brand would be scrapped. Frontier currently operates nonstop flights between SFO and Denver, and seasonal flights SFO to Milwaukee. Meanwhile Midwest offers a daily flight between SFO and Kansas City.

The integration of two airlines is expected to take 12-18 months.

More information, including FAQ's on the combined airlines can be found here.

Frontier Airlines Giving Away Miles To Celebrate Its Birthday

In celebration of its 15th birthday on July 5th, Frontier Airlines is giving away 1,500 bonus miles to EarlyReturns members for qualifying Fall 2009 flights. Members of the airlines' frequent flyer program can earn the bonus miles for each roundtrip flight booked between July 1 and August 31, 2009 and flown between October 1 and December 15, 2009. Registration is not required. If you are not currently a Frontier EarlyReturns member, sign up and earn an additional 1,500 bonus miles. Click here for more info.

SuperShuttle and Delta Partner Up, Offer Frequent Flyer Miles

Delta SkyMiles members who book a ride online with SuperShuttle will now earn frequent flier miles. In a press release this week, SuperShuttle announced the new partnership with Delta will reward passengers 50 miles for each one way trip to or from the airport. 

SuperShuttle has similar partnerships with Northwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and U.S Airways frequent flyer programs.  

Frontier Modifies Same-Day Flight Change Rule

Effective immediately, Frontier Airlines will charge a flat $75 fee for same-day confirmed changes. Previously, customers were charged the difference between their previously purchased ticket price and a new one.  

"We realize how important it is for our customers to have the flexibility to change their flight on the same day of travel. This new flat fee should make same-day confirmed changes convenient and accessible to any customer who needs it," said Frontier President and CEO Sean Menke, in a press release. 

Customers wishing to make a same-day change to their travel plans must submit the request in-person at the airport, and is subject to space availability. Requests made prior to day of travel will incur the existing $150 change fee. 

Summit members are exempt from the $75 same-day change fee. 

Frontier Airlines To Charge Fee for "Free Ticket"

Award redemption fee part of a package of changes announced
In a press release today, Denver-based Frontier airlines announced they will institute a $25 non-refundable redemption fee for travelers booking a free flight using Frontier EarlyReturns miles. Previously, members of their frequent flier program could redeem miles without being subjected to this fee.

Frontier also announced a 5,000-15,000 across the board increase in miles needed for a free ticket. Previously known as one of the best redemption options in the industry, 15,000 miles for a free, capacity controlled domestic ticket will now climb to 20,000 miles; still a relative bargain.

Other changes announced in the press release include adding a $75 fee for close-in redemption's - whereby travelers book award travel within 14 days of travel, and $75 bucks for redepositing miles for an unused award travel booking.

"We have always been incredibly proud of our EarlyReturns program, which offers one of the lowest redemption levels in the industry," said Frontier Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Distribution, Jim Young. "Unfortunately, with oil still nearly 50% higher than just six months ago, we had to review the current structure and revise elements that will afford our ability to remain both customer friendly and cost conscious. Even with the new fees and redemption levels, we still offer one of the most competitive programs in the industry."

The changes are effective September 15th. Some fees are waived for Frontier elite members.

Keeping Score On Capacity Cuts

In case your not keeping score at home, here is a summary of the big-name airline players and their expected cuts in capacity through the end of 2008:

-United Airlines will cut capacity system wide by 12%.
-U.S Airways by 8%.
-American Airlines by 11-12%, including ending all Oakland operations
-Delta Airlines will eliminate up to 13%
-Northwest 9.5%
-Continental 11%
-AirTran 5%
-Frontier Airlines by 17%

With the capacity cuts, many airlines will layoff or offer packages to employees, while airlines such as Midwest and AirTran are implementing pay reductions to certain staff.

Capacity cuts mean consumers can expect to dig deeper into their wallet as fares rise to meet the demand for fewer seats/less capacity.

SuperShuttle and Northwest Partner Up, Offer Frequent Flyer Miles

Northwest Worldperks members who book a ride online with SuperShuttle will now earn frequent flyer miles. In a press release this week, SuperShuttle announced the new partnership with Northwest, which will reward passengers riding SuperShuttle 50 Worldperks miles for each one way trip to or from the airport.

SuperShuttle also has partnerships with Frontier Airlines and U.S Airways frequent flyer programs.

http://www.supershuttle.com/

San Francisco - Memphis, TN $178/roundtrip taxes included Frontier Airlines
Fare valid 7 days a week through next year.

A race to the finish line: Which U.S airline will offer internet first?

First came Southwest, followed by American, now Virgin America is in the race...the race to see who offers Internet first onboard their U.S flights. But, we've been here before. Sift through your archived Business Week and Technology mags, and you will locate mounds of chatter about how planes are "ready" for Internet service. Many airlines have taken an interest, some have even tested the product since receiving FCC approval back in 2001. But, now in 2007, still no carrier has actually launched the service. That may soon change.

Now a company called AirCell, partnering with Virgin America (and other airlines), has asserted that Wi-Fi will spring to life sometime in 2008. In a press release, AirCell said passengers can "check e-mail, surf the Web, tap into an office network and stay current on the latest news, using either Virgin America’s Red™ in flight entertainment system or their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, Smartphones, PDAs, BlackBerrys and portable gaming systems - while in flight."

United, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Alaska and American are all somewhere between considering and testing stages for Internet service on their planes. Hopefully with Virgin America advancing to the head of the pack, this will encourage the other carriers to speed up their techie folks and make the Internet an industry standard in the coming years.

San Francisco to Orlando, FL $199RT taxes included. Frontier Airlines. 14-day advance purchase required, and the fare is available 7-days a week through early next year.
Visit farecompare.com or frontierairlines.com

Frontier Airlines connects Bay Area to Puerto Vallarta

Frontier Airlines continues to expand their Mexico service from the Bay Area. In a press release this week, the airline announced flights from Sacramento and San Jose to Puerto Vallarta will commence on December 15th - just in time to plan a winter escape out of state.

To ignite some interest, the airline is offering double EarlyReturns miles and tickets as low as $119 each way. See new routes page. Tickets are available for purchase on the Frontier Airlines website now.

Sacramento - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 3:15 p.m. Arrvies 8:45 p.m.
Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Sunday

San Jose CA - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday

Departs 10:55 a.m. Arrvies 4:10pm
Saturday

Sacramento International record: 1 Million+ passengers in June

Sacramento International Airport broke an all time record of serving over 1 million passengers during the month of June. The airport, which has seen a 5% growth year-to-date, has added new airlines and destinations, thereby making Sacramento an alternative to some Bay Area airports.

Complimentary Wi-Fi in the terminals & hand lotion and sanitizer in the restrooms are some of the extras one will find at the airport. J.D Power and Associates recently ranked Sacramento Airport #2 in the nation among mid-sized airports.


Above: One of the interesting walkways at SMF

Temporary Relocation of San Jose Airport's Terminal C July 10-12th 7am-4pm, effecting gates C12- C16. During the restricted hours on these days, Alaska Airlines aircraft and gate operations will be relocated to gates C5A and C5B.Frontier Airlines aircraft and gate operations will be relocated to gate C11.

Frontier Airlines modifies their birds and frequent flyer program

Denver based Frontier Airlines says it is adding blackout dates to its award redemption tickets but concurrently increasing redemption seat availability options by 30%. For example, traveling the day before or the day after Christmas are considered blackout dates and you couldn't use miles for to redeem for such an itinerary (Christmas day itself is OK though). "EarlyReturns will be better equipped to guide you towards dates that have seats available. Adding this flexibility to the program will allow you to use your miles for more flights" says Frontier in a written email to its Early Returns members.

Also, Rocky Mountain news reports Frontier will be swapping out seats, for a thinner and lighter version, ultimately adding 4 additional seats on most planes and a reduction of seat pitch of 1-2 inches, though reportably no loss to leg space.

Frontier Airlines currently operates flights from San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, and is one of only a few U.S based airlines still offering round trip Domestic U.S & Canada award redemption's starting at only 15,000 miles.

Frontier drops some SFO routes

Amidst stiff competition, F9 is pulling out of the San Francisco - Los Angeles market, and it seems SFO-Las Vegas route as well, both beginning in July.

They will continue to operate SFO-DENVER flights with connecting service throughout North America, including its newest destination Costa Rica.

September 11, 2006 NEWSLETTER

Good day and good night to all. Here is the latest INflightOUT newsletter. Note the new address i'm sending it from; to reduce the spam-o-grams into my personal account where these newsletters were previously dispatched from. As always, muchas gracias amigos for the positive feedback and offerings related to this newsletter. It's a pleasure to make it for ya. Feel free to forward to friends. -Mike

150 easy American Airlines miles for watching a 2 minute video clip on Bose Noise-Cancelling headphones.

Mileage News
Next month United begins charging $50/$75 fees for travelers redeeming United miles within 14 and 7 days of departure date. This may be to encourage last minute travelers to buy the more expensive (last minute) fares rather than using miles. Fee not applicable to 1K's and up. Similar fees are charged by other airlines as well. United continues however to allow free changes to award tickets - should your travel needs require it. A huge plus for the United mileage plus program.

American Airlines Short Hops allow for a 10,000 mile reduction when redeeming miles for flights of 750 miles or less. Valid through February 2007.
Example, SFO-LOS ANGELES or SANTA ANA or NEW YORK-BOSTON, CHICAGO OR MONTREAL, Canada ( normally requires 25,000 miles to redeem, but under this promotion is only 15,000 miles. Similar to the United promo running through 2006.


Double Southwest Airlines RapidReward credits for college students up to age 23 (not us old folk still in college) who sign up for RR program. Forward this deal to a young'un you might know. =)

$50 off now Orbitz.com Hotel bookings + another bonus later. Good coupon!
Book a hotel or hotel + flight package for 3+ nights by October 8, 2006 and receive $50 off instantly when you use SAVENOW promotion code. Good for travel by December 31, 2006.

Airbus' 380 SuperJumbo went on it's first test flight - with passengers last week. The Jumbo jet now expected to be released in 2007 will permit cabin seating up to 555 people!
No U.S-based airline has signed on to purchase one of these giants yet, but San Francisco International is one of only a few U.S airports equipped to handle this hunk'a machinery should foreign airlines choose a San Francisco routing.

HOT Fare Deals as of Monday Night
SAN FRANCISCO to
Los Angeles $49 each way FRONTIER AIRLINES
London $503 round trip (taxes included!) DELTA AIRLINES November, December - about $100 more for February, March 2007
Pittsburgh PA $185 round trip (taxes included) AMERICAN AIRLINES Through March

OAKLAND to
Santa Ana/Orange County $98 round trip (taxes included) ALASKA AIRLINES through mid October
Burbank, LAX, San Diego $49 fun fares each way SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (may need to book by midnight tonight)
(example: fly to LOS ANGELES for New Years celebrations)

INTERISLAND Hawai'i flights as low as $29 each way on Hawaiian, Aloha and Go Airlines through 2006. An amazingly inexpensive fare. Tickets to be purchased by 9-12-06.

Pretty decent Hawai'i air+hotel packages from NorthwestAirlines Vacations from $335/person (double occ) for a few weeks in October and November.

Historically speaking, the months of October and November generate some rock-bottom fare deals throughout Western Europe (ie: <$450). Be patient, but also keep checking websites like farecompare.com for limited-time fare drops.

Travel Tip: When traveling outside of the U.S, it's a good idea to make a photocopies of your passport and leave with a trusted friend and bring a copy with you - seperate from your actual passport. This reduces the potential for a vacation-gone bad. Some have suggested scanning your passport and emailing a copy of yourself so you have an electronic copy available as well.


"What to do when bumped from a flight" (When your flight is cancelled) NY Times article


"A traveler must have the back of an ass to bear all,
a tongue like the tail of a dog to flatter all,
the mouth of a hog to eat what is set before him,
the ear of a merchant to hear all and say nothing."
Thomas Nashe

May 26, 2006 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to Issue #4 of the INflightOUT newsletter. May 26, 2006.
(feel free to forward to friends)

United, American and Frontier Airlines are all offering some version of "double miles" for future flights this year. You must register for the promo on the airlines' respective website! Hurry. UA/AA cut off for registration is May 31.

Southwest Airlines considering a new policy of assigned seating; fyi They considered this in 2004 as well, but obviously never implemented it. Here's the latest... Click here for Washington Post story

*WHY WE TRAVEL* (editor favorite)A beautiful collection of images from across the globe. These images have appeared in the New York Times, but this link is the cummulative slide show. The captions compliment the pictures well. Click Here for the Slide show

Alaska Airlines now offering Red Bull on all flights. It claims to be the 1st airline in the world to offer Red Bull. $5 charge in economy, free up front.

JetBlue flyers who also own the AmericanExpress JetBlue card receive a free complimentary coctail when flashing the card onboard any JB flight. Valid through June.

FREE AIRPORT WIRELESS SERVICE. Free service at Sacramento International, John Wayne/Orange County, Long Beach. Many airports charge $6-10 for this service. Click here to find out other FREE airport locations around the country.

NEW BAY AREA SERVICEIceland Airlines - Resumes non-stop service San Francisco to Reykjavik, Iceland 4 times a week, with good connections if you want to continue to mainland Europe. Iceland had an extensive GLBT marketing campaign recently promoting extensive outdoor activities and entertainment. Fares historically have been very competitive - allowing a few days in Iceland, then continue elsewhere in Europe for < $600. For now, nothing like that on their website. Keep your eyes open for it though.

Northwest Airlines - NEW daily non-stop service to Indianapolis starts June 1. 1000 bonus miles on this route. Airtran - also starts SFO-Indianapolis June 8.

Hawaiian Airlines - to offer "as low as" $43 each way tickets for inter-island travel starting October 1st. Likely competing with Mesa airlines who recently started island service. Book early for these fares! Source: Pualani Ohana Newsletter.

AmericaWest - their website is gone! Finally switches over to US Air. Travelers flying US Air "west" (ie: America West) can request United Airlines credit. Although not official on their website, there have been many reports successfully doing this. (US Air is part of Star Alliance - but America West was not)