U.S. Helicopter: $99 bucks to downtown Manhattan

Of course, you need to fly to the New York area first

On your next flight to New York, consider being flown directly into Manhattan from your arrival airport. U.S. Helicopter Corporation is offering a $99/one way - 10 minute flight from JFK or Newark to downtown Manhattan (and vice-versa). Instead of being part of the morning or evening commute, simply fly over it. Plus the cost isn't much more than a cab ride. Plus plus, it sounds fun! The special $99 promo is valid through October. U.S Helicopter partners with some airlines to handle checked baggage. Visit U.S Helicopter here.

Horizon Air Announces Introductory Fares and Double Miles on New Service from Portland to Sonoma County/Santa Rosa
Horizon Air, part of parent company Alaska Airlines has announced a special introductory fare of $99 each way for the airline's new service between Portland and Sonoma County/Santa Rosa, which starts Oct. 28. Additionally, for a limited time, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn Double Miles on the new route. Both offers are valid for travel through Dec. 13, 2007.
The daily nonstop flight departs Santa Rosa at 2:20pm. Visit Horizonair.com for more information.

250 American Airlines miles for completing a 3 minute survey about AAvacations
Click here
Thank you for taking the time to fill out the AmericanAirlines VacationsSM Travel Survey. In appreciation of your participation we will credit your AAdvantage® account with 250 bonus miles within the next 8-10 weeks.

Southwest Airlines Promo: Fly 3 - Fly Free

FIRE, FIRE! The California travel market is on FIRE - with HOT airline deals continuing.
Southwest, JetBlue and Virgin America operating all brand new routes out of the Bay Area are fighting each other (and the larger airlines such as United & American) for market share. For example, once Southwest Airlines starts SFO-LAX service in November, there will be over 100 daily flights operating this route between all the airlines. This equates to sizzling hot deals for folks like us.

And here's the latest example (see previous posts for other deals)

Southwest Airlines is offering a free trip within the 48 states after you fly just 3 round trips within California August 27-December 31st and/or SFO-Las Vegas between November 4th and December 31st. This applies to newly booked tickets only.

Full details here!

United: Double Miles for San Francisco Flyers

Hot off the Press!
United Airlines is offering double mileage plus miles for flights in/out of San Francisco to select California cities (and Las Vegas). Register here, read the t&c, then buy tickets between now and October 5th, travel through November 14th.

This promotion is a clear response to Southwest Airlines double Rapid Reward credits for flying in/out of SFO for nearly same time period (see a few posts down)

Southwest Airlines: "Helllllo San Francisco"

Hot offer for passengers flying in or out of 'the City by the Bay'
Southwest Airlines is welcoming San Francisco flyers with a special Rapid Rewards promotion.
NEW Members of their frequent flyer program will earn 8 credits (that's half way to a free round-trip ticket within the U.S) and DOUBLE rewards for flying to/from San Francisco between August 26th and October 31, 2007 when booking at Southwest.com.

Southwest Airlines begins flying out of SFO this weekend after a several year "break" from the airport.

Visit this link for more information on the offer.

Free bonus miles points/miles with United, American, Amtrak & Air Canada
Thanks, View from the Wing Blog

Fill out a short survey and/or sign up to receive emails and earn the bonuses below.
250 free United Airlines miles
250 free American Airlines miles
250 free Amtrak points
1000 free Air Canada miles

These promotions are great because most airlines require some activity (air or partner) within a certain amount of time, otherwise they delete your frequent flyer account. Most airlines recognize these registrations as a qualifying partner activity therefore keeping your account active.

HOT OFFER!

Get approved for the Southwest Airlines Visa card and earn 16 rapid rewards credits after your first purchase, enough for a free roundtrip ticket. They are also offering additional credits for balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies).

Previously the promotion has been 8 rapid rewards credits for signing up and using the card. So.....with the annual fee of $59.00 per year - $59 bucks to fly to one of the many destinations Southwest serves in the U.S makes this a hot offer. More information here.

Thanks to RedSox9547 on fatwallet for pointing out this offer.

Receive $15 when you take JetBlue and use your American Express card
A great promotion to combine with the recent JetBlue airfare sales out of the SF Bay Area. Book by July 31st.

Travelocity has extended their $50 off coupon which applies to selected hotel stays of 3 days or longer. Use coupon code HOTEL50 or click here. Must book by July 31st and discount is valid for hotel stays through October 31. I selected some random dates for hotels on the strip in Las Vegas and came up with a couple (decent) options priced under $75/night before the discount.

500 United miles for joining MyPoints (free)

Through July 27th, new members of MyPoints will receive 500 UA mileage plus miles for signing up.

MyPoints is a rebate/rewards website where they essentially pay you to shop online merchants through their website. For example, clicking through to United.com and purchasing a ticket would earn you 250 MyPoints. Other merchants such as Overstock.com and Travelocity earn points at tiered levels. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards, discounts and other goodies.

If you shop online already, MyPoints is a good way to earn some extra bonus goodies while in effect, not changing your shopping routine all that much. "Something for nothing" as I say.

500 Northwest bonus miles when using Paypal for purchase

Northwest Airlines just added a new promo which provides 500 Northwest Worldperks miles for any roundtrip ticket paid through PayPal. Purchase must be made by September 30, 2007 for travel through the end of the year. You can continue to use any payment method that Paypal accepts (ie: Visa/MC, checking) for your purchase.

Avis offering FREE I-Tunes w/rental

This is the final week of the Avis promotion; earn up to 20 free I-tunes downloads with each car rental. See T&C here. I've personally used this promotion several times without problems.

Sacramento to Hong Kong $630 roundtrip w/taxes

Air Canada has been offering some great deals to parts of Asia since introducing Sacramento service last week. AC has a fare of $448+ taxes and fees ($630 total) to Hong Kong and Tokyo, and $660 to Shanghai and Beijing. The flights route from Sacramento through Vancouver.

Hint: Visit http://www.aircanada.com/ and choose dates after August 21st (click the 'dates flexible' option) to see what is available at these great fares. I checked this morning and most of September and October is available.

250 American Airlines miles for completing a survey about American Airline Vacations

Southwest's new Oakland-Denver route takes aim at United

Southwest began new service, flying 5 daily non-stop flights from Oakland to Denver this past weekend, a direct shot at a United hub. Initial flight loads are reported high, with Southwest offering advance tickets at $79/each way promo rates.

Hot Coupon
Travelocity $50 off 3+ night hotel stay
$50 off a 3 night or more hotel stay when booking at Travelocity.com and using coupon code
HOTEL50 or clicking this link. Offer expires June 30th valid for stays through October 07.
Must use a Mastercard for the purchase.

4000 Delta SkyMiles to NEW members

Gotta be a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest program (free to sign up-and HIGHLY recommended by me). Complete this form by June 30th and 4000 Delta miles are yours!
Something for nothing - always a good thing.

FREE plane ticket when you buy $125 in Dockers

JCPenny and Dockers are running a short-term promotion; spend $125 in Dockers for Men merchandise, receive a free roundtrip ticket to select destinations in the U.S.

"Free" 300 Northwest frequent flyer miles

Northwest Airlines "WorldPerks University" is an ongoing program where you can earn 100 frequent flyer miles for each course you complete. Each course takes about 2 or 3 minutes.
Currently there are 3 courses available. Every mile helps the frequent flyer account!