Sponsors
A Good Resolution - Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles
Back in November, the Washington Post highlighted a statistic that is downright sad: 92 percent of airline frequent flyer miles are never redeemed.Now I don't know how one comes up with all the data that would lead to this conclusion, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it's true. This means that only eight percent of all mileage actually gets turned into something useful. The rest is just numbers on statement, worth something in theory, but not really ever cashed. If you're looking for something to achieve in 2007, here's an easy target. Turn those virtual rewards into real ones!
I'm not saying it's easy. You may have to book a ticket 330 days before you actually want to travel. You may have to spend more than the minimum level to get the seat when you can really use it. You may need to buy a ticket and then use the miles to upgrade to business class (which actually makes the miles worth more anyway in most cases.) You may need to fly once or buy some things in an airline's virtual mall to get up to the right level, or you may need to top off the balance with miles from a Diner's or Amex card if you have one. In the end though, these actions will turn a paper reward into something tangible.
Of course a good portion of that 92 percent is probably "orphan miles." You sign up for a frequent flyer program on the first flight you take with that airline and then never do again. Or you have miles or points on an airline that lets them expire after a set amount of time, so you're back to zero eventually if you don't fly it enough. When that's the case, you're out of luck and they just vanish into the jet fuel exhaust. Keep an eye on your programs to see if you can keep that from happening. On Southwest it's pretty tough to do without flying, but on others you can sometimes just make a purchase online to start the clock again. If you really want to be sure you're getting your fair share and are gaming the system instead of it gaming you, check out the book Mileage Pro.
Source: http://travel.booklocker.com/
ndia Travel Alert 201 - Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:29:30 -0700
This Travel Alert expires November 15, 2010.
anel: India must secure elephant reserve - Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:40:33 -0700
India should protect its elephant population by securing its wildlife reserves, curbing poaching and restricting development in the corridors they use to travel between forested areas, a panel recommended. India - Elephant - Wildlife - Poaching - Asia
ndia replies to Pakistan's queries on Headley visit - Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:27:12 -0700
India handed over yet another dossier to Pakistan on the results of investigations into David Headley's India visits. The dossier was handed over to Pakistani high commissioner Shahid Malik on Wednesday evening.
S warns citizens of India travel for CW - Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:53:34 -0700
However, 'the US government has no information on any specific threat of attack that any individual or group is planning to coincide with the Games,' the State Department said in its latest India-travel alert
ndia must secure elephant reserve - Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:46:11 -0700
India should protect its elephant population by securing its wildlife reserves, curbing poaching and restricting development in the corridors they use to travel between forested areas.
S Cautions Its Citizens On India Travel During Commonwealth Game - Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:40:07 -0700
WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The US has asked its citizens to be alert and cautious for their security during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, but said it had no specific information on any terrorist threat, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
anel: India must create more elephant reserve - Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:52:58 -0700
India should protect its elephant population by creating new reserves, curbing poaching and restricting development in the corridors they use to travel between forested areas, a panel recommended Tuesday.
ndia must secure elephant reserve - Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:31:09 -0700
India should protect its elephant population by securing its wildlife reserves, a panel has said.
.S. cautions citizens on India trave - Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:24:11 -0700
The U.S. asks citizens to be alert and cautious of their security during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in October. India - New Delhi - Commonwealth Games - Asia - Government
ndia must secure elephant reserve - Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:54:09 -0700
India should protect its elephant population by securing its wildlife reserves to curb poaching, a panel has recommended.