New Dining Program for Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards Members

Southwest Airlines has announced details of a new dining program for Rapid Rewards members.

Under the new program, members can earn Rapid Rewards credit when they dine at one of 9,000 restaurants, bars and clubs in the U.S. and Canada.

SkyTeam Alliance Offers Upgrades Using Miles

SkyTeam (Web site: www.skyteam.com) frequent flyers can use their miles to upgrade to Business Class on SkyTeam member airlines, the global alliance has announced.

To avail the offer, passengers must purchase a regular full-fare Economy Class ticket on any of the ten SkyTeam member carriers, including Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Northwest Airlines. Codeshare partners are not permitted.

United Airlines Offers Bonus Miles on Hong Kong Flights

United Airlines and Mastercard have partnered to offer bonus miles to passengers flying to the U.S. or Canada from Hong Kong before January 31, 2009.

Mileage Plus members who purchase tickets from now until December 15 using their MasterCard can earn up to 6,500 extra miles if they travel Economy Class, and 13,500 if they travel Business or First Class.

Win American Airlines Miles in Road Warriors Vote

American Airlines has announced a new sweepstake for customers to win AAdvantage miles and Hilton HHonors points.

Members of the Advantage Miles program who vote in the carrier's American Way Road Warrior contest (Web site: www.americanwaymag.com) will automatically be entered into the draw.

Voters can win 200,000 Hilton points and 100,000 frequent-flyer miles.

Extra Miles for Continental Airlines’ Flyers Renting Cars

Members of Continental Airlines' OnePass frequent-flyer program (Web site: www.continental.com) can earn additional miles if they book cars through Advantage Rent A Car (Web site: arac.com).

The car rental company is offering OnePass members up 10,000 frequent-flyer miles when they rent a car for three days or more in three U.S. cities - Los Angeles, Denver and Orlando – by October 31.

In addition, members can earn up to 5,000 miles if they book cars in these cities and others in the U.S. for three days or more, until November 15.

Delta Air Lines Changes SkyMiles Redemption Rules

Delta Air Lines has changed its SkyMiles redemption rules. It used to be the case that you could redeem miles starting at the 25,000 and 50,000 mile level for “free” trips. No longer. Now there are three redemption tiers: 25,000, 40,000 and 60,000.

Jeff Robertson, Delta’s Vice President of Loyalty Programs, bills the move as one that offers SkyMiles members “more options…than ever before to use their miles when they want, where they want and how they want.”

In Search of Delta Air Lines' Elite Status? Shuttle on

In hopes of boosting ridership, lots of airlines have been doubling up on frequent-flyer miles on key routes. The latest case-in-point, with a twist, is Delta Air Lines. The airline is offering double Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) on Delta Shuttle flights from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Reagan Washington National (DCA), and from LGA up the coast to Boston Logan (BOS).

MQMs are the way Delta’s SkyMiles members move toward elite levels in the carrier’s frequent-flyer program. Among frequent flyers, elite status is the stuff of which upgrades are fashioned – the invitation to sit up front beyond the curtain, in First Class. The shiny plastic is more than status, it allows you to relax and stretch out en route.

Delta Air Lines Offers Double Miles on U.K., France Flights

Delta Air Lines is offering members of its SkyMiles frequent-flyer program double miles on select flights to Europe.

Passengers traveling from Los Angeles or New York to London, New York to Lyon, and Salt Lake City and Paris are eligible for the offer.

Members must register online (Web site: delta.com/worldbonus) and fly on or before December 15.

Double Dip Between Portland and SeaTac

Pacific Northwesterners swear by Horizon Air's popular Portland (PDX) to Seattle/Tacoma (SEA) shuttle. This announcement shouldn't hurt their allegiance. Horizon Air is extending its double frequent-flyer miles offer on PDX-SEA service through December 15. Mileage Plan members will earn 1,000 miles for every one-way flight, instead of the regular 500. The provisos: you've got to be a member, and you have to register in advance for the promotion. To do that go to Horizon's Web site (www.horizonair.com).

Horizon's shuttle operates every hour between the two Pacific Northwest powerhouses, and every half-hour during peak business hours. The carrier's Ala Cart planeside baggage service affords flyers the ability to bypass baggage claim.

Double Marriott Rewards Miles Available With 26 Airlines

Marriott Rewards (Web site: www.marriott.com) has announced a new double miles promotion in collaboration with its 26 airline partners.

Members of the hotel chain's loyalty program can earn double miles on travel taken with a series of airlines between October 1 and December 31.

Participating carriers include Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways.