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The Airlines for America SmartBrief email is a great collection of airline news from around the country.  It is a great read every weekday and you should sign up.

CRJ-200 and CRJ-700 in Denver

United is Selling Half of Premier Status

The United Airlines premier qualification system is somewhat complex with four components.  To qualify you have to do the following in a calendar year: fly four segments on United (Express and Copa count on all these), spend a certain amount of money on fares on United (taxes, fees, and Star Alliance partners not included), and either fly (all partners count) a certain number of segments (PQS) or miles (PQM).  A tad complicated for my tastes and most members too I suspect. 

United 737-900ER in Denver

If you are running short of segments or miles, United will sell them to you for an exorbitant fee, 15,000 PQM / 15 PQS - $1950 14,000 PQM / 14 PQS - $1820 13,000 PQM / 13 PQS - $1690 12,000 PQM / 12 PQS - $1560 11,000 PQM / 11 PQS - $1430 10,000 PQM / 10 PQS - $1300 9,000 PQM / 9 PQS - $1170 8,000 PQM / 8 PQS - $1040 7,000 PQM / 7 PQS - $910 6,000 PQM / 6 PQS - $780 5,000 PQM / 5 PQS - $650 4,000 PQM / 4 PQS - $520 3,000 PQM / 3 PQS - $390 2,000 PQM / 2 PQS - $260 1,000 PQM / 1 PQS - $130.  I’d rather just book a cheap flight or two and enjoy a weekend of flying around.  These trips also help with spending requirements while also adding to my million miler total.  My goal is to hit a million miles with United and relax because I’ll have lifetime Gold status.  Until then the annual premier qualification math and email offers like this will bug me.

Frontier Airlines Coupon Craze

Frontier must be having a difficult time filling airplanes because they are couponing their flights nearly every week.  Add on fees like bags, seat selections, TV, and soda aren’t on sale, but the coupons could make it a good deal.

Frontier Fox in Austin

United Same Day Standby Woes

I needed to leave on a later flight last week while on a business trip.  United offers free same day changes to some members (Gold and higher, Silver has no discount), so there was no cost and a good flight option too.  Unfortunately everyone had already been upgraded on my new flights, so I was relegated to coach.  There was a lot of room to stretch out though.

Tons of Room in Economy Plus

The 747 Is Still the Best Aircraft for Advertising

The 747 is falling out of favor with airlines around the world.  777’s are the most common replacement, but the A380 and the new A350 are also moving into the 747’s space.  The newest 747 model, the 747-8, can carry more people with the same amount of fuel.  Lufthansa is currently the only passenger operator and they have 10 more seats, 26 more business class seats and 16 fewer coach seats, so much better revenue options.

Delta & SPG Lift Ad

The 747 is still best airplane for advertising.  An SPG and Delta cobranded promotion I saw in an aloft lift (yes, that’s what they call it, and that’s part of the brand) used Delta’s 747 to grab attention.  It works too.  The silhouette of the aircraft is beautiful and I enjoy seeing them every time.  I doubt that ad would work nearly as well with a 737, A320, A330, or 777.  Delta also decided not to use their newly acquired 20 year old 717’s either.  The 747 is still the best aircraft for advertising jobs, too bad airlines don’t think it is as well suited to move passengers.

Dull Delta 717

Frontier Airlines Coupon Code

Frontier will offer a 12% discount on domestic fares from Tuesday, July 15, 2014 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Thursday, July 17, 2014. The discount will apply to regular and sale fares for domestic travel August 20 through December 12, 2014. Blackout dates of November 21-26, and November 29–December 1, 2014 apply.  All fare rules will apply.

Tickets must be purchased online at FlyFrontier.com using the promo codeHITTHEBOOKS. No exceptions will be made.

Frontier Flight in Houston

United Is Serious About Carry On Sizes

United has a new warning message on the online check in about carry on bags. The airline must have finally noticed the large contraptions passengers have been attempting to shove in overhead bins recently.  I applaud this move, but the real test is with gate agents using the bag sizer and not letting large bags on, then charging for a checked bag.  The rules aren't new or hard to find, but just need to be enforced.    

Carry On Bag Reminder

UPDATE:  They also had messages on the self check in machine and on the boarding gate monitors.  None of the gate agents checked the sizes though.