Miles For Taxes

We appear to be entering a time when travel picks up significantly. With spring break, Memorial day weekend and summer holidays beckoning, let's review some key travel news.

1. Northwest Airlines appears to have resolved its labor disputes while going through the bankruptcy process. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Delta, where pilots are threatening to strike if the bankruptcy court voids its contract. Hardly surprising, given that Delta appears to have the most incompetent management of the major airlines. For an upcoming Memorial day week family vacation we have planned to go to Orlando. Given a choice of nonstop on United or Delta, I selected United (even though I had to pay an additional $25 per ticket) because of the risk of labor action by Delta pilots. If you have a significant amount of Delta miles, redeem them for travel in the next year on a Delta partner (Northwest, Continental, Air France and Korean are the main partners that form the Sky Team alliance). Bottom line: I believe Delta now faces a real risk of being liquidated.

http://www.travelexpert.com/delta/strike

2. Northwest just started charging $15 for its most sought after coach seats, including the exit rows. My opinion: these prized seats should be offered free to the airline's most loyal frequent flyers. Furthermore, if they are not going to reward their elite -- they are undercharging. Grab the opportunity if you can for just $15! Check out details at:

http://www.travelexpert.com/northwest/luxuries

3. Airline customer service continues to decline. Which is exactly my experience as I travel over 200,000 miles each year. Recently I have flown a lot on American Airlines, and lost baggage (three times in one year) together with unsatisfactory response to complaints is now the norm. Not surprisingly, low cost carriers Jet Blue, Air Tran and Southwest continue to fill the top ranks. Read details about the just-released survey here:

http://www.travelexpert.com/airline/quality

4. For those of you who have attended one of my seminars, you will know that I am a huge fan of the Entertainment directory. It contains coupons to save on United Airlines, hotels worldwide, car rentals, dry cleaners etc. The directory is sold for almost any US and Canadian city you can think of. The advantage of purchasing for a city you will be visiting (rather than your home city) are the local coupons -- restaurants, theme parks, movies. Since coupons are valid from time of purchase until 31 December of the year you purchase -- it is now selling at half price since there are just 9 months remaining in 2006. Click here to order -- set quantity to 0 if you donƒ?Tt want to purchase for a specific city:

http://www.travelexpert.com/entertainment-book

5. Is there a silver lining if you have a high tax bill on April 15? Could be -- if you pay with a mileage-earning credit card that offers double miles. Check out details:

http://www.travelexpert.com/miles/taxes

Feel free to email me personally if you have comments.

Until next time -- Bon Voyage!

Theo

Dr. Theo Brandt-Sarif
9108 Hillboro Drive
Los Angeles, CA, 90034-1125
United States