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because you don't pay a commission.  If your credit card is actually a
debit card (such as a Mastercard or Visa secured with a bank account
or a brokerage account, or an ATM card from your bank) you won't pay
any interest on cash advances, since the cash is withdrawn directly
from your account.  Thus using an ATM to get cash in the foreign
currency is probably one of the best and least expensive methods. On
the other hand, when the dollar is rising, you'll want to pay by
credit card when possible.

ATMs, banks, and traveler's check offices have the best rates. Avoid
exchanging money at airports, train stations, hotels, and money
changers if at all possible.

To avoid the interest charges for cash advances on SOME credit cards,
try overpaying your credit card bill before departing. You'll have to
read the fine print, however, to determine whether this works. Some
banks charge interest on cash advances, whether or not the credit
balance covers the charge. Others will charge you a cash advance fee
that is equivalent to a high finance charge. If you're lucky, your
card will treat a cash advance like a purchase that starts acruing
interest immediately. If so, maintaining a credit balance will
eliminate the finance charges.

There are, however, some caveats about using an ATM. Not all ATMs
overseas can be used 24 hours a day; some are restricted to regular
banking hours only. As usual, there are daily withdrawal limits. Your
bank card or credit card must be on the Plus or Cirrus network for you
to be able to use it abroad. Both systems have more than 100,000 ATMs
in 40-50 foreign countries. American Express Express Cash is also
quite common. There are many other smaller banking networks, which may
or may not have machines conveniently accessible at your destination.
There are some countries, however, which don't yet have any ATMs, or
at least not very many, on the Cirrus or Plus networks. For example,
the Netherlands doesn't have any Plus machines, but does have several
machines on the American Express Express Cash network. Likewise, there
are also countries that don't have any American Express Express Cash
machines. Check for availability of machines on your network before
you leave on your trip.  Before you leave, call your bank to make sure
your PIN (personal identification number) will work in ATM machines in
the foreign country.

In the US and Canada, call 1-800-4CIRRUS to get the address of the
nearest ATM on the Cirrus network. In the US, use 1-800-THE-PLUS for
locating PLUS ATM machines.

With respect to credit cards, bring a Mastercard, a Visa, and an
American Express card. Bring at least two cards, since replacing a
lost or stolen credit card overseas can be difficult. Don't keep all
the cards in the same location, so that you won't lose all of them at
the same time.  Don't bring your Discover Card -- few establishments
outside the US and Canada recognize it. Mastercard is generally usable
anywhere you see a Eurocard sign; Eurocard is the European equivalent
of Mastercard.

Before you leave, take at least $50 worth of foreign currency in small
denominations with you, to pay for incidental expenses at the start of
your trip (e.g., transportation from the airport to your hotel;
taxicabs don't accept credit cards overseas). Airport currency
exchange offices have long lines, and often charge a higher exchange
rate than banks. Later on you can get foreign currency for
restraurants and other establishments that don't accept credit cards.
But don't take too much cash with you, because flashing a big wad of
bills is the quickest way to lose it.

If you buy traveler's checks, be careful when exchanging them for
foreign currency. Exchange rates and processing fees can vary
considerably, depending on which bank, exchange office, or hotel you
use. There is no fee for exchanging American Express traveler's checks
at American Express offices. You can also get them at AAA for no fee
if you are an AAA member. Traveler's checks are safer than cash, but
you'll still want to be careful. Although they can be replaced if lost
or stolen, replacing them can take some time. The other drawback to
traveler's checks is, of course, the 1-2% commission you pay when you
buy them. Only in the US are traveler's checks considered the
equivalent of cash; in Europe, you'll probably have to exchange them
at a bank, since many establishments won't accept them in payment.
Only get traveler's checks if you're concerned about safety, or don't
have a credit card, or are traveling to a destination that doesn't
have any ATMs.

Traveler's checks are also available in foreign currency, including
British pounds, Canadian dollars, Dutch guilders, French francs,
German marks, Hong Kong dollars, Japanese yen, Spanish pesetas, and
Swiss francs. If the dollar is in flux or dropping, you'll want to buy
some traveler's checks in the foreign currency or in a strong
currency, such as Swiss francs. Many shops and restaurants will accept
traveler's checks that are denominated in the native currency, saving
you the bother of exchanging them.

Bring some dollars with you for the trip home (e.g., drinks and movies
on the plane, and cab fare home). If the dollar is very strong, you
may be able to get more for your money in open markets as dollars than
if you had exchanged them for the local currency. 

In general, don't make yourself dependent on only one form of
money. Bring some cash in both currencies with you, but also bring
credit cards, and maybe even some traveler's checks.

When returning to your home country, try to avoid bringing coins back
with you. Many banks will exchange bills in foreign currency but not
coins. Either spend the coins before you leave, or convert them to
bills.  Note that in some countries (e.g., Japan) you will have to pay
the departure tax before boarding your return flight. So make sure you
keep enough local currency to cover the tax.

Because you may have trouble doing exchange calculations in your head,
precompute the value of several common items in the foreign currency.
(Don't use items whose value in the foreign currency doesn't
correspond with their value in dollars.) Then use these items as
standards when shopping in the market. Chocolate bars and the cost of
lunch are good yardsticks. It won't be exact, but it'll give you a
quick and instinctive test for whether you're getting ripped off or
not. Better yet, bring a calculator with you.

Of course, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the foreign
currency, so that you don't have to rely on the vendor to count your
change. 

If the government required you to declare how much money you brought
into the country, keep receipts for all money exchanges and purchase.
You may be required to prove that you exchanged your money legally.

If you're inexperienced, don't dabble in black market currency
exchanges. The black market is usually illegal, so you can get into a
lot of trouble. The person you exchange with could be an undercover
policeman, or could turn you in. Or they could be setting you up to be
mugged afterwards (checking out how much money you have).  If you
don't know the going rate, you'll probably wind up being cheated.
Never exchange money with a person you meet on the street. The black
market will only exist in countries where hard currency (e.g., US
dollars and strong currencies) are more desirable than the local
currency. For example, countries with exchange controls, artificial
exchange rates, or high inflation rates, and developing countries are
likely candidates. Clean, crisp, high denomination bills are generally
preferred. The safest way to take advantage of the black market is to
use your currency to buy stuff at the peasant market (aka bazaar,
shuk, etc.). After bargaining in the usual fashion using local
currency, pull out an amount of your currency of lower total value.
High class establishments will generally not engage in the black
market. As a general rule, the benefits of black market exchanges
don't outweigh the risks if you're just traveling on vacation.

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Subject: [3-11] Frequent Flyer Programs

American Airlines introduced frequent flyer programs in 1981 to
encourage customer loyalty. The other major airlines quickly followed
suit. Together, the 70+ frequent flyer programs give out more than 10
million free tickets annually.

Most programs (e.g., United, American, USAir, and Northwest) will give you
a free US domestic roundtrip for 20,000 miles, a ticket to Hawaii or the
Carribbean for 30,000, a ticket to Europe for 40,000 and a ticket to
Australia or Asia for 60,000. Each airline, however, has its own set
of rules and somewhat different mileage levels. Delta requires 30,000
miles for a free US domestic ticket. Given joining bonuses and mileage
promotions, one can sometimes reach this with one overseas flight.
Northwest and USAir give you a minimum of 750 (Delta, 1000) miles for
each flight segment.  Northwest will give you two one-way tickets for
20,000 miles. NWA will not preissue boarding passes the day before the
flight. Some airlines will award two tickets for less than twice the
mileage needed for one ticket. For example, it is possible to get two
tickets to the Carribbean from Continental for only 40,000 miles.

Note: The minimum number of miles required for a US domestic roundtrip
ticket will increase to 25,000 on United, USAir, and American on
8/1/94, 1/1/95, and 2/1/95, respectively. Since the travel
certificates are good for one year, be sure to redeem your frequent
flyer miles a few days before the deadline, or you'll have to earn an
extra 5,000 miles for a free ticket. Other changes include an increase
to 45,000 miles for a free first-class US domestic ticket on American, an
increase to 50,000 miles for a free roundtrip ticket to Europe on
United (as of 2/1/95), and a reduction in the minimum number of FF
miles awarded per leg from 750 to 500 on Northwest. Northwest has also
announced that it is dropping out of the American Express Membership
Miles program (1 miles per $1 spent) on 3/31/94 or 4/30/94. Current
members of AmEx Membership Miles are Continental, Delta, Southwest,
and USAir.  Northwest is switching to an arrangement with First Bank
Visa (800-948-8300) and has already dropped their deal with Bank One
Visa.  Delta, Continental, USAir and Southwest are staying in the
program.  (Call 1-800-AXP-MILE for more information.)  United will
stop its practice of automatically mailing out award certificates at
the 20,000 mile mark on 10/1/94, and will issue them only upon
request, just like all the other frequent flyer programs. Northwest
will allow frequent fliers to obtain a US domestic ticket for 20,000
miles (instead of 25,000 miles) as of 2/1/95 only if they travel from
mid-September through mid-November.

If you're using a frequent flyer ticket and traveling with a
companion, give the award ticket to your companion so that you can
rack up more miles on your paid-for ticket. Moreover, paid tickets are
upgradable, while free tickets often aren't.

Delta has established a "Rapid Redemption" program that allows you to
redeem your frequent flyer miles for free tickets when buying a ticket
by phone or at a Delta ticket office. There is a $60 charge, however,
for this service. (The charge is per transaction.) You can still
redeem the old way without the extra charge. Frequent flyer miles can
also be exchanged for upgrades at no extra charge.

Northwest's frequent flyer records do not seem to record flights that were
changed after ticketing, so check the records carefully. However, Northwest
recently installed a new phone system (1-800-327-2881) that lets you
request a review of tickets to adjust your account.

Air Canada              1-800-361-8253
   Partners with Austrian, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, First Air,
   Singapore
Alaska Airlines         1-800-654-5669
   Partners with Northwest, TWA
Aloha Airlines          1-800-486-7277
AAdvantage (American)   1-800-882-8880
   Partners with TWA, Cathay Pacific, Singapore, Canadian
   Cancels miles after 3 years.
America West            1-800-247-5691
   Partners with Virgin Atlantic
Canadian                1-604-270-7587
   Partners with Air France, Lufthansa, American, Qantas (for flights
   between Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, and Canada).
Continental             1-713-952-1630
   Partners with Air France, KLM.
Delta                   1-800-323-2323
   Partners with Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Japan Air Lines (no
   economy), KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore, Swissair 
   Restrictions: US/Canadian residents only, only with voucher,
   travel must originate in US.
MarkAir                 1-800-MarkAir (1-800-627-5247)
   500 miles for signing up, free travel starts after 10,000 miles.
Midwest Express         1-800-452-2022
Northwest               1-800-447-3757
   Partners with KLM.
TWA                     1-800-325-4815, 1-800-221-2000
   Partners with American, Alaska, Air India, British Airways
United                  1-800-421-4655
   Partners with Air France. Travel must originate in US. Also
   partners with SAS, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Aeromar (Mexico), Antillean
   Airlines (ALM -- to Caribbean), Aloha Airlines, Ansett Australia,
   Ansett New Zealand, British Midland, Emirates (Middle East),
   Gulfstream International (Caribbean), Sunaire Express (Caribbean),
   Transbrasil, and TW Express. Mileage is given only
   for the legs connecting a U.S. city to Europe for theses airlines.
   If you are continuing onward to say Asia, you will not receive
   mileage on United on the leg from Europe to Asia.
USAir                   1-800-872-4738 (frequent traveler service ctr)
			1-800-442-2784 (international award travel)
			1-800-428-4322 (US domestic reservations)
   Partners with British Airways and AF.
British Airways  	1-800-955-2748
   Lets you combine the mileage for up to four family members.
   Partners with USAir.
Hawaiian Airlines Gold Plus 1-800-367-7637
Mexicana Frequent Flyer 1-800-531-7901

USAir has a frequent flyer program for undertakers (or is it a
"frequent dier" program?). Ship 30 corpses with USAir, and you get a
free US domestic round trip ticket.

If you catch an earlier flight, make sure that your frequent flyer
number is recorded, even if you gave the number when checking in for
the first flight. Frequent flyer numbers do not necessarily transfer
from one record to another when you change flights. If this happens to
you, send a copy of your ticket receipt and boarding pass to the
airline to get your mileage recorded. (You may be able to just call
the customer service department and tell them the ticket number from
your receipt, instead.) It pays to ask about your frequent flyer
number every time: when you make reservations, when you check in, and
when you arrive at the gate for each flight segment.

If you exchanged miles for a certificate but find you can't use it,
some programs allow you to redeposit the miles back into your frequent
flyer account, sometimes for a fee. Another option is to exchange the
certificate for an "open" ticket. Such a ticket has a fixed origin and
destination, but leaves the departure and return dates unspecified,
and can be used for up to a year from the date of issue.  With the
recent mileage increases in frequent flyer programs, this alternative
is especially attractive, since it effectively extends an expiring
certificate for up to a year.

If you want to use a free frequent flyer ticket, be sure to get the
tickets well in advance of the flight. Seating for free tickets is
usually limited on most flights, and tends to fill up fast. If you
find that there are no seats available when you want to fly, try
another airport. It may pay to drive 50-100 miles to catch a free
flight from a smaller airport, even if you have to pay for long-term
parking. 

Most airlines will transfer frequent flyer miles to your heirs upon
your death. If there are enough miles for an award, the awards can be
issued in their names. Otherwise the miles may be transferred to their
accounts. 
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: [3-12] Premier FF Membership

If you travel more than a certain number of miles or flight segments
on some airlines, they'll upgrade your membership in their frequent
flyer program to Premier (Silver) or Gold status. These programs let
you earn frequent flyer miles more quickly, let you get free or cheap
upgrades, and get preferred seating.

[As of 10-OCT-94, TWA eliminated its free space-available upgrade
policy for frequent flyer members. Instead, you will receive upgrade
certificates every so often depending on how many miles you've flown
(e.g., every 3,000, 5,000, or 10,000 miles, depending on class of
membership and type of fare). Frequent flyer members can also purchase
upgrades from TWA airport or city ticket offices, by calling
800-221-2000 (fax 610-631-5280) or by writing to TWA Upgrades, PO Box
810, Fairview Village, PA 19409.]

For example, TWA gold card holders can upgrade any unrestricted coach
ticket to first class on a space available basis. (Likewise, in
Continental, if you pay full fare coach and are a FF member, they'll
upgrade you to first class.) Continental silver elite members get a
100% mileage bonus on subsequent flights. USAir waives blackout dates
and capacity controls for award travel by members of their frequent
flyer program who have reached the Priority Gold level.  The mileage
levels for status change vary from airline to airline, and the
benefits vary as well, but typically one or two overseas flights or
20,000 to 35,000 US domestic miles will be sufficient to upgrade your
status.

Some airline reservation systems dynamicly modify the available
seating based on your frequent flyer membership status. The idea is to
reserve the desirable seats (window seats, far forward, away from
engine noise) for the more active members of the frequent flyer
program. Some airlines are also providing automatic free upgrades to
first class at reservation time to high mileage flyers.  So be sure to
give your frequent flyer number before asking for a seat assignment.

If you're a member of an airlines frequent flyer program and don't
receive any mail from them within a month or two of flying, call them
to make sure your account is still active and that they have your
current address. Airlines sometimes misdirect your frequent flyer
mail, especially after a temporary change of address or hold on mail.

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Subject: [3-13] Hotel Frequent Flyer Plans

Many large hotel chains offer frequent traveler incentives to their
guests, including free airline miles and points that are redeemable
for free hotel rooms. Some are even offering the free airline miles
without requiring a flight with the stay.

Here's a summary of what the hotels are now offering:

   Hilton:
     -  Airline Miles: 500 miles/stay.
        Airlines include Air Canada, American, America West, and
        United (no flight required); Delta and USAir (ticket and
        boarding pass required). 
     -  Points: 10 points per $1 spent. Redeemable for free weekend
        nights, sports tickets, and merchandise.
     -  May earn miles and points for same stay. Spouses may combine points.
     -  3 stays earn one free weekend night.
     -  Extra goodies for gold-level members (12 stays/year), such as
        airline club passes, boosts in FF membership status, and car
        rental club benefits.

   Holiday Inn:
     -  Airline Miles: 500 miles/stay, 2.5 miles per dollar spent.
        Airlines include Air Canada and Northeast (flight required),
        United and Northwest.
     -  Points: 1 point per $1 spent. Redeemable for free travel and
        merchandise. 
     -  May not earn miles and points for same stay. (No double dipping.)
     -  $10/year membership fee, waived for the first year.

   Hyatt:
     -  Airline Miles: 500 miles/stay for United mileage (no flight
        required), Alaska Airlines, Northwest, and USAir (flight
        required). 1000 miles/stay for Delta (flight required).
     -  Points: 5 points per $1 spent. Redeemable for free travel,
        room upgrades, and car rentals.
     -  May not earn miles and points for same stay. (No double dipping.)

   Marriott:
     -  Airline Miles: 500 miles/stay for American, British Airways,
        Northwest, or USAir. 1000 miles/stay for Continental or TWA
        (no flight required).  2,500 bonus miles after fifth stay.
        5,000 bonus miles for Continental.
     -  Points: 10 points per $1 spent, including amounts charged to
        your room, but excluding tax and service charges. Bonus points
        from Hertz car rental. Redeemable for free travel, hotel
        rooms, and car rentals. 35,000 points gets you a free night
        stay in any Marriott Hotel.
     -  Restrictions: In a given stay, can get points or miles, but
        not both.

   Sheraton:
     -  Sheraton Miles: 2 miles per $1 spent for (free) standard membership
        (blue club card), 3 miles per $1 spent for gold membership
        ($25/year, golden club card). Each Sheraton Mile is redeemable
        for one Airline Mile on American or United. Sheraton Miles are
        redeemable for free stays, special vacation packages, etc.
        Gold membership provides you with 4 pm late check-out
        guarantee, room upgrades, and other amenities.

Many hotels also offer discounts for members of certain groups. For
example, membership in AAA (American Automobile Association) or the
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) for example can get you
a 10% discount at many hotels and motels. Visiting someone at a local
university or hospital can be good for either a discount or a room
upgrade, depending on the hotel. There are also often special
discounts for government employees and military personnel.

 Note that you don't need to be 65 to become a member of the AARP --
you can be as young as 50. You also don't necessarily need to be a
member of the AARP to take advantage of some discounts. For example,
if you're over 50, Choice Hotels offers a 30% discount for travelers
with advance reservations, 10% for those with no reservation. 

Always ask for the best price, especially in the off-peak travel season.

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Subject: [3-14] Credit Card Voucher Offers

Several credit card companies offer vouchers for cheap airline travel
as an incentive to enroll students.

1. American Express.

   Students who apply for the standard green card ($55/year) or gold card
   ($75/year) will receive five "Travel Savings Certificates" if
   approved (within 2-3 weeks of receiving the card). Putting the
   vouchers to good use can easily result in your saving more than the
   cost of the card. Income and employment requirements for the gold
   card are waived for graduate students. 

   Three of the vouchers are good for travel anywhere in the 48
   contiguous United States on Continental Airlines or Continental
   Express. Each certificate is good for two roundtrip coach class
   tickets (same itinerary). If you cross the Mississippi the cost is
   $239/ticket; otherwise just $159/ticket. These vouchers are not good
   for travel to Florida between 2/12 and 4/30 and between 6/15 and 8/25;
   during those periods, you must use the special "Florida Certificate".
   The cost for tickets with this certificate is $239 for travel between
   Florida and destinations east of the Mississippi; $299 for
   destinations west of the Mississippi. The last voucher gets you $50
   off an international roundtrip coach class fare of $400 or more, or
   $75 off an international roundtrip coach class fare of $600 or more.

   Restrictions: Reservations for US domestic travel must be made and
   tickets purchased WITHIN 21 days of travel. The maximum stay is 14
   days and must include a Saturday night. Reservations for international
   travel must be made and tickets purchased at least 7 days before
   departure (or earlier, if required by the fare). The minimum stay is 8
   days and must include a Saturday night. All the certificates allow
   you to take along a student companion at the same price. The vouchers
   expire 1 year after issue.

   Although seating is limited, students report that they've had little
   trouble getting a last-minute reservation with the vouchers. They may
   have had to be flexible with their departure and return times and
   dates, but they've hardly ever had a problem getting to their
   destination. Traveling during off-peak times will increase your
   chances of getting a seat.  Don't expect to be able to get a seat
   around Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Tickets must be purchased using
   the American Express card. (Some students report success in using the
   vouchers with other credit cards.)

   The vouchers are not transferable, and the tickets are neither
   transferable nor refundable (and the airlines do check your
   student id both at the ticket counter and at the gate). To work around
   the non-transferrable restriction, use your first initial instead of
   your first name, and (if female) ask to have your maiden (alternately,
   married) name on the ticket (which allows you to substitute an
   arbitrary last name, if you're not bothered by the sleaziness).

   [Note: When travelling on Continental, beware of connections in
   their hub in Newark NJ.] 

   If you are a student, have an AmEx card and haven't received the
   vouchers, call the 800 number (1-800-582-5823 or 1-800-528-4800)
   and they'll send them out to your billing address. 

   [As of 9/1/93, USAir is no longer honoring the AmEx travel
    vouchers. As of 12/1/94, they seem to be honoring them again.] 
   Although the current AmEx tickets are for travel on Continental
   Airlines, USAir will honor them for travel on USAir (non-summer
   coupons only; you may use the non-summer coupons during the summer,
   however). Give the following promotion code to the travel agent 
   when using the AmEx/Continental vouchers for travel on USAir: 
      H/CO AMEX STUDENT 
   USAir seems less likely than Continental to check for student id.
   In general, USAir seems to accept coupons from almost any other airline.

2. Chase Manhattan VISA
   [ THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. ]
   Same cost structure as the AmEx/Continental vouchers ($129 if you
   don't cross the Mississippi River, $189 if you do), but for
   travel on USAir. Maximum stay of 60 days (Saturday stay not
   required). Tickets must be purchased within 48 hours of reservation.
   Valid student id must be presented at time of ticketing.
   Blackout dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and some
   destination-specific days.

3. Citibank VISA
   The Citibank AAdvantage VISA/MC charges a $50 annual fee (not a great
   deal, when no-fee VISA/MC cards abound). Earns 1 mile for every dollar
   spent. (You'd need to spend $25,000 to get a free PlanAAhead ticket.)
   Given the annual fee, not that good a deal. If you decide to get it,
   wait until American runs their next sign up bonus (typically either a
   free round-trip companion ticket or 5,000 free miles). Note that it
   takes 4-6 weeks to get the companion ticket.

4. Bank One TravelPlus Visa Card
   With the TravelPlus Card, you accumulate one point for each dollar
   spent. These points may then be redeemed for tickets on any airline,
   with no blackout dates (14-day advance notice and Saturday night stay
   required). 12,000 points gets you a free round-trip ticket within a
   zone in the US (each zone about 1/3 of the US) and 20,000 points gets
   you a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the continental US. 30,000
   points to the Carribean/Mexico; 35,000 to Alaska/Hawaii; 50,000 to
   Europe; 75,000 to Asia; and 85,000 to Australia. The card costs
   $25/year for classic ($55/year for gold). You get 1,000 bonus
   points upon approval. Call 1-800-694-9596 for more information
   about the Bank One Travel Plus program (1-800-945-2023 is Bank
   One's customer service number). 

The June 1994 issue of Smart Money contains a review of frequent flyer
programs (page 120), including a summary of credit card mileage
tie-ins. The best way to find out about airline affinity cards is to
call the airline in question and ask.

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Subject: [3-15] Telephone Companies

These programs give you frequent flyer miles for every dollar spent on
long distance phone calls. If you can, charge your phone bill to one of
the affinity credit cards to get even more miles. 

1. MCI. (Originated the idea in 1989.)
   MCI currently offers 500 miles to enroll and 5 miles for every
   dollar spent.  Airlines include Northwest, American, and Continental.
   1-800-755-2172

2. US Sprint. Airlines include TWA and America West.

3. AT&T
   With the AT&T True Rewards program, you can earn frequent flier miles on
   Delta, United Airlines, or USAir (or free AT&T long distance
   certificates). During every month you spend $25 or more on long
   distance, you earn 5 frequent flier miles for every $1 spent. During
   the first month you get a triple bonus (quadruple credit). Call
   1-800-7-REWARD to enroll. Only calls billed via an AT&T calling
   card or dial 1 service are eligible. You don't have to decide what
   to do with your credits until you cash them in, and you can get 5%
   cash back instead, if you prefer.

4. Metromedia. Airlines include TWA.

5. Teletravel. Airlines include Continental.

Other relevant programs:
   + Air Miles Program 800-222-2AIR

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Subject: [3-16] Discount Coupon Offers 

Discount coupons for air travel can often be obtained from a variety
of sources:

  -  AAA has included dollars-off coupons for travel on USAir and
     United in their membership newsletter in the past.

  -  Some catalogs and magazines, especially those associated with business
     equipment, such as the AT&T phone catalog, have included coupons
     for savings on flights on Continental and Northwest.

  -  Supermarkets in California periodically offer promotions
     providing discount coupons upon purchase of a certain amount of
     groceries. 

  -  Discover card and other credit cards have on occasion included
     discount certificates with the monthly bills. Others offer discount
     certificates for opening an account. See also "Credit Card
     Voucher Offers" above.

  -  A number of banks periodically offer discount coupons for opening
     accounts, usually certificate of deposit accounts (CDs) with some
     minimum balance.  

  -  Computer hardware and software manufacturers are now offering
     coupons for free or cheap companion fares or other discount fares
     with the purchase of their product. Recent offers (1994) include
     Microsoft for software purchases and Compaq for laptop purchases.

The coupons typically have several blackout dates, require a Saturday
night stay, and have a lot of fine print, but are often transferable.
People will often advertise to sell these coupons over the net.

You can also get travel discount coupons in some of the travel
discount books, but you can almost certainly get them for free from
some of the publications listed above. But if you can't find one,
spending $20 to save $50 is probably worth it. Such entertainment
books include 800-513-6000 ($19.95, includes United coupon),
800-445-4137 (Continental coupon), 800-521-9640 ($25, Continental coupon).

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