Fly from Indianapolis to Los Angeles for $130 round-trip, including all taxes, on Southwest.

We found weekend seats departing IND on Friday, September 13, returning from LAX on Monday, September 16. Other dates also available for travel from August 26 through December 18. No minimum stay required. Fly Mondays through Saturdays.

For booking info, see our Fare Details.

As part of last weekend's newly launched daily service between Chicago and Dohar, Qatar Airways is offering discounted fares to the Middle East, Asia, and Australia from Chicago, as well as New York, Houston, and Washington DC. Rules and restrictions vary by route, though most are valid for late summer/fall travel.

We found seats departing O'Hare on October 1, returning from Dubai on October 9, for $1,145 round-trip, including all taxes, as seen by the image below. 

Sale ends June 30. Avoid inbound blackouts from August 15 through September 10.

Fly from Ottawa to Las Vegas for $346 round-trip, including all taxes, on Delta Air Lines.

We found seats departing Ottawa on September 11, returning from Las Vegas on September 18.

Similar fares available for travel from August through March. Prices may vary slightly by date. Travel in reverse (LAS-YOW round-trip) will cost less.

For all current fares to LAS, see our Las Vegas fare page.

When was the last time you changed the password and user name for your frequent flyer account? If you’re like most people, it was probably on the 12th of never.

Miles are like money, and that’s why, as this report explains, thieves and scam artists are stealing miles from unwary consumers’ accounts, spending them on flights, selling them, or using them for other nefarious purposes.

Whether you have 25,000 miles or 250,000 or 2.5 million, you need to protect them.

What’s amazing is that some people, for example those signed up for United’s MileagePlus program, only use an account number and a four-digit pin code to get into their accounts. If someone gets hold of your boarding pass with your frequent flyer account number on it, how hard is it for an experienced hacker to work through the possible four-digit combinations to get into your account? It’s probably the easiest password combination to figure out. So be sure never to leave a boarding pass where someone else can find it. Shred them just like you would any sensitive document.

In addition to hacking into accounts the old fashioned way, thieves are using phishing techniques, as this alert from Delta explains.

It’s easy to change your user name, PIN and password on some airlines’ sites. On United.com, for example, go to MileagePlus>My Account>Profile>Username>edit. It’s a good idea to change your password every so often, just as you would with any important account.

And airlines need to do their part too. Frequent flyer account security is woefully inadequate. They should start requiring members to set up challenge questions (“What color was your first car?”) and remind them to change passwords regularly. But consumers need to be alert, as well. Check your accounts as often as you check other assets, such as bank balances, to make sure nothing is amiss. If miles are missing, contact your airline immediately and ask for restitution, although this may not be a simple task.


Follow George Hobica on Twitter @airfarewatchdog

The latest sales from AirTran and Southwest are both valid for travel every day except Fridays and Sundays, from August 26 through December 18. Fares start at $59 one-way.

Avoid blackouts: Sept. 2 and Nov. 26 through Dec. 3.

All bookings must be made by 11:59pm PT, June 28.

Boston to Atlanta $282 round-trip, including all taxes

New York to Atlanta $260 round-trip, including all taxes

Orlando to Baltimore $216 round-trip, including all taxes

Orlando to Boston $222 round-trip, including all taxes

Detroit to Atlanta $278 round-trip, including all taxes

Charleston to Hartford $365 round-trip, including all taxes

Philadelphia to Las Vegas $220 round-trip, including all taxes

Philadelphia to Los Angeles $302 round-trip, including all taxes

Los Angeles to Charlotte $344 round-trip, including all taxes

Los Angeles to Grand Rapids $412 round-trip, including all taxes

New York to Los Angeles $302 round-trip, including all taxes

Tucson to Philadelphia $324 round-trip, including all taxes

Cleveland to Nashville $126 round-trip, including all taxes

Ft Lauderdale to Baltimore $118 round-trip, including all taxes

Tampa to Indianapolis $284 round-trip, including all taxes

Raleigh-Durham to New York $182 round-trip, including all taxes

Chicago to Cleveland $168 round-trip, including all taxes

Chicago to Boston $218 round-trip, including all taxes

Houston to Pittsburgh $284 round-trip, including all taxes

Houston to New York $218 round-trip, including all taxes

Southwest image via Shutterstock

Fly from Chicago to Beijing for $756 round-trip, nonstop, including all taxes, on United, American, or Hainan.

We found seats departing Chicago on September 17, and returning from Beijing on September 24. Other dates available for travel throughout fall, from September through November.

For booking info, see our Fare Details.

By George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com

Who says America doesn't make stuff anymore? From cars to coffee, hot sauce to jumbo jets, we've got ten great places to see how the proverbial sausage is made.

Ford Rouge Factory, Dearborn, MI

One of the most important sites in the history of the automobile, this city unto itself just ten minutes from downtown Detroit is where you'll now find the F-150 pickup truck in production. Besides the chance to see the action on the factory floor below you, visitors are also given a crash course (through the magic of multimedia) in the history of the site, the Ford Motor Company and the industry at large. (Also check out the top of the building, the world's largest green roof, at 10.4 acres.) All tours begin at the nearby Henry Ford museum complex, a destination unto itself.

Nearest airport: Detroit. Click here to see cheap flights.

Martin Guitar, Nazareth, PA

The choice of sensitive rockers everywhere was around long before rock 'n' roll was invented. Martin's history of manufacturing some of the world's greatest acoustic guitars begins back in the 1700s, when Christian Frederick Martin, Sr. left his German home at age 15 to apprentice with a Viennese guitar maker. Martin has been a presence in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley since 1833; one-hour tours of the plant are complimented by an on-site museum and a Pickin' Parlor, where visitors are welcome to play high-end and limited edition models.

Nearest Airport: Allentown, PA. Click here to see cheap flights.

Intelligentsia Coffee, Chicago, IL

One of the most popular roasters in the country – now served in some of the most popular cafes and restaurants in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles – offers its fans (or just the merely curious) this easy-going and fun tour at their main roasting facility in the Windy City. You'll learn the most correct, scientific methods for the perfect cup of coffee, find out how they go about finding the very best beans in countries you forgot existed, how to roast them correctly and – most importantly – you'll get all the freshly-brewed coffee you can drink.

Nearest airport: Chicago. Click here for cheap flights.

Boeing, Everett, WA

Go inside the world's largest building by volume – 472,000,000 cubic feet – for the chance to glimpse Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner in production, then head to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and get strapped into The Innovator, a seven-seat simulator that puts you in the cockpit for the ride of your life. Tip: The weak-stomached may want to sit this one out.

Nearest airport: Seattle. Click here for cheap flights.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville, KY

You've seen them in the hands of countless baseball greats, here's your chance to get right on the factory floor and see how the official bat of Major League Baseball is made. Each tour participant gets a mini-Slugger to take home as a souvenir; afterwards, stick around for the museum, a fun and informative look at the history of America's best-known bat.

Nearest airport: Louisville. Click here for cheap flights.

Harley-Davidson, Menomonee Falls, WI

It may not be the sexiest bit of the hog, but you can't have a Harley without a proper powertrain, right? Visitors are welcomed in to observe operations at the 849,000 square-foot plant northwest of downtown Milwaukee, but that's just one stop on the grand tour here in the hometown of the Harley. Make sure to pay a visit to the company's fun and interactive downtown museum; also consider checking into the handsome, museum-adjacent Iron Horse Hotel, which has been the coolest place to stay in town ever since it opened a few years back.

Nearest airport: Minneapolis. Click here for cheap flights.

Dogfish Head, Milton, DE

What was once a small Delaware brewery has grown to become one of the best on the East Coast. At heart, though, Dogfish Head is still the fun-loving little guy it was when it started out, so tours are casual and cool, samples are (but of course) offered. Make sure to check out the curious, on-premises Steampunk Treehouse, rescued from a recent Burning Man festival; this rather curious piece of functional sculpture is where the brewers are said to do their most creative thinking. If you didn't get enough to drink on the tour, check out their popular brewpub and restaurant in nearby Rehoboth Beach.

Nearby airport: Baltimore. Click here for cheap flights.

Tabasco Factory, Avery Island, LA

That familiar smell fills the air as you drive on to 2,200-acre Avery Island; there's no mistaking that you've arrived in the home of America's favorite hot sauce. (Tip: A visit is highly recommended for those with blocked sinuses.) But a tour through Tabasco's factory operation is just part of the experience here; the company-owned Jungle Gardens and Bird City – a beautiful, company-owned botanical garden and bird sanctuary, respectively – make a visit to the island a fun day out from either New Orleans or Cajun Country.

Nearby airport: Baton Rouge. Click here for cheap flights.

Mack Trucks, Macungie, PA

Are you an admirer of the mighty Mack? Put on your comfortable shoes and embark on a 1.5 mile walking tour of the famed truck's mighty manufacturing plant.(At this location, you'll see mostly construction vehicles being produced). Visitors to the site are also invited to visit the Mack Museum, featuring a wide range of vintage vehicles dating from the early 1900s up to 1979.

Nearby airport: Allentown. Click here for cheap flights.

Airstream Factory, Jackson Center, OH

A tiny town set amid the central Ohio farmfields is the setting for the factory that produces those iconic silver travel trailers. It's a pilgrimage site for owners, who bring their houses on wheels here to be serviced, camping out at the on-site RV park. Whether you're curious about joining this elite group of nomads or not, the free, daily factory tour is good fun, even if just to see one of the country's most stubbornly unchanged companies in action.

Nearby airport: Cincinnati. Click here for cheap flights.

Be one of the first 65,000 people to 'like' their Fly With the Force promo on Facebook and take 20% off your next Virgin America flight. This promo offer is valid for travel in Main Cabin only, Mondays through Thursdays, as well as Saturdays, from September 10 through November 6.

Tickets require a 21-day advance purchase. Avoid blackout dates October 11 and October 14.

This offer expires 11:59pm PT, June 17.

Image via Shutterstock

By George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com

Airline frequent flyer programs give extra benefits (upgrades, free checked bags, and lounge access among them) when you attain upper-tier “status,” and they sometimes offer incentives to switch your loyalty from the program you use the most. It’s called a “status match” in airline parlance. So if you’d like to leverage your status on one airline’s program to get status on another airline, here’s how to do it.

Airlines are competing for your business especially when carriers merge and become stronger. They know they can lure flyers away from other airlines because of their expanded network, and many flyers take the bait especially when media coverage touts the new airline's program.

The coming American Airlines-US Airways merger has opened new possibilities. American is a member of oneworld, and US Airways is a member of Star Alliance. The new carrier will belong to oneworld, and it will work hard to bring over Star Alliance loyalists from the US Airways program while also courting other airline elite members to take advantage of the new airline's expanded program.

Carriers often provide status matches to certain tiers within their program to give new customers a chance to see what it's like in the loyalty program without having to do all of the work to get there.

What is required of most airlines is usually a copy of one’s current elite credentials and account activity. Some airlines are more lenient than others especially when a traveler is paying higher, more lucrative fares.  

Other airlines offer challenges requiring new members to show they will be loyal by flying a certain amount within a specified time period to maintain a status level for the whole year. Be aware that some airlines limit the number of challenges available per member within a certain period of time so be sure to ask as it varies frequently. For example, if you take a status match this year, you may not be eligible for it again next year. And some airlines offer status matches just once per member.

When applying for a status match, it is wise to decide if another airline may serve your needs better than another. And while one carrier may not have worked for you in the past, recent mergers may have made it a better. For example, Charlotte, N.C. travelers may not have been interested in American's AAdvantage progam before, but now that it is merging with US Airways, it is the new “home program”.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska offers status matches by simply showing that you have elite status with another carrier. No mileage requirements or co-pay hoops to jump through. Status matches can only be done once. Send a copy of your account statement, driver's license or passport, and elite level card from another carrier to elite.flyer@alaskaair.com. Matches take about two weeks to process; those requested before Nov. 1 of the calendar year are good until the following February. Those requested after Nov. 1 are good for the entire following year.

MVP Gold 75K, the airline's top level, is not eligible for a status match; only its bottom two levels. If you have substantial travel on Alaska coming up and are elite with another carrier, this may be a great option to enjoy some elite perks.

American Airlines

AA does not offer an outright status match opting instead to challenge new members to fly a certain amount within a period of time in addition to paying a fee. The airline offers the challenge for all but their top tiers although these are sometimes granted an exception based on the types of fares paid and number of trips taken. To ask about a challenge from your current carrier, call 1-800-882-8880.

The cost varies depending upon when it is requested in the calendar year. Flyers will spend around $120 for a Gold challenge (lowest elite tier) and $180-240 for a Platinum challenge (middle elite tier). The gist of the challenge is that one must fly 5,000 Elite Qualifying Points (not the same as miles) within three months or 10,000 Elite Qualifying Points within three months to earn Gold and Platinum status respectively.

The caveat with the new Elite Qualifying Points system is that discounted fares only count for half (one mile=half a point) while more expensive tickets count as a whole point or 1.5 points (one mile=one point). The breakdown is found here.

Typically, American does not offer elite status during the challenge period meaning no upgrades for new American flyers until they complete the requirements successfully.

Delta Air Lines

DL offers immediate status matches based on various factors including current travel with one’s existing airline. To qualify, visit this special web page to submit your information online here. People who have requested status matches before are not eligible, and you must be a non-Medallion member at the time of requesting the match. Status is granted immediately so that participants can enjoy the benefits as they work to meet the requirements.

Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion levels are eligible for matches and are earned based on the Medallion Qualifying Miles or Medallion Qualifying Segments earned. Like American, these are based on the type of fare purchased. No matter when the status is earned, it is good until the following February.

In 2014, Delta is overhauling its Medallion program adding in a new component requiring people to spend a certain amount of money with the airline. This may throw a wrench into its current status match program so if you want status with Delta, do it quickly. More details on this new revenue requirement can be found here.

United Airlines

UA offers a simple elite match program. The airline offers status matches to an equivalent level with one’s current program and requires a corresponding number of miles to be flown within 90 days to maintain that specific status. Uniquely, status match participants can fly on either United or Copa Airlines to qualify, and all fares are eligible. The new status can be earned based on mileage flown or on the number of flight segments flown within 90 days, which is helpful for people who travel frequently but on short-distance flights.

During the challenge period, one gets the status automatically allowing upgrade and elite bonus miles opportunities. Email premiermatch@united.com to qualify, but visit United for more information first. No fees are required to participate.

Only status for the lower tiers of the program (Premier Silver, Premier, Gold, and Premier Platinum) are available for match. If people have asked for a status match with either United or Continental in the past five years, they do not qualify for a status match.

US Airways

US offers a similar trial challenge program to American’s, which requires a fee. It costs $200 to make a run for Silver, $400 for Gold, and $600 for Platinum. The fees for this program are a bit expensive, but worth it for those who have immediate travel needs on US Airways. The requirements in place include a trial period of 90 days flying 7,500 miles or ten segments for Silver; 15,000 miles or 20 segments for Gold; 22,500 miles or 30 segments for Platinum; or 30,000 miles or 40 segments for top-tier Chairman's Preferred.

It is open to anyone even if you don’t have elite status with another carrier, which is a nice perk for new flyers. US Airways is one of the few airline programs that offers a challenge to match up to its top tier.

To participate, apply here. This is one of the simplest elite trial programs out there and may be worth it for those looking to grab top status before the completion of the merger with American (since AA's status match program is based on type of fare booked). Status is awarded immediately so participants can enjoy it while meeting the requirements.

Or, flyers can simply buy Preferred status at the astronomical cost of $1,499 for Silver all the way up to $3,999 for Chairman's Preferred. Some companies that require people to travel frequently may be willing to pony up for this cost so that travelers can benefit from free checked bags and first class upgrades.

Virgin America

Virgin America occasionally offers status match challenges, like the most recent one to poach United and Delta flyers found here. Simply email a copy (screen shots will do) of your elite account summary with another airline to statusmatch@virginamerica.com.

The deadline to meet the airline's requirements of flying 8,000 status points (not miles) for Elevate Silver or 12,000 status points for Elevate Gold status is June 30, 2013. Five status points are earned for every dollar spent with the airline. Cardholders of the Virgin America Visa Signature credit card have significantly reduced status point requirements to retain status. Participants receive Elevate status immediately to enjoy as they work toward their goal, but to keep status all year, they must meet the status point requirements.

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By George Hobica

Airfarewatchdog.com

Everyone will end up complaining about an airline sooner or later. For some reason, I've never had to write a scathing letter. The only time recently that something went amiss on a flight I’ve taken was Los Angeles to New York on American Airlines. I had used miles to fly in first class, and although I had booked my seat months in advance when I attempted to check in online 24 hours ahead I was told to do so at the airport, which is always a bad sign. Sure enough, there was no seat for me. I asked what happened, but the ticket agent could offer no explanation. Instead of ranting and raving, I remained calm, went to the lounge, and asked the front desk what they could do for me. And sure enough, I was put on a flight departing exactly 59 minutes after my original flight, same seat. Because the delay was under an hour, American didn’t owe me denied boarding compensation. But because I was polite and pleasant about the situation, the lounge agent found me and handed me a $400 travel voucher anyway. Maybe I would have gotten the voucher even if I had ranted and raved, who knows. Somehow, I suspect not.

So if you have an airline complaint, whether lost bags, a delayed flight, or poor service, always try to resolve it politely at the airport. If that doesn't work, send a letter or email to the airline.

--Be polite, specific, and as brief as possible, citing flight numbers, seat location, employee names if known, cost of fare, etc.

--Include your frequent flyer number.

--It's always a good idea to "sit" on your letter for a few days after writing it in order to cool down and rephrase things.

--Never say, "I will never fly your airline again!" since that gives the airline no incentive to help.

--Ask for a specific remedy, whether it is extra frequent flyer miles, a refund, or a voucher, and be reasonable.

--And remember, even airlines with stellar reputations screw up from time to time, as happened in this snafu involving Emirates and JetBlue that I attempted to fix with limited success.

Perhaps the best advice, though, is to avoid setting yourself up for air travel #fail to begin with.

Here are the email/website and corporate mailing address contacts for U.S.-based airlines. Although most people like to email these days, I find that a well-written snail mail letter can be more effective since so few people send them and they tend to stand out (plus you can include photocopies of relevant documents if applicable). And you can also pay the post office for a confirmation that the mail has been received.

Oh, and by the way, you can also use these methods for saying something nice about your flight or an employee's extra care.

Airtran
5230 Clipper Dr.
Ste. 200
GC 4RC
Atlanta, GA 30349-8127

Alaska
P.O. Box 68900
Seattle, WA 98168

American
4333 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth TX 76155

Delta
Customer Relations
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001

Frontier
Customer Relations
7001 Tower Rd.
Denver CO 80249

Jetblue
27-01 Queens Plaza North,
Long Island City, NY 11101

Hawaiian
3375 Koapaka Street
Suite G350
Honolulu HI 96819

Southwest
2702 Love Field Drive
Dallas TX 75235

United
P.O Box 66100
Chicago IL 60666

US Airways
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Virgin America
555 Airport Blvd., Fl. 2
Burlingame, CA 94010

Airlines are also using Twitter to resolve complaints, but some are better than this than others.

@AlaskaAir

@AmericanAir

@DeltaAssist

@HawaiianAir

@JetBlue

@SouthwestAir

@United

@USAirways

@VirginAmerica

image via Shutterstock