Thought some of you might be interested in National Airlines frequent flyer program. You can sign up at the airport, by calling 1-888-JETS (5387), or online. If you sign up by mail, at the airport, or by phone, you will get 10 points for signing up. If you sign up online, you we get 20 points in your account. They allow family accounts, so you can earn miles faster. When you fly, they credit your account with points equal to 10% of your ticket purchase price. A minimum of 5 points is credited for any one-way fare. Points have no expiration date.
Here are the requirements for National comps elite status...
Earn 500 points before December 31 and you will reach elite level. This allows you to enjoy:
A 25% bonus on flights
Free space available first class one hour
prior to departure
Confirmed first class upgrades available
up to 72 hours in advance
National comps elite level members-only
reservation hotline
National comps elite level member check-in
lines handling
Priority boarding and baggage handling
Redeeming your points
You need 1 point for every dollar of the fare. For example, if the fare is $300, you need 300 points. Points can also be redeemed at the Rio and Harrah's. You can get the Carnival World buffet for 15 points, and tickets to the Improv at Harrah's for 20 points. First class upgrades are also on a point for dollar basis. Points can also be transferred into your Rio or Harrah's player card program, with a minimum of 30 points converted.
If you have any questions just ask.
Lee Ann



[This message has been edited by Lee Ann (edited July 29, 1999).]

Lee Ann, were you pleased with National's service on this past trip?

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jcrabs@raex.com

John,
Do I sound like a commercial? It's hard not to when this is finally something that the Rio has done right. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
Lee Ann

[This message has been edited by Lee Ann (edited July 23, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Lee Ann (edited July 23, 1999).]

Lee Ann, I just signed up for the FF plan.I will try it in the future and let you know how it goes.Thanks for the input.TTYL Bob NY

Bob,
I will be interested in hearing your experience with National airlines.
Lee Ann

Bob, I wouldn't book (pay) for any flights too far in the future. They can't maintain higher costs at cheap fares very long.

JMT,
Normally I would agree with you 100% about a start-up carrier. I probably would never have even thought about flying them. However, I felt a little more comfortable flying National airlines for 2 reasons. First of all, they have the financial backing of a huge corporation, Harrah's and second I don't think their plan is to make tons of money as an airline. With any other airline, when you walk off the plane, the company makes no more money from you. With National airlines, when you walk off the plane, it's only the beginning. Once you walk into the casino, as we all well know unfortunately, it's very easy to lose many times more than what your plane ticket cost. I think that's what they are counting on. Airfares from the east coast are so high, that I think Harrah's hopes to encourage even more people to visit Las Vegas. Let's face it, most people cannot visit Las Vegas and not spend at least a little time in a casino. And if you're married to a mean man like I am, he goes to bed and leaves you at the video poker machine and tells you not to come upstairs until you have a W2G. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img] Look at their idea of sending the bags directly to the Rio or Harrah's. It's sure not to be nice. We all know it's so you can be in the casino even sooner losing your money. Just my opinion.
It was so nice to be able to finally meet the third J. Hope we get to see you again soon!
Lee Ann

I hope you're not calling me the third J.<g>

It's my personal opinion that National will not get the financial backing backing it needs unless hotel occupancy rates drop 10% due to the additional rooms available.

If you see the service go from what it is now, to peanuts and snack flights with First Class reduced or eliminated, that will be an indication that my theory is starting to play out.

The fact that they are heavily involved with the Rio is kinda scary too.

Joe, since the Rio has the history of taking a good thing and messing it up, you may be right about the future of National.

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

JMT,
Sorry about that. You are not the third J, just the third J that I had the pleasure of meeting! And don't ask me to say which one is my favorite, because I think you are all great!
Lee Ann

JMT, I know what you mean.I've seen many folks crying at the gate with some airlines here in the east.I also beleive you get what you pay for! My next trip in Oct.is booked on United $327.upgraded with miles so that's not a bad FC fare.I was looking at National for a quickie trip using one of the packages for Rio or Harrah's the prices seem fair.In case the heat here gets any worse??
Bob NY

Bob, I don't wish for bad things to happen to National, I just don't think they understand what they are getting into. They will have the reliability of a charter service. A REAL airline can put bags or passengers on other airlines or other flights without much difficulty. National has a big challenge ahead of them and it will be interesting to see how they perform.