Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/327270
Itravelalot— nearly 1.4 million miles on Ameri- can Airlines alone. I can't claim to be an expert on how to earn, maintain and redeem fre- quent flyer miles, but I have learned a lot from those who are. First rule of air travel: When it comes to travel by any mode, espe- cially air, do not assume anything. Always check the fare you are quoted, and then re-check. Fares change rapidly. Recently, American Air- lines, where I hold the bulk of my travel miles, merged with US Airways. For months now, as I am booking a res- ervation at AA.com, I can see which flights are US Air- ways and which are AA. Curiously, both airlines main- tain their individ- ual websites. Today I needed to book a flight to Phoenix AZ. I started at AA.com. The best deal I could get: $332 round trip on US Airways flights. I put it on hold and opened a new browser window for Kayak.com, to search and verify that I had the best deal on hold at AA. The result: Not exactly. In fact, Kayak.com returned the identical US Airways flights at USAirways. com that I was holding at AA.com — same airports, same times, same flights — for a total of $138 round trip. Wow. I opened a third browser window and went to USAirways.com and typed in my information. Sure enough, Kayak was correct. I booked the trip for the stated price of $138 in full, all taxes included. Thankfully, I did not as- sume merger meant com- bining two entities into one. Apparently that is not the case, at least not at this time. Miles expire. Miles ex- pire in most U.S.-based airline programs after 18 months of no earning or redemption activity. As long as I know where I am with my various airline accounts, I can easily ex- tend my expiration dates. The airlines want me to do that by booking a trip somewhere. But it is easy to keep my miles active without flying. Sometimes, all I need to do is earn or redeem one mile to reset the mile expiration clock. I have done this by buying a $1 iTunes song or down- loading the airline's shop- ping toolbar. Somewhere on every airline's website, you will find the condi- tions under which your ac- count and miles will re- main alive and well. Policies change. Travel rewards with AA frequent flyer miles used to be so easy and basically quite awesome. Now I have to pay huge fees to share miles with family mem- bers, and the fees to book a "free" rewards trip have gone up as well. It's much harder these days to find flights with reward seats available due to black- out dates and airlines can- celing so many of their flights. It used to be that a regular round-trip re- ward trip cost 25,000 fre- quent flyer miles. Now, it is not unusual for a flight to require 40,000 or even 60,000 miles, depending on the airline. Delta recently an- nounced a big change in its frequent flyer program. Travel will be rewarded by how much you spend, not how far you travel. Effec- tive Jan. 1, 2015, customers can earn between five and 11 miles per dollar spent based on their SkyMiles status. Delta joints Virgin America in this new point system, and I expect other airlines to follow. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@eve- rydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheap- skate, P.O. Box 2099, Cy- press, CA 90630. EVERDAYCHEAPSKATE Airfaresandfrequentflyerprogramschangingrapidly Mary Hunt The Soroptimist Interna- tional of Red Bluff recently held its annual awards cer- emony for honoring women, girls and a business that supports the efforts of the local group to "help women and girls locally and around the world." The evening was enjoyed by more than 60 members and recipients as they en- joyed a tri-tip dinner pre- pared by the Veterans Hall's Ken Cruz and crew. The dinners were served by five members of the Red Bluff High School Key Club, a youth division of Kiwanis, and CSF. The eve- ning began with a welcome by President Bobie Hughes. Brownie Troop 70259 con- ducted a flag ceremony and led the pledge of allegiance. Jan Miller commented on Soroptimism. Hughes in- troduced Lela Martinez, recipient of Women in the Military award, and Zack Whitten, who accepted the President's Project award for the Sacramento River Discovery Center Camper- ship program. The Violet Richardson Award, which honors a young lady for her volun- teer efforts, was presented to Karlee Garcia for her many activities, by Kath- leen Rook. Academic scholarships were presented by Karie Roth and Jean Shackelford to Red Bluff High students Megan DiDio, Emily Galla- gher, Jane Kinner and May- son Trujillo. The Lucille McCready award, for a young woman who has achieved academic success in spite of personal obstacles was presented to Makayla Vigil by Jill Wab- bel. The Darliene Lundberg Memorial Scholarship hon- oring a young woman en- rolled in upper level col- lege courses was pre- sented by Darlene Martin to Toni Brunello, standing in for her daughter Megan Brunello. The Ruby Award was presented to Jesse Woods by Donna Johnson for her outstanding efforts to im- prove the lives of others by coordinating help for many charitable and service pro- grams. Her partnership with the Community Ac- tion Agency, Tehama To- gether, North State Food Bank as well as 18 other lo- cal food banks has enabled thousands of pounds of nu- tritious food to be distrib- uted throughout Tehama County. The Food From the Heart Program is now in its fifth year. The Women's Oppor- tunity Award, honoring a woman who is the head of household, working or at- tending school to improve her family's life while over- coming personal difficul- ties was presented to Mi- chelle Banuelos by Maggie Michaels. Friends of Soroptimist Award was presented to Joe Brown and Glenn Eicholtz by Ally Kinner-Beam, as a thank you for their help year after year in setting up the courses for the annual Spring Run. A & R Custom Butcher- ing was selected as Busi- ness of the Year as it has been a donor and supporter of some of Soroptimist In- ternational of Red Bluff's main fundraisers. Club members selected one of their own as Soropti- mist of the Year and Nancy Shilts surprised Jill Wabbel with that award. To learn more about So- roptimist International, visit www.soroptimistint- ernational.org or the Red Bluff club at siredbluffclub. wordpress.com. Soroptimist holds awards banquet COURTESYPHOTO Pictured Soroptimist International of Red Bluff Award Banquet recipients, back row, A&R Custom Butchering, Business of the Year, Dwayne Casteel and Russ Pruel; Friends of Soroptimist award, Glenn Eicholtz and Joe Brown; Presidentís Project, Zack Whitten, and front row, Toni Brunello, standing in for her daughter Megan Brunello, receipient of the Darliene Lundberg Memorial Scholarship; Lela Martinez, Woman in the Military award; Jesse Woods, Ruby award; Mayson Trujillo and Emily Gallagher, Academic Scholarships; Karlee Garcia, Violet Richardson Award; Megan DiDio and Jane Kinner, Academic Scholarship award, Makayla Vigil, the Lucille McCready Scholarship; Jill Wabbel, Soroptimist of the Year, and Michelle Banuelos, Womenís Opportunity Award. HONORED Today REDBLUFF Community Basic Life Support: 6-10p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba Room, 888-628-1948 Cribbage Club: 6p.m., Cozy Diner, 259S. Main St., 527-6402 Emblem club meeting: 7:30p.m., Elks Lodge Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions: 5:30- 8p.m., St. Elizabeth Com- munity Hospital, Wright Room, 888-628-1948 Homeschool Support Group: 7p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345David Ave. International Order of the Rainbow for Girls: 6:45 p.m., Masonic Hall 822 Main St. 527-6715 PAL Kickboxing: 6p.m., 1450Schwab St., 529- 8716or 200-3950 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Photo club: 6p.m., Com- munity Center,1500S. Jackson St., 528-8066 Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30-3:30p.m., 1500S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and prac- tice: 6:30p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairgrounds Red Bluff Rotary: noon, Elks Lodge Red Bluff Union Elemen- tary School District board meeting: 5:30p.m., 1755Airport Blvd. Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS: 10a.m., First United Methodist Church, 525 David Ave., 824-0556or 529-1414 Tehama 4-H: 7p.m., First Baptist Church , Pine Street, 527-3101 Tehama County Board of Supervisors: 10a.m., 727 Oak St. Tehama County Fish and Game Commission: 8a.m., Conference E, courthouse annex, 527-2095 Tehama County Flood Control and Water Con- servation District: 8:30 a.m., 727Oak St. Tehama County Genea- logical and Historical So- ciety: 6:30p.m., library. Tehama County Tea Party Patriots: 6p.m., Grange Hall, 20794Walnut St. Tehama County Young Marines Parent Meeting: 5:30-7p.m.,332Pine St., 366-0813 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1932: 1p.m. Veterans Building, Oak Street Watercolor for Begin- ners: 6-8p.m., The Green Room, 331Oak St. Westside 4-H: 7p.m., Reeds Creek School Gym, 527-3101 WWE self defense train- ing for women: 5:30-7 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C CORNING City Council: 7:30p.m., City Hall, 794Third St. Dance with Juana: noon to 1p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488South St., 824-7670 ESL/Citizenship classes: 9a.m. - 11a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Soccer training: 4-6p.m., Woodson School Soccer Field, 150N Toomes, 824- 7680 Women's Support Group: 6p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 GERBER El Camino 4-H: 7p.m., Gerber School Cafeteria, 527-3101 El Camino Irrigation Dis- trict: 6p.m., 8451Highway 99W, 385-1559 LOS MOLINOS Los Molinos Women's Club meeting: 1p.m., Veteran¹s Hall, 7900Sher- wood Blvd. School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5years, free, First Steps Family Resource Center, 7700Stanford Ave., 384- 7833 MANTON Manton 4-H: 7p.m., Man- ton Grange, 527-3101 COTTONWOOD Evergreen School Board: 5p.m., 19500Learning Way Wednesday RED BLUFF Al-Anon: noon to 1p.m., Presbyterian Church, Jef- ferson and Hickory American Association of University Women installation and scholar- ship presentation: 5:30 p.m., Kelly-Griggs House Museum Nurturing Parenting Dads Program: 10a.m. to noon, 1860Walnut St. #D, Shasta Room, call Keith at 527-8491, ext. 3012 Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents: 9-10a.m., 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, ext. 3012 PAL Martial Arts Wom- en's Self Defense: 5:30- 6:30p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, 840-0345 Parks and Recreation Commission: 7p.m., City Hall, 555Washington St., 527-8177 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Red Bluff Airport Com- mission: 5:30p.m., City Hall, 555Washington St. Red Bluff Cemetery Dis- trict Board of Trustees: 4p.m., Oak Hill Cemetery office Red Bluff Kiwanis: noon, Elks Lodge Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and prac- tice: 6:30p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairground Retired Public Employees Association, Chapter 18: noon, Cozy Diner Senior Dance, 7p.m.: Westside Grange, Walnut Street Soroptimist Internation- al: 5:30p.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St., siredbluffclub@yahoo. com Team Kid: 5:30p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 585Kimball Road. TeenScreen Mental Health Appointments: 10a.m. to 2p.m., free by appointment, 1900Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012 Tehama Coffee Party Loyalists: 6p.m., Cozy Diner 259Main St. Tehama County Library story time: 9:30a.m., 645 Madison St. 527-0604 Tehama County Mosquito Abatement District: noon, 11861County Road 99W Tehama Shooters Associ- ation: 6:30p.m., Red Bluff Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527-8727 Waterbirth Class: 6:30- 8:30p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Columba Room, 888-628- 1948 Weight Watchers meet- ing: 9a.m., Hampton Inn, 1-800-651-6000 Widowed Persons Break- fast: 8a.m., call 384-2471 for location Y-FI Middle and High School Youth Group: 6:30-8p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345David Ave., 527-0543 CORNING Corning Elementary School Board: 7p.m., 1590 South St. Corning Rotary: noon, Rolling Hills Casino, Tim- bers Steak House, 2655 Barham Ave., corningrotary. org School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5years, free, Family Re- source Center, 1480South St., 824-4111 Spanish Adult Education: 5p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Strategies for Success, Life Skill classes: 1:30 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and south streets, 824-7670. CALENDAR 530-366-3166 www.redbluffdodge.com 545 Adobe Rd., Red Bluff, CA Automatic,AirCond.,Power Windows & Locks, Cruise, Tilt, American Value Package 2DD & 20D, 2.4L Engine I4 DOHC 16 Valve. Great Power & Fuel Mileage. MSRP.........................................$20,990 Bennyís Big Discount ...................-$995 Memorial Day Rebate ...................-$500 $19,495 Factory Rebate ......................... -$2,000 NEW2014 DODGE JOURNEY SE $17,495 Vin# 258825, Stk# 11354 Cheers Barber Shop 570-230 4 855 Walnut St. $ 8 00 Cuts Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Whenitcomestofinding the perfect home, make sure you have the right realtor on your side. MeetYour Dream Team Stromer Realty (530) 527-3100 590 Antelope Blvd. Bldg. A, Suites 10 & 20 Red Bluff ~ Specializing in residential to ranches ~ http://redbluff.stromerrealty.com Reserveour BANQUET ROOM LosMarachis 529-5154 1375MontgomeryRd. Red Bluff, CA 529-0797 Our team is ready to earn your trust Servicing your disposal needs in Tehama County, and the City of Red Bluff including Residential, Commercial, and Temporary bin services. GREEN WASTE OF TEHAMA A WASTE CONNECTIONS COMPANY 530-528-8500 1805 AIRPORT BLVD. RED BLUFF, CA GreenWaste is a proud supporter of local events. Regular Haircut $ 2 00 off KWIK KUTS FamilyHairSalon 1064SouthMainSt.,RedBluff•529-3540 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT 20 % off withanychemicalserviceof $50 or more Notgoodwithotheroffers Expires 6/30/14 With coupon Reg. $13.95 LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, June 10, 2014 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5