customers to save money and get the most out of their mileage in the sky.

Fly AAway Vacations is the largest airline-owned tour operator, which has been in the business for more than 20 years, offering comprehensive, cost-competitive tour packages that include a tour warranty and a price guarantee.

Fly AAway Vacations packages feature destinations throughout North America, Europe and Latin America and are marketed through brochures covering most of the tour products.

Travel agencies can easily make reservations through Fly Aaway's Automated System for Tours (FAAST), a user friendly, menu-driven system available to SABRE travel agencies at no cost.

Sales manager Claudette Ford said: "Travel agents or our ticket agents can access and book these automated tour packages for our customers.

"Special packages often include bulk airfare, hotel accommodations and car rentals -- it's a very popular package in Bermuda.'' Another select programme offered by American Airlines is the AAdvantage travel awards programme, the first and largest frequent flyer scheme in the industry.

The programme was started in May, 1981 to recognise the frequent flyers of American Airlines and its affiliate, American Eagle, which caters to smaller communities.

In 1992, the AAdvantage programme added a second tier to the AAdvantage Gold programme, called AAdvantage Platinum.

These are two exclusive memberships designed to reward American's most loyal customers with special benefits and offers, including monthly bonus miles.

Membership is based upon the number of miles flown on American Airlines and/or American Eagle on purchased tickets.

To achieve AAdvantage Gold status, members must fly 25,000 qualifying miles in a calendar year, and for AAdvantage Platinum, 50,000 qualifying miles in a calendar year.

AAdvantage members earn miles good for travel awards by flying on American Airlines and American Eagle, and they also may earn miles from other AAdvantage programme participants, noted Mrs. Ford.

"Bermuda has a high enrolment in our frequent flyer programme,'' she said.

"We have a lot of regular members,'' Mrs. Ford said.

She added that residents may join the AAdvantage programme and/or pick up Fly AAway Vacations information through the American Airlines city ticket office, which is open Monday to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Claudette Ford, sales manager, of Bermuda's American Airlines.