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As it faces financial woes and a cut back in its brick-and-mortar operations, United Airlines is offering incentives to book online with a credit card. The incentives include bonus miles, special fares, and an opportunity to win a new BMW or 50,000 miles. The promotion, which starts this week and runs through the end of the year, is in celebration of the 5th anniversary of united.com. The airline, which is facing a possible bankruptcy, has been slashing operating costs by closing customer service centers and encouraging customers to book online. On Sept. 15th, United closed its 1K Service Centers, which serves its elite flyers, at airports across the USA. Last week United began shutting down some local ticket offices. At the same time United has introduced Internet-only E-ticket fares on its Web site but now charges a $20 penalty to issue paper tickets. The new promotion which gets underway October 1st, offers 500 bonus miles for each United roundtrip tickets purchased online at United's Web site. Customers booking on united.com for the first time will receive an additional 500 bonus miles for a roundtrip ticket. In celebration of the 5th anniversary of united.com, visitors to the Web site also have the opportunity to enter the "5th Anniversary Giveaway" for a chance to win a 2003 BMW X5 and 50,000 Mileage Plus miles or for a chance to win one of 50 additional prize packages, each consisting of the following: 25,000 Mileage Plus miles, 75,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points, 5 days' Avis car rental, $250 grocery gift card from Safeway Companies and a $50 FTD.COM gift certificate. For more information visit www.united.com/five.
