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Top loyalty deals
Earn 4x Stash points in Miami, West Hollywood, Seattle, and Nashville
First-time guests of Viceroy Miami (Miami, FL), The Hotel Wilshire (West Hollywood, CA), Hotel Max (Seattle), and Hotel Preston (Nashville) earn quadruple Stash points. Stay-by dates vary by hotel.
Visit www.stashrewards.com/specials for details and conditions.
Visit www.stashrewards.com/specials.
Earn 4x Stash points at 15 anything-but-ordinary hotels
First-time Stash guests earn 4x points in December and January at the following hotels:
Hotel deLuxe (Portland, OR), Hotel Lucia (Portland, OR), Hotel Max (Seattle), Hotel Murano (Tacoma, WA), Hotel Preston (Nashville), Hotel Teatro (Denver), John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort (Sparks/Reno), Menger Hotel (San Antonio), Overton Hotel and Conference Center (Lubbock), RiverPlace Hotel (Portland, OR), The Beacon South Beach Hotel (Miami Beach), The Belamar (Manhattan Beach, CA), The Chase Park Plaza (St. Louis), The Plaza Suites (Santa Clara, CA), Williamsburg Hospitality House (Williamsburg, VA).
Book by: 01/31/12 Stay by: 01/31/12
Notes: Subject to availability. 2 night minimum. Must join Stash prior to checking in. Must be a first-time guest at the hotel as a Stash member. Must book directly with the hotel using the link at www.stashrewards.com/specials for this promotion. Points awarded on completed stays only.
Visit www.stashrewards.com/specials.
Oman Air starts FFP online raffle draws
Oman Air’s Sindbad members can now spend their miles to participate in online raffle draws and win prizes.
The website promotions are an additional redemption option for members, alongside booking tickets and upgrades.
Abdulrazaq Alraisi, Oman Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, said members who buy raffle tickets online for 100 Sindbad Miles stand a chance of winning a two-night stay for two people at the recently rebranded Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace Muscat, including breakfast and dinner at Al Khiran restaurant.
He said more tie-ups will be announced soon.
Visit www.omanair.com.
El Al launches frequent flyer charitable donation scheme
El Al will make donations to Israeli and global charities equivalent to five per cent of all flight points earned by members of its Matmid frequent flyer scheme.
The Globaly Plan will see donations made to the Make a Wish Foundation, as well as Israeli charities Birthright and the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers.
Visit www.elal.co.il.
Starwood adds new benefit for loyalty members
The Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty programme has amended the conditions for earning elite status to include SPG Award stays, which will now be counted as part of the number of stays required to progress to Gold or Platinum tier.
The initiative applies to all free SPG Award Nights redeemed by members, including the Cash & Points Awards, which enables members to redeem nights using a combination of Starpoints and cash, as well as those earned through promotions, such as the SPG Getaway Free campaign.
This also applies to the Fifth Night Free benefit enjoyed by members, whereby after four consecutive nights the fifth night will be complimentary. If a member redeems four consecutive nights, they will count towards elite status and the fifth free night will still be provided.
However, though Award stays can contribute towards climbing up to elite tiers, they cannot benefit from promotions that offer double and triple points for stays, which only apply to eligible paid stays, defined as bookings made directly with the hotel under the published rate.
To earn Gold Preferred Guest tier, a minimum of 10 stays or 25 nights are required and for Platinum Preferred Guest tier, a minimum of 25 stays or 50 nights in a calendar year are needed. Starwood’s SPG is one of the few loyalty programmes that has no blackout dates for Award Nights.
For our analysis of various loyalty programmes and their requirements for earning elite status, click here.
Visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Delta opens new Sky Club lounges at Atlanta
Delta has reopened its Sky Club lounge on Atlanta airport’s Concourse A following renovations, and will unveil a brand new lounge on Concourse D later this month.
The refurbished lounge has seen conference rooms removed to make way for additional seating, and new power sources installed for guest use. Located close to gate A17, the lounge is Delta’s busiest facility, with more than 55,000 visits per month.
The carrier will also add a new lounge on Concourse D this month, with a full service bar, and “updated contemporary atmosphere”. The new opening means Delta will offer at least one Sky Club lounge on every concourse within the airport.
Features of both the new and refurbished lounges include complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day, new artwork featuring aerial photography of the region, updated restrooms, and a work zone with free wifi, cyber counters with power outlets, desktop computers, wireless printers and additional charging stations.
Visit www.delta.com.
Marriott Rewards offers a free night for new members
Marriott Rewards is luring new members in Asia with a free night stay for those who join by December 31, 2011.
New members, who join the programme while checking into any of the 97 participating properties in the region, only need to stay with the group twice within 120 days to earn the free night. The first stay will need to be at a property in the region, while the second can be anywhere in the world. A stay is defined as check in and check out.
The free night certificate will apply to category one to four hotels around the world.
The 120 stay period begins on the first day of enrollment, which is free of charge.
Visit http://www.marriott.com/rewards/learn/prgnews.mi.
Thai Airways launches new loyalty tier for frequent flyers
Thai Airways has introduced an invitation-only platinum tier to its Royal Orchid Plus programme. The invitation is extended only to Thai customers who travel frequently in its premium classes and have maintained gold status for a long period. Members need to have earned at least 50,000 miles or flown at least 40 international Thai flights in a calendar year.
Added benefits of platinum status include no expiry of miles (miles for silver and gold members expire after three years), and a waiver of service fees, such as those for changing the award nominee or for re-routing a Thai award ticket. Other platinum benefits include priority reservation and a dedicated check-in area in Bangkok airport.
Visit www.thaiairways.com/rop.
Intercontinental offers free nights in Europe
Intercontinental is offering Priority Club Rewards members free nights and food vouchers this season. The “Summer Package” is available for stays of five nights or more between July 14 and September 11, earning members four nights for the price of one and €100 worth of food and beverage vouchers. The five nights (based on two adults sharing) must be consecutive and spent in one property. It is limited to a maximum of three free nights per stay – 15 nights for the price of 12.
All of the group’s European hotels are participating in the offer, with the exception of its Istanbul and London Westminster properties, the new Moscow hotel (opening this summer) and the Mar Menor golf and spa resort in Spain. Stays at properties in Warsaw, Geneva, Paris, Cannes and Porto (opening August) will only be eligible for stays between August 1 and September 4. Call +44 (0)800 1800 1800 to book.
Visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Etihad launches loyalty scheme for companies
Etihad has also unveiled Business Connect, its new loyalty scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which grants companies a percentage of miles earned by employees who are Etihad Guest members.
The scheme is open to all registered UK businesses, and between two and 200 staff can be registered. Employees must sign up to Etihad Guest first. Diamond first class and Pearl business passengers can pass on 75 per cent of the miles they earn to the scheme (while retaining all the original miles earned in their account), and Coral economy members can pass on 40 per cent. See also “Small schemes, big benefits."
Visit www.etihadbusinessconnect.com/uk.
Points transfer ends between American Express and One Pass
Members of Continental Airlines’ One Pass programme who have been participating in the points transfer scheme with American Express will no longer be able to take advantage of the offer from October.
Participants should take the opportunity to convert any outstanding American Express Membership Rewards points into One Pass miles. Platinum and Centurion One Pass cardholders will not be able to enter American Express Presidents Club lounges after this date either. Points transferred to One Pass miles can be exchanged for flights – with no seat blackout dates – after September 30, regardless.
Visit www.continental.com.
Visit www.axptravel.americanexpress.com.
Marriott Rewards offers quadruple miles
Marriott is offering all Marriott Rewards members quadruple miles with participating airlines for stays at Marriott properties. Under this scheme, members can now earn up to 8 miles for each dollar spent on qualifying charges and the room rate, depending on the airline and the Marriott brand.
The promotion runs from June 1 to August 31, 2011 and members must registeronline. Guests can only start earning from the second stay onwards within the time frame and there is no limit to the number of stays under this promotion during the mentioned period. Stays at the Ritz-Carlton are also included.
The following airlines have signed up for the programme: Aeroplan, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiin Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.
Marriott Reward members normally earn up to two air miles for each US$1 spent on room rates, although earning rates differ for each airline and two miles per US$1 spent on qualifying charges billed to the room, such as meals or phone calls. At certain brands, members only earn one mile for each dollar spent on room rates.
Visit http://www.marriott.com/rewards/promotion.mi?promotion=QM11.
Delta partners with No.1 Traveller lounge at Gatwick
Delta’s premium passengers now have access to the new No.1 Traveller lounge at Gatwick’s North Terminal, with facilities including a business centre, free wifi, a bistro area, bar and travel spa.
The new lounge opened last week, joining No.1 Traveller’s existing facility at Gatwick’s South Terminal, and Delta’s BusinessElite, Medallion members and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers now benefit from free entry.
Features include a business centre with fax, scanning and printing services as well as bookable private meeting rooms, a mini-cinema, two games rooms, free wifi, complimentary bistro-style food and selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
There is also a travel spa (at additional cost, with treatments starting from £15 for a 15-minute treatment), and guests can also pre-book No.1 Traveller’s chauffeur service (again at additional charge).
No.1 Traveller also has two existing lounges at Stansted airport, and will open a Heathrow T3 facility this August, which will include bedrooms with ensuite showers and on-demand movies – for more information see online news March 25.
Visit www.no1traveller.com.
Visit www.delta.com.
Qantas revamps frequent flyer scheme
Qantas is adding a new "Platinum One" tier for its most loyal members, and is increasing bonus points for premium economy, business and first passengers, as well as bonus status points for Silver and Gold members.
The carrier has announced “a major round of programme enhancements”, including a new partnership with Australian telecoms giant Optus, which will allow members to earn points with the company.
But of more interest to international members will be the news of increased bonuses for premium travellers. Cabin bonus points for premium economy passengers will rise from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, while business class passengers will see their cabin bonus rise from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, and first class passengers from 50 per cent to 100 per cent.
In addition status bonus points will increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent for Silver cardholders, and from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for Gold cardholders.
Other enhancements include more options to earn points on subsidiary Jetstar flights – a new fare structure will see members earn both points and status credits in economy and business on any fare purchase with a "Plus or Max Bundle". These bundles can be purchased on top of any fare, and provide extra benefits including seat selection and free changes to flights.
The new “Platinum One” tier status will be available from the fourth quarter of this year, for members who earn more than triple the usual status credits retain level for Platinum tier status. Those attaining this status “will have access to even more benefits and exclusive services, including a dedicated team to look after yourtravel needs every step of the way”.
The Qantas Frequent Flyer programme was launched in 1987, and currently has 7.8 million members worldwide.
Visit www.qantas.com.au.
Europcar launches Privilege loyalty scheme
Car rental firm Europcar has launched a new loyalty scheme offering up to 30 per cent discount on leisure rates, and free Gold membership of Accor’s A Club loyalty programme.
The new Privilege scheme - which runs alongside Europcar’s existing BusinessAdvantage, Europcar Club and Hire Rewards schemes – offers entry level members an express pick-up service, 10 per cent hire discount across all car categories and locations, 10 per cent discount on best unrestricted weekend rates at Accor hotels, and silver membership of Accor’s A Club loyalty scheme.
Members completing 10 rentals in a year will be upgraded to Privilege Executive tier status, with benefits including a 20 per cent discount on leisure rental rates, free upgrades subject to availability, and gold membership of Accor’s A Club.
Those completing 25 rentals in a year will receive Privilege Elite membership, which features 30 per cent discount on leisure rentals, one free weekend hire per year, free additional driver, Gold A Club tier status, and 200 A Club bonus points on their first stay in an Accor property.
Visit www.europcar.co.uk.
Leading Hotels launches “Home Benefits” perk
Members of the Leading Hotels of the World loyalty programme can now take advantage of benefits at member hotels in London, New York and Paris, even if they are not staying at the property.
The Home Benefits programme includes discounts on food and beverages, and offers on spa and hairdressing packages at member hotels including the Baglioni, Landmark, Ritz and Langham hotels in London, as well as Hotel Plaza Athenee, The Pierre and The Alex in New York, and Hotel le Bristol, Hotel de Crillion and the Ritz in Paris.
Leading says it is initially launching the programme “in cities where there are multiple Leading Hotels and large numbers of Leaders Club members”. Note that members must be resident in the relevant cities to avail of the offers.
The benefits are in addition to the revamped Leaders Club scheme launched earlier this year (see online news January 19). The programme offers members free breakfast and internet access, although there is now an annual membership fee of US$100
A full list of the current discounts can be seen below. For more information visit lhw.com.
Home Benefits offers:
London
- Complimentary glass of Champagne with the order of an entrée at Brunello Restaurant, Baglioni London
- 20% discount on food and beverage at The Mirror Bar, 222 Restaurant and Bar, and Winter Garden, Landmark London
- Complimentary spa product with a NuBo facial service in The Spa at Brown's, Rocco Forte Brown's Hotel
- 15% discount on food and beverage at Roux at The Landau and Palm Court, The Langham London
- 15% discount on food and beverage at Cheneston’s Restaurant, The Milestone Hotel
- 20% discount on any service at The Ritz Hairdressing and Beauty Salon, The Ritz London
New York City
- 10% discount on lunch or dinner at Arabelle Restaurant, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, New York
- 10% discount at Shibui Spa and access to pool and gym with treatment, The Greenwich Hotel
- Afternoon tea for two, buy one tea, get one free at The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, The Mark
- 10% discount on restaurant bill at Le Caprice and/or complimentary birthday cocktail (within 30 days of birthday) at Two E Bar, The Pierre - A Taj Hotel
- 30% discount off hair or make-up service at Julien Farel and 30% off spa treatment at Auriga,The Setai Fifth Avenue
- Complimentary starter, cocktail or dessert with entrée at Riingo, The Alex Hotel
Paris
- Buy one afternoon tea get one free at Hôtel Fouquet's Barrière
- 10% discount off lunch or dinner at La Table du Lancaster, Hotel Lancaster
- Complimentary spa product with spa treatment at The Spa, Hotel Le Bristol
- 10% discount on food and beverage at L'Espadon restaurant for a three-course business lunch, and 10% discount on Saturday high tea, Ritz Paris
- 30% discount off lunch or dinner at L’Obé restaurant (excluding daily menu at EUR 35), Hôtel de Crillon
Visit www.lhw.com.
Starwood Preferred Guest offers members a free resort night
Starwood Hotels is offering Starwood Preferred Guest members a free resort night for every three stays at a participating Starwood hotel between May 1 and July 31, 2011.
The ‘SPG Getaway Free’ offer provides members with a Resort Night Award after three eligible stays, qualified by check-in and check-out for one or more nights at a property, within the time frame. Multiple rooms under one name count as one stay.
The reward night, which will be valid until December 21, 2011, will be applicable to all days of the week and there will be no blackout dates. There is also no limit to how many resort nights can be earned, enabling members to combine several reward nights.
SPG members need to register for the promotion and members must pay an Eligible Rate, defined by bookings made directly with the hotel rather than through a third party.
Visit https://www.spgpromos.com/getawayfree/.
Rezidor guests benefit in loyalty scheme changes
Guests at Rezidor’s hotels including Radisson Blu, Park Inn and Country Inn properties can now earn points more quickly following the replacing of Goldpoints Plus with the Club Carlson scheme.
Points are now calculated per equivalent US dollar spent rather than per euro spent, meaning that members will receive around 1.4 times the number of points as previously (at today’s exchange rate).
For example, €100 spent on a stay at a Radisson Blu property would have earned members 2,000 (20 points per Euro), but now the member gets 20 points per US Dollar spent, which equates to around US$140 and 2,800 points.
Park Inn and Country Inns and Suites guests benefit even further, as the earning rate at these brands has been moved from 15 points to 20 points, in line with Radisson Blu properties, so whereas previously a member would have earned 1,500 points for a €100 stay, they will now earn 2,800 points, nearly twice the number.
Finally the scheme is also running a free nights promotion, with registering members earning one free night when completing two separate stays between April 15 and June 15. The free night can then be used between August 15 and December 31 at over 1,000 hotels with the Club Carlson scheme.
Visit www.clubcarlson.com.
No.1 Traveller to offer airside bedrooms at Heathrow
No.1 Traveller is to open its latest airport lounge in Heathrow Terminal 3 this August, complete with bedrooms featuring ensuite showers and on-demand movies.
The lounge, due to open August 14, is believed to be the first paid-for facility to offer airside accommodation at Heathrow. It joins No.1 Traveller’s existing three UK lounges (one at Gatwick South and two at Stansted) and the new Gatwick North lounge expected to open May 10 (see online news January 1, 2011).
The bedrooms are a key highlight, offering ensuites with showers, soundproofing, telephones, wifi, on-demand films and room service. They will be of particular interest to transiting passengers, especially those needing a visa to enter the UK.
Guests pay a minimum of £25 for stays of up to three hours, with each additional hour costing £5. Stays cannot exceed six hours however, and Priority Pass, Airport Angel, Diners Club, TTT MoneyCorp and WEXAS loyalty members can all enter for free.
There are 11 single bedrooms (£20 per hour, minimum two-hour stay) and three rooms for double occupancy (£30 per hour, and also a minimum two-hour stay).
The extensive leisure facilities include free wifi, a games room - complete with consoles and table football – a cinema, bar and bistro, aquarium area and spa. Hot and cold dishes, snacks and drinks are all included, with the exception of champagne and cocktails. Food is served throughout the day, with dinner service taking over from breakfast at 11am and wheat or gluten free options available.
Visitors will only incur additional costs if they book a spa treatment including massages, haircuts, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and there are shower facilities available to all.
Virgin Atlantic's flights depart from Heathrow T3, as do selected BA services, so the new lounge represents another option for those travelling in economy or without sufficient loyalty scheme tier status.
The new Heathrow lounge, along with both Gatwick branches, opens from 4am until 10pm every day and entry can be booked in advance online - though bedrooms can’t be reserved until September 20.
Visitors should follow signs for airport lounges and departures, then take the lifts up one floor to find the new lounge, above BA's facilities.
Visit www.no1traveller.com.
KrisFlyer offers bonus miles on new Singapore-HK service
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be offering KrisFlyer members bonus miles on the Hong Kong-Singapore route to celebrate the carrier’s seventh direct daily flight between the two cities launched last month.
KrisFlyer members on the SQ891 or SQ871 flights can earn up to 5,000 bonus points for bookings made by March 31, 2011 for travel between March 27 and May 31 of this year. They must quote their membership numbers when making bookings.
There are no earning limitations for these bookings – each booking on these flights will receive bonus miles.
The seventh flight, linking Hong Kong and the Lion City announced on February 21, will commence March 27 (see story here).
Visit www.singaporeair.com.
Regal Hotels offers Eastern Miles members double points
After signing a mileage agreement with China Eastern Airlines in February (see story here), Regal Hotels International is now offering double miles for each stay of Eastern Miles members until May 31, 2011.
The deal offers frequent flyers 1,600 free miles per eligible stay at participating Regal properties. A stay is categorised as a check in and a check out rather than the number of nights spent.
Eastern Miles members, however, will not be able to use their miles to redeem future stays or earn miles patronising the hotels' F&B outlets.
Participating properties include Regal Airport Hotel, Regal Hong Kong Hotel, Regal Kowloon Hotel, Regal Oriental Hotel and Regal Riverside Hotel in Hong Kong; the Regal International East Asia Hotel, Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel and Regal Jinfeng Hotel in Shanghai; Regal Master Hotel in Chengdu and Regal Kangbo Hotel in Dezhou.
Visit www.regalhotel.com.
Easyjet joins Nectar loyalty scheme
Members of the Nectar loyalty programme will soon be able to redeem points against Easyjet flights
The low-cost carrier joins the Nectar scheme from March 22, when members will be able to use points to pay for Easyjet flights (including taxes and charges), with no restrictions or time limits. There is also the option to combine points and cash to purchase tickets.
It’s not yet clear what the redemption rates will be, but as an example, 500 points is currently equivalent to £2.50 worth of shopping at Sainsbury’s (a founder member of the Nectar scheme), or the same value against Eurostar travel or purchases with Expedia.
Easyjet says that customers should go to nectar.com from March 22 for more details. Nectar estimates that around 300,000 flights per annum will be booked using points.
Visit www.easyjet.com.
Visit www.nectar.com.
Choice Hotels gives away free nights and points
The hotel group has launched an online game offering visitors the chance to win free hotel nights, a share of 200,000 Choice Privilege points, or one of four Tom Tom devices.
The game is running until March 31, and involves visitors (who must reside in Europe) guessing which of the group’s Comfort, Quality of Clarion brand keys will fit a virtual hotel door. Visitors have four guesses, and can obtain more by recommending friends to register.
Prizes include a free night’s stay including bed and breakfast at a Choice Hotels property in Europe (a total of 255 free nights across 121 hotels), a share of 200,000 Choice Privilege points (three prizes of 50,000 points each and two prizes of 25,000 points), and four Tom Tom Go Live 1,000 devices.
All winners will also be placed into a prize draw to win a five-night stay at the Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town.
To participate in the game click here, and to find out more about the Choice Hotels group, see the first in our Hotel brands you need to know series in the March 2011 edition of Business Traveller.
Visit www.choicehotels.eu.
Millennium and Copthorne launch double points offer
To celebrate the inclusion of French and German properties within the M&C Loyalty Club, members can earn double points for stays at hotels in the UK,France and Germany.
The group introduced its loyalty scheme to the UK last year (see online news June 11, 2010), and has now rolled out the M&C Loyalty Club to include properties in France and Germany.
The double points offer is valid for stays from March 1-31 inclusive, at all UK,French and German properties (with the exception of the Millennium Hotel Stuttgart which is not participating in the M&C Loyalty Club).
Visit www.mncloyalty.com.
Shangri-La's Golden Circle members can now redeem points
Shangri-la’s Golden Circle programme, which did away last October with the practice of invitation only membership, now enables customers to redeem rewards from March 1, 2011 onwards.
Launched in October last year, the new programme introduced a points system for the first time, enabling members to accumulate GC points when staying at any Shangri-La property, or when patronising the hotel’s F&B outlets and spa facilities (see story here). They can now start to redeem points earned over the past six months.
Guests can use their points to redeem free nights, room upgrades, treatments at CHI, The Spa and dining privileges. Room upgrades start from 800 GC points and free nights start from 1,000 GC points.
Visit www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com.
Regal Hotels and China Eastern Airlines in mileage deal
Regal Hotels International has signed a mileage partnership with China Eastern Airlines, allowing members of the carrier's Eastern Miles programme to earn extra miles when staying at a Regal property in Hong Kong and China.
Frequent flyers can now earn 800 miles per stay on eligible room rates. A stay is categorised by check in and check out rather than the number of nights spent. Eligible rates refer to bookings made without a third party. Eastern Miles members will not be able to use their miles to redeem rooms at Regal properties or earn miles by spending at any of their F+B outlets.
This is the hotel group’s 20th airline partner. It has similar arrangements with American Airlines, ANA, Cathay Pacific, ASIANA Airlines, British Airways, China Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Qantas, JAL, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Varig Brasil, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Jet Airways, Philippine Airlines and Eva Airways.
Visit www.regalhotel.com.
Delta removes loyalty miles expiration
Members of the carrier's Skymiles scheme will no longer see their miles expire after two years of inactivity.
The move, which follows the completed integration of Delta's loyalty scheme with that of merged airline Northwest, is effective for all accounts as of January 1, 2011, and means that members are no longer required to earn or redeem miles within the two-year period in order to keep accrued miles.
It's a change from Delta's strategy back in 2007, when the Skymiles expiration period was reduced from three years to two years (see online news February 1, 2007). Several US carriers also tightened up their miles expiration policies around this time, and Delta says it is now the only major US carrier without mileage expiration.
Delta has made several changes to its loyalty programme as part of the merger with Northwest, including the removal of last-minute redemption fees, and the introduction of a Diamond Medallion tier (see online news June 3, 2010).
The carrier says there will be further enhancements to the scheme in 2011, including “ an upgraded award travel calendar, improved booking process and better flight information displays”, as well as "new benefits" for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members when travelling with alliance partners including Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Alaska Airlines.
Visit www.delta.com.
QHotels loyalty scheme aims for 5,000 members by mid 2011
QHotels, which launched its loyalty scheme ThankQ Rewards in October, now has 1500 members with an aim to attract 5,000 by mid 2011.
Members staying at one of the 21 four-star properties across the UK can earn points, which can then be exchanged for a number of rewards including room upgrades, chocolate and champagne on arrival, a massage or a weekend stay for two.
Guests with a ThankQ Rewards card will earn two points for every £1 spent on the total bill (including food, drink and spa treatments) which can then be redeemed against full or part payment of any goods and services within QHotels across the UK. For example, a back, neck and shoulder massage would be the equivalent of around 3,000 points (but this can be made up with part payment).
David Taylor, QHotels’ group sales director says: “Our investment into ThankQ Rewards shows our commitment to rewarding people who regularly stay and use our hotels. We have worked very hard to ensure that this loyalty scheme has been implemented in the most efficient and cost effective way possible to help us pass on the benefits and savings to our guests.”
Another benefit of the scheme is that members will be able to pick up their room card from a dedicated area at the check in desk and go straight to their room and wifi is free for ThankQ members too. If you are not a member then the first two hours of wifi are free and after that it is charged at £5 per hour or £12 per 24 hours.
Qhotels has city centre locations, which are well placed for business travellers such as The Midland, Manchester (pictured) and The Queens, Leeds. For road warriors there’s the Cheltenham Chase Hotel, The Oxford Belfry, Tankersley Manor (Sheffield) and The Nottingham Belfry all just off main motorway junctions.
See qhotels.co.uk/thankq for more information and to sign up.
Felicity Cousins
Oman Air celebrates sultanate’s birthday with 100,000 miles giveaway
The carrier is celebrating Oman’s 40th National Day, by giving away 100,000 Sindbad Miles to passengers taking flights over the next 40 days.
All Sindbad members flying with the carrier between November 1 and December 10 will be placed into weekly prize draws to win 4,000 miles, and then a Mega Raffle will see two members who have flown over the 40-day period winning 40,000 miles each. Members must register for the promotion at omanair.com.
The miles giveaway is the latest Sindbad promotion from Oman Air, with the carrier also giving away 100,000 miles to members renting cars with Avis before December 15, to celebrate the carrier’s new partnership with the firm (see online news October 18).
Visit www.omanair.com.
United and Continental commence reciprocal FFP elite privileges
As the newly merged carriers move towards full integration over the next few months, elite members of the airlines’ loyalty schemes now enjoy reciprocal seating and upgrade benefits.
The move means United’s Mileage Plus elite members now have access to domestic first-class upgrades, extra legroom seating and preferred seating on Continental flights, while Continental’s OnePass elite members now benefit from unlimited domestic first-class and business-class upgrades and Economy Plus seating on United flights.
The merged entity said that additional programme benefits will be announced “periodically” over the next few months, with full integration of the schemes anticipated in 2012.
United and Continental announced the “merger of equals” in May of this year (see online news May 3), with the new carrier to be named United Airlines, but with aircraft sporting the Continental logo and livery, and the merged company was officially launched on October 1. The airlines will continue to operate separately until the receipt of a single operating certificate.
Visit www.mileageplus.com.
Visit www.continental.com/onepass.
Etihad Guest adds Fairmont partnership
Members of the Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme can now earn miles on qualifying stays at Fairmont hotels and resorts worldwide.
Members earn 500 miles per stay, and there are bonus miles also on offer for guests who are also members of Fairmont’s President’s Club loyalty scheme – Premier members earn an additional 250 miles per stay, and Platinum members earn an extra 500 miles.
The Etihad Guest programme partners with over 20 hotel brands, including Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Jumeirah, Raffles, Rotana and Taj.
Visit www.etihadairways.com.
Visit www.fairmont.com.
AA launches 275,000 miles "Leder Posin'" giveaway
Members of American Airlines' AAdvantage scheme can win up to 275,000 miles by posting images of themselves dressed in Lederhosen, to celebrate the annual Oktoberfest event.
Travellers have until October 15 to submit photos of attendees at Oktoberfest or any other global tourist attraction dressed in lederhosen/other traditional German clothing, to the Leder Posin’ gallery at aa.com/milestones.
Ten finalists will be chosen after submission, each receiving 25,000 AAdvantage miles. Milestones visitors will then vote for their favorite photo, with the grand prize winner receiving an additional 250,000 miles.
All voters will also be entered into a sweepstake with the chance to win 100,000 AAdvantage miles. Voting commences on November 1 and runs until November 30.
Visit www.aa.com/milestones.
AA extends free alcohol to US lounges
Guests of American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges in the US will soon enjoy free alcoholic beverages during their visit, in line with the carrier’s international lounges.
From October 1 visitors to AA’s domestic lounges can choose from selected wine, beer and spirits free of charge, in addition to the existing complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices.
Premium spirits and wines, as well as a selection of Amora fresh food items will continue to be available for purchase in the US lounges.
“Updating our beverage selection to include complimentary alcoholic beverages is another example of American’s commitment to reinvest in our premium products and enhance the travel experience for our loyal members and guests,” said Nancy Knipp, American’s President – Admirals Club. “Our customers have asked for free drinks and we are delighted to respond to their request by providing this service for our existing and new members at our clubs worldwide.”
AA is currently building a new Admirals Club lounge at San Francisco International airport, ahead of the carrier’s move to Terminal 2 next spring. The airline also unveiled revamped facilities at its London Heathrow lounges earlier this year (see online news May 17).
Visit www.aa.com/admiralsclub.
Bmi joins Star Alliance corporate loyalty programme
Bmi has discontinued its own Company Rewards programme in favour of the Star Alliance Company Plus scheme, becoming the programme’s 13th member.
Aimed at SMEs, the programme is dubbed as “the industry’s first airline alliance corporate incentive scheme”, and now counts Air Canada, ANA, Austrian, Blue 1, Bmi, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss, TAP Portugal and United as member carriers.
PlusPoints are earned on flights taken on member airlines, which can then be exchanged for free flights, upgrades or cash. Existing Bmi Company Reward members have been given the opportunity to join the Star Alliance programme and transfer across any points.
Visit www.staralliance.com/en/business-solutions.
Marriott Rewards extends free internet benefits worldwide
Gold and Platinum members of the Marriott Rewards scheme will soon be able to enjoy free internet access at all Marriott-branded properties, extending the benefit previously available in South and North America.
The expansion of the benefit to all JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and The Autograph Collection properties worldwide will take effect on January 7, 2011, and follows similar moves by rival hotel groups including Hilton (see online news August 3) and Starwood (see online news February 24).
Members reach Gold status within the Marriott Rewards scheme by staying 50 nights a year, and Platinum after 75 nights. Other benefits of elite status include room upgrades, bonus points, and club lounge access.
Visit www.marriottrewards.com.
BA Executive Club offers bonus miles for Travelex purchases
BA Executive Club has launched two bonus miles for purchases of currency through Travelex.
Available from Tuesday September 14, 2010, members who use Travelex for the first time to purchase a minimum of £50 worth of currency will receive 1,000 bonus BA Miles in addition to the normal miles they’ll earn through their transaction. In a second offer, all BA Executive Club members who already collect BA Miles through Travelex, will be rewarded with a one-off bonus of 500 BA Miles if they make three individual currency transactions of £50 or more in the next 12 months.
* Note that the normal rates for earning BA miles when changing money with Travelex have changed. Executive Club members now earn no miles when spending up to£49.99, one mile per £5 when spending between £50 and £149.99, one mile per £3 when spending between £150 and £299.99, and one mile per £1 when spendingmore than £300.
Previously, members earned one mile per £5 when spending upto £109.99, one mile per £3 when spending between £110 and £224.99, and one mile per £1 when spending more than £225. *
Visit www.ba.com.
BA Executive Club changes Travelex earning rates
The rates for earning BA miles when changing money with Travelex have changed. Executive Club members now earn no miles when spending up to£49.99, one mile per £5 when spending between £50 and £149.99, one mile per £3 when spending between £150 and £299.99, and one mile per £1 when spendingmore than £300.
Previously, members earned one mile per £5 when spending upto £109.99, one mile per £3 when spending between £110 and £224.99, and one mile per £1 when spending more than £225.
Visit www.ba.com.
Air Berlin to join Oneworld
Germany’s second largest carrier has announced it is to join the Oneworld airline alliance in early 2012.
In a statement Oneworld said:
“Air Berlin has accepted an invitation to join the Oneworld global alliance - and is to develop co-operative agreements with group members American Airlines and Finnair.”
A briefing was held earlier this week to confirm the announcement, hosted by Air Berlin CEO Joachim Hunold, British Airways’ Willie Walsh, American Airlines president Tom Horton, Finnair CEO Mika Vehvilainen, and Oneworld managing partner John McCulloch.
Often viewed as a low-cost carrier, Air Berlin offers free snacks and drinks on flights, as well as complimentary newspapers, assigned seating, and a frequent flyer loyalty scheme. Rival German carrier Lufthansa is a founding member of Star Alliance.
A webcast of the briefing can be viewed at airberlin.com/pressconference_oneworld. More details are also available in the comments section of this article.
Visit www.oneworld.com.
Visit www.airberlin.com.
Budget joins Miles and More
Members of the Lufthansa-led Miles and More scheme can earn points on rentals with Budget Rent-a-Car from August 1, and to celebrate the car hire firm is offering double miles and the chance to win a year’s free rental.
Members will earn a minimum of 500 miles per rental, with double miles on offer for bookings made in August and September (for rentals picking up before December 31).
In addition members can enter a prize draw to win a year’s free car rental with Budget (valid on car groups A and B) by visiting miles-and-more.com before September 30.
Commenting on the new partnership, Olivier van Marcke, general manager, Budget Rent-a-Car EMEA said:
“We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Miles and More, and look forward to offering not just award miles to members but outstanding value, and great quality car rental. Our extensive worldwide network – including over 800 major airports – will allow us to serve the needs of Miles and More’s growing membership across the globe.”
The Miles and More programme now counts nine member airlines - Adria, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lux Air, Lufthansa and Swiss. Car hire partners include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.
Visit www.miles-and-more.com.
Visit www.budget.co.uk.
Lufthansa extends Miles and More benefits on Bmi flights
From August 1 Miles and More members flying with Lufthansa subsidiary Bmi can earn HON Circle Miles and Executive Bonus benefits.
The accrual of HON Circle Miles (enabling members to reach HON Circle status, with exclusive benefits) is usually reserved for members flying on fully integrated Miles and More partner airlines, but this has now been extended to those travelling on Bmi flights.
In addition Frequent Traveller status members and above will now be able to earn the 25 per cent Executive Bonus on award, status and HON Circle miles when travelling on Bmi flights. Note that miles cannot be earned on flights operated by Bmibaby.
Lufthansa took control of Bmi in 2009, but the carrier continues to operate its own Diamond Club loyalty scheme. However there has been speculation that Lufthansa may look to merge Diamond Club into the Miles and More scheme, which now has a total of nine member airlines.
Visit www.flybmi.com.
Visit www.miles-and-more.com.
Hilton HHonors offers premium members free internet access
All Gold and Diamond HHonors members can now enjoy free internet access when staying at Hilton properties worldwide.
Previously premium members could choose from several “My Way” benefits, including bonus points, space available upgrades, or free internet access (when staying at Hilton, Conrad and Doubletree properties).
This last option will now become a standard benefit for Gold and Diamond members staying at all Hilton Worldwide properties from September 1, with members then able to choose one of the other My Way benefits in addition (note that these benefits differ depending on which Hilton brand the guest is staying in).
Gold and Diamond members have been emailed with details of the new benefit, and the announcement is currently being discussed on our forum.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts introduced free internet access for Platinum members of its SPG loyalty scheme (click here for more details on our forum), and Best Western launched free access at its UK properties earlier this year (see online news February 24).
Rezidor’s Radisson Blu brand has offered free internet access to all guests across its portfolio for several years.
Visit www.hilton.com.
Topguest offers Priority Club points for virtual check ins
Members of IHG’s Priority Club loyalty scheme can now earn points simply by “checking in” to the group’s properties using location-based-services (LBS) such as Foursquare and Gowalla.
LBS applications enable smartphone users to virtually “check in” to locations across the globe ranging from airports to coffee shops and hotels using GPS technology, allowing them to leave advice, pick up “badges” and benefits such as discounts at restaurants, etc.
But this new partnership with Topguest and Intercontninental Hotels Group will be of interest to many business travellers, as it incentivises the user to check in at any of IHG’s 4,400 properties worldwide, in return for 50 Priority Club points.
Users must first register with Topguest, and link their Priority Club account with the scheme. They will then receive 50 points each time they check-in at an IHG hote using a LBS app, although note that only one "geo check-in" per day will be eligible for the points. Points will be credited to the member’s account within six weeks of checking in.
As an added incentive members can earn a bonus of 500 points by inviting five friends to join the Topguest programme. Topguest says it will be adding more partners to the scheme every week.
For more information visit topguest.com. Business Traveller has recently created its own Foursquare page which can be viewed here. It’s early days and we welcome readers’ comments on how the technology might be used going forward.
Visit www.topguest.com.
Visit www.ihg.com.
Virgin extends FFP privileges across sister carriers
Passengers with Virgin Atlantic and its sister airlines Virgin America, V Australia and Virgin Blue can now earn frequent flyer points under a new reciprocal agreement.
From today members of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club loyalty scheme can earn miles and status points when flying with any of Virgin’s sister-branded airlines, with the same being the case for Virgin America’s Elevate and V Australia / Virgin Blue’s Velocity members.
The agreement also means that Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and V Australia / Virgin Blue Velocity members can now also redeem miles of each other’s flights. Reciprocal redemptions for Velocity and Elevate members will be possible in the fourth quarter of 2010, and for Flying Club and Elevate members from the second quarter of 2011.
The new partnership extends previous FFP agreements between V Australia and Virgin America, and between Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Blue, giving fully reciprocal earning opportunities between all the carriers.
Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America have also signed an interline agreement allowing passengers to book single tickets and check bags through when travelling on flights with both carriers. The partnership is valid for bookings and travel beginning in September 2010, for flights booked through Virgin Atlantic.
The four Virgin carriers are celebrating the new agreement by offering frequent flyer members the chance to win a week’s holiday on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. To be in with a chance to win, members must fly with at least two of the four Virgin branded airlines between now and December 31, 2010.
Visit www.virginatlantic.com.
Visit www.virginamerica.com.
Visit www.vaustralia.com.
Visit www.virginblue.com.
Korean Air enhances Skypass loyalty scheme
Korean Air has made several changes to its frequent flyer programme, including extending the expiry date for earned miles to ten years, and allowing miles to be redeemed against lounge passes and excess baggage.
Under the new terms mileage earned after July 1, 2008 will be valid for ten years (up from the current five years), and any mileage earned before this date now has lifetime validity.
In addition the carrier has increased the number of seats available for award travel, and a new online system has been introduced allowing Skypass to check the availability of award seats at koreanair.com.
The airline says it will also gradually add new ways of redeeming miles, on services including excess baggage allowance, airport lounge access, and KAL limousine transport., and will increase the selection of redemption travel, accommodation and tour packages available.
Korean Air is also enhancing its Skypass Family Plan, allowing miles to be shared with wider family members including siblings, parents-in-law, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law.
Finally the carrier is increasing the validity of award tickets to one year (up from the current six months), and will also allow members to earn miles of additional seats purchased for musical instruments or for convenience reasons.
Korean Air says the changes will gradually become effective as system updates are completed.
Visit www.koreanair.com.
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