Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

A reader asked: Can I use my LANPASS miles to buy a ticket on SriLankan Airlines? Do I need to create a SriLankan Airlines FlySmiLes account? We explain how it all works.

Nowadays, who doesn’t use their smartphone or tablet to check airline reservations, do a bit of shopping or book a hotel? Apps for our devices have changed how we interact with the world, and traveling is no exception.

If you’re planning on some end-of-summer adventures or business trips, there are multiple opportunities to earn bonus Air Canada Aeroplan miles on hotel stays. Most offers are good for bookings made both in Canada and elsewhere. The following deals will bump up your rewards balance by thousands of miles.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a very flexible reward program that competes with American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Diners Club Rewards. There are several ways you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but the two most valuable, at least for frequent travelers, are transferring them to airline partners and booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards website.

China Eastern Airlines has two main hubs, and both are major international airports in Shanghai: Pudong and Hongqiao. The airline flies to more than 200 domestic and international destinations, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in the U.S.

Thanks to an economic recovery, an improving job market, lower gas prices and rising home values, people are feeling better about opening their wallets and spending more. And, thanks to the urge to splurge, people are spending more on travel.

The recent surge in the U.S. dollar is making trips abroad more affordable. So go ahead and book that long-awaited vacation to Paris, Tuscany, London, Barcelona, Ireland or other classic destinations you’ve been dreaming about.

Virgin America is a San Francisco-based airline licensed by Virgin Atlantic. Its 21 destinations are mostly in the United States, with the exception of Cancun, San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.

TAM Airlines is the biggest airline in Brazil, and part of the LATAM Airlines Group, which was created when LAN Airlines merged with TAM in 2012. For the most part, the airlines still maintain separate operations, but they are slated to fully complete the merger in 2017.

The smartphone has revolutionized the way we travel. Having a few killer apps installed on your phone can help you find your way around the airport, get delay and gate change notifications, track flights in the air and know exactly when a flight has landed. Here are a few awesome apps that you should download and start using the next time you head for the airport.

You may be getting the kids ready to go back to school, but you can also get ready for your next getaway. Pump up your frequent flyer miles or points with back-to-school shopping offers from United MileagePlus, American Airlines AAdvantage and Southwest Rapid Rewards.

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland and the country’s second-largest airline after Ryanair. It flies to 80 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States, where it serves Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

Turkish Airlines, with its main hub at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, is the flag carrier of Turkey. It’s the fourth-biggest airline in the world, and it flies to 261 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Its U.S. destinations include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

The latest American Express Future of Travel survey shows that while technology helps make travel planning easier and more accessible, travelers still appreciate a personal touch.

Malaysia Airlines, the flag carrier of Malaysia, is based in Kuala Lumpur. It flies to 60 destinations in 28 countries, but it doesn’t currently serve any cities in North America.

EVA Air is a Taiwanese carrier based in Taipei. It flies to over 40 destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. In the United States, EVA Air flies to Houston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. The airline will be expanding to Chicago in 2016.

Discount ticketing website ScoreBig.com has teamed up with United, Southwest, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines to offer frequent flyer miles to people who buy event tickets through its service. ScoreBig’s deals with the airlines are similar, giving ticket-buyers a bonus with their first purchase and miles or points for future ticket sales as well.

Spirit Airlines is offering several ways for loyalty program members to earn miles and save money this summer and beyond.

Alitalia, the national airline of Italy, serves 102 destinations in 51 countries. In the United States, the airline flies to Boston, Miami and New York, and seasonally to Chicago and Los Angeles.

Garuda Indonesia isn’t well-known in the United States. It doesn’t serve any cities in America, and it has a relatively small footprint, with only 21 international destinations in 14 countries. But this luxurious airline is worth getting to know, particularly if you’re traveling to Indonesia. Its frequent flyer program, GarudaMiles, offers excellent redemption rates on domestic flights within the country.