In the complex world of airline award travel, there is some terminology that needs a bit of explaining. If you understand the terms it will make your travel planning much easier. So let’s talk about how it all works and decipher the jargon along the way.
Chase is tightening restrictions on credit card applications. They are limiting the number of new cards a customer can get to five within a 24-month period. So if you apply for a sixth new card in a two-year period, Chase is very likely to turn you down.
There is nothing better than spending some time in a lounge when your traveling and between flights, whether you’re looking to relax, score some food, grab a shower or even book a massage.
Doha-based Qatar Airlines is a member of the oneworld alliance and transfer partner of the Citi ThankYou and Starwood Preferred Guest programs. While the Qatar elite program is not exactly cutting edge, the benefits are decent, and most importantly, being an elite Privilege Club member means you get elite benefits on other oneworld flights.
On April 4, Alaska Air Group Inc. announced it will purchase Virgin America Inc. in a $2.6 billion deal that vaults the combined company to the top carrier on America’s West Coast.
Etihad Airways, one of the most renowned airlines in the world, is a UAE carrier based in Abu Dhabi and a fierce competitor of another venerable airline – Emirates. Like Emirates, Etihad is not a part of any alliance, however, it has eight partners in the aptly named Etihad Airlines Partners program. The partnership includes seven other airlines: Alitalia, Etihad Regional, airberlin, Niki, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Jet Airlines, and you can use reciprocal Etihad elite benefits when you fly on these airlines.
Are you looking for access to one of the big rewards programs, but you aren’t sure which credit card to get? I was in the same situation recently.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program is very different from those of legacy carriers. For instance, Southwest doesn’t have business class, and unlike most airlines, it offers perks like free checked baggage and free cancellation to all, and not just elite customers. So while Rapid Rewards does have elite tiers, its perks and benefits are quite different from other programs.
Do you have an American Express business credit or charge card? If so, have you delved into everything the company’s OPEN program offers? Probably not because it’s not as sexy as earning a ton of points via a sign-up bonus. But, you can definitely earn additional Membership Rewards points through the program so let’s talk about how you can benefit from some other really valuable Amex perks.
ANA Mileage Club is one of the most valuable frequent flyer programs in the world. Aside from the fact that this is a great airline with an excellent award redemption chart and exceptional service in all cabins, ANA is also a Star Alliance member and transfer partner with the Amex Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest programs. ANA also had their own set of 11 partner airlines, and several subsidiaries called ANA Group. Flying on Star Alliance airlines and ANA group airlines earns status miles.
Singapore Airlines and TAM became the newest airlines to join the A350 flying family, taking delivery of their aircraft on March 2, 2016 and December 17, 2015 respectively. Singapore Airlines is the second airline to fly the planes in Asia and TAM is the first in South America.
Miles and More is the frequent flyer program of Lufthansa and the largest frequent flyer program in Europe. Miles and More is also used by 13 integrated Lufthansa partner airlines: Lufthansa Regional (Air Dolomiti, Eurowings, and Lufthansa CityLine), Lufthansa Private Jet, Adria, Austrian, Brussels, Condor Flugdienst, Croatia, Germanwings, LOT, Luxair and Swiss.
Traveling in business class has improved by a huge measure in recent years, with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access becoming the rule rather than the exception. It’s no surprise that some carriers have chosen to completely eliminate their first class service. Delta Air Lines is the first to do so in the United States.
The Alitalia MilleMiglia‘s elite program is a very good way to maximize your flight benefits if you’re interested in flying on SkyTeam partner airlines.
Typically you’d choose a
Alaska Airlines has one of the
In October 2014 Air Canada announced a set of changes to their Altitude elite program. As a reminder, Altitude is separate from Aeroplan, which is the general Air Canada
Just like its U.S. peers, Air Canada tightened the screws by adding the revenue component to the list of the Elite Status requirements. The new requirements don’t go into effect until 2017.
