Velocity, the Frequent Flyer Program of Virgin Australia has announced a set of tweaks to the program. The changes affect two main areas of the program – the number of points required for various redemptions, and some changes to the expiration policy of the points. Reward Seat Pricing As from 1 June, 2016 Velocity will have new Points tables for Reward bookings. There are changes that affect redemptions on Virgin Australia flights, and other changes that affect redemptions on partner airlines. Overall, the changes are a bit of a mixed bag, with some redemptions requiring more points, while others will…
Author: Mark B
Platinum members of the Le Club AccorHotels program now have access to the Club Sofitel lounges in the Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Sofitel hotels. Le Club AccorHotels began offering Club lounge access to its platinum tier members in a revamp fo the program benefits in 2013. The benefit was extended pretty much to all Accor hotels worldwide that had a Lounge. While the Pullman Hotels in Australia extended the benefit, the Sofitel hotels in Sydney and Melbourne were exempted from the requirement. The Sofitel Brisbane was introduced into the program later (in 2014), and initally followed the lead of the…
The Hyatt Gold Passport program is the loyalty program of Hyatt hotels. The program is applicable to a large range of the Hyatt bramds, including hotels from the luxury hotels down to the more basic accomodation styles. Particpating brands include (from the higher end to the lower end brands) Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt and Andaz, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, plsu some others. In addition, the M life Resorts in Las Vegas particpate in the program. Overall, the program covers approximately 500 hotels around the globe, so it is not the most extensive hotel network. They do, however, have…
Every year, IHG Rewards publishes a list of hotels where the number of points required for a Reward Night at that hotel will be changing. Yesterday, IHG Rewards published [Link removed, as no longer available] the list for 2016. The list identifies 400 hotels that are changing in levels, with half reducing in the number of points, and the other half going up in points levels. To start with, it is best to note that the new chart does not apply until 17 February 2016. This gives a three week time period in which to book any rooms you need…
Qantas has announced a reduction in the number of points required and the level of the surcharges co-payment required on a range of International Economy routes. Points In terms of the points requirements, the Classic Rewards charts have been updated to reflect a lower number of points required in Zones 4 through to Zone 10. Zone 4 is the zone that kicks in at a distance of 2,401 miles. While this means that domestic flights are excluded from the change, it also means that some of the shorter international routes will not have a reduction in points requirements. The following…
Late last year, Virgin Australia announced that it would introduce a new business class product on its widebody fleet. This widebody fleet currently consists of Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. The 777 fleet is used to operate long haul international services, while the Airbus A330 mostly and Airbus A330 aircraft mainly on transcontinental services. Originally Virgin were doing a round of refurbishments on the 777 aircraft this year (between 27 October and 16 December), however, due to apparent delays with the certification of the new seats, this was delayed, and the jets are now slated to be removed from…
Qantas has announced that it will be increasing the services it operates between Melbourne and Singapore from 7 to 10 flights per week. The additional 3 flights per week will be operated by the A330 aircraft each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April 29. The services will utilise the aircraft that became free following the upgauge of three services a week between Melbourne and Hong Kong from an A330 to a 747 aircraft, The three flights will operate afternoon departures from Melbourne, with QF37 depating Melbourne at 4:05 pm, arriving into Singapore 10:15pm. The return QF38 departs Singapore at 11:35…
American Airlines has announced that it will launch a Premium Economy product on selected international routes, from the end of 2016. The new cabin will first feature in 787-9 aircraft being delivered at that time, and then will be gradually rolled out to its 777, 787, A330 and A350 fleets. Premium Economy is a new cabin many airlines have been introducing to fit between the Economy and Business class cabins. As Business has gained extra features, such as lie flat beds, there has been an increasing gap between Economy and Business, and generally Premium Economy is intended to fill this gap.…
Qantas Loyalty and nib have announced a new partnership that will offer Qantas Frequent Flyers health insuramce under the Qantas Assure banner. As part of the deal, in addition to earning points on health insurance premiums, members will also be eligible to earn Qantas Points for achieving activity goals. Under the program, Qantas Assure policy-holders will be able to download a ‘wellness app’ to their smartphone, which will be able to sync with popular firness trackers, such as a fitbit. Through the App, you will be able to set activity goals, and if the app sees that the target has…
American Airlines has announced a raft of changes coming to the AAdvantage program in 2016. The changes, which take effect at various times through the your, cut across most aspects of the program. The changes being made affect elite status qualification, mileage earning and the redemption rates on their award charts. Booking Award Flights The Award bookings tables have had some significant changes to them, and come March 22, 2016, when the new tables become effective, most Award flights are going to need more points. These changes are particularly noticeable on long haul flights as you move up to the…