Author: Mark

Velocity and flybuys have announced two improvements when transferring points from flybuys across to Velocity. The changes will see the transfer rate between the two programs improved. They also see a halving of the minimum number of points you can transfer. Transfer Rate As mentioned, the first of the changes is an improvement in the transfer rate. Until now, flybuys members could exchange 2,000 Flybuys points for 870 Velocity Points. Valocity and flybuys are improving the transfer rate by almost 15%.  As a result, members will be able to transfer at a rate of 2,000 flybuys points to 1,000 Velocity…

Over the last few months, a number of hotel programs announced their status support programs for 2021. Marriott was not one of that list. At least until now. Marriott Bonvoy has just posted some details of their approach to status in 2021 on one of their Facebook pages,  and there’s a few things coming up. Gift of Elite Night Credits Last year, Marriott Bonvoy gifted its members 50% of the Elite Night Credits (ENC) required for their current status level. This year, they will be doing the same. At this point in time, they expect the ENC to de deposited…

The ability of Velocity members to earn points at Freedom Furniture is coming to an end. As or 1 March 2021, members will no longer earn points through Freedom. As a result, the last day members will be able to earn points is 28 February 2021. It is the purchase date that is important here.  If you make the purchase in February, but don’t take delivery until March, you will still be eligible for the points. Previous Velocity has teamed up with popular furniture and homewares retailer freedom offering shoppers a new way to earn Velocity Points. As a launch…

Singapore Airlines has decided to extend its elite members’ status levels for a second year. Under the second extension, members with an membership year ending between March 2021 to February 2022 will have their status extended a further year. For some members, this will see their elite status extended through until 2023. 2022-2023 Status Extension In announcing this additional year, KrisFlyer will also scrap their previous status support plan. Under that offer, members would have received a 50% boost to their re qualification. Effectively, they would have retained their status with only half the normal flying. As a result of…

Krisflyer has revamped its KrisFlyer Elite Gold Rewards program, launching it as Krisflyer Milestone Rewards. The new program extends to all members, not just the Gold Elite members. As a result, the milestones start at a lower level than they did in the past. Krisflyer keeps a tally of the number of Elite Miles you earn each calendar year on Singapore Airlines, Scoot and SilkAir. As a result, any elite miles earned on other partners, such as Star Alliance partners, do not count. When you achieve the Milestone, you will receive the specified award. Krisflyer Milestone Rewards Rewards start when…

Last week, I wrote a post outlining my plans for airline program status in 2021. In this post, I will take a look at what I am planning for hotel status. As with my thoughts on airline programs, I am looking at maintaining status in 2021. On top of that, I am also looking at options to improve my status level in the programs. While we don’t know when things in 2021 will improve, I think that setting myself up for some level of normality in 2022 is a worthy goal. A few programs have announced approaches to status in…

Hilton Honors are kicking off 2021 with another version of their Points Unlimited promotion. This time around, you can earn 2,000 bonus points after every stay, and an additional 5,000 bonus points after every 5 nights. The promotion runs between 1 January and 2 May 2021. Points Unlimited has become a standard Hilton Honors promotion. It has been running since at least 2018, although the details vary each time. Points Unlimited Details The key details of the promotion are: Register to earn 2,000 Bonus Points per stay during the promotion period Get an additional 5,000 Bonus Points after every 5th night…

Qantas and Japan Airlines (JAL) have announced plans to form a new joint business. Under the agreement, the airlines are hoping to resume travel between Australia, New Zealand, and Japan during 2021. As part of the agreement, the carriers are proposing to open new routes and expand frequent flyer benefits between the Oneworld members. The airlines recently submitted an application for authorisation to regulators in Australia and New Zealand, with a decision expected within six months. Subject to this regulatory approval, it is anticipated that the joint business would commence operations around July 2021, when Qantas has said it expects…

The Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program sent out an email today with positive news heading into 2021. During 2021, members will receive both double nights and double status credits for their stays during all of 2021. This is on top of the previous offer to rollover nights and status points from the last half of 2020. Double Nights and Status Points During 2021, Accor will double any Status Points or Nights you earn during the year. The real effect of this is to halve the requirements to retain your current level. Even better, it halves the requirements to go up…

If nothing else, 2020 was a different year. With travel pretty much wiped out, most programs tried to maintain the trust of their members and opted to give their members an extension of their status levels. 2021 is starting out differently. While travel is resuming, it looks as though it will remain subdued for a large part, if not all, of the year. In response, loyalty programs are throwing out various incentives to capture a share of the travellers wallets. Instead of straight out extensions, most programs are offering, one way or another, reduced qualification requirements. This provides some unique…