Hawaiian Airlines is now selling tickets for its new Sydney flights which commence in May. Prices start at$755 plus tax roundtrip from Honolulu to Sydney and flights are offered four days a week.I discussed prospects for this service when it was announced in January.
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Points for Your Pooch
As I reported last month Japan Air Lines has a new reward program for pets. Apparently they think it’s one of a kind (subscription required) The JAL Pet Club, as it will be called, will allow consumers to exchange points for in-flight cage rentals, pet airfares and presents for their pets. “We are unaware,” a JAL official told the Japan Times, “of any similar services targeting pets offered by other airlines, Japanese or foreign.” Perhaps they should read this website? As I’ve written before Continental, Virgin, and El Al all offer pet reward programs. Several hotels offer pet loyalty programs as well.
New Reward Card
The March issue of Inside Flyer (subscription required) notes a new mileage earning credit card Middle East Airlines and Lebanon’s Banque Audi have launched a new mileage-earning credit card. The Banque Audi Cedar Miles Silver card earns one mile per $1.50 spent, and the Gold card, one mile per dollar. New cardholders receive a welcome bonus of 3,000 miles, an extended grace period, travel insurance, life insurance and insurance against lost luggage when the card is used for ticket purchases, as well as purchase protection (Emphasis mine)This seems like an important benefit for anyone carrying a card issued in Lebanon and earning miles on Middle East Airlines.
African Airline Partnerships
The Air France-KLM merger has significant implications for African carriers.The nascent Wings alliance is falling away, and being folded into Skyteam — so that Air France and KLM will be teamed up with Delta, Continental, Northwest, Aeromexico, Alitalia, Korean, and Czech.KLM controls Kenya Airways and Delta partners with South African. Both could potentially join Skyteam.In the meantime, the rest of Africa’s airlines are a mess on their own.
One more indication that China is moving inexorably towards capitalism
Air China, which codeshares with more than 60 carriers worldwide, is planning to go public.The flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China will recognize private ownership. So much for collective ownership over the means of production.
Best-ever bonus for Marriott Visa signup
Gary Steiger of Free Frequent Flyer Miles notes: 20,000 points for first use. Call (800) 897-7240. I am unable to find this offer on line. The phone number is dedicated to this offer only. The fee is waived for the first year, and 20,000 Marriott points are good for about 5,000 airline miles or a night at a mid-level (category 4) hotel.
Great Flower Value
FTD.com is offering 30 United miles per dollar spent.
Northwest Refer a Friend Bonus Miles
Northwest has a new “member get member” promotion — and you don’t even have to refer someone that is new to the Northwest Worldperks program. Refer a friend that has not earned WorldPerks miles for air travel since January 1, 2003. You’ll earn up to 3500 bonus miles for each friend who travels by June 30th, and they’ll each earn up to 3500 bonus miles per roundtrip they take by June 30th.If you’re going to be flying Northwest or KLM (or Alaska Airlines with a Northwest flight code) before June 30th — and you haven’t credited flights to your Northwest account in awhile — and you’d like us both to earn some bonus miles, drop me a note with your first and last name and Northwest frequent flyer number.Naturally you can team up with a…
New Hawaii Award Option
United just announced Chicago-Honululu service beginning June 3rd.Since the flight won’t even be bookable until February 24th, none of the award seats on this flight have been taken yet.Tomorrow is likely the time to have at it!
Chinatown buses
The New York Times carries a piece on the Chinatown buses that run service from New York to Boston and DC for as little as $10 each way. They’re safe and cheap and run on a razor-thin margin.
