Looks like there isn’t much stopping LaQuinta these days. After decades of staying behind the curve, the mid-level hotel chain not only allows customers to continue to earn free nights after multiple stays, for the first time it is offering points that can be redeemed for airline tickets — with Delta, Continental and American to be exact. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, a fourth big player is said to be lining up a partnership with LaQuinta … Northwest has announced a change in car rental partners. Hertz Rental Car will no longer be awarding WorldPerks miles for car rentals. Instead, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental were announced as Preferred car rental partners. Throughout the year, Alamo and National will offer special mileage and rate promotions on top of the standard 50 miles per rental day WorldPerks members receive … Hilton HHonors announced a new partnership with CSA Czech Airlines. HHonors members can now earn 500 miles through CSA Czech Airlines’ OK Plus for every qualifying stay at participating Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites. One hundred miles can be earned at Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Scandic hotels … Talks are still underway for a possible partnership between Qantas Airways and rival Air New Zealand. Qantas is hoping to take up to a 25-percent stake in the New Zealand carrier … Good news for Rapid Rewards members, Southwest Airlines and First USA, Bank One announced a multi-year renewal of their popular credit card agreement … Russia’s OAO Aeroflot has started joint flights with Air France under a code-sharing agreement signed in July. Instead of the three separate services offered by each airline, Aeroflot and Air France will now jointly operate six daily services between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Moscow-Sheremetyevo airports … Continental Airlines and British European (flybe.) announced a new partnership plan that includes a code-sharing agreement, reciprocal frequent flyer program participation and reciprocal airport lounge access. Continental and flybe plan to start code-sharing this fall on flybe flights between London/Gatwick and Belfast City, Jersey and Guernsey and between Birmingham and Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Shannon. Code-sharing is also planned for Continental flights between New York/Newark and Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. Continental OnePass members will also be able to earn and redeem miles on flybe while members of flybe’s Passport to Freedom can redeem rewards on select Continental flights.