ATA and Southwest Airlines have initiated coast-to-coast codesharing as part of ATA’s reorganization efforts. The first stage of the agreement allows passengers who begin their travel in one of ATA’s 11 codeshare cities to transfer at Chicago’s Midway airport to more than 40 destinations on Southwest Airlines. ATA Travel Awards members will receive 500 points for codeshare roundtrips, or 1,000 points if the booking is made on the airline’s Web site at http://www.ATA.com.
China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club and Marriott International have announced a new promotion for the new Renaissance Suzhou Hotel. Through the end of April 2005, members of the Sky Pearl Club will earn not only the standard 800 miles but an additional 800 mile bonus when paying Corporate or Special Corporate rates.
TAP Air Portugal and Lufthansa have announced a new codesharing agreement, allowing members of both Miles & More and Navigator to earn miles on flights of either airline on a wide variety of flights. Options include all flights between Portugal and Germany, TAP flights between Lisbon and Porto, Faro, Funchal and Dakar, Lufthansa flights between Munich and Frankfurt as well as within Germany, and select others. Burning options will begin later this spring when TAP becomes a member of Star Alliance.
American Express Middle East has name Royal Jordanian Airlines a new partner in its Membership Rewards program.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has named Moevenpick Hotels and Resorts and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces as new partners.
Aeroplan and Bell Canada are giving members the chance to win up to 600,000 miles when they sign up for the Digital Bundle from Bell. Members who subscribe to the Digital Bundle by March 31 will automatically receive one entry to win one of two grand prizes of 600,000 miles or one of five second prizes of 100,000 miles. Details are available at http://www.Aeroplan.com.
Delta SkyMiles members donated more than 25 million miles to Tsunami relief in January. Miles donated to CARE, UNICEF and the American Red Cross through Delta’s SkyWish program are sending relief workers to the affected areas to provide services and supplies.
Hilton Hotels has announced plans to have up to 50 Conrad Hotels by 2010, making it one of the largest luxury hotel brands in the world.
Kimpton Hotels reports that membership in its InTouch guest loyalty program rose from 86,000 in the first quarter of 2004 to 112,000 in the fourth quarter.
Accor Hotels has unveiled an aggressive expansion plan that will see it franchise its All Seasons brand to independent operators in Australia and New Zealand. Accor’s overture to independent owners would be sweetened because of its 130,000-strong customer loyalty program.
Best Western International guests who stay at the new “RaceFan” rate twice before April 30 will earn 1,200 bonus points in the chain’s Speed Rewards loyalty program – enough to redeem a free night stay or a $50 gift certificate to the NASCAR.com Superstore. Visit http://www.bestwesternracing.com and enter “RaceFan” in the promotion code box.
