Intelligence – January, 27 2006

Intelligence – January, 27 2006

Delta Air Lines has named The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) as its first SkyWish Charity of the Quarter for 2006. SkyMiles members may now donate miles to help the organization achieve its goals of providing funding for medical research, raising public awareness of breast cancer and ultimately finding a cure for the disease. Mileage donations for BCRF may be made via e-mail at [email protected], by calling 1-800-325-3999 or via FAX at 404-773-1945…

Global Traveler Magazine’s annual reader survey, published in the magazine’s January 2006 issue, has named InterContinental Hotels Priority Club Rewards the Best Frequent Stay Program, beating out Marriott Rewards, which won last year. United Mileage Plus earned Best Frequent Flyer Program for the second year in a row …

Jet Airways and Qantas have entered into a reciprocal frequent flyer relationship. Members may now earn and redeem miles when traveling with either airline …

JAL has signed a partnership agreement with Yahoo! Japan, through which Yahoo! Travel will handle reservations and sales of JAL Group domestic tickets (in Japan only). JAL and Yahoo! Japan have also agreed to allow the mutual exchange of JAL Mileage Bank miles and Yahoo! Points starting this spring …

The U.S. government has denied a bid by Northwest Airlines and Delta to substantially enhance marketing ties with three European carriers. The Transportation Department rejected the bankrupt carriers’ request for regulators to waive antitrust restrictions on routes and fees flown by members of the SkyTeam alliance. Regulators said the airlines did not prove that the legal waiver would provide significant benefits to consumers, including lower fares …

Virgin America CEO Fred Reid has said that a frequent flyer program is in the works, and that he would like to be able to launch services with one already in place …

Asiana Airlines flight attendants will work on Turkish Airlines planes this spring, as a part of the partnership between the two carriers. The two airlines will also offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits sometime in the first half of 2006 …

Asian Hotels Alliance has concluded an agreement with Finnair Plus, Finnair’s frequent flyer program. Finnair Plus members can now earn 1,000 points when staying at all AHA participating hotels in Asia. AHA properties include Dusit Hotels & Resorts (Thailand), Landis Hotels & Resorts (Taiwan), Marco Polo Hotel Group (Hong Kong), Meritus Hotels & Resorts (Singapore), and New Otani Hotels (Japan) …

Hilton Hotels Corporation will buy all lodging assets of Hilton Group PLC for some $5.71 billion in the first quarter of 2006. The deal is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of competition and governmental clearances. As part of the deal, Hilton Hotels Corporation will also acquire full ownership of Hilton HHonors Worldwide …

Spanish language translation provider Trusted Translations Inc. has launched the “Translations for Miles” rewards program, which offers American AAdvantage miles for using the company’s translation services.