Intelligence – April, 20 2010

Intelligence – April, 20 2010

Continental OnePass and TAM Fidelidade are now FFP reciprocal partners offering more travel options in Brazil for OnePass members…

Virgin America Elevate has a new hotel partner in Morgans Hotel Group, and through the end of the year, members can earn 1,000 Elevate points per stay …

Marriott is expected to double the number of guest rooms it has in Europe in the next five years, to a total 80,000 rooms. Three new brands will be introduced into the European market: Residence Inn, Edition and Autograph Collection …

Starwood has announced that the Sheraton Manhattan in midtown has lost its brand affiliation, but Sheraton New York continues under its Sheraton brand name …

Aeroplan members can now earn one mile per $2 spent on Nutrilawn lawn care programs and residential cleaning and restoration services at Cleanol. Visit http://www.nutrilawn.com and http://www.cleanol.com …

Members of American Airlines can now redeem miles on GOL flights as an expansion in the frequent flyer partnership …

If you have a high credit score, take note. According to Business Week, if your credit rating is 750+, since the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act took effect, you can expect more credit card reward offers in your mail …

Sun Country Airlines has announced that they plan to start transatlantic service this summer from New York (JFK) to London (Stansted) once per week departing New York on Fridays and from London on Sundays …

SkyTalk, Ft. Worth Star Telegram’s air travel blog, said they heard Southwest’s CFO mention several news items: the airline is aiming for more slots at LaGuardia, the re-vamped FFP should appear late this year or possibly early next year, codeshare with Mexico’s Volaris may begin late this year and don’t expect Southwest to add a lot of new destinations this year …

Say goodbye to meals being provided without shelling out extra cash on Continental domestic flights. The airline has joined other majors in providing meals for cash …

IHG’s first Staybridge Suites property is opening in New York City this May. Located on West 40th Street at Ninth Avenue, the hotel offers free hot breakfast buffet, mid-week evening receptions with complimentary beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres, free use of fitness center, free high-speed in-room Internet and more …

bmi now flies to Berlin and Vienna and members of diamond club can earn double miles until May 31, 2010 …

Delta is expected to bid for several slots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport as part of the new Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and Japan (upon approval) …

Virgin America has announced it will serve Orlando with nonstop flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco from Aug. 19, 2010 and from LAX and SFO to Toronto from as early as June. From May 26, 2010, the airline will no longer serve John Wayne Airport in Orange County California. Virgin America intends to announce at least three more new destinations this year …

India’s Paramount Airways Paramount Royale program now partners with Hotel Leelaventure …

Rumor has it that Southwest may not partner with WestJet as planned and US Airways and United Airlines might merge.