Etihad Guest and Virgin Blue Velocity have entered into a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership that includes lounge access for top tier members of both programs. Other new partnerships for Etihad include Alitalia and Hyatt …

According to USA Today, no decisions have been made yet on whether United Mileage Plus or the Continental OnePass program will survive when the two airlines merge or if a new frequent flyer program will be created. Combined, United and Continental may have up to 91 million frequent flyer program members. Delta currently has 74 million members and American has 64 million …

The Algonquin Hotel in New York City is a new participating hotel in Marriott’s Autograph Collection and Marriott Rewards members can earn and redeem points when staying at the historic 1902 hotel …

Lufthansa Miles & More members can now not only redeem miles for Germanwings flights, but can also earn miles for Germanwings flights …

China Airlines has begun the process of joining SkyTeam and the airline is expected to become a full member of the alliance in mid-2011. It is rumored that Aerolineas Argentinas may be joining SkyTeam as well …

TAM Multiplus Fidelidade members can now earn and redeem points with Editora Globo publications group. Members can also now exchange VIVA SKY points for Multiplus points …

Budget is a new car rental partner in Lufthansa Miles & More …

Russia’s S7 Airlines will become a oneworld member airline on Nov. 15, 2010. The airline adds 55 destinations in nine countries to the oneworld network …

Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts are now partners in Lufthansa Miles & More. Members can earn two miles for every U.S. dollar or euro spent at participating Ritz-Carlton hotels and earn a minimum 500 miles per stay at participating Oberoi hotels. Members will earn double miles at Oberoi plus a room upgrade through Nov. 30, 2010 …

Qatar Airways Privilege Club is now a partner in Points.com …

France’s Chalair now partners in Air France/KLM Flying Blue allowing members to earn and redeem miles on any of Chalair’s 100 weekly scheduled flights …

As of Nov. 1, 2010, Shanghai Airlines is no longer a member of the Star Alliance due to its merger with China Eastern Airlines …

Ethiopian Airlines has been approved to join the Star Alliance. The membership process is expected to be complete within the next 12 months. The airline adds five new countries (Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Mali and Niger) and 24 African destinations to the Star Alliance network …

Planet Hollywood Hotels and TRYP by Wyndham are new hotel brands in the Wyndham Worldwide family and although these brands will eventually participate in Wyndham Rewards, the date has not been set for them to be integrated …

Continental OnePass members can now exchange miles between programs and redeem for gift cards through Points.com …

Qatar Airways Privilege Club has welcomed Hyatt Gold Passport and VOILA Hotel Rewards to its hotel partner list …

US Airways plans to launch seasonal summer service to Madrid from May 4 through Oct. 29, 2011 …

Alaska Airlines will begin service between Portland and Kona, Hawaii on Nov. 12, 2010 …

Hawaiian Airlines will begin nonstop daily service between Honolulu and Tokyo Haneda on Nov. 17, 2010.