Intelligence – August, 21 2012

Intelligence – August, 21 2012

Beginning April 1, 2013, Turkish Airlines will offer nonstop service from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport four times weekly. You can book flights on the new route now. …

Participants of e-Rewards can now redeem their e-Rewards currency for American AAdvantage miles, starting at $25 for 500 miles. The program is a former partner of e-Rewards that has joined the program again after an absence of several years. …

Hawaiian Airlines will begin flights between Honolulu and Auckland, New Zealand three times weekly beginning March 13, 2013 and between Honolulu and Brisbane, Australia beginning in November 2012. …

Frontier EarlyReturns is now partners in the Thanks Again Loyalty Network and EarlyReturns members can now earn miles for parking and dining at over 170 airports or when shopping at 20,000 local businesses. …

Several international airlines have introduced flight upgrade auctions where flyers can bid for an upgrade and it is rumored that U.S.-based airlines will also start offering upgrade auctions. …

Oman Air Sindbad members who are Ahlibank credit cardholders can now transfer their Pearl Points earned from credit card spend for Sindbad miles on a 1:1 basis. …

Iberia Plus has launched a frequent flyer program for children aged 2 to 11. Called Iberia Plus Kids, the program allows children to earn and redeem Avios just like adult Iberia Plus members. …

Best Western has joined AmericInn, Choice Hotels, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham Hotel Group as a sponsor of the Hotels for Heroes program. Best Western Rewards members can donate in increments of 2,500 or 5,000 points. …

Iberia Plus members can earn 9,000 Avios when signing up with Microsoft IBERIA365 Cloud Technology Solution. Visit www.iberia365.info to learn more. …

Aegean Airlines is now an earn and burn partner with Yes! Hotels. Members of Miles&Bonus earn two miles per euro spent. …

Rumor has it that Malaysia Airlines will officially join the oneworld alliance early 2013 instead of the expected late 2012. …

Virgin Australia Velocity members can now earn three points per $1 spent to purchase concert, musical, theater and other event tickets across Australia and New Zealand with new partner, the box office. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?7053 for shows and events in Australia and http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?7051 in New Zealand. …

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. says it expects to sell or spin off Frontier Airlines in the first half of 2013 to focus on regional flying. The company owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, as well as Frontier and operates as US Airways Express, United Express, American Connection and Delta Connection. …

Aeroplan has entered into a partnership with Bentley, Canada’s largest retailer for luggage, handbags, backpacks and travel accessories. Members can earn one Aeroplan mile for every $1 at more than 300 stores across Canada including airport locations. In addition, members can redeem their miles on aeroplan.com for Bentley products and for Bentley gift cards. …

Saudia Alfursan now partners with Wyndham Hotel Group and members can earn two miles for every US$1 spent or 250 or 500 miles (whichever is the greater amount per stay) at Wyndham Hotel Group properties.