For those interested in upgrading on airlines flights, there are three ways to get out of coach: qualify for a free upgrade, use frequent flier miles to upgrade to business class service, or purchase an upgrade -- usually by buying airlines upgrade coupons.
US Airways flight upgrade awards allow you to upgrade your purchased fare to a confirmed First Class seat for either one-way or roundtrip travel by redeeming award miles. Upgrades are subject to capacity control, and are only available for travel on US Airways.
As for free upgrades, most us airlines offer them to either elite-level frequent fliers or passengers traveling on full-fare economy tickets (sometimes you have to meet both criteria). These upgrades are generally based on availability and are usually confirmed shortly before travel.
delta airlines gives free upgrades to passengers traveling on full-fare coach tickets to domestic and some international destinations, while United and american airlines reward some elite customers with free e-upgrade or paper certificates based on mileage flown.
For those who aren't elite fliers or don't pay top dollar for a ticket, they can use frequent flier miles to upgrade from coach to business class seats. But here's the catch: even if you are using miles to upgrade, US Airways will only let you do so if you are traveling on an eligible, usually higher, fare.
''I see a lot of people who are on a $99 fare and then they're upset to find out they can't upgrade,'' Mr. Bennett said, which is why he recommends asking if you can use miles to upgrade a particular fare before you buy your ticket. For international travel, he also suggests making sure you are allowed to use miles to upgrade if you are purchasing a ticket that includes travel on an airline's code share partner.
How many miles you need for an upgrade depends on the price of your ticket and the airline you are flying. On US Airways, for example, you need 10,000 miles to upgrade a round-trip domestic ticket if you have bought a full-fare coach or nonrestricted ticket, but 20,000 miles for most economy fares. But United requires 16,000 miles to upgrade a round-trip, full-fare domestic ticket and 30,000 miles for most economy fares. With some airlines, certain discount coach fares cannot be upgraded using miles at all.
The carriers will usually confirm an upgrade using frequent flier miles when you buy your ticket, but upgrades are based on availability and in some cases, an airline won't release seats for an upgrade until shortly before a flight.
Although details of the programs vary, the e-upgrade coupons typically come in 500-mile segments, so you might have to use four coupons for a 1,700-mile flight. If you buy coupons, they generally cost $50 each, meaning a round-trip cross-country upgrade (about 6,000 miles) would cost 12 coupons or $600. Sometimes, discounts are available to elite fliers, customers who buy the coupons online or buy in bulk.
Some carriers also offer customers the option to trade miles for e-upgrades, but for now, you can usually get more value for your miles -- and earlier confirmation of your upgrade -- through the airlines' regular frequent flier programs. But this might not always be a deal. For instance, United requires 50,000 miles for eight e-upgrades -- not enough coupons to upgrade a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to New York -- while you could upgrade that ticket using 30,000 frequent flier miles.
But before you trade miles or cash for any of these programs, read the fine print. E-upgrades cannot be used on some international routes or with all fares, and in some cases the e-upgrades expire after a year. Indeed, with the cuts some airlines have made recently to business- and first-class fares, those who follow the industry say passengers considering an upgrade should first research what it would cost to simply buy a business- or first-class ticket.
''It's a little-known trend that discounted business-class fares are becoming very inexpensive,'' said Matthew J. Bennett, publisher of Firstclassflyer.com, which offers free advice and a newsletter with tips on ways to fly up front.
Monday, March 28, 2011
american express hhonors surpass review
Hilton and American Express introduced a new HHonors credit card, dubbed the Hilton HHonors Surpass Card from American Express, The main difference between the Surpass Card and the original Hilton Amex is that, in exchange for an annual fee of $75/year, the Surpass Card offers free Hilton Gold status for the first year, 9 HHonors points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and HHonors Diamond VIP status once spending reaches $40,000 per year.
the list of american express hhonors surpass credit card benefits include:
Up to 40,000 signup bonus points — enough for up to five free nights
Up to 20,000 HHonors points with first eight Hilton Family stays charged to the Card during your first 18 months of Cardmembership
HHonors Gold VIP status complimentary with your first year; to maintain thereafter, total eligible spend must reach $20,000 annually
HHonors Diamond VIP status when your total eligible spend reaches $40,000 annually
$75/year annual fee
9 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at participating Hilton Family hotels
6 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at gas stations, drugstores, and more
3 HHonors bonus points for virtually every dollar spent elsewhere
500 HHonors bonus points when you book online at any Hilton Family Hotel Website using your Card
One other noteable improvement has also been made to both the american express Surpass Card and the no-fee card: 6 HHonors points (as opposed to 5) will be earned for each dollar spent at grocery stores, gas stations and drugstores, and on phone, cable, satellite TV, and internet service bills.
If you already have a Hilton Amex, you can call now to have your card upgraded once it’s available. Otherwise, it appears you’ll have to wait a bit until the application becomes generally available.
the list of american express hhonors surpass credit card benefits include:
Up to 40,000 signup bonus points — enough for up to five free nights
Up to 20,000 HHonors points with first eight Hilton Family stays charged to the Card during your first 18 months of Cardmembership
HHonors Gold VIP status complimentary with your first year; to maintain thereafter, total eligible spend must reach $20,000 annually
HHonors Diamond VIP status when your total eligible spend reaches $40,000 annually
$75/year annual fee
9 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at participating Hilton Family hotels
6 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at gas stations, drugstores, and more
3 HHonors bonus points for virtually every dollar spent elsewhere
500 HHonors bonus points when you book online at any Hilton Family Hotel Website using your Card
One other noteable improvement has also been made to both the american express Surpass Card and the no-fee card: 6 HHonors points (as opposed to 5) will be earned for each dollar spent at grocery stores, gas stations and drugstores, and on phone, cable, satellite TV, and internet service bills.
If you already have a Hilton Amex, you can call now to have your card upgraded once it’s available. Otherwise, it appears you’ll have to wait a bit until the application becomes generally available.
td first class visa travel insurance
TD Canada Trust introduced the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card offer cardholders "Book Any Way" flexibility, valuable travel insurance and prestigious travel services.
This credit card puts the cardholder in control. Now cardholders can book airlines tickets through their favourite travel agent or online web-site, tour package provider, a last-minute flight deal or promotion, directly with the hotel or airline. The choice is theirs. There are no requirements to book through a travel rewards program provider with limitations on points tiers, seat availability or modes of travel.
"The ability to book travel any way is a feature cardholders will love," said Jim Sallas, Senior Vice President Personal Lending and Visa, TD Canada Trust. "When we say any way, we really mean it and that includes everything from popular travel websites, to traditional travel agents, to our exclusive TD Visa Travel Rewards Centre and website. It means this credit card will make it easier for cardholders to get the trip they really want." Simple, Fast and Easy Points Redemption
First Class features and benefits
In addition to the flexibility of booking travel any way, the TD First
Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is rich with features designed specifically
for Canadians who love to travel, including:
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance
- Complimentary Concierge Assistance - trip planning help is available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and includes assistance in the event
of an emergency while travelling
- VIP treatment at the world's finest hotels and resorts through
exclusive hotel privileges.
- Access to restaurant ratings and reviews of the world's most
outstanding restaurants
- and much more!
While many competitor cards require their cardholders to reach point travel tiers to travel to specified destinations, with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card redeeming points is simple and easy to understand. For every $1.00 in purchases made using the card, cardholders earn 3 TD Points that can be redeemed towards any type of travel.
TD offers two other travel cards with the flexibility to book any way. The TD Platinum Travel Visa and TD Classic Travel Visa Cards complete a suite of travel rewards cards that appeal to a wide range of Canadians who want to earn travel rewards. For more information about the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card and our other new travel rewards cards, visit http://www.tdfirstclass.com/travel
This credit card puts the cardholder in control. Now cardholders can book airlines tickets through their favourite travel agent or online web-site, tour package provider, a last-minute flight deal or promotion, directly with the hotel or airline. The choice is theirs. There are no requirements to book through a travel rewards program provider with limitations on points tiers, seat availability or modes of travel.
"The ability to book travel any way is a feature cardholders will love," said Jim Sallas, Senior Vice President Personal Lending and Visa, TD Canada Trust. "When we say any way, we really mean it and that includes everything from popular travel websites, to traditional travel agents, to our exclusive TD Visa Travel Rewards Centre and website. It means this credit card will make it easier for cardholders to get the trip they really want." Simple, Fast and Easy Points Redemption
First Class features and benefits
In addition to the flexibility of booking travel any way, the TD First
Class Travel Visa Infinite Card is rich with features designed specifically
for Canadians who love to travel, including:
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance
- Complimentary Concierge Assistance - trip planning help is available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and includes assistance in the event
of an emergency while travelling
- VIP treatment at the world's finest hotels and resorts through
exclusive hotel privileges.
- Access to restaurant ratings and reviews of the world's most
outstanding restaurants
- and much more!
While many competitor cards require their cardholders to reach point travel tiers to travel to specified destinations, with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card redeeming points is simple and easy to understand. For every $1.00 in purchases made using the card, cardholders earn 3 TD Points that can be redeemed towards any type of travel.
TD offers two other travel cards with the flexibility to book any way. The TD Platinum Travel Visa and TD Classic Travel Visa Cards complete a suite of travel rewards cards that appeal to a wide range of Canadians who want to earn travel rewards. For more information about the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card and our other new travel rewards cards, visit http://www.tdfirstclass.com/travel
delta airlines lounge at Indianapolis airport
Delta airlines opened new business lounge at Indianapolis International Airport, completing the second of four airport lounge openings scheduled this year as part of the airline’s ongoing $2 billion investment in improved airport facilities and global products and service.
Located inside security on Concourse A, the new 4,800-square-foot Indianapolis lounge is the first and only premium airport lounge for business travelers in the state of Indiana. Available to Delta Sky Club members and their guests, the club offers free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and Wi-Fi, wireless charging pads for smartphones, as well as personalized flight assistance, satellite TV and computer workstation access.
”This new Delta Sky Club reflects our commitment to improve the travel experience across our global network with the first airport lounge to serve premium customers in Indianapolis,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s senior vice president – Network Planning. “From Indiana to India to every point across our network, we are betting big on customer service with the biggest re-investment in airports, products and technology for our customers in more than a decade.”
The delta airlines Indianapolis club design features sleek furnishings and contemporary aerial landscape art, depicting regional Indiana views seen from an airplane window seat. These elements will be replicated in new clubs scheduled to open later this year in Philadelphia, as well as in renovations currently under way at other existing lounges.
Delta Sky Club membership provides access to more than 50 airport Club locations worldwide and was named best airport lounge by readers of Executive Traveler and by Business Traveler magazines four years in a row and Global Traveler magazine for the past two years. More information regarding Delta Sky Clubs is available at delta.com/skyclub.
Delta is the leading airline at Indianapolis International Airport with more than 40 year-round daily departures to 13 nonstop U.S. destinations and seasonal international service to Cancun. The airline also is one of the longest-serving at Indianapolis, with continuous service dating to the mid-1940s.
Located inside security on Concourse A, the new 4,800-square-foot Indianapolis lounge is the first and only premium airport lounge for business travelers in the state of Indiana. Available to Delta Sky Club members and their guests, the club offers free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and Wi-Fi, wireless charging pads for smartphones, as well as personalized flight assistance, satellite TV and computer workstation access.
”This new Delta Sky Club reflects our commitment to improve the travel experience across our global network with the first airport lounge to serve premium customers in Indianapolis,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s senior vice president – Network Planning. “From Indiana to India to every point across our network, we are betting big on customer service with the biggest re-investment in airports, products and technology for our customers in more than a decade.”
The delta airlines Indianapolis club design features sleek furnishings and contemporary aerial landscape art, depicting regional Indiana views seen from an airplane window seat. These elements will be replicated in new clubs scheduled to open later this year in Philadelphia, as well as in renovations currently under way at other existing lounges.
Delta Sky Club membership provides access to more than 50 airport Club locations worldwide and was named best airport lounge by readers of Executive Traveler and by Business Traveler magazines four years in a row and Global Traveler magazine for the past two years. More information regarding Delta Sky Clubs is available at delta.com/skyclub.
Delta is the leading airline at Indianapolis International Airport with more than 40 year-round daily departures to 13 nonstop U.S. destinations and seasonal international service to Cancun. The airline also is one of the longest-serving at Indianapolis, with continuous service dating to the mid-1940s.
Aer Arann Launches Southend Airport Routes
Aer Arann Launches London Southend Airport flight Routes to two of Ireland’s key business and tourism regions.
From March Aer Arann will operate two daily return flights between London Southend Airport and Galway on Ireland’s Atlantic west coast and Waterford, the crystal city in Ireland’s sunny south east. From March 27th, Aer Arann will operate direct flights, twice a day, morning and evening, from both Galway and Waterford to London Southend Airport offering the fastest and most direct access from the two cities to central London.
The new services will be the first to be operated into London Southend Airport by an Irish commercial airline and mark the opening of Ireland’s new gateway to London and the English south east.
Direct flights will operate seven days per week from Waterford. Flights from Galway will operate direct four days per week and on three days a week will operate via Waterford.
The new routes between Ireland and London Southend Airport are expected to boost both business and tourism travel between the UK and both Galway and Waterford. The two new flights per day open new links from Southend, Essex and the greater London area to Ireland’s regions offering fast, convenient and cost effective travel that will provide a timely boost to the local economies.
Aer Arann’s services from London Southend Airport will provide passengers with a fast, hassle-free route to Galway and Waterford perfect for both the business and leisure passenger.
In turn passengers from Ireland will benefit from the convenience of a ten minute transfer from plane to train and frequent, affordable trains to Liverpool Street Station operating from London Southend Airport’s new train station.
“Together with London Southend Airport we are delighted to provide business and leisure customers with new connections between Ireland and the UK,” he said.
Southend airport is currently undergoing development which will see an extended runway, a new rail link with central London and a new terminal open by 2012.
Alastair Welch, Managing Director Stobart Air and London Southend Airport commented “Aer Arann’s announcement today marks a significant milestone in the development of London Southend Airport. 2011 is a very big year for us with a new railway station and control tower now complete, and a new passenger terminal, runway extension and airport hotel also underway”.
From March Aer Arann will operate two daily return flights between London Southend Airport and Galway on Ireland’s Atlantic west coast and Waterford, the crystal city in Ireland’s sunny south east. From March 27th, Aer Arann will operate direct flights, twice a day, morning and evening, from both Galway and Waterford to London Southend Airport offering the fastest and most direct access from the two cities to central London.
The new services will be the first to be operated into London Southend Airport by an Irish commercial airline and mark the opening of Ireland’s new gateway to London and the English south east.
Direct flights will operate seven days per week from Waterford. Flights from Galway will operate direct four days per week and on three days a week will operate via Waterford.
The new routes between Ireland and London Southend Airport are expected to boost both business and tourism travel between the UK and both Galway and Waterford. The two new flights per day open new links from Southend, Essex and the greater London area to Ireland’s regions offering fast, convenient and cost effective travel that will provide a timely boost to the local economies.
Aer Arann’s services from London Southend Airport will provide passengers with a fast, hassle-free route to Galway and Waterford perfect for both the business and leisure passenger.
In turn passengers from Ireland will benefit from the convenience of a ten minute transfer from plane to train and frequent, affordable trains to Liverpool Street Station operating from London Southend Airport’s new train station.
“Together with London Southend Airport we are delighted to provide business and leisure customers with new connections between Ireland and the UK,” he said.
Southend airport is currently undergoing development which will see an extended runway, a new rail link with central London and a new terminal open by 2012.
Alastair Welch, Managing Director Stobart Air and London Southend Airport commented “Aer Arann’s announcement today marks a significant milestone in the development of London Southend Airport. 2011 is a very big year for us with a new railway station and control tower now complete, and a new passenger terminal, runway extension and airport hotel also underway”.
delta airlines iceland special fares
Delta airlines announced new nonstop service between New York and iceland, beginning June 1, 2011.* When service begins, Delta will be the only U.S. carrier to serve Iceland nonstop from the United States.
The flight, between JFK and Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik, will be operated with a 170-seat Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 15 seats in BusinessElite and 155 seats in Economy.
The flight will also operate direct from Delta's hub in Minneapolis-St. Paul under the same flight number, with a stop at New York-JFK.
"Our new flight to Iceland is another milestone in our efforts to be the leading domestic and international carrier in New York," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president – New York. "We have always prided ourselves in offering a large number of unique destinations from our JFK hub to provide customers convenient access to growing but underserved global markets. The addition of Reykjavik also marks the first service in Iceland for SkyTeam, the leading global airline alliance that includes Delta, Air France-KLM, Alitalia and nine other airlines."
special Fares are available for purchase only at delta.com or from your travel agent. cheap Fares shown are round-trip, and return purchase is required. Tickets cost $25 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, $35 more at a Delta ticket counter or ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Travel agents may impose an additional service charge for ticketing. Tickets are nontransferable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or in all markets.
This week Delta also announced a plan to reinvent the customer dining experience at LaGuardia with the introduction of 13 new food and beverage concepts at its main terminal beginning this fall and received approval from the Port Authority of New York-New Jersey to take the next steps in implementing plans to revamp its terminal facilities at JFK. The airline plans to unveil specific details of its JFK terminal renovation plan later this month.
The flight, between JFK and Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik, will be operated with a 170-seat Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 15 seats in BusinessElite and 155 seats in Economy.
The flight will also operate direct from Delta's hub in Minneapolis-St. Paul under the same flight number, with a stop at New York-JFK.
"Our new flight to Iceland is another milestone in our efforts to be the leading domestic and international carrier in New York," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president – New York. "We have always prided ourselves in offering a large number of unique destinations from our JFK hub to provide customers convenient access to growing but underserved global markets. The addition of Reykjavik also marks the first service in Iceland for SkyTeam, the leading global airline alliance that includes Delta, Air France-KLM, Alitalia and nine other airlines."
special Fares are available for purchase only at delta.com or from your travel agent. cheap Fares shown are round-trip, and return purchase is required. Tickets cost $25 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, $35 more at a Delta ticket counter or ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Travel agents may impose an additional service charge for ticketing. Tickets are nontransferable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or in all markets.
This week Delta also announced a plan to reinvent the customer dining experience at LaGuardia with the introduction of 13 new food and beverage concepts at its main terminal beginning this fall and received approval from the Port Authority of New York-New Jersey to take the next steps in implementing plans to revamp its terminal facilities at JFK. The airline plans to unveil specific details of its JFK terminal renovation plan later this month.
delta business class to london promo fare
Delta promotes new routes to London with cheap business class fare
Delta is launching direct flights between Miami and London on their 767-400 aircraft (featuring flat beds in business class), and they have introductory roundtrip business class fares of under $1,500
Travelers looking to fly business class from the East Coast to London may wish to take advantage of a new sale offered by Delta Air Lines.
Remember, when purchasing your tickets at delta.com, you can also:
Avoid direct ticketing charges and online booking fees.
Get double miles for every dollar spent when using your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
The cheap business class ticket to london is being held to celebrate service from multiple new American destinations to London Heathrow Airport, with the new flights scheduled to launch by the end of March.
Passengers hoping to take advantage of the new routes can now buy discounted business class tickets on flights to London from Boston and Miami as well as connecting flights from Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.
Fares shown are only available at delta.com. Tickets cost £13 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, £20 more at a Delta ticket counter or ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited.
Tickets:
Tickets must be purchased no later than 31 March 2011. Fares shown are round-trip fares inclusive of all taxes, fees, and surcharges, and return purchase is required.
Delta is launching direct flights between Miami and London on their 767-400 aircraft (featuring flat beds in business class), and they have introductory roundtrip business class fares of under $1,500
Travelers looking to fly business class from the East Coast to London may wish to take advantage of a new sale offered by Delta Air Lines.
Remember, when purchasing your tickets at delta.com, you can also:
Avoid direct ticketing charges and online booking fees.
Get double miles for every dollar spent when using your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
The cheap business class ticket to london is being held to celebrate service from multiple new American destinations to London Heathrow Airport, with the new flights scheduled to launch by the end of March.
Passengers hoping to take advantage of the new routes can now buy discounted business class tickets on flights to London from Boston and Miami as well as connecting flights from Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.
Fares shown are only available at delta.com. Tickets cost £13 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, £20 more at a Delta ticket counter or ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited.
Tickets:
Tickets must be purchased no later than 31 March 2011. Fares shown are round-trip fares inclusive of all taxes, fees, and surcharges, and return purchase is required.
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