Wednesday, August 10, 2011

growing tourism in the Sultanate

Prospects are bright for tourism development in the Sultanate; moreover, tourism in Oman is becoming an increasingly important industry, with mega projects mushrooming to elevate Oman on the world's tourism map. The government has been actively making efforts to tap tourism's potential, and with improved product development, enhanced funding for tourism, an increase in marketing and promotion, all have facilitated the task and helped to secure good return on investment.

Usama Bin Karim Al Haremi of Oman Air's Corporate Communications and Media informed that Deloitte, one of the world's top accounting and professional services firms announced recently that despite a fall in hotel occupancies in most countries in the Middle East region in 2009, the outlook remains positive as GCC countries are expected to continue economic diversification away from oil based activities and attract significant investments.

Despite the global financial crisis, which ripped many of the world economies, Oman went ahead with the implementation of its tourism plans and programs as per the set timetables. This points out that the crisis did not affect the implementation of the tourism projects in the Sultanate.

A number of tourism projects are currently being implemented which are at various stages, including 12 five-star hotels to be developed in the next four years.

It also aims to increase the number of hotel rooms to 16,000 by 2010 and tourist stay to five million by 2020.

On schedule are the development of three hotels, which are part of the prestigious Salalah Beach project, and a tourism project at Ras Al Had, a joint venture with Al Diyar of Qatar.

Under construction is the Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is expected to have multiplier effects on the economy, giving a fillip to MICE (meetings, events, exhibitions and conferences) market in Oman. The project allows the country to bid for major regional and global business events and meetings.



He also highlighted that Oman, which was the first country in the GCC region to diversify its economy, continues to be dedicated to economic diversification to reduce its dependency on oil-based activities.

Tourism, O’Hanlon added, has been a key pillar of the economy and the continued dedication of the Oman Ministry of Tourism to develop this sector stands unchallenged. The travel and tourism economy is forecasted to expand at an annual rate of 7.8 per cent during the years 2009-19, placing the country in the spotlight in the entire Middle East region, he said.

In this regard, Al Haremi highlighted that Oman Air is continuing to unveil new products and services in a bid to support the country’s tourism growth. The network expansion and Oman’s tourism growth he said are closely linked. The expansion is part of Oman Air plans and strategies to promote and activate tourism movement to the Sultanate, through connecting Muscat to a number of tourism countries and capitals, to make it the destination of choice for tourists in their way from or back home.

Operating direct flights between Muscat and various capitals around the world he added, comes in a bid by the company to promote Muscat and place the Sultanate well on the world tourism map by promoting and marketing the tourism potentials in the different parts and regions of the sultanate.

Al Haremi further affirmed, that the political and economic stability witnessed by the Sultanate since the dawn of the Blessed Renaissance and good hospitality, made tourism a constantly growing sector, contributing greatly to the national economy and the development of the Omani society. However, he clarified; the government has given priority to the tourism sector since the beginning of the 1990s.

Usama Bin Karim Al Haremi of Oman Air's Corporate Communications and Media also acknowledged that Euromonitor International's Travel And Tourism in Oman report published in June 2009, highlighted that on a regional front, the Middle East’s investment in travel and tourism is expected to skyrocket over the forecast period, as at least US$1 trillion is to be injected into hotels, resorts, attractions and associated infrastructure between 2007 and 2020. The report mentioned that Oman holds a considerable share of this capital injection, as HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the Omani government has allocated an appropriate budget to take the sultanate’s tourism objectives forward. The government’s budgetary efforts were further complemented with the amending of a number of laws and regulations to attract FDI into the vibrant travel and tourism industry, where all such efforts are part of Vision 2020, the report stated.

The findings of a survey conducted by the Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Tourism, with technical help from the World Tourism Organisation found that the sector contributed about 3 per cent per annum to Oman’s GDP from 2005 to 2008. The total value of revenue from hotels and restaurants in 2008 reached 164 million rials, with a relative increase of 0.7 per cent. Hotels, restaurants, airlines and travel agencies, tourism and car rental companies and diving clubs increase the sector’s contribution to GDP significantly.

Oman Air launched Lahore muscat flights

Oman Air celebrated its recently launched flights from muscat to Lahore and Islamabad with gala events hosted by the Management of Oman Air. In Islamabad, the occasion was held at Serena Hotel, whereas in Lahore, the Pearl Continental hotel hosted the function. A large number of Arab diplomats and the elite of both the destinations attended the dinner cocktail functions. Leaders of the travel and aviation industries were present too.
He said, “This route reflects Oman Air’s strong commitment to serve the people of Pakistan and provide a direct route from our country to these cities of Pakistan.”

Commenting on the launch of operations, Peter Hill, Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer said, “I am very pleased to finally be able to open this route officially. Lahore and Islamabad represents our 36th and 37th destinations respectively, and Oman Air’s second and third destination in Pakistan, after Karachi.

From his side, General Sayed Athar Ali, Secretary of Defense, who attended the event in Islamabad, highlighted in his speech that the relations between Pakistan’s Civil Aviation and Oman Air have touched a great height. Gen. Sayed then commended Oman Air and the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman for their proactive role in enhancing mutual cooperation between Oman and Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Philippe Georgiou, Chief Officer Corporate Affairs said, “Expansion is the growth engine for the Oman Air during the recent years.”

He said that the addition of these two destinations, Islamabad and Lahore, would make Oman Air a pioneer in promoting and enhancing bilateral trade, business and tourism, especially in view of the commonalities between the two countries in terms of cultural heritage, historical exchange and the large representation of Pakistan in Oman’s labour infrastructure.

Earlier, Oman Air’s management held a press conference at the Serna Hotel on launching the two destinations of Islamabad and Lahore. A brief recent historical view and strategic positioning about Oman Air was given by Mr. Philippe Georgiou.

Georgiou stated:

“The new destinations of Islamabad and Lahore would help strengthening the bilateral ties. It is considered to be an invaluable move on behalf of Oman Air and the government of the Sultanate of Oman, especially when the airline industry faces difficult times. Indeed Oman Air has shown great confidence in Pakistan through the addition of these two destinations,” he said.

Addressing the guests and media in Lahore, Philippe Georgiou said that he believed the national carrier of Oman has included the best and latest aircrafts to its fleet. The Sultanate of Oman’s national airline made aviation history with the first successful flight to provide both wireless Internet and cell phone service to passengers. “We provide cutting edge technology because we want to be pioneers in whatever we do. You are fully connected just as you are on the ground, and I would expect the major carriers to follow quickly,” he concluded saying.

Oman Air/Bank Muscat to Offer cobranded credit card

Oman Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank Muscat, the leading Omani financial services provider.

Under the terms of the MoU, Oman Air SAOC and Bank Muscat will work across a range of activities to promote each other’s products and services to their employees and customers.

The MoU is wide-ranging and paves the way for a broad range of initiatives, including a co-branded credit card, the extension of Oman Air’s Sindbad loyalty programme to holders of the new credit card, the sitting of Oman Air self-service kiosks in Bank Muscat branches, the promotion of Bank Muscat’s products to Sindbad members and a series of joint marketing ventures.

“Bank Muscat is an ideal strategic partner for Oman Air and, together, we look forward to creating new opportunities, accessing new markets and delivering even greater value.”
Abdulrazaq Al-Raisi, Oman Air’s General Manager Worldwide Sales, welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding, saying: “We are delighted that Oman Air and Bank Muscat will be working together to offer customers the very best in both air travel and financial products and services. Both Oman Air and Bank Muscat are committed to providing the very highest quality to all our customers and this Memorandum of Understanding will ensure that even more people will benefit.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Bank Muscat continues Oman Air’s development of partnerships and deals with some of the world’s most respected businesses, each bringing additional services and benefits to the carrier’s customers.

With assets worth over USD 15 billion, Bank Muscat (SAOG) has a strong presence in corporate, retail, private and investment banking, treasury and asset management. The bank has the largest network of branches in Oman, with 125 branches and 362 ATMs, 112 CDMs and 4,200 PoS terminals. It also has a branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a representative office in Dubai (UAE). In addition, Bank Muscat currently owns 49% of BMI Bank BSC, an independent bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has a 43% stake in the Mangal Keshav Group, one of the oldest and most respected securities houses in the fast-growing Indian equities market, and has a stake in Silk bank Ltd in Pakistan.

Oman Air new inflight meal on london flights

Oman Air has launched superb new a la carte menus on its flights between London Heathrow and Oman’s capital of Muscat. And with caviar, poached fillet of beef, Loch Fyne gravadlax and a wide range of mouthwatering desserts on offer, Oman Air has clearly demonstrated that fine dining has reached new heights.
The airline, which has built a reputation for offering all its passengers a luxurious flying experience, has designed separate menus for its First Class, Business Class and Economy Class. Each uses the finest seasonal ingredients, draws on both Arabic and European influences and combines contemporary and traditional elements.

Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hill says:

“We are delighted to be launching these delicious new menus and I am sure that our customers will be impressed. We have worked hard, together with in-flight catering specialists Gate Gourmet, to create menus that offer the very best seasonal produce, fantastic flavours, with a selection and a variety to suit every palate.

“These new menus underline Oman Air’s commitment to offering customers the very best of everything that air travel has to offer and they perfectly complement the outstanding comfort, space, products and services offered on our aircraft.”

With Oman Air’s flights from London to Muscat leaving in the evening, the airline has created substantial dinner menus, and additionally invites customers to start the following day with a choice of dishes, including a full cooked breakfast.

Gerhard Engleitner, Oman Air’s Manager of In-Flight Menu Development, adds:

“Our First and Business Class services offer a great selection of dishes, both European and Arabic in flavour. We have found that couples travelling together will often share their meals. One has a European meal and the other the Arabic selection, and they happily swap half way.

“Our European meals are designed so there should be something for everyone; including a lovely French caviar - but for that you have to join us in First Class.”

All First Class and Business Class meals are served on specially-designed, full size plates, with elegant cutlery and glassware more usually associated with fine restaurants than with air travel.

Gerhard Engleitner continues:

“In Economy Class, we offer a three-course meal: a light appetizer, followed by a choice of three main courses, including one dish with an Arabic twist and a vegetarian option, with a dessert to finish.”

Oman Air’s delicious new menus are launched in June aboard the airline’s daily, direct, non-stop service from London Heathrow to Muscat. The airline currently flies to 38 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa and has recently introduced a brand new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft. These offer spacious seating in every class of travel, with long, lie-flat beds, each with direct aisle access, in First Class and Business Class. Slim-line Economy Class seats, with adjustable head and leg rests, offer more leg and elbow room than ever. In-flight entertainment offers a great selection of movies and music, together with individual touch-screen monitors. In addition, Oman Air is the first airline in the world to offer both mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity whilst in flight.

Malaysia Airlines and Oman Air frequent flyer partnership

Oman Air and Malaysia Airlines entered a code-share partnership today, opening up more international destinations to their customers, effective immediately.

Oman Air’s passengers who currently enjoy direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok will now be connected to 6 new destinations in Malaysia and Asia; Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Malaysia Airlines’ customers will enjoy non-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Muscat. From the capital of Oman, they will be able to connect seamlessly to Amman and Kuwait City. This partnership also provides passengers with more flight options to Dubai and Beirut.

This partnership will also pave the way for closer co-operation between the two airlines on a range of other joint initiatives, including collaboration on frequent flyer programmes, ground handling, customer support, cargo and airport lounge access.

Oman Air CEO Mr Peter Hill said, “We are very happy with this remarkable code-share agreement which marks a very important milestone for Oman Air. Apart from Oman Air passengers benefiting from the added destinations through this code-share, it will also present them the opportunity to experience the exemplary services of Malaysia Airlines.”

“We are sure this opportunity will be seized by the discerning passengers of Malaysian Airlines, on top of tasting the unparalleled services of Oman Air and visiting Oman and the unique destinations Oman Air flies to,” he added.

Director / CEO, Tengku Dato’ Azmil Zahruddin said, “This is an opportune time for our two airlines as we endeavour to provide more choices to our customers. This also enables us to grow tourism to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Kuching initially and then to other points in Malaysia.

“In addition, this partnership expands and strengthens our hub-and-spoke network. We will be able to capture untapped traffic from secondary points in Middle East through Muscat onto our network. We target to capture approximately 60% of the existing traffic to Kuala Lumpur and beyond, valued at more than RM26 million per annum. Many travellers are currently travelling to Kuala Lumpur and beyond via other Middle Eastern points.”

Emirates Airlines adds Tunis to Dubai Flights

In a move to support the Tunisian tourism industry and to provide passengers with more flexible travel options, Emirates has launched an additional weekly flight between Dubai and Tunis.

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, will now operate four flights per week to Tunis from its hub in Dubai.
Flight EK 747 departs Dubai at 0935 hrs (local time) and arrives in Tunis at 1255hrs (local) every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The return flight, EK 748, departs Tunis at 1510hrs (local) and arrive in Dubai at 2355hrs (local).
Currently, Emirates flights to Tunis are served by an Airbus A330- 200 aircraft offering 237 seats in a three class configuration: 12 First Class Suites, 42 Business Class and 183 Economy Class seats.

"Emirates is committed to offering its customers the best travel experience on the market and now customers in Tunisia have even more convenient access to our network of over 110 global destinations," said Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa.

Emirates airline operates a fleet of 152 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 111 destinations in 66 countries and has placed orders for an additional 200 aircraft, worth more than USD$68 billion.

Emirates fly to south africa with a380

Emirates airlines announced today that Johannesburg, the industrial and economic capital of South Africa, will be the next destination slated for its airbus A380 aircraft. The daily A380 service will start 1 October 2011.

The 489-seat Emirates A380 offers 14 Private First Class Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 399 seats in Economy Class. First Class passengers have access to two Onboard Shower Spas, while all premium passengers on the upper deck can socialise at 40,000 feet in the Onboard Lounge. Beverages and bar snacks are served once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude - all the way until descent.

The A380 service will operate daily as EK 761, departing Dubai at 0440hrs (local time) and arriving at O R Tambo International Airport at 1050hrs (local). The return flight, EK762, departs Johannesburg at 1410hrs (local) and arrives in Dubai at 0010hrs (local) the following day.

The announcement of Emirates first scheduled A380 service to Africa comes as the airline unveiled its full year financial results for 2010-11. These revealed a surge in the number of South African travellers flying with Emirates with total passenger growth up 12 percent over the previous financial year. Overall revenue from the South African market also rose sharply, up 34 percent from 2009-10.

we have enjoyed a successful partnership with South Africa since launching services in 1995, and now connect our Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban gateways to our vast global network through 42 non-stop flights each week to Dubai," said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. "The very positive trends we have witnessed over the last 12 months will only be boosted by the arrival of our flagship A380 aircraft, which has set a new benchmark for air travel.

The arrival time of the A380 in Dubai will offer passengers from South Africa convenient connections to an extensive range of destinations within Europe, which following the 1 June launch of Geneva and the Copenhagen launch on 1 August, will stand at 27. Passengers will also be able to connect seamlessly to a wide range of points within the Middle and Far East.

Customers wishing to break their journey in Dubai will discover a huge variety of things to see and do in what is often billed as the world’s ultimate stopover city. Attractions range from world-class golf courses to indoor skiing, fine dining to desert safaris and shopping options spanning from gold, diamond and spice souks to chic designer boutiques; not to mention the chance to get a true birds-eye view of the gleaming cityscape from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Johannesburg is the most populous city in South Africa and capital of the Gauteng province, the country’s wealthiest province and home to approximately nine million residents. The city, which is located on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills, is also a thriving centre for the gold and diamond trade.

The new A380 service will also help to support the thriving trade relationship between South Africa and the UAE, which has enjoyed an average year-on-year growth of eight per cent since 2007. Total trade volumes rose from $1,379,000 in 2007 to $1,749,000 in 2010.

Skywards named Leading Airline Rewards Program

Skywards, Emirates Airline’s frequent flyer programme, continues to earn industry and consumer awards thanks to its innovative reward offerings and its base of engaged members

Skywards has been voted the Middle East's Leading Airline Rewards Program at the recent World Travel Awards. This prestigious accolade comes just after Skywards won an exceptional four awards at the 2011 Frequent Traveller Awards across the Middle East, Asia & Oceania region for Best Earning Promotion (Miles Accelerator), Best Elite Program, Best Customer Service, and overall Program of the Year. These honours join two additional awards conferred at the 2011 Loyalty Conference recognizing the unique Skywards Miles Accelerator and being named Best Loyalty Program by Middle East Traveller Magazine.

When Skywards introduced the new programme structure, the intent was to offer members more choice and flexibility. Skywards remains one of the most generous and rewarding loyalty programmes in the industry; offering miles on all fares without exception, plus generous bonuses of 75% and 150% for Business and First Class travel respectively.

In terms of rewards, Skywards members are offered the ultimate in choice and flexibility. Members can choose either Saver or Flex Flight Rewards in any cabin, with no blackout dates or Upgrade Rewards which are allowed on any fare and redeemable at check-in or on-board. Furthermore, in terms of status, Skywards is one of the few programmes extended to members over any 13 months to achieve Silver or Gold status.

The innovative Miles Accelerator moves away from traditional airline methods of awarding bonus miles just for a limited period. Instead, the Skywards Miles Accelerator has become a permanent feature of the programme offering generous bonus opportunities, no matter where or when a customer purchases their ticket. Miles Accelerator bonuses are earned in addition to standard miles accrued; thus, 鈥渁cceleratingthe opportunity for Skywards member to earn and enjoy greater/quicker rewards, such as flights and upgrades.

"The Skywards Miles Accelerator is unique in its offering of a wide range of flight bonuses throughout the entire year on Emirates lighter flights, allowing customers to maximise the miles they can earn,said EmiratesBrian LaBelle, VP Skywards. the fact that the Skywards programme and the Miles Accelerator awards were presented as a result of popular votes makes these honours event more significant. Winning these respected awards only reinforces our commitment to provide our Skywards members with the best loyalty programme possible. We thank all of our Skywards members for their participation and contribution in making Skywards a success."

Emirates upgrade Munich flights to A380

Emirates is responding to strong passenger demand in Germany by launching extra frequencies to Frankfurt and upgrading one of its Munich flights to an A380 superjumbo.
Emirates will be the first foreign airline to return the A380 to its home in Germany and the first carrier to operate an A380 to Munich, supporting the airport's A380-readiness.
From 1st January 2012, the airline's morning service to Munich will be upgraded to a superjumbo. EK 49 departs Dubai at 0910hrs and gets into Munich at 1245hrs, one of two daily flights.
"A third daily flight to Frankfurt and the German-built A380 serving Munich is another positive step in what is now a multi-billion US dollar relationship between Emirates and Germany, supporting thousands of German jobs," said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation.

"Meeting clear demand is of direct benefit to consumers, who want more choice, and to the German economy. We know international air services are a key driver of economic growth - facilitating the flow of business and cargo and opening up new markets to German exporters and importers," Mr Obaidalla added.

frankfurt welcomes the 3rd daily service by Emirates. This will strengthen Frankfurt’s position as one of the leading hubs of international aviation,said Petra Roth, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt.

Emirates is currently the biggest buyer of the Airbus superjumbo and one of the largest customers for the Airbus A350 aircraft. The A380 programme alone is estimated to provide at least 40,000 direct and indirect German jobs.

"Munich is looking forward to the Emirates' A380. Good connections to the Middle East are an essential catalyst for tourism from the region. And as Lord Mayor of Munich, I would like to point out that key components of the extremely quiet A380 engine have been developed and produced in Munich at MTU," remarked Christian Ude, Lord Mayor of Munich.

After starting flights to Frankfurt in 1987, Emirates currently operates 49 weekly passenger flights between Dubai and Germany double daily to Frankfurt, Munich and Desseldorf and daily to Hamburg, becoming double daily from 1st September. Additionally, Emirates operates eight weekly freighter flights to Germany.

Reflecting ever closer ties between the UAE and Germany, German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, was in Abu Dhabi for talks just last month. In February, the UAE Ministry for Foreign Trade received a chamber of commerce delegation from Hessen, the German state where Frankfurt is based. There are some 750 German companies operating in the UAE.

"Fair market access and open competition is good for Emirates, customers and the global economy. Operating out of Dubai with its Open Skies policy, Emirates is well used to competition. In the midst of extraordinary consolidation within our industry, we believe that the merits of competition are now more important than ever," Mr Obaidalla concluded.

Emirates airlines flights to Switzerland

Emirates has linked two renowned international hubs by launching flights between Dubai and Geneva Switzerland .
The Dubai-Geneva service will be operated by a combination of Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ERs. The aircraft will be arranged in a three-class configuration, offering First Class Private Suites, lie-flat seats in Business Class, and a spacious cabin in Economy Class.
EK 089 will leave Dubai each day at 0855hrs and arrive in Geneva at 1345hrs. From Geneva, EK 090 departs at 1515hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2330hrs.

"This launch, in particular, has a strong international feel about it - linking Dubai, as a global aviation hub and centre for business and tourism with Switzerland " said Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline. "On the back of our robust financial results, the airline continues to drive forward - connecting key cities around the world," Mr Clark added.
we are very pleased to welcome Emirates in Geneva. The airline is a worldwide reference in terms of reputation and quality of service acknowledged Francois Longchamp, State Councillor of the Canton of Geneva and President of the Board of Geneva Airport.

Passengers in all classes are able to sit back and enjoy the popular ice entertainment system, along with gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by multi-national cabin crew. This is Emirates' second gateway into Switzerland after Zurich, which started in 1992, and is now double daily.

Emirates Free hotels for children under age 12

Emirates Airline Free hotels and attractions for children until 30 September 2011

the promotion coincides with Dubai’s global Kids Go Free in Dubai campaign and Dubai Summer Surprises, when Dubai stores have summer sales.

Up to two children under age 12, traveling with an accompanying adult, are eligible to receive complimentary accommodation (minimum three night stay), meals in participating hotels, plus airfare discounted 50% off the adult fare.
Families will have a choice of over 50 hotels and apartments in Dubai, ranging from two- to five-star, with city or beach locations, to meet every family’s need. Also included are Meet & Assist service at the Dubai airport, airport transfers, free entry to a wide range of attractions, hotel room taxes and service charges. In addition, for guests who require visas to enter Dubai, Emirates will provide complimentary 96 hour visas for up to 2 children under the age of 12.

dubai is the ultimate leisure destination for families, with so many affordable attractions for all ages,said Russell Sheldon, Senior Vice President Network Passenger Sales Development, Emirates. our promotion offers incentives and savings for families to spend their summer vacation in Dubai. The journey begins onboard an Emirates flight, with special meals for children, plus more than 600 channels of entertainment including movies, television, audio and interactive games, and the fun continues the minute you touch down and begin experiencing Dubai.

Emirates is partnering with the Dubai Mall to offer exclusive packages including access to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Sega Republic and Dubai Ice Rink at the facility. A complimentary book of discount vouchers for use at the Dubai Mall is also available when tickets are purchased on Emirates, making fun-filled days of excitement and adventure even more affordable for families.

The Summer Smiles package also includes free entrance activities for up to two children under the age of 12 at some of Dubai’s premiere attractions; including, the Bateaux Dhow Dinner Cruise, the Big Bus Tour, Wild Wadi Water Park, Aquaventure & Lost Chambers at Atlantis, Ski Dubai, Soccer Circus, iFLYDubai indoor skydiving, the Dubai Dolphinarium, and many more.

For golf enthusiasts, activities include special discounts and free offers at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, The Address, the Montgomerie Dubai, and at Ernie Elssignature golf course, The Els Club. With Summer Smiles it’s possible to tailor each trip to Dubai to the traveller’s specific interests the only limitation will be trying to decide between the great selections.

Summer Smiles packages and information can be found through Emirates offices, travel agents, and online at emirates.com/dubaisummersmiles. All passengers, regardless of airfare or class of travel, are eligible to purchase the packages.

Emirates to fly St. Petersburg dubai route

Emirates is to launch nonstop flights into Russia city St. Petersburg, which will become the most northerly point on the airline's network.
A combination of Airbus A340-300 and A330-200 will be deployed on the route, offering First, Business and Economy Class travel. EK flight 137 will depart Dubai at 1035hrs, arriving in St Petersburg at 1615hrs. The return flight leaves St. Petersburg at 1745 and lands in Dubai at 0035hrs the next day.
St. Petersburg is estimated to be the third largest city in Europe with a population of around 4.6 million residents. Passenger demand is expected to be mostly tourist driven, but also boosted by the oil and manufacturing sectors and from the city's significant expatriate community.
The airline currently operates a double daily flight to Moscow and has been flying to the Russian capital since 2003.

"We see great potential in Russia and the success of our Moscow flights has demonstrated that there is still demand from this market," commented His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

The port city, lying on the Baltic coast and sometimes referred to as Russia's 'Northern Capital,' will be served from 1st November with a daily flight from Dubai.

"We have been considering launching a non-stop service to St. Petersburg for some time and we believe that the conditions are now right to do so. This is a city which attracts many tourists and cruise visitors every year because of its grand architecture, arts and culture and fascinating history," added Sheikh Ahmed.

The UAE is a major destination for Russian tourists and investors and thousands have made it their home. The new St. Petersburg service will further satisfy that demand, while providing better links with key markets across Asia.

As one of the few wide-body operators serving St. Petersburg, Emirates SkyCargo will be able to offer increased options to the market.

A diverse range of commodities, such as pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, garments, electronics and flowers will be imported. They will arrive from markets like Japan, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, South Africa, Ethiopia and New Zealand.

Spare parts for power stations, aircraft and ships, along with tobacco products, are expected to move in the other direction - heading to destinations including Japan, India, China, Vietnam and Angola.

Emirates early check-in in Zone C Level 2

Flying has just become even simpler for Emirates passengers departing from Emirates Terminal 3 following the introduction of an early check-in facility conveniently located adjacent to Terminal 3 car park area in Zone C on Level 2.

The facility is an easy alternative to the check-in counters in Emirates Terminal 3, and is an ideal option for group, family as well as individual travellers.During the hours of operation, these counters are available for Emirates customers (except those travelling to the US), wanting to check in up to 24 hours ahead of their flight. Passengers with large volumes of luggage will now have easy access to check-in from the airport car park area. Excess baggage payment can be made at the cashier located in the main terminal.
Emirates Airport Services aims to provide a more seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers; 16 counters at the new check-in facility allows passengers the option to check-in up to 24 hours ahead of their flight. After checking-in in person, dropping off their luggage, and getting their boarding pass, passengers will have the flexibility to return to the airport at their convenience and then proceed directly to immigration. The check-in facility will operate throughout the week from 5pm to 10am, targeting the peak overnight travel period.

as passenger traffic through Emirates Terminal 3 continues to grow, the Emirates Airport Services team is constantly looking at ways to innovate and improve efficiencies to ensure that passengers enjoy a stress-free travel experience and the high quality service for which Emirates is renowned,said Mohammad H. Mattar Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services. our goal is continuous improvement and the new check-in facility is just another addition to our already diverse offering of passenger services.

Emirates customers can also check-in online by logging on to


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Delta end flights JFK to Kiev Ukraine (KBP)

Delta will indefinitely suspend its nonstop service between New York-JFK and Kiev, Ukraine (KBP), effective June 17, 2011. Delta will continue to offer service between the U.S. and Kiev via Paris and Amsterdam on flights operated by joint venture partners Air France and KLM.

Delta’s New York-JFK to Kyiv Boryspil con ection, operated for some time as a regular service, are started as a seasonal service on May 2, 2010, the reasons for ending Kyiv service is because of low demand for the flight. Delta airlines trans-Atlantic capacity is now expected to decline 4 percent in 2011 as a result of rising fuel price.

Delta will contact customers with nonstop travel planned between the U.S. and Kiev after June 17 to provide reaccommodation. Affected customers can reschedule their travel without penalties or fees and may request a refund if their flight has been cancelled.

Delta reduce service DTW haneda route

Amid a decline in travel to Japan due to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis there, Delta Air Lines said it will temporarily suspend its new flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

The Department of Transportation has granted a temporary waiver of service between Detroit and Haneda. Delta applied for the waiver following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Delta will continue to operate the service through the end of August (last flight Aug 31 westbound and Sep 1 eastbound) and will reduce or suspend the DTW HND service from September, returning to daily year-round flights at the end of April 2012.

Delta's nonstop service between Los Angeles and Tokyo-Haneda will be unaffected. Delta will continue to operate nonstop service from Detroit to Narita and Nagoya offering industry-leading service to customers. Customers who booked on a flight from Haneda to Detroit will be reaccommodated on flights from Narita to Detroit, or can request full refunds.

Rescheduling Flights
If you are scheduled to travel between Detroit and Tokyo-Haneda on Delta, Delta Connection®, or Delta-coded flights after August 31, 2011, you may choose to make a one-time change to your ticket without a change fee, or you may request a full refund.
You can now edit your itinerary here at delta.com, or you may contact Reservation Sales to make changes to your itinerary.

Delta free tickets scam on Facebook

delta airlines anounced it has recently received reports from customers of fraudulent Facebook pages and events claiming to be affiliated with Delta Air Lines and offering free tickets.

the scam seen spreading on Facebook look like this:
Just Got 4 Delta Air Lines Tickets For Free
They are offering free plane tickets to use in the Holiday Season. Grab yours now
Actually, if you click on the offered link you are asked to install a third-party application - "4freedeltatickets" or "JetBlue Family" - that requests you permission to access your basic profile information, send you e-mails, post on your Wall, access your data any time, and manage your events and pages.

in order to avoid scam,Please be advised of the following:

delta airlines recommend you do not 'friend' or 'like' any page other than Delta's official Facebook page or allow them to connect to your personal information associated with your Facebook profile if you are intending to be connected with Delta Air Lines.
The official Delta Air Lines page can be found at www.facebook.com/delta.
You should not click on the link within an unofficial page or open any attachments.
Instead, you should disregard any unofficial Delta facebook pages.
Please call us at 1-888-750-3284 if you have questions or need further information.
Be assured Delta did not set up these pages. We will continue to post updates on the fraudulent pages as additional information becomes available.

delta waive rebooking/change fee for Storm Emily

Due to the forecasted impact of Tropical Storm Emily, delta airlines will waive flights change fees to allow customers booked for travel to or from the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, to voluntarily adjust their travel plans.

You may make a one-time change to your ticket without penalties if you are scheduled to travel to, from, or through the following cities on Delta, Song®, Delta Connection®, or Delta-coded flights during the specified time periods listed below. Additional collection in fares may apply.

Destination City
(To, From, or Through) Original Travel Date Original Ticket Issue Date
(On or Before) New Travel Date & Reschedule/ Reissue Date (No Later Than)
Santo Domingo (SDQ)
Punta Cana (PUJ)
Santiago (STI)
Port Au Prince (PAP)
August 3 - 5, 2011 August 7, 2011 August 7, 2011

If you are traveling to, from, or through these airports, check flight status frequently for up-to-the-minute information about your flight arrangements. To get updates sent directly to your wireless communication device, be sure to sign up for Flight Notifications.

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/flight_status_updates/advisories/emily/index.jsp

Customers may rebook for new flights,Call us at 800-241-4141 if you need to make changes to your itinerary.
Conditions & Restrictions
Changes to origins and destinations may result in an increase in fare. Any difference in fare between your original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of booking.

delta business elite seats on b757 200

Delta airlines international Boeing 757-200ER aircraft is configured with up to 16 business class seats and 158 seats in economy. passengers traveling on the enhanced BusinessElite class of service will be treated to
cradle-style seats with 150 degrees of recline and 55 inches of pitch in the BusinessElite cabin
a full-sized pillow and quilted duvet for a better sleeping experience;
modern dinnerware and stainless-steel utensils to complement a redesigned menu featuring new appetizers and entrees from celebrity Chef Michelle Bernstein; and
a new, high-quality reusable amenity bag with an enhanced product selection.

New York-JFK to Edinburgh New York and Reykjavik Pittsburgh-Paris Charles de Gaulle

Tokyo-Narita – Manila, Philippines
africa flights from Atlanta and Dakar; and Lagos
Flights to Hawaii Honolulu from Detroit and San Diego

on all transcontinental flights between New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles. These seats are the same as international flights
Transcontinental flights on Delta’s 757-200 aircraft feature signature BusinessElite® amenities including:

Complimentary Delta Sky Club™ access*
Gogo™ In-flight Internet access**
Personal in-seat audio/video on-demand with 7" screens and power and USB ports at every seat
150˚ reclining seats (with 55” seat pitch for more leg room) and premium pillows and duvets
Wine program by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson
Gourmet entrées from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein


Seat Width/Pitch: BusinessElite: 19.5 in/55 in (49 cm/140 cm)
Economy class: 17.2 in/31-32 in (44 cm/79-81 cm)
Accommodation: 174 passengers

Delta stop New York JFK to Cairo flights

Delta airlines has cancelled plans to resume flights between New York-JFK and Cairo, Egypt next month, after the flight was suspended in February. Delta will continue to offer service between the U.S. and Cairo via Paris and Amsterdam .

delta is adjusting flight schedule to reduce underperforming flights. Delta's trans-Atlantic capacity is now expected to decline 4 percent in 2011 as a result.
This is the only change being made right now. Delta continues to monitor customer travel patterns and may make further schedule adjustments as necessary.
the JFK-CAI service was temporarily suspended in February, and tentatively scheduled to resume in May. It is now suspended indefinitely.

Delta will proactively reach out to customers to reaccommodate them or provide refunds. Customers traveling between New York and Cairo will be reaccommodated via Paris on Air France, or via Amsterdam on joint venture partner KLM.
Affected customers can reschedule their travel without penalties or fees and may request a refund if their flight has been cancelled.

delta business elite jfk to paris cdg

Delta airlines announced a significant expansion of transatlantic service from New York.
effecitve June 1, 2011 delta offer Sixth daily flight on New York-JFK-Paris Charles de Gaulle route during peak season using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. seating up to 216 passengers.

customers flying in the business cabin on Delta’s flights to france will enjoy enhanced service including new seats with improved cushioning and the same 60 inches of legroom and wide-angle recliner seats that have made BusinessElite® a customer favorite. Customers will experience skyclub airport lounge access,innovative food and wine selections by Andrea Robinson, exclusively designed signature cocktails by nightlife proprietor Rande Gerber and industry-leading, on-demand, personal in-seat entertainment boasting more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games and inseat power ports. Delta recently added amenity kits,full-size pillows, duvets and modern and stylish dinnerware to its onboard offerings.


Paris is one of the most famous destinations in the world with attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre museum; while Salt Lake City boasts “the Greatest Snow on Earth” with access to some of the United States’ best skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Customers traveling beyond the capitals will have numerous connecting opportunities as Salt Lake City and Paris combine to offer more than 200 destinations beyond their city limits.


Progress continues as Delta's first Boeing 767-300ER will receive its scheduled full flat-bed in August. To date, more than 25 percent of Delta's widebody international fleet has received the upgrade and the airline's entire widebody international fleet of more than 140 aircraft will be flying with full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite by the end of 2013.

Delta's ongoing investment to enhance the customer experience includes work underway on Delta's new Terminal 4 at New York-JFK, opening in 2013, and the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal in Atlanta, opening in 2012. Pending government approval of an agreement between Delta and US Airways to transfer takeoff and landing rights at New York's LaGuardia and Washington D.C.'s Reagan National airports, Delta also will spend up to $117 million to expand, renovate and consolidate terminals C and D at LaGuardia over the next two years.

Delta suspend JFK to Amman, Jordan

Delta will indefinitely suspend its nonstop service between New York-JFK and Amman, Jordan, Delta will continue to offer service between the U.S. and Amman via Paris CDG and Amsterdam on flights operated by joint venture partners Air France and KLM.

the JFK-AMM service end effective June 1, 2011.
delta airlines direct flights to Amman launched in June 2008.

the airline said With continued weak demand and fuel prices steadily increasing, Delta anticipates it will spend $3 billion more this year on jet fuel. Therefore we're adjusting our schedule where necessary to reduce underperforming flights. Delta's trans-Atlantic capacity is now expected to decline 4 percent in 2011 as a result.
Delta will be contacting customers with nonstop travel planned between the U.S. and Amman after June 1 to provide reaccommodation via Paris, and to customers traveling between the U.S. and Cairo to be reaccommodated on flights via Paris and Amsterdam. Affected customers can reschedule their travel without penalties or fees and may request a refund if their flight has been cancelled.

Monday, August 1, 2011

nonstop flights Manchester to Las Vegas

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched nonstop flights from Manchester to Las Vegas from April 3, 2011. The twice-weekly service will operate on Thursdays and Sundays, using a Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The route will be Virgin Atlantic’s 33rd from the UK and the carrier’s third from Manchester.

The additional flights from Manchester, starting in April of 2011, will allow Virgin Atlantic to operate nine flights a week from the UK to this popular and growing leisure destination, famous for its casinos and shows. Since Virgin Atlantic launched flights to Las Vegas from Gatwick in June 2000, it has carried almost 2 million passengers on the route, which now operates daily from Gatwick.

Both the existing service and the new Manchester to Las Vegas route will be operated by a Boeing 747-400 fitted with 14 Upper Class Suites, 58 Premium Economy and 379 Economy seats. The Upper Class Suite consists of a reclining seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a three-course meal opposite your partner, and a private onboard bar to share a drink with your friends.

Virgin Atlantic offers a unique product for Premium Economy passengers such as dedicated check-in and priority boarding. Virgin Atlantic’s Economy class continues to offer passengers value for money and added extras like seat back televisions for all passengers with video on demand.
Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, commented:

"This is a welcome addition to their services to Barbados and Orlando and we're pleased to see another major airline expanding out of Manchester this week. Virgin Atlantic is a key partner and for them to reaffirm their commitment in a testing marketplace is a testament to the strength of the marketplace at Manchester. This is great news for our passengers and further strengthens the airport's long haul route network. We look forward to working with Virgin to make the service a great success."

Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, commented:

"This is another evolution in a partnership that has flourished since its inception a decade ago. Virgin Atlantic's new service into Las Vegas from Manchester is indicative of its long-term confidence in the Las Vegas brand and will provide even more British travelers the accessibility to visit the entertainment capital of the world."
Virgin Atlantic also operates services from Manchester to Orlando and Barbados. In 2009, Virgin Atlantic carried nearly half a million passengers on its Manchester services.

cost of Upgrade to Premium Economy on VS

Upgrade to Premium Economy class on virgin atlantic flights to london from £298* and start your holiday in style with a dedicated Premium Economy Check In (if you haven't already checked in online) and dedicated bag drop. 21 inch seat width, china dinnerware, stainless steel cutlery, and a menu to choose from makes this experience extra special.
Subject to availablity and the terms and conditions shown below.These fares are available until 15 June 2011
Departing from: To: ticket price from: Departure dates:
London New York £737 08 Jun - 30 Jun 11
London Miami £757
London Dubai £697
London Johannesburg £908
London Nairobi £747
London Accra £847
London Barbados £867 £907
London Antigua £867 £907
London St. Lucia £868 £908
Manchester Barbados £867
The fares and book by date shown above are correct as of 10 June 2011, but are subject to change or extension depending on take up and market conditions.
Reservations are required at least 7 daysbefore departure for O class fares.

The fares detailed above are strictly subject to availability and are offered on a first come, first served basis. The number of seats available on each flight at the fare detailed above is restricted and it is possible that the seats allocated on a particular flight may be fully booked, even though seats are still available in other booking classes. Some flights may have no availability on certain dates and popular dates (i.e. weekends, school and public holidays) will fill quickly.

The fares detailed above are for outbound travel on selected dates: a. Round trips are permitted. b. Round trips where the destination of the outward sector and the departure point of the return sector differ are permitted. c. One way trips are not permitted. d. Trips including sectors on airlines other than Virgin Atlantic including codeshares are not permitted
Minimum stay is one Saturday night from date. Maximum stay is 12 months.
Stopovers and open-date returns are not permitted.
Children (under 12) and infants (under 2) who require a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. Alternatively infants (under 2) who do not require a seat pay 10% of the full adult fare (exclusive of passenger taxes, fees and surcharges).
Once a booking has been confirmed a. Date changes are permitted for a charge of £120 per ticket. b. Cancellations are not permitted. c. No compensation and/or refund will be made available. d. Route or name changes are not permitted.
Credit card charges may apply.
Flying Club miles, bonus miles and tier points are available on selected flights. Please check at time of booking.

london sydney Premium Economy airfare

Flying Premium Economy to sydney with Virgin Atlantic is a great way to start your holiday.

Dedicated Premium Economy Check In, if you haven't already checked in online and dedicated bag drop. 21 inch seat width, china dinnerware, stainless steel cutlery, and a menu to choose from makes this experience extra special.

Subject to availablity and the terms and conditions shown below.

These fares are available until 02 August 2011.

virgin atlantic airways Premium Economy ticket price

Departing from
London Heathrow to: Departure dates:

Sydney £1,576 11 Aug 11 - 30 Nov 11

Minimum stay is one Saturday night from date of departure from the UK. Maximum stay is 12 months.
Children (under 12) and infants (under 2) who require a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. Alternatively infants (under 2) who do not require a seat pay 10% of the full adult fare (exclusive of passenger taxes, fees and surcharges).
Once a booking has been confirmed a. Date changes are permitted for a charge of £120 per ticket. b. Cancellations are not permitted. c. No compensation and/or refund will be made available.
Flying Club miles, bonus miles and tier points are available on selected flights. Please check at time of booking.

virgin atlantic Premium Economy fare to hongkong

A sale like this doesn't come around very often in the virgin atlantic cabin that won 'Best Premium Economy' at last year's Business Traveller Awards. Fly london to Hong Kong route from only $1782, inclusive of taxes and surcharges.

Enjoy more space, a dedicated crew, enhanced meal service, priority check-in and boarding and of course, pre-take off bubbly.

Book this very posh offer by 06 June 2011

Fare (from) Cabin Depart between Book by
$1782 Premium Economy 27 May - 16 Nov 11 6 June 11

Fare is inclusive of taxes and surcharges (subject to change). For more information please call 1300 767 748. Terms and conditions apply.
Terms and conditions: For travel with Virgin Atlantic Airways from Sydney to Hong Kong and London Heathrow return.

The fare shown includes pre-paid passenger taxes, fees, charges and surcharges (subject to change).

Sale fares must be booked by 06 June 2011. Prices correct as at 27 May 2011, and include taxes and surcharges (subject to change without notice).
virgin atlantic Hong Kong Premium Economy sale fare quoted (from $1406 plus $376 taxes) valid for departures 27 May 2011 � 16 Nov 2011. Hong Kong Upper Class sale fare quoted (from $4382 plus $376 taxes) valid for departures 27 May 2011 � 16 Nov 2011.
Children (under 16) pay 75% of the full adult fare (exclusive of passenger taxes, fees charges and surcharges). Infants (without a seat) pay 10% of the adult fare (under 2) and are not available to purchase online. They must be purchased through the Virgin Atlantic call centre (1300 727 340). Unaccompanied children (under 12) pay full adult fare.

virgin atlantic cheap tickets on japan flights

On your Virgin Atlantic flight the adventure begins the moment you step on board. You'll be spoiled with all of our inflight perks, including a free amenity kit, delicious food and drinks and your own individual seat back TV.

Book by 10pm on 25 September 2011.

ECONOMY Departing from London
Tokyo
ticket price £599 04 Oct - 24 Oct
£479
25 Oct - 09 Dec
£479
24 Dec - 31 Mar

cheap Flights from Tokyo with Virgin Atlantic can take you all over the world. Daily scheduled flights from Japan to London mean you can visit England’s cosmopolitan capital any day of the week, to shop and see shows, or to do business. From there you can take a holiday in the sun, sea and sensational resorts of the Caribbean, or fly on to Cape Town or Johannesburg to revel in the beauty of South Africa. To experience a Kenyan safari you can fly direct to Nairobi from London; or get a taste of India with our onward flights to Delhi.

All fares are inclusive of pre-paid passenger taxes, fees, charges and surcharges (subject to change). Terms and conditions apply.

usa to london cheap ticket price

virgin atlantic offer speical fare sale from london to USA,FARES ARE EACH WAY BASED ON ROUND TRIP TICKET PURCHASE IN ECONOMY AND ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2011.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/specialoffers/usspecialoffers.jsp

Travel Period
Jul 28, 2011 - Aug 13, 2011
Aug 14, 2011 - Aug 27, 2011
Aug 28, 2011 - Oct 22, 2011
Travel to London from Boston
from $350*
from $300*
from $219*
Chicago
from $366*
from $326*
from $288*
Los Angeles
from $391*
from $377*
New York (JFK) & Newark
from $350*
from $284*
from $246*
Fares are each way based on round trip purchase. Prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees of up to $250, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10. The above advertised fares from Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (JFK), Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Washington DC include air carrier security and fuel surcharges of $181 each way ($362 round trip).

Restrictions:
Fares shown are for weekday departures only. Fares for departures from New York (JFK & Newark), Boston, Miami, Washington D.C. and Chicago on Friday - Saturday may be higher each way. Fares for departures from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Francisco on Thursday - Sunday may be higher each way. Tickets are non-refundable. Minimum stay is Saturday night and maximum stay is 12 months. Prepaid Ticket Advice (PTAs) are not permitted. This offer is subject to availability and capacity controlled.

Reservations and Ticketing:
No advance purchase is required. Full ticketing for the entire journey must be made at time of booking. Fares are subject to change without notice, and are bookable through virginatlantic.com, Virgin Atlantic reservations or your travel agent. Changes are permitted at anytime for $275 within ticket validity.

Traveling with Children:
Accompanied children aged between 2 and 11 years pay 80% of the adult fare. Infants under 2 years and not occupying a seat pay 10% of the adult fare.

airline at O'Hare ORD Terminal 5

Chicago O'Hare airport ORD handles more than 77 million passengers a year through its four terminals. The airport is 17 miles (27 km) north-west of the Windy City, a journey that takes 45 minutes by train.

ORD O'Hare International Airport Terminals

No. of terminals
Four. Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5. The old Terminal 4 is now a central hub for the airport.
Transport between terminals
Use the free 24-hour airport transit system (ATS) to move between terminals (allow ten minutes to travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5). Services run every four minutes, and the train also connects to the long-term parking lot. If you want to stretch your legs, it's possible to walk between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (allow 30 minutes).
Terminal 5 is O'Hare's main international terminal, with flights operated by the majority of airlines the airport handles. The terminal handles both arrivals and departures.
Aer Lingus Terminal 5 1-800-474-7424
AeroMexico Terminal 5 1-800-237-6639

Air France Terminal 5 1-800-237-2747
Air India Terminal 5 1-800-621-8231

Alitalia C.A.I. Terminal 5 1-800-223-5730
All Nippon Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 1-800-235-9262
American Airlines and American Connection Terminal 3 (Domestic and
International departures)
Terminal 5 (International arrivals) 1-800-433-7300
1-800-543-1586 (TTY)

Asiana Airlines Terminal 5 1-800-227-4262
British Airways Terminal 5 1-800-247-9297
1-800-452-3621 (TTY)
Cayman Airways Terminal 5 1-800-422-9626

Etihad Airways Terminal 5 +971 2 511 0000
Iberia Airlines Terminal 3 (Departures)
Terminal 5 (Arrivals) 1-800-772-4642
Japan Airlines (JAL) Terminal 3 (Departures)
Terminal 5 (Arrivals) 1-800-525-3663

KLM Royal Dutch Terminal 5 1-800-221-1212
Korean Air Terminal 5 1-800-438-5000
LOT Polish Airlines Terminal 5 1-212-789-0970
Lufthansa Terminal 1 (Departures)
Terminal 5 (Arrivals) 1-800-645-3880
Mexicana Terminal 5 1-800-531-7921
Royal Jordanian Terminal 5 1-800-223-0470
Scandinavian Arlines (SAS) Terminal 5 1-800-221-2350

SWISS Terminal 5 1-877-359-7947
TACA Airlines International (Terminal 5) 1-800-400-TACA
Turkish Airlines Terminal 5 1-800-874-8875
United Airlines and United Express Terminal 1 (Domestic and
International departures)
Terminal 2
Terminal 5(International arrivals) 1-800-864-8331 (Domestic)
1-800-538-2929 (International)

USA 3000 Terminal 5 1-877-872-3000
Virgin Atlantic Airways Terminal 5 1-800-821-5438

what terminal is copa airline at o'hare

Panama-based Copa Airlines will launch nonstop flights between ORD and Panama Tocumen International Airport beginning in December of 2011. Copa Airlines will operate from International Terminal 5 at O’Hare on a Boeing B737-700 aircraft.

Chicago will be Copa’s first destination in the Midwestern United States and the new route will be the first nonstop service between Chicago and Panama City, Panama. This service is a result of the CDA’s ongoing efforts to attract new domestic and international carriers to the Chicago market.

Today’s announcement coincides with Copa Airlines’ 5th Annual Investor Day held at the New York Stock Exchange. Additional inaugural events will also be coordinated and held on dates closer to the beginning of the service in December 2011. The addition of Copa Airlines’ passenger service is expected to bring approximately $70 million in yearly economic activity to the Chicago region. The service reflects the steadily increasing demand for air travel between the United States and Latin America.

Citi Aadvantage amex Card Rental Insurance

Earn 20,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you make $750 in purchases on Citi Aadvantage amex credit Card within the first 4 months of cardmembership

Redeem your AAdvantage® miles for award travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier for as little as 25,000 AAdvantage® miles2

https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-aadvantage-american-express-card/

Automatic Travel Accident Insurance
Charge plane, train or bus tickets to your Citi® card and you, your spouse and eligible dependent children are automatically covered for Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance at no additional cost.

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Coverage
In the event you are prevented from taking or continuing a trip you billed to your Citi card, you are eligible to receive up to $1,500 in Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption coverage.

Lost Luggage Coverage3
Charge the entire common carrier fare to your Citi® card and get up to $3,000 in lost luggage coverage for you and your dependents. This benefit covers permanently lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal articles checked with a common carrier.

$0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges
Shop anywhere and never lose a penny on unauthorized charges. With $0 Liability you won't pay for any unauthorized charges made with your card.
Auto Rental Insurance
Worldwide Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Coverage, which provides coverage of up to $50,000 in excess of other insurance, is underwritten by Federal Insurance Company,
You're automatically covered when you reserve and rent an eligible vehicle with your Citi® card and decline the car rental company's collision loss/damage waiver insurance.

Personal Concierge Service

Your Concierge Service Representative will book flights or hotel rooms, and make restaurant reservations. You can even get help purchasing the perfect gift. No request is too big or small when you have 24/7 access to personalized service anywhere in the world.



No blackout dates on award travel on
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier2

No Preset Spending Limit2
There's no need to worry about hitting your spending limit, as long as you pay in full each month the amount that exceeds your revolving credit limit.

earn miles using Citi PremierPass MasterCard

Citi PremierPass(SM) MasterCard(R) is a credit card that allows cardmembers to earn points for the miles they fly on any airline in addition to earning points for the dollars they spend on the card -- all while they continue to earn separate frequent flyer miles from their airline carrier if they are enrolled in its frequent flyer program.

Citi PremierPass MasterCard cardmembers can redeem points for almost anything - from flat screen televisions to round-trip airline tickets on any airline with no black out dates through the ThankYou redemptions Network.

Because cardmembers are automatically enrolled in Citi's ThankYou Redemption Network, dedicated service representatives are there to assist them with all of their reward redemption needs.

"No other credit card lets you earn points like this," says Peter Knitzer, Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Citi Cards. He adds, "The Citi PremierPass MasterCard offers consumers a new way to get points. Because cardmembers can earn points for miles flown on any airline, the Citi PremierPass MasterCard provides unlimited flexibility to our cardmembers. We want to help consumers not only earn more points, but make it easier to enjoy them. The unmatched offerings of this card redefine consumers' expectations in reward programs with an unprecedented way to earn points -- for the miles you fly on any airline." With the Citi PremierPass MasterCard, cardmembers not only earn reward points for the dollars they spend, but they also earn reward points for the miles they fly on any airline, as well as earning separate frequent flyer miles if they are enrolled in that airlines frequent flyer program. Unlike any other rewards program, when cardmembers use the Citi PremierPass MasterCard to buy airline tickets for family or friends, they also get points for the purchase plus the miles flown on each of those tickets.

As the chart below shows, just one round-trip ticket purchase with the Citi PremierPass MasterCard can lead to considerable earnings: Use the Citi PremierPass MasterCard - Elite Level to purchase a $350 round-trip ticket on any airline from Seattle to Miami (a round-trip of 6,000 miles) and earn: Points for buying the ticket with the card: 350 Purchase Points Additional points for the miles flown: (For example, a round trip ticket from Seattle to Miami - 6,000 miles - would earn ... 6,000 Flight Points Total points earned: 6,350 But the unparalleled rewards don't end here: Citi PremierPass MasterCard Elite Level earn an additional point for every dollar spent on purchases at supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, and commuter transportation and parking merchants. With as little as 1,000 points, cardmembers can begin redeeming merchandise such as movie tickets or the latest electronics. Round-trip airline tickets on any airline worldwide with no black-out dates start at just 25,000 points.

To apply for the Citi PremierPass MasterCard, consumers can call 1-888-CITICARD or visit http://www.citicards.com

Other travel rewards include hotel stays and car rentals. Plus, rewards can even be customized -- or found -- with the "Your Wish Fulfilled" option, which comes with a personal shopper. The Citi PremierPass MasterCard offers rewarding top-level benefits, including: * Free and secure online account management * Auto rental insurance * Emergency travel assistance * Lost Luggage insurance * No pre-set spending limit * Travel accident insurance * Acceptance at 32 million locations around the world * Citi Identity Theft Solutions * Fraud Early Warning gives 24-hour protection from fraud * Lost Wallet Service, which quickly replaces a customer's card if it's lost or stolen, and also provides the customer with emergency cash (subject to available cash advance limit)

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Czech airlines SkyTeam gold status match

Czech airlines status match special will allow you to get an OK Plus Silver or Gold Card with all of the above-standard advantages these cards feature for just a single flight with Czech Airlines. All that is required is that you hold a card of the same level from another airline.

How to make use of the Czech airlines status match special?
All you need to do is purchase a ticket for OK flight operated by Czech Airlines and complete the application for the issuing of an OK Plus Card.
Please send the completed application and a copy of your existing card as a scan in an e-mail attachment, or in person to a Czech Airlines office near you.
http://www.czechairlines.co.uk/en/portal/loyalty_programs/ffp_okplus/card_match.htm

Further abroad, delta skymiles,airfrance KLM,Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Alitalia, Kenya Airways and Tarom are all SkyTeam members, and will honour elite status on their own flights.


See what it's like to be a valued customer
OK Plus Silver and Gold Card holders can enjoy unique advantages. With us, you can, for example, travel in Business Class even if you have purchased an Economy Class ticket. But we offer you many more advantages.
E-mail: okplus@csa.cz

Rules of the Card Match special:

If you are holder of a card on the level of the OK Plus Silver, Gold, or Platinum Card from another airline (outside of the SkyTeam Alliance), we will give you a card of the same level (but no higher than the OK Plus Gold Card)
To get the card, you only need to purchase and fly on a ticket for an OK flight operated by Czech Airlines for which OK Plus miles are credited to at least 100%. The flight must be flown after the delivery of a completed form to a Czech Airlines branch and the miles must be credited for it in the OK Plus Programme.
The application and a copy (scan) of your existing card from another airline can be submitted as a scanned document in an e-mail attachment, by post or in person to a Czech Airlines office near you
The OK Plus Card of the corresponding level will be sent to the address you provided in the OK Plus Programme immediately after your flight
Depending on the contact address, the delivery of the card may take up to four weeks
All other rules of the OK Programme General Rules apply

AY to fly Helsinki to Lyon france

In April 2012 Finnair will start a daily direct route from Helsinki to Lyon in east-central France. For residents of France's second largest city and its surroundings, the route provides not only a convenient service to Finland, but also smooth connections to all of Finnair's Asian destinations. The new service will also be served well connected to Finnair's domestic routes.

The route will be flown twice daily as of 2 April 2012. Morning flights from HEL to LYS will depart at 7:50am and afternoon flights daily at 4pm. Morning flights from Lyon to Helsinki will depart daily at 10:45am and evening flights at 6:50pm. The route will be flown with Embraer E-190 aircraft.

"For passengers travelling from Asia, Finnair offers very fast connections to a comprehensive European route network that will be further enhanced with the addition of Lyon," says Ville Iho, Senior Vice President, Operations.

Situated where the Rhône and Saône rivers converge, Lyon has a population of over 1.2 million, and its metropolitan area is the second largest in France. A convenient tram service connects Lyon-Saint Exupéry International Airport to the city centre in just half an hour. The airport is also served by direct high-speed TGV train connections to other parts of France and Italy. Lyon is also an excellent hub for tourists travelling to hike or ski in the Alps, for example in Grenoble or Miribel.

book cheap train tickets on lufthansa.com

It is now easier than ever to book a rail ticket to the airport to catch a Lufthansa flight. Low-priced train tickets can be booked directly via www.lufthansa.com. When booking a flight online, passengers simply need to click on the new “Rail&Fly” option, then select their route and their travel class. Previously rail tickets had to be booked separately.

Rail&Fly - is offering you advantages

Comfortable trip to your airport from more than 5.600 Deutsche Bahn train stations. Very convenient - The Rail&Fly ticket is valid one day before departure and one day after returning to Germany, as well as on the date of travel. You have free choice of trains - the Rail&Fly Ticket is not limited to specific trains. You may also use IC/EC (InterCity, EuroCity) and ICE (Intercity Express) trains at no extra charge.

Detailed information about the Rail&Fly offer is available on the Lufthansa website at www.lufthansa.com/de/en/The-train-to-the-plane.

A Rail&Fly ticket to the departure airport for an international Lufthansa flight can be added to the flight booking for only 25 euros in 2nd class and 45 euros in 1st class. The price for a round-trip ticket is 50 euros or 90 euros respectively. The Rail&Fly ticket can be used on nearly all Deutsche Bahn trains, including the ICE. More than 5,600 DB railway stations throughout Germany qualify as departure stations.

Once their flight booking has been confirmed, passengers can simply print out their rail ticket at their own convenience. They will also receive a separate confirmation by email, containing all their travel information and the link to the train ticket. In addition to their plane ticket, passengers will be required to show their credit card, EC card or DB BahnCard as identification on the train.

Star Alliance members ANA Lufthansa Joint Venture

ANA, Japan’s largest airline, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Europe’s leading airline, are announcing that they are launching a strategic joint venture with each other on Japan-Europe routes after ANA receiving Anti-Trust Immunity (ATI) approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport. This latest agreement between the two Star Alliance members follows the launch of a similar joint venture between ANA and United Airlines on trans-Pacific routes in April.

Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Executive Board & Chief Executive Officer Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: “This approval marks a great step forward for our customers. Optimised flight schedules will better enable them in future to plan their trips between Japan and Europe. We look forward to this opportunity to consolidate our cooperation with ANA, which signifies a further milestone that will bring the two economic areas closer together. After the tragic earthquake, the go-ahead for our joint venture is a sign that Japan is looking to the future.”


The joint venture with Lufthansa will improve the level of service offered to passengers by allowing ANA and Lufthansa to work together on schedule coordination and joint product sales. Customers will benefit from seamless transfers and better connections. The two carriers aim to introduce the new joint venture within the 2011 winter timetable.

Shinichiro Ito, ANA President and CEO, said: “I’m delighted that we have received official approval to operate the only joint venture on Japan-Europe routes. This agreement will further improve the level of service we offer to passengers and boost our company’s international competitiveness.”

Qatar increase doha to Saudi Arabia flights

Qatar Airways has increased flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the launch of a fourth destination in the country – four-flights-a-week to the holy city of Medina.

The carrier recently boosted capacity to Saudi Arabia with 14 weekly flights to the capital Riyadh; 14 services-a-week to the Red Sea port city of Jeddah; and 28 weekly flights to the key commercial hub of Dammam.

Depart Doha QR730 at 1405 hrs, arrive Medina 1625 hrs
Depart Medina QR731 at 1725 hrs, arrive Doha 1935 hrs

Fridays and Sundays

Depart Doha QR732 at 0715 hrs, arrive Medina 0935 hrs
Depart Medina QR733 at 1035 hrs, arrive Doha 1245 hrs


Medina is known as the second holiest city after Mecca, a place visited by Muslims from around the world.

Passengers flying to Medina can travel in comfort from more than 100 destinations served by Qatar Airways across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America, via the airline’s Doha hub with the shortest possible connecting time.

Qatar Airways' Airbus A320 Serves Medina

“We will now be able to fulfill the long-felt need of our customers, especially as we welcome the Holy month of Ramadan in a few weeks from now.

“As the route to Medina develops, we will also look to add frequency and capacity to improve connectivity even further,” added Al Baker.

The Doha – Medina route is operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in First Class and 132 in Economy.

Qatar Airways’ expansion continues relentlessly later this month, extending its reach in South Asia with the launch of flights to Kolkata – formerly known as Calcutta – the commercial capital of eastern India from July 27. Kolkata becomes the 12th destination served by Qatar Airways across India.

HongKong to Seoul with Korean Air a380

Korean Air has launched scheduled Airbus A380 flight between Seoul Incheon airport and Hong Kong from June 1.The tickets are now open for sale.

The flight will take off from Seoul ICN at 20:00pm to HKG, Hong Kong and arriving at 22:30pm (all local times) on the same day. The airline's premier A380 flight services will be allocated the codename "KE380" in order to mark this special and most historic occasion.

The introduction of the super jumbo aircraft is expected to increase passengers from China, Japan, and East Asia transferring to the US and Europe, accelerating Incheon International Airport's goal of becoming a global aviation hub.

Korean Air’s A380 is one of the most spacious in the industry. Korean Air’s Business Class, called Prestige Class, will have 94 full-flat sleepers with 188cm (74 inches) between seats and extra large seat partitions offering the comfort and privacy normally reserved for First Class passengers on other airlines. The Economy Class seats are spaced at 86cm (34 inches) apart and Korean Air’s Prestige Class pitch is 188cm (74 inches).

The airline’s A380 will have a total of only 407 seats: 12 First Class and 301 Economy Class seats on the first level, and the 94 Prestige Class seats on the upper deck. It is the first airline to devote the entire A380 second level to the business flyer. A stylish and comfy onboard bar and lounge area with an interior design mode fitting that of this classy, new aircraft is also installed in the airline's A380, where passengers can fully relax while sampling Korean Air's selection of exclusive cocktails during their flight.
Korean Air has ordered ten A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of 2011 and an additional five by 2014.
The introduction of the super jumbo aircraft is expected to increase passengers from China, Japan, and East Asia transferring to the US and Europe, accelerating Incheon International Airport's goal of becoming a global aviation hub.

Korean Air has ordered 10 A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of 2011 and an additional five by 2014.

cx/Alaska Air codeshare on Mexico flights

Cathay Pacific Airways announced an extension of partnership with Alaska Airlines to cover two destinations in Mexico via the Los Angeles hub of the US carrier. The flights are open for booking now for travel from 15 June.

Under the agreement, Cathay Pacific's “CX” code will be placed on Alaska Airlines’ flights operating between Los Angeles and both Mexico City and Guadalajara in Mexico.

Elsewhere in Latin America, the Hong Kong airline has code-share arrangements in place with LAN on flights to Santiago and with LAN Peru to Lima.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said: “We first entered the Latin American market in May 2010 and we are glad to see a further expansion of our presence there with Alaska Airlines, offering seamless connections for our passengers flying to Mexico.”

Cathay Pacific began cooperating with Alaska Airlines in October 2010 and is currently code-sharing on the US carrier’s services from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver to Seattle and Portland.

Singapore Kolkata route with SQ/SilkAir

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin four-times-weekly services to Kolkata. Together with Singapore Airlines' three weekly flights to the Indian city, both airlines will operate a total of seven round-trip services per week. Singapore Airlines' flights will be on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday while SilkAir will operate its flights on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Kolkata is a vibrant city that is rich in culture and history and known as the commercial capital of east India. It also serves as a base for many multi-national companies. SilkAir looks forward to serving both leisure and business travellers alike on the Singapore Kolkata route from 1 August, complementing the services already offered by our parent company, Singapore Airlines. Additionally, we're offering customers convenient onward connections to more than 90 cities in the joint Singapore Airlines -- SilkAir network."

"With the launch of SilkAir's services from Singapore to Kolkata, we will together be operating daily flights, providing our customers even more choices and convenience. The increase in flight frequency demonstrates our strong commitment to India and our dedication to further growing the market," said Mr. Tan Chik Quee,
Singapore Airlines' Senior Vice President, Marketing.


The capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of East India and is home to India's oldest stock exchange company, the Calcutta Stock Exchange. Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is a destination of significant historical interest and heritage, with a rich collection of museums, libraries, historic hotels, city parks, statues and memorials. Unlike many cities in North India, much of the architecture found in Kolkata is reminiscent of the European, and particularly British, styles. The flights are subject to governmental approvals, with schedules subject to slot availability

SK Shanghai Copenhagen nonstop flights

Scandinavian Airlines to begin fly Copenhagen Shanghai route March 1, 2012. The five weekly service will offer short and smooth connections to European destinations such as London, Munich, Paris to Shanghai. From Shanghai, both SAS partners Air China and Shanghai Airlines offer a wide range of onward destinations, specifically in Southern China, but also across Asia.

Departures from Copenhagen on SK997, will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 18.25, arriving the following day in Shanghai at 11.35. Departures from Shanghai on SK998, will be at 13.25 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.


The CPH PVG route will be served by an Airbus A340-300 aircraft, offering 245 seats in a three class configuration of Business, Economy Extra and Economy.

"The demand for traffic to China is again growing significantly and we see the need for an additional route, complementing our successful Copenhagen-Beijing and other Asian routes. This new service also offers a multitude of smooth transfers on both ends, making it an accessible and quick route for many European and Asian travelers," says Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Scandinavian Airlines.

Austrian Airlines A320 seats offer more legroom

Austrian Airlines has completed the conversion of its type A320 aircraft to the new interior furnishings. This means the airline has successfully implemented another key measure designed to improve its product quality.
By September 2011, Austrian Airlines will also refurbish its 11 Boeing 737 aircraft. That means the 32 aircraft of the medium-haul fleet of Austrian Airlines will be operational in the new interior design and fitted with the new, modern leather seats.
[New seat provides more legroom]

The core element of the new cabin is a completely redeveloped seat with a light construction. The new seat offers a range of benefits: its magazine pocket has been moved upwards on the back of the seat, and the coat hook to the outer side. The seat's innovative construction gives passengers - there will be minor differences depending on the aircraft type - up to 10 cm more legroom. The seat is also between 3 and 5 kilos lighter than its predecessor. That will allow Austrian Airlines to save a total of 14,304 kilos of weight every year, reducing consumption of kerosene, providing a real environmental benefit. The new seat also takes up less space. Therefore an average of almost 5 additional seats can be installed in each aircraft. The seat is covered in high-quality leather.


The Austrian Airlines Executive Board, Peter Malanik and Andreas Bierwirth, said the following: "The new cabin is an important step for us: we improve the quality of our product for our passengers, we save fuel, we help the environment and we reduce our unit costs."


The colour of the new design differs clearly from the previous Austrian image. The seats and carpeting are in an elegant grey, set off by accents in a typically Austrian red.

Korean Air to fly Seoul to Irkutsk Siberia

Korean Air to start direct flight from Incheon International Airport in Seoul to Irkutsk, one of the biggest cities in Siberia, known for its continental architecture, and gateway to an area famed for its natural beauty.

The addition of Irkutsk to the route network means that Korean Air will serve five destinations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region including Moscow, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). This latest route supports the airline's continued commitment to provide passengers with a wider range of options for their international air travel needs.

Starting from 29 June, Korean Air will operate two flights a week on the Seoul Irkutsk route, utilizing a B737-800 aircraft seating 145 passengers in two classes. Operating every Wednesday and Saturday, flight KE983 departs Seoul Incheon at 20:35 and arrives in Irkutsk at 00:45 early the next morning. The return flight KE984 departs Irkutsk at 03:00 and returns to Seoul Incheon at 06:30 the same morning. The new Korean Air service ensures that travelers visiting Irkutsk can fly there with utmost comfort and ease via its award winning hub, Incheon International Airport.

Geographically located at the border of Russia and Mongolia, Irkutsk is the biggest city in Eastern Siberia and the economical and cultural centre of the Irkutsk Oblast region. The city is a popular tourist destination and the starting point of tours to the massive Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, also known as the 'Blue Eye of Siberia'. Lake Baikal is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake can be enjoyed year-round and as the waters remain cool even in the middle of the summer season, tourists from all over the world visit for various touristic resources, its nature trails and its lake-side activities.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Chase Sapphire Preferred 50K points application offer

apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Earn 50,000 Bonus points after you Spend $3,000 in the First 3 Months,that's worth $625 toward airfare or hotel accomodations!

Two free flights offer assumes that there are flights available for $312.50 each.  The number of points required to redeem for free flights is dependent on fare availability, destination, time, and day of travel, which are subject to change.
Annual Membership Fee waived for first year. After that, $95
application link
https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/sapphire-preferred-card.aspx


To qualify and receive your bonus, you must make qualifying transactions totaling $3,000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. Qualifying transactions include purchases, balance transfers, and any checks that are used to access your account, and exclude cash advances. After qualifying, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for bonus points to post to your account.

This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first-time cardmembers with new accounts. Previous and existing cardmembers/accounts are not eligible for this bonus offer.

Pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card on purchases made outside the United States.


Earning Points
You will earn 1 point for each $1 of net purchases. You will earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of eligible airfare net purchases made online through the program booking tool. You will receive a yearly bonus of 7% of all points you earned in the previous Year. (“Year” means, for your first year as a cardmember, the period beginning with your enrollment date through your December statement date of that same year. For each year thereafter, “Year” means the twelve month period beginning the day after your December statement date through your December statement date of the next year). Your bonus will appear on your January or Februar y billing statement. You do not earn points on balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like charges such as travelers checks, foreign currency, and money orders, any checks that are used to access your account, overdraft advances, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, or fees of any kind, including fees for products that protect or insure the balances of your account. There is no maximum number of points that you can accumulate in the program. A service fee of up to $20 per ticket may be charged for the use of our toll-free number to book or change airline itineraries. Redemptions made online do not have a service fee. See Rewards Program Rules and Regulations which will be mailed after your account is established.
Chase Bank USA, N.A. is part of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Airlines fly to Albuquerque Sunport airport

The following Airlines are currently serving Albuquerque International Sunport.
Southwest Airlines
By far the largest carrier at the Sunport, SW offers nonstop flights to Baltimore-Washington, Chicago (Midway airport), Dallas Love Field, Denver, El Paso, Houston (Hobby), Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa (seasonal) and Tucson.

American Airlines
Nonstop service to Chicago and DFW with connections around the nation and world.
Telephone: (800) 433-7300
Continental Airlines
Nonstop service to Houston with connections to many national and international destinations.
Telephone: (800) 525-0280
Delta Air Lines
Nonstop service to Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis-St. Paul with connections across the nation and world.
Telephone: (800) 221-1212
Frontier Airlines
Nonstop service to Denver with regional connections.
Telephone: (800) 432-1359
Great Lakes Airlines
Service to ABQ from Clovis and Silver City.
Telephone: (800) 554-5111
New Mexico Airlines
Commuter Airline with service to Alamogordo, Carlsbad, El Paso and Hobbs.
Telephone: (888) 564-6119

Telephone: (800) 435-9792
United Airlines
Nonstop service to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles with connections around the nation and world.
Telephone: (800) 241-6522
US Airways
Nonstop service to Phoenix with connections across the country.
Telephone: (800) 428-4322


Please visit the specific airline website or call the number listed for reservations and flight information. Gate Assignments are subject to change.

Please contact individual Airlines for verification.

brokerage account bonus amex points offer

For a limited time Fidelity offer up to 50,000 american express membership reward points when you open and fund, or add new money to an existing, non retirement brokerage account. Offer valid for new and existing customers. Bonus points offer valid to 12/31/11.

https://scs.fidelity.com/other/offers/registration_americanexpress.shtml

this is a easy way to earn membership points which only requires an easy transfer of your money to Fidelity account and then you can close it after you get the bonus points.
Earn 25,000 amex bonus points from American Express when you invest $50,000

50000 MR bonus points from invest $100,000

For a limited time, Fidelity Investments is making this promotional offer available to individuals who open a retail Fidelity brokerage account, or existing customers who add new money to an existing eligible account, and meet the following eligibility requirements. To be eligible to earn Membership Rewards bonus points, you must be enrolled in the Membership Rewards program ("Program") at the time of registration for the offer. New accounts must be opened within 30 days of registering for the offer. Initial and subsequent deposits totaling up to $100,000 must be made within 90 days of Fidelity account opening to qualify for bonus points. For new money deposited into existing accounts, all deposits must be made within 90 days of registering for the offer. Funding must come from an external, non-Fidelity source via any standard monetary transfer method (a standard Transfer of Assets form, check, Electronic Funds Transfer, ADM deposit, etc). Additional deposits to an eligible Fidelity account may earn you a higher bonus point award provided such deposits result in cumulative new deposits in the account being at or above the next eligibility tier (up to a maximum of 50,000 points). Your Fidelity account must remain open with the qualifying funding for six months from the date that the qualifying assets are first received in the eligible account. Offer is not transferable or valid in conjunction with any other Fidelity promotional offer. Bonus points will be credited to your Program account within 10-12 weeks of the qualifying activity. Individual terms and conditions, as well as annual Program fees, apply for certain American Express Card products. For more information on the Program, visit membershiprewards.com/terms or call 1-800-AXP-EARN. Bonus ID-1785.

saa & Mango CodeShare Cape Town to Durban

South African Airways (SAA) and its low cost subsidiary Mango, today announced the conclusion of a code share agreement on the coastal route between Cape Town and Durban.

This code share agreement will enable SAA to withdraw its aircraft from the Durban-Cape Town route effective from 01 November 2010, and still continue servicing this market with SAA customers flying on the Mango aircraft.
the SAA Voyager Program and all other exciting SAA value added benefits will not be compromised or diminished in any way on this route

Important information when travelling on the Mango Codeshare flights:

The Voyager program remains effective allowing accrual (when booked on the SAA flight number) and redemption on the route.


Voyager miles earned on the Codeshare flights do qualify as tier miles.


SAA passengers will receive a R50.00 meal voucher, represented by the boarding card stub, when travelling on the Codeshare flight that adequately provides for a meal and drink onboard the aircraft.


The Codeshare flights with Mango do not cater for special meal requirements, i.e. halaal & kosher meals, etc. However, Mango does make provision for vegetarian meals.
Access to the SAA Business class lounge remains in place, allowing access to individual travelers based on their tier status within the Voyager Programme, i. e. Silver, Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum.
Pre-seating is allowed on the SAA Codeshare flights up until 48 hours prior to departure, thereafter pre-seating will take place at time of check-in.
Hand luggage allowance may not exceed one piece at 7kg.
Free baggage allowances remain the same at 20kg per person. Excess baggage up to 10 kg will be allowed at no extra cost to the traveler.
Flights will close off 40 minutes prior to departure on this route. This would require travelers to ensure that they are cognisant of the 10 minute change from the current SAA 30 minute rule on flight closures on domestic flights.
Unaccompanied minors will no longer be accepted for travel on this route. This is a requirement of the operating carrier Mango.
Any passenger that has purchased a ticket on SAA for this route prior to 28 September 2010 for travel in Business Class post November 2010 will be allowed a partial or full refund of the ticket purchased, depending whether the passenger chooses to downgrade to Economy Class or not to travel on the Codeshare flights.
Any passenger that has purchased a ticket on SAA for this route prior to 28 September 2010 for travel in Economy class post November 2010 will be allowed a full refund on the ticket purchased, should the passenger choose not to fly on the Codeshare flights.
Revalidation of all tickets for travel post November 2010 on the Codeshare flights can be done at the SAA.


Reservations Counter at both King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports.
Applicable fare rulings will apply as currently in effect.


Sporting equipment, inclusive of golf bags but excluding bicycles are included in the checked baggage allowance of 20kg.
Pets and bicycles are not included in the checked baggage allowance of 20 kg per paying Passenger. Excess baggage charges will be raised, irrespective of the weight of any other checked baggage. These charges must be paid at the SAA Ticket Sales desk.


Firearms will not be accepted on this route.


The conditions of carriage of Mango will be applicable on these flights. These are available on their website www.flymango.com

ONBIZ SAA Corporate Loyalty Program

South African Airways Corporate Loyalty Program

SAA believes in a fit-for-purpose approach to travel as opposed to a one-size-fits-all attitude, catering for the needs of different segments, be it SMME, Government or large corporate travel. SAA's Corporate Loyalty Program is designed to meet fast paced travel demands for On Business customers, and linking these same demands to its product offering.

Some benefits for this Corporate Loyalty Program are: Up-front discounts on air travel
Free charges on a wide selection of travel classes
A dedicated contact person
A VIP service for regular travellers
1. SAA now offers you access and discounts into more European and American destinations than ever before. We have added a host of new destinations to our bouquet of services.

2. The SAA codeshare with Jet Blue in the USA offers Corporate travelers a one stop solution to a multitude of destinations to and from the USA. This codeshare also allows an enhanced free baggage allowance to SAA Passengers.

3. SAA offers a "Baggage Drop" counter at ORTIA for all Passengers who prefer online / CUSS check-in. The counters are:

Domestic - Counters 73 to 75
Regional / International - Counter 25

4. With immediate effect, pre-seating can be done for Voyager Platinum and Lifetime Platinum card holders. Please contact our Elite Voyager Platinum desk for more information regarding this exciting development.


SAA OnBiz , your partner in the air. We’re going above and beyond to get you there.

Customer Services: (011) 978 5290 or (011) 510 8468

If you’d like to find out everything there is to know about OnBiz and how your business can benefit, please get in touch and we will furnish you with all the information you’ll need to make you choose SAA OnBiz