Shipra and myself just got back from a megatrip over 22 days, where we flew Singapore Airlines Suites Class, the Etihad Apartments, went to Los Angeles, Bora Bora, Las Vegas, Dallas, Washington D.C. and New York and had some amazing experiences.
This is a recap of the trip in pictures, while we get set to post an elaborate trip report for you, along with all the details!
Hello from the wonderful islands of Bora Bora! Shipra and I were looking forward to spending some time away from our respective workplaces, so we have been planning a trip largely on miles and points and status privileges over the course of the year.
Here’s what we have been up to so far!
Air India has been quietly coming up to speed with the times on their frequent flyer program. Just yesterday, they have launched new features such as Child Membership, and introduced a Primary Active membership at the base tier as well.
Some of the key changes include the inability to transfer your upgrade vouchers to anyone here on, as well as the pseudo move to revenue-based earning by linking percentage of miles earned to flown miles and the RBD multiplier. Hence, deep discounted tickets don’t get as many miles anymore!
Read on and share your views on the program in the comments section
Air India’s Flying Returns frequent flyer program is implementing new security measures to authenticate users, which includes a verification process for everyone, to prevent the creation of bogus accounts, and to weed out existing bogus accounts.
As a part of this measure, if you already have an Air India Flying Returns account, you should log into the account and provide the Air India team with information and certain identity documents to authenticate your account.
Vistara will launch a co-branded credit card with Axis Bank early next year. That makes it the third airline to launch a co-branded card, if you exclude the not so great SpiceJet co-branded cards.
Hyatt Gold Passport last night announced on Twitter the offer to give an outright status match to top-tier members of competing hotel chain’s loyalty programs. This helps you to Hyatt Diamond status till March 2017, along with 4 suite upgrades which can be confirmed at the time of reservation and some other nice perks.
Here is how to help yourself to the diamond status by making an application to Hyatt Gold Passport.
Club Vistara is offering a 1-year upgrade to Club Vistara Gold for HDFC Infinia card holders, and Silver status to HDFC Regalia card holders. While the hard benefits are limited, there are soft benefits such as random upgrades. Here is how to get the Gold status if you qualify for it.
Marriott Hotels is entering a transaction to acquire competitor Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Transaction expected to complete by Mid-2016. Post transaction, Marriott will have 30 brands, 1.1 million rooms and will be the largest hotel management co. in the world.
Air India and Jet Airways are offering some cheap fares to start up 2016 with. Both have fare sales going on till November 7, 2015 for fares available for travel till April 2016. Some incredible deals out there!
Starting from May 1, 2016, Etihad will be flying their flagship Airbus A380 flights to Mumbai. This will be the 5th destination for the Etihad A380 after London, New York, Sydney and the recently announced Melbourne.
Sanjiv Kapoor, the COO of SpiceJet has quit to join Air Vistara with effect from February 2016. He will take on the role of the CCO and Chief Strategy Officer at Vistara. We wish him all the best.
