Pre-flight Perks for Preferred Passengers
Priority check-in and in-cabin pampering remain standard, and the complimentary luxuries of premium lounges — from Qatar’s hot tub and sauna in Doha (DOH) to Iberia’s fine dining in Madrid (MAD) — are expected. To encourage travelers to purchase upgrades rather than redeem miles for free flights, airlines keep adding pre-flight perks to make first and business class more attractive.
Several carriers now arrange luxury transfers for first-class passengers in their hub cities. Airlines such as Iberia, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Delta, Qatar and Turkish Airlines offer chauffeur-driven cars or limousines; Qatar, for example, uses BMW 7-Series vehicles at Doha. In some cases, passengers are driven directly to the aircraft. At Tokyo Narita (NRT), Virgin Atlantic and All Nippon Airways even provide helicopter transfers between the city center and the airport for select customers.
Lufthansa provides valet parking at its Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) hubs. At FRA, MUC and Zurich (ZRH), limousines transfer first-class guests to aircraft parked at remote stands. When connections are disrupted, first-class passengers may be escorted by limo or luxury van between arriving and departing planes. If a connection is missed at Frankfurt, a personal assistant will rebook flights and arrange hotel or ground transportation.
Swiss International’s first-class guests can drive straight to the SWISS First Check-in Lounge, where valet attendants handle both parking and baggage.
Not all premium services are limited to first class. Iberia extends business-class passengers three days’ complimentary parking at Madrid and Barcelona (BCN), and Virgin Atlantic offers limo transfers to business-class guests at selected airports.
New Club at SFO T2
American Airlines opened a new Admirals Club in Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as American and Virgin America moved into the modern facility. The LEED Silver–registered club emphasizes sustainability with water-saving fixtures, efficient energy systems and enhanced air quality. Seating for 165 guests includes a business center with HP PCs, WiFi, a walk-up cyber café with HP TouchSmart stations and private spa-like showers.
More MedjetAssist
MedjetAssist’s Elite Membership expands the company’s medical evacuation protection with added health, travel and concierge services. Elite members receive discounts on international mobile devices, satellite phones and BlackBerry units; 50 percent off Vaccines On The Go home or office immunizations; cash advances for medical emergencies; and pre-trip personalized travel advisories with e-alerts about events that could affect travel safety. Additional features include secure online storage for medical records and specialty hospital transfer assistance.
Island-hopping in Micronesia
Star Alliance offers a Micronesia Airpass that simplifies travel across the northern Pacific. Passengers can buy up to 10 flights on Continental Airlines and United across Micronesia on a single ticket, with fares starting from $75 and rising by booking class and distance. Travel may begin from Star Alliance destinations in Japan or from Cairns (CNS), Guam (GUM), Hong Kong (HKG), Manila (MNL), Nadi (NAN), Palau (ROR) or Saipan (SPN).
City-hopping in Europe
Travelers flying trans-Atlantic with airberlin or a partner can purchase a Europe-Pass that adds access to four extra European cities across 13 countries for $249, including taxes. Available for travel through Sept. 30, the pass lets passengers build custom itineraries using airberlin’s interactive map.
EVA, All Nippon Share More
EVA Air and All Nippon Airways expanded their codeshare to cover 20 cities across Japan, adding 12 airports. EVA passengers can now connect from international gateways to domestic destinations from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, making multi-city travel more convenient.
Added Comforts to Asia
Korean Air is upgrading its trans-Pacific service with lie-flat sleeper seats in refreshed business- and first-class cabins. Equipment changes increase the number of business-class seats on routes from Washington, D.C. (IAD). Korean Air is also boosting frequencies from Singapore (SIN) and converting the nightly Toronto (YYZ) flight to daytime service to improve connections to China and Southeast Asia.
Munich Leads Again
Munich Airport (MUC) Terminal 1 and the Munich Airport Center deployed InfoGate interactive counters to help transit passengers. These high-tech stations feature touch screens, high-resolution cameras, printing and ticketing systems, and they allow direct video communication with airport staff. Agents can annotate documents before printing, and by presenting boarding passes at InfoGate monitors, passengers can quickly find the shortest route to their gates.
Buying Time
Continental Airlines introduced FareLock, a service that lets passengers hold a reservation and lock a quoted fare for up to seven days for a fee starting at $5. Travelers may choose three- or seven-day holds on designated domestic and international routes. This option is separate from Continental’s existing 24-hour full-refund cancellation policy.
Reborn by the Bay
After a comprehensive renovation updating guestrooms, bedding, carpets, artwork, lighting and marble bathrooms, Kimpton’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel reopens, blending its 1928 heritage with contemporary style and modern amenities.
Opening Around the World
Several luxury hotels debut this summer. The Istanbul EDITION opens in the Levent neighborhood with 77 guestrooms, a spa by ESPA, a Cipriani restaurant and a nightclub. Hilton Queenstown, the first Hilton on New Zealand’s South Island, overlooks Lake Wakatipu with 178 rooms. The Corinthia Hotel London opened in a landmark Victorian building between Trafalgar Square and the Thames, featuring extensive spa facilities, large suites and an ornate lobby chandelier. In Gurgaon near Delhi, The Oberoi Gurgaon spans lush landscaped grounds with suites that include private pools and around-the-clock butler service.
rewards
Club Carlson introduced Club Carlson loyalty enhancements that expand redemption options and add benefits through a partnership with Club Med. Members can redeem points at 80 Club Med resorts and Carlson’s network of over 1,000 hotels across 77 countries. Benefits include complimentary Internet access, no blackout dates on standard rooms and a new Concierge elite tier that offers room upgrades, continental breakfast, extended check-in/check-out, a 75 percent bonus on eligible stays and access to a dedicated Concierge Service line for event tickets and restaurant reservations. The program now lets both individual travelers and companies earn points for stays, enabling business owners to reduce travel expenses or reward employees.
Miles and Savings
Through Aug. 31, guests can earn 1,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles per stay and receive 40 percent off a second night at participating Sheraton and Westin Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. Arrival restrictions vary by property; reservations must be booked online or via the Starwood Customer Contact Center using code ZBA. To earn AAdvantage miles instead of Starpoints, guests must enroll in Starwood’s Airline Direct Deposit option.
Thrifty Car Rental
Through Dec. 31, customers who rent a mid-size or larger vehicle from participating Thrifty locations worldwide for three days or more can earn 1,000 Mileage Plus bonus miles per rental. To qualify, provide your Mileage Plus number when reserving and use promo code UA31; reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and the offer cannot be combined with other promotions.
Privileges of Rank
airberlin enhanced TopBonus benefits for frequent flyers. Silver and Gold members gain access to exclusive gate waiting areas at Berlin-Tegel (TXL) Terminal C and, soon, Düsseldorf (DUS) Terminal B. Gold cardholders also receive guaranteed reservations up to 48 hours before departure.
deals
The Copley Square Hotel in Boston created baseball packages to help fans secure hard-to-find Red Sox tickets. Packages include premium Fenway Park seats, complimentary WiFi, nightly turndown service and the hotel’s Wine Down hour. For an active city experience, the Fairmont Copley Plaza offers Boston’s Hidden Treasures by Bike packages with guided tours or custom routes, an individually fitted bicycle, helmet, water, overnight accommodations, a free water bottle and an “I Bike Boston” T-shirt. The bike package is available through Nov. 28.
Take Five in the BVBVI
For short escapes, Aquamare Villas on Virgin Gorda offers flexible five-night packages in five-bedroom villas that suit families or groups. Perks include a complimentary private chef dinner, a sunset Champagne toast and a rental car for the entire stay. Packages are valid through Aug. 31.
In a Hurry in Hong Kong?
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Business on the Run package supports travelers on compressed schedules. The package features complimentary Internet, clothes pressing, local calls, a technology butler and buffet breakfast, while the hotel’s concierge can arrange essential items left at home — even a matching tie. The offer is available through Sept. 18.