Business Travel Tips

WestJet has launched its frequent-flier program.
Canada’s second-biggest carrier said that its loyalty program is mostly offering dollars off flights and holiday packages.
The dollars can be used as cash to pay for a flight on any date to any destination. There are no blackouts or seat restrictions on the reward flights.

- WestJet vs Air Canada

WestJet is also attempting to lure Air Canada customers away from the 25-year-old Aeroplan frequent flier program by persuading consumers to participate in a new program that offers rewards once an individual traveller spends more than $1,500 on WestJet flights annually.

Patrick Sojka, chief executive officer at rewardscanada.ca, which tracks a wide range of loyalty programs, said the main drawback of the WestJet frequent guest program is the relatively high threshold of minimum annual spending on WestJet flights.
He said Aeroplan still provides a greater number of options for consumers, especially through Air Canada’s membership in the Star Alliance of carriers.
WestJet is gradually building its airline partnerships, but it could be years before consumers are able to have access to a worldwide network. (source)

Beginning Feb. 22, American Airlines will charge for standby seats, the Dallas Morning News reports.
That means AA passengers will no longer have the option to stand by and grab a different flight at no extra charge. If they want to change to another flight at the airport, will pay $50.

The new standby charges will not apply to Premium customers including: Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold members of the AAdvantage frequent-flier program; people in first class or business class; higher-priced coach tickets; and people traveling on military fares.

The $50 “confirmed flight change” fee has been around since 2005, but many people could rely on the standby option to avoid it.
American spokesman Tim Smith estimated that a majority of American’s customers fall into the non-standby category. (source)

Avis is offering Lufthansa Miles & More bonus for each rental.

As a base member of Miles & More, Avis will reward you with:

- 1.000 Miles for your second rental
- 1.500 Miles for your third rental
- 2.000 Miles for your 4th to 6th rental
- 2.500 Miles for your 7th to 10th rental
- 3.000 Miles starting with your 11th rental

Miles & More elite members can get better bonus.
Traveller and Senators will earn 1.000 award miles with their very first rental.
HON Circle members will receive double miles on the base promotion.
Details of the offer are available here.

To celebrate the new partnership with bmi’s frequent flyer programme Diamond Club, Wyndham Hotel Group offers Wyndham Rewards members the chance to earn 5,000 destinations miles per stay at Wyndham Hotel Group’s hotels.

The bonus can be earned a maximum of 4 times — that means members can earn up to a maximum of 20,000 destinations miles — from February 3 until February 28, 2010.

It doesn’t require registration; members are required to provide their Diamond Club number.

US Airways is offering up to a 30% bonus miles when staying at at any qualifying hotel.

Registered Dividend Miles members earn a 20% bonus, Registered Dividend Miles Preferred members earn a 30% bonus, on all Dividend Miles earned per stay.

Also members can earn the same bonus miles — 20% and 30% — by converting hotel points to miles.
Online registraton is required. Promotion period: February 1 - March 31, 2010.

Details of the promotion are available here.