Business Travel Tips

Last December two major airlines have stripped their fares from some travel sites. American Airlines stopped to list its flights on Orbitz, Delta did the same with CheapOAir.com, OneTravel.com, and BookIt.com.

With this move arlines are aiming to cut costs, to build brand loyalty and increase their ability to sell the ever-growing array of optional services they offer for a fee.

USA Today quoted Cory Garner, American’s director of distribution strategy, as saying: “It used to be we only sold fares, but now we’re selling much more. We’re interested in exposing not just our fares but optional services through these channels.”

American wants Orbitz to switch to a technology system that informs fliers about their optional services.
Orbitz says: “We will continue to seek an arrangement with American Airlines to distribute American’s tickets on Orbitz.com and Orbitz for Business.”

However, by stopping to list its flights on travel sites, airlines will not allow fliers to quickly compare fares making it harder for them to find the best deal.

Members of Delta SkyMiles co-branded American Express card will receive the 100% mileage bonus when using the card for buying miles between November 24, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

The offer is open only to basic Delta Amex cardholders. Additional cardmembers are not eligible.

In order to receive the 100% mileage bonus, basic cardmembers must log on to the Buy Miles landing page on Delta.com and purchase miles with a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.

Cardmembers can purchase between 2000 and 60,000 miles under the offer. The 100% mileage bonus will post to the account within 24 hours of purchase.
Offer does not apply to miles gifted under the SkyMiles Gift Miles program or miles transferred under the SkyMiles Transfer Miles program. Details of the promotion are available on this page.

AirTran, Delta Air Lines and Virgin America will offer free wifi access on every domestic flight from November 20, 2010 through January 2, 2011.

The three carriers are teaming up with Google Chrome to provide free Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi on domestic flights from November 20 through January 2nd.

Last year Google had been partnering with Virgin America to offer free WiFi on every Virgin America flight between November 10, 2009 and January 15, 2010.

Delta Air Lines is offering bonuses up to a 50% for transferring points into a Skymiles account and/or converting points from participating hotel and credit card partners. Rregistration is required.

Below’s the bonuses offered by the SkyMiles program and by participating partners.

Costs for transferring points between Skymiles accounts: $30 transaction fee plus a penny a point to transfer.
Details of the promotion are available here.

Delta SkyMiles members who also participate in Hilton HHonors earn Delta Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Double Miles with qualifying stays of two or more nights at any of more than 3,600 Hilton Worldwide hotels from September 1 through December 10, 2010.

Registration is required before your stay and you must select Delta Air Lines as your earning partner.

You can choose variable miles — you’ll earn one bonus mile plus one MQM for every $1 spent on a qualifying stay, up to 10,000 MQMs — or fixed miles — you’ll earn 500 bonus miles plus 500 MQMs per stay.
Here is the link to register for the promotion.