I haven’t done a link roundup post for a fair while, and the weekend seems like the most logical time to shoot these out.
There’s some extras for Qantas Frequent Flyers with Silver members gaining access to Business check in internationally and earning points on all Jetstar NZ flights; some thoughts on getting more out of Etihad Guest miles for Virgin Australia redemptions; plus a bunch of info and promotions on Sheraton branded hotels.
Grab a coffee and settle in.
Airline Bonuses & Frequent Flyer News
Qantas Silver Frequent Flyers are getting access to Business Class check in →
Up to now, Qantas Silver members have been stuck with Qantas Club / Premium Economy queues at check in for International flights. A small improvement to Silver.
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now earn points by default on Jetstar New Zealand flights →
This is different to how Jetstar Australia flights work, with the base fares (with no Max or Plus bundles) in New Zealand picking up a minimum of 400 points, but it looks like with no Status Credits.
Etihad partner redemption examples – some of the more effective ways to use your Etihad Guest miles →
I had no idea that the redemption rates for Etihad Guest on Virgin Australia were quite so competitive, with some flights coming in a fair bit cheaper than when using Velocity Points.
Cairns – Sydney at 13,800 Etihad Guest miles for Business Class struck me as one example (vs 33,800 Velocity points), and Sydney – Denpasar for 33,800 Etihad Guest miles in Business (vs 57,800 Velocity points).
Given Etihad Guest is a 1:1 transfer partner of Membership Rewards, just like Velocity, there’s good value to be had here.
You can also redeem for travel on Garuda Indonesia – 42,600 Etihad Guest miles one way in Business Class, as it falls just under the 3,000 mileage band at 2,873 miles flown.
Some fun uses of stopover rules to maximise trip length and value with different international frequent flyer programs →
The Alaska Miles example is great, worth noting for Alaska miles purchasers making the most of the frequent buy miles bonus promotions.
British Airways are offering 500 to 1000 bonus Avios with all BA and Iberia flights between September 1st and December 13th →
Potentially useful for anyone travelling to Europe and doing short haul hops on BA or Iberia, but you’ll need to book by July 31.
Hotel Promotions & News
It’s a Sheraton kind of month…
The Sheraton Free Weekends Promotion is offering 1 night free for every 5 nights stayed at Sheratons →
Stay 5 nights, get a voucher for another night free globally at Sheraton hotels.
Four Points by Sheraton Hotels aren’t included in the promotion, limiting it’s use in Australia to the main Sheraton hotels only – so Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Port Douglas in Australia.
If you have stays planned at any Sheratons globally in the near future, this is well worth registering for.
A solution to a Sheraton branding problem? – Starwood to launch ‘Sheraton Grand’ branded hotels →
The Sheraton brand is apparently perceived as being too mixed in terms of customer experience, so a new top tier Sheraton level is being introduced with the best hotels being moved into it.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas is being refurbished – here’s a sneak preview of the new rooms →
Gary from View from the Wing scored one of the prototype refurbished rooms on a stay earlier this year. I hope to spend some time in Port Douglas here early in 2016, hopefully when the refurbishment is done and dusted.
IHG Rewards launches new ‘Spire’ elite tier for members with over 75 nights per year →
This is a big ask (75 nights in IHG Hotels) for not a huge amount of perks.
Credit Card News & Promotions
American Express reduces Membership Rewards earn rate on no fee and some professional association cards →
American Express Gold and Blue credit cards, plus Affinity Gold credit cards issued in conjunction with a professional institution, are being moved over to a new Membership Rewards ‘Gateway’ program with reduced points earn.
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