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Virgin Airlines take flight rewards global

Staff — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:37:44 +0000

Navigating the confusing world of air mile points is complicated with so many mileage programs to choose from…if only there was one big universal mileage program that all airlines subscribed too our lives would be much easier! Although that dream will have to wait…Virgin has announced a step in the right direction with their new global rewards program.

Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Australia, today announce that all three award-winning Virgin airlines are fully linking their frequent flyer programs to offer global benefits to Virgin flyers. Known around the world for their stylish, innovative and value-based flying experience, the three airlines have agreed to a global partnership that for the first time allows each airline’s loyalty program members to redeem miles or points when taking flights on any of the sister-branded airlines across their respective route networks. This new initiative will allow those earning points on any Virgin airline to be able to use them to fly to any of the Virgin destinations around the world, knowing that they will get the unique Virgin experience wherever they fly. The new benefit builds on the airlines’ 2010 move to enable miles and points earning across the Virgin airline family.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder commented: “Virgin got into the airline business three decades ago to offer great value and a brilliant experience. Today’s travelers still choose Virgin for the same reason: because we do things differently. I am thrilled that we can now reward our loyal guests with the ability to fly around the world on Virgin. Yes indeed, Virgin goes all the way!”

“As a new U.S. airline, our guests have believed from day one that we could create a better travel experience here in the States,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “As we prepare to mark our fifth year anniversary, we are thankful to the travelers who got us where we are today and excited to take their benefits to the next level with global rewards and continued Elevate® program enhancements in 2012 and beyond.”

“With our new services onboard, new aircraft, and 2012 being the year to visit London; there couldn’t be more reasons to fly with Virgin Atlantic. The enhanced frequent flyer program allows us to offer even greater rewards to travelers who choose to fly with us. The Flying Club program will now not only allow our passengers to redeem flights around our global network but between ourselves, Virgin Australia and Virgin America, they will be able to do so to even more U.S. and Australian destinations,” said Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic.

“A good frequent flyer program remains one of the key drivers for customers globally when choosing an airline. One of the most important features for our frequent flyers is the ability to earn and redeem points and enjoy status privileges wherever they fly, and we are pleased to offer our guests the opportunity with leading airlines such as Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic,” said Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti.

Members of Virgin America’s Elevate® program can now book roundtrip flights as of today on Virgin Atlantic from New York, Boston, Chicago, or Washington D.C. to London for as few as 15,000 Elevate® points and from San Francisco to London for as few as 25,000 points. As of March 22nd, Elevate® members can book roundtrip flights on Virgin Australia – for as low as 40,000 points from Los Angeles to Sydney. Virgin America Elevate® members can redeem points for travel to any of the destinations in the three carriers’ combined global network via the Virgin America Call Center at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (877.359.8474). For more details and to calculate rewards, guests can visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/redeem-with-partners

A member of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club program can now book roundtrip flights on Virgin America from San Francisco to New York for as few as 25,000 Miles, or Los Angeles to San Francisco for 10,000 Miles. Flyers can also travel on Virgin Australia from Sydney to Los Angeles from 94,000 Miles. For more, guests can visit: https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/frequentflyer/index.jsp

Velocity members can learn more about earning and redemption at: www.virginaustralia.com/velocity

Stay 90 feet above the Peruvian Amazon

Staff — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:06:55 +0000

For more than 30 years, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica has served as the innovator and remained the only true luxury rainforest lodge in the Peruvian Amazon. Bringing a thrilling new experience to guests, Inkaterra has constructed a Canopy Tree House perched 90 feet above the rainforest floor which provides a new sky-high perspective to the 29,000-acre private reserve it currently protects.

Meant to complement a stay in one of Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica’s existing 35 cabañas, the Canopy Tree House is outfitted with two single beds, wash basin, limited electricity and a portable toilet. Its walls are created out of wood and removable mesh screens to provide natural light and 360-degree vistas of the surrounding flora and fauna. During the day, orchids, hummingbirds, toucans, monkeys and other wildlife are a mere arm’s length away; while at dusk, nocturnal species come to life and provide for exciting evening excursions and stargazing along Inkaterra’s hanging 1,130-foot-long Canopy Walkway.

Guests staying in the Canopy Tree house can rely on a dedicated Canopy Butler to arrange and oversee all excursions and special requests. The butler is at-hand on a nearby tower and is reachable by walkie-talkie.

A stay in the Canopy Tree House includes lodge transfers; sundowners with chilled sparkling wine or Pisco Sours; a Canopy Bar stocked with water, soft drinks and beer; light dinner and breakfast; a private bilingual interpreter/guide; and binoculars and flashlights for excursions along the Canopy Walkway and the recently added Anaconda Walk. If sleeping in the middle of the nocturnal action becomes too much to handle, guests can descend to pre-arranged ground-level accommodations. Rates start at US$300 per person per night (double occupancy), and are applied as a supplement to the regular program rates.

more information, visit www.inkaterra.com

For more information, visit www.inkaterra.com