Delta Air Lines is at it again. The airline is raising rates on award tickets without any notice to flyers, which seems to be its practice since deleting its award chart. That’s why Omni’s latest promotion might be of interest for some travelers. Also, take note of several hotel promotions scheduled for the fall.
Vote for the 2016 race at the cocktail bar
Omni Hotels and Resorts has a unique promotion going on at its hotel bars and lounges. A new menu on offer between now and Novwmber 8 features drinks like the Trump-tini, Hilla-rita, Ruby Red Pence, and Sugar Kaine Smash. The “Polling for Cocktails” promotion will tally results from its hotels and update its website weekly. There’s also an independent cocktail known as POTUS Punch.
Omni’s Select Guest loyalty program is unique in that it comes with benefits the moment you sign up including free wireless Internet and complimentary morning beverages like coffee and bottled water delivered to your door at the selected time with a simple “knock and drop.” With the tumultuous election season in final swing, it may be time to #Drinkthevote to stay sane during it all.
EVA Air discounts intra-Asia economy class award flights
Looking to redeem points for intra-Asia travel? EVA Air has a great economy class discount available at the moment, and it is perfect even for North American travelers since EVA is a transfer partner with Citi ThankYou points. Between now and the end of the year, intra-Asia flights like Taipei to Bangkok, Cebu, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, and Manila, can be redeemed at a 15,000-point savings on certain travel dates. Instead of 35,000 points roundtrip, it is only 20,000 points roundtrip in economy class. You can earn 1,000 Infinity MileageLands points for each 1,000 Citi Thank You points transferred.
Delta raises award rates for business class
Delta may not have an award chart anymore, but technically, it still follows the one that it deleted a year ago. One-way business class awards are pricing at 62,500 miles from North America to Europe. But starting January 1, they will cost 70,000 in each direction. This is in line with what United charges on its Star Alliance partners, but not on its own flights (only 57,500 miles). This makes Delta’s own flights in business class to Europe the most expensive of the major U.S. carriers. It is no surprise that Delta does not publicize the news since it means that SkyMiles are now worth less.
OpenSkies offers free Uber rides
British Airways has a nifty niche carrier within its fold known as OpenSkies, which flies daily between New York and Paris Orly. Its business class passengers (which make up the majority of this special aircraft), are now being offered free Uber rides valued at up to $70 in each direction. While these flights are eligible for mileage redemption using either American miles or Avios points, the Uber rides are only free for those that pay (award tickets are out of luck).
KLM rewards good photographers
If you take good photos, KLM wants to see them. Simply upload them to their photo competition page between now and the end of the year. Each month features a theme. Be sure to match your photos to that theme to best inspire the judges. The grand prize, two economy class tickets anywhere that KLM flies, is chosen from each of the monthly winners, which will be featured in Holland Herald magazine and rewarded with other gifts.
Double Rapid Rewards for Southwest flights this fall
Southwest is targeting some of its loyalty program members with a special promotion offering double points for travel between now and November 18. Not everyone is eligible, but you can check your status online. It could be a great way to rack up bonus points just in time for holiday travel.
Earn bonus American miles on flights to Asia
Between now and December 10, you can earn bonus miles on American or Japan Airlines flights to Asia. The mileage boost varies depending on the class of ticket booked with first class tickets earning as many as 30,000 bonus miles after two roundtrips. Be sure to register before flying to be eligible. Some of the cheapest economy class tickets are not eligible at all though.
JetBlue flies first scheduled service to Cuba
Redeem your True Blue points for travel to Cuba on JetBlue, which was the first airline to connect the U.S. and Cuba with scheduled flights (not charters) on August 31 since the embargo was lifted. This means that there is now a free way to get to Cuba if you’re trying to decide where to redeem your points to in the coming months. Flights from Fort Lauderdale are bound for Camaguey, Havana, Holguin, and Santa Clara. Flights from New York JFK and Orlando to Havana are coming soon, too.
Uber and Visa create partnership to earn free rides
If you have a Visa card tied to your Uber account, you could be in for a nice surprise soon. Through the new Uber Local Offers partnership with Visa, you earn one point for each dollar you spend at participating retailers. You must opt in, via the Uber app, to earn points for using a Visa card. Once you reach 100 points ($100 of money spent at various participating retailers), you receive a $10 credit in your Uber account.