ExpertFlyer Blog

United and Southwest Perks and Promotions

United Airlines has announced that it is rolling out a bundle called Premier Travel, which can be purchased online when booking or when checking in.  It lets you check two bags at no charge, use premium security and boarding lines, get a seat in United’s “Economy Plus’’ coach section and earn a 25% mileage bonus. Also with Premier Travel Plus, you get double miles and access to United’s airport clubs. For short trips, Premier Travel starts at $47 each way and Premier Travel Plus starts at $84 each way. All the details can be found here.

Also, Southwest Airlines is bringing back double credits for a little over a month. You can get double frequent-flier credits on flights between September 17th and October 31st. Details and registration for the promotion can be found here.

Qantas Awards now available on ExpertFlyer

We're happy to announce that full Qantas Award availability for all 4 cabins is available again on ExpertFlyer.com. Not only can you search for Award inventory and know the exact number of award available on a flight, but you can use our unique Flight Alert feature to have our system notify you when an award becomes available that is currently unavailable.

As always the full list of airlines/class that we show Award & Upgrade inventory for is here.

  

Changes to Continental OnePass Program

Continental Airlines recently announced changes that are to take effect once it joins Star Alliance on October 27th.  Here's the breakdown:

• There will be no same-day change fees for Platinum Elite members for tickets purchased on or after Oct. 1, 2009.
• Reward travel will no longer require a Saturday night stay.
• Travelers will earn 100% Elite Qualification Miles and Elite Qualification Points on discounted fares regardless of where the ticket is purchased or issued.
• Elite bonuses will be based on the minimum mileage earned instead of the actual flight miles flown.
• Starting Dec. 15, Continental will charge $75 for non-elite frequent fliers to book a ticket less than 21 days in advance, as well as to redeposit miles or change a reservation. The fee is $25 for Gold Elite members, $50 for Silver Elite and no charge for Platinum Elite.
• Some mileage requirements for reward travel will change for travel booked beginning October 27, although coach tickets would continue to be available at 20,000 miles.
• Effective January 1, 2010:
  • All members worldwide will earn 125% base miles on F, C, J and D fare classes.
  • All members worldwide will earn 1.5 Elite Qualification Points when they purchase and fly in fare classes F, C, J, D, Z, Y and B on flights operated by Continental.  

AA - Double Elite Qualifying Miles

American Airlines is launching a double elite-qualifying miles promotion starting today through December 15. Any AA flight flown between now and then will earn 2x EQ points, just in time for those milage runs.

Also, American is offering rewards to AAdvantage members who reach an elite-qualifying level but won’t make it to a higher level. AA is offering extra upgrade credits, airport club access or bonus frequent-flier miles.

You have to sign up for the promotion which can be done on AA.com here.