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TRAVELWATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority
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American Airlines expands loyalty program
Loyalty programs have been evolving rapidly among air carriers over the last few years. Gone are the days of lucrative mileage programs with upgrades a-plenty and elite status is easy to attain. On many airlines, today's elite program has stricter requirements for earning elite perks and fewer rewards for frequent flyers. It's all part of the cost-cutting measures that have swept through the industry, moving revenue streams away from inflation-dictated growth to à la carte, ultra-efficient fares.
The reality of today's airline industry is that competition is too high to spend lavishly on frequent flyers, so the trend towards shrinking loyalty programs is probably here to stay. But not all carriers are on board. American Airlines has been actively soliciting elite flyers this year. In addition to rewarding its current elite passengers with generous rewards, the airline has also extended status-match offers to competing carrier passengers and has even given an incentive to new passengers, and is expanding their overseas network with the addition of Qatar Airways to the OneWorld network.
Apparently American doesn't see elite passengers as such a liability. "We strive to win and retain the business of high yielding customers every day," Bridget Blaise-Shamai, the Managing Director for Customer Loyalty and Insights says. "We accomplish this by leveraging data-centered methods to ensure our offe ring of Elite Rewards or fast track elite status is relevant, yet non-dilutive. Our results have proven these initiatives to be revenue accretive."
American, Qatar to offer reciprocal benefits  Qatar Airways' business-class seating
American Airlines announced an expanded relationship with Qatar Airways to offer reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits. AAdvantage members will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Qatar Airways. In addition, members of Qatar Airways' Privilege Club will be able to earn and redeem miles on American Airlines-operated flights. The new benefits are in addition to the agreement the two airlines have in place on 170 routes throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.
Lufthansa Premium Economy Class to debut on A380
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Europe's second-largest airline, will debut a premium economy offering on its Airbus SAS fleet of A380 aircraft next year, adding a fourth class of service. It's going to be wider, with more seat pitch, and will provide additional benefits on board and on the ground. The company is equipping its long-haul fleet with full-flat beds in business class. British Airways announced both a premium economy class and flat beds in business class in 2000.
HOTELNEWS Why Netflix is a hotel game changer
Netflix, the online movie and television subscription service (cost: roughly US$10 per month), offers subscribers unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV series. Because it remembers you, not your device, you can start watching on your home theater then continue to watch on your tablet while traveling. With an easy-to-use interface and exhaustive quality content, why would customers even bother to turn on the television in their guestrooms?
The answer: because most hotels still have inadequate Wi-Fi bandwidth. Netflix--or any Internet video streaming--takes a hefty toll on a network. Netflix is just one of many (although the most bandwidth-intensive and user-compelling) applications for mobile computing that command exponentially more bandwidth for effective usage. And hotels will need to respond, perhaps by attaching a box in each guestroom so guests can access Netflix on the big screen.
Hot opening: Hilton UAE
Hilton Worldwide recently opened Conrad Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The 555-room hotel is located near the city's business and shopping district, as well as traditional landmarks like the Dubai International Financial Centre and World Trade Centre. Accommodations include deluxe rooms, executive rooms and suites, and all rooms feature rain showers. The hotel also offers a mobile Conrad Concierge app that lets travelers customize their stay through a smartphone or tablet.
The property's amenities include an 18,044-sq-ft pool, an outdoor yoga pavilion, Conrad Spa, and 14,435 sq ft of meeting space with a naturally lit ballroom. The hotel also offers a variety of dining venues: Izel, a Latin supper club; Cave, a wine bar; Ballaro, a restaurant with live cooking stations; Marco Pierre White Grill, a piano bar and English restaurant; and Purobeach Urban Oasis, a cocktail bar near the hotel's pool gardens.
101 best hotel restaurants around the world
- é by José Andrés at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- El Motel Restaurant at Hotel Emporda (Figueres, Spain)
- Felix at The Peninsula Hotel (Hong Kong)
- Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel (California)
- Emiliano Restaurant at Emiliano (São Paolo)
- Livingstone Room at Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabwe)
- Joël Robuchon Restaurant at MGM Grand (Las Vegas)
- Epicure at Le Bristol (Paris, pictured above)
- Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental (Hong Kong)
- Le Louis XV at Hôtel de Paris (Monte Carlo)
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Eurostar to launch London-Amsterdam rail service Channel Tunnel rail operator Eurostar and the national rail operator of the Netherlands signed an agreement to launch direct twice-daily services between London and Amsterdam from 2016. The two companies said the journey will take around four hours, stopping en route in Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The company is spending £700 million on new trains, which will be used on the Amsterdam service and to refurbish the existing fleet. Deutsche Bahn is also scheduled to launch cross-Channel services from London. It has not yet confirmed routes, but previously has said it is considering service to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Cologne.THE GREAT ESCAPE
Ritz-Carlton's Phulay Bay launches "A Journey
Across Asia"
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey across Asia, from Hong Kong to the Similan Islands. Your customized 7-night package begins with 2 nights in the comfort of the Ritz-Carlton Suite at the The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the highest hotel in the world, overlooking the breathtaking Victoria Harbor.
The Journey Across Asia continues with a round trip private jet from Hong Kong to Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand (pictured in this newsletter banner above) where guests are welcomed for 2 nights in the Royal Andaman Sea Villa, followed by 3 nights on a private yacht sailing through the Similan Islands, one of the best spots in the world for snorkeling, diving and leisure swimming (pictured below). Two-Star Michelin Chef, Pino Lavarra will accompany guests on the private yacht for the Similan Island-hopping experience, preparing customized meals for lunch and dinner.
Four Seasons by private jet
Seats are still available for three sensational Four Seasons trips in 2014. Protravel, as a Four Season's Preferred Partner agency can offer our clients special amenities not available to the general public. All Four Seasons journeys by private jet include travel on a VIP-configured Boeing 757, customized to accommodate only 56 guests. These trips also feature a global guest services manager who works with you in advance to customize the journey to your interests. The jet includes veteran expedition staff, physician and Four Seasons executive chef. Itineraries include:
Rediscover the Americas (Feb. 24-March 13, 2014): Features seven incredible Four Seasons destinations: Miami, Nevis (pictured below), Buenos Aires, Carmelo, Costa Rica, Punta Mita and Beverly Hills. Guests can relax and rejuvenate by the Caribbean, embark on a catamaran adventure or take part in heart-pumping options such as ziplining high above the rainforest. And for this trip only, Four Seasons is offering a special golf promotion! Guests will be treated to one free round of golf on these four beautiful courses: Nevis, Carmelo, Costa Rica and Punta Mita.
Around the World/Spring 2014 (March 14-April 5, 2014): Ten fantastic destinations over 23 days, the trip begins in Los Angeles before heading to the idyllic islands of Hawaii, Bora Bora and Bali. Guests will also explore the vibrant cities of Sydney, Mumbai, Istanbul and London. Your clients will also see one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, and choose to spend time in either Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.
Around the World/Fall 2014 (Aug. 30-Sept. 23, 2014): This trip highlights four of the newest Four Seasons properties in Beijing, Serengeti, St. Petersburg and Marrakech. The 25-day itinerary kicks off in Seattle, touching down in several other exciting destinations that feature Four Seasons hotels and resorts, including Tokyo, the Maldives and Istanbul, with a final arrival in Boston.
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