JAL Extends Upgrade Awards Sale Discounts continue through March 31, 2008. A round-trip LA–Tokyo upgrade, for example, drops from 50,000 to 30,000 miles. The fine print: Valid to and from Japan, except from Hawaii, but only with Y economy class fares issued in North, Central, or South America. Savings can amount to 50%. Not valid on codeshare partner flights. Some one-way upgrades require round-trip mileage. Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: (800) 525-6453.
Quick Upgrade On Alaska Airlines With Card Bonus Sign up for the carrier’s Visa Signature card (in the US) or the PlatinumPlus MasterCard (in Canada) and receive 20,000 bonus miles—enough miles for a free upgrade within the US and Canada. Offer valid through the end of the year. Bonus Miles credited 4-6 weeks after approval. http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/Promo/BofA_20K.asp
American Upgrades Domestic B757s American Airlines is upgrading its fleet of 124 Boeing 757 aircraft over the next two years. The improvements include new seats and cabin interior in First and economy classes on 757s and an updated in-flight entertainment system (replacing CRT with LCD monitors) throughout the aircraft. The carrier will also add two seats to First Class.
EL AL Summer Savings From New York (JFK/Newark), the Business Class fare to Tel Aviv is $2,626 (reg. $3,804). The carrier is also increasing departures from Miami to three (Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). It already offers four non-stops a week from Los Angeles, the only airline offering non-stop service from LA to Israel. The fine print: Purchase deadline, May 17, with Business Class requiring a 45-day advance purchase. Departure window, July 1 through July 24. Minimum stay, six nights, maximum stay, 60 nights. Note that these fares are only available for return flights starting August 24. Earlier returns are available but at regular rates. Details: (800) 223-6700 / www.elal.com.
Special SAS Family Travel Awards Discovered SAS discounts Business Class awards by 50% for children ages 2 to 17. If you’re not already collecting SAS miles, the best way to take advantage of these awards is to transfer Diners Club points into SAS miles. Business Class mileage tickets cost 90,000 miles, so taking your kids costs you a reasonable 45,000. On the other hand, the airline’s Star Alliance US counterparts—among them, United and US Airways— will charge you double that. Infants (under 2) travel free.
JAL Extends Upgrade Awards Sale Discounts continue through March 31, 2008. A round-trip LA–Tokyo upgrade, for example, drops from 50,000 to 30,000 miles. The fine print: Valid to and from Japan, except from Hawaii, but only with Y economy class fares issued in North, Central, or South America. Savings can amount to 50%. Not valid on codeshare partner flights. Some one-way upgrades require round-trip mileage. Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: (800) 525-6453.
Quick Upgrade On Alaska Airlines With Card Bonus Sign up for the carrier’s Visa Signature card (in the US) or the PlatinumPlus MasterCard (in Canada) and receive 20,000 bonus miles—enough miles for a free upgrade within the US and Canada. Offer valid through the end of the year. Bonus Miles credited 4-6 weeks after approval. http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/Promo/BofA_20K.asp
American Upgrades Domestic B757s American Airlines is upgrading its fleet of 124 Boeing 757 aircraft over the next two years. The improvements include new seats and cabin interior in First and economy classes on 757s and an updated in-flight entertainment system (replacing CRT with LCD monitors) throughout the aircraft. The carrier will also add two seats to First Class.
EL AL...