Virgin America is celebrating it’s impending launch of flights from California to Fort Lauderdale with a special promotion for current eleVAte members (and potential frequent flyers).

The Stay Golden Contest involves photos, facebook, and an appeal for votes. It’s kind of like American Idol without all the singing and cranky judges. Visit Virgin America’s Stay Golden Contest for all the details, and check out cheap flights on Virgin America for the latest Virgin America deals from your hometown.

On the surface, United Airlines’ “free, unlimited upgrades” program sounds like a great change, especially for the business traveler. However, as Mark Ashley over at Upgrade: Travel Better is quick to point out, the changes to the upgrade program might actually be a “downgrade” when all is said and done:

“What United is doing is eliminating the 500-mile electronic certificates and the regional-upgrades. (International systemwide upgrade certificates for 1K travelers are unchanged. Upgrades booked with miles, which will soon carry a cash copayment, are otherwise unaffected by these changes.) Instead, all travelers with any elite status will be automatically eligible for an upgrade.”

Mark goes on to break down United Airlines’ new upgrade plan to show how Premier members will be affected. Take a look at “United downgrades its upgrades” for an in depth look at the changes to the program, and what those changes mean for frequent flyers.

The most recent flight delay data doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Perhaps it’s no surprise to Road Warriors, but several cities ranking at the bottom in on-time percentage are some of the country’s largest business centers.

Any experience dealing with extended delays in these cities?

From USA Today:

Percentage of flights arriving on time in the USA’s 100 largest metro areas. Annualized, June 2009

Bottom 10

1. New York City - 66.3%
2. Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville, Fla. - 69.2%
3. Portland/South Portland/Biddeford, Maine - 73.3%
4. Philadelphia - 73.4%
5. Columbia, S.C. - 73.6%
6. Atlanta - 73.6%
7. Rochester, N.Y. - 73.9%
8. Augusta/Richmond County, Ga. - 74.0%
9. Greensboro/High Point, N.C. - 74.3%
10. Syracuse, N.Y. - 74.6%

The Delta/Northwest merger will soon have its effect on frequent fliers. The carriers’ loyalty programs are set to merge in October (Northwest’s WorldPerks will become a part of Delta’s SkyMiles program). Delta Air Lines has created a “What to Expect” page to make the transition easier for current members. Here’s an overview from the Delta page:

Key Points for WorldPerks Members

• WorldPerks members will be assigned a new 10-digit SkyMiles account number (which we’ll send you in early October).
• Your existing WorldPerks account information, including all balances, will be transferred into your SkyMiles account.
• You will receive an email from us as soon as your WorldPerks account information is merged into your SkyMiles account.
• After the programs merge, WorldPerks members should use their SkyMiles number for all Delta and Northwest transactions.

Check out Delta Air Lines SkyMiles for more details.

Continental Airlines isn’t the only carrier with a mileage program push going on right now, but they are the only carrier with a “Mileathon” up and running. What is a “Mileathon” you ask? Well, in this case, it’s a promotion that gives Continental’s OnePass members a chance to win up to 100,000 bonus miles “plus a dream vacation.”

The promo runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2009. Visit Continental Airlines for all of the details.

JetBlue’s TrueBlue frequent flier program will undergo a “relaunch” this fall. While your miles will “remain safe,” the carrier is making some changes. Here’s a quick overview for current members or those of you who were thinking about joining:

• No blackout dates1
• Points that don’t expire
• Bonus points the more you travel
• Oneway Award Flights starting at just 5,000 points
• Six (6) points for every dollar spent when you purchase a flight at jetblue.com4
• Up to eight (8) points for every eligible dollar spent when you purchase a flight at jetblue.com using your JetBlue Card from American Express

There is much more to the “relaunch,” including point conversion. Visit JetBlue for more details.

Back in June, Continental Airlines announced that they would be leaving SkyTeam to join Star Alliance. The official dates of the transition have been set. Continental will conclude it’s participation in SkyTeam on Oct. 24, 2009 and participation with Star Alliance will begin on Oct. 27, 2009.

So, how does this affect Continental OnePass members and their miles? Well, the airline isn’t making any changes to current mileage balances or to the way OnePass miles will be redeemed. However, if you’re planning a trip just know that:

“Through Oct. 24, 2009, OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles and make reward reservations on SkyTeam partners. When the transition to Star Alliance occurs on Oct. 27, 2009, OnePass members will begin earning base miles and Elite Qualification Miles/Points and be able to redeem miles on Star Alliance airlines.” (from Continental Airlines Press Release)

Visit Star Alliance to see its full list of carriers.

Mark Ashley summed up the state of premium-class travel on Upgrade: Travel Better yesterday:

“How’s this for an indicator that premium-class travel isn’t selling: The recently-merged Delta and Northwest are permitting passengers of high-fare international economy fare tickets to upgrade to business class for just 1 mile each way.”

That’s right, on certain international flights, you can move on up to the BusinessElite cabin for a whopping 2 miles roundtrip. You will still have to deal with upgrade fees, and tickets that are eligible for this amazing upgrade aren’t the cheapest economy airfares. However, if you’ve always wanted to enjoy the luxury of international business class, this might be your opportunity.

Check out “Delta and Northwest allow international upgrades for 1 mile each way” for more details, and use the FareCompare Deal Finder for the best deals on international flights from your hometown.

Marriott International and Delta/Northwest are teaming up to offer triple miles:

“As a Marriott Rewards member earning miles with Delta Air Lines SkyMiles or Northwest Airlines WorldPerks, you can now earn unlimited triple miles with Marriott Rewards for stays you make between June 1 and August 31, 2009, beginning with your second stay. That’s up to 6 miles per US dollar spent!”

It’s a good time to keep an eye on “summer specials” the airlines and their partners are launching for frequent fliers. Visit Marriott International for more details.

There’s a very interesting post today from Upgrade: Travel Better that takes a look at the declining (excuse the pun) credit card industry, and what effect it will have on credit card rewards and mileage programs. There are some out there that believe the complete demise of the rewards card is imminent. However, that’s a bit fatalistic, and there are signs that rewards cards might not be going anywhere.

Check out “Will the credit card industry’s woes mean the death of points and miles?” for an in depth look at the situation and for tips on how to deal with banks if they start getting “chintzy” with the rewards.

Frontier Airlines has a new offer for frequent flyers: “earn double miles when you fly to Colorado.” If you live in Colorado, Frontier has also set up a referral plan that can earn you extra frequent flyer miles.

You have to join the “Colorado Club” in order to benefit. Visit Frontier Airlines Frequent Flyers to learn more about how you can start adding to your mileage total.

JetBlue is offering a little perk for its TrueBlue members. If you’re a JetBlue frequent flier you can pick up a $50 voucher towards a future flight (travel between September 9 and November 15, 2009) if you book a roundtrip flight for travel between May 19 and June 23, 2009. This promo expires at 11:59 p.m. MDT on May 27, 2009.

Visit JetBlue for more details, and start planning your next two trips.

There’s still time…

Fly American Airlines to the United Kingdom, in an eligible First or Business Class flight, and earn 50,000 miles - just like that.

And you can earn 25K miles by traveling on certain Economy Class flights.

You have to book - and complete your travel - by June 30.

And you must use the promo code: UK50K

See all the details here.

OK, so it doesn’t quite get the hype of say the Oscar or the Emmy, but the “Freddie” is still a coveted prize…or at least one worth sending out a press release over.

Yesterday in Fort Lauderdale, the annual Freddie Awards were given. Among the recipients was Alaska Airlines. The carrier took home the trophy for “Program of the Year” for Airlines in the Americas. Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan has now won the award five times, truly making it the Meryl Streep of the industry.

Other notables include Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club which snagged “Program of the Year” for Europe, Middle East, and Africa airlines. Virgin Blue’s Velocity also joined the group with the win for Japan, Pacific, Asia, and Australia Airlines.

Check out a full list of winners at the 21st Annual Freddie Awards.

Continental Airlines is celebrating their new route from New York/Newark (EWR) to Shanghai with a special deal for its OnePass members.

Frequent Fliers who register for the offer and fly from March 25 through May 31, 2009 can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles. Here’s how your earning potential breaks down:

• 10,000 bonus miles on all qualifying round trips purchased and flown in J, D or Z classes of service
• 5,000 bonus miles on all qualifying round trips purchased and flown in Y, B, M, H or K classes of service
• 2,500 bonus miles on a qualifying round trips purchased and flown in Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N or L classes of service

Visit Continental Airlines OnePass Promotions for more details, and use the promo code 57003.

Delta Air Lines is sweetening the deal for frequent fliers planning a trip out of the country. The carrier’s latest special gives SkyMiles members the chance to save up to 20% on international economy class award travel and up to 25% on first class, “BusinessElite,” and business class award travel.

Book on Delta Air Lines or Northwest Airlines operated flights by April 20 for travel between April 20 and June 15, 2009, and you can save:

“For example, members may redeem a minimum of 48,000 miles for Economy round-trip Award Travel between Atlanta and Barcelona, a 12,000-mile savings, and a minimum of 75,000 miles for BusinessElite round-trip Award Travel between New York-JFK and London-Heathrow, resulting in a savings of 25,000 miles.” (from Delta Air Lines Press Release)

Taxes and fees apply, and there are restrictions. To learn more about this frequent flier offer, visit Delta Air Lines International Award Travel.

The push from carriers to get travelers to head overseas continues. We’ve seen a number of Europe airfare sales and specials over the past two months. Along with flight deals, airlines are also throwing in some added perks.

American Airlines is offering 50,000 bonus miles on eligible business class and first class flights from the U.S. to the United Kingdom (you can earn 25,000 bonus miles on select flights in economy). Here’s what you need to do in order to pick up these extra miles:

• Book a qualifying ticket between March 19 and June 30, 2009 (booking classes F, J, A, D, I, R, Y, B or H)
• Register prior to travel at www.aa.com/offers using promotion code UK50K
• Complete travel by June 30, 2009

Visit American Airlines for more details.

US Airways is kicking off new service between Philadelphia and Oslo. In order to welcome the new Norwegian route, the carrier is offering cheap flights to Oslo from a range of departure cities.

The deals are good for travel in economy, but the carrier is offering a deal sweetener to business class travelers, as well. If you book a flight in US Airways’ Envoy class, you can pick up 5,000 bonus miles.

Check out our Travel Deals blog for more details on US Airways’ latest Oslo airfare and miles special.

Upgrade: Travel Better had a great post at the end of last week exploring how new airline fees are going undetected (or at least un-reimbursed) by corporate accounting divisions.

There was a time when presenting your case as a business traveler was a fairly simple task. An expense report and a receipt for the ticket cost and all of the additional fees that were automatically attached to it was pretty much all you needed. Sadly, those days are gone. Now, you get dinged for checked bags, food on the flight, upgrades, blankets, and more. Heck, if the air travel apocalypse comes in the near future, you could even be getting charged to use the toilet.

With all of the ad-on fees that aren’t attached to the cost of the airline ticket itself, business travelers are finding that portions of their work-related travel costs simply aren’t getting covered anymore.

Let us know if you’re dealing with this on a regular basis, and check out “Expense report blues: Which add-on travel fees are being denied?” for an in depth look at the situation.

Logan Airport is seeing a lot of action these days. The airfare war brought on by new Virgin America routes to Boston continues to wage, and on top of reducing airfares, American Airlines is offering triple mile incentives for AAdvantage Members.

Now, American Airlines has announced it will renovate the Logan Admirals Club. The project is scheduled to wrap up in 2010, and when all is said and it will have an entirely new look and layout, as well as additional amenities:

“The remodeled lounge will offer seating for 214 and include the addition of a cyber cafe, children’s room with age-appropriate TV programming and computer games, five new flat panel-televisions and TV lounge and cafe seating where customers can enjoy complimentary light snacks, juice, tea, coffee and soft drinks or purchase delicious fare from the lounge’s food and beverage program, Amora^TM…Other highly valued amenities include an updated multi-functional business center outfitted with telephones, a global print solution powered by PrinterOn, copier and fax service. American’s professional Premium Services representatives can also assist guests with boarding passes, reservations, seat selection and upgrades.” (from American Airlines Media Room)

We’ll continue to monitor the situation in Boston to see if any more perks for frequent fliers appear.

Things are heating up in Beantown. Virgin America recently launched new routes to Boston from Los Angeles and San Francisco. An airfare war with JetBlue quickly followed. However, JetBlue wasn’t the only airline forced to confront the power of mood lighting. American Airlines, the Big Boy of Logan Airport, is battling to keep their claim on those transcontinental routes, as well.

In order to keep loyal customers loyal, American Airlines is offering triple mileage incentives to AAdvantage members on flights from Boston to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego:

“‘We are competing very aggressively in this market with everyone else who flies out of Boston,’ said spokesman Ned Raynolds. ‘We intend to maintain and build our following here.’” (from Boston.com)

American has made its move - or at least one of its moves. Things should continue to stay interesting in Boston, and travelers could continue to benefit.

Check out or Deals Blog for more details on qualifying for American Airlines’ triple mileage offer.

Alaska Airlines launches a new route on August 3rd between Seattle and Austin. You can pack up your things and hit the capital of Texas, which also happens to be the “Live Music Capital of the World.”

Spend your nights on 6th Street, or head to South Austin for a bit of true local flavor. If you’re an Austinite, you can head to the Pacific Northwest to see how one of the country’s other major music centers plays.

Mileage Plan members can receive double miles on all nonstop flights between Seattle and Austin completed by October 15, 2009. Visit our Deals blog for more details on Alaska Airlines’ new route.

American Airlines has extended their “free” companion ticket offer. If you are enrolled (or enroll now) in American Airlines’ awards program and you fly roundtrip to the UK in first class or business class (select economy flights available, too), you have the opportunity to pick up a “free” companion ticket for future travel to the UK or the Caribbean:

“On your next trip you can choose to return to the UK or perhaps opt for warmer weather with a trip to the Caribbean. American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, offers up to 18 daily flights to London Heathrow and Manchester from various U.S. locations.”

The carrier is extending this offer as a “thank you to our customers and as a reminder that American offers an attractive schedule whether flying for business or pleasure.”

If you’re a business traveler looking to turn those cross-country flights into a leisure vacation with a loved one down-the-line, this offer can help you save.

Check out the American Airlines press release for complete details and the true definition of “free,” and use the promo code UKCMP when booking.

“The Freddie Awards allow members to rank airline and hotel programs from their point of view. The Freddies have grown in stature and importance and are widely considered the most prestigious member-generated awards in the industry.” (from Promote the Vote)

If you want to have your voice heard, and if you want to get in on award mania without all that Red Carpet hassle, visit The Freddie Awards. Balloting is open to members of all airline, hotel and credit card programs worldwide.

Some say it is better to give than to receive. Others think that’s just the polite thing to say. However, with frequent flier programs, you can do both this holiday season.

Carriers like American Airlines and US Airways give you the chance to purchase frequent flier miles for loved ones, and on top of that, you’ll receive a percentage of the total miles purchased. Buy a gift, get a gift. Not a bad day of shopping.

Of course, there are restrictions, so check out Wish List: Airline Tickets, Gift Cards, and Miles for more details and more airfare-related gifts.