Travel&Vacation

More than a year after launching its frequent flyer program, Virgin America is finally allowing its 500,000-plus Elevate members to cash in their points for free flights. That’s certainly a milestone for Elevate members. Is it a milestone for airline loyalty programs, as Virgin America claims? The program has two features which make it a potential game-changer. First and foremost, awards are free of the blackout dates and other capacity controls that so frustrate members of other programs. If there’s an unsold seat, an Elevate member has as much chance of booking it for points as a paying passenger has of purchasing it. Secondly, rather than earning miles according to the distance flown, Elevate members earn points that reflect the price paid for their tickets: five points for every $1
(Read the full post about ‘Virgin America Rewrites (Some) Mileage Program Rules’…)

On Monday, September 8, Expedia starting selling fares on upstart low-cost carrier Virgin America. In a press release, Expedia said Hotwire, which is owned by Expedia, Inc., will also begin selling Virgin America fares soon. Expedia’s main competitors, Orbitz and Travelocity, already sell Virgin America tickets. Why should you care? A wily blogger for BudgetTravel heard from an inside source that prices for Virgin America fares are 10 percent cheaper on Expedia.com and VirginAmerica.com than on other travel sites. This secret sale applies to fares booked by midnight PT September 11 for travel through October 29. When I checked online for round-trip Los Angeles to New York fares for mid-October travel on a variety of travel sites, VirginAmerica.com and Expedia.com both had low fares of
(Read the full post about ‘Expedia and Virgin America Join Forces, Offer Secret Sale’…)

Much-anticipated Virgin America began selling tickets early this morning. The airline will take to the skies on August 8 with service between San Francisco and Los Angeles and New York’s JFK. Prices start at $44 each-way between San Francisco and Los Angles and $139 each-way between Los Angeles and New York. When I tested Virgin’s booking system, I was able to find the lowest fares and the system proved fairly easy to use. A quick comparison search showed Virgin America’s fares to be the lowest available in August for both the San Francisco/Los Angeles and New York/San Francisco routes. Virgin America will be launching several other routes later in the year. Start dates and one-way fares include:$139 between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles beginning August 29 $129 between San Francisco
(Read the full post about ‘Virgin America starts selling tickets with fares from $44 O/W*’…)

At 8:00 p.m., the
ms Westerdam
feels like Grand Central Station at rush hour. Well-dressed guests sashay to and from the Vista Dining Room and Lounge. The bars buzz with the clinking of martini glasses and the small talk of new friends. Out on the Ocean Bar’s dance floor, long-married couples dust off their ballroom moves.

By midnight, the ship is a ghost town. A few stragglers linger in the bars, and the DJ at the Northern Lights disco plays to an empty house. The only people left in the casino are the dealers packing up their cards and dice.

Is this lack of nightlife due to a busy schedule at tomorrow’s next European port-of-call, or is it because the
Westerdam
‘s passenger roster has so few guests under the age of 65?

It certainly isn’t the fault of the elegant
(Read the full post about ‘Holland America, a classy cruise line for mature travelers’…)

I, Erica Silverstein, hereby declare that this week shall be known as the week of savings! Actually, I have no power to affect anything, but several cruise lines had the same bright idea to offer limited-time sales this week. All I can do is let everyone know about the savings options out there. Below, you can find details on one-day to weeklong promotions by Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Windjammer.

Carnival

Carnival’s one-day sale is actually a two-day sale, and you can take advantage of low prices today and tomorrow (February 28 and March 1). You can book three- and four-night cruises from $249, five-night cruises from $299, seven-night cruises from $499, and eight-night cruises from $649. Plus, you’ll receive a free upgrade within the cabin category you
(Read the full post about ‘Limited-time sales on Carnival, Holland America, more’…)