Travel news you can use - 11/13/2009

Here is my latest compilation of interesting and informative news for business and leisure travelers:

DELTA OFFERS ELITE STATUS TO CONTINENTAL FREQUENT FLIERS

If you are an elite traveler in Continental Airlines OnePass program, Delta Air Lines would like to know you better. In fact, Delta is offering Continental's elite the opportunity to have equal Medallion status with the airline through February of 2011. To take advantage of this offer email your request to deltamatch.delta@delta.com including your full name, SkyMiles number (open an account prior to sending this information if you don't have one yet), Continental Elite status and OnePass membership number. Within 3 business days your status will be matched. Phone inquires to Delta can be made at 1-800-323-2323. This offer runs through December 31, 2009.

CONTINENTAL OFFERS ELITE STATUS TO DELTA/NORTHWEST FREQUENT FLIERS

Of course, in the airline industry almost every offer is immediately matched. The above offer is no exception. Or maybe Continental was being matched by Delta? Who knows, and it really doesn't matter. For Delta SkyMiles Medallion holders to request Continental elite status, send an email with the same information required above to onepass@coair.com.

ALASKA AIRLINES INTRODUCES HAWAII SERVICE NON-STOP FROM OAKLAND

Best known for service up and down the Pacific coast and throughout Alaska, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has begun non-stop service from Oakland International Airport to Maui with four weekly flights, as well as additional non-stops to Kona three times each week. Boeing 737-800 aircraft being used for the flights which can accommodate 16 passengers in first class and 141 in coach. Creative travelers who seek to take advantage of this new service can fly one-stop to Oakland with Southwest Airlines via Denver, or Delta Air Lines via Salt Lake City. For fare information, flight schedules and further information log onto www.alaskaair.com. Alaska flies several daily non-stops between the Twin Cities and Seattle, and continues to spread its wings across the country from its Seattle hub.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ADDS HAWAII SERVICE FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Aloha State has been begging for more airline service the last few years, so the addition of the Alaska Airlines service above and additional flights from Continental Airlines beginning in March of 2010 must be music to its ears. During the worst of the recession airlines were slashing routes left and right. Hawaii took it on the chin with carriers cutting the number of flights or size of the aircraft, and sometimes both, as flights to this island paradise have proven unprofitable for many years for a multitude of reasons. Continental's new service features Los Angeles International (LAX) to Maui, Orange County/John Wayne Airport to Honolulu, and at the same time a second daily flight from LAX to Honolulu.

UNITED AIRLINES TO BEGIN FIRST SERVICE TO AFRICA

Starting May 2, 2010 United Airlines will offer its first-ever service to the continent of Africa. Daily Boeing 767 flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Accra, Ghana with continuing service to Lagos, Nigeria is planned. Other new flights from United include an extension of its Washington to Kuwait service with the aircraft continuing on to Bahrain starting April 18 of next year. Another new route will be Chicago non-stop to Brussels, Belgium, again utilizing a Boeing 767. United's existing Brussels service from Washington will continue as well.

DELTA MOVING TOWARDS CASHLESS INFLIGHT PURCHASES

As of December 1, Delta Air Lines will only accept credit and debit cards for food and beverage purchases on most of its domestic mainline flights. International flights will continue to accept cash and credit/debit cards for the foreseeable future. Cash is the only form of payment accepted on Delta Connection regional aircraft flights.