How Airline and Hotel Loyalty programs are changing due to COVID-19, coronavirus.
Given the global situation concerning COVID-19 (the coronavirus), frequent travelers have stayed at home and are practicing social distancing instructions in order to prevent further spread of the illness. As we hope for the safe health of others, we're all dreaming of a return to normal travel. While no one can quite predict when that might be, travel companies have made moves to keep their programs active and members engaged. Here's a list by Ramsey Qubein on what to know about travel loyalty program changes, elite status, and qualifications moving forward.
Accor Live Limitless
Accor’s loyalty program is crediting 50 percent of the status nights and points required to requalify for your current status level. This automatically gets you halfway toward the same status for next year.
Aeroplan
Air Canada is pausing the expiration of miles until May 14, which means if you had miles set to expire before then, they now last until mid-May. Altitude members are receiving additional eUpgrade credits in their accounts, which are valid until May 31, 2021.
Best Western Rewards
Best Western was one of the first to extend status for members until January 31, 2022. This means that your current status remains the same unless you earn a higher level this year. Plus, anyone who was downgraded in status based on travels in 2019 will be boosted to their previous level until January 31, 2022, as well.
Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club
Cathay is automatically adding monthly increments of points between now and April to get travelers closer to status thresholds even when they cannot travel. In addition, those with lounge passes, upgrade certificates, and Gold Companion Card nominations will receive six-month extensions to use them.
Choice Privileges
Any points set to expire have been extended through the end of May 2021.
Delta SkyMiles
If you have upgrade and companion certificates that were supposed to expire this spring, the validity has been extended through the end of the year.
Emirates Skywards
The airline is lowering elite threshold requirements between now and May 2020 by 20 percent.
Etihad Guest
The airline is delivering bonus tier miles on a monthly basis to pad member balances and help them toward annual elite thresholds during the travel slowdown.
Flying Blue
Miles will no longer expire this year, and for those with status expiring this spring, elite status requirements are being lowered by 25 percent.
Hilton Honors
Any points that were scheduled to expire between now and May 31 will be extended.
IHG Rewards Club
IHG was a first mover in making status easier for travelers. Travelers now have lower requirements to earn elite status. For example, Gold Elite status now requires 7,000 qualifying points (instead of 10,000) or seven qualifying nights (instead of 10) this year to earn status. Top-tier Spire Elite status only requires 55,000 qualifying points (instead of 75,000) or 55 nights (instead of 75).
Marriott Bonvoy
If you have free night or Suite Night awards (used for room upgrades on eligible stays) in your account, these will be extended until December 31, 2021. In addition, any points set to previously expire will be extended to the same date.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Status is being extended for current elite members by 12 months.
Radisson Rewards
Current elite status has been extended through February 2022, and any upcoming points expiration has been extended through the end of August.
Shangri-La Golden Circle
The current elite status is being extended for another year to December 31, 2021.
Virgin Flying Club
Elite status is being extended by six months.
World of Hyatt
Proposed changes to award categories (the designated number of points needed to redeem for a free night’s stay) will not go into effect this month as planned. Instead, it will be postponed to 2021. That’s good news for stays at many luxury hotels, where the free-night points rate was going to increase.
Why haven’t other brands made adjustments yet?
Given the uncertainty of the current situation, some airlines or hotels may be waiting to see the extent of travel disruption before making an announcement. Even currently announced loyalty program adjustments may change again before the end of the year. As we wait for the curve to flatten, be expecting more change to occur to our favorite hotel and airline programs.
Visiting the DELTA AIRLINES SKY CLUB at HNL
We got a chance to stop by the DELTA AIRLINES SKY LOUNGE at the Honolulu International Airport, located in Terminal 2 (Inside Security). Near Gate F1. Rated as “SOLID” & “WORTH A DETOUR” on Loungbuddy, we had to stop by and do a review. We have been here before, but it was worth a second stop for a review.
AMBIANCE: (4/5) This is definitely on the top 5 of the best lounges of the 14 at the Honolulu International Airport. This lounge has received a facelift with modern furniture, stylish lighting, and attractive colors.
FOOD: (4/5) The spread here was great, definitely more than snacks. They have a nice sized buffet with chicken, beef curry, rice, and other sides. There is an open bar and of course, an espresso machine!! you won’t go thirsty here!
SERVICE: (4/5) You are greeted by the lovely Delta staff who really make your stay here enjoyable and peaceful. There was a delay on our flight, but we were well informed of the changes and adjustments that were made by the front desk.
EXTRA AMENITIES: (3/5)
Other than a business center and an open bar, everything here is pretty standard and ordinary.
OVERALL SCORE: 3.75/5
To learn how to access, check out our latest write up on the DELTA SKY CLUB at HNL.
HOW TO ACCESS:
If you are flying with Delta, or a Sky Team partner like Air France or KLM, in a first or business class cabin on an international flight, you will also receive complimentary access to the Sky Club. You will also be able to access the lounge in this manner if you are traveling on certain transcontinental routes within the US in first or business class. You will not be given any guesting privileges with this method of access.
America Express Platinum card Holders -When it comes to lounge access, you won’t find a better card option than the Platinum Card from American Express. Just for holding the card, you will receive complimentary access into the Sky Club when you are flying with Delta. And while you won’t be able to bring in guests for free, you will be able to bring up to two guests into the lounge for $29 each.
Carry the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express - Much like the Platinum Card from American Express mentioned above, just for holding the Delta Reserve personal or business credit card from American Express, you will receive complimentary Sky Club access when you are flying with Delta. And beginning on January 30, 2020, cardholders will receive two, one-time guest passes to the Delta Sky Club each year. With an annual fee of $450, most will be better off going with the Platinum Card from American Express option. It has an annual fee of only $100 more ($550) and it simply provides many more benefits. If you don’t need the Reserve for earning MQMs and MQDs towards Delta status, go with the Platinum card mentioned above.
Hold Delta Gold or Platinum Medallion Status and Fly Internationally - If you hold either Delta’s Gold or Platinum Medallion status you will be able to access the Sky Club free of charge if you are traveling internationally on Delta or a Sky Team partner regardless of which cabin you are flying in. You can have a ticket in any class of service and receive free access. Further, you can bring one guest in with you at no charge.
Carry the Delta Gold or Platinum co-branded American Express credit card - For holding the Gold or Platinum SkyMiles credit card from American Express, you will receive discounted Sky Club access of $29 per entry. You can also bring in up to two guests for $29 each.
However, starting on January 30, 2020, Delta SkyMiles Gold cardholders will no longer be able to buy a single visit Sky Club pass. This option will still be available for Delta SkyMiles Platinum cardholders but the cost will be increased to $39 for each visit.