Edelweiss returns to Calgary/Vancouver to fly the yearly Zurich route, Swiss to codeshare

It has been a few years since Edelweiss flew into Calgary and Vancouver on the summer seasonal Zurich run. Belair, the Air Berlin subsidiary has plied this route the past couple of summers. Now, with Edelweiss' return, customers will be able to buy the SWISS codeshare on this route and connect to other Swiss flights in or out of Zurich on their itinerary. It also means that as long as your ticket is under the SWISS code (LX) you can earn miles in the Miles and More program. Flights will operate weekly on Mondays from May 31 to Sep 14

Schedule as follows:
YYC-YVR Dep 1240 Arr 1300
YVR-ZRH Dep 1440 Arr 0955
ZRH-YYC Dep 0925 Arr 1130

More details can be found on the Edelweiss website

Aeroplan Fall/Winter Bonus Miles for flights

Air Canada launched their next set of Aeroplan Flight bonus offers recently which definitely are targeting routes and fare classes that are slow at this time and ones that have competition on them. All offers run until January 31, 2010. The bonuses are split into North America and International and are as follows:

North America
Earn up to 15,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you fly within Canada and between Canada and the US. Complete 3 one way flights to earn 3,000 bonus miles, complete 3 more (6 total) to earn another 4,000 bonus miles (7,000 total) and earn 8,000 more after completing another 3 (9 total). Full Details and online registration (Registration is required). The following routes qualify for this promo
Within Canada:
* Halifax to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
* Montreal or Ottawa to Halifax
* Toronto to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax
* London ON to Calgary
* Edmonton to Yellowknife, Toronto
* Calgary to Toronto, London ON, Yellowknife, Kamloops
* Vancouver to Toronto, Kamloops
* Kamloops to Calgary, Vancouver
* Yellowknife to Calgary, Edmonton
Between Canada and the U.S.:
* Montreal and Las Vegas, Newark, New York-LaGuardia
* Las Vegas, Newark, New York-LaGuardia to Montreal
* Toronto to Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Newark, New York-LaGuardia
* Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Newark, New York-LaGuardia to Toronto
* Edmonton to Los Angeles
* Los Angeles to Edmonton
* Vancouver to Los Angeles, San Diego
* Los Angeles, San Diego to Vancouver

International
Earn Double Aeroplan Miles for every roundtrip or 2 one-way segments in Executive First between Canada and
* Frankfurt, Munich, London, Zurich, Geneva, Paris, Madrid, Rome
* Tel Aviv
* Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul
* Lima, Bogota, Sao Paulo , Santiago , Buenos Aires , Caracas
* Sydney
Full Details and online registration (Registration is required).

Earn Double Aeroplan Miles for every roundtrip or 2 one-way segments in Economy Class between Canada and Geneva, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Santiago, Buenos Aires, or Sao Paulo Full Details and online registration (Registration is required).

October: a busy month for Rewards Canada and the Frequent Flyer Industry!

You may have noticed not much has gone on here on the Rewards Canada Blog for the past two weeks or so. We had been busy preparing for and attending the FFP-ARAC conference (Frequent Flyer Program - Ancillary Revenue Airline Conference) hence the lack of posts here or updates on the Frequent Flyer Bonuses Group of websites. Now we are back at it, bonuses are being posted on the websites as of Monday and I am ready to get back to blogging as well.

October 2009 has proven to be a busy month for the frequent flyer industry with loss of multiple FF programs and changes in the face of alliances. This month we have seen one of the worlds largest programs, Northwest's World Perks completely disappear as it has been fully integrated into Delta's SkyMiles program. In Europe, we lost two frequent flyer programs with Brussels Airlines Privilege program closing down and the airline joining parent company Lufthansa's Miles and More program. Finally TUIFly's Bluemiles program vanished on Oct 24 to become part of Air Berlin's Top Bonus program.

On the alliance front, the big news is Continental officially joining the Star Alliance. Most major airlines in the Star Alliance (United, Air Canada, Lufthansa as examples) have already or will be in the next week or so launching codeshares with Continental. As well all the frequent flyer programs have been connected so that members can earn and burn on Continental in their favorite program and vice versa for OnePass members.

Brussels Airlines has also announced that they should officially join the Star Alliance on Nov 9 with the same features outlined for Continental.

The only thing left to be announced this year on the Frequent Flyer program front is the launching of WestJet's reward program and I was assured by WestJet at the FFP-ARAC conference that it will happen before the end of 2009.

With that being said, I am happy to be back at the business of posting bonus offers and FFP news and hope that our readers are too.

Finnair increase summmer seasonal Toronto-Helsinki service

According to Airline Route Updates, Finnair will be increasing their 2010 summer seasonal service between Toronto and Helsinki to 5 times weekly from the 4 weekly flown in 2009. The service will from Jun 6, 10 to Sep 9, 10

United to offer complimentary and unlimited upgrades to Elite Members

We know how you value the ease of travel being an elite member brings to you. Now we're making it even easier. In the second quarter of 2010, we’ll automatically request an Unlimited Domestic Upgrade on behalf of all elite members and up to one companion when they travel within the Continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.

When Unlimited Domestic Upgrades are launched, we’ll be transitioning all of our elite members to the new upgrades, replacing 500-Mile Upgrade certificates. Elite members can still use their existing Regional Upgrades during their full 12-month validity period. However, new certificates will no longer be issued. If you’re not an elite member, don’t worry – you’ll still be able to use your existing certificates any time during their full 12-month validity period, just like you do today.

Further details on Unlimited Domestic Upgrades and other exciting enhancements will be available on Mileageplus.com in early 2010. Stay tuned.

Full Details

Air Canada adds New Delayed and Cancelled Flight Service

Now you don't have to wait in line at the airport or be on hold with AC reservations!

Straight from the Air Canada website:

"In our ongoing effort to deliver a superior level of service and reduce the problems associated with flight disruptions, we are proud introduce our new Delayed and Cancelled Flight Service.

Now, when an Air Canada or Jazz flight is cancelled or is expected to be delayed due to severe weather, you can search for another flight or cancel you remaining flight(s) online – no need to call Air Canada Reservations or see an Air Canada airport agent.

How it works:

• If Air Canada advises you that your flight has been cancelled, or if severe weather conditions are expected to bring about a flight delay or cancellation, you may access the service online using your booking reference number and passenger name.
• If your flight has in fact been delayed or cancelled, the service will advise you, in many cases, that we have already rebooked you on an alternate flight, thus minimizing disruptions to your travel plans. Naturally, you’ll then be able to:
  • View your new flight details (if you’ve been rebooked) and check in if your flight is eligible for online check-in,
  • Search for another flight to your destination (no change fee will apply), or
  • Cancel your remaining flights altogether.

If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you’ll also be provided with a link to the service when you check in for your original flight via the Web, your mobile device or at an airport kiosk.

Because flight disruptions are never easy on anyone, we invite you to learn what else you can do when your flight is delayed or cancelled."

Full Details

Emirates 2 Day Sale - Save up to $3,000 out of Toronto

Today and tomorrow, Emirates is reducing First and Business Class fares by up to $3,000* to select destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand from Toronto (YYZ). There's no better time to take advantage of Emirates' award-winning service aboard the A380 including our Onboard Lounge, Shower Spas (First Class only), multi-course meals, fine wines and over 1,200 channels on demand. Purchase your ticket by October 7, 2009 for travel anytime. No blackout dates.
Business Class (one-way) $500 off
Business Class (roundtrip) $1,000 off
First Class (one-way) $2,000 off
First Class (roundtrip) $3,000 off

Book online at Emirates

Save 20% on any Porter Flight

Use promo code TURKEY20 to save 20% on any new Porter bookings. Book by Oct 5 for travel until Dec 15

Book at Flyporter.com

AA releases schedule for the new Calgary/Vancouver - Chicago routes

From Airline Route Updates:

American Airlines has loaded the schedules for its planned Chicago - Calgary (eff 05APR10) and Chicago - Vancouver (eff 10JUN10) service in Summer 2010.

Schedules are:
Chicago - Calgary
AA3733 ORD1515 - 2012YYC CR7 D
AA3734 YYC0805 - 1220ORD CR7 D 06APR10-

Chicago - Vancouver
AA2397 ORD0910 - 1135YVR 738 D
AA2398 YVR1230 - 1830ORD 738 D

Porter Airlines increases New York and Boston frequencies

From the press release

"Porter Airlines is enhancing its New York and Boston schedules to better connect these two critical markets with Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA), beginning Nov. 15.

New York flights via Newark Liberty International Airport increase to eight daily roundtrips from seven, while Boston moves to four daily roundtrips from three. Weekend service also increases in New York."