NEWS: Hilton new double points & credit card promo, Cathay Pacific closes another lounge permanently & AA reopening lounges

Hilton double points & Credit card promo

If you already have a Hilton credit card (they stopped new applications in the UK) then you may be interested in the new promotion.

Hilton have launched a new global “Power Up” promotion for registered Hilton Honors members. Those with qualifying credit cards can earn Double (2x) Bonus Points on eligible stays, or Triple (3x) Bonus Points on eligible stays when using your Hilton Honors Credit Card*, in addition to Points earned on eligible hotel spend on stays from September 7 to December 31, 2021.

There is no cap on the number of Bonus Points members can earn, and Bonus Points can be earned an unlimited number of times during the promotion period.

You must register before or the “Power Up” promotion today at HiltonHonors.com/PowerUp/gb

This is a good one for double-dipping, as you could book a stay at one of the luxury brand hotels such as LXR, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad through a Hilton Impressario agent such as Debonair. 

This would give you a chance to  get several other perks:

• Complimentary Breakfast for two
• 100 USD hotel credit per stay  (or local currency equivalent)
• Room upgrade  (subject to availability)
• Complimentary Early Check-in  (subject to availability)
• Complimentary Early Check-out  (subject to availability) 

*Eligible Hilton Honors Credit Cards include Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, Hilton Honors Visa Classic Sumitomo Card, Hilton Honors Visa Gold Sumitomo Card, Hilton Honors Visa Platinum Sumitomo Card, Hilton Honors American Express Premium Card, Hilton Honors Platinum Barclaycard and Hilton Honors Credit Card issued by Deutsche Kreditbank AG.

Cathay Pacific close The Bridge at Hong Kong – allegedly permanently

Cathay Pacific has announced today that they will be closing one of their business class lounges at Hong Kong permanently. Given Hong Kong’s strict quarantine which can mean up to 21 days isolation, I’m surprised they are in business at all! Fortunately, the Pier and the Wing are due to continue into the future, both of which have a first class section. It will just mean a longer walk once we are backing flying through Hong Kong (and the walks are looong!). 

As we all know, permanent cuts have a habit of re-emerging so I’m sure if business travel returns, it will probably come back at some point.

AA reopening Flagship lounges

In the US, domestic travel is booming so American Airlines have announced that they are reopening more of their lounges. Is it just me that gets annoyed by the fact that American’s can pretty much travel wherever they want, but we are not allowed to enter even when fully vaccinated? The latest guestimate is that it may be until November at the earliest the US reopens! 

American Airlines is ready to reopen its Flagship lounges, where customers can wine, dine and retreat during travel. Throughout autumn, American will begin reopening Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining, with the first location opening Sept. 14, 2021, at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). As customers return to the lounges, they will experience new menus from James Beard Foundation chefs, more ways to access the lounges and touches from the inflight experience. Despite AA’d onboard experience being a bit hit and miss in terms of food and drink, many of its newer  Flagship lounges like JFK are great. 

“The Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining experience brings a whole new level of luxury to our customers’ journey, and we are thrilled to showcase our new offerings,” said Clarissa Sebastian, Managing Director of Premium Customer Experience and Onboard Products. “With revamped menus designed in collaboration with awe-inspiring chefs and even more ways to access the lounge, we can’t wait to open the doors and serve our customers this fall.”

Projected reopening schedule:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
  • Flagship Lounge: Sept. 14
  • Flagship First Dining: Sept. 16
• Miami International Airport (MIA) Concourse D
  • Flagship Lounge: Sept. 28
  • Flagship First Dining: Sept. 30

Later t locations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 4, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Terminal D and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Terminal 3 will reopen.

American is bringing celebrated chefs to Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining to serve up creative menu offerings. This program is in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, an organization with a mission to celebrate, support and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity and sustainability. Each location will feature an acclaimed local chef with offerings designed exclusively for their hometown lounge. Customers flying in Flagship First on qualifying international or transcontinental flights also have access to Flagship First Dining located within the Flagship Lounge. Flagship First Dining offers a full service restaurant dining experience featuring locally inspired menus designed by the James Beard Foundation chefs. 

Customers will soon notice D.S. & Durga before takeoff as well as on board, with hand soap and lotions featured in the toilets. Shower suites will now feature Dyson Supersonic hair dryers to enhance the premium guest experience. You will also be able to access the Flagship lounges when travelling to Hawaii in Flagship® First and Flagship® Business.