Travelore News: Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Emirates Airline Announce New Partnership

Frits Van Paasschen (Starwood CEO) and Thierry Antinori (Executive VP)

STAMFORD, CT and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Today, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and Emirates Airline® are announcing a new partnership providing reciprocal benefits to Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Emirates Skywards members. The program, Your World Rewards, begins Nov. 19 and allows SPG and Skywards elite members who register for the program, to elevate their earnings and benefits when they fly with Emirates or stay with SPG Participating Hotels.

With Your World Rewards, SPG and Emirates Skywards members will now earn in the air, on the ground and around the world. Whether on business or leisure, registered SPG and Emirates Skywards members will enjoy the best in travel from take-off to check-out with rich benefits, personal service and extensive access around the world through this partnership of two loyalty programs.

Elite SPG and Emirates Skywards members will receive exclusive rewards of each loyalty program. Skywards Gold and Platinum members will have the opportunity to upgrade their hotel experience, receiving exclusive benefits including access to SPG elite check-in, 4:00 p.m. late check-out and complimentary in-room Internet access. In turn, all SPG Platinum members will enjoy some of the advantages of Emirates Skywards elite like priority check-in and priority boarding when flying Emirates. Members will also receive complimentary e-gate access for flights in and out of Dubai.

Members will also earn bonus Starpoints® when they fly with Emirates and bonus Miles when they stay with SPG on top of their usual earnings. Elite SPG members will earn one Starpoint® per dollar, in addition to Skywards Miles, for all eligible Emirates operated flights; and all Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members will earn the equivalent of one Mile per dollar, on top of Starpoints, for all eligible stays at Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide. Conversion rates will be adjusted for local currencies.

“The combination of Emirates’ growing global network, Starwood's innovative take on hospitality and our top-rated loyalty programs allow us to recognize our most valuable customers with a heightened level of service and greater rewards wherever they travel – be it to one of our more than 140 destinations or at any of Starwood’s 1,200 hotels," said Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline. “This partnership unites two like-minded companies with complementary global footprints, putting more rewards on the map and taking our most loyal guests’ travel to new heights.”

As one of the leading global airlines, Emirates is constantly adding new routes and new destinations, connecting more people with more places. To date, Emirates has 54 A380 in their fleet and is receiving an average of two of these supersized aircrafts per month. Particularly, the U.S. market has been a growing market for Emirates, adding Chicago as its latest U.S. destination in August and upgrading its routes to Dallas/Fort Worth to an A380 with San Francisco and Houston to follow shortly. In total, Emirates serves more than 140 destinations in more than 80 countries across 6 continents. With its hub in Dubai, it connects the West with the East – providing customers from the Americas, Europe and Africa service to destinations in the Far East and Australasia, West Asia, Indian Ocean and Middle East and vice versa.

“We are living in a new Golden Age of Travel with more people from more places traveling than ever before,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing at Starwood. “Your World Rewards allows us to cultivate even greater loyalty with travelers from the world’s fastest-growing travel markets. As Emirates increasingly connects East with West, and the emerging markets to the developed world, their reach dovetails perfectly with Starwood’s preeminent high-end, global footprint and our pipeline of new hotels, 75% of which will open in emerging markets.”

According to Vondrasek, SPG membership has grown 400% in key emerging markets over the last five years. And as the Middle East continues to emerge as a premier global gateway, and the crossroads of new world travel patterns, it is also increasingly a source of new frequent travelers. The Middle East is SPG’s third fastest-growing market behind China and India and one of the top 10 travel destinations for SPG members. Today, Starwood is the largest high-end hotel company in the region and expects to grow its footprint by 70% over the next five years, specifically in Dubai and other Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, where tourism is on the rise. With 82 operating hotels and more than 20 hotels expected to open by the end of 2015 in the region, Starwood is on track to reach a milestone 100 hotels across its Middle East and Africa portfolio.

Coolest First-Class Amenities In Flight

From “holy water” skin fresheners to embroidered pjs, some airlines have perfected the art of coddling passengers.

Contributed by Katrina Brown Hunt                                          Appeared as "" in T+L Magazine

Ana Silva O’Reilly gets almost misty-eyed when she thinks about a souvenir from her trip to New York several years ago: an Anya Hindmarch bag, featuring a black-and-white photo of London Bridge, which she received while flying first class on British Airways.

“There was something special about the bags,” says the U.K.-based luxury-travelblogger. “They were quite exclusive but, more than anything, very usable. To this day, you see quite a few on security queues—and people smile at each other.”

• Check out the World's Best Airlines

Even for travelers who embrace all manner of egalitarianism on the ground, it’s hard to argue with the VIP treatment you get while riding in business or first class on long-haul flights. Of course, there’s the legroom and the increasing number of flatbed seats. But for some passengers, the little creature comforts that many airlines offer—like a set of cozy loungewear, or a live orchid blooming over your seat—elevate the front-of-plane experience. “Although it’s not the main reason why I select which premium class I fly to a particular destination,” admits Brian Kelly, founder of frequent-flyer site ThePointsGuy, “a great amenity kit can definitely make a difference to the in-flight experience.”

The airlines are paying attention. According to the International Air Transport Association, “upper-class passengers” account for about a third of airline revenues, even though they occupy a small piece of the plane’s real estate.

When we looked around the world, we found several airlines (most, strikingly, based outside the U.S.) that butter up their first-class passengers with high-end goodie bags and instant-souvenir embroidered pajamas, along with fabulous front-of-the-cabin perks (hot shower before landing, anyone?) that can mitigate even the worst case of jet lag.

Almost maddeningly, too, those perks are not always easily re-created on the ground. Those BA amenity kits, for instance, have an “amazing lip balm that you can’t buy anywhere yet,” says O’Reilly. “I have asked the brand and was told that I would have to fly BA First again—and I could be tempted.”

Air New Zealand               

Any airline that uses characters from The Hobbit for its safety video clearly doesn’t feel the need to embrace pretension. Perhaps that’s why the amenity kit in Air New Zealand’s Business Premier Class (the airline doesn’t even offer a first class) is a nice blend of luxe and quirky. You get Clarins skin-care products, a pair of hipsterish striped socks and eye masks with cheeky messages—such as “Beware I Sleep Walk”—written across the front.airnewzealand.com

Courtesy of British Airways

British Airways

The former home of the Concorde has inspired a loyal following for its high-tone, cool-Britannia amenity kits. The centerpiece these days is a Gladstone-style bag by Sloane Street retailer Anya Hindmarch—marked with BA’s traditional seal—filled with eye gel, lip balm and moisturizer by all-natural skin-care maker Ren, and accented with a toothbrush set by D. R. Harris (a company that dates back to Victorian times). britishairways.com

Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific

On this Hong Kong–based airline, men get a dash of Milan style with a bag by Ermenegildo Zegna filled with Acca Kappa toiletries, while ladies receive a clutch by Trussardi (once the bag maker to the British royal family) stocked with products from Australian brand Aesop. Everyone, meanwhile, can channel some classic Oriental style in the airline’s heather-shaded sleep suits, featuring a traditional mandarin collar, made by Hong Kong designer PYE. (Coordinate with matching sleep masks and slippers.) To boost the good feng shui, first-class cabins even feature wall-mounted vases with fresh orchids. cathaypacific.com

Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines

Thanks to the recently refreshed BusinessElite class, Delta is one of two U.S.-based airlines to make our list. Its anti-ballistic Tumi amenity bag features a Tumi eye mask as well as lotion and lip balm by sensitive-skin-friendly New York apothecary Malin+Goetz. The kit also comes with such essentials as socks, a comb, a dental kit and, for the traveling germaphobe, antibacterial wipes. delta.com

Courtesy of EL AL

El Al

Israel’s national airline goes Italiano for its gender-specific first-class bags by Salvatore Ferragamo. The luxury brand’s goodies are inside too: Ladies receive hand cream, body lotion, facial mist and face cream, while men get shaving gel, aftershave, lip balm and their own refreshing mist. First-class passengers also receive generous perks on the ground such as complimentary chauffeur service from your house to the airport and, once at your destination, from the airport to your hotel (within 62 miles). elal.co.il

Courtesy of Etihad

Etihad Airways

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates offers first-class amenity bags so personal that they almost seem like bride-and-groom gifts. Gentlemen are presented with a leather cuff-link box, while ladies get a Swarovski crystal–studded clutch—and both include lotions and toiletries from Swiss-made La Prairie. The flat beds are topped with glossy, dupioni-silk-and-cotton duvets, and you can slip into your cozies in the luxury changing room, which has a full-length mirror. There’s also no need to push the flight-attendant call button when you’re parched: First-class suites come with their own mini-bars. etihad.com

JetBlue

JetBlue

JetBlue’s new Premium service, called Mint—on flights between New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, starting June 2014—promises seriously Gotham City–style perks at the front of the plane. Passengers will get tapas and specialty cocktails created by NoHo bar and grill Saxon + Parole, as well as an amenity kit with a rotating selection of toiletries from Birchbox, a NYC-based company known for its luxe travel-size goodies, such as Cartier deodorant, eucalyptus towelettes and even Italian-made “strong mint” Marvis toothpaste (which also used to be a staple of the esteemed BA amenity kit). jetblue.com

SWISS

Swiss International Airlines

You’ll feel like a native in first class with your medley of Swiss-made products: eye cream, hand cream and lip balm by La Prairie; reusable earplugs by Phonak; and navy-blue, polo-collar cotton pajamas by legendary underwear-maker Zimmerli. A spokesperson for Swiss also says that flight attendants take notes on your druthers. If, say, you request a medium pj top combined with a small size of pants during your flight, they’ll keep that information on file for your next trip. In keeping with Switzerland’s model of diplomatic neutrality, first-class passengers also get an adjustable wall for privacy.swiss.com

Courtesy of Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines

The Asian airline dazzles its first-class passengers with top-drawer Parisian brand names. On flights to and from the U.S., the toiletry kit is stocked with lotion, facial cream and lip balm by Sothys. Come bedtime, you get turndown service at your flat bed with Givenchy-made linens, a duvet and even zippered Givenchy pajamas. To shut out any racket while you watch your movie, you can use anti-noise headsets by Phitek.

Looking for even more creature comforts? On the airline’s A380 flights, you can book a suite with a true flat bed—not just a seat that folds out. Couples can even opt for middle cabin suites with double beds (two twins pushed together). singaporeair.com

Courtesy of Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Like many airlines, Turkish offers slightly different amenity kits in business and first class. First-class passengers these days are given a Porsche Design hard case filled with Acca Kappa toiletries—fabulous, no doubt, but business class is no downgrade. The toiletries are by old-school Crabtree & Evelyn, while the 21st-century bag, not so coincidentally, perfectly fits your iPad. Turkish Airlines also distinguishes itself by offering a hajj amenity kit for pilgrims (riding in any class) en route to Mecca. The bag includes a prayer mat, prayer counter, hip bag, unscented liquid soap and fresh socks.turkishairlines.com

Courtesy of Qantas

Qantas

The Australian airline’s his-and-her kits offer skin care by über-luxe global brand SK-II; dedicated users have described the facial essence treatment ($100 for 2.5 oz.) as “holy water.” For a little down-under protection, Qantas bags also include Rexona deodorant (the Aussie cousin of Degree). Come bedtime, first-class passengers can put on cotton-jersey pjs in charcoal gray, featuring an embroidered kangaroo. qantas.com.au

Emirates

Emirates

The Dubai-based airline was already worthy of the first-class big leagues thanks to its Bulgari amenity bags: Men score aftershave and cologne, and a razor from Taylor of Old Bond Street, based in London, while ladies get Bulgari face lotion, nourishing hand cream and Thé Rouge eau parfumée. But the airline put itself in a different stratosphere with one addition to its double-decker A380 (which flies to 21 cities, including Rome, Moscow, Hong Kong and Auckland, New Zealand). The plane has an onboard hot shower stocked with fluffy towels. The only hitch? You’re limited to a five-minute soak.emirates.com

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Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Launches Luxury Jet Experience

Contributed by Karla Cripps, CNN

The Four Seasons' new jet, which takes flight in February 2015, is a Boeing 757. The luxury hotel brand says it will be fitted out with 52 seats in a 2-2 configuration.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Four Seasons' branded jet will begin around-the-world tours in 2015
• The 24-day, nine-destination global journey costs $119,000 per person
• Statistics show global travel market poised for growth in 2014

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is entering the aviation game.

Sort of.

The Toronto-based luxury accommodation brand has leased its very own Boeing 757, to fly guests on global tours starting February 2015.

Renderings of the black airplane -- dubbed the "Four Seasons Jet" -- show the brand's leaf logo on the tail, while execs say the interiors of the retrofitted plane will be customized by the company's design team.

Flatbed seats and in-flight Wi-Fi are a given.

"[It's] a natural extension of what we've been doing in our hotels for more than 50 years," said Susan Helstab, executive vice president of marketing, in a statement.

The Boeing 757 is a twin-engine short-to-medium-range jetliner that can fly both long- and short-range routes.

On November 28, 2005, Boeing wrapped up the 23-year run of the single aisle 757 passenger airplane but says more than 1,030 of its 1,050 757s are still in service.

Commercial airlines usually fit out these planes with at least 200 seats, but the Four Seasons Jet will have 52 in a 2-2 configuration.

Around the world in 24 days

Four Seasons says it's already accepting reservations for trips in February, April and August.

First up is "Around the World," a 24-day, nine-destination trip that starts in Los Angeles and ends in London.

The price is $119,000 per person and stops include Hawaii, Bora Bora, Sydney, Bali, northern Thailand, Mumbai and Istanbul.

A shorter tour, called "Backstage with the Arts," is a 16-day European trip in April through Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and Prague.

Each journey includes air travel and ground transportation, planned excursions, all meals, some drinks and accommodations -- only in Four Seasons properties, of course.

In-flight staff will include a concierge to coordinate with local Four Seasons concierges in each destination.