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American Airlines today announced an enhancement to its online flight check-in process that provides online check-in capability for passengers traveling internationally.

Through online flight check-in at AA.com, customers traveling both domestically, and now internationally, can check in for their flight and subsequently print or e-mail their boarding pass, from anywhere in the world.

"Online check-in enables customers to avoid an extra stop and head straight to the gate, saving valuable time when traveling," said Derek DeCross, American Airlines Managing Director - Interactive Marketing.  "This new enhancement to AA.com is another step in our efforts to help simplify the entire travel experience for our customers, whether they're looking for flight deals, car rentals, hotel stays, or even cruises and activities.  Over the next few months, we will make further enhancements."

Customers can access flight check-in via the AA.com homepage or by visiting www.aa.com/findreservation and can check in two to 24 hours before international flights and one to 24 hours before domestic flights.  Customers can then locate their flight reservation using either their AAdvantage® login or their full name as it appears in travel documents, along with their six digit flight record locator.

Passengers traveling to International destinations will also need their passport information and will only be able to check in for flights to destinations where they have met international travel requirements.  After customers locate their itinerary, the AA.com flight check-in process provides easy-to-use prompts for guidance through the appropriate steps.

Once the check-in process is complete, passengers will have the option to print their boarding pass immediately from the confirmation page, e-mail their boarding pass to print later, or receive their boarding passes electronically on their mobile phones or PDAs (available in select cities only).  For more details regarding online flight check-in at AA.com, customers can visit www.aa.com/checkin.

The new AA.com enhancements go hand-in-hand with American's strategy to strengthen its global network through its oneworld® Alliance partnerships to enhance competition and customer benefits in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific markets, including:  

• Japan Airlines continued and expanding relationship with the oneworld Alliance, including its filing for a joint business agreement with American for trans-Pacific flights.
• Tentative approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for antitrust immunity for American and British Airways, Iberia, Royal Jordanian and Finnair, as well as Americans plans to operate a joint business between North America and Europe with British Airways and Iberia.
• American's DOT application to operate year-round scheduled service to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) starting Oct. 1, 2010.  

Additionally, American recently announced plans to expand its international presence out of New York, adding three new routes between John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Jose, Costa Rica; Madrid, Spain; and Manchester, England.

American is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which serves 800 airports in nearly 150 countries, with some 9,000 daily departures.

American Airlines is pleased to help customers "free their memory" with a promotion aimed at introducing travelers to the new AA.com Notification Center.

Running now through Jan. 5, 2010, the "Free Your Memory" sweepstakes offers a chance to win one of 60 BlackBerry® Curve(TM) 8900 smartphones, one of which comes with 300,000 AAdvantage® miles. Anyone can register to win by simply playing the interactive memory game at www.aa.com/promo.

The AA.com Notification Center, launched in 2009, is accessible from each customer's My Account section on AA.com, where customers can simplify their travel experience with American Airlines. The center enables customers to set their flight status notification preferences just one time and then automatically receive messages for all their future flights, as long as their AAdvantage number is included in their flight reservation. When setting up a profile, customers choose how they would like American to notify them - by phone, text message or e-mail. The AA.com Notification Center also makes sharing these updates easier by allowing AAdvantage members to save up to 10 contacts in their profile. American then will automatically provide the member, and the member's selected contacts, with desired flight information.

"We all have so much to do these days - so many places to be and things to remember. With the AA.com Notification Center, we're making travel a little easier for customers by giving them one less item to think about," said Derek DeCross, American's Managing Director - Interactive Marketing. "The 'Free Your Memory' sweepstakes is a great way to demonstrate how the AA.com Notification Center can make the travel experience more convenient, and we're excited to offer everyone a chance to win some fantastic prizes."

Customers can receive one sweepstakes entry by playing the interactive memory game and registering at www.aa.com/promo. Registrants may also earn additional entries by referring a friend to the sweepstakes and by updating or creating their profile on AA.com. The total number of sweepstakes entries allowed per person is three. No purchase is necessary to enter.

For further information and sweepstakes rules, visit www.aa.com/promo. For more details or to view a demo on the AA.com Notification Center, visit www.aa.com/connect. 

SOURCE American Airlines

United Airlines today announces the launch of Premier Travel(SM) and Premier Travel Plus(SM), the latest Travel Options by United(SM), which enable customers to enjoy an enhanced travel experience with swifter movement through the airport, earlier boarding, more legroom and other amenities.

By purchasing these options in a convenient bundle, customers can save up to 50 percent compared to buying these benefits individually.

With the Premier Travel option available at most U.S. airports served by United, customers can check two standard bags with no charge, use Premier Line to quickly proceed through security checkpoints and boarding, enjoy increased legroom in United Economy Plus(R) and earn twenty-five percent more redeemable Mileage Plus(R) miles for those flights.

With Premier Travel Plus, customers enjoy the benefits of the Premier Travel option, but with double redeemable Mileage Plus(R) bonus miles and access to United's Red Carpet Clubs - a travel oasis with complimentary WiFi, snacks and beverages.

Travelers can purchase the Premier Travel or Premier Travel Plus options through united.com when booking, through My Itineraries or when checking in online. Purchase at airport EasyCheck-In kiosks will be available later in 2009. Starting at just $47, Premier Travel is available for most itineraries departing from the majority of U.S. airports served by United.

Between Washington and New York/Newark, for example, customers may purchase the Premier Travel option for $47 each way, and can purchase Premier Travel Plus for $84 each way. Between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Premier Travel is $56 each way, while Premier Travel Plus is $95. From Chicago to London, Premier Travel is $158, while Premier Travel Plus is $285. And from San Francisco to Tokyo, Premier Travel is $167, while Premier Travel Plus is $298. Prices are subject to change without notice.

"United is committed to providing our customers with the most comfortable and convenient travel experience possible, and we are pleased to expand their options with Premier Travel and Premier Travel Plus," says Jeff Foland, senior vice president of worldwide sales & distribution. "Whether it's offering extra legroom near the front of the Economy cabin or allowing quicker access through airport security and boarding lines, the Premier Travel options help ensure that passengers arrive at their destinations refreshed and ready for work or play."

Mileage Plus Premier(R) members continue to receive many of these valuable benefits at no additional cost. Premier Travel is available for purchase only in limited quantities to ensure that the Premier experience is preserved.

For more details on these and the many other Travel Options by United, please visit united.com/traveloptions.

Source: United Airlines

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced changes to its checked baggage policy for customers traveling between Europe and the United States, including U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Customers who purchase certain economy class tickets for travel on or after the effective date will be able to check one bag for free and will pay $50 for a second checked bag. Customers checking in and pre-paying for bags at continental.com receive a $5 discount.

The new policy takes effect immediately for tickets purchased Aug. 27, 2009 for travel on or after Sept. 15, 2009. The changes apply to transatlantic travelers on all flights operated by Continental Airlines between the United States and Europe.

The service fee will not apply to EliteAccess customers, including those seated in First or BusinessFirst, OnePass Elite and SkyTeam Elite members, customers traveling on full-fare economy (Y) class tickets, Continental Airlines Presidential Plus primary cardmembers or military personnel and their families traveling on official orders.

Checked bags must meet weight and size restrictions or will be subject to additional fees. Continental's policy for carry-on baggage remains unchanged.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

- If a customer cancels their Getaways vacation or ends it early due to a hurricane, the airline will provide full pre-departure refunds or post-departure hotel and flight credits

- Getaways vacations are on sale today through August 14 from $305 (b) to select hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico

Customer-friendly JetBlue Airways is pleased to announce The Weather or Not Getaways Protection Policy, designed to boost customer confidence in booking vacation packages to select hotels in Cancun; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Maarten this fall. In the event of a hurricane, if a customer chooses to cancel their reservation before departure or end their Getaways vacation early, JetBlue will provide full pre-departure refunds or post-departure hotel and flight credits (a).

"Similar to our Promise Program, we continue to look for ways to give customers the confidence to book travel plans without the worry," said Robin Hayes, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for JetBlue Airways. "According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this will be a near-normal hurricane season. It's a beautiful time of year to travel and take advantage of some great vacation deals. Our new hurricane policy takes the concern out of the one thing that gives some customers reluctance to book travel to these popular tropical destinations during this time of year."

Customers who have booked a JetBlue Getaways vacation package to participating hotels between Dec. 8, 2008 and Nov. 8, 2009 for travel between Sept. 1 and Nov. 13, 2009 and who are disrupted by the occurrence of a hurricane may be eligible for The Weather or Not Getaways Protection Policy. To celebrate, JetBlue is currently offering sale packages on Getaways vacations today through Aug. 14.

Participating hotels and JetBlue Getaways packages on sale include (prices per person):

    Cancun Riviera Maya from $369 (b)
    Azul Beach Hotel*
    Barcelo Maya and Caribe Beach Resort*
    Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa*
    El Dorado Maroma*
    El Dorado Royale*
    El Dorado Seaside Suites*
    Grand Palladium Riviera Resort and Spa*
    Hotel Marina El Cid Spa and Beach Resort*
    Omni Puerto Aventuras Beach Resort
    The Reef Playacar*

    Cancun Hotel Zone from $305 (b)
    Bel Air Collection Hotel and Spa Cancun
    Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand
    CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort
    Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas*
    Hyatt Regency Cancun
    JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa
    Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas

    Montego Bay, Jamaica from $529 (b)
    Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa*
    Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa*
    Grand Palladium White Sand Resort and Spa*
    Sunset Beach Resort and Spa Montego Bay*
    Sunset at the Palms Resort and Spa Negril*
    The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica

    Nassau, Bahamas from $469 (b)
    Comfort Suites Paradise Island
    Paradise Island Harbour Resort*
    Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

    San Juan, Puerto Rico from $409 (b )
    Caribe Hilton San Juan
    Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort
    Four Points by Sheraton Resort and Casino at Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico
    Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort
    The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino

    St. Maarten from $785 (b)
    Alamanda Resort
    Caraibes Beach Hotel
    Esmeralda Resort
    Grand Case Beach Club
    Hotel La Plantation
    L'Hoste Hotel
    Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina and Spa

    (*All-inclusive)

To receive a full pre-departure refund without incurring cancellation fees, a customer must notify JetBlue within three days of the airline issuing a Hurricane Travel Alert for their vacation destination and prior to boarding the departure flight.

If a customer has already departed on their Getaways vacation at the time JetBlue issues a Hurricane Travel Alert for their destination, JetBlue will waive the change fees and move the customer to the next available departing flight. Travelers will receive a post-departure hotel credit for the number of nights that they did not use that can be applied to a future JetBlue Getaways vacation at the same hotel. Additionally, customers will receive a $100 (a) flight credit per person to be applied to another JetBlue Getaways vacation to the same destination city within one year. The customer must change their reservation to an earlier return flight, subject to availability, and request a refund within 14 days of boarding the flight home.

A Hurricane Travel Alert is defined as a travel alert issued by JetBlue in the event a hurricane substantially impacts its flight operations to or from certain destinations. To determine whether a Hurricane Travel Alert is in effect, visit www.jetblue.com and, if a red link labeled "Travel Alert" appears at the top of the page, click on the link. This link will inform customers if the Travel Alert is a Hurricane Travel Alert, and what destinations the alert pertains to during that time.

All requests for a refund or credit for a JetBlue Getaways vacation package under The Weather or Not Getaways Protection Policy must be made by calling 1-800- JETBLUE (538-2583), option #3. If located in Mexico, dial 1-800-861-3372; if located in St. Maarten, dial 1-801-365-2583; if located in Bermuda, dial 1-800-884-9616; and if located in Jamaica, dial 1-800-963-3014. Other terms and conditions apply (a).

SOURCE JetBlue Airways

United Airlines, which began worldwide credit-card and debit-card acceptance for in-flight purchases in March, will become fully cash-free on flights within North America - with the exception of United Express flights - on April 20.

With EasyPurchase, customers may use major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club, and debit cards bearing the Visa or MasterCard logos for all onboard purchases.

On United Express flights, cash will continue to be the accepted form of payment.

"In the two weeks since we began accepting credit and debit cards for onboard purchases, flight attendant and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," said Alexandria Marren, United's senior vice president of onboard service. "Customers enjoy the convenience of paying with plastic and, by eliminating cash on our United-operated flights in North America, we are able to simplify procedures for our flight attendants as well."

Users of United Mileage Plus Visa cards from Chase earn 10 miles for every dollar spent on in-flight purchases. Travelers who apply using an onboard application and are approved for a Chase Mileage Plus Visa card will earn 30,000 Mileage Plus bonus miles* and receive $25 off their next United Airlines ticket, after their first purchase.

SOURCE United Airlines