Delta’s ever expanding international gateway at Seattle is about to get just a little bigger. Delta plans to begin new nonstop service to London-Heathrow from Seattle if the antitrust immunity with Virgin Atlantic is approved.
Delta plans to begin new nonstop service between Seattle and London-Heathrow, expanding competition on that important business market. The new service would complement Delta’s growing international gateway in Seattle.
On the topic of Antitrust approval, Delta and Virgin Atlantic have applied for antitrust approval to coordinate on network planning, schedules, pricing, revenue management and other functions between North American (United States, Canada and Mexico) and the United Kingdom.
In related news, Chase has announced that Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club will now be a member of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Virgin Atlantic joins an already impressive list of Ultimate Rewards point transfer partners including Amtrak Guest Rewards®, British Airways Executive Club, Hyatt Gold Passport®, Priority Club® Rewards (IHG), Korean Air SKYPASS, Marriott Rewards®, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and United MileagePlus®.
This means that Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Plus® Business Card and Ink Bold® Business Card members will now be able to instantly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points into Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Choice is always good news. Since Virgin Atlantic imposes fuel surcharges the news may be great for those who are locked into routes that only Virgin Atlantic has award availability on. But if Delta and Virgin expand “other services” to include award redemption, transferring the Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned through generous signup bonuses or online spending would be cheaper to use by transferring to Delta SkyMiles partner Korean Airlines and redeeming on Delta, of course it all depends on award availability.
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The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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I’m confused by your last sentence. Delta SkyMiles isn’t a Chase transfer partner. Or have you had one too martinis? 🙂 BTW, thanks for the Chase affiliate links. Add 1 to the over in terms of how many boarding area bloggers would report this news without them.
Hi Hiker T – Welcome back. Thanks, I missed a few words in that sentence. Meant or it to say transfer to Delta SkyMiles Partner Korean and use on Delta flights. But then again, their fees have to be considered as well.