How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
Virgin America?s Elevate FFP offering easier, faster rewards
Virgin America has announced changes to its Elevate frequent flyer programme (FFP), designed to give guests more flexibility to earn and redeem points for travel with the airline.
The airline’s frequent flyers are now able to retain their Elevate points indefinitely, as long as they either earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months. Previously, Elevate points expired 18 months from the date when they were earned. In addition, Elevate members can now earn points for free flights by shopping at the Red store.
“Since our launch in 2007, we’ve welcomed 1.24 million Elevate members. Elevate has earned positive feedback from our guests for its simple, no-black-out date rewards structure – which does not force them to jump through hoops to book the travel they’ve earned,” explained Porter Gale, vice-president of marketing at Virgin America. “As a new airline, we’re continually striving to improve the guest experience and we take the input of our loyal flyers to heart. We’re pleased to deliver on one of our Elevate members’ most frequent requests – points that don’t expire.”
Elevate points will not expire as long as a member has at least one qualifying activity every 18 months. Qualifying activities include: purchasing Virgin America flights; completing Virgin America reward travel; earning Elevate points with partners like Avis/Budget and Hilton Honors; and accruing points via the Virgin America credit card or the Red store. Elevate members can earn free flights just by shopping online at the Red Store, which features 150 brand retailers such as Banana Republic, the Apple Online Store, BarnesandNoble.com, macys.com, Target.com and more.
“As one of the few airlines to launch its loyalty programme even prior to its first flight taking off, we have always wanted to give travellers more options to earn rewards as we grow. The Red store offers flyers a new way to earn Elevate points, even as we continue to expand our route network and add new destinations,” added Gale.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports]()
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?]()
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
![US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025]()
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
