Global Ordnance and Sparkz disclose plans for 500,000 US-made UAV batteries a year
The companies have outlined plans for US$25 million manufacturing lines and initial deliveries in 2027 as Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese UAV components.
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.
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