Virgin America today launched a status match program for elite frequent fliers with American and United. It’s a match/challenge combo, actually, where you’ll be matched outright until April 30, 2013 and offered the ability to extend your status through the end of 2013. First, here’s the chart of how the American and United elite tiers match to Elevate Silver or Gold:

They’ve lined the levels up fairly, in my opinion, where a 50,000-mile flier on either American or United gets Elevate Silver status. For Gold, you either need Executive Platinum status on American, or Premier Platinum (75k) or 1K status on United.

Here are the benefits of Elevate Silver and Gold:

There are a couple of exceptions to the perks above in the T&Cs for those members matched. During the challenge period (now through April 30, 2013), you will not receive the 25% off discount codes, nor will you have reciprocal benefits (lounge access, primarily) on Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia that require a physical membership card. Cards will not be issued for matched members. Also, matched members will only receive one complimentary pass to the Virgin America lounge at LAX.

To have your matched status extended through the 2013 program year, you must:

It’s a nice break they’re giving for Virgin America Visa Signature cardholders. The language isn’t overtly clear whether existing cardholders get the break, so I’ve reached out to their media relations folks for clarification and will update this post when I have an answer.

Application link: Virgin America Visa Signature Credit Card

The current bonus mile offer for applying and getting approved for the credit card is 20,000 bonus points after the first purchase (for a limited time only). You can earn up to 5,000 additional bonus points if you transfer a balance within the first 30 days (also for a limited time only). See the full terms and conditions for complete details.

While they don’t have a complimentary first class upgrade program for elites, Virgin America does open up purchased upgrades earlier for Silver (12 hours) and Gold (24 hours) members. Upgrades to Main Cabin Select seats are, however, complimentary and follow the same timeframe/window. While waiting for that upgrade, elites can book Main Cabin Express seats (those near the front) at the time of booking.

Sorry Delta fliers… no match for you. American and United elites, click here for the status match page.

Related posts:

Flight Review: Virgin America First Class LAX to Seattle

Flight Review: Virgin Australia Business Class Perth to Sydney

Flight Review: Virgin Australia Business Class Sydney to Perth

I receive a referral credit if you use the link on this page and get approved for a credit card. I remain grateful to any who apply using those links as blogging is my full-time job. The decision to apply for credit is yours and includes the responsibility to read and understand all terms and conditions.

[Edited 11/15/12: This offer has been extended and is still live, but for a limited time only.]

Virgin America is offering up to 25,000 bonus points if you sign up for a Visa Signature credit card with Barclays. The limited time offer expires soon, so act fast if you’re interested. First, the offer:

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after your first purchase on the card
• Earn up to 5,000 bonus points for balance transfers within the first 30 days of cardmembership (basically 1 point per $1 transferred up to a 5,000 point max)
• $150 off a companion ticket every year
• 3 Points per dollar spent on Virgin America
• 1 Point per dollar spent elsewhere
• $49 annual fee
• Earn 10,000 Elevate status points each year you spend $25,000 on the card

Application link: Virgin America 25,000 Bonus Point Credit Card

It’s attractive to me given the unique nature of the Elevate frequent flier program. Since it’s revenue based, they don’t publish a chart of award redemption rates and instead weigh the points required for redemption via inventory management algorithms. More popular flight times require more points, off-peak times less and so on.

I receive a referral credit if you use the link on this page and get approved for a credit card. I remain grateful to any who apply using those links as blogging is my full-time job. The decision to apply for credit is yours and includes the responsibility to read and understand all terms and conditions.

In a quick scan of flights from Los Angeles to New York/JFK, I see oodles of dates where a roundtrip would cost just less than 12,000 Elevate points and $5. Granted the fares on these flights are be in the $300 ballpark, but given you could snag almost two roundtrips in the market for simply signing up for the card and charging one item, it’s better than some legacy program sign-up offers.

Also, for those who fly frequently on the West coast, Los Angeles to San Francisco roundtrips are often less than 5,000 points. Again, the fares might be low, but this sign-up offer is an easy way to get a few intra-California roundtrips by spending $49 for the annual fee and charging one item.

And… for those who are now intrigued by Virgin America’s enhanced loyalty program with elite tiers, this could be a good card to have in your wallet.

What do you think? Deal or no deal?

[Edited to add:] As Phil points out in the comments, if you don’t get approved for the 25k offer, the lower “Platinum” card bonus of 2,500 points with no annual fee is hardly worth the effort.

[Edited 11/15/12 to add:] I received an email from a reader who was approved for the Platinum card and received the 20,000-mile bonus… the above note was accurate as of the 8/22/12 posting, but it appears VX has changed the offer for those not receiving approval for the Signature care.]

Application link: Virgin America 25,000 Bonus Point Credit Card

[Edited: These offers are no longer valid, but I'm leaving the post up for reference. I've removed the links to each offer.]

I’ve added the current Marriott Rewards credit card offers from Chase to my Mile & Point Earning Credit Card page. There are two standard offers out there right now. The Marriott Rewards Visa Credit Card offers 30,000 bonus points and the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Credit Card offers 50,000 bonus points. Each card also bestows free night certificates (and other perks), as shown below.

Marriott Rewards Credit Card – 30,000 Bonus Points

• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first purchase, redeemable for up to 4 free nights
• Receive 2 free night stay e-certificates upon account approval (category 1-4 hotels)
• $0 Introductory Annual Fee the first year, then $45 annually
• Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott locations
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere
• Instant Silver Elite status with a credit of 10 Nights applied to your account every year
• Earn 1 Elite Night credit for every $3,000 spent
• Purchase APR is 14.24% Variable
• Application link for the Marriott Rewards Credit Card

Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card – 50,000 Bonus Points

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Points after your first purchase, redeemable for up to 6 free nights
• Receive 1 free night stay e-certificate upon account approval (category 1-4 hotels)
• Receive 1 free night stay e-certificate each year on your anniversary (category 1-5 hotels)
• $0 Introductory Annual Fee the first year, then $85 annually
• Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott locations
• Earn 2 points for every $1 spent directly with airlines, car rental agencies and restaurants
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere
• Instant Silver Elite status with a credit of 15 Nights applied to your account every year
• Earn 1 Elite Night credit for every $3,000 spent
• Purchase APR is 15.24% Variable
• Application link for the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card

So which card is better? I’d definitely go for the 50,000 Premier card before considering the lower bonus offer. A $40 premium for the annual fee beginning the second year of membership is a small price to pay for the extra points that would equate into 2 additional free nights at category 1-4 hotels. And the annual free night certificate for category 1-5 hotels is an added bonus.

Silver elite status in Marriott Rewards earns a 20% bonus on base points for hotel stays, free Wi-Fi in select countries outside of the U.S., a 10% discount on weekend rates at Courtyard and Springhill Suites, late checkout privileges and more.

Application link: Marriott Rewards Credit Card 30,000 offer

Application link: Marriott Rewards Credit Card 50,000 offer

One final note: the free night certificates earned after account opening are valid only at category 1-4 properties. There are very few category 1 hotels out there and the majority of category 4 hotels are the likes of Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn and Residence Inn. Don’t think you’ll get a stay at a major Marriott flagship resort with those certs.

For more hotel and airline-branded credit cards, visit my Mile & Point Earning Credit Card page.

I receive a referral credit if you use the links on this page and successfully apply for a card. I remain grateful to any who use my links as blogging is my full-time job. The decision to apply for credit is yours and includes the responsibility to read and understand all terms and conditions.

[Updated: This offer is no longer available: Please visit my Mileage & Point Earning Credit Card page for existing offers.]

I picked up a couple of Chase Visa United Club Card brochures with the first year free codes (saving $395) at United Clubs in my recent travels and offer them up to anyone who needs them. Here’s my post detailing the benefits of the card, but to summarize again:

• Annual United Club membership (up to a $475 value): As a MileagePlus Club Card member, you and your eligible travel companion have unlimited access to more than 50 United Club locations, as well as access to participating Star Alliance^® affiliated lounges around the globe.
• Premier Access travel services: Save time at the airport with priority check-in, security (where available), boarding and baggage handling benefits.
• Check your first and second bag for free: You and a companion can each check your first and second standard bag for free on United flights when you pay for your tickets with the Card (a savings of up to $240 round trip).
• Earn 1.5 award miles per $1 spent; 2 award miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• Your miles don’t expire as long as you’re a cardmember: You keep them until you use them.
• You won’t pay close-in booking fees on award tickets: As a MileagePlus Club Card member, you can book United award tickets for close-in dates without having to pay an additional booking fee.
• Use miles for any seat, any time, on any United flight:  There are no restrictions or blackout dates. If seats are available for sale, they can be redeemed at the MileagePlus Standard Award level – a benefit reserved for Card members and MileagePlus Premier members.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Receive special treatment with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Avis: Accept the invitation to join an exclusive Avis^® program and also enjoy automatic enrollment in the Platinum Level of Hyatt’s Gold Passport^®.
• Enjoy Luxury Collection Hotel & Resort privileges:  Stay in style with room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and other special Cardmember-only amenities at more than 700 of the finest hotels, resorts and spas in the United States and around the world.

If you’re interested, leave a comment below [Edited 5/20/12 at 7pm PDT: Comments are now closed and winners were announced] and I’ll use random.org to pick two winners tomorrow, Sunday May 20, 2012, at approximately 7:00pm PDT. Only one comment per person, please. If your comment gets held up for moderation… not to worry… I’ll get it approved ASAP and definitely before the drawing.

If you win, you have to go to www.ClubCardRSVP.com to redeem the code by May 31, 2012. Good luck!

In other airline, hotel and travel industry news this week…

• A survey of the 50 most popular U.S. destinations conducted by the Global Business Travel Association found Chicago to be the city charging the highest total taxes for travelers. Not to worry, New York was number two so don’t get your hopes up for an inexpensive trip to the Big Apple, but I was kind of surprised it didn’t take the top spot. The lowest tax burden can be found in Ft. Lauderdale with two more Sunshine State locations taking the next two on the list. California sees some love with five cities taking the award for lowest discriminatory travel taxes: Orange County, San Diego, San Jose, Burbank and Ontario.
• American Airlines again suspends New York JFK – Tokyo Haneda (HND) flights from September 3 this year through June 1, 2012. Delta Air Lines also suspended its service from Detroit and United Airlines balked at the government filing an argument to ensure American’s suspension would be capped to match Delta’s. United still sounds pissed to have lost out on access to the close-in Tokyo airport, but I’m sure they’d be in the same boat seeing lack of demand and seeking relief. Separately, American is also dropping San Francisco – Honolulu (you’re welcome United) and Los Angeles – San Salvador service.
• A boutique hotel near LAX airport recently completed a “refresh” and it sounds fantastic. The Custom Hotel offers a “creative, hip and playful” environment including a 12^th floor relaxation room called the Stratosphere, a Transonic gaming lounge with Xbox and Wii games, the LAX Lounge inspired by VIP airport lounges and a lot more. Airport pickup is via their Mercedes Benz Sprinter luxury van complete with complimentary bottled water and hot (or cold) towel service. I’m not flying next month, so I might have to book a stay and review this chic sounding property. (Hat tip: USA Today).
• Staying on hotels for a moment, Club Carlson is offering double points on hotel stays now through September 15, 2011. Registration is required and is available at participating Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotels (apparently not Radisson Blu properties). I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do with my 100,000 points in Club Carlson, but I’m leaning towards converting them into 18,000 American AAdvantage miles. I’d still love some additional advice on that… click here and leave a comment, please.
• Citing unprofitability, Southwest Airlines is cutting four routes from their Philadelphia offering with Jacksonville (JAX), Manchester (MHT), Pittsburgh (PIT) and Providence (PVD) being axed. Service to Boston will also be reduced from eight to five nonstops daily beginning in February. I’ve taken many a mileage run from LAX to MHT and PVD with fares being incredibly inexpensive due to Southwest’s presence in both of those cities, but I doubt these cuts will affect overall fare action.
• Qantas is also looking to make adjustments to their route network and will likely drop their daily Los Angeles – New York JFK flight. Not too long ago it was operated with a Boeing 747, but they downguaged it to an Airbus A330 and still don’t seem to be making enough money with limited through traffic from Australia. As such, alliance partner American will pick up the traffic if Qantas indeed drops the route. Further restructuring is expected in the ailing international arm of the Australian carrier with a detailed announcement schedule for August 24, 2011.
• JetBlue’s All You Can Jet (AYCJ) didn’t return this year, but the carrier is offering a BluePass out of Boston or Long Beach for those seeking unlimited travel from August 22 to November 22 this year. Not quite as nice as the AYCJ in that these passes carry greater restrictions in cities offered and limits open jaw, circle trip & multi-city abilities. Boston is the winner here with the select pass at $1,499 for service to 13 cities or the $1,999 option for the entire JetBlue offering from BOS. The Long Beach pass is $1,299 and opens travel to Las Vegas, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Austin and Chicago.
• And finally, totally unexciting and not at all unexpected, United extended their deal with Visa, Inc. to keep their co-branded credit card deal in place and offer the Mileage Plus Visa once Continental’s OnePass program terminates December 31, 2011. United has offered a Visacard since 1987.