Unlock the ancient secrets of Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Trivandrum with new Indian flight routes.

INDULGE YOUR WANDERLUST and embark on an extraordinary journey to the hidden gems of India with direct flights on Malaysia Airlines, starting in November. Prepare yourself to be astonished as you step off the beaten path and uncover a trio of lesser-known destinations that embody the essence of adventure.

From the thriving cityscape of Amritsar to the culture and historical streets of Ahmedabad and the otherworldly beauty of Trivandrum, Malaysia Airlines is opening new doors to captivating experiences with its signature Malaysian Hospitality on board. Warm welcomes and stellar service on board Malaysia Airlines ensures that even the most discerning travellers reach their destinations refreshed and ready to set off on an awe-inspiring journey of discovery in these new destinations in India.

Amritsar: Unveiling the Spirit of Punjab

Amritsar is known as the spiritual heart of Punjab and reveals its enchanting secrets to all who visit. Now, Malaysia Airlines’ new direct route to the city allows you to easily explore the unforgettable destination.

Imagine yourself stepping into the glistening Golden Temple — known locally as Sri Harmandir Sahib — to be captivated by its ethereal beauty and soothed by the tranquility that permeates the air.

Gaze in wonder at each intricate architectural detail of the temple, while the sounds of hymns sung nearby further enrich the experience. As day becomes night, witness the awe-inspiring Palki Sahib Ceremony, where Guru Granth Sahib is gently carried down the temple’s gleaming corridors.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, seek out the culinary delights of Amritsar, savouring traditional Punjabi dishes bursting with flavors and spices. From iconic Amritsari kulchas to delectable lassis hand-shaken at local dhabas, each bite is an opportunity to surrender to the unique joys of Punjab’s gastronomy.

And don’t forget to bring home some mementos of your visit. The city’s vibrant bazaars overflow with vivid fabrics, embroidered textiles and handmade jewelry. Here, you can discover the ancient art of phulkari embroidery, an important element of Punjab’s rich cultural heritage. 

Amritsar beckons, offering an authentic experience that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Ahmedabad: Journeying Through Time and Culture

The birthplace of India’s independence movement, Ahmedabad is a city steeped in history and India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. As you stroll the streets of the old city, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the rich Indo-Islamic architecture that adorns each corner. 

Spend your days gazing at the intricate designs of the Adalaj Stepwell, one of the country’s most photographed monuments. Take a moment to contemplate the Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi spent 15 of his most transformative years shaping the nation’s future. As night falls, the magnificent spectacle of Akshardham Temple is stunningly illuminated and perfect for reflecting on your travels. 

The city’s spice-laden street food scene is a wonder that can’t be missed. From tempting aromas to unique flavours, savour tangy sev puri on a street corner, fiery dal vada in a market and the sweet delight of jalebis in historic alleys. Don’t let your visit end without collecting a few trinkets at Law Garden Night Market or Manek Chowk Road, where exquisite handicrafts sit beside colourful saris. 

Ahmedabad is a marvellous blend of architecture, history and cuisine, making for a truly meaningful holiday, and Malaysia Airlines’ new direct flight makes it easier to visit and enjoy its soul-stirring experiences.

Trivandrum: Embracing Serenity and Tranquillity

The coastal paradise of Trivandrum beckons, inviting you to experience its serenity and natural beauty. Traverse tranquil backwaters winding through lush landscapes on a kettuvallam, or traditional houseboat.

Drift along ethereal waterways to experience moments of pure reflection as you pass emerald rice paddies and palm-fringed banks reflecting calm waters. Feel aches melt away as you experience therapeutic Ayurvedic treatment that draws from thousands of years of wisdom to rejuvenate body and spirit. 

Be soothed by the rhythm of crashing waves and soft sand beneath your feet at postcard-perfect Kovalam Beach. 

When mealtime arrives, sample an array of Southern India’s finest flavours. Kerala is renowned for aromatic spices and coconut-infused dishes. Let your taste buds discover the richness of appam, idiappam, and legendary fish curries made to tantalise the senses.

The city is also known for its delightful filter coffee. Take a cup with you as you enjoy the ocean breeze on a stroll along Valiyathura Pier and be sure to take home local treasures from the artisanal vendors of Chalai Market.

Trivandrum beckons, offering an escape into a world of tranquility and natural treasures.

Malaysia Airlines unveils its new direct flights to Amritsar, Ahmedabad and Trivandrum this November, making it easy for discerning travellers to experience these captivating destinations. From cultural riches to natural beauty, each city welcomes visitors with open arms and unforgettable moments. The best journeys begin with Malaysian Hospitality on board. Adventure awaits with Malaysia Airlines.

Visit www.malaysiaairlines.com to book your flight today. 

Article Sponsored by Malaysia Airlines.
Images courtesy of Malaysia Airlines.
Cabin features may differ from aircraft to aircraft and is dependent on flight route. Other T&Cs apply.

Gone are the days of upturned noses at plane food. The world’s best airlines are falling over themselves to recruit famous chefs to create their in-flight meals, and the results are truly delicious. We visited Japan Airlines to learn about the Michelin-star chefs curating their first- and business-class meals, and some of these dishes sound just insane at 38,000 feet. Abalone, anyone?

IT’S SAID THAT JAPAN has more Michelin stars per capita than any other country on Earth. With a record-setting 200 stars in Tokyo alone, it should come as no surprise that the country’s premier airline is serving Michelin-crafted meals as it soars around the globe. 

Japan Airlines has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, four of whom have three stars each, to interpret their food into in-flight dining menus for first- and business-class passengers. So, while airline food has long left upturned noses and rumbling stomachs, Japan Airlines aims to do the opposite.

The various multi-course tasting menus available on JAL BEDD Sky Auberge dining service are divided into Japanese and Western options, serving 140 high-flying first-class passengers per day and hundreds more in business class. In true Japanese culinary fashion, each Michelin-themed menu changes seasonally to guarantee the produce is at its freshest.

Sliced wagyu beef and steamed sea urchin topped with sudachi citrus gelée and caviar is the signature JAL dish of chefs Ishikawa Hideki and Koizumi Kouji of Ishikawa Kagurazaka and Restaurant Kohaku in Tokyo. With six stars between them, the two teamed up to create an ultra-luxurious menu for first-class passengers flying from Tokyo to various North American and European cities, including New York and Paris.

Passengers flying first-class on the same routes from Tokyo don’t have to kick themselves about not scoring a coveted seat at the three Michelin-star Quintessence in Tokyo; they can try the restaurant’s most famous plate onboard. Chef Kishida Shuzo’s beloved Goat Milk Bavarois focuses on the ingredients. Made with fresh goat milk, salt from Guérande, France and EXV olive oil from Lazio, Italy, it’s served alongside lily roots and macadamia slices to add a bit of crunch.

But ensuring the world’s finest ingredients translate well when prepared in a tiny Japan Airlines galley kitchen while battling temperature controls and food safety regulations was sometimes harder for the chefs than impressing Michelin. 

In regards to making sure the food wasn’t served lukewarm, Shuzo told JAL cabin attendants, “I thought of different ways to use the in-flight heating equipment, and I also made changes to how the meals were loaded and to cabin crew procedures. I realized that the cabin crew have so many different tasks on board and are very busy, so I felt it was crucial to simplify the plating process to keep an optimized serving pace.”

For chef Jun Mishina of the Michelin starred Ren Mishina in Tokyo, creating correct and appealing tastes for his airline meals was key and flavors are different at altitude. “I shifted towards the concept of addition of flavors in the hopes that passengers could enjoy something new onboard,” Mishina told JAL cabin attendants. 

Then there’s the very nature of service to contend with: no matter how luxurious your seat in the front of the plane, it’s still in a plane. “One of the biggest differences between in-flight and restaurants is that at restaurants, we can serve each dish one at a time, whereas in-flight, the appetizers are all served in one plate divided into five grids,” Mishina said. “So, I ask cabin crews to offer passengers to try my signature dish, ‘abalone,’ with jelly on the top, to start with and thereafter move on to the other dishes for the best experience.”

Abalone simmered in kelp and sake and then soaked for an entire day in a broth is Mishina’s signature dish onboard JAL business-class flights from Tokyo to major cities around the world. And frequent fliers can try “The Curry,” a fruit and spice-heavy curry from Ren Mishina’s secret menu.

Paired with these plates are rare and limited-production sake, wine and teas like the Queen of Blue Tea, made from hand-picked Taiwanese leaves served cold and poured into a wine glass. 

Designed by Japan Airlines’ resident Wine Advisor, ​​Motohiro Okoshi, the sommelier at An Di in Tokyo, the first and business-class wine program may be worth the cost of the ticket alone. Of its selection, a spokesperson for Japan Airlines said, “The lineup ranges from high-quality breweries that sake and shochu lovers drool over, to famous breweries that everyone knows, rare breweries that are hard to find and young breweries that are leading the trend.”

Images courtesy of Japan Airlines, unless otherwise noted.

Paging to departures: anyone looking for a flight before their flight. Intervals is a brand-new cocktail bar in Hong Kong Airport that offers first-class seats to some of the best views, drinks and dining in town. We sidled up to the bar with the founder and architect for a few strong beverages and to chat about making airports great again.

LET’S SAY YOU HAVE 15 minutes before boarding. You could browse the bookstore, grab a coffee… or have a pair of sip-sized craft cocktails inspired by a dream destination, with delicious pintxos to pair. We know where we’re heading.

Perched atop the skybridge that links Hong Kong Terminal 1 to its new extension of gates is Intervals, the only cocktail bar in HKG and the highest spot you can get without being in the aircraft control tower. Outside the bar is lush with greenery and the interior is all about time, travel and reflection. This is the place to indulge in a flight before your flights, with a bird’s-eye view of all the other flights coming and going from this revitalized hub.

The menu and the seating are tailored for how much time you have before you need to hop your plane: 15 minutes is a two-drink flight. Half an hour works out to four beautiful mini-cocktails. And if you’ve got 45 minutes, then it’s a stunning six-drink flight. All of which will not only inspire you with their playful flavors from liquors native to spots all over the globe, but also ensure you’re properly blissed out before boarding. (Yeah, they’re strong; definitely order food. And non-drinkers, not to worry, they have an equally well-considered mocktail menu.)

Join our editor-in-chief for drinks and laughs at Intervals with founder Mei Mei Song and designer Mitch Squires in the video here:

From the folks behind Plaza Premium Group – that pioneering family who invented the concept of airport lounges where you can pay to enter, without airline status or tickets in the pointy end of the plane – Intervals is part of their next-generation evolution to make travel fun again. Just take a look at their fleet of vibrant violet ALLWAYS electric-airport buggies zipping smart travelers around HKG to see what we mean.

Like many leaders in travel, Intervals specifically and Plaza Premium in general are harkening back to the golden age of flying, where heading to the airport was an easy-breezy, luxury experience, but coupling it with modern ideas like showstopping design, small-batch and local Hong Kong-based producers, and of course Instagram-friendliness.

So, we suggest getting to HKG early, or even scheduling a long layover – not to beat the lines (there are barely any in this efficient airport anyway) but to while away your time in a gorgeous glass box where every sip will provide inspiration for your next trip or conjure memories of a past one. Which, incidentally, sounds to us like a sentiment the 50 Best Bars voting academy might swoon for as well.

Watch the rest of our series with Plaza Premium Group, We Make Travel Better, here.

Article sponsored by Plaza Premium Group.
Images courtesy of Plaza Premium Group.

From krapao connoisseurs to K-pop superfans, Go City has outings that never miss.

SINGAPORE IS A GLOBAL DESTINATION with mass appeal. Offering rich cultural heritage, breathtakingly modern architecture, and heart-pumping attractions, visiting the island nation is on the bucket list for many who have a yen for travel and romance in their heart.

Whether you prefer to enjoy local experiences or indulge in world-class luxuries, time is always a factor wherever you go. Deciding how to spend your moments exploring Singapore, a city packed with fun things to do, is more capable of inducing symptoms of mild panic and anxiety in even the most experienced traveller.

Going Places

That’s where Go City comes in. The easy-to-use website and app researches and selects the best of a destination’s attractions and curates a choice of discounted activities that are guaranteed to leave a great impression in a variety of locations throughout Asia and the world.

As a portal to the best experiences across the globe, Go City is a superb way to explore Singapore. The app suggests unique and unmissable experiences that will leave you loving the cities you visit and leaving with an enhanced cultural viewpoint.

And it can all be accessed via a single pass, thanks to the app’s ingenious city passes. Simply select the destination, choose between an All-Inclusive Pass, where you decide on the number of days you would like to sightsee, or Explorer Pass, where you decide on the number of attractions you’d like to visit — and that’s when your adventure starts. Your single QR code in your chosen city will unlock dozens of incredible experiences, making it convenient to see more and make more memories. 

Go City’s exclusive offerings in Singapore include fine dining experiences, river tours, wildlife adventures, theme park entries, boating expeditions, brewery tours, fully immersive virtual reality sessions, horticultural experiences at Gardens by the Bay, cable car rides up Mount Faber, and more. 

The newest immersive and natural attraction added to Singapore is drawing rave reviews from users. An all-access pass to Bird Paradise — part of Mandai Wildlife Reserve and previously known as the Jurong Bird Park — boasts entrance to 10 zones, eight walk-through aviaries, the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove, space to observe birds of high conservation value, and a 2,000-seat amphitheater for watching exciting avian presentations

Flying High

Using Go City to visit the new Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve lets guests get up close with the region’s rainbow of multi-chromatic birds with presentations displaying their unique characteristics and magical bonding moments where guests can feed the feathered residents alongside the avian care experts.

Within the vicinity of the wildlife reserve, the highly-anticipated Banyan Tree Hotel and Resorts is set to open its doors to eco-resort enthusiasts and nature lovers come 2025. This luxury property provides 5-star treehouse-style accommodations for elevated relaxation at tree canopy level. Resort guests will feel immersed in the surrounding nature, which they will be encouraged to enjoy in a non-intrusive manner.

But Go City doesn’t limit its experiences to Singapore. And for those in Asia — or planning a visit — the company’s global network is the perfect excuse to discover the fun in some of the region’s most charismatic cities, including Seoul and Bangkok.

Savor Bangkok Street Food

In the big mango, Go City provides over thirty cultural experiences, including indulgent massages and onsen experiences at Let’s Relax Spa, sunset dinner cruises across the Chao Phraya, dinners at Nara Thai restaurant, guided city tours, a Michelin Guide street food tour based on popular local dishes, cabaret shows, water park thrills, Thai cooking lessons and dramatic views from the top of Bangkok’s tallest building, King Power Mahanakhon.

Bangkok is a city renowned for its excellent street food, and what better way to experience the world’s best sidewalk cuisine than cruising the old town in an iconic tuk-tuk to sample a range of plates, including famed fishball noodles from decades-old Lim Lao Ngow. The three-hour Michelin Guide Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk is a gastronomic delight that will expand your mind as well as your waistline.

Sounds of Seoul

Seoul is a seductively modern destination beloved across the world for its heritage, culture, music, and cuisine. Boasting a long and sophisticated legacy of literature, art, and fashion are just a few reasons the high-energy city draws so many visitors each year. 

Also popular are visits to royal palaces such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, traditional costume rentals, Korean Folk Village tours, N Seoul Tower, Nami Island, theatrical cooking shows, theme parks such as Lotte World and Seoul Land and the highly sought after half-day tour of the Demilitarized Zone, a stretch of land separating North and South Korea.

From meeting musical heroes to getting up close with daring flavors and exotic birds, Go City and the most popular destinations in Asia await you with unique takes on unforgettable experiences. 

One pass, all the sights. Save up to 50% on the best attractions, tours and activities with Go City®

Article Sponsored by Go City.
Images courtesy of Go City.

There are many reasons travellers love credit cards, but one of the top perks is earning points that can be redeemed for free travel. Two of the most popular credit card travel rewards programs are American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, for American Express and Chase cardholders, respectively. Both programs offer the chance to accumulate points that can be transferred to travel partners, used to purchase travel directly from the company’s own travel portal, or even issued as a statement credit.

Trying to decide which credit card you should apply for next? Or if you already have both, are you trying to figure out which one you should use for your next big purchase? Read on to compare Amex points and Chase points, and find out which of these two credit card rewards programs is best for you.

Amex Points Partners vs. Chase Points Partners

One of the most valuable ways to redeem credit card points is by transferring them to travel partners. Amex wins for airlines, as it has 18 airline partners compared to Chase’s 11 airline partners. Both programs have three hotel partners each. That said, the specific airlines and hotel groups differ between the programs, so if you only fly one alliance or book stays at one hotel group, you may want to choose the card that offers you those partners. Here’s the full list of Amex and Chase travel partners as of April 2023, but note that these can change at any time.

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Amex Rewards Airline Partners

• Aer Lingus
• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• KLM
• ANA
• Avianca
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta
• Emirates
• Etihad
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Amex Rewards Hotel Partners

• Choice Hotels
• Hilton
• Marriott

Chase Ultimate Rewards Airline Partners

• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air France
• KLM
• British Airways
• Emirates
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Singapore Airlines
• Southwest
• United
• Virgin Atlantic

Chase Ultimate Rewards Hotel Partners

• IHG
• Marriott
• Hyatt

Differences in Point Values

Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are roughly equivalent in value, though it depends on how you’re redeeming the points. If you’re transferring to travel partners, it all depends on your specific purchase with those points. Typically, baseline point values for both rewards programs sit between one and two cents per point. An exception is transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to World of Hyatt — that transaction has a baseline of nearly three cents per point.

If you’re using your points to book directly through the Amex or Chase travel portals, you’re looking at redemption values between 0.7 and one cent for Amex and 0.7 and 1.5 cents for Chase.

And if you’re trading your points for statement credits, Amex points are worth just 0.6 cents, while Chase’s are worth one cent.

Top Amex Membership Rewards Credit Cards

Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Annual fee: USD 695 (HKD 5,455)

If you travel frequently, this card is probably your best bet — if you can swallow that annual fee. It does cover perks like access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs), up to USD 200 (HKD 1,569) in Uber cash, credit for a Clear membership, up to USD 200 (HKD 1,569) credit for airline fees (such as baggage fees), and hotel status with Hilton and Marriott. It also earns 5x points on travel purchases.

American Express Green Card

Annual fee: USD 150 (HKD 1,177)

With a more palatable annual fee, this card is a solid deal. You can get your annual fee back immediately by enrolling in Clear, as the card covers the USD 189 (HKD 1,483) annual fee, and you can also get a USD 200 (HKD 1,569) LoungeBuddy credit. When booking travel with this card, you earn 3x points.

American Express Everyday Card

Annual fee: USD 0 

No fee, no problem. You can still earn Amex Membership Rewards points with this card, though it doesn’t come with perks. You’ll earn 2x points at supermarkets and 2x points on travel booked through Amex’s travel portal. You can also earn a 20% bonus on points each billing period if you use the card at least 20 times.

Top Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee: USD 550 (HKD 4,317)

Chase’s top-tier Ultimate Rewards card comes with a number of travel benefits, including a USD 300 (HKD 2,354) travel credit, a Priority Pass Select membership, and a USD 100 (HKD 784) reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. You also earn 10x points for Chase Dining, hotel stays, and car rentals if booked through Chase’s travel portal, as well as 3x points for travel and dining not booked through the portal. Finally, the travel rewards program associated with this card provides access to Chase’s Reserved by Sapphire restaurant reservation service.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Annual fee: USD 95 (HKD 745)

For a low annual fee, cardholders receive a USD 50 (HKD 392) hotel credit for stays booked through Chase’s travel portal, fairly strong travel insurance, and an annual points bonus that equates to 10% of your year’s purchases. You also earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase’s portal and 2x points on other travel.

Chase Freedom Flex

Annual fee: USD 0

If you’re just dipping your toe in the points game, this card is a good place to start. Though it doesn’t have many perks right off the bat, it does allow you to earn 5x points in different categories every quarter on up to USD 1,500 (HKD 11,774) in purchases. You’ll also earn 3x points on dining and drugstore purchases.

Which travel rewards program is better?

This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit: American Express

Related: Everything You Need To Know When Flying With Medicines And What To Do If It Gets Lost

These days, flying economy is often not the best experience, with cramped seats and limited meal and beverage service. But in some cases, you can ask your airline flight attendant for a few freebies to make your journey a little more comfortable — things like extra snacks, pillows and blankets, and even over-the-counter medication.

“It really depends on the specific airline and their policies,” said former flight attendant Matt James of Visitingly.com. “It’s always worth asking the flight attendant if they have any of these items available, but it’s important to keep in mind that availability may vary.”

Routes make a difference, too, according to former flight attendant Susan Fogwell. “More items are available on transatlantic flights versus a domestic route,” she said.

While some asks are almost definitely going to be a no — free upgrades, for instance — here are a few items you can often request for free on major airlines, according to flight attendants.

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Airline freebies that passengers can ask for in economy

Basic amenity kits

On some long-haul flights, airlines may provide amenity kits to economy passengers. “In our economy cabin, we have a lot of options available to customers, including pieces to help you freshen up such as toothbrush kits, earplugs, and eye shades for sleep,” said Ben Whatman, Air New Zealand’s in-flight service manager. The kits won’t be full of luxury hand creams, like you might find in business class, but they’ll get the job done.

Free bottled water

You probably know you can (almost) always ask for a cup of water on an airplane, but did you know some airlines will give you a whole (or half) bottle if you ask for one? Whether or not you’ll get one largely depends on availability, but it’s always worth inquiring.

Blankets and pillows

The cabin temperature on some planes can be notoriously cold, so you can always ask a flight attendant if blankets are available. And if you’re on a red-eye flight, you should ask if pillows are available, too.

First-aid supplies

All commercial aircraft are equipped with first-aid kits that include general supplies like bandages, gauze pads, and antiseptic wipes. Simply let a flight attendant know, and they’ll bring what you need.

Over-the-counter medication

Flight attendants also have access to many over-the-counter medications, from painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to antidiarrheals, so feel free to request these items.

Headphones

When your personal earbuds are wireless, but your in-flight entertainment system is wired, you can ask a flight attendant if they have any headphones for passengers. Don’t expect noise-cancelling over-ear headphones that you might find in business class. If they’re free, they’ll be basic earbuds. And some airlines charge for headphones — usually no more than a few dollars.

Kids’ activity books

Forgot the iPad at home? Some airlines have activity books for children on board.

Extra snacks or drinks

Economy passengers don’t often get full meals on short-haul flights, but they do get a round of drinks and snacks. If you find yourself a little peckish or thirsty after that service, politely ask your flight attendant for another round. But remember, asking doesn’t mean you’ll receive. It’s all based on availability and whether or not the flight attendant is able to serve you at that point in the flight.

This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit: Anchiy/Getty Images

Related: This Airline Just Reclaimed Its Title Of Safest Airline In New Ranking — See The Full List

If you’re a frequent traveller, someone whose globetrotting quest never ends, the skyrocketing airfare prices might seem like a major setback. However, airlines offer loyalty or frequent flyer programs to get lucrative travel deals.

For those unversed, airline miles or frequent flyer miles are basically airline currency you can use to get free or heavily discounted tickets and hotel stays among other things. They work like any other reward program. You earn points by buying stuff and use those accumulated points to get deals. So, if you are planning your next international trip, we’ve curated a list of the best frequent flyer programs and airline mile deals you can snag right away.

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Best frequent flyer programs and deals

1. Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles

Like any other airline, Cathay Pacific runs a loyalty program wherein members earn points known as Asia Miles. However, you don’t have to hop onto a Cathay flight specifically to earn Asia Miles as the airline partners with more than a dozen of other carriers like Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Canada and more.

Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard: You can earn Asia Miles and Status Points on each dollar you spend and use them on lavish staycations, get travel discounts and business class lounge passes.

HSBC Credit Card deals: Book your Cathay Pacific air tickets with HSBC credit card and get rebates, bonus Asia Miles and discounts.

2. HK Express’ Miles Plus Cash

HK Express has partnered with Cathay to let users enjoy Asia Miles on their flights too! Use Miles Plus Cash (a mix of cash and Asia Miles) to book your HK Express flight tickets. Cathay members get frequent exclusive deals to get the most out of their membership.

Welcome offer: Apply for Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard this month and enjoy HKD 1,000 hotel credits for accommodation and dining at The Upper House, one of the most luxurious abodes in Hong Kong.

The cardholders can also enjoy 15% off on dining or spa at The Peninsula till December 31, 2023. In addition, there are several meal discounts as well, all available on Cathay Pacific’s website.

Visit this link to enjoy the offers.

3. Etihad Guest Loyalty Program

Etihad Airlines offers Etihad Guest Loyalty Program wherein users can earn Etihad Guest Miles. After joining the Etihad Guest Loyalty Program, you can earn miles by travelling with Etihad or any of its partner airlines.

Stock your favourite Apple products with miles: Fly with Etihad, earn some miles and treat yourself to Apple beauties like the latest iPhone, Macbook, Airpods and more.

Visit Etihad’s website to explore more offers.

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4. Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Loyalty Program

If you fly with Japan Airlines or any of its partners, you’re legible for points/miles to book free flights, upgrade cabins and much more. The Japan Mileage Bank’s JMB FLY ON Program awards you FLY ON Points automatically, in addition to flight miles for every eligible flight you take. Based on how many points you’ve accumulated in the previous year, you’ll be granted a FLY ON membership status. You can enjoy the services and benefits based on your membership grade.

The exclusive, JAL Global Club (JGC) provides a quality experience to the airlines’ most frequent travellers. However, only selected members get to enjoy the benefits with the payment of an annual fee.

Head to their official website to enjoy the benefits.

5. Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer Frequent Flyer Program

The national airline of Singapore, Singapore Airlines offers a loyalty program called KrisFlyer. Fly with Singapore Airlines or any of its affiliates including Scoot and Star Alliance to earn KrisFlyer miles. The elite members are also offered to become a part of the PPS Club, which comes with additional perks.

Kris+ by Singapore Airlines: From exclusive shopping discounts to meal discounts and rebates, enjoy several deals in Singapore, Hong Kong and more by hopping onto the Kris+ app.

KrisShop: It is an inflight duty-free shop on board Singapore Airlines offering everything from cosmetics to fragrances and more.

Pelago: Pelago is a ‘travel experiences’ platform of the airlines, which lets you earn or redeem KrisFlyer miles. You can redeem your KrisFlyer miles with each activity on the Pelago website. In fact, you can enjoy 20% off on payments via KrisFlyer miles till March 31, 2023.

Visit Singapore Airlines’ official website to enjoy the benefits.

6. Hong Kong Airlines Fortune Wings Club

Hong Kong Airlines’ global loyalty and rewards program is called Fortune Wings Club. You can earn points by flying with Hong Kong Airlines, FWC Member Airlines and their other partners. Among the five membership tiers, the Platinum card, Gold card and Silver card fall under the elite category.

Visit the Fortune Wings Club website for all the benefits.

7.  Qantas Airways Frequent Flyer

Qantas’ frequent flyer program is one of the most popular programs. Fly with Qantas or its partner airlines to earn points. Qantas points can also be earned via credit cards co-branded with the airlines. These include NAB, American Express, Westpac and Citi.

American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card: Earn up to 150,00 bonus Qantas Points on making purchases worth $3,000 (HKD 23487 )purchases in the first two months. Open to new members only, this offer expires on April 4, 2023.

Visit this link to earn your points.

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8. American Airlines AAdvantage Program

Fly with American Airlines or with one of its partner airlines to earn miles. Hotel stays, car rentals and vacations are among other ways to earn points. While the miles expire in 18 months, using an American Airlines credit card will keep the expiration at bay. The airlines also offer Barclays and Citi co-branded credit cards.

Visit the American Airlines website to enjoy the benefits.

Hero image credit: Unsplash; feature image credit: Pexels

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia.

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