Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Australia, today announce that all three award-winning Virgin airlines are fully linking their frequent flyer programs to offer global benefits to Virgin flyers. Known around the world for their stylish, innovative and value-based flying experience, the three airlines have agreed to a global partnership that for the first time allows each airline’s loyalty program members to redeem miles or points when taking flights on any of the sister-branded airlines across their respective route networks. This new initiative will allow those earning points on any Virgin airline to be able to use them to fly to any of the Virgin destinations around the world, knowing that they will get the unique Virgin experience wherever they fly. The new benefit builds on the airlines’ 2010 move to enable miles and points earning across the Virgin airline family.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder commented: “Virgin got into the airline business three decades ago to offer great value and a brilliant experience. Today’s travelers still choose Virgin for the same reason: because we do things differently. I am thrilled that we can now reward our loyal guests with the ability to fly around the world on Virgin. Yes indeed, Virgin goes all the way!”

“As a new U.S. airline, our guests have believed from day one that we could create a better travel experience here in the States,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “As we prepare to mark our fifth year anniversary, we are thankful to the travelers who got us where we are today and excited to take their benefits to the next level with global rewards and continued Elevate® program enhancements in 2012 and beyond.”

“With our new services onboard, new aircraft, and 2012 being the year to visit London; there couldn’t be more reasons to fly with Virgin Atlantic. The enhanced frequent flyer program allows us to offer even greater rewards to travelers who choose to fly with us. The Flying Club program will now not only allow our passengers to redeem flights around our global network but between ourselves, Virgin Australia and Virgin America, they will be able to do so to even more U.S. and Australian destinations,” said Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic.

“A good frequent flyer program remains one of the key drivers for customers globally when choosing an airline. One of the most important features for our frequent flyers is the ability to earn and redeem points and enjoy status privileges wherever they fly, and we are pleased to offer our guests the opportunity with leading airlines such as Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic,” said Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti.

Members of Virgin America’s Elevate® program can now book roundtrip flights as of today on Virgin Atlantic from New York, Boston, Chicago, or Washington D.C. to London for as few as 15,000 Elevate® points and from San Francisco to London for as few as 25,000 points. As of March 22nd, Elevate® members can book roundtrip flights on Virgin Australia – for as low as 40,000 points from Los Angeles to Sydney. Virgin America Elevate® members can redeem points for travel to any of the destinations in the three carriers’ combined global network via the Virgin America Call Center at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (877.359.8474). For more details and to calculate rewards, guests can visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/redeem-with-partners

A member of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club program can now book roundtrip flights on Virgin America from San Francisco to New York for as few as 25,000 Miles, or Los Angeles to San Francisco for 10,000 Miles. Flyers can also travel on Virgin Australia from Sydney to Los Angeles from 94,000 Miles. For more, guests can visit: https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/frequentflyer/index.jsp

Velocity members can learn more about earning and redemption at: www.virginaustralia.com/velocity

Incredibly, 22 local hotels, restaurants & attractions (i.e., museums, spas – even the opera!) have signed up to offer discounts for The Orange’s run through the NCAA tournament. To receive all deals, interested parties need to simply mention the “1 for 1 All the Way.” Please find a full list of “Syracuse’s 1 for 1 All the Way” deals at:  www.visitsyracuse.org/alltheway

The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, nestled between two stunning Alpine lakes and at the foot of the majestic Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland, played host to Bachelor Ben Flajnik and his bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, Courtney Robertson, Lindzi Cox, and Nicki Sterling, on the ninth episode of ABC’s The Bachelor. Luckily for all Bachelor fans, a romantic Swiss getaway is no longer just an idle daydream. Those wishing to follow in the footsteps of Bachelor Ben can do just that with the Victoria-Jungfrau’s Bachelor’s Rose package.

Ben’s date activities at the Victoria-Jungfrau included a candlelit dinner in the hotel’s elegant Salon Rouge and a scenic picnic lunch prepared by the hotel. At night, things heated up when Bachelor Ben chose to spend the night in the Fantasy Suites on three separate occasions with each bachelorette. To replicate the passion and glamour of these dates, the package includes a picnic basket and a candlelit dinner for two in the Salon Rouge as well as breakfast in bed and couples pampering in the hotel’s wellness wing, which is home to an ESPA treatment center and the world’s only SENSAI SELECT SPA.

Fortunately one of the show’s nerve-wracking rose ceremonies is not included; however, the hotel’s lakeside location, stunning views of the Alps, and the city’s Old World charm will certainly inspire The Bachelor-style romance.

The Bachelor’s Rose package includes:

• Three nights in a spacious Bel Air Junior Suite in the Spa Wing
• Bouquet of red roses upon arrival
• Three romantic breakfasts in bed (or, as an alternative, in the restaurant)
• One exclusive candlelit dinner for two at the Salon Rouge including a bottle of sparkling champagne
• One couples massage followed by two hours spa time in the private spa suite with separate sauna, steam bath, and bath
• One five-star picnic basket for a romantic hike in the Swiss alps
• Limousine transfer from/to Interlaken train station

Rates start at CHF 1890 (approximately $2,049 per person, double occupancy). The package is valid for the entirety of 2012 and can be booked by emailing reservation@victoria-jungfrau.ch or by calling +41 (0)33 828 28 28.

Don’t know what to do with old travel maps, blogger Teena Hughes from A-Night-In-Paris.com has some great ideas…like using them as creative wrapping paper…to read the rest of her ideas click here

If wacky travel is your forte, then you must check out Woodlyn Park, located on the North Island of New Zealand.

Woodlyn Park is a working farm and home to the popular “Billy Black’s Kiwi Culture Show,” where you will see a sheep shearing demonstration and get to know the different varieties of bush animals. The owner decided to build on the idea of his cultural heritage show and added on various motels, housed in relics of New Zealand history.

The Plane Motel is set in a 1950’s Bristol Freighter that was one of the last allied planes out of Vietnam.  The plane features two self-contained rooms that each sleeps four…one in the cockpit and one in the tail of the plane.

The Train Motel is housed in a 1950 train cart and features three separate motel rooms. If sleeping in a train does not fit your style then why not try out a night in the Waitanic…a grounded WWII Patrol boat that was built in Auckland in 1942.

My favorite is the newest edition to Woodlyn Park, the Hobbit Motel.  Built into the side of a hill and featuring oversized furniture…this place really lets your inner Frodo free.

Woodlyn Park is located only two minutes from the Waitomo caves, home of the infamous glowworm…and many guests that come to see this natural wonder decide to crash at Woodlyn…so advanced reservations are recommended. All this wackiness starts at the bargain price of $75 per night.

For more info visit www.woodlynpark.co.nz