An Easy Way to Snag 100,000 British Airways Miles

I've talked about my frequent flyer mile obsession in the past and will admit that my fervor usually peaks this time of year. Year-end is when I review all the miles in each account and create my strategy for the coming year.

A few weeks back I sat down and wrote out my comprehensive plan for 2010, but then today British Airways and Chase made me slam on the brakes.

They've announced what, to me, is an unprecedented bonus mile deal: earn 100,000 miles with a new British Airways Visa Signature Card from Chase.

Card Benefits

• receive 50,000 miles after your first purchase
  
  
• spend $2,000 within three months of opening your card and receive an additional 50,000 miles
  
  
• earn 1.25 miles for each $1 spent
  
  
• earn 2.5 miles for money spent on BA purchases
  
  
• spend $30,000 in a calendar year and you'll receive a 2-for-1 companion award certificate
  
  
• $50 off a British Airways flight if booked before December 31, 2009 (for travel before the end of 2010)

This promo is especially enticing since British Airways offers what they call "Household Accounts." This means you can combine miles with anyone living at the same address. That makes managing miles SO much easier! You'll retain your own Executive Club membership but your mileage balances will be combined.

You may use British Airways miles on any OneWorld airline, including:

British Airways
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
LAN
Malev
Quantas
Royal Jordanian

Other British Airways partners also include:

Aer Lingus
Alaskan Airlines
Brussels Airlines C
aribbean Airlines
Mexicana

This British Airways/Chase Visa promo is definitely something to look into. I'm already figuring out where we'll travel with our newfound cache of British Airways miles! Apply for the card now.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Save on 2010 Windstar Caribbean Sailings

On October 28, Windstar Cruises launched its “80 Degrees of Sunshine; 180 Degrees from Ordinary” two-week sale on 2010 Caribbean sailings. Seven-night per person cruise fares (based on double occupancy) start at $1,799.

Windstar sails three motor-sail-yachts: the 312-passenger Wind Surf, and the 148-guest Wind Spirit and Wind Star.

This is a great time to book if you've sailed Windstar in the Caribbean in the past. This season, Wind Spirit debuts a new seven-day St. Martin roundtrip itinerary calling on St. Kitts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and St. Barts. Selected Wind Spirit sailings on sale are: January 16; January 23; January 30; and February 6, 2010.

The larger Wind Surf offers weeklong roundtrip sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados calling on a variety of ports on northbound and southbound itineraries. Wind Surf’s northbound itinerary includes St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, and St. Lucia. The southbound itinerary includes Bequia, Dominica, St. Lucia, Mayreau, Grenada, and Tobago. Selected Wind Surf sailings on sale are: January 31; February 7; February 14; and March 14, 2010.

The “80 Degrees of Sunshine; 180 Degrees from Ordinary” two-week sale is not combinable with any other promotions/programs. Offer valid on new bookings only from October 28 through November 11, 2009.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Windstar Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

InnerSea Discoveries to Launch Experiential Adventures in Alaska's Inside Passage

When I first sailed with American Safari Cruises, I returned from Alaska's Inside Passage and just raved about the experience. It was everything we love about cruising rolled up into one tremendously fun week: an intimate yacht (we sailed aboard the 105-foot Safari Spirit with just three other couples), wildlife viewing, excellent service, and fine cuisine.

We spent tons of time in the skiff and got incredibly close to humpback whales, orca whales, sea lions, and more. We even hugged the shore and viewed a moma bear with her three cubs. We could hear them chewing grass! It was awesome!

I consider American Safari Cruises to be a luxury experience because of the intimate yachts; crew-to-guest ratio; the caliber of the service; topnotch food, wine, and spirits; and access to wildlife that cruisers on the big ships just won't ever get close to. All-inclusive cruise fares start at $4,895 per person.

Those fares are too steep for some cruisers though, so the parent company of American Safari decided to purchase two larger ships where they could offer the same excellent naturalists and personal service, but offer a lower price point. The new initiative is called InnerSea Discoveries and is also meant for travelers who wish to actively engage their surroundings—both physically and emotionally.

The two ships—the 157-foot, 66-guest Wilderness Adventurer and the 170-foot, 80-guest Wilderness Discovery The vessels were purchased earlier this year and are being completely renovated now. The per person price point will start between $2,500 and $3,000 for one-week itineraries between Ketchikan and Juneau (two-week voyages will also be available). Fares include all meals, equipment for adventure activities, expert guides, port charges, taxes, and transfers.

These voyages will be ultra-experiential and activities include stand-up paddle boarding, wilderness hiking, snorkeling, inflatable boat and kayak excursions among icebergs and along shorelines, beachcombing, and whale watching. Optional add-ons include spelunking, river rafting, and jet boat excursions; fishing with expert guides on a fully outfitted boat; and overnight backpacking and kayaking. Professional naturalists will provide lectures on the surrounding environment, and yoga and massages will be offered; both boats have on-deck hot tubs and saunas with a view.

“We think of it as an ‘un-cruise’ because there are none of the hassles of traditional cruising,” says CEO and principal Capt. Dan Blanchard. “No crowds, long lines, herd mentalities, bus trips, and tourist-clogged port calls. Instead we’re offering exhilarating activities in the wildlife-rich waters of Southeast Alaska, plus creature comforts aboard the boat.”

Wilderness Adventurer and Wilderness Discoverer will begin sailing Alaska's Inside Passage in May 2011.

The parent company will continue to operate American Safari Cruises three-vessel yacht itineraries in Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Columbia and Snake rivers, and the Pacific Northwest. Inter-island Hawaii yacht cruising debuts in 2011.

For information, talk with your travel agent or call InnerSea Discoveries at 1-(877) 901-1009 or sales@innerseadiscoveries.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of InnerSea Discoveries