Virgin America Launches Elevate, Inc. Corporate Rewards Program for Small Business

SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing flying today announces Elevate, Inc., a corporate rewards program aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. Since its launch, Virgin America has attracted a loyal following of business travelers for its award-winning service and business-friendly amenities.  The airline has taken top honors for 'Best Business/First Class' for three years in a row in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Business Travel Poll for its upscale service, fleet-wide WiFi, standard power outlets and uniquely business-friendly onboard experience.  Elevate, Inc. is designed to reward companies that spend a minimum of $20,000 per year on travel with Virgin America with a generous reward program ensuring future travel discounts.

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"We are pleased to expand our rewards program beyond the individual and toward rewarding small and medium-sized businesses.  Our airline is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and innovative amenities and we are proud to be the airline of choice for savvy business travelers as we continue to expand into major markets like Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago," said Diana Walke, Vice President of Planning and Sales for Virgin America.

Since launching in 2007, San Francisco-based Virgin America has signed over 150 larger corporate travel partnerships – with much demand across the high-tech, media, entertainment, bio-tech and financial sectors for the airline's upscale, business-friendly service.  As a participant of Elevate, Inc., now smaller businesses that spend a minimum of $20,000 a year on Virgin America travel can earn 3 percent of total spend on Virgin America flights at the end of each year, which will be automatically applied to future travel.  Companies have the option of booking through their travel agent's Global Distribution System, or directly through the Virgin America Web site.

As of today, Virgin America is also offering special fares to its new business markets including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).  For DFW flights to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) fares start from $99*, restrictions, taxes and fees applying .  DFW fare sale tickets must be booked by March 21, 2011, and travel must occur between March 29, 2011 and September 6, 2011. ORD-LAX and ORD-SFO fares start from $179**, restrictions, taxes and fees applying.  ORD fare sale tickets must be booked by March 21, 2011, and travel must occur between May 25, 2011 and September 6, 2011. Tickets are on sale today and can be purchased via Virgin America's Web site (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).***

Virgin America offers business travelers inventive amenities, including WiFi, standard power outlets near every seat and a first-of-its-kind on-demand menu.  The airline's mood-lit, custom-designed new cabins offer the Red™ entertainment platform at every seat. The Red platform features over 700 hours of media content, including live TV news (like CNN and CNBC) and offers travelers the ability to order food and drink at any time during the flight right from their seatback.

Since its August 2007 launch, San Francisco-based Virgin America has experienced major growth – expanding to multiple destinations across North America, creating 1,900 new jobs and welcoming over eleven million guests to date.  Most recently, the airline expanded to Dallas-Fort Worth on December 1, 2010, Los Cabos on December 16, 2010 and Cancun on January 19, 2011 and plans to launch flights to Chicago on May 25, 2011. 

Virgin America has swept the major reader-based travel awards for the quality of its service,  including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards.  In spring of 2011, the airline will become an anchor tenant at San Francisco International Airport's new Terminal Two facility.

For more information or to join Elevate, Inc.; please visit http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/elevate-inc or call: 1-800-823-0820.

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's International Terminal.  The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat for electronic gear.  Virgin America offers Gogo™ in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the North American skies via the touch-screen Red™ platform. In just three over years flying, the carrier was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Condé Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards.  

Terms and Conditions:

*All Main Cabin Dallas Fort-Worth fares are one-way and require a 14-day advance purchase. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT March 21, 2011. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel must occur between March 29, 2011 and September 6, 2011. Blackout dates are May 27, May 30, July 1, July 4, July 5, September 2, and September 5, 2011. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancel prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare.  In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

**All Main Cabin Chicago fares are one-way and require a 14-day advance purchase.  Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT March 21, 2011. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Travel must occur between May 25, 2011 and September 6, 2011..  Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancel prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable.  Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

***Any guest calling within the United States has access to a complimentary telecommunication relay service by dialing 711. For more information, go to: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/telecomm.asp.

SOURCE Virgin America