Delta Air Lines Announce Contest Winners
ATLANTA, Aug. 29, 2002—Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today announced the grand prize winners of the airline’s SkyBonus travel agent and corporate account contests. The contests were offered to celebrate the launch of Delta’s SkyBonus program in the United States designed to reward small- to medium-sized businesses for their Delta travel.
Winners were drawn among thousands of contest entrants for their participation in the SkyBonus program. Travel agents were eligible for the drawing after enrolling just three or more corporations into the SkyBonus program by March 31, 2002, and small- to medium-sized businesses, with $5,000 to $500,000 in annual Delta flown revenue, were eligible by simply enrolling online to start earning points.
Al Baldy of Maupin Travel in Raleigh, N.C., is the grand prize winner of the SkyBonus travel agent contest. He will enjoy five nights and six days hotel accommodations for two at the luxurious Fairmont Southampton Princess resort; plus a six-day bus pass for two and two round-trip tickets provided by Delta Air Lines to Bermuda.
“We work very closely with our small- to medium-sized business clients to ensure their unique travel needs are fulfilled,” said Baldy. “After a quick and convenient enrollment at the SkyBonus Web site, we’re pleased they can earn points in the program and continue to purchase their tickets from us.”
Kent Taylor, founder and owner of Texas Roadhouse in Louisville, KY., is the grand prize winner of the SkyBonus corporate account contest for joining the SkyBonus program. Mr. Taylor will enjoy a luxurious vacation for two on Carnival Cruise Lines to his choice of either Baja, Mexico or to the Caribbean; plus prestigious penthouse cabin accommodations and air transportation for two provided by Delta Air Lines.
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“By using the online services, I know that I receive great benefit - it’s easy to use and there are no phone calls to make,” said Taylor. “Texas Roadhouse is a rapidly growing restaurant chain and saving time is of the essence.”
The SkyBonus program is Delta’s globally branded online product for small- to medium-sized companies. With SkyBonus, customers may enroll online and use the ticketing channel of their choice - including a traditional travel agency, an online travel provider, or delta.com. Companies with $5,000 to $500,000 in annual Delta flown revenue earn points, which they can redeem to reward employees, clients or anyone they choose. A choice of 19 rewards includes free tickets, upgrades, in-flight courtesy coupons, Crown Room Club memberships, Silver Medallion appointments and more.
The SkyBonus Web site, delta-skybonus.com, provides complete program details and convenient online, monthly reporting of account status. The site is available with around-the-clock support provided by Delta’s Online Customer Service Support Desk via e-mail or telephone.
“Since the program’s launch, it has continued to exceed our expectations, both in terms of accounts enrolled and ticket activity,” said Pam Elledge, Delta’s director - Agency and Corporate Programs. “Customers tell us they find the program highly competitive because wherever the company chooses to purchase their tickets, we have designed a simple and effective way for their travel to be rewarded.”
The U.S. SkyBonus program is offered to U.S.-based companies (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) for travel originating in the U.S. to any Delta destination. Companies located in Europe can join the similar SkyBonus - Europe program by visiting the same online address and selecting their country of residence. At this time, SkyBonus is available in the U.S. and the following European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
* Eligible flights for the SkyBonus program are defined as those tickets originating within the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Flights can include both U.S. domestic travel and international travel, provided travel originates in the U.S. Tickets must be issued on Delta, with a ticket number containing Delta’s air carrier code of “006”. SkyBonus points are earned at a rate of 20 points per $1,000 in travel originating in Atlanta, GA and Salt Lake City, Utah, and 50 points per $1,000 for travel originating anywhere else in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Tickets may be flown on flights marketed and operated by Delta or operated on behalf of Delta by codeshare partners; however, flights on codeshare operated aircraft must be booked using the Delta (DL) code. Generally, tickets that are already discounted by some Delta-related programs (i.e. Corporate Sales Agreements, Delta Meeting Network, Groups, Special Pricing, Mid Size Business Equity, etc.) are excluded from the SkyBonus program. In addition, tickets that contain a waiver code, which may have been obtained on your behalf (with or without your knowledge) by your travel agency to waive certain Delta fare rules, will not accrue SkyBonus points. Further, tickets purchased through blind-bid online sites, where you do not actually choose Delta prior to booking, are excluded from accruing SkyBonus points. Most fare classes are eligible to accrue SkyBonus points, with the exception of “U” and “T” class, highly discounted fare classes.
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