inFLIGHTout Travel Tip: Discounted Passport Photos

Save a few bucks on your next Passport and/or Visa photo by visiting your neighborhood Costco store. Costco charges members only $4.99 for a pair of photos. Other companies normally charge upwards of $10-$15 for the same service. Click here to find your local Bay Area Costco store.

Virgin America Offers 'Absurdly Simply' Visa Signature Card

San Francisco-based Virgin America announced the launch of a co-branded Visa Signature card. Underwritten by Barclays US, the "Absurdly Simple" card offers guests premium services, rewards, and amenities - with no annual fee.

Customers will earn 2,500 Elevate bonus points after the first purchase, triple points on Virgin America purchases, and one point per dollar spent on everyday purchases. Additional bonuses are available on card membership anniversaries and for balance transfers.

According to the Virgin America site, card members who apply by November 30, 2008 and use the card by January 31, 2009, will receive a free one-way flight on Virgin America. And, if that was not enough to get you excited, a bonus 1,000 Elevate points are available if you pre-register for the promotion and opt to get the card.

Overall, I would recommend this card to others. In addition to the built in Visa Signature benefits, the free one-way trip, the first-use bonus points and other methods of point accrual all make this a fairly generous card to consider. Do take note that according to the t&c's, although there are no blackout dates with the free one-way ticket, it's not clear if it is capacity controlled; that is, whether you are allowed any open seat, or if the airline will limit the number of free seats on a flight.

United Airlines: 10% Off Your Next International Flight

United has teamed up with Visa to offer customers a 10% discount on their next economy class international flight to Asia, Europe, or South America. Tickets must be purchased by September 30, 2008, for travel between September 9 and November 20, 2008.
Visit lifetakesvisa.com/united to receive your discount.

Grand Opening - The InterContinental San Francisco

The largest hotel built in San Francisco since 1987 opened its doors last week. The InterContinental San Francisco, located near Howard & Fifth in the vibrant SOMA district, features 32 stories of floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the amazing views of the city. Amenities include an indoor lap pool, fitness center, and an 11,000-square foot spa and wellness center.

Just saw some pretty good rates from $152+ during the last weekend in March. Also, Intercontinental Hotels has a Visa promotion going on through March: Stay at an Intercontinental hotel in the U.S or Canada and Pay with your Visa card, you earn a $50 Visa Gift Card. Register here.

American Airlines now offers a co-branded Visa card with 20,000 AA miles after you make $250 in purchases. Prior to this, American has offered only the Mastercard. Click Here.

HOT OFFER!

Get approved for the Southwest Airlines Visa card and earn 16 rapid rewards credits after your first purchase, enough for a free roundtrip ticket. They are also offering additional credits for balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies).

Previously the promotion has been 8 rapid rewards credits for signing up and using the card. So.....with the annual fee of $59.00 per year - $59 bucks to fly to one of the many destinations Southwest serves in the U.S makes this a hot offer. More information here.

Thanks to RedSox9547 on fatwallet for pointing out this offer.