Marriott Rewards is announcing an industry-first member enhancement, Elite Rollover Nights. Members who exceed the minimum number of elite nights needed to renew or achieve elite status may now roll over the extra nights into 2010. Members need not do anything. Extra nights at the end of 2009 will automatically be transferred into the member’s 2010 account.

Elite night status may be earned by staying at any of Marriott Rewards participating hotel, participating in Marriott Rewards promotions or by signing up for one of Marriott Rewards Visa cards.

InsideFlyer magazine named Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan “Program of the Year” Thursday at the 21st annual Freddie Awards, held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Based on votes cast by more than 700,000 frequent fliers, the Freddie Awards are the most prestigious consumer-generated honors in the travel industry.

This is the second consecutive year that Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan has been named “Program of the Year.” Alaska earned more first-place awards than any other U.S. airline, receiving top honors for best elite-level program, best Web site and best program communications. Alaska also won two second-place awards for best U.S. award redemption and best U.S. customer service.

With three Seattle-based ships sailing out of Seattle for the five-month cruise season in 2008, Holland America Line contributed US$418 million to the Seattle economy and $576 million in Washington State. These numbers are up from $408 million and $502 million respectively in 2007. In 2009, the company will again base three ships in Seattle for 61 sailings and in 2010, a fourth ship will be based in Seattle sailing roundtrip 14-day cruises to Alaska.

In April 2008, Holland America Line also launched Ship to Shelter with the Port of Seattle to began donating reusable toiletries and other items for use by non profits serving people in need. The program will be continued this year at the new Smith Cove Terminal for cruise ships.

Stars For A Cause, a uniquely creative charity auction campaign, is set to showcase its collection of custom-made, hand-crafted jewellery and fashion accessories designed by a who’s-who list of Hollywood celebrities and worn on the red carpet by the likes of Goldie Hawn and William Shatner, among others. A preview of the collection begins an international tour on Sunday 26 April departing New York aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 on a Transatlantic Crossing en route to England.

The collection will preview in an exhibit at Bonhams (New Bond Street) in London on 5 May during an event organized by The Prince’s Trust, one of the benefitting charities. Then, it arrives back to New York for an exhibit at Bonhams (Madison Avenue) on 18 May before the tour and final preview culminate at a live auction with more than 100 lots at Bonhams & Butterfields, in Los Angeles on 28 May.