Business Travelers Fly High With Virgin America's New Rewards Program, Elevate, Inc.

Virgin America, the airline Richard Branson (a member of the AOL Small Business Board of Directors) founded in 2007, announced Tuesday that it has launched its first corporate rewards program aimed specifically at small and medium-sized businesses. The program, Elevate, Inc. is designed to reward companies that spend a minimum of $20,000 per year on travel with Virgin America. Companies that sign up with Elevate, Inc. and meet the minimum travel amount will earn back 3 percent of their total spending dollars to be applied to future travel purchases on Virgin America.

In recent years, the airline, best known for its inventive and fun approach to the flying experience, has gained popularity among business travelers and was named "Best Business and First Class" in Conde Nast Traveler's Business Travel Poll for the past three years, the company said in a statement. Some of the airline's business-friendly amenities include Wi-Fi on board all flights, power outlets near every seat and an on-demand food and beverage menu. Virgin America currently operates in 15 cities across the U.S. and Mexico, including recently added flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago.

"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," Diana Walke, vice president of planning and sales for Virgin America, said in a statement.