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Bits: new BA seat design patent, new Jumeirah openings, Marriott starts expiring points

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News in brief:

British Airways files another patent for next-generation seats

Skift reports on the latest patent filing by British Airways in relation to new seating.  We have been here before, of course, with a more revolutionary design that was filed last year.  I wouldn’t take these layouts too seriously at this stage, especially the idea shown below:

New British Airways seat

Two new Jumeirah resorts announced

If, like me, you are a regular visitor to Jumeirah hotels and resorts (and they are spreading rapidly from their Middle East heartland), there are two bits of news to whet you appetite.

Opening in no short order is a (possibly emergency) takeover of the Golden Savoy resort in Bodrum, Turkey, which opened last year.  On May 1st it becomes Jumeirah Bodrum Palace Resort.

Longer term, a deal has been signed for a resort on Sa’adiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.  Jumeirah Sa’adiyat Island Resort will open in 2017.  American Express Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for Jumeirah hotels via Sirius points – at very attractive rates – but only by taking out an International Dollar Card and transferring your UK points into the IDC Membership Rewards scheme.

Marriott Rewards new expiry policy

Marriott has announced a new expiry policy for Marriott Rewards points.  It is not totally unreasonable, to be honest.  From February 1st 2016, you need to have account activity every 24 months to keep your points alive.

This policy is being backdated.  If you haven’t done a Marriott stay since February 1st 2014, you need to plan one for this year – or take out the Marriott credit card instead (credit card points count as activity), buy some Marriott points or make a redemption (either for a stay or for airline miles).  Social media points do NOT count – if you took part in the Marriott Twitter and Facebook promotion last year, that is not enough.

Cathay Pacific offering £500 economy tickets to Australia

Finally, Cathay Pacific is currently offering economy flights to Australia for £500.  This is for travel between 13th April and 12th May, booked by 17th March.

£500 is the price from Manchester, add another £31 to depart London.  Various destinations in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are available.  See here for details.

Comments (28)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • UK to Australia - Economy bargains - euflyer.com euflyer.com says:

    […] to Raffles at Headforpoints for undercutting the Singapore […]

  • Kilburn Flyer says:

    Here’s a question. With BA Bronze (oneworld Ruby) and above you can select exit seats at no extra charge on Cathay Pacific, however the “Economy Save” fare bucket that this falls into doesn’t allow you to normally pre-book seats. Would this still apply if you are a Oneworld elite?

    • JQ says:

      I was able to select seats at time of booking on CX cheapest economy tix after adding a QF Silver number (= BA Bronze)

  • John F says:

    Hi

    Unable to access contact site elsewhere , but info received today re Avios earning through BMI Diamond Club “Grandad” Mastercard

    Thanks for great site,

    Just to let you know that my “Grandad” BMI Mastercard Diamond Club earning capacity is to be cut from 2 to 1.25 from 31/03/15 and no double points on booking BA flights, (Avios reducing another nice little earner, thought they would catch up on that one )might be worth a revisit of credit card collecting for avios

    Informed by standard letter received today, wife got the same letter as well

    All the best
    John Flanagan

    • The_Real_A says:

      Does it make any mention of the BMI AMEX card (currently 2 per £1) ?

      • xcalx says:

        Yes its staying at 2 per £1

        • The_Real_A says:

          Excellent 🙂 Does it mention any other changes to the 10% booking discount or bonus points on the AMEX?

          Thanks

      • John F says:

        The letter from Diamond Club, only refers to Mastercard, no mention of Amex, however “xcalx” has replied

    • Rob says:

      Thanks John. Various permutations of this card, need to find all the variations!

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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