Bits: 50% off Avios redemptions from Birmingham, new Regus lounge in Heathrow T2
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News in brief:
50% discount on Avios redemptions from Birmingham
British Airways has launched a 50% discount on the ‘regional Cityflyer’ services which run at weekends from Birmingham International, using the small Embraer 190 aircraft which operate from London City during the week.
The discount is valid in Euro Traveller and Club Europe. If you are considering Club Europe, remember that the Embraer planes are 2 x 2 seating throughout so there is no ’empty middle seat’ in business class. You will benefit from lounge access and improved food and drink. Snacks and drinks in Euro Traveller are still free as the M&S ‘buy on board’ range has not yet been launched on these aircraft due to logistical issues.
The Birmingham routes on offer are:
Birmingham – Florence
Birmingham – Ibiza
Birmingham – Malaga
Birmingham – Palma Majorca
The 50% discount is available on both one-way and return bookings.
You need to book by 30th June for flights before 25th November, although not all routes will operate until that late in the season.
New Regus Express business centre opens in Heathrow Terminal 2
Serviced offices group Regus has opened a new Regus Express business centre in Heathrow Terminal 2.
This follows on from the existing Terminal 5 landside facility, which I have used a few times, and the two centres at Gatwick. There is also one at Birmingham International.
It appears to be very similar to the Terminal 5 site, with a co-working area and meeting rooms. Entrance is free to anyone with a Regus Businessworld Gold or Platinum card. I’m not sure if non-members can book meeting rooms or not.
The lounge is landside so you do not have to be flying anywhere in order to use it.
Regus is also a partner with airport lounge card DragonPass and if you have one of those it should also be valid at Terminal 2 – it is accepted at Terminal 5. These Regus centres are not really suitable for ‘lounging’, however – the co-working spaces mainly consist of shared table where everyone sits with their laptop. You will get free coffee.
How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2024)
Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.
You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges. Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum instead.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.
Additional lounge visits are charged at £24. You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.
There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus. Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network. Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.
The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer. Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
A huge bonus, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review
PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.
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