Bits: exclusive Avios hotel redemption deals, 50% bonus miles on Virgin West Coast, BA to Tehran

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• Talay says:

  6 Feb6 February 05:34

  Regarding Tehran and the USA Visa Waiver Programme, could one not utilise the dual passport scenario or does technology these days mean that Iranian immigration (or airlines flying you to Iran) routinely report your whereabouts to the USA as a matter of course ?

  If so, then are we all being permanently tracked by the USA in case we later decide we wish to visit ?

  • John says:

    6 Feb6 February 05:47

    Wouldn’t try using a dual passport. The new Esta application includes questions about dual nationality. Took me much longer to fill in than before.

    If you’ve been to the countries concerned, you’ll have to apply for a visa or go to Canada instead (though they’ve just introduced Estas as well, although not so far with the Iran, Syria etc restrictions).

    • Talay says:

      6 Feb6 February 06:26

      UK residents can have two UK passports, useful for Israel / Arab countries and when applying for visas to countries where the application time is elongated and you need to travel prior to receipt of your original passport.

      I do not know about dual nationality requests.

      • John says:

        6 Feb6 February 07:18

        If the UK knows you have been somewhere (which they will do if you use this BA service), then the US knows. I suspect that in less than a year or so the US will be able to check this live when you apply for an ESTA. If you get into secondary when entering the US they will probably find out as well.

        I don’t think Iran reports anything to the US.

        There’s nothing to know about dual nationality requests except that the US asks you when you apply for an ESTA.

        If you want to be a liar and fraudster then do so by all means. Personally I am more inclined to visit Iran than the US nowadays.

• Mike says:

  6 Feb6 February 06:57

  I’d have thought it’s more that BA crew have US Visas and so never have to use the ESTA system in the course of their work.

  • Jordan D says:

    8 Feb8 February 09:10

    Correct. Crew have a D type visa, so don’t use an ESTA for working to/from the US.

    However – there is a grey area whether they would then be in valid for an ESTA for personal travel because of a work trip to Iran.

• Waribai says:

  6 Feb6 February 07:30

  I remember visiting Cuba in the 90’s before any thawing of relationships with the US. Immigration would stamp and staple a slip of paper into your passport. I imagine Tehran is similar?!

  • Metatone says:

    6 Feb6 February 08:17

    Israel tend to do that these days too.

• Eleanor says:

  6 Feb6 February 08:26

  Raffles, on the Avios hotel redemptions do you have the date range these deals apply? Very interested in Miami for November but it’s coming up at 60,700 Avios. Can’t see it on the ‘current offers’ page either.

  • Tilly71 says:

    6 Feb6 February 08:44

    Same here.

    • Rob says:

      6 Feb6 February 09:03

      The priced example I was given was for June.

• IvoK says:

  6 Feb6 February 08:59

  Totally OT, and apologies if this has already been noted here, but it seems that all Aer Lingus flights operated by Stobart Air from regional airports are now available as BA codeshares from ba.com. Specifically for me, and others in the East Midlands, it means it is finally possible to earn Tier Points out of EMA. Perfect timing for position for an ex-DUB HNL summer holiday that was booked last month for July/August.

  • Alan says:

    6 Feb6 February 14:10

    Agree – direct EDI-DUB now showing up on BA.com too, although pretty pricey – £100 one-way (seems to be base pricing over lots of days), when I paid the same but for a return flight including a bag! Also (as expected) not showing up as redemptions.

• Tilly71 says:

  6 Feb6 February 10:09

  So I done a dummy booking for the Crane in June, no difference in the amount of Avios required to the same amount of days, same board in May?

  • Pr99 says:

    6 Feb6 February 10:27

    The article did not say the offer was only running in June. Just that Raffles was shown an example in June. Try looking at the value per Avios compared with Hotels.com or Expedia was quoted, can’t be bothered myself but you should be looking at value per Avios compared with price in an independent source to check if this is accurate and Avios has a special deal.

  • Rob says:

    6 Feb6 February 11:19

    Are you comparing it with Expedia pricing though? I can try to find the original email later.

    • Tilly71 says:

      6 Feb6 February 11:42

      My mistake, I was comparing avios only. Sorry!

• Howard says:

  6 Feb6 February 11:54

  I am in South Beech for 3 nights in late September. Looking out for something nice.

• harry says:

  6 Feb6 February 18:18

  4000 clubcard points with Tesco home & contents insurance, can’t find the link but reported elsewhere

  • harry says:

    6 Feb6 February 18:56

    ah
    Tilly71 says:
    6 February 2016 at 1:43 pm

    4,000 clubcard points for “new customers with a clubcard” with buildings and contents insurance with Tesco Bank. Not available online – have to call and quote ‘H4000GR’. Valid until 29th April 2016.

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