Bits: MyFlights app forced to close, £5 UberPOOL trips, Avios hotel deals

News in brief:

MyFlights app forced to close

The popular MyFlights app, which I have written about on HfP numerous times, has been forced to close.  Amadeus, the main global flight booking database, has blocked external access to its data – coincidentally on the same day that it launched a new version of its own Check My Trip app.

The problem with the Check My Trip app is that it is rubbish and has only a fraction of the functionality of MyFlights.  You would get a notification from MyFlights within a few hours of any change to your flight (seat number, aircraft type, cancellation, time change) and you would be at the front of the queue to get yourself rebooked.

If Amadeus had any sense it would have bought MyFlights or at least copied its functionality.  What you have now is a toy town app for a market which consists solely of switched on, smart, business travellers.   I feel bad for Chris who had genuinely created something useful here.

Ride with UberPOOL for just £5

Uber is keen to push its UberPOOL service in Central London.  UberPOOL is where you agree to let another passenger heading in the same direction share your ride in return for a discount on the fee.  You may or may not consider this a great idea ….

On weeknights until 10th June, all UberPOOL rides between 5pm and midnight in Zone 1-2 are just £5.  This means that you could travel from Turnham Green to Finsbury Park for £5, a ride which will take well over an hour.

The good news is that if no-one else is heading in your direction, you still pay the UberPOOL price even though you rode alone. To activate this deal on your Uber account, go to promotions in your Uber app menu and enter the code POOLFIVER.

If you are not already an Uber member, this Head for Points sign-up link gets you a free ride worth £15.  Alternatively, just download the app and enter ‘headforpoints’ on the promotional code page.  Best not to waste your free ride on a £5 UberPOOL trip though ….

New Avios hotel deals

avios.com has launched a number of new hotel deals.  These are attractive offers and only need a handful of Avios points to book.  Here are a sample:

Carlton Hotel Budapest (4 star), from 2,150 Avios + £235 (Expedia £444)   

Based on 3 nights with breakfast for 2 people in a standard double room

Pullman St Pancras London (4 star), from 7,700 Avios + £395  (Expedia £567)

Based on 3 nights with breakfast for 2 people in a classic king double room

InterContinental Vienna (5 star), from 2,750 Avios + £295  (Expedia £613)

Based on 3 nights with buffet breakfast for 2 people in a classic double room

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Dubai (5 star) from 2,350 Avios + £255 (Expedia £406)

Based on 4 nights with breakfast for 2 people in a standard twin room

If you get these prices to work on a date that suits you, these don’t seem at all bad.  Book via the hotel redemption page at avios.com.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.