Bits: Gatwick shorthaul schedule changes, 25% off and free drinks at Ibis, Hilton sale ending

News in brief:

Shorthaul changes at Gatwick airport announced

British Airways has announced changes to their shorthaul flights from Gatwick airport for the Summer 2017 season:

• The twice a week service to Bodrum (BJV) has been suspended and will not return next Summer
• A Monday flight to Tirana (TIA) has been added from 29th May
• The Summer service of three flights per week to Larnaca (LCA) has been extended and will now operate from 29th April until 28th October 2017

The Bodrum flight was only added to the BA schedule in Summer 2015, but with the current political situation it seems that it could not be sustained.  This is a disappointment, especially with Mandarin Oriental and Jumeirah now operating well regarded luxury hotels in the area.

Save 25% and get two free drinks at Ibis hotels

Ibis hotels and Morrisons supermarkets have teamed up for a promotion giving you 20% off your hotel booking when booking via this page of the Ibis website.

Once you’ve confirmed your hotel, select the ‘20% off Autumn offer’. You will get an additional 5% off when entering your Le Club AccorHotels loyalty number.

If you present a Morrisons More card to the reception staff when checking in, you will get 2 free drinks.

You can join Morrisons More via their website and there is an app you can download which shows your card details, so it is possible you can take advantage of this without having to set foot in a Morrisons store!

Bookings have to be made before 30th November 2016 for stays before 3rd December 2016.

Remember that you can use this offer in conjunction with the current Accor ‘triple Avios’ promo or the current ‘10,000 Avios for 4 x 2-night stays’ promo.

Last day for the Hilton flash sale

Finally, remember that today is the last day to book in Hilton’s seven day ‘flash sale’.

It is offering special deals at 300 hotels across Europe (including the UK), Middle East and Africa, but only at weekends. Many rooms are discounted by 30% (if you are a Hilton HHonors member) except for Hampton by Hilton hotels where the maximum discount is 15%.

The rates are valid for weekend stays until 29th January. You will also find that some hotels have loaded these rates for weekday stays.

As usual with Hilton sales, you need to take the ‘30% discount’ with a pinch of salt. This is based on the discount from ‘Best Available Rate’ for the same day. However, these sale rates require pre-payment and are non-refundable. A ‘Best Available Rate’ room is cancellable without charge.

If you have any weekends away planned between now and 29th January, you should take a look at these offers to see if there is anything of interest.  The ‘flash sale’ website is here.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (July 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th August 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Hilton Honors Plus debit card is TRIPLED to 30,000 Hilton Honors points. You will also receive Gold Elite status in Hilton Honors for as long as you hold the card. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

30,000 bonus points (to 14th August), Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, 50% fee discount, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.