Bits: BA premium flights and holidays sale, CityJet to launch flights from Southend
Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission. See here for all partner links.
News in brief:
British Airways Luxury Sale now on
We have been a little slow in covering the latest British Airways premium sale, apologies.
The prices don’t look too exciting, but it’s well worth having a look to possibly find a good deal.
Until 8th November – so you still have a week to book – you can get :
Club World flights to New York from £1,475
Club World holidays from £1,478 p/p
Club Europe holidays from £271 p/p
It looks like you can book as far ahead as September 2017 so it’s well worth thinking about the next Summer holiday.
The BA Low Fare Finder tool remains the best way to see what deals are available. Apart from the New York deal above, there is also Boston £1555, Montreal £1435, much of India for £1700, Muscat £1498 and Beijing £1799. That is about it under £2000.
All prices are based on two people travelling together and include business class flights and accommodation.
CityJet to launch flights from London’s Southend airport
The Irish airline CityJet and Stobart Group are currently discussing the possibility of new routes from London Southend Airport starting in April 2017.
The proposal is that CityJet will operate up to 18 new routes from Southend on up to four aircraft.
In 2012, with the arrival of easyJet, Southend Airport saw initial success but further expansion seemed a bit difficult. Rob visited the airport earlier this year and was impressed by the modern terminal and the direct train service from London Liverpool Street. There is even a decent airport lounge which accepts Priority Pass.
Now with CityJet as a potential partner, Southend Airport is targetting an increase in passengers from 900,000 last year to up to 1.5 million per year.
Though the discussions remain ‘at an early stage’ it looks like a formal agreement can be released as soon as next month. More information can be found here.
Meanwhile, I flew CityJet out to Amsterdam from London City Airport yesterday. I will write about that next week.
How to maximise your miles when paying for flights (November 2024)
Some UK credit cards offer special bonuses when used for buying flights. If you spend a lot on airline tickets, using one of these cards could sharply increase the credit card points you earn.
Booking flights on any airline?
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold earns double points (2 Membership Rewards points per £1) when used to buy flights directly from an airline website.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points. These would convert to 20,000 Avios or various other airline or hotel programmes. The standard earning rate is 1 point per £1.
You can apply 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
Buying flights on British Airways?
The British Airways Premium Plus American Express card earns double Avios (3 Avios per £1) when used at ba.com.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 30,000 Avios. The standard earning rate is 1.5 Avios per £1.
You do not earn bonus Avios if you pay for BA flights on the free British Airways American Express card or either of the Barclaycard Avios Mastercards.
You can apply here.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
Buying flights on Virgin Atlantic?
Both the free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard and the annual fee Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard earn double Virgin Points when used at fly.virgin.com.
This means 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on the free card and 3 Virgin Points per £1 on the paid card.
There is a sign-up bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points on the free card and 18,000 Virgin Points on the paid card.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 18th November 2024, the bonus on the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard is increased from 18,000 to 30,000 Virgin Points. You need to spend £3,000 within 90 days of opening your account. You can apply even if you already have the free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard! Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.
You can apply for either of the cards here.
Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard
3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
30,000 bonus points (TO 18 NOVEMBER) and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Comments (56)