Bits: Hilton Americas hotel sale, new Qatar Airways business class sale

News in brief:

Hilton North America flash sale launched

Hilton has launched a 3-day Flash Sale covering North America.  This will end at 5am (note am) UK time on Thursday 8th.

For bookings between 18th December and 2nd January, you will receive a 15% – 20% discount from Best Available Rate.  These sale rates must be pre-paid and are non-refundable, however, so it isn’t a full 15% – 20% saving in reality.  Conrad and Waldorf-Astoria hotels are offering a $20 discount instead.

This offer is only for Hilton Group properties in North America.  The special Flash Sale website is here.

New Qatar Airways four day sale

Qatar Airways launched a new 4-day business class sale yesterday.  This is valid for bookings by 8th December for travel until 30th November 2017, although some dates are blacked out.  It is only valid for UK departures.

The offers from London are here.  £1,319 to Goa looks like the best deal although £1,700-ish to South East Asia isn’t bad.

This sale appears to be UK focussed only.  I think the real action will be held back from Qatar’s January sale but if you need to book something for the next few weeks the current ex-UK deal is worth pricing up.

Remember that you earn Avios and BA tier points on these fares – a return flight to Asia via Doha in Business will earn 560 tier points (140 x 4) which is 90% of a BA Silver card.

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How to maximise your miles when paying for flights (April 2025)

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 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.

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

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review