Bits: 2400 Avios with a Nerf gun, Virgin joins TSA pre-check, Radisson / Park Inn sales extended

News in brief:

Get 2,400 Avios or 2,500 Virgin miles with a Nerf gun

Until tomorrow night, Tesco Direct is offering 1,000 bonus Clubcard points – worth 2,400 Avios or 2,500 Virgin miles – with selected Nerf toys.

The minimum spend is £40.

Virgin Atlantic joins TSA pre-check

Virgin Atlantic has joined the list of transatlantic airlines – which excludes British Airways – to offer access to TSA pre-check for qualified flyers.

TSA pre-check allows you to skip the main security lines when departing from the US.  However, it is only valid if (for UK citizens) you have signed up for Global Entry.  This requires an interview at the US Embassy in London, if they are still offering them, or else in the US.

For those of us who only make occasional trips to the US, this will not benefit you.  If you do have Global Entry, there is now an additional reason to fly out of the US on Virgin Atlantic.

Full details are on this page of the Virgin Atlantic website.

Radisson and Park Inn sales extended

Radisson Blu and Park Inn have both extended their winter sales which were due to end next week.  It covers the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Belgium.

Both will apparently now continue until 26th February although the websites still show 31st January.  You can book discounted rooms for weekend stays until 31 August 2017.

The Radisson Blu page is here and the Park Inn page is here.  This sale would also tie in with the generous new Club Carlson promotion.

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How to earn Radisson Rewards points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

Radisson Rewards does not have a dedicated UK credit card. However, you can earn Radisson Rewards points by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

These cards earn Membership Rewards points:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 60,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

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.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 150,000 Radisson Rewards points

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 30,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 1:3 into Radisson Rewards points which is a very attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 3 Radisson Rewards points.

Even better, holders of The Platinum Card receive free Radisson Rewards Premium status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here. You can apply here.

Got a small business?

You can get free top-tier Radisson Rewards VIP status with the new Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card for small business. Clck here to apply.

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review