Bits: UK laptop ban, Hilton flash sale, new airberlin business class seat launched

News in brief:

UK laptop ban on flights to / from certain countries

This story was covered extensively in the news yesterday so I don’t want to dwell on it here.  However, if you missed it, the UK Government has banned all electronic equipment larger than a standard mobile phone from aircraft cabins on flights from (but not to) Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia or Saudi Arabia to the UK.

If you are currently in any of these countries and travelling ‘hand baggage only’, British Airways will rebook your flight home without charge in order to give you time to buy a suitcase.

You can learn more on the BBC website here.

Hilton flash sale launched

Hilton has launched a flash sale which runs until next Monday (27th March).  Included are Hilton properties in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Hilton Honors members can get up to 25% off the best available rate for weekend stays between 24th March and 27th August 2017.

On the 7th April you could for example get a room at the Reichshof Hamburg (which Rob reviewed here) for €138 instead of €169.  You could also get a room at the Hilton Paris Opera (which I reviewed here, photo above) for €267 instead of €319.

As the discount is based on the ‘Best Available Rate’ which is cancellable without charge as opposed to the flash sale rate which requires non-refundable pre-payment, you do need to take the ‘25% discount’ with a pinch of salt. However if you don’t plan on cancelling your stay you might find a good deal in the flash sale.

The page to book is here.

New airberlin business slass seat launched

Earlier this month at ITB Berlin all the noise was about the new Qatar Airways Business Class seat / suite. However Qatar Airways wasn’t the only oneworld airline to present a new business product.

airberlin also showcased an updated version of their Business Class product.  Remember that airberlin offers excellent value for Avios redemptions if you don’t like paying taxes or charges as this article explains.

Unlike Qatar Airways, who changed their whole concept with their new seat, airberlin focused on a bit of polishing and adding storage space – which is why at first I didn’t even notice any changes.  Looking a bit closer, there is an added shelf on the right side of the seat.

The distance between the seat and TV screen seems a bit shorter, probably so passengers won’t need glasses to watch the rather small screen. airberlin has also changed the fabric and colour of the seat and the carpet looks like it has been updated as well.

All in all these are not very exciting updates, but I do appreciate the additional storage space.

The first planes to get the new seat will be in the three A330-200 airberlin has recently leased, of which two came from LATAM, to enable it to launch its extended range of US services from this summer.

Here is my review of my Business Class flight from New York JFK to Berlin Tegel last summer.  For £4 taxes and charges, it is the smart way to travel if you want to minimise your cash outlay.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

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:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

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

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

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.

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.

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 Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

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, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

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

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

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.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

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