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Bits: I’m flying a Boeing 747-8i today, Lufthansa UK deals, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and miles

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News in brief:

The future of the Boeing 747-8i

Today I will be flying a Boeing 747-8i via Lufthansa for the first and possibly last time, on my way to New York.

The 747-8i – a stretched version of the 747-4 with a longer upper deck – has been a huge commercial failure with only three airlines ordering the passenger version.  Given that the other two are Air China and Korean Air, Lufthansa seemed the best chance of giving it a go.

At almost six metres longer than the Airbus A340-600, it is the longest passenger airline in operation.  The failure of the programme is part of the general trend away from larger aircraft which has also hit the A380, but the latter has sold better due to having a modern design rather than being based on a 40-year old lineage.

There have only been 47 orders for the 747-8 passenger version.  Lufthansa has taken 19 (all delivered), Korean Air has 10 (nine delivered) and Air China 7 (all delivered).  The rest are destined for the business jet / VIP market.

If you are very lucky, you may get to spot a Boeing 747-8 at Heathrow.  From 26th March, one of the two daily Heathrow services operated by Korean Air has switched to a 747-8i.  This is the first time that the aircraft has been used at Heathrow.

I found this article from Routes News interesting and worth a read if you have five minutes.  It looks at the future – or not – of both the A380 and B747-8 programmes.  This Wikipedia article gives you a decent rundown on the whole Boeing 747-8 programme.

Lufthansa 747-8

Special Lufthansa deals from UK to Japan

Speaking of Lufthansa ….. if our recent Japan coverage has encouraged you to visit this summer, Lufthansa has launched a good business class sale for UK departures.  Click here for details.

These prices are not as low as, say a Qatar Airways sale but you are do get to fly from the UK without positioning in Europe.  Lufthansa has connections from many regional airports to Frankfurt so you may also get to avoid Heathrow.

The headline prices is £1799 return to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo or Nagoya.

There are also similar deals around £1799 to Dubai, Seoul and various cities in India.  Other Asian destinations are a touch over £2000 return.

You must book by 23rd June for travel between 23rd July and 31st August.  Full terms are on the Lufthansa website here.

Miles & More partners with Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Car rental groups have generally been strong partners with frequent flyer schemes, but for some reason Enterprise Rent-A-Car has never fully embraced this.

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK website only shows Flying Blue (KLM, Air France) and – oddly – airberlin – as mileage earning partners.

Enterprise has recently launched a deal with Lufthansa Miles & More, however.   You will usually earn 500 miles per rental but, until the end of July, this is tripled to 1,500 Miles & More miles per rental.

Details are on the Miles & More website here.

How to get FREE car rental status and other benefits via UK credit cards (June 2023)

If you hire a car in the UK, you can get special benefits (discounts, upgrades, free additional drivers etc) if you have elite status with a car rental programme. You can get elite status for free via certain American Express cards.

The Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum

The Platinum Card from American Express and American Express Business Platinum come with two free car hire status cards. Your supplementary Platinum cardholder can also receive status in their own right.

From Avis, you receive President’s Club status in Avis Preferred. This gets you up to 25% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a guaranteed one class upgrade. For weekend rentals you will receive a two class upgrade, subject to availability.

From Hertz, you receive ‘Five Star’ status in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This gets you up to 15% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a one class upgrade, subject to availability.

Hertz also offers Platinum cardholders a 4 hour grace period on rentals. Your final day is treated as 28 hours, so a 1pm pick up with a 5pm return the following day is only charged as one day, not two days. We wrote about the Hertz / Platinum 4 hour grace period here.

The Platinum Card also comes with full car hire insurance with no obligation to pay for the rental via American Express. You can refuse any attempts to sell you additional insurance at pick up. This benefit has substantial value if you rent on a regular basis.

You can find more details on the two Platinum cards, and apply, in our full reviews:

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 13th June, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card is doubled to 60,000 Membership Rewards points – and you get £200 to spend at Amex Travel too! Apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

60,000 points AND a £200 Amex Travel voucher until 13th June! Read our full review

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points bonus and a £200 Amex Travel credit every year Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is an excellent card in its own right. You receive 20,000 Membership Rewards points for signing up (convert to 20,000 Avios amongst other things), four airport lounge passes and £120 of Deliveroo credit. Even better, your first year is free.

There are two car rental benefits:

  • you receive Preferred Plus status in Avis Preferred
  • you receive a special package with Hertz – 10% off best available rates at participating locations, a one class upgrade for rentals of 5 days or more, subject to availability, and no additional driver fees

Find out more about the benefits of American Express Preferred Rewards Gold, and apply, in our review:

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

Category

Air France KLM and Flying Blue, Lufthansa and Miles & More, oneworld alliance partners

Comments (85)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Scallder says:
    13 Jun13 June 14:58

    Just had the following from BA:

    Where will Club World take you this Christmas?

    From today, an additional 10,000 reward flight seats are available in our exclusive long haul business class cabin when you book using your Avios for travel between 18 December 2017 and 5 January 2018.

    There are so many destinations to choose from. Why not shop for gifts in Boston’s Christmas market, marvel at New York’s glittering window displays or soak up the festive atmosphere at Philadelphia’s Winterfest?

    Or if you’re looking to escape the cold weather, what could be better than relaxing in one of the sun-drenched beaches of Dubai or exploring the souks and markets of Abu Dhabi?

    Wherever you choose to go, you now have the chance to get there and back in style.

    Don’t miss out. Book now at ba.com

    T&Cs:

    Over 10,000 additional reward flight seats will be made available on 13 June 2017 and will remain available until booked.

    The additional reward flight seats will be available in Club World on British Airways operated flights for travel from London Heathrow excluding flights to Europe, Latin America, and Central America and UK domestics.

    Connecting flights are not included in this promotion. All reward flight bookings are strictly subject to availability, which may still be very limited on some routes and may not be available at all on some dates.

    The total number of seats available for reward flight bookings will vary from route to route and from week to week, depending upon commercial demand.

    • Anna says:
      13 Jun13 June 16:49

      Very lucky people who can get leave at Christmas with 6 months’ notice (not jealous or anything).

      • Gavin says:
        13 Jun13 June 20:52

        Useful for those who have a Company shutdown for 8 or 9 days to allow the Expats to get back to Japan.

        Sadly the Mrs will have to work!

        • Alan says:
          14 Jun14 June 01:27

          Haha indeed, would love a shutdown over that fortnight but one of our busiest periods!

    • Leo says:
      13 Jun13 June 20:25

      I got this but seem to remember that BA quite often offer deals over the Xmas/New Year period – a couple of years back it was £1K each for 2 J flights or some such.

      • Rob says:
        13 Jun13 June 20:34

        Big BA Holidays sale launching this week too which may make you want to cancel a redemption …..

    • Alan says:
      14 Jun14 June 01:19

      A friend of mine got that too, no such email love from BA for me sadly 🙁 Quite frustrating given they still send the totally pointless upcoming booking emails at random intervals before flight departure!

  • rickey says:
    13 Jun13 June 17:11

    Data Point: Marriott Travel Package.

    I ordered package about 10 days ago with AA miles and can confirm I received 150K AA miles (currently 25% bonus from AA for hotel partners) exactly 8 days later.
    Happy days! Still don’t know where would I spend my 7 nights.

    • Scallder says:
      13 Jun13 June 17:35

      Which category did you go for rickey?

      Trying to build up an SPG stash so as to be able to, if the SPG Amex sticks around until the end of next year, would get the wife and I three cat 1-5 packages, although not sure whether it would be worth trading up and going for 2 weeks at nicer properties…

      • Genghis says:
        13 Jun13 June 17:43

        Go for 1-5 then pay difference if go for better property

      • rickey says:
        14 Jun14 June 07:17

        It was indeed category 1-5.
        One can always upgrade it later with some point addition with higher category property when you are actually ready to make booking.

  • Gareth says:
    13 Jun13 June 18:38

    OT- just managed a virgin mbna white card churn after 3 months

  • Cate says:
    13 Jun13 June 19:15

    Just had an email from IHG saying ‘buy a minimum of 20,000 IHG® Rewards Club points and we’ll match your purchase with 100% more in bonus points! Take advantage of this offer before it ends on July 12, 2017’. May be useful for some one.

  • Gareth says:
    13 Jun13 June 19:17

    With the potential demise of mbna Amex card within the next twelve months, has anyone considered the idea of taking the the black card and then hoping for a demise to then request a pro ratar refund?

  • Leo says:
    13 Jun13 June 20:08

    OT: I’ve just received an email from IC Le Grand in Paris telling me that the 4pm check-out is NOT guaranteed on a points reservation. I’ve replied with the terms and conditions:

    “InterContinental® Ambassador Benefits: A room one category higher than purchased will be assigned upon check-in to InterContinental Ambassadors. InterContinental Ambassadors will be entitled to a late check-out time of 4:00 pm. Ambassadors receive fresh fruit, sweet or savoury snack and water in their room on arrival, with mineral water replenished daily. Ambassadors receive a personalised welcome letter and in-room gift. Ambassadors are entitled to one free Pay-TV film per stay (where a cost is applicable). Ambassadors are charged Single Rate for Double Room Occupancy. When staying on Reward Nights, all Ambassador and Royal Ambassador Privileges apply with the exception of upgrades, Club Lounge access (Royal Ambassadors), Mini bar beverages (Royal Ambassadors), free Pay-TV film per stay, 24-hour guaranteed room availability and 8:00 am early check-in (where a cost is applicable). A Rewards Night booking must be booked under the IHG Rewards Club account of the member for him/her to enjoy the benefits. ”

    Has anyone else had this issue on points redemptions at this hotel? I know it’s generally well regarded by HfPs.

    • Prince Polo says:
      13 Jun13 June 21:41

      When I checked it last time, the T&Cs said it’s not guaranteed on points reservations, it was however on reservations made through third parties (and has always been honored on my reservations through hotels.com).

    • Alan says:
      14 Jun14 June 01:25

      I couldn’t help but chuckle at their way of saying you get all benefits on reward stays, apart from… and then go on to list the vast majority of benefits! I know properties vary and many go above and beyond, but it really makes Ambassador much less appealing (I did consider it a couple of times previously).

  • Richard says:
    14 Jun14 June 09:14

    with regards to the LH flights to japan : “you are do get to fly from the UK without positioning in Europe.”

    Aren’t the LH flights via Frankfurt or Munich? So you must fly to Frankfurt or Munich and then to japan? Isn’t this a “positioning in Europe” since the flight will not be direct to japan from the UK?

    • Scallder says:
      14 Jun14 June 17:01

      Richard – I believe Rob was inferring that you can go UK-Germany-Japan, as opposed to doing an ex-EU on Qatar, meaning you go UK-Somewhere in Europe (e.g. Stockholm)-Qatar-Japan.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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