Bits: new low tax Toronto Avios redemptions on airberlin, Pine Cliffs with SPG Moments

News in brief:

airberlin launches new Toronto service

As I wrote in this long article, airberlin offers an excellent way to fly to North America with Avios without paying much in the way of taxes and charges.

When Anika flew from New York to Berlin in Business Class last year, the taxes for the one-way flight were just £4.  Her review of airberlin Business Class is here – it isn’t bad at all.  You will pay well under £100 for a return flight starting in Germany.

airberlin has just announced a new route from Dusseldorf to Toronto.

Flights will start on 1st May and operate four times a week.

airberlin is also adding Dusseldorf to Chicago five times per week, on top of the existing Berlin service.

Tickets for these new routes will be bookable with Avios on ba.com from 1st August, so don’t start checking today.

There are usually two business class seats available per flight but you will struggle to find more as it is a small cabin.  Remember that, as a BA partner airline, you cannot use a BA Amex 241 voucher and all dates are ‘peak dates’ – there is no off-peak Avios pricing.

Good SPG Moments deal at Pine Cliffs in Portugal

If you can get down to Albufeira in Portugal on 4th August, SPG Moments has a very attractive event at the famous Pine Cliffs resort available.

This resort is painfully expensive at the best of times, but you can visit during the resort’s summer gala.  The auction package includes:

• Two-night stay at Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, checking in Friday, 4 August 2017, and checking out Sunday, 6 August 2017
• Diamond package for two to the summer gala on Saturday, 5 August 2017, including welcome cocktail, gala dinner, UB40 concert and after party with open bar
• Meet Ali, Astro and Mickey from UB40 before the performance

There is only one bid so far, probably because of the short notice, at the reserve price of 25,000 Starwood Preferred Guest points.  The auction ends at 7am EDT tomorrow, so you’d realistically need to bid tonight.

The full auction listing is here.  You can find out more about the hotel here.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

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.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.