Bits: BA lounge guesting rules, AirPortr partners with AA, 40% off PartnerPlusBenefit redemptions
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News in brief:
British Airways lounge guesting rules relaxed over Christmas
Whilst there has been no official announcement, British Airways seems to have relaxed its Gatwick and Heathrow lounge access policy for Gold members.
Until 13th January it appears that:
a Gold card holder can take up to FIVE guests into Galleries Club (not Galleries First) as long as all passengers are on the same ticket
a Gold Guest List member can take up to FIVE guests into Galleries First as long as all passengers are on the same ticket
You can find out more in this Flyertalk thread with post 24 being the key.
AirPortr bag check-in now available for AA flights
AirPortr, the luggage collection and delivery service, has expanded its unique ‘door to destination’ baggage check-in service.
Until now you were only able to use the full ‘door to destination’ service – which includes checking in your bags for you – when flying with British Airways. You can now also use the service when flying American Airlines from Heathrow.
You can travel without seeing your luggage all the way to your final destination. Your luggage will be picked up, tagged and checked in for you. When you arrive at the airport you can head straight to security. This service can be used for pick ups from your front door, hotel lobby or office. I tried AirPortr early this year and my review of AirPortr’s pick up service is here.
AirPortr check-in can be booked on this page of the AirPortr website. Prices start from £30 for the first bag and £10 for each additional bag within Central London.
To promote the new new American Airlines partnership, AirPortr is currently offering £10 off by using the code AAUPANDAWAY.
Save 40% on PartnerPlusBenefit redemptions
PartnerPlusBenefit is the small business scheme for the UK and Ireland run by 11 of the Star Alliance airlines. This includes Lufthansa and Swiss.
We wrote about PPB in detail in this article. It is a LOT more flexible than the British Airways On Business scheme which we reviewed here – although you’d be daft not to join On Business too if you have a VAT registered UK business. Click here to sign up – you’ll receive 1,500 BenefitPoints just for joining.
Until 31st December, PPB is offering 40% off all flight redemptions and upgrades. A return flight from the UK to Germany is just 2,100 points, reduced from 3,500 points, for example. The discount applies to flights on all PartnerPlusBenefit partner airlines. Full details of this offer are in your PPB account online.
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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (May 2025)
None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.
There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card.
The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.
There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.
The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.
You can apply here.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
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