How to earn Avios points with a Financial Times subscription

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• KP says:

  15 Mar15 March 06:21

  Wont 30k SPG points give 35k airline miles and not 37500?

  • Genghis says:

    15 Mar15 March 06:28

    Indeed. The offer proportionally gives a 25% bonus albeit only in blocks of 20k (so need to add to an existing stash). If running the numbers I’d most likely do a full x1.25 conversion though

  • Rob says:

    15 Mar15 March 07:21

    Yes but it assumes you have the extra 10k to convert 40k and this is proportionately what you get.

• Tony says:

  15 Mar15 March 06:48

  That FT subscription does indeed look poor unless you’re out to fleece your employer.

  I renewed my subscription via am Addison Lee offer for iirc £200 last summer.

• Roger says:

  15 Mar15 March 06:54

  Sorry for repeat offence:

  Any luck with Amex MR to IB+ bonus for UK Amex cardholders?

  • The Original Nick says:

    15 Mar15 March 07:15

    I sent over 1000. No Bonus for me.

    • Rob says:

      15 Mar15 March 07:17

      Mine have now posted, no bonus either.

      • The Original Nick says:

        15 Mar15 March 07:24

        Reactivates your IB account though.

      • Roger says:

        15 Mar15 March 07:32

        yes that is a plus point!
        Had to reset my password due to non use of account for many months!

        I just sent over 1000 points to test myself after posting message.
        Someone did mention that the bonus posted after 7 days, so still there may be hope.
        Lets see, will update if there is a bonus posted.

        • Rob says:

          15 Mar15 March 08:35

          My base points only arrived yesterday so I will monitor too.

    • John says:

      15 Mar15 March 12:56

      is there anything to lose im closing my PRG account so would transfer to BA but may aswell do iberia on the off chance it works guessing i can do combine my avios later on?
      Also how soon after are the bonus points meant to post and can i do to a new iberia plus account?

      • Rob says:

        15 Mar15 March 13:07

        If you do it to a new Iberia Plus account then you cannot move the Avios across to BA for 90 days. This may be a problem for you.

  • KevMc says:

    15 Mar15 March 20:11

    Sent another chunk of points on Saturday, and once again received a 20% bonus today

    • Roger says:

      15 Mar15 March 20:30

      Thanks for sharing. Just checking did you by any chance added spanish address?

      • KevMc says:

        15 Mar15 March 21:36

        No, it has a UK address. I did, however, receive the email which stated bonuses would be rewarded on transfers.

        I had previously transferred 1,000 MR about a year ago to activate my Iberia account, so not sure if my account was incorrectly flagged as eligible, or whether they just have no way of differentiating between points sent from a UK card and a Spanish one.

• Steve says:

  15 Mar15 March 07:38

  What are the limits on referring a spouse to Amex cards from Platinum? Referred for Plat a couple of months ago and going to do SPG soon, was wondering about also doing the free BA Amex – is there a need to space this out?

  • Rob says:

    15 Mar15 March 08:30

    No referral limits but obviously Amex may have credit concerns.

    • Leo says:

      15 Mar15 March 09:47

      On same topic – can SPG Amex be churned while at the same time churning Amex Gold? i.e. is SPG bonus affected by holding Gold? (assuming 6 clear months between SPG to SPG and Gold to GOld but NOT SPG to Gold)

      • Doug M says:

        15 Mar15 March 09:49

        Yes. Amex rewards and SPG separate things.

• Frankie says:

  15 Mar15 March 07:40

  OT. I’m flying an Emirates economy flight and have never used them before. If I sign up to their rewards programme I’ll earn 8250 of their miles. Can I do anything with this amount does anyone know? I don’t see myself earning more in the foreseeable future.

  • JamesB says:

    15 Mar15 March 08:14

    Consider crediting them to Alaska MP, they can be lucrative if you can add to them.

  • Rob says:

    15 Mar15 March 08:29

    6000 convert to 2000 Heathrow Rewards points worth £20 – but they are ringfenced and cannot be sent to another airline scheme, only shopping vouchers. They have a hotel site as well that lets you part pay with miles.

    Cheapest Arsenal ticket next season should be 12500.

    • Doug M says:

      15 Mar15 March 10:43

      I need at least 50000 to sit though a game over there.

      • Rob says:

        15 Mar15 March 11:29

        Pay 25,000 for the Emirates Box and you get unlimited free food and booze to keep your strength up, plus heated seats!

• Lottietiger says:

  15 Mar15 March 07:57

  Hilton Oman salahah is now 10,000 points and looks like some of the other 5000 point hotels have changed too. Did I miss it changing?

  • KP says:

    15 Mar15 March 08:17

    wasnt it always 10k?

  • ankomonkey says:

    15 Mar15 March 08:21

    It seems Hilton didn’t bother communicating that they’d increased the lowest point price for a standard reward at some properties, this being one.

    • Rob says:

      15 Mar15 March 08:26

      Yes, this is on the list to cover. Sheffield is still 10k, as is the Doubletree Sheffield. Salalah is now 10k.

• Kilburnflyer says:

  15 Mar15 March 09:06

  Best Hilton redemption in the UK is Hampton Inn Newcastle IMO @ 10,000 points per night.

  Right next to central station. Modern, recently refurbished rooms and an excellent free breakfast included. Cash rates can be £120/£130 on a Saturday night

  • Save East Coast Rewards says:

    15 Mar15 March 09:19

    I remember when the Doubletree Newcastle Airport opened it was just 5000 points, it is now 20000. The Hampton is definitely the best value now. Sometimes you get a bargain with cash rates too. The Hilton in Gateshead sometimes has some bargain cash rates too I’ve even seen it cheaper than the Hampton. If you have diamond status the Hilton has excellent views of the Tyne (including the bridges) from the Executive lounge.

    • Kilburnflyer says:

      15 Mar15 March 09:44

      Big fan of your work on Twitter and the retro website btw ????. It seems to be the number of unregulated advance fares in cheapest fare bucket on VTEC has been significantly reduced. I was on the site at the very moment tickets were released and KGX-NCL went immediately to £35pp standard with TT Railcard! Frankly that franchise can’t be taken away from them soon enough. Bring back East Coast (and their wonderful reward scheme).

      Until then I’ve taken to utilising the excellent fares offered by Grand Central in 1st class to Sunderland (with a short metro ride back to the Toon).

      • Stu N says:

        15 Mar15 March 11:02

        Encouraging review, thanks – have a weekend stay at Hampton Inn in April as in the Toon for a gig. Cash rate was £120 booking a few months ahead so that’s 1.2p per point and location next to the railway station is ideal for us. Haven’t been out in Newcastle for probably 20 years so will be interesting to see what’s changed.

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:

        15 Mar15 March 11:40

        That’s a major issue for many. Although the base fares are still there it is very difficult to get them even if you try and book the same day they became available.

        I’ve been told that Grand Central have increased sales in 1st class particularly between London and York. Previously some were happy to pay more for better catering but now on VTEC catering is a gamble people are happy to save money and use GC if the times suit.

      • Lumma says:

        15 Mar15 March 12:54

        I don’t know why anyone pays for first class on grand central when the standard fares are ridiculously cheap with a bit of advance purchasing. It was only Xmas when I’ve paid more than £16 for a ticket and that was because work kept me hanging over the days I had off.

        I find the HST first class seats really uncomfortable on grand central too.

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:

        15 Mar15 March 13:14

        @Lumma – I quite liked the first class seats on the GC HSTs, it shows how what’s comfortable to one is uncomfortable for others.

        Unfortunately GC no longer operates HSTs. I believe the carriages have gone to have power doors fitted and then they’re going to East Midlands Trains to cover when their HSTs go to get power doors fitted. We’re approaching some deadline where HSTs if they are to continue operating will need powered doors fitted.

    • RussellH says:

      15 Mar15 March 11:01

      Use the Hampton in Newcastle regularly – never paid a full cash price yet. Currently Points+Cash can make sense as it still triggers the 2 000 point bonus.
      I like the Gateshead Hilton too; we watched the New Years fireworks from the terrace there. Its only drawback is the poor access by public transport – it is a short but VERY steep climb from the Quay Link bus, or a sometimes somewhat unsavouray walk, which you would only work out once you are there, to the Tyne Bridge, or the High Level bridge.
      First stay at the DT at the airport next week – pity about the lack of 5 000 point stays!

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:

        15 Mar15 March 11:41

        Just get the Metro to Gateshead it’s a short walk from there. Alternatively it’s no more than £5 in an Uber or a regular cab if you have cash on you.

      • TripRep says:

        15 Mar15 March 12:55

        Thought the Hampton was great location opposite the Train station. DT Airport is good value too, if you are Gold/Diamond you should get 2x drinks vouchers. No real room upgrades available, just extra “Deluxe” amenities, slippers, robes, etc.

• Doug M says:

  15 Mar15 March 09:47

  Apologies as I’m sure asked and answered before, but wanted to check. I’ve booked a Marriott through hotels.com, but contacted the hotel to give my member number, and the reservation shows in the Marriott app so I think added successfully. I know I don’t get points but do I get status benefits? I’m Gold I think, whatever comes with Plat Amex.

  • Rob says:

    15 Mar15 March 10:01

    Yes, Marriott gives benefits on 3rd party bookings – the only chain that does.

    • Alex says:

      15 Mar15 March 13:59

      My wife didn’t get any points when booked via expedia..

      • Rob says:

        15 Mar15 March 14:09

        You don’t get points. You do get status benefits, eg late check-out, lounge access etc.

    • KP says:

      15 Mar15 March 16:56

      What about Sheraton via expedia?

      • Genghis says:

        15 Mar15 March 17:32

        Still SPG…

      • Rob says:

        15 Mar15 March 18:53

        No, still operating under SPG rules for now.

    • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

      15 Mar15 March 20:09

      Shangri-la too.

  • RTS says:

    15 Mar15 March 10:12

    Normally, no. But let’s hope you get lucky as I have sometimes!

  • sunguy says:

    15 Mar15 March 10:48

    Generally, Ive found that its entirely up to the whim of the person checking you in / local hotel policy.

    What Ive done previously (when work made it compulsary to book via the company travel agency – this was to get approvals for costing purposes) is to call the hotel and often they have cancelled my booking and re-booked me directly at a similar rate – often including breakfast too! (allowing for the uprated breakfast product, not just the exec lounge version).

    If your hotels.com booking is refundable, you might want to see if the hotel can do anything directly for you.

    • Genghis says:

      15 Mar15 March 11:37

      I’ve always had benefits at Marriott on third party bookings. It adds a bit more value to Hotels.com rewards etc

      • Doug M says:

        15 Mar15 March 13:36

        I had a double nights voucher too, result of a review. So I didn’t want to book direct. Thanks all.

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