What you missed on Head for Points last week
Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission. See here for all partner links.
Welcome to the Head for Points weekly newsletter, full of the latest Avios, travel loyalty and travel credit card news, hints and tips.
If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up to this free Saturday newsletter by filling in the form here. Please forward it to any friends or family who you think may be interested in improving how they travel. The newsletter also runs on the Head for Points website every Saturday.
(We also offer daily emails. You would receive each article in full on the day of release, so you won’t miss any short-notice deals or offers. If you want to switch, create a fresh subscription to the daily emails via this form. You will then need to unsubscribe from the weekly email by clicking the ‘Unsubscribe’ link at the bottom of this newsletter.)
The latest travel and aviation news:
You can get 20% off ALL British Airways flights (with travel until May 2022) thanks to the BA Olympic flash sale. You must book by midnight tomorrow, Sunday. All flights, all destinations, all classes (except First) are included.
Heathrow has confirmed its £5 drop-off fee will start in October, which could raise £100 million per year for the airport. Taxis will not be exempt.
Avios to Nectar online transfers are back – you no longer have to call to move your points.
Credit card news:
Is Barclaycard Select Cashback Mastercard the best credit card for sole traders and small businesses? Rob takes a look to see how it stacks up. The card is free and pays 1% cashback, so if you are looking for something for your business to use alongside an Amex Business card, this could be it. You can apply here.
Is it worth getting the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card just for the 15 elite nights and Gold Elite status? You will also get an enhanced bonus of 40,000 Bonvoy points if you apply by 31st August although I accept that many of you won’t qualify for that due to having other personal Amex cards.
If you have an American Express Platinum Card you can now access the Lufthansa lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2 – but only if you’re booked on specific airlines.
British Airways news:
British Airways is being more flexible with cancelled flights and is now letting you rebook within 12 months of the departure, rather than booking, date. If BA has cancelled a flight and you haven’t rebooked it yet, you now have a lot more options.
You can now check in your luggage at the Heathrow Express platform at the airport with British Airways and Airportr.
Hotel news:
Hilton has launched an exceptional offer for its top hotels that includes $200 credit, a guaranteed upgrade, free breakfast and double points. 50 hotels are taking part.
You can also get a 100% bonus in the latest ‘buy points’ promo from Hilton Honors – in many cases making it cheaper to book redemptions than cash rates.
Hilton has been very busy this week and has also announced that it will now let families guarantee they get connecting rooms if they wish – big news if you have ever tried to confirm this before check-in!
Rhys’ tour of Mallorca and Ibiza draws to an end. A quick stop at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida in Mallorca for a mini-review before heading to the White Isle and checking out the W Ibiza – is it as trendy as it looks above?
If you’re looking for an AirBnB-style holiday home, Marriott Bonvoy is offering 21,000 points to anyone who stays at a Marriott Homes & Villas rental this summer.
We take a look at what a Marriott Bonvoy point is worth as part of our series on hotel points valuations.
Meanwhile, Hyatt continues to add more Small Luxury Hotel properties to World of Hyatt, opening up more redemption opportunities.
Other interesting bits:
We review the in-terminal PCR testing service offered by ExpressTest at Heathrow T5 – another great (and competitively priced) testing option for anyone who prefers in-person testing, and who wants to get their Day 0-2 test out of the way before they head home.
The No1 Lounge at Gatwick North has finally re-opened, giving you another choice of lounge should you be passing through. Unfortunately it won’t rejoin Priority Pass until later this year.
Plaza Premium has also re-opened at Heathrow Terminal 5 whilst Priority Pass adds a new restaurant option in Heathrow Terminal 2.
An HfP reader reviews the brand new Middleton Lounge at Teesside International Airport for us.
See you next Saturday.
