What you missed on Head for Points last week

Welcome to the Head for Points weekly newsletter, full of the latest Avios, travel loyalty and travel credit card news, hints and tips.

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NEW: Join the Head for Points forums!

This week we launched the HfP forums which we hope will become your go-to destination for any travel and loyalty questions you have. You can find a quick overview to the forums in this article which will help you get started.

Thanks to everyone who has already registered (over 2,000 people!) and contributed. Head for Points would be far less valuable without your hive mind and we hope the forums are a comfortable home.

The latest travel and aviation news:

British Airways has announced its Gatwick flight schedule for next summer, with 35 destinations operating from April. The flights are now bookable for Avios and cash.

The world’s most expensive airport just got more expensive. Despite protests from airlines Heathrow will increase its passenger service charge to an average of £30.19 per person from January.

With Omicron now dominant in the UK Boris Johnson has scrapped the Red List again, just in time for Christmas.

Amazon is muscling into the PCR testing sector and now offers Day 2 PCR tests for £34.99, delivered. These will be processed in an Amazon-run laboratory in Salford.

British Airways news:

British Airways has added new A380 routes to the USA and Canada, with good Avios availability.

The airline has also announced plans to return to Portland and Pittsburgh next year, resurrecting two routes that should have launched in 2020 had covid not got in the way.

BA’s The Club e-magazine is giving away 10,000 Avios to ten lucky winners.

IAG’s planned acquisition of Spanish airline Air Europa has stalled with IAG paying a €75 million break fee – but will it be resurrected in 2022?

BA’s 60,000 Avios giveaway is now open to all NHS employees in the UK. If you or someone you know works for the NHS you may want to encourage them to enter. 3,000 people will be given 60,000 Avios worth at least £480 (their value if converted to Nectar points). You don’t need to be nominated or give a reason why you deserve them – simply fill in an online form, give your NHS or Scottish equivalent email address and hope you are one of 3,000 people drawn from the hat.

Are you an expat? You can get up to 100,000 Avios by banking with Citigold Wealth Management.

Hotel news:

REGISTER NOW for Hilton’s Points Unlimited promotion for January to April 2022. Click this link to be taken directly to the Hilton website to register.

Meanwhile World of Hyatt has launched its ‘Bonus Journeys’ Winter promotion.

Rob treated himself to a nice little day out last week and pottered off to London City Airport to review the new Courtyard London City Airport hotel. It is, perhaps surprisingly, a very impressive hotel.

He also ventured out to Heathrow to take a look at Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport. It’s a bonanza of airport hotel reviews this week!

Last year hotels made it easier to book low cost day rooms. Here’s how you can book yours at a Hilton hotel.

Other interesting bits:

Virgin Atlantic’s future is further secured with another £400 million of fresh cash from Delta and Richard Branson which will help it survive Omicron. It aims to be profitable again in 2023.

Lufthansa has launched an aggressive new flight sale for Business and First Class flights from the UK. How aggressive? How about Dubai for £799? Cape Town for £1,199? Maldives for £1,399? This is for return Business Class flights from UK airports, including many regional airports.

Thinking of heading to Singapore? This HfP reader was stuck in a quarantine facility for four days despite testing negative ….

Is easyJet Plus worth the annual fee? Rob’s review delves into whether you should sign up. Plus, here’s how you can save 15% on easyJet Plus membership.

Good news for anyone flying from Heathrow Terminal 3: the Qantas and Emirates lounges are now open.

Have you had miles or points expire recently? Swapi, a new loyalty app, will reimburse you.

Offers you missed:

Our summary of offers closing soon is here. An updated version runs on the site on Sunday.

See you next Saturday.