News: easyJet returns to Southend, Luton Hoo resort sold, Hilton Athens to be redeveloped

News in brief:

easyJet to return to Southend Airport

easyJet is to resume services at London Southend Airport in Summer 2022 after withdrawing in September 2020.

Services to Palma and Malaga are currently available for booking, and additional routes are due to be announced.

Southend Airport is currently only handling private jet flights after Ryanair ended passenger services back in November.

The airport deserves to be put back into service. As well as a modern terminal building, it has its own railway station with a direct link into London Liverpool Street and Stratford.

I reviewed the Southend Airport ‘experience’ back in 2016 here and it even has a newly expanded Skylife airport lounge which we reviewed here. There is even a smart new Holiday Inn hotel at Southend Airport which we reviewed here.

Luton Hoo resort sold

Luton Hoo, the 1,000 acre hotel, golf course and spa, has been sold to Arora Group. The seller was Elite Hotels, which also owns Ashdown Park and The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.

This should be good news. Arora has a good track record of investing in its acquisitions, with the ‘about to open’ Fairmont Great Windsor Park being a good example.

Arora Group is best known for its airport hotels. These include Sofitel Heathow Terminal 5, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express Heathrow Terminal 4, Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow Terminal 2/3 and Hilton London Gatwick.

As you can see from the image above, Luton Hoo has the potential to be an impressive weekend break and conference spot if enough money is spent on it. It is bigger than most people think, with 228 rooms – double what you find at Four Seasons Hampshire for example.

Not many people know that Luton Hoo is currently part of World of Hyatt, via its membership of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and can be booked as a Hyatt redemption. You only earn Hyatt points on cash stays if your booking is made via hyatt.com.

Hilton Athens to be redeveloped as a Conrad

Hilton Athens, one of key hotels in the city, is to be redeveloped following its sale.

The hotel will close, to be replaced with a new luxury Conrad Hotel and a number of apartments. Conrad is also a Hilton brand, of course, so the property won’t be leaving Hilton Honors.

I stayed here many years ago and remember the views of the Acropolis from my room. There is also an outdoor pool which is rare for a city centre property. I can imagine that it is now showing its age – the hotel opened in 1963 – and with increased city centre competition such as the new Grand Hyatt I can imagine that there was pressure for an upgrade.

The new Conrad Hotel is scheduled to open in 2024. It isn’t clear when the existing Hilton will close.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy 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 Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

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

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

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 Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

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