News: Flybe opening a base in Belfast, Priority Pass opens in Berlin
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News in brief:
Flybe to open its second base at Belfast City Airport
Next Tuesday, 22nd March, is the day that Flybe will officially announce its return to the skies.
The UK regional carrier, bought out of administration by one of its previous shareholders, Cyrus Capital, will announce its first batch of routes and launch ticket sales. A mix of domestic and international destinations are promised.
The airline announced this week that it will be opening a second base at Belfast City Airport. This will operate alongside its main base at Birmingham. The fleet will consist of Dash 8-400 aircraft which tend to have between 70 and 90 seats depending on configuration.
It remains to be seen what Flybe will do with its slots at Heathrow Airport. The airline has slots for 43 weekly departures, and will need to use these at least 70% of the time over the Summer if they are not to be forfeited.
There is gossip online about a potential service to Leeds Bradford from Heathrow now that British Airways has withdrawn from the route. It is possible that aircraft based at Belfast or Birmingham could operate to Leeds Bradford in a triangular pattern via Heathrow.
All will be revealed next week.
Some Priority Pass holders can now get restaurant credit at Berlin Brandenburg
The new Brandenburg airport in Berlin has been a missing link in the Priority Pass network of pay-to-use airport lounges.
There is some good news, and some bad news.
The good news is that Priority Pass has agreed a deal with the Moevenpick Cafe in the airport. This is located by gate A20, after security.
Cardholders will be given €23 of credit towards food and drink.
The bad news is that this offer is not available to anyone who gets their Priority Pass card from American Express. Amex has an opt-out on Priority Pass restaurant partners, which include The Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen at Heathrow Terminal 2, reviewed here.
(The only exception to the opt-out is The Grain Store at London Gatwick’s South Terminal, which does give £15 of credit to American Express Priority Pass cardholders.)
The cafe, open from 4am to 9pm, is in the Schengen zone of the airport. I’m not sure if it is accessible by non-Schengen passengers – ie UK flights.
You can learn more about Priority Pass on its website here.
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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2025)
Here are the five options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.
You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges. Our American Express Platinum review is here.
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
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.
Additional lounge visits are charged at £24. You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.
There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus. Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.
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.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network. Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.
The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer. Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review
Got a small business?
If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:
American Express Business Platinum
50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:
Capital on Tap Pro Visa
10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review
PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.
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