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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SPECIAL OFFER: Get 30,000 American Express Membership Rewards points with ‘free for a year’ Amex Gold

For another month, American Express has increased the sign-up bonus on the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold credit card from 20,000 to 30,000 points.

If you meet the bonus criteria, you now receive 30,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £3,000 within 90 days. This is a special offer which runs to 19th July.

This is an exceptionally generous deal for a card which is FREE for the first year.  Remember that 30,000 Membership Rewards points convert into 30,000 Avios, amongst other things.

You can apply here. Our full article on the deal is here.

The interest rate on the card is 61.0% APR variable after the first year. The interest rate on purchases and for the first year is 25.3% APR.

The latest travel and aviation news:

American Express has made big changes to the 2-4-1 Companion Vouchers on its British Airways cards. It is big news for solo travellers, who can now save 50% Avios off a single ticket whilst you are also given more choice in a combination of Avios + cash price points.

Qatar Airways has opened a second new lounge for passengers at Heathrow Terminal 4. What’s the difference and what are the entry rules? (The ‘old’ Premium lounge is pictured below.) Terminal 4 reopened this week and the 30 airlines which use it will slowly move across over the coming month.

British Airways news:

Which British Airways routes earn 160 tier points and get you status faster?

News for BA Bronze members – you can now use dedicated World Traveller Plus check-in lanes at Heathrow Terminal 5. You can no longer use the Business Class lane at Heathrow, although to be honest you may well find that the World Traveller Plus line is shorter.

Part 2 of our in-depth look at British Airways On Business points is here. If you run a VAT-registered small business you should sign up.

Avios news:

Nutmeg has launched its latest Avios offer, letting you earn up to 300,000 Avios when you transfer a pension, ISA or trust fund to the investment company.

Good news – Iberia Avios redemptions are now priced the same regardless of whether you book on the British Airways or Iberia websites. British Airways will no longer charge higher taxes which means you don’t need to go to all the trouble of moving your Avios to Iberia Plus.

How do you know which Avios and cash combination offers the best value for money? This one simple rule will help you figure it out.

Credit card news:

American Express Shop Small starts on Monday – make sure you are registered to save up to £25 on purchases in local independent stores.

If you have an Amex Platinum Card you have just over one week to use the £50 Harvery Nichols credit on your account if you haven’t already done so. There is no minimum spend required – Rob popped in on Monday and stocked up on wine.

Hotel news:

Marriott Homes & Villas has launched a good new promotion letting you double dip on self-catering holidays. You get a voucher for a free Marriott Bonvoy hotel night (up to 35,000 points value) when you book a five night home rental AND you get double Bonvoy points AND you can combine with the current ‘£150 Amex cashback on £500 Marriott Homes & Villas spend’ offer.

A new cashback offer for luxury IHG hotels has dropped on American Express cards, letting you save £100 when you spend £350.

Here’s how you can earn IHG One Rewards points with OpenTable restaurant bookings.

Accor has launched a double points promotion across Europe.

Did you know that Hilton Honors offers free online points transfers to other members?

Other interesting articles:

Surprise! Virgin Atlantic is flying twice daily to Brussels with an A321, pictured above. But why?

Here’s why the bonus points you earn when flying Virgin’s Economy Delight make the upgrade good value. The extra points cover the cost of the upgrade so all the other benefits – extra leg room, checked baggage, seat selection – are effectively free.

Some countries still require you to have an insurance certificate before entering in case you come down with covid. Here is how you can generate one for your Amex Platinum travel insurance.

Deals you missed:

You missed out on the opportunity to win tickets to see John Legend, Christina Aguilera, West Life and more with our exclusive competition with American Express.

For more offers ending soon, click here.

See you next Saturday!