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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ENDS TODAY- HfP reader exclusive:

Earn up to 30,000 Avios with Capital on Tap’s exclusive HfP credit card offer for SMEs. You need a Limited Company or LLP to apply.

Latest travel news:

Flybe went bust AGAIN, with all flights immediately grounded last weekend.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic announce their return to mainland China. This is the last Virgin Atlantic route to be brought back.

Qatar Airways and Airbus have made up over the A350 paint issue. The A350 and A321 orders will be reinstated, and grounded aircraft brought back into service.

A government e-Gate trial will let 10 and 11 year olds use the system this Summer.

Flyr is the latest Norwegian airline startup to go bust.

Emirates is offering a free night at Fairmont Dubai The Palm to Business and First Class passengers who book now.

Mandarin Oriental is coming to Mallorca.

SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Hyatt’s new Scottish estate hotel, is open.

Other British Airways & Avios news:

How should you time your promotion to British Airways status to maximise benefits? Depending on timing you could hold status for 1-2 years.

Brewdog is launching a new IPA for British Airways – and you can design the can!

Credit card news:

Get a 50% bonus when using Amex Membership Rewards to pay for British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and Emirates flights. Does the maths add up though?

What is the difference between American Express Preferred Rewards Gold and The Platinum Card? Lounge access, earning rates, spending targets and more.

Hotel news:

Stay at the new Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh for just 35,000 points per night. Offer extended.

Is IHG One Rewards the best hotel loyalty scheme? Read our two-part analysis.

Is it worth joining the Point A Hotels ‘A List’ program?

January is a good time to join ibis Business to get Accor Live Limitless Gold status. We explain why.

IHG One Rewards has launched a new Platinum status challenge.

An Amex cashback deal at Corinthia London stacks with a ‘3 for 2’ deal.

New reviews this week:

Rhys reviews the tiny new PrimaVista lounge at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. It may be small, but it’s a pleasant place to hang out.

Whilst in Rotterdam, Rhys reviewed Hilton Rotterdam. Built in the 60s, this hotel still offers an excellent stay.

Rob heads to Heathrow to review the Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5. You’ve probably passed it many times, but what’s it like inside?

Other interesting articles:

Qatar is introducing new insurance rules for passengers entering Doha.

What is the best Star Alliance program for you? There are so many options and no ‘slam dunk’ winner.

Air France and KLM are offering good business class deals to the Middle East from the UK.

Emirates has devalued Skywards redemptions from Milan and Athens to New York. Fortunately, taxes remain low.

What you missed this week:

Lots of Club World business class and First Class Avios availability to Johannesburg appeared this week. If you’re lucky you may still find some seats available.

Accor offered a one-night stay at The Savoy and an Abbey Road experience in a short points auction which closed on Wednesday. It went for a steal.

You missed the first deadline for applying for tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Our latest round-up of miles and points offers closing soon is here.

Don’t forget to visit our forum if you have any questions relating to frequent flyer or hotel loyalty programmes or loyalty credit cards.

See you next Saturday.