The weekly Head for Points travel trade newsletter
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Welcome to your weekly trade round-up of UK business travel and travel loyalty news as well as our latest reviews and features.
This newsletter is the successor to Malcolm Ginsberg’s Business Travel News which Head for Points acquired. If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up here to receive this free newsletter in your inbox every Monday. Please forward it to any colleagues who you think may be interested.
Malcolm’s new monthly forward-looking Travel News Update is available at travelnewsupdate.co.uk.
The latest UK business travel news:
British Airways launches codeshare on eight routes with Indian carrier IndiGo
IAG’s LEVEL adds a new long-haul route from Barcelona to Miami
Air Belgium will enter into insolvency protection
Stansted Express returns to four trains per hour
Hilton opens its first Spark hotel – but what is Spark?
Public sector worker? Get 25% off UK and European Hilton hotels
Get up to £100 cashback with two new Marriott offers from American Express
Get £200 off Etihad flights with the latest Amex cashback offer
Business travel stories we recommend from other sites:
Southampton Airport’s extended runway completed (BBC)
Boutique hotel The Chelsea Townhouse opens its doors (Business Traveller)
UK council to seek investor and operator to rescue Doncaster Sheffield airport (FlightGlobal)
Government to approve TAP Air Portugal privatisation plan this month (Simple Flying)
Rail strike planned for 30 September and 4 October (Business Traveller)
Our latest reviews:
Hotels:
Rob reviews the newly refurbished Carlton Cannes – A Regent Hotel which is part of IHG. It was one of the most anticipated hotel (re)openings of 2023, but what’s it actually like?
We also find the time to visit Jakarta and try the Fairfield by Marriott Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Flights:
Our series of United Airlines reviews concludes with a full review of United’s Polaris long haul business class product between San Francisco and London Heathrow.
Airport lounges:
As part of our United series we review the impressive Polaris lounge in San Francisco as well as the United / Air Canada arrivals lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2.
The latest UK travel loyalty news:
How do you get a British Airways Premier card?
Avios redemptions on Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines devalued with no notice
Marriott Bonvoy has released more O2 concerts for redemption
Earn double points with IHG Business Rewards
avios.com adds up to £700 of new charges to Aer Lingus redemptions
Why you shouldn’t use Avios for Club Europe redemptions from London City Airport
What do you do if British Airways suspects you of selling Avios and closes your account?
Save 15% on IHG One Rewards redemptions at new hotels
REMINDER: Exclusive HfP reader offer for SME owners:
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REMINDER: Get 30,000 Virgin Points with the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card!
Virgin Atlantic is currently running a special offer for its Virgin Money-issued Reward+ credit card.
For a limited period you will get 30,000 Virgin Points (usually 15,000 points) if you take out the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card. You will get 15,000 points after your first purchase and a further 15,000 points if you spend £3,000 within 90 days.
There is no special deal on the free Virgin Atlantic Reward credit card. This card has no sign-up bonus.
This offer runs until 2nd October. You can apply here. Our article on the offer is here.
Head for Points receives a commission if you apply via our link – thank you.
Thank you for reading
Please drop me a note at rob@headforpoints.com with any feedback. See you next Monday.
Rob, Rhys and Sinead @ Head for Points
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