News: Avis Budget opening at East Midlands Airport, new Marriott concerts at The O2

News in brief:

Avis Budget to open at East Midlands Airport

Avis Budget, which is the official British Airways car hire partner, is opening at East Midlands Airport.

It will initially open at a temporary location in March before moving to a fully branded permanent location. The company will be based in the mid-stay car park.

Avis Budget has not had a presence at East Midlands since it closed in 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

The new East Midlands depot opens on 17th March. The opening hours will be 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm on Saturday and 10am to 8pm on Sunday.

Bookings are now being taken via the Avis website here or the BA / Avis co-branded portal here.

Marriott Bonvoy releases tickets for more concerts at the O2 in London

Marriott has added some new events at the O2 in London to its Marriott Moments ‘experiences’ platform.

The Moments website is here. Availability is a bit thin as they have been bookable for a couple of days.

The following tickets were available last night, all on a ‘buy it now’ basis:

• James Arthur on 22nd March (50,000 Bonvoy points for two)
• Michael McIntyre on 5th April and 13th April (50,000 Bonvoy points for two)
• Thirty Seconds to Mars on 23rd April (50,000 Bonvoy points for two)
• Take That on 26th April (50,000 Bonvoy points for two)

There are also multiple packages available for the 3-day ‘Country to Country’ festival in March, some of which include a hotel stay.

If you’ve never been, this is a great way to see a concert – or at least it is about as good as you can get in the aircraft hangar that is the O2.

I finally got to visit the new suite – it moved during the pandemic – for an Elton John concert last year along with some HfP readers, and I can confirm that you are now nearer the stage than you were. The drinks and ‘comfort food’ hot buffet were also good.

The real value of the suite is the ability to wander in and out at will. Dull song comes along? There is no problem nipping out to the loo or crashing out on a sofa to check your emails!

If you click here you bring up all of the London events on the Marriott Moments site.

If you are more interested in football, Manchester United hospitality packages are currently available for the Sheffield United game on 16th March. These are not ‘buy it now’ packages but are being auctioned.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors 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 Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

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

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 Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

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