‘The Travel Brief’, the weekly Head for Points travel trade newsletter
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Welcome to The Travel Brief, your weekly trade round-up of UK business travel and travel loyalty news as well as the latest reviews and features from the Head for Points team.
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The latest UK business travel news:
The latest on the British Airways Executive Club changes:
Too little, too late? British Airways backtracks on some of its recent tier changes. Sector based qualification is back but there is no change to the spend targets.
…. and catch Rob discussing the original changes on a well-received podcast alongside Flying Blue’s CEO Ben Lipsey.
In other news:
ITA and Lufthansa announce status benefits and Star Alliance integration
Virgin Atlantic terminates its Singapore Airlines partnership – no more redemptions, no more earning Virgin Points or tier points
British Airways unveils its Singapore lounge refresh
The Lowry Hotel in Manchester joins Millennium Hotels
Get free elite status with Marriott’s new ‘Business Access’ scheme for SMEs
How to get a discount on Heathrow Express train tickets – we update our annual guide with the latest tips
New Virgin Atlantic and Accor cashback deals launched by American Express
Get a £1,475 business class deal to Dubai with Lufthansa
Stories we recommend from other sites:
Aer Lingus unveils transatlantic business class enhancements (Business Traveller)
Munich Airport to support reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (International Airport Review)
First Bournemouth base flights take-off for Jet2 (UK Aviation News)
Shiva Hotels signs £300m refinancing deal for The BoTree (Boutique Hotelier)
Marriott’s Casa Brera in Milan joins The Luxury Collection (Business Traveller)
Our latest reviews:
We try aether, the new private terminal at Manchester Airport that you can use for as little as £110. There is genuinely nothing like it in the UK. Image above.
Also in Manchester: we review the new TRIBE Manchester Airport hotel, part of Accor Live Limitless
The latest UK travel loyalty news:
NEW: Redeem Accor points for tickets for the ALL Terrace at OVO Arena Wembley, image above
What are the best hotel promotions for February?
Is Marriott Bonvoy the best hotel loyalty scheme? Our overview series on the six major hotel programmes continues
Get triple Avios (15 per £1) with Avis
How do you upgrade a British Airways cash flight with Avios?
Why transferring hotel points to a friend is good (and transferring airline miles is getting better)
What can you do with American Express Membership Rewards points?
Get up to a 70% bonus buying Virgin Points – click here to buy
How to earn Virgin Points at your favourite restaurants with SquareMeal
New: transfer Emirates Skywards miles to Accor Live Limitless – it’s not great value but Emirates miles have a harsh expiry policy
Why transferring hotel points to a friend is good and transferring airline miles is getting better
Thank you for reading
Please drop me a note at rob@headforpoints.com with any feedback. See you next Monday.
Rob, Rhys, Sinead and Katie @ Head for Points
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