News: DoubleTree Newbury hotel leaving Hilton, good Avis offer with Miles & More

News in brief:

DoubleTree Newbury North hotel leaving Hilton

Hilton is losing another UK hotel with the departure of DoubleTree Newbury North.

The hotel will be leaving the brand on 28th February.

Whilst Hilton isn’t saying what will become of it, I can tell you that it will become Orida Hotel Newbury. This will be the second Orida hotel after Orida Hotel Maidstone, which is the ex-Hilton Maidstone.

Orida was historically an investor in golf courses but has expanded into hotels. It also owns Holiday Inn Maidstone Sevenoaks although there appear to be no plans to rebrand that site.

Miles & More running a generous Avis offer

Avis is currently running a ’15 Avios per £1′ promotion as we covered here.

Depending on how much you are spending, and your willingness to earn Lufthansa’s Miles & More miles, you may find this promotion more interesting instead.

Miles & More is offering:

• 4,000 bonus miles on rentals of 3-5 days
• 6,500 bonus miles on rentals of 6-10 days
• 7,500 bonus miles on rentals of 11-14 days
• 8,000 bonus miles on rentals of 15-28 days

This is on top of your standard earning rate of 3 miles per €1, with a minimum of 750 Miles & More miles.

You need to book by 31st March and complete your rental by 30th June.

You must book via the special link on this page of the Miles & More website.

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How to get FREE car rental status and other benefits via UK credit cards (March 2025)

If you hire a car in the UK, you can get special benefits (discounts, upgrades, free additional drivers etc) if you have elite status with a car rental programme. You can get elite status for free via certain American Express cards.

The Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum

The Platinum Card from American Express and American Express Business Platinum come with two free car hire status cards. Your supplementary Platinum cardholder can also receive status in their own right.

From Avis, you receive President’s Club status in Avis Preferred. This gets you up to 25% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a guaranteed one class upgrade. For weekend rentals you will receive a two class upgrade, subject to availability.

From Hertz, you receive ‘Five Star’ status in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This gets you up to 15% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a one class upgrade, subject to availability.

Hertz also offers Platinum cardholders a 4 hour grace period on rentals. Your final day is treated as 28 hours, so a 1pm pick up with a 5pm return the following day is only charged as one day, not two days. We wrote about the Hertz / Platinum 4 hour grace period here.

The Platinum Card also comes with full car hire insurance with no obligation to pay for the rental via American Express. You can refuse any attempts to sell you additional insurance at pick up. This benefit has substantial value if you rent on a regular basis.

You can find more details on the two Platinum cards, and apply, in our full reviews linked below. You can apply here for the personal card and here for the business card.

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

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to 120,000 points. You receive 80,000 points when you spend £12,000 within three months and a further 40,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

American Express Business Platinum

Up to 120,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is an excellent card in its own right. You receive 20,000 Membership Rewards points for signing up (convert to 20,000 Avios amongst other things), four airport lounge passes and £120 of Deliveroo credit. Even better, your first year is free.

There are two car rental benefits:

• you receive Preferred Plus status in Avis Preferred

• you receive a special package with Hertz – 10% off best available rates at participating locations, a one class upgrade for rentals of 5 days or more, subject to availability, and no additional driver fees

Find out more about the benefits of American Express Preferred Rewards Gold in our review. You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review