‘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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This week’s top travel news stories:
British Airways launches flights from Stansted to Chambery, image above
The EU confirms the launch date for its Entry Exit System for ex-EU arrivals
Marriott completes its acquisition of citizenM hotels
Accor takes over a hotel in Las Vegas, adding 2,800 rooms in one go!
Loganair adds Southampton to Jersey flights for 2026, bookable on Avios
Uber adds a 1.5% currency conversion fee – but you may be better off paying it
Get 3-for-2 and 4-for-3 nights at 120 upscale IHG hotels with its IHG Destined scheme
Virgin Holidays’ American Express cashback offer has been extended
Save on Malaysia Airlines flights with the latest Amex cashback offer
The Park Inn Cardiff hotel has temporarily closed
Stories we recommend from other sites:
Wizz Air to launch five routes from Luton Airport to Spain (Business Traveller)
Dukes London to stay closed until 2026 for full refurbishment (Boutique Hotelier)
EU airports to ditch 100ml hand baggage liquid restrictions (Simple Flying)
Agents warn ‘out of hand’ resort fees are putting clients off visiting the US (TTG)
Qatar Airways boosts Dublin to Doha service (Business Traveller)
Our latest reviews:
Rhys’ great Australian adventure begins with a review of the fourth longest flight in the world from London to Perth, operated by Qantas. How did he rate the 17-hour experience in business class?
The journey started at Heathrow, where he reviewed the Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow T3 for business and first class passengers.
And, if you’re looking for accommodation, here’s our review of the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, with a great location and river views.
Closer to home, Rob heads to Cambridge to try out the University Arms, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection
The latest UK travel loyalty news:
You can now link your Marriott Bonvoy and Nectar accounts and transfer points in both directions
Is the new Qatar Airways Avios reward flight finder any good?
How was Rob’s VIP afternoon at Sail GP in Portsmouth, redeemable with Accor ALL points?
How do Qatar Airways ‘double Avios’ Flexi Awards work?
Tickets for Paris Saint Germain games – including pitchside – are now available for Accor ALL points
Still running: Get 30,000 points and Gold Elite status with the Hilton Honors Plus debit card. You have just over two weeks left to apply.
A glitch on the BA website earlier this week released thousands of Avios reward seats for redemption. Did you manage to book anything before it was fixed?
How to redeem Avios for First Class reward flights on British Airways – a step-by-step guide
At which Hoxton hotels do you get Accor Live Limitless benefits? The new Edinburgh site is one of them.
Thank you for reading
Please drop me a note at rob@headforpoints.com with any feedback.
If you are booking a hotel this week, click here to read our summary of the best bonus points offers for July / August from the big chains.
See you next Monday,
Rob, Rhys, Sinead and Katie @ Head for Points
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