Eurostar is gearing up for the launch of its new route to the south of France in May. Trains will head to Marseilles via stops in Lyon and Avignon – both of the latter have previously benefitted .....

Eurostar is gearing up for the launch of its new route to the south of France in May. Trains will head to .....

5 Feb 20155 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 8 comments

The history of ‘all business class’ airlines flying between London and New York is not a pretty one.  Apart from the British Airways service which operates out of London City, none of the .....

The history of ‘all business class’ airlines flying between London and New York is not a pretty .....

4 Feb 20154 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 24 comments

The last day to book Avios redemption tickets before the massive devaluation kicks in is April 28th.  Whilst that is still 11 weeks away, you may already be too late if you need to top up your .....

The last day to book Avios redemption tickets before the massive devaluation kicks in is April 28th.  Whilst .....

4 Feb 20154 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 61 comments

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has announced a new service from Dusseldorf starting on September 1st. The service will initially operate four days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and .....

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has announced a new service from Dusseldorf starting on September .....

4 Feb 20154 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 20 comments

Whilst not necessarily a case for Sherlock Holmes, I feel a search party is required to track down the missing Tesco / Avios competition for Spring. Last week, British Airways emailed a lot of .....

Whilst not necessarily a case for Sherlock Holmes, I feel a search party is required to track down the missing .....

3 Feb 20153 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 40 comments

Executive summary:  BA has not yet released its new partner earning rates but we know that changes – for the worst – are coming to certain airlines Key link: ‘Club Changes’ .....

Executive summary:  BA has not yet released its new partner earning rates but we know that changes – .....

3 Feb 20153 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 33 comments

As I wrote last month, East Coast Rewards – the rail loyalty scheme – is closing on February 28th.  The next day, the East Coast rail franchise passes to a Stagecoach / Virgin consortium .....

As I wrote last month, East Coast Rewards – the rail loyalty scheme – is closing on February .....

3 Feb 20153 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 5 comments

I’ve put this story first today because I thought we should start the week on a positive note before dropping back into examining the Avios devaluation. Hotel booking site Kaligo.com has .....

I’ve put this story first today because I thought we should start the week on a positive note before .....

2 Feb 20152 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 29 comments

Executive summary:  instead of charging for partner airline redemptions by segment, Iberia is using an ‘all-in’ pricing chart.  This will make some redemptions cheaper than booking via .....

Executive summary:  instead of charging for partner airline redemptions by segment, Iberia is using an .....

2 Feb 20152 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 51 comments

The major Avios devaluation last week has left many people questioning their future loyalty to British Airways Executive Club.  Many are worried if they can retain status under the new tier point .....

The major Avios devaluation last week has left many people questioning their future loyalty to British Airways .....

2 Feb 20152 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 51 comments

Executive summary: post April 28th, you can make SUBSTANTIAL business class savings to certain cities, especially on some BA peak dates, by redeeming your Avios on Iberia via Iberia Plus rather than .....

Executive summary: post April 28th, you can make SUBSTANTIAL business class savings to certain .....

1 Feb 20151 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 75 comments

I received an email last week from Travelling Connect telling me that they have added the United Arab Emirates to their coverage network. This is a decent boost for the scheme and I thought it was .....

I received an email last week from Travelling Connect telling me that they have added the United Arab Emirates .....

1 Feb 20151 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 6 comments

On December 1st, British Airways started allowing the pre-ordering of main courses in World Traveller Plus, Club World and First. This is NOT a version of the Singapore Airlines ‘Book the .....

On December 1st, British Airways started allowing the pre-ordering of main courses in World Traveller Plus, .....

1 Feb 20151 February 2015 by Rob Burgess • 7 comments

Executive summary:  the biggest ‘hit’ from the Avios changes is probably the increase in the cost of upgrading from World Traveller Plus to Club World.  Off-peak upgrades are more .....

Executive summary:  the biggest ‘hit’ from the Avios changes is probably the increase in .....

31 Jan 201531 January 2015 by Rob Burgess • 49 comments