Marriott Rewards has an unpublished ‘Platinum Challenge’.  It is not written down anywhere but, if you call or email them, you can sign up.  There are only two caveats: You must already .....

Marriott Rewards has an unpublished ‘Platinum Challenge’.  It is not written down anywhere but, .....

25 Apr 201825 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 66 comments

You know the yellow ‘Priority’ tags that British Airways puts on your suitcases when you travel in First Class, Club World or Club Europe?  They don’t do anything.  Nothing. .....

You know the yellow ‘Priority’ tags that British Airways puts on your suitcases when you travel in .....

25 Apr 201825 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 106 comments

Virgin Atlantic is offering a surprisingly decent £264 fare to Dubai. The fare runs from May to July although, to avoid the worst of the heat, I would go sooner rather than later. £264 dates are few .....

Virgin Atlantic is offering a surprisingly decent £264 fare to Dubai. The fare runs from May to July .....

25 Apr 201825 April 2018 by Rob Burgess

British Airways has launched a generous ‘buy Avios’ bonus promotion. Until 8th May you get 50% bonus Avios when you buy points. As well as being the highest bonus we have seen for quite a .....

British Airways has launched a generous ‘buy Avios’ bonus promotion. Until 8th May you get 50% .....

25 Apr 201825 April 2018 by Rob Burgess

Marriott is dipping a toe into the ‘homes for rent’ market, and it has chosen London as its test bed.  The new venture is called Tribute Portfolio Homes. The interesting quirk is that you .....

Marriott is dipping a toe into the ‘homes for rent’ market, and it has chosen London as its test .....

25 Apr 201825 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 100 comments

Long-term readers of Head for Points will remember that last year I visited The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi desert resort in Ras Al-Khaimah about 60 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport. The .....

Long-term readers of Head for Points will remember that last year I visited The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi desert .....

24 Apr 201824 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 31 comments

Oman Air has launched its new First Class ‘suite’ which will debut on future Boeing 787-9 deliveries. The seat has electronically controlled doors, which enclose a relatively standard .....

Oman Air has launched its new First Class ‘suite’ which will debut on future Boeing 787-9 .....

24 Apr 201824 April 2018 by Rob Burgess

As I wrote last week, Virgin Atlantic has launched a new afternoon tea service in the Heathrow Clubhouse in Terminal 3. You will receive a stand of sandwiches and cakes plus tea or a glass of rose .....

As I wrote last week, Virgin Atlantic has launched a new afternoon tea service in the Heathrow Clubhouse in .....

24 Apr 201824 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 97 comments

I wanted to give our luxury hotel booking service another mention today, in case you are finalising your holiday plans for the Summer. Since I launched this service a year ago with Emyr Thomas of Bon .....

I wanted to give our luxury hotel booking service another mention today, in case you are finalising your .....

24 Apr 201824 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 11 comments

It is almost two years since I last ran a version of this article.  I thought it was worth updating it and giving it another outing because it makes a few interesting points which you might never .....

It is almost two years since I last ran a version of this article.  I thought it was worth updating it and .....

23 Apr 201823 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 176 comments

SPG Moments has added some more Formula 1 packages for points.  The Silverstone packages are all auctions, but if you want a trip to Hockenheim then there are ‘buy it now’ packages for .....

SPG Moments has added some more Formula 1 packages for points.  The Silverstone packages are all auctions, .....

23 Apr 201823 April 2018 by Rob Burgess

I’ve had a few emails recently asking about cheap cash flights to Australia over Christmas.   As this is a non-starter for Avios – and anyway is terrible value given the taxes – .....

I’ve had a few emails recently asking about cheap cash flights to Australia over Christmas.   As this .....

23 Apr 201823 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 68 comments

This is my review of the new(ish) INNSiDE Hamburg Hafen from Melia. INNSiDE is the four-star chain of business focused hotels run by Melia.  Long-term Head for Points readers might remember my review .....

This is my review of the new(ish) INNSiDE Hamburg Hafen from Melia. INNSiDE is the four-star chain of business .....

23 Apr 201823 April 2018 by Anika Burnett • 27 comments

The two-in-one InterContinental and Crowne Plaza at Dubai Festival City has long been a good stop for anyone looking for a high quality hotel near Dubai International Airport. As well as being .....

The two-in-one InterContinental and Crowne Plaza at Dubai Festival City has long been a good stop for .....

22 Apr 201822 April 2018 by Rob Burgess • 16 comments