It is clearly the season for devaluing hotel programmes. We have just seen Priority Club undertake one form of devaluation, when it moved from a brand-by-brand points table to a points table based .....

It is clearly the season for devaluing hotel programmes. We have just seen Priority Club undertake one form of .....

15 Feb 201315 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 1 comment

The US Airways / American Airlines merger – which has been on the cards since American filed for bankruptcy last year, has now been confirmed.  The BBC story is here. The merger will take a .....

The US Airways / American Airlines merger – which has been on the cards since American filed for .....

15 Feb 201315 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 1 comment

Flying Blue, the Air France / KLM loyalty scheme, has added some interesting Business Class rewards to its latest list of ‘50% off’ redemption specials. Full details can be found here. The .....

Flying Blue, the Air France / KLM loyalty scheme, has added some interesting Business Class rewards to its .....

15 Feb 201315 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 2 comments

Over in the US, a fascinating tie-up has been announced between Starwood Hotels (Sheraton, Westin, W, aloft, Four Points etc) and airline Delta. Called ‘Crossover Rewards’, it effectively .....

Over in the US, a fascinating tie-up has been announced between Starwood Hotels (Sheraton, Westin, W, aloft, .....

14 Feb 201314 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 3 comments

Next week is half term for a lot of UK schools, including ours.  My wife and kids are off to Germany to see their (grand)parents and – if you’ve got kids .....

Next week is half term for a lot of UK schools, including ours.  My wife and kids are off to Germany .....

14 Feb 201314 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 15 comments

Last Autumn I applied for the Priority Club Black credit card in my wifes name. Barclays was offering 40,000 Priority Club points and a full fee refund at the time, so it was a no-brainer. The card .....

Last Autumn I applied for the Priority Club Black credit card in my wifes name. Barclays was offering 40,000 .....

14 Feb 201314 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 10 comments

A few months ago I ran this post about maximising the value of American Express Membership Rewards. One of the things I highlighted is that Club Carlson, the loyalty scheme for Radisson, Park Inn and .....

A few months ago I ran this post about maximising the value of American Express Membership Rewards. One of the .....

13 Feb 201313 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 15 comments

If you were targetted back in January to receive a 20%-30% bonus on your Membership Rewards transfers to British Airways Executive Club, Virgin Flying Club, Etihad Guest or Finnair, then remember .....

If you were targetted back in January to receive a 20%-30% bonus on your Membership Rewards transfers to .....

13 Feb 201313 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 3 comments

This article is part of the Avios Redemption University, a series of posts aimed at explaining some of the most important things you need to know when planning on redeeming your Avios. It is NOT about .....

This article is part of the Avios Redemption University, a series of posts aimed at explaining some of the .....

12 Feb 201312 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 46 comments

Hyatt Gold Passport was alone amongst the big hotel chains in not running a major promotion so far this year. They are now making up for it, with a chance to earn bonus Gold Passport points via .....

Hyatt Gold Passport was alone amongst the big hotel chains in not running a major promotion so far this year. .....

12 Feb 201312 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 5 comments

Reader John emailed Amex last week to cancel his Platinum charge card. When they responded, Amex tried to persuade him not to cancel but to downgrade to a new ‘secret’ card – Gold .....

Reader John emailed Amex last week to cancel his Platinum charge card. When they responded, Amex tried to .....

11 Feb 201311 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 3 comments

A week ago I ran this article about luxury London taxi group Uber, describing their new flat rate pricing for trips from London to the major London airports. I said at the time that I would post if .....

A week ago I ran this article about luxury London taxi group Uber, describing their new flat rate pricing for .....

11 Feb 201311 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 6 comments

Thanks to Miles from Blighty for pointing me towards a new list of discounted Lufthansa Miles & More rewards from the UK. The official website is here. Even at a massive discount, the short haul .....

Thanks to Miles from Blighty for pointing me towards a new list of discounted Lufthansa Miles & More .....

11 Feb 201311 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 2 comments

I ran a couple of posts in the last few days based on news I picked up last Tuesday at Earls Court at the Business Travel Show. This is the main UK event for the UK business travel industry, and .....

I ran a couple of posts in the last few days based on news I picked up last Tuesday at Earls Court at the .....

10 Feb 201310 February 2013 by Rob Burgess • 5 comments