A new airline has joined the Avios ecosystem – Garuda Indonesia. Even though it is a member of the competing SkyTeam airline alliance, Garuda went live yesterday as an Avios ‘earn and .....

A new airline has joined the Avios ecosystem – Garuda Indonesia. Even though it is a member of the .....

27 Mar 202527 March 2025 by Rob Burgess • 26 comments

This is our review of the new No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2. The No1 Lounge at Terminal 2 is the first new lounge to open at the airport since, I think, the American Express Centurion Lounge at .....

This is our review of the new No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2. The No1 Lounge at Terminal 2 is the first new .....

31 Mar 202531 March 2025 by Rhys Jones • 10 comments

After losing the Regent Berlin hotel, which closed its doors for good at the end of 2024, IHG has added 303 rooms in the city to its portfolio. The Hotel Bristol, currently managed by Kempinski, will .....

After losing the Regent Berlin hotel, which closed its doors for good at the end of 2024, IHG has added 303 .....

12 Mar 202512 March 2025 by Rob Burgess

After several delays, Emirates finally took delivery of its first A350 jet this week and announced it would start flying from Edinburgh from 3rd January 2025. It’s an exciting time for the .....

After several delays, Emirates finally took delivery of its first A350 jet this week and announced it would .....

1 Dec 20241 December 2024 by Rhys Jones • 20 comments

There’s something odd about UK leisure airline Jet2 – I’ve never met anyone who has a bad word to say about it. This includes my own family after we flew down to Croatia with them .....

There’s something odd about UK leisure airline Jet2 – I’ve never met anyone who has a bad .....

14 Nov 202414 November 2024 by Rob Burgess

This is our review of the Grand Mercure Hanoi hotel. It is the third review from my current Vietnam series. You can see my review of Park Hyatt Saigon here and my review of the brand new Hilton Saigon .....

This is our review of the Grand Mercure Hanoi hotel. It is the third review from my current Vietnam series. .....

5 Dec 20245 December 2024 by Rhys Jones • 9 comments

Last week we brought you news that American Express will open its first proper Centurion Lounge in mainland Europe in Amsterdam …. this week it is announcing a brand new lounge concept. Called .....

Last week we brought you news that American Express will open its first proper Centurion Lounge in mainland .....

17 Jul 202517 July 2025 by Rhys Jones • 11 comments

Back in April, Saudia, the Jeddah-based airline, opened a new lounge in Heathrow Terminal 4. The airline has worked with Plaza Premium on the design, fit out and operation. Plaza Premium had leased .....

Back in April, Saudia, the Jeddah-based airline, opened a new lounge in Heathrow Terminal 4. The airline has .....

14 Jul 202514 July 2025 by Rob Burgess • 61 comments

In January 2025, American Express moved from AXA to Europ Assistance to provide travel insurance benefits for holders of The Platinum Card. It’s fair to say that this has not gone as well as it .....

In January 2025, American Express moved from AXA to Europ Assistance to provide travel insurance benefits for .....

18 Aug 202518 August 2025 by Rob Burgess • 186 comments

No idea what happened to the old BA loyalty head …. but if you’re looking for a new challenge then this could be the job for you. British Airways is recruiting for a new Loyalty Manager, .....

No idea what happened to the old BA loyalty head …. but if you’re looking for a new challenge then .....

25 Aug 202525 August 2025 by Rob Burgess • 214 comments

This is our review of Saltmoore, the new luxury hotel which has opened on the coast in North Yorkshire at Sandsend, just north of Whitby. I should say up front that there is no loyalty angle to this .....

This is our review of Saltmoore, the new luxury hotel which has opened on the coast in North Yorkshire at .....

7 Sep 20257 September 2025 by Conny Urban • 26 comments

Well, this was a pleasant surprise to receive in my inbox. Since it launched, Virgin Red has had a box, the Virgin Red Room, at the AO Arena in Manchester. You have been able to redeem Virgin Points .....

Well, this was a pleasant surprise to receive in my inbox. Since it launched, Virgin Red has had a box, the .....

20 May 202420 May 2024 by Rob Burgess • 35 comments

News in brief: Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel now open Hilton has opened the Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel. The website is here. Set on Orchard Road, this is a full top-to-toe refurbishment of the .....

News in brief: Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel now open Hilton has opened the Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel. .....

15 Jan 202415 January 2024 by Rob Burgess • 24 comments

This is our review of Air Transat’s premium economy cabin on a flight from London Gatwick to Toronto. You might be surprised to hear that the UK-Canada market has a thriving air-conomy. Whilst .....

This is our review of Air Transat’s premium economy cabin on a flight from London Gatwick to Toronto. .....

21 Aug 202321 August 2023 by Rhys Jones • 69 comments