In Case You Missed It – A Recap Of The Week (18 March 2018)

a calendar with a picture of a building and a city

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Summaries and links for all the posts which appeared on Traveling For Miles this week. Includes some great Business Class fares for travel between the UK and the US, rumors of two new very interesting routes that may be about to start up, details of the Qatar Airways sale (offering up to 40% off) that’s running this weekend, a review of Finnair’s short-haul Business Class product, news of a new Marriott resort in Belize, a reminder to sign up for the Chase Freedom 2Q bonuses and more.

Click on the headlines to read more

Monday

British Airways Extends Biometric Gate Trials In The US

a row of machines in a building

British Airways has been trialling three biometric gates at Los Angeles International airport since last November and it would appear as if the trials have gone well. British Airways now says that it has extended the biometric trial to its facilities in New York (JFK), Miami and Orlando and incoming passengers are benefiting too.

New To Miles & Points? These Are The Credit Cards You Should Consider For Daily Spend

If you’re new to the miles & points hobby the range of credit cards on offer to you can be a bit overwhelming and a choice can be hard to make. Here’s some advice on how to select the credit cards that may suit your needs together with 5 examples of cards I think are great for day to day use.

Starwood Will Open A New Luxury Resort In Cabo This June

a aerial view of a resort

Starwood’s latest Luxury Collection resort, Solaz, is set to open in June 2018 in between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo on the Baja peninsula – this is what you can expect from the resort.

Earn & Burn United Miles At BP Gas Stations (US Only)

United Airlines has joined up with BP to offer MileagePlus members a new way to earn miles when they gas up at the pump and, if you have more miles than you know what to with, you can now spend United Miles at BP gas stations too.

Tuesday

Qatar Airways Is Reducing The Number Of Qsuite Equipped Aircraft On Its London Route

As things stand the Doha – London route offers more Qsuite equipped aircraft then any other route Qatar Airways flys…but that’s about to change. From the end of Mach 2018 Qatar Airways has scheduled a number of aircraft changes that see things change significantly on this route.

Marriott’s Autograph Collection Plans New Belize Resort

a beach with palm trees and chairs

Marriott’s Autograph Collection has entered into partnership with the owner of “Alaia” to help open the “one-of-a-kind boutique resort” on the southern part of Ambergris Caye island. Comprising 56 two-bedroom condos with lock off option and 8 oceanfront villas the resort may seem small but, with the lock-off option working as it does at Marriott Vacation Club properties, the 56 condos can be used as 112 one bedroom condos

FLASH SALE: Hilton “See The World” Sale Is Now On (ENDS TODAY 19 MARCH)

a blue and white banner with a city skyline

Hilton has announced a sale across all of the regions in which it operates (although not all countries within each region are necessarily taking part). As usual Hilton Honors members get an additional discount and savings (for Honors members) range between 20% and 35% depending on which region the property you’re booking is in.

RUMOR: Qantas To Start Perth – Paris Service This Year

A French website (DéplacementsPros.com) has reported that Qantas has intimated that it will launch service between Perth and Paris later this year (2018), possibly as early as September. There has been no official comment from Qantas at this point but the idea of a non-stop route between Perth and Paris has been suggested before so this rumor may have some basis in fact.

Wednesday

Radisson Hotel Group & Radisson Rewards Launch Promotions (One Each)

Radisson Hotel Group and Radisson Rewards have both come out with promotions to, presumably, publicise the rebranding both have gone through. Radisson Hotels is offering a discount of up to 20% in the Asia-Pacific region while Radisson Rewards is offering up to 120,000 bonus points on stays through 30 June

Review: Finnair Short-Haul Business Class (LHR-HEL)

Finnair Short-Haul Business Class

A review of the Finnair Short-Haul Business Class cabin (and product as a whole) as experienced on a flight between London and Helsinki. As the difference between a Business Class fare and an Economy class fare can be significant on this route, is the Finnair short-haul business class cabin worth it?

RUMOR: Emirates To Fly To Mexico City Via Barcelona

A number of Spanish news sources have reported that Emirates has reached agreement with Spanish and Mexican authorities to launch a 5th freedom flight between Barcelona and Mexico City. The Middle Eastern carrier has been looking for a way to start up service to Mexico’s capital for a number of years and now, finally, appears to have found a way.

Delta Will Open A New Sky Club In Phoenix This Year

a blue and white bathroom

Delta has announced that it plans to open a new Sky Club at Phoenix Sky Harbour International airport in 2018. As things stand Delta flyers don’t have a Sky Club in Phoenix and the closest Priority Pass lounge is in a neighbouring terminal so this should be good news for Delta flyers.

American Airlines Is Improving Transpacific Premium Cabin Meals

It’s clearly the time of year for airlines to rethink their menus. We’ve already seen United make changes to its domestic buy onboard offering and Delta announcing improvements to its international Main Cabin menus and now American Airlines has announced that it’s revamping its premium cabin menus on transpacific routes.

Thursday

Accor Hotels Promotion: 3 Nights For The Price Of 2

a collage of a man and a woman

Accor Hotels has a promotion running which I’ve only just picked up on and it’s one that could be of use if you’re looking to book a stay in Europe. While Accor has hotels all over the world it is in Europe where the bulk of its properties are to be found (if you’re visiting France it’s almost impossible to avoid Accor). The “stay for three pay for two” promotion is as simple as it sounds although it’s worth noting that only 2,000 out of Accor’s “over 3,700 hotels” are actually participating.

IHG Adds Tesla Charging Stations To All Crown Plaza Properties In Australasia

Crowne Plaza is the first hotel network to install Tesla Destination Chargers at all of their properties across Australasia, connecting 12 properties with cutting-edge technology for a growing customer segment.

IHG Buys Controlling Stake In A Small Luxury Chain – Here’s What We Know

a group of boats in a harbor

On 14 March 2018 IHG announced that it has acquired a 51% controlling stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts for $39m in cash. IHG has also got the right to purchase the remaining 49% in stages starting in 2026.

Friday

Excellent British Airways & American Airlines Business Class Fares UK – USA

a map of the world with red lines

British Airways & American Airlines are currently offering some excellent Business Class fares for travel from the UK to various cities in the US (including the West Coast). There doesn’t appear to be a set closing date for these fares so, technically, they could disappear at any time – if you see a fare that works for you don’t take too long deciding whether or not to book.

Qatar Airways Visa Weekend Deal Is Back – Up To 40% Off Flights

a plane flying in the sky

Qatar Airways is back with another promotion it’s running in conjunction with Visa (Visa Weekend Deals). As with the last Visa Weekend Deals promotion the discounts and offers will vary from country to country and, from what I can see, these appear to range from 20% (e.g. Italy) to an impressive looking 40% (e.g.UK)

Don’t Forget To Register For The Chase Freedom 2Q Bonuses

Registration is now open for the Chase Freedom credit card’s 2Q 2018 bonus categories which include, gas stations, chase pay and grocery stores. it should be easy to maximise spending this next quarter….just don’t forget to register!