In Case You Missed It – A Recap Of The Week (25 September 2016)

in case you missed it

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Summaries and links for all the posts which appeared on Traveling For Miles this week. Includes: A review of the British Airways A380 First Class experience, a look a one of the worst First Class lounges I have ever seen, all the details that Marriott has released about the immediate future of Marriott Rewards and SPG, a review of the Iberia A330-300 Business Class cabin and a lot more.

Monday

Review: British Airways First Class Lounge San Francisco (SFO)

A look at what British Airways calls their First Class lounge at San Francisco airport. Frankly using the word “lounge” is a stretch and, as you’ll see, there’s nothing First Class about it at all.

Hyatt To AAdvantage 25% Conversion Bonus – Good Or Bad Idea?

hyatt-aadvantage

A look at the latest Hyatt promotion which is offering a 25% bonus to anyone wishing to transfer Hyatt Gold Passport points across to American Airlines’ AAdvantage program.

British Airways Opening The “First Wing” At Heathrow T5

News of a great British Airways enhancement (yes, a real one!) to the Heathrow T5 First Class check-in experience with the introduction of the First Wing at the south end of the terminal.

Win Round The World Business Class Tickets With Star Alliance + Competitions From Radisson Blu & Singapore Airlines

Details of three competitions running right now all of which offer some fantastic travel prizes – includes First Class travel with Singapore airlines, round the world Business Class tickets with Star Alliance and up to 30 nights at Radisson Blu hotels.

Tuesday

Review: Iberia Business Class Airbus A330-300 (Part 1)

Part 1 (of 2) of my review of the Iberia Business Class offering on the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft including a look at the Iberia Business Class cabin and the Iberia Business Class Seat.

Iberia NEW Business Class Airbus A330-200

Review: Iberia Business Class Airbus A330-300 (Part 2)

Part 2 (of 2) of my review of the Iberia Business Class offering on the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft including a look at the entertainment, wifi and food on board.

Virgin Australia Adds Service Between Melbourne & Los Angeles

News that Virgin Australia has announced that it will be resuming service on the Melbourne – Los Angeles route from April 2017 after a near 3-year hiatus. The airline will be operating the route with its newly refurbished 777-300ER aircraft giving the route a nice upgrade.

Wednesday

British Airways Sends Me A “Birthday Bonus”

British Airways Birthday Bonus

A closer look at the British Airways Birthday Bonus which I received for the first time this year. It’s interesting to see how if differs from offers I’ve seen in the past but it’s also good to see that it’s still around.

Aer Lingus Confirms Gold Circle To Avios Conversion Rate

As a British Airways partner airline Aer Lingus has allowed travelers to use Avios to book award flights for quite some time and now the Irish airline is about to revamp its loyalty program and adopt Avios as its own currency too. Not only will Aer Lingus adopt Avios as its currency but it will also be giving its existing Gold Circle members a bonus as a welcome to the new program.

Club Carlson Launches A “Members Only Rate” – But Is It Any Good?

Club Carlson, the loyalty program for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel group, has announced the launch of a “Members Only” room rate across all of its brands – but is it any good?

Thursday

Virgin Australia Hands Over Sydney – Abu Dhabi Route To Etihad

Sydney Walk 11 Jannuary 2012 - 16

News that Virgin Australia is to stop operating on the Sydney – Abu Dhabi route from early 2017 with the airline’s partner, Etihad, picking up the 3 weekly flights that Virgin Australia is dropping.

Marriott & Starwood Merger – Time For A Reality Check

The Marriott and Starwood merger is about to close in the next 24 hours so it’s time for the Starwood elites that have been living in denial to face the facts of what the future holds.

Finnair Will Fly To San Francisco In 2017

In news that’s sure to be welcomed by oneworld flyers, Finnair has announced that it intends to operate a seasonal route between Helsinki and San Francisco from summer 2017. The Scandinavian airline plans to employ its Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the new route which will operate 3x/week.

Friday

Review: British Airways A380 First Class (SFO-LHR) – Part 1

Part 1 (of 2) of a review of the British Airways A380 First Class product on a flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow – focusing on the cabin and the seat in the A380 First Class cabin.

british-airways-a380-first-class-013

Review: British Airways A380 First Class (SFO-LHR) – Part 2

Part 2 (of 2) of a look at the British Airways A380 First Class experience. In this part I take a look at the food and drinks served onboard as well as the entertainment and service on offer.

It’s Official! Starpoints Will Convert To Marriott Rewards At 1:3 Ratio (And A Lot More News Too!)

Marriott has released a lot of information about how the Marriott Rewards and SPG programs will work over the coming year. We now know what the conversion rates will be, what status levels each guest will have and a lot more.

Hilton Is Changing Its Best Price Guarantee

Details of a change that Hilton is making in the benefits customers will get when making a successful claim through the hotel chain’s Best Price Guarantee – the $50 Amex gift card is being removed and a new benefit put in its place.