A Flyertalk member, Andriyko, shares his poignant experiences living in Kyiv amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His personal narrative, filled with heartfelt moments and even cat pictures, offers a unique perspective on the realities faced by those affected by war, reminding travelers of the shared joys and struggles of life.
British Airways is reportedly gearing up to reject compensation claims related to their recent IT meltdown, despite soliciting claims through post-event communications. The airline has not disclosed the specifics of the incident and has already denied crediting missed flights with Tier Points and Avios, potentially harming its reputation.
In a small concession, the UK Passenger Locator Form can now be filled in THREE days before arrival, rather than TWO days as before.
British Airways, after a day of damaging press over its IT failures, are not denying credit for cancelled flights.
AA fare classes have long earned less Avios than the same BA fare class. This was fixed on 1 January 2022 without a fanfare.
The BA Amex Card offer allows cardholders to earn 2,000 Avios by spending a cumulative £1,000 on participating Avios-earning partners, including British Airways and Marriott. Registration is required, and savvy users may take advantage of multiple offers for greater rewards.
The UK Platinum Amex cardholders can now enjoy a unique offer, allowing them to receive 100% cashback (up to £50) every six months when shopping at Harvey Nichols. While the selection may be limited to higher-priced items, savvy shoppers can still find deals, especially during sales. This offer is available until December 31, 2024.
Research indicates that using TopCashback with Marriott may lead to increased room rates. In a recent examination of properties in Norfolk, VA, rates were found to be $17 to $18 higher when accessed through TopCashback compared to direct bookings. Further investigation is planned to confirm these findings.
The French Government has expanded the list of compelling reasons for travel, effective January 6. Non-French citizens can now enter France for business purposes requiring in-person attendance, provided they have employer verification. Additional updates include easing transit through France to reach properties in third countries.
BA’s longer European routes offer an opportunity to earn 160 Tier Points for approximately £225, with destinations like Athens, Bucharest, Helsinki, Istanbul, and Sofia. Despite current travel restrictions, this is a strategic time to book, especially for those seeking to maximize Tier Points through longer mileage runs.
New guidance has been issued for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in England between 4am on January 7 and 4am on January 9. These travelers must take a PCR test for their post-arrival testing, while those arriving after this window can opt for less expensive lateral flow tests. Importantly, there is no quarantine requirement until the PCR test result is received.
The UK Government is revising its pre-arrival testing rules for international travellers, eliminating the need for a pre-arrival test and replacing it with a lateral flow test two days after arrival. This change, effective from 7 January 2022, aims to simplify travel amidst ongoing COVID concerns.
