Bits: bizarre new Marriott ‘no desk’ policy, more BA Shanghai flights

News in brief:

Is Marriott really getting rid of desks because young people don’t find them cool?

In my articles on the takeover of Starwood by Marriott, I made a couple of observations about the perceived lack of cultural fit.  The team that created ‘W’ hotels is unlikely to sit happily in a Mormon dominated institution that still insists on bibles in every bedroom and a big photo of Bill Marriott in the lobby.

Exhibit B on ‘how Marriott just doesn’t get it’ is in this article from Slate.  As Marriott-branded hotels are refurbished, Marriott is ripping out the desks.  They’ve seen all those kids in Starbucks with laptops on their knees and they have decided that desks are just so not cool.  The business traveller of today prefers to sit in bed with a chai latte (although it is unclear where you would get a chai latte at your average Marriott) with their Macbook on their lap.

If you are under 30, I blame you.  You were asked at some focus group why you refused to stay at Marriott hotels and you said ‘because they have desks in the rooms’.   You’ve screwed it up for the rest of us now.

British Airways increases Shanghai frequencies – should be good Avios availability

British Airways has announced that it is adding three additional flights per week to Shanghai from 20th February.  These will be coded BA160/161.

As always with new BA routes, Avios availability will be excellent as the flights will have been loaded with two Club World seats and four World Traveller seats on every service.

From 1st August, the main daily Shanghai flight will be switched to a new Boeing 787-9.  The additional three weekly flights will remain on a Boeing 777-200.

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)