Hilton’s new LXR brand to arrive in London as the Millennium Mayfair rebrands

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• Pug206 says:

  9 Jan9 January 15:27

  OTs:
  If we’re in business (first time), where would you recommend sitting pls – the two on the sides opposite each other or the two in the middle of a row of four but side by side? (Flight is LHR to SIN on an A380).

  I think the answer to this is no from Googling – adult daughter will be on same flight but in economy. Can we get her into BA lounge at all (we don’t have status)?

  • Genghis says:

    9 Jan9 January 15:42

    I’d recommend sitting on the upper deck by the windows next to each other. The toilets up there at the very front are massive. There are some seats with direct aisle access (e.g. 53A and K but probably already been snapped up).

    No to lounge access (assuming no status).

    Use Air Asia SIN-DPS. We did in 2017.

    • Pug206 says:

      9 Jan9 January 15:47

      Star! Thank you!

• Pug206 says:

  9 Jan9 January 15:30

  I knew there was a third OT! From Singapore we then need to get to Denpasar – is there an airline we could use Avios on pls?

  TIAs

• marcw says:

  9 Jan9 January 15:39

  Just pay jetstar or Air Asia… really not worth spending any miles in this route (KLM, which also flies the route but with low frequency, is usually only a little bit more expensive – Singapore is atrocious). If you have MR points, you may consider transferring to Flying Blue, you may find some availability on Garuda.

  • Pug206 says:

    9 Jan9 January 15:42

    Thanks, Marc – will check them out.

• Hugh says:

  9 Jan9 January 16:32

  OT: I am going to cancel a gold card in the next month or so and trying to decide on my strategy for 2019, and whether to transfer the points to Avios (which is what I have always done) or whether to jump ship and move to Virgin Miles. In theory I am saving towards a trip for 2 to NZ or OZ in 2020 or more likely 2021.

  Realisticallly I think there are 4 options, very interested in anyone’s thoughts.

  1) Pay cash. I have just reread an old article in which Rob argues quite convincingly, don’t bother using points on that route just pay cash, and indeed that is what we did last year and may actually be the most sensible option for next time!
  2) Reading today’s article about ANA to Japan reminded me of an article from last year in which Rob described an Air NZ sweet spot to get flights from Asia to NZ using Virgin miles (I cant find the article so if anyone can post a link that would be great!) so combining these 2 deals feels like it might be a great strategy. I currently have 0 virgin miles but together with my wife we have about 60k membership reward which could be transferred to Virgin Miles, so may take some time to get enough miles.
  3. There is the option to use the one world multi-partner chart to get a better rate.That feels like an option to reduce the cost in which case maybe I should stick with Avios.
  4. In theory I could stick with Avios and use a 241 to get flights to Sydney and then it’s a short hop to NZ If that’s where we decide to go but I think finding availability for this is almost impossible!

  What would be your strategy?

  • Scallder says:

    9 Jan9 January 16:58

    Hugh think you might be after this one: https://headforpoints.com/2018/09/18/air-new-zealand-redemptions-with-virgin-atlantic-miles/

    How many MR do you have? Singapore Airlines might also be worth a look. I went with them in business class from LHR to AKL and back in July which was lovely (and was streaks ahead of Club World, and would say I also preferred it to BA First to be honest). As an aside, they were amazing with our 9 month old!

    • Hugh says:

      9 Jan9 January 20:44

      Thanks that was the article I was looking for! Singapore Airlines is definitely an option!

  • Alex W says:

    9 Jan9 January 17:07

    I think the general view on here would be NOT to fly BA to Australia, neither cash nor Avios. Qatar Airways sales are a good option.

    If you don’t have a specific redemption planned then MR -> Marriott Rewards retains flexibility to transfer on to various airlines (less lucrative since travel packages were devalued).

    MR -> Virgin retains the flexibility if you decide not to fly, to transfer them to Hilton at 2:3 or IHG at 1:1 (no longer elite qualifying). Virgin miles are easy to earn as well via Tesco and their decent credit card. It will be interesting to find out the new earning/redeeming options when the Virgin deal with KLM/AF happens.

    • Nick_C says:

      9 Jan9 January 20:13

      But surely Amex MR => Marriott => Airline comes at a huge cost.

      20000 Amex MRs = 20000 air miles

      20000 Amex MRs = 30000 Marriott Rewards = 10000 air miles (plus a possible 25% bonus)

      • darth says:

        10 Jan10 January 07:49

        Interesting you mention this… I was considering this exact point last night. I have a bunch of MRs but will be churning my GC so need to move them somewhere. Will likely end up as Avios but would prefer to keep the flexibility in short term. Thought about transferring to Marriott but saw the big haircut I will take to retain this flexibility. Sounds like too big of a cost unless you are pretty sure that Marriott points is what you will probably want anyway (in which case I guess spending should be focused onto an SPG card anyway – much better bang for the buck)

    • Hugh says:

      9 Jan9 January 20:47

      Thanks. We went to NZ in November with Qatar and I would definitely consider them again if they were to do another offer as good as the one we got last year!

      Some useful feedback and food for thought!

  • Alan says:

    10 Jan10 January 00:32

    I’d definitely consider MR to SQ KrisFlyer – done a few redemptions with them (mix of Suites, First, Business) – excellent staff and product and had reasonable availability when I was booking (better than BA at least!)

• Rach says:

  9 Jan9 January 18:47

  If the destination of choice for “solvent” Londoners is a hotel that is as bad as your 2017 experience then I’ll throw my lot in with the destitute and penniless…

  To be fair between this and the review of the Venice JW Marriott with the wasp invasion and concrete bunker pool, I do admire your determination in giving repeat custom to places that manage to be BOTH expensive AND rubbish 😀 😉

  • Rob says:

    10 Jan10 January 00:29

    We’ve done about 70 nights at Four Seasons Hampshire since it opened so we give them the benefit of the doubt. And they comped me the full bill – room, food, spa, horse riding for my daughter, the lot – for the August 2017 disaster stay so it is difficult to be mad at them. And they don’t know who I am.

• Rich says:

  9 Jan9 January 21:12

  OT- I need to get the family to a wedding in Hawaii this July – not great given the School Hols.

  I’m looking to secure 4 Bus Class Avios Seats (using 2x Companion Vouchers) to and from the West Coast and then Avios seats on Alaska to and from Hawaii.

  I believe I can go Open Jaw to and from the West Coast but can anyone advise if I can book the return (Which seems to have more availability) and then add on the outbound if they become available (keeping in mind the vouchers).

  I’m guessing this is pretty unlikely to materialise but any thoughts would be hugely appreciated!

  • Stu N says:

    9 Jan9 January 21:55

    You can book a single ex-UK or a return so you couldn’t just book US to UK. A few things are, I think, quite important:
    (i) You can upgrade Avios bookings no problem as and when availability appears – and I think by more than one class, but you should check this.
    (ii) You can change the booking within the same zone.
    (iii) Each change is £35pp so you wouldn’t want to change too often. You’ll usually have to phone BA to make changes which can be easy or can be a PITA
    (iv) Long haul singles are bonkers expensive as BA only sell full fare flexible tickets as singles, so don’t necessarily rely on redemption one way and cash fare return.

    A single zone (Band 6) covers most of the US except the north east so you’re looking for anything beyond Chicago and Washington – the one that Peak is 75k each way per person in Business.

    I think your best bet is to find something in Band 6 that would just about do the job for the outbound, even in Y, lock in the return you want and then seek to improve your situation nearer the time. The BA App and BA Redemption Finder websites are your friends here. Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

    • Rich says:

      12 Jan12 January 09:45

      Thanks
      Forgot about the need for the ex uk flight. Will see if the above plan can work.

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