What you missed on Head for Points last week

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The latest travel and aviation news:

Entry restrictions are changing. The US has reduced the time frame for your pre-departure covid test to just one calendar day, whilst France now insists on a PCR or antigen test for all UK arrivals irrespective of vaccination status.

The Competition and Markets Authority continues its crackdown on covid testing providers and has forced Randox to change its terms and conditions to make its legal obligations clearer.

Plus, here’s why most 3 hour rapid PCR tests are NOT valid for UK arrivals testing.

Credit card news:

A Freedom Of Information request by a reader has unearthed emails between NS&I and Creation regarding the closure of many IHG Rewards credit cards earlier this week.

British Airways news:

Did you know British Airways has a ‘Best Price Guarantee’ that lets you claim back double the difference if you spot a flight cheaper on another website?

Seat reservations on British Airways – even in business class – are not free. Here’s how much it costs these days ….

Hotel news:

Rhys reviews Melia’s new INNSiDE Newcastle hotel and finds it quite to his liking!

On the other hand, Rob went to the new Kimpton St Honore hotel in Paris – the European flagship – and found it a little wanting, although it looks beautiful.

If you are departing Heathrow and need parking you might find Radisson’s new ‘Park, Dream and Fly’ packages attractive. You get a hotel room plus up to 15 days parking for potentially less than a standalone parking package.

Is Interrcontinental Ambassador – the paid IHG loyalty scheme – worth it?

Trump Turnberry will leave Marriott Bonvoy at the end of the year, meaning the brand loses one of its top UK properties outside London.

Here’s how you can earn Virgin Points on YOTEL stays.

Other interesting bits:

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (photo above) retains its crown as one of the best business class lounges in the UK according to Rhys’ review.

And, in case you haven’t seen, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have closed their arrivals lounges to comply with the new UK restrictions on immediate quarantine after landing.

Heathrow Express needn’t be expensive – here’s how you can get it as low as £5.50 each way.

Loganair, Aurigny and Blue Islands are aligning their frequent flyer programmes as part of a wider three-way partnership that will also see the three airlines allowing connections at airports like Manchester or Southampton.

Is there an alternative to spending £3,700 to quarantine in a ‘red list’ hotel when you arrive in the UK? Indeed there is ….

There’s currently a 20% bonus when you transfer Club Eurostar points to Accor Live Limitless – but is it worth it?

The UK’s new entry and quarantine requirements came into effect on Tuesday morning.

Here’s how to get a discount on Gatwick Airport car parking.

Offers you missed:

IHG offered 5x IHG Rewards points for all bookings on Monday and Tuesday, which was a very generous deal.

See you next Saturday.