*** UPDATE TO THE UPDATE VIDEO *** Well wouldn't you know it... Within hours of my update video going live, I have to update it with a change.... Virgin announced that they will allow gold card holders from SkyTeam partner airlines into the Clubhouse at Heathrow. No doubt facilitated by KLM and Air France moving to T4.... The perils of making videos like this!!!
Could you make a video on how you used your BA Cabin Upgrade Voucher? I have enrolled my wife and I on the Barclays Premier Banking Scheme, and have recently taken out a the Barclaycard Avios Plus card (as there is a 50,000 avios sign up bonus at the moment). So, if all goes well in 12 months from now we will have 3 cabin upgrade vouchers. As good as it sounds, I’m not entirely sure how much value we could get from these as I know they aren’t quite as good as the AMEX Companion Vouchers. However, I have heard you can use 2 x vouchers on one booking. It would be great if you could share any of you knowledge you have on this.
I will in due course but no real mystery... I booked an open jaw to Sao Paolo back from Rio so had to call BA to do it but it took just a few minutes. I'd checked availability before calling. For travel in 8 months time to availability was still ok
I don't know if things have changed now but several years ago Lloyds foisted an American Express card on us as well as their normal Mastercard. Although there were quite a few extra benefits with AmEx, in reality it was next to useless as virtually no one would accept it. As I say things may have changed a bit now, but it may be worth checking if having American Express is going to be of any use to you.
A good point and Amex is certainly the hardest to use - and that's because its the most expensive for a retailer to accept as the rewards program is so good and therefore so expensive!!! In my day to day spending I think 80% of things I buy can go through Amex these days.... Smaller, more local retailers being the least likely
I absolutely see their point for making the 70k level for A3 points for non-customers. However, IF someone is going anywhere near The Med, which is an easy sell, it's ignorable. Thanks to what you taught us in the "Best Star Alliance" loyalty scheme video, I have two A3 legs in Sept. for silver and if I wanted to island hop (no time this trip, but later) to renew or even bump up to gold in 2024, all four (six) required legs are an easy get when "in the neighborhood" already for €150-250. I like the trip videos, but reeeeeally value the knowledge bits down to the tiniest trivia, which offer nuance value!
Thanks Kevin. I have a feeling some people from (eg) South America who signed up for Aegean on the back of my video are going to be miffed as they'll go nowhere near the Med anytime soon... Hey ho! Trying to have no more than 3 trip videos before one like this to keep the mix in balance - thanks!
My comment seems to have disappeared - good info but you you have probably committed yourself to never-ending updates now! Out of interest, the Conditional Approval hypothesis didn't fit our experience - it took 5 months to arrive, and came through 1 month after our booked trip. Also, a minor point, but the Amex Plat welcome bonus is 60k Membership Rewards points rather than Avios - although they do transfer 1:1.
Thanks Geoff - I saw your comment then it disappeared before I could answer it... When it was suggested that US government systems speak to each other I was very sceptical! But I saw some reports that it was true and it certainly happened to me.... But we've got it now! And an excellent point about the Amex rewards points - I think what I said was a simplification of the truth! I am thinking of making a video about that particular card but a) its a regulated industry and I don't fancy spending days reading regulations to make sure I'm not breaking any rules - I guess saying this is not financial advice might suffice! and b) its a very UK oriented video which I am trying to avoid.... And as regards the endless cycle of update videos - this video is already out of date in that Virgin announced gold card holders would get access to the London Clubhouse.... Typical!
P.S. Enjoyed my week in St Kitts & Nevis. It's below the radar of most Brit holidaymakers seeking some Caribbean sun but it's definitely towards the top of my island rankings.
For Global entry, there's now a virtual option to take; has anyone experienced this? or would you still use the appointment at the airport and interview. Thanks
Certainly useful Matt... i subscribe monthly to buy (BA) avios at a reasonable rate (well reasonable to me!!) But have just noticed that the price is just about to shoot up!!! So when my year ends that's bye bye ! I have had value from my short notice flights when cash prices have been £££ but the new rates to purchase avios ouch (!!)
Organic spending is the easiest way to earn points. If not AMEX (i.e. most UK councils), then Barclaycard (i.e. for Energy & Telecom bills). Sainsbury is great with AMEX + Nectar (400/250). Insist & persist!
Thanks Matt. Good luck with the hardship of a long weekend flying Agean😂. Star Alliance still wotks best for me given my location and the SAA Voyager Credit cards👍. Still hoping tgey start flying to UK an Europe soon🙏. An aside, to my knowledge there is no domestic/UK based Star Alliance partner? The last one I can remember was Britisj Midlands🤔🇿🇦
How difficult is it to redeem with Voyager these days? What routes have worked for you recently? I've long been considering the differences between Amex Plat and SAA cards from Nedbank. Main worry is about actually redeeming them.
@@silent_monk Very easy to redeem. I have never had any issues. I also have thd Voyager Amex and Mastercard thereby really racking up Voyager miles. You then also qualify for companion tickets annually if you spend ZAR300k p/a. Redemption on Star Alliance is also easy. Booking on their site is no issue at all. Hope it helps🇿🇦👍😊
*** UPDATE TO THE UPDATE VIDEO *** Well wouldn't you know it... Within hours of my update video going live, I have to update it with a change.... Virgin announced that they will allow gold card holders from SkyTeam partner airlines into the Clubhouse at Heathrow. No doubt facilitated by KLM and Air France moving to T4.... The perils of making videos like this!!!
Matt, really refreshing to see a creator do updates such as this!
Thanks. Video did a lot better than I thought it would!
I have a number of phrases that cover changes:
1. "I didn't say that."
2. "You misunderstood what I said."
3. "I don't respond well to threats."
Not sure that will work when there's a mega-corporation on the other end of the conversation but I agree in principal!
Could you make a video on how you used your BA Cabin Upgrade Voucher? I have enrolled my wife and I on the Barclays Premier Banking Scheme, and have recently taken out a the Barclaycard Avios Plus card (as there is a 50,000 avios sign up bonus at the moment).
So, if all goes well in 12 months from now we will have 3 cabin upgrade vouchers. As good as it sounds, I’m not entirely sure how much value we could get from these as I know they aren’t quite as good as the AMEX Companion Vouchers. However, I have heard you can use 2 x vouchers on one booking.
It would be great if you could share any of you knowledge you have on this.
I will in due course but no real mystery... I booked an open jaw to Sao Paolo back from Rio so had to call BA to do it but it took just a few minutes. I'd checked availability before calling. For travel in 8 months time to availability was still ok
I don't know if things have changed now but several years ago Lloyds foisted an American Express card on us as well as their normal Mastercard. Although there were quite a few extra benefits with AmEx, in reality it was next to useless as virtually no one would accept it.
As I say things may have changed a bit now, but it may be worth checking if having American Express is going to be of any use to you.
A good point and Amex is certainly the hardest to use - and that's because its the most expensive for a retailer to accept as the rewards program is so good and therefore so expensive!!! In my day to day spending I think 80% of things I buy can go through Amex these days.... Smaller, more local retailers being the least likely
I absolutely see their point for making the 70k level for A3 points for non-customers. However, IF someone is going anywhere near The Med, which is an easy sell, it's ignorable. Thanks to what you taught us in the "Best Star Alliance" loyalty scheme video, I have two A3 legs in Sept. for silver and if I wanted to island hop (no time this trip, but later) to renew or even bump up to gold in 2024, all four (six) required legs are an easy get when "in the neighborhood" already for €150-250.
I like the trip videos, but reeeeeally value the knowledge bits down to the tiniest trivia, which offer nuance value!
Thanks Kevin. I have a feeling some people from (eg) South America who signed up for Aegean on the back of my video are going to be miffed as they'll go nowhere near the Med anytime soon... Hey ho! Trying to have no more than 3 trip videos before one like this to keep the mix in balance - thanks!
I understand how you feel. But I’ll say It’s been really nice following this channel, Amazing videos keeping coming up, so much fun.
Id love to know you better, thats only if you dont mind cos you seems to be a nice and smart person
My comment seems to have disappeared - good info but you you have probably committed yourself to never-ending updates now! Out of interest, the Conditional Approval hypothesis didn't fit our experience - it took 5 months to arrive, and came through 1 month after our booked trip.
Also, a minor point, but the Amex Plat welcome bonus is 60k Membership Rewards points rather than Avios - although they do transfer 1:1.
Thanks Geoff - I saw your comment then it disappeared before I could answer it... When it was suggested that US government systems speak to each other I was very sceptical! But I saw some reports that it was true and it certainly happened to me.... But we've got it now! And an excellent point about the Amex rewards points - I think what I said was a simplification of the truth! I am thinking of making a video about that particular card but a) its a regulated industry and I don't fancy spending days reading regulations to make sure I'm not breaking any rules - I guess saying this is not financial advice might suffice! and b) its a very UK oriented video which I am trying to avoid.... And as regards the endless cycle of update videos - this video is already out of date in that Virgin announced gold card holders would get access to the London Clubhouse.... Typical!
P.S. Enjoyed my week in St Kitts & Nevis. It's below the radar of most Brit holidaymakers seeking some Caribbean sun but it's definitely towards the top of my island rankings.
Passed through st Kitts on a cruise day and it looked lovely! Will have to go back to cross off Nevis now!
For Global entry, there's now a virtual option to take; has anyone experienced this? or would you still use the appointment at the airport and interview. Thanks
I believe the app speeds up and already speedy process when you land... I don't believe the app speeds up the application process? I could be wrong!
Starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with my stash of points burning a hole (Airline and Hotel) maybe time to book a trip.
Probably wise to get them used... Devaluations creep up on you...
Certainly useful Matt... i subscribe monthly to buy (BA) avios at a reasonable rate (well reasonable to me!!) But have just noticed that the price is just about to shoot up!!! So when my year ends that's bye bye ! I have had value from my short notice flights when cash prices have been £££ but the new rates to purchase avios ouch (!!)
There can still be value in the subscription even at the higher price but you need to be clear on where the redemption will be....
Thanks Matt, another very useful video, and I reminder that I had been meaning to go back and watch the global entry one again..!
Thanks Matthew - I hope its useful
Organic spending is the easiest way to earn points. If not AMEX (i.e. most UK councils), then Barclaycard (i.e. for Energy & Telecom bills). Sainsbury is great with AMEX + Nectar (400/250). Insist & persist!
A penny that doesn't earn a point is a penny wasted!
If you collect Krisflyer Elite Miles beware of the E class - premium economy - of Swiss. It’s not in the SQ system.
And P class on Lufthansa (and its siblings) doesn't accrue into Aegean... There's a few traps out there!
I use agoda, best price for hotels booking
Thanks - clinging onto hotels.com until they make the change but I'll certainly take a look when they do
Thanks Matt. Good luck with the hardship of a long weekend flying Agean😂. Star Alliance still wotks best for me given my location and the SAA Voyager Credit cards👍. Still hoping tgey start flying to UK an Europe soon🙏. An aside, to my knowledge there is no domestic/UK based Star Alliance partner? The last one I can remember was Britisj Midlands🤔🇿🇦
I'll cope! No UK star alliance partner these days - that's correct
How difficult is it to redeem with Voyager these days? What routes have worked for you recently? I've long been considering the differences between Amex Plat and SAA cards from Nedbank. Main worry is about actually redeeming them.
@@silent_monk Very easy to redeem. I have never had any issues. I also have thd Voyager Amex and Mastercard thereby really racking up Voyager miles. You then also qualify for companion tickets annually if you spend ZAR300k p/a. Redemption on Star Alliance is also easy. Booking on their site is no issue at all. Hope it helps🇿🇦👍😊
I normally find that Agoda is the cheapest for hotels and they did refund me promptly when Covid hit 👍
They will certainly go on the shortlist for investigation!
Deffo think my global entry was expedited as have upcoming flight
It's a handy thing to know about!