Head for Points

Bits: Heathrow security strikes, Virgin credit card bonus criteria, IHG gains five Mexican haciendas

Head for Points sent this email to their subscribers on May 4, 2023.

View this article online
   
 
- BRITISH AIRWAYS Holidays
 
New York Club World flights
+ 4 nights hotel from £2,214pp
British Airways Holidays
FIND OUT MORE
 
 
 
4 May 2023 by Rob Burgess

Bits: Heathrow security strikes, Virgin credit card bonus criteria, IHG gains five Mexican haciendas

News in brief:

The second wave of Heathrow security strikes is on

Today (Thursday) is the first day of the new wave of strikes by Heathrow Terminal 5 security staff.

The strikes will run on 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 25th, 26th and 27th May.

Disruption for most passengers was minimal during the first strike due to the use of temporary workers and the reallocation of staff from other terminals. We will hopefully see the same this time.

There is no word yet on whether First Wing security will be closed again, although the check in desks there should be open regardless.

Heathrow has already said that the ban on taking more than two pieces of hand baggage through security, including handbags and laptop bags, will be reinstated.

Cabin crew postings on Flyertalk suggest that catering in Club Europe will be cut with only cold meals on domestic and short Band 1 Europe flights. There will be no ‘buy on board’ in Euro Traveller / Economy. This is due to reduced security staff to screen items coming into Terminal 5.

Virgin Atlantic credit card bonus criteria

Virgin Atlantic has quietly made it easier to get its credit cards

Virgin Atlantic has just launched an impressive 30,000 Virgin Points sign-up bonus on its Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card. Our main article is here and you can apply here.

In the article on Tuesday, I repeated the bonus rules from the last time this offer ran:

“I am not an existing Virgin Atlantic Credit Card customer and I have not closed another credit card issued by Virgin Money in the last 6 months.”

At some point, without us noticing, this wording was softened.

The card application form now says:

“I am not an existing Virgin Atlantic Credit Card customer and I have not closed another Virgin Atlantic credit card in the last 6 months.”

Spot the difference?

If you have, or recently had, a non-Virgin Atlantic credit card from Virgin Money, you CAN now apply for the Reward+ card and pick up the 30,000 bonus Virgin Points.

This is good news for anyone with, in particular, the no-longer-available Virgin Money Travel Credit Card. This was popular with HfP readers because it had no FX fees when used abroad.

You can apply for the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card here.

IHG's Six Senses takes five haciendas in Mexico from Marriott

IHG’s Six Senses takes five Mexican haciendas from Marriott

Marriott’s The Luxury Collection brand included five unique hacienda properties on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Merida is the most convenient airport for reaching them.

These are, as the name suggests, generally in remote areas and worth visiting primarily for the local wildlife and flora. The biggest, Hacienda Temozon, has just 28 rooms. Feedback was generally excellent.

The five hacienda properties have now quietly moved over to IHG and appear, unrbanded, on the IHG website. They have @sixsenses.com email addresses which implies that they will be upgraded and slotted into the Six Senses brand.

Here are the links, together with summary comments from a Flyertalk thread:

  • Hacienda Campeche: “not a real hacienda, in the middle of Campeche town, not as charming as the other haciendas, but nice pool and beautiful courtyard with spacious rooms”
  • Hacienda Santa Rosa: “the smallest and very charming, nice pool, beautiful building and nice rooms” (image above)
  • Hacienda Temozon: “biggest hacienda with 28 rooms, very elegant, great pool and nice (but dark) rooms, they have their own cenote and you can get there by a donkey carriage.”
  • Hacienda Uayamon: “stunning setting, beautiful grounds, amazing pool and huge rooms (only suites)”

The haciendas are bookable at ihg.com for cash but not for IHG One Rewards points. It isn’t clear if you will earn IHG One Rewards points and have your elite benefits recognised whilst they remain unbranded.

 
 
Click here to read comments on this article
 
 - BOOK NOW with LOW DEPOSITS PLUS THE REASSURANCE OF OUR CUSTOMER PROMISE
 
DISCOVER MORE GREAT OFFERS
Avios
Top Avios earning bonuses

175 BA questions, answered

Avios peak and off-peak calendar
 
Hotels
Top hotel points bonuses

Get elite status from credit cards

Our luxury hotel booking service
 
Credit Cards
Top credit card bonuses

What is the best Avios credit card?

What Amex bonuses can you get?
 
 
tw   in   fb   mail
We’re always here to help you make the most of your Avios, Virgin Points and hotel points. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, send us an email at [email protected] or reach out on social media.
Please forward this email to any friends or family who you think may be interested in improving how they travel.

If you were sent this email by a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.
 
 
Head for Points
 
 

Text-only version of this email

News in brief: The second wave of Heathrow security strikes is on Today (Thursday) is the first day of the new wave of strikes by Heathrow Terminal 5 security staff. The strikes will run on 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 25th, 26th and 27th May. Disruption for most passengers was minimal during the first strike […] View this article online   Booking a hotel today? Click here for our summary of the best current promos   - BRITISH AIRWAYS Holidays New York Club World flights + 4 nights hotel from £2,214pp British Airways Holidays FIND OUT MORE 4 May 2023 by Rob Burgess BITS: HEATHROW SECURITY STRIKES, VIRGIN CREDIT CARD BONUS CRITERIA, IHG GAINS FIVE MEXICAN HACIENDAS News in brief: THE SECOND WAVE OF HEATHROW SECURITY STRIKES IS ON Today (Thursday) is the first day of the new wave of strikes by Heathrow Terminal 5 security staff. The strikes will run on 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 25th, 26th and 27th May. Disruption for most passengers was minimal during the first strike due to the use of temporary workers and the reallocation of staff from other terminals. We will hopefully see the same this time. There is no word yet on whether First Wing security will be closed again, although the check in desks there should be open regardless. Heathrow has already said that the ban on taking more than two pieces of hand baggage through security, including handbags and laptop bags, will be reinstated. Cabin crew postings on Flyertalk suggest that catering in Club Europe will be cut with only cold meals on domestic and short Band 1 Europe flights. There will be no ‘buy on board’ in Euro Traveller / Economy. This is due to reduced security staff to screen items coming into Terminal 5. Virgin Atlantic credit card bonus criteria VIRGIN ATLANTIC HAS QUIETLY MADE IT EASIER TO GET ITS CREDIT CARDS Virgin Atlantic has just launched an impressive 30,000 Virgin Points sign-up bonus on its Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card. Our main article is here and you can apply here. In the article on Tuesday, I repeated the bonus rules from the last time this offer ran: > “I am not an existing Virgin Atlantic Credit Card customer and I have not closed another credit card issued by Virgin Money in > the last 6 months.” At some point, without us noticing, this wording was softened. The card application form now says: > “I am not an existing Virgin Atlantic Credit Card customer and I have not closed another Virgin Atlantic credit card in the last > 6 months.” SPOT THE DIFFERENCE? If you have, or recently had, a non-Virgin Atlantic credit card from Virgin Money, you CAN now apply for the Reward+ card and pick up the 30,000 bonus Virgin Points. This is good news for anyone with, in particular, the no-longer-available Virgin Money Travel Credit Card. This was popular with HfP readers because it had no FX fees when used abroad. You can apply for the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card here. IHG's Six Senses takes five haciendas in Mexico from Marriott IHG’S SIX SENSES TAKES FIVE MEXICAN HACIENDAS FROM MARRIOTT Marriott’s The Luxury Collection brand included five unique hacienda properties on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Merida is the most convenient airport for reaching them. These are, as the name suggests, generally in remote areas and worth visiting primarily for the local wildlife and flora. The biggest, Hacienda Temozon, has just 28 rooms. Feedback was generally excellent. The five hacienda properties have now quietly moved over to IHG and appear, unrbanded, on the IHG website. They have @sixsenses.com email addresses which implies that they will be upgraded and slotted into the Six Senses brand. Here are the links, together with summary comments from a Flyertalk thread: * Hacienda Campeche: “not a real hacienda, in the middle of Campeche town, not as charming as the other haciendas, but nice pool and beautiful courtyard with spacious rooms” * Hacienda San Jose: “beautiful gardens, great pool, big rooms” * Hacienda Santa Rosa: “the smallest and very charming, nice pool, beautiful building and nice rooms” (image above) * Hacienda Temozon: “biggest hacienda with 28 rooms, very elegant, great pool and nice (but dark) rooms, they have their own cenote and you can get there by a donkey carriage.” * Hacienda Uayamon: “stunning setting, beautiful grounds, amazing pool and huge rooms (only suites)” The haciendas are bookable at ihg.com for cash but not for IHG One Rewards points. It isn’t clear if you will earn IHG One Rewards points and have your elite benefits recognised whilst they remain unbranded. Click here to read comments on this article - BOOK NOW with LOW DEPOSITS PLUS THE REASSURANCE OF OUR CUSTOMER PROMISE DISCOVER MORE GREAT OFFERS Avios Top Avios earning bonuses 175 BA questions, answered Avios peak and off-peak calendar Hotels Top hotel points bonuses Get elite status from credit cards Our luxury hotel booking service Credit Cards Top credit card bonuses What is the best Avios credit card? What Amex bonuses can you get? tw   in   fb   mail We’re always here to help you make the most of your Avios, Virgin Points and hotel points. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, send us an email at [email protected] or reach out on social media. Please forward this email to any friends or family who you think may be interested in improving how they travel. If you were sent this email by a friend and would like to subscribe, click here. Head for Points  
Show all

The Latest Emails Sent By Head for Points

More Emails, Deals & Coupons From Head for Points

Email Offers, Discounts & Promos From Our Top Stores