Virgin Media O2 customers can save money and travel world with new time-limited reward scheme
Many Scots may be torn between travelling the world or saving a bit of money. It is an age old conundrum that taps into both sides of our personalities - the spontaneous, adventure side and the practical, level-headed side.
However, what if you could bag a free holiday anywhere in the world and simultaneously pocket a bit of cash without having to lift a finger? For Virgin Media O2 customers, a new reward scheme could offer just that.
Blue Mondays is a brand-new Priority from O2 initiative offering millions of exclusive rewards, prizes, and experiences every single Monday - from chocolate bars to holidays worth thousands of pounds.
As part of the Blue Mondays line-up, O2 is introducing 'Get on the plane with Priority' that will see one hundred Priority members receive a £300 voucher, redeemable against a holiday on lastminute.com.
However, there are conditions. The voucher can be snapped up every Monday - but only until June 30.
The voucher must also be redeemed within a 48-hour window. So, if you miss the notification, the trip will be gone.
O2, though, are framing it as the "perfect reward for the spontaneous amongst us" or those who might need a little help to make a holiday happen, such as families that are a bit more strapped for cash this year.
"Priority has always been a loyalty trailblazer, and we're continuing to innovate with initiatives like Blue Mondays — our way of showing appreciation and putting customers first," Lisa Johnstone at Virgin Media O2, explained.
"By investing in new experiences and enhanced rewards, we're... helping customers enjoy the everyday alongside life's most special moments, while getting even more value from being part of the Virgin Media O2 family."
Priority launched in 2009 and has become one of the most successful loyalty programmes in the UK. In 2024, Uswitch estimated that members could save almost £500 on exclusive rewards through the platform.
That same year, members made combined savings of over £23 million.
Other Blue Mondays exclusives include elevated 'Monday only' rewards – such as two cinema tickets at Vue for £6 or four for £12, allowing Priority members to save even more money on Mondays than usual via the app.
As well as money saving rewards, O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers can also benefit from Priority Tickets which provides access to tickets to some of the hottest gigs and shows in the UK, 48 hours before general release.
Last year, O2 sold over 1.5 million tickets to Priority members for shows like Usher and Peter Kay.
Wondering how you can get in on the action?
All O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers can join Priority for free.
You just need to head to the Priority app every Monday.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Pilot's terrifying final words on deadly flight to Tenerife from UK
A British Airways flight from Heathrow was the second plane involved in the Tenerife airport disaster, but it never reached the island. Tenerife, with its sun-soaked beaches, is a favourite holiday destination for Brits. However, on 22 March 1977, a horrific tragedy unfolded when a passenger flight destined for Tenerife North airport, then known as Los Rodeos Airport, crashed, claiming the lives of all 583 people on board. It comes as, just three years after the first Tenerife plane crash, a Delta Flight exploded shortly after take-off, killing all passengers and crew on board. Tenerife boasts two airports, but Tenerife North is notoriously challenging for pilots due to its altitude of 2,000ft and often cloudy weather conditions that hamper visibility. Tragedy struck again just three years later, at 9.20am on 25 April 1980, when Dan-Air's Flight 1008 left Manchester Airport for Tenerife, carrying mainly British holidaymakers eager for the Canary Islands' sunny beaches and breathtaking landscapes. The flight crew comprised three seasoned pilots - Captain Arthur Whelan, 50, co-pilot First Officer Michael Firth, 33, and flight engineer Raymond Carey, 33. Five flight attendants were also on board, bringing the total number of passengers and crew to 146. For three hours, the flight went smoothly until the crew began their descent at 1pm local time, according to the Mirror. The winds were gusting from an unexpected direction, forcing air traffic to be redirected to Runway 12 rather than the standard landing strip. But this sparked a dilemma for air traffic controller Justo Camin, 34, as another aircraft was already approaching the identical runway, creating the terrifying prospect of a mid-air collision between the two planes. Operating without radar assistance, Camin was compelled to depend on procedural techniques to control air traffic and he directed each aircraft to stick to a pre-planned route. At 1:18 pm, Camin recognised he needed to place the Dan Air crew into a holding pattern to enable the aircraft in front to touch down safely on Runway 12. Yet, there was no established holding pattern for this runway, forcing Camin to think on his feet. He ordered Flight 1008 to enter a left-hand holding pattern, circling until the other flight had cleared. Responding to First Officer Firth's position report, Camin stated, "Roger, the er, standard holding pattern overhead Foxtrot Papa is inbound heading one five zero, turn to the left, call you back shortly." Captain Whelan responded with a brief "Roger", neglecting to repeat Camin's instructions back to him. Had he done so, the looming catastrophe might have been prevented. Nevertheless, when Camin told them to "turn to the left," he meant to say "turns to the left," specifying the direction the crew should follow whilst executing the holding pattern. But missing the vital 's', the crew understood this as "turn to the left." Camin, who had also authorised the flight to ascend to 5,000 feet, made a minor but crucial error. Captain Whelan, puzzled by the sudden directive to enter a holding pattern not indicated on any of his charts, executed a single left turn, aligning with a heading of 150 degrees, convinced this was what the controller intended. They were now soaring over mountainous terrain, where the minimum safe altitude was a staggering 14,500 feet. Just one minute and six seconds before the devastating crash, one of the pilots said, "bloody strange hold, isn't it?" adding, "it doesn't parallel with the runway or anything." The cockpit voice recording clearly captured the crew's escalating unease, yet no one challenged the controller's instructions. Controller Camin, under the assumption the plane was over the sea in his makeshift holding pattern, permitted the aircraft to descend another 1,000 feet, unaware it was actually amidst the mountains. Captain Whelan voiced his concerns about Camin's instruction to his co-pilot in the cockpit, saying, "I don't like that." His co-pilot replied, "they want us to keep going more round, don't they?" At this juncture, the automatic ground alarm blared in the cockpit, urging them to "pull up, pull up!" In a desperate attempt to avoid the looming mountainous terrain, Captain Whelan abruptly aborted his left turn for a drastic right turn. He believed this manoeuvre would enable them to circumvent the imminent obstacle. Typically, when hearing the alarm, the correct response would be to "pull up" in a bid to gain sufficient altitude to clear any surrounding terrain. Co-pilot Firth, after examining the chart, recognised the captain's decision was poorly judged and suggested different courses of action. The phrase "let's get out of here," uttered by Flight Engineer Carey, echoed through the cockpit voice recorder (CVR). Despite the engineer's warning, Captain Whelan continued with the steep right turn, which caused a drop of 300 feet. Spanish investigators declared categorically in their report this precise manoeuvre eliminated any possibility of avoiding catastrophe. Alerts from Flight Engineer Carey, "bank angle, bank angle!" ring out as the final recorded words before the CVR falls silent. Dan-Air Flight 1008 met its devastating fate as it slammed into La Esperanza at a height of 5,450 feet, just 92 feet (28 metres) below the summit. The impact destroyed most of the aircraft immediately, spreading wreckage across the mountainside. The tail portion of the plane careered several hundred metres, ultimately smashing to the ground, tumbling into a gorge, and breaking apart. Small fires broke out amidst the scattered debris, and Tenerife North Airport was shaken by the crash alarm for the second time in just over three years. Rescue teams arrived at the mountain within hours, but it was immediately apparent that none of the 146 passengers on board had survived the crash. The scene was so catastrophic not a single intact human body could be found, and many victims could not be definitively identified. While acknowledging the air traffic controller's error, Spanish investigators placed the entirety of the blame on the Dan Air crew. However, British investigators argued the controller should have recognised sooner the proximity between the two planes would pose a problem, allowing him to implement a standard holding pattern and prevent any confusion amongst the crew. They further contended the controller should not have issued an untested and non-standard holding pattern, but conceded that the Dan Air crew did not question the controller's instructions or seek clarification. The decision by Camin to allow flight 1008 to descend to 5,000 feet also drew criticism from the British team. They argued that if the holding pattern had been designed according to official regulations, the minimum altitude should have been set at 7,000 feet. Upon receiving a ground proximity warning, the captain - unable to see due to fog and cloud - opted to make a right turn, which tragically led them directly into the mountain. Typically, crews are expected to ascend as high as possible in response to such an alarm. What remains undisputed, however, is the omission of a single letter in a word triggered the series of events that ultimately resulted in the crash. Had the controller used "turns" instead of "turn", the tragic crash could have been averted. The investigation into the crash led to an increased emphasis on clear, standardised procedures across all flight operations, including holding patterns. The incident underscored the importance of unambiguous communication between air traffic controllers and pilots, with a particular focus on pilots repeating instructions from Air Traffic Control to eliminate any potential misunderstandings. Despite the tragedy, Dan Air managed to bounce back and continued operations until 1992 when it was acquired by British Airways. Even though it marked the largest loss of life on a British aircraft, the memory of Dan Air Flight 1008 and the 146 lives tragically lost that day seems to have faded over the last 45 years.
Daily Mirror
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Money-saving trend could help Brits push back on overspending with simple change
From skipping expensive dinners with friends to passing on a weekend trip, loud budgeting encourages open, honest conversations about money with friends and family Discussing personal finance is often considered a taboo subject, leading many to endure financial stress in silence while maintaining a façade of wellbeing. However, the emerging trend of loud budgeting is breaking this cycle of secrecy by encouraging candid discussions about money matters. Opting out of a costly dinner with friends or foregoing a weekend getaway, loud budgeting promotes frank conversations about finances with friends and family. It's all about prioritising your goals and savings over feelings of guilt and succumbing to social pressure. Zoe Brett, a financial planner at EQ Investors, has shed light on the essence of loud budgeting, its growing appeal, and tips for incorporating it into daily life. "Loud budgeting is really just about being open and honest with people about your finances," explains Brett. "So, rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses and pay for dinner at that trendy restaurant or the latest outfits, just because your friends or your family are, you are just honest and say actually, I don't want to spend my money on that, I'm budgeting." The advice comes after news that thousands of Brits are set to get a letter from HMRC after a drastic new tax rule comes into force. Brett says people feeling "fed up" is why the trend is gaining popularity as of late. "It's so hard for people to get onto the housing ladder these days, and everyone's been really impacted by the cost of living and are finding it increasingly difficult keeping up with certain lifestyles," she acknowledges. "Everything just feels very expensive and I think people are just a little bit fed up of feeling broke all the time." Brett has also observed an uptick in social media chatter about living paycheck to paycheck, even among those earning six-figure salaries. "I think a lot of people, especially Gen Z, often feel like there is no future for them so they overspend, which has created a little bubble of people who are now trying to unwind that and be a bit more fiscally responsible," Brett notes. One immediate benefit of loud budgeting is supposedly its positive impact on mental health. "In the short term, I think that it is actually pretty good for your mental health to stop having to struggle silently to try and keep up with your mates," Brett says. "Once you just take that first step, it builds momentum." Over time, this mindset can contribute to building financial security. That said, Brett has provided some practical tips for putting the loud budgeting trend into practice. The first is about "ripping the band-aid off" and getting over any reluctance about talking about money. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and hot takes from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. "The first conversation is always the hardest, and it might be super awkward, but then once you've ripped the band aid off, you will realise that it's not actually as scary as it seemed," says Brett. She also notes its important to speak your financial goals into existence. and sharing your objectives with friends can even help maintain your accountability. "If you've got the right people around you, then they should honour that and support you, and may suggest things that are cheaper," she says. Taking the initiative to advocate for and propose cheaper activities and restaurants is another way to practice loud budgeting. "Rather than waiting for someone to invite you to something, suggest something to them that is within your budget such as drinks in the park, or cooking a meal at home or going to a free gallery." Just as much as emphasising your goals and struggles, it's also important to celebrate your financial achievements. "If you've done amazing and have really under-spent one month, remember to give yourself a pat on the back." Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Whether it's Scotland or St Tropez, this is what your holiday says about you
Ah, August. Time for everyone to take a break. Time for everyone to take a nice, relaxing little holiday with family and friends. Pack the Uno. Fish out the old kaftan. Remember the Gaviscon at the airport. But where are you off to this year? France? Italy? Or are you firmly sticking to Scotland and avoiding all those nasty foreigners? Here's what your holiday says about you. The Dordogne You have 'a little place' an hour or so from Bergerac Airport, and like walking to the local boulangerie every morning in pink shorts and a Panama hat where you queue with 53 other Brits also buying paper bags of croissants and baguettes using their best O-Level French. You call wine 'plonk', your bookshelves are groaning with old copies of Dick Francis and Peter Mayle, and you have very strong opinions about the best route south through France from Calais (not via Paris – are you mad?). You absolutely cannot stand the French. Fuengirola You are a member of a Glaswegian drug gang who voted Brexit. Charlbury You are a very rich American who wants to see the real British countryside. You're staying in a 'cute little farmhouse' for £50,000 a week and were initially quite dismayed by the smallness of the showers and the fridge, but have told your family not to complain because this is the authentic British experience. You enjoy visiting Blen- heim Palace and eat something called a Scottish egg in the nearby pub. At the village fete, which is like a party for dogs, you win a can of chicken soup with a best before date of 2013. Tea remains genuinely baffling. You return to America with all your views of Brits confirmed. Those guys! So eccentric. So misguided. No wonder they need such help. The Peloponnese This is what you reply when someone asks where you're off on holiday this summer. You mustn't simply say 'Greece'. That's dead common, and people might think you're off to Skiathos or something ghastly. Imagine! Alternatively, you may also reply ' Paxos ' or ' Corfu '. You try and avoid the Greek wine in every single restaurant you go to, but you'll still drink your complimentary shot of ouzo as a little digestif. One of the teenagers cried when octopus arrived at the table because she watched a documentary about them on Netflix. You bump into some neighbours from Wiltshire and agree to have drinks to 'get the children together', even though the children can't bear one another. You don't like them much either, come to think of it. You'd rather lie in the villa's hammock with your Durrell book. St Tropez You're a celebrity who's chartered a superyacht but come ashore for lunch and a spot of shopping in authentic Riviera boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. After that, it's a bit of grilled fish and several bottles of San Pell at Club 55. You don't see the bill. You have people who take care of these things for you. You feel very strongly about the environment and are, in fact, an ambassador for one of the big ocean charities, although you can't quite remember its name. But still, everybody can take a week or so off, can't they? And your yacht isn't even the biggest. You cruised past a Qatari royal yesterday and his was at least two metres bigger. The Six Senses Ibiza You're an ageing hippie (married to a hedge funder) who's been coming to the north of the island for decades. You used to stay in a villa but have been put off in recent years by all the horror stories of horrible burglaries, so now you stay here instead. It's honestly very reasonable, only £1,000 or so a night and you'd be spending far more than that on a villa. You do yoga by day and drugs by night, but only mushrooms nowadays. They're natural, after all. Namaste. Salcombe Salcombe has been dubbed 'Chelsea-on-Sea' in recent years, which you think is unfair because you don't actually have a house in Chelsea. It's more Fulham Broadway, to be honest. But you do like spending as much time in Salcombe as you can at this time of year, even though the traffic has become horrendous and getting a table at the Winking Prawn can be jolly difficult. Your house is decorated with nautical motifs and you have a 12ft boat called Second Wind. A Hebridean island The Glorious Twelfth is your favourite day of the year. You simply don't understand people who want to be in disgusting Europe in August when you could be in Scotland killing things – fish, grouse or deer, mainly. You're never happier than when outside in the heather. Don't be a sissy – ignore the midges and ticks. Kippers for breakfast, picnic for lunch, whisky and venison for dinner. Splendid. You stay at Tebay on the drive up and down because they have dog-friendly rooms and you love your Labradors more than your own children. Get on, Monty! There's a good boy! Puglia You are a 30-something married couple with small children. Your parents used to holiday in Tuscany, but a few years ago you read that Puglia had become the most fashionable area in Italy, so you rent a developed trulli every year and invite various other friends with babies, too. It's a 45-minute drive to the supermarket, and you have to go every day because you always seem to be out of milk, but at least it gets you out of the house for a spell, away from the cacophony of children. The dishwasher runs at least six times a day and you don't get beyond page three of your book. Returning home to Wandsworth is, in a way, a relief. Disneyland Florida You've messed up. There are so many queues! Queues everywhere you look – queues to get in, queues for the rides, queues to get snacks. You spend $208 on four hot dogs for lunch and another $68 on churros after that; the children are now vibrating with sugar. Everyone wants to go on Space Mountain but you. Still, it could be worse, you think wearily as you approach the third hour trudging towards the front of the line: you could be a fully-grown man dressed in a Mickey Mouse suit in 40-degree heat. Next summer, you're going to Centre Parcs. No arguing.
