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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Ryanair launch huge ‘payday' sale with cheap seats to sunshine spots including France & Italy from just €14.99
RYANAIR has launched a big "payday" sale for Irish holidaymakers - with bargain flights from just €14.99. The budget airline has you covered this summer with reduced travel until July 31. Advertisement 5 The airline has European flights on sale from just €14.99 Credit: Splash News 5 Visit Venice for as little as €14.99 with Ryanair this summer Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Luxembourg is only a €16.99 flight away But you need to be quick as the offer ends at midnight tonight. There are numerous flights to choose from at Head for a city break from €14.99 as the sale includes flights to multiple UK hotspots. Choose between Glasgow, Cardiff, Cornwall and both London Luton and London Stansted all from only €16.99. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL Other UK cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are available from €14.99 For the same price, see scenic cities like Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle. Fly to Paris France with flights to Beauvais at only €19.99. Advertisement Most read in Travel Taste the famous Belgian cuisine with Dublin flights to Brussels or Charleroi for €14.99. I have a major hack to find the cheapest flights on the Ryanair website – it's a game changer and perfect for budget travellers Get seats to Luxembourg too for only €16.99. From Kerry airport fly to Frankfurt in Germany for only €16.99. Or better yet see the stunning sites of Cologne for €14.99 when you leave from Knock. Advertisement Visit These deals are available from Cork, Shannon, Knock, Kerry or Dublin airports. To avail yourself of these summer sales, book your Ryanair flight before midnight tonight. Choose from peak season dates ranging from now until July 31. Advertisement Meanwhile, The Irish airline is reminding its three million AerClub members to check their account balances. So far this year, AerClub members saved over €3million using Avios to book flights with They can also use their Avios to save money on upgrades, hotels and other travel experiences. Advertisement Avios is the reward currency of AerClub and can be collected when members fly with Aer Lingus and partner airlines, as well as when they shop with affiliated retailers including Deliveroo, Brown Thomas, ASOS, AerClub members can also collect Avios seamlessly by linking their Whether you're grabbing a coffee at Jump Juice, hopping on an Aircoach, or bagging some holiday essentials at Lifestyle Sports or Skechers, you'll collect Avios on each purchase, bringing you closer to your next adventure. Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry said: "At Aer Lingus, we are committed to rewarding our loyal AerClub members in meaningful ways. Advertisement "All our members can secure discounts through Pay with Avios or redeeming Reward Flights, allowing them to use their Avios to maximise their benefits and make every journey more rewarding. "From booking flights and upgrading to Business Class to unlocking unique travel extras, we encourage our members to explore the full potential of Avios and turn their travel dreams into reality." 5 Fly to Paris, France from just €19.99 5 Flights to Brussels start from €14.99 Advertisement
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Aer Lingus issue major warning to Irish passengers missing out on big perks including business class upgrades
AER Lingus has issued a major warning to a number of their loyal customers who may be missing out on big perks. The Irish airline is reminding its three million AerClub members to check their account balances. 1 Passengers are being urged to use their Avios points Credit: Getty Images - Getty So far this year, AerClub members saved over €3million using Avios to book flights with They can also use their Avios to save money on upgrades, hotels and other travel experiences. Avios is the reward currency of AerClub and can be collected when members fly with Aer Lingus and partner airlines, as well as when they shop with affiliated retailers including Deliveroo, Brown Thomas, ASOS, AerClub members can also collect Avios seamlessly by linking their READ MORE IN TRAVEL Whether you're grabbing a coffee at Jump Juice, hopping on an Aircoach, or bagging some holiday essentials at Lifestyle Sports or Skechers, you'll collect Avios on each purchase, bringing you closer to your next adventure. Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry said: "At Aer Lingus, we are committed to rewarding our loyal AerClub members in meaningful ways. "All our members can secure discounts through Pay with Avios or redeeming Reward Flights, allowing them to use their Avios to maximise their benefits and make every journey more rewarding. "From booking flights and upgrading to Business Class to unlocking unique travel extras, we encourage our members to explore the full potential of Avios and turn their travel dreams into reality." Most read in News Travel AerClub consists of four tiers - Green, Silver, Concierge, and Platinum - each unlocking additional travel perks like lounge access, fast track, extra baggage, and upgrades. Aer Lingus offered me major perks to stay extra night in New York Meanwhile, frequent flyers will love this And it's available at three busy airports this summer. The Irish airline has been offering an evening bag drop perk that is perfect for early morning flyers. With many sunrise flights leaving every day, airport lines can build up quickly. But If you are leaving in the early morning, you can now check in your bag the evening before your flight. This perk works perfect for anyone who lives nearby or is staying close to the airport. From April to September, if you're flying from With no bags and no rush you can get a calmer start and maybe even a little extra sleep. It is the ideal way to make your morning travel more relaxed this year. The time frames for dropping off your luggage vary for each airport. At
Daily News Egypt
27-05-2025
- Daily News Egypt
A Beginner's Guide to Exploring Cairo: What to Know Before You Go
Cairo is a city that mixes ancient history with modern culture. It provides a unique experience for first-time visitors via valuable tips and a comprehensive six-day itinerary. To ensure a smooth trip to this country, book your air ticket with Qatar Airways and grab Avios for future upgrades and flights. Let us dive in as Cairo beckons you. Planning is important for a first-time visit to Cairo. Be prepared to navigate Cairo with utmost confidence. Some of the essential tips while visiting Cairo are as follows: When You Visit? Summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures soaring over 40 degrees Celsius. For an unforgettable experience, consider visiting from October to April, when the weather is milder. December and January are peak months, so either visit earlier or later for minimum crowds. By the end of September, it is hot but still the country experiences a pleasant atmosphere with fewer people around. What are the Essential Things to Pack? Preparing a tour to Cairo involves taking into consideration the existing climate and cultural norms. Visitors should choose only lightweight and cotton clothes to prevent overheating. Plus, dress modestly, particularly at religioussites. However, women might require a scarf to cover their hair. To walk seamlessly over uneven streets, choose only comfortable walking shoes. Besides, pack some of the essentials like sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle along with a tiny daypack. Even balancing comfort and cultural respect is key while planning a trip to Cairo. Visa Information Most travellers require a visa to access Egypt. They can apply for an e-visa either online or obtain a visa on arrival. Travel Insurance Cairo is indisputably an adventure with unanticipated circumstances. For medical emergencies and trip cancellations, travel insurance is a must. You must select a policy that covers your scheduled activities including camel riding. Utilize Funds for Small Purchases The majority of hotels and restaurants accept credit/debit cards, but cash is still a preferred option for small purchases at local restaurants and markets. Keep Egyptian pounds handy in such situations. One could even avail of an additional discount during negotiation in the market unless you wish to pay in cash. Exploring Cairo Exploring Cairo can be exciting but not a complicated task. However, it is crucial to be familiar with how to get around the city to make the most out of the trip. Tourists should gain a better understanding of the available transport options like Uber, Metro, and local taxis. Safety tips, cost-saving suggestions, and traffic-averting tactics will be provided by the guide. Do not forget to download the Uber app before the trip and you can expect traffic delays. The only way to enhance your traveling experience and ensure an enjoyable tour is by getting familiar with how to move around the city. Accommodation in Cairo Picking a suitable spot to reside in Cairo is important for a first-time visitor. As each place offers a different environment. Your traveling experience is based on the selection of a hotel. Tourists must consider going through the detailed guide regarding where to stay. It offers comprehensive recommendations associated with budget, boutique, and accommodations. Experts suggest choosing the Pyramids Temple Guest House in Giza for their remarkable hospitality along with great views of the Pyramids. To experience Cairo at its fullest, travel way beyond tourist spots and engage with local life. If you prefer to witness daily life, consider visiting the streets, and markets and engaging in conversation with local people. For a promising visit, indulge yourself in the culture of Cairo. Some of the valuable tips to connect with the local culture of Cairo are as follows. Food Scene of Cairo One of the ideal ways to enjoy Cairo's culture is through its cuisine. Check out some of their popular dishes like taameya, Baladi bread, and koshary. Visit nearby street food stalls to have genuine flavours. You may even ask the locals for recommendations. Respect Local Customs and Etiquette To establish connections in Cairo, getting familiar with local customs is important. A gentle smile, greeting 'Salaam Alaikum', and displaying patience is crucial. Modest attire is much appreciated, particularly at mosques. Besides, do not forget to remove your shoes before accessing an individual's home. Be Careful About the Tipping Etiquette Tipping is quite common at restaurants, hotels, and bathroom attendants in Cairo. Consider carrying tiny bills and providingtips for the services. Exploring Local Markets beyond Khan El Khalili Khan El Khalili is a popular market in Cairo. But for a unique experience, consider visiting small bazaars, such as Souq El Gomaa and Ataba Market. These areas are packed with spices and handmade items delivered by the locals. Besides, it is an excellent spot to engage in a conversation with vendors. Familiar with a Few Arabic Phrases Although most of the individuals in Cairo communicate in English, it is better to be familiar with some of the basic Arabic phrases that prove beneficial in the long run. The most common phrases are 'shukran' (thank you) and 'salaam' (hello), which are useful in several daily interactions. Never Say 'No' to Tea Image Resource: The residents of Cairo better known as Cairenes love their tea. It is a symbol of a strong bond. Right from vendors to hosts, exchanging tea boosts meaningful conversations about life in Cairo. The actual magic lies within the hearts of people in Cairo. By welcoming cultural moments, you obtain long-lasting warmth and spirit way beyond the major landmarks. Conclusion Cairo is an excellent city where modern and ancient life co-exist. It generates an energy that is complicated to resist. Despite being chaotic and overwhelming, it adds to the city's charm. Ensure that you plan your tour accordingly before you go. For instance, consider booking your flight tickets via Qatar Airways where you can benefit from baggage allowance and instant access to lounges. Additionally, getting familiar with local culture and customs will improve your visit to Cairo. .
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are airline loyalty schemes worth it?
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). When British Airways (BA) launched its revamped frequent-flyer scheme on 1 April, it probably didn't anticipate the furore that would follow. The new logo and name change — a contraction from the Executive Club to simply the Club — were uncontroversial. Instead, the outcry concerned the airline changing the way it plans to reward its customers. Like most airline loyalty schemes, BA rewards its customers with two sets of points. The first, reward points — known as Avios in BA's case — are essentially an airline currency, and you can save these over months or years and redeem them for cheap flights and upgrades. The second, loyalty points, which BA calls Tier points, are collected over a single year and will move you up the status ranks as they accumulate, unlocking valuable free perks such as priority check-in and lounge access in the process. Because loyalty points refresh every year, you have to keep flying to keep enjoying those perks. For some, loyalty points are such a powerful incentive that they'll think nothing of doing a 'status run', where the sole purpose of the trip is to acquire enough points to maintain or improve their status rank. Until recently, BA determined the amount of Avios and Tier points you earned according to your ticket class and the distance travelled. With some clever route selection, it was possible to game the system and hit the top status of Gold by spending less than £3,000 a year, unlocking the right to use BA's first-class airport lounges for free, even when flying in economy. But as part of the changes that came into effect on 1 April, BA is now awarding flyers one Tier point for every £1 spent instead. Crucially, only the portion of the basic fare, minus any taxes or fees, is eligible for points. So, just to hit the lowest elite status, which is Bronze, you'd now have to spend upwards of £3,500 a year. With more than 13 million members worldwide, BA's announcement was bound to cause ripples. Sure enough, frequent-flyer forums such as FlyerTalk lit up with users declaring the end of their loyalty to BA, while others lamented that it was 'good while it lasted'. The overall sentiment was that achieving elite status under the new scheme would become prohibitively expensive, and the perks were no longer worth it. Changing allegiances is suddenly high on the agenda for some flyers. Status Match, a website where frequent flyers can move their elite status from one airline to another, reported an 800% increase in enquiries from BA members in the weeks following the announcement. Except, even with dozens of loyalty schemes out there, it doesn't always make sense to switch. For one, if you want to earn elite status, many airlines require you to fly with them several times a year — with this topped up by flights with their partner airlines. And if the airline doesn't fly where you want to go, its loyalty scheme will offer little improvement on the current situation. There's also the issue of redemption. It can be harder to spend your points if the loyalty scheme is based in another country, there are few reward seats or if there are restrictions on how you can spend the points with the airline's partners. BA isn't the only airline to restructure its loyalty scheme given the financial pressures on airlines post-Covid. Iberia, a subsidiary of IAG (BA's parent company), also made changes on 1 April. Australia's flagship carrier Qantas and Germany's Lufthansa look set to switch up their schemes in 2025, too. 'Airlines have had to rethink how they deliver value through these programmes,' says John Stephenson, managing director of business travel specialists YTC. 'Many have devalued their schemes slightly or made it harder to reach elite tiers. But, at the same time, they're doubling down on loyalty as a revenue stream — offering more ways to earn and redeem points beyond flights.' That's the crux of it: loyalty schemes aren't just valuable to airlines for the travellers they bring back; they're money spinners on their own. Take IAG Loyalty, the subsidiary of IAG that operates Avios. In 2024, it generated profits totalling £420m for the aviation group. Avios sells its points to a company for one price, which that company can then award their customers; when the customer redeems those points, Avios buys them back for less. IAG told shareholders in a 2024 report that IAG Loyalty 'has high growth, structurally higher margins than the Group's other operating companies, is less seasonal and generates strong free cash flow'. In other words, Avios is much more profitable than operating an airline. While frequent flyers have lost in the push for profits, infrequent flyers have come out as winners, in part because there are now more chances to earn and redeem. 'The easiest way of collecting large chunks of points is, without a doubt, credit card sign-up bonuses,' according to Rob Burgess, editor of frequent-flyer website Head for Points. 'In the UK, you currently have American Express offering 80,000 points on the Platinum Card [when you spend £12,000 in the first three months], for example, which convert to 80,000 airline miles. You'd need to spend nearly £20,000 with BA to earn the same number of Avios points that Amex Platinum gives you just for signing up.' These reward-linked credit cards will also let you earn points on your spending, so you could work your way towards reward flights just by doing your weekly shop. There are options for those who don't want a credit card, too. Many airlines will let you earn points by shopping with one of their retail partners. Or you can convert loyalty points already accrued elsewhere — Tesco vouchers can be exchanged for Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club points, for example. BA leads the way when it comes to alternative ways to earn points. Doing surveys, taking an Uber home after a night out and opening an investment account can all net you Avios points. When it comes to spending your points, the options are similarly numerous, but it pays to be a bit more savvy. Reward flights are the most obvious choice here, and if you do decide to use your points this way, look towards the premium end. You might pay three or four times the amount of points for a business-class ticket compared to economy, but the cash equivalent would cost you 10 times more, according to Burgess. You can also maximise your points value by being flexible with when you redeem them for flights. 'Some of the best deals come from booking as early as possible, especially for long-haul flights,' says Fiona Spinks, a frequent traveller between the UK and New Zealand for her travel blog Following Fiona. 'And upgrades quite often get more value than free tickets, especially for travelling internationally in business class.' If you don't want to spend your points on travel, your redemption options can vary depending on which frequent-flyer scheme you're a member of. BA's offering includes experiences and cases of wine, while Flying Blue, the loyalty scheme for Air France and KLM, will allow you to pick out items from an online shop that stocks everything from Samsonite suitcases to iPhones. Many frequent-flyer schemes will also allow you to gift points to a loved one, or donate them to charity. But with all this in mind, it's worth remembering that airlines want to build loyalty through these schemes. To do that, they have to draw you in — and that means offering benefits to entry-level members as an incentive. BA, for example, gives all of its Club members free access to its basic internet package, allowing text-only messages and emails to be exchanged for the duration of the flight on wi-fi-enabled aircraft. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic gives its Flying Club members priority boarding over non-members in economy, and free economy seat selection seven days before travel if they've booked with Virgin Atlantic Holidays. This is just another reason why, even when the loyalty landscape looks bleak, it might be worth staying in the game. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
26-05-2025
- Business
- National Geographic
Are airline loyalty schemes worth it?
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). When British Airways (BA) launched its revamped frequent-flyer scheme on 1 April, it probably didn't anticipate the furore that would follow. The new logo and name change — a contraction from the Executive Club to simply the Club — were uncontroversial. Instead, the outcry concerned the airline changing the way it plans to reward its customers. Like most airline loyalty schemes, BA rewards its customers with two sets of points. The first, reward points — known as Avios in BA's case — are essentially an airline currency, and you can save these over months or years and redeem them for cheap flights and upgrades. The second, loyalty points, which BA calls Tier points, are collected over a single year and will move you up the status ranks as they accumulate, unlocking valuable free perks such as priority check-in and lounge access in the process. Because loyalty points refresh every year, you have to keep flying to keep enjoying those perks. For some, loyalty points are such a powerful incentive that they'll think nothing of doing a 'status run', where the sole purpose of the trip is to acquire enough points to maintain or improve their status rank. Until recently, BA determined the amount of Avios and Tier points you earned according to your ticket class and the distance travelled. With some clever route selection, it was possible to game the system and hit the top status of Gold by spending less than £3,000 a year, unlocking the right to use BA's first-class airport lounges for free, even when flying in economy. But as part of the changes that came into effect on 1 April, BA is now awarding flyers one Tier point for every £1 spent instead. Crucially, only the portion of the basic fare, minus any taxes or fees, is eligible for points. So, just to hit the lowest elite status, which is Bronze, you'd now have to spend upwards of £3,500 a year. 'Airlines have had to rethink how they deliver value through these programmes,' says John Stephenson, managing director of business travel specialists YTC. 'Many have devalued their schemes slightly or made it harder to reach elite tiers. But, at the same time, they're doubling down on loyalty as a revenue stream — offering more ways to earn and redeem points beyond flights.' Photograph by Getty Images, CandyRetriever Stick or switch With more than 13 million members worldwide, BA's announcement was bound to cause ripples. Sure enough, frequent-flyer forums such as FlyerTalk lit up with users declaring the end of their loyalty to BA, while others lamented that it was 'good while it lasted'. The overall sentiment was that achieving elite status under the new scheme would become prohibitively expensive, and the perks were no longer worth it. Changing allegiances is suddenly high on the agenda for some flyers. Status Match, a website where frequent flyers can move their elite status from one airline to another, reported an 800% increase in enquiries from BA members in the weeks following the announcement. Except, even with dozens of loyalty schemes out there, it doesn't always make sense to switch. For one, if you want to earn elite status, many airlines require you to fly with them several times a year — with this topped up by flights with their partner airlines. And if the airline doesn't fly where you want to go, its loyalty scheme will offer little improvement on the current situation. There's also the issue of redemption. It can be harder to spend your points if the loyalty scheme is based in another country, there are few reward seats or if there are restrictions on how you can spend the points with the airline's partners. BA isn't the only airline to restructure its loyalty scheme given the financial pressures on airlines post-Covid. Iberia, a subsidiary of IAG (BA's parent company), also made changes on 1 April. Australia's flagship carrier Qantas and Germany's Lufthansa look set to switch up their schemes in 2025, too. 'Airlines have had to rethink how they deliver value through these programmes,' says John Stephenson, managing director of business travel specialists YTC. 'Many have devalued their schemes slightly or made it harder to reach elite tiers. But, at the same time, they're doubling down on loyalty as a revenue stream — offering more ways to earn and redeem points beyond flights.' That's the crux of it: loyalty schemes aren't just valuable to airlines for the travellers they bring back; they're money spinners on their own. Take IAG Loyalty, the subsidiary of IAG that operates Avios. In 2024, it generated profits totalling £420m for the aviation group. Avios sells its points to a company for one price, which that company can then award their customers; when the customer redeems those points, Avios buys them back for less. IAG told shareholders in a 2024 report that IAG Loyalty 'has high growth, structurally higher margins than the Group's other operating companies, is less seasonal and generates strong free cash flow'. In other words, Avios is much more profitable than operating an airline. When it comes to spending your points, the options are similarly numerous, but it pays to be a bit more savvy. Reward flights are the most obvious choice here, and if you do decide to use your points this way, look towards the premium end. You might pay three or four times the amount of points for a business-class ticket compared to economy, but the cash equivalent would cost you 10 times more, according to Burgess. Photograph by Getty Images, Daniel Garrido Unlikely winners While frequent flyers have lost in the push for profits, infrequent flyers have come out as winners, in part because there are now more chances to earn and redeem. 'The easiest way of collecting large chunks of points is, without a doubt, credit card sign-up bonuses,' according to Rob Burgess, editor of frequent-flyer website Head for Points. 'In the UK, you currently have American Express offering 80,000 points on the Platinum Card [when you spend £12,000 in the first three months], for example, which convert to 80,000 airline miles. You'd need to spend nearly £20,000 with BA to earn the same number of Avios points that Amex Platinum gives you just for signing up.' These reward-linked credit cards will also let you earn points on your spending, so you could work your way towards reward flights just by doing your weekly shop. There are options for those who don't want a credit card, too. Many airlines will let you earn points by shopping with one of their retail partners. Or you can convert loyalty points already accrued elsewhere — Tesco vouchers can be exchanged for Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club points, for example. BA leads the way when it comes to alternative ways to earn points. Doing surveys, taking an Uber home after a night out and opening an investment account can all net you Avios points. When it comes to spending your points, the options are similarly numerous, but it pays to be a bit more savvy. Reward flights are the most obvious choice here, and if you do decide to use your points this way, look towards the premium end. You might pay three or four times the amount of points for a business-class ticket compared to economy, but the cash equivalent would cost you 10 times more, according to Burgess. You can also maximise your points value by being flexible with when you redeem them for flights. 'Some of the best deals come from booking as early as possible, especially for long-haul flights,' says Fiona Spinks, a frequent traveller between the UK and New Zealand for her travel blog Following Fiona. 'And upgrades quite often get more value than free tickets, especially for travelling internationally in business class.' If you don't want to spend your points on travel, your redemption options can vary depending on which frequent-flyer scheme you're a member of. BA's offering includes experiences and cases of wine, while Flying Blue, the loyalty scheme for Air France and KLM, will allow you to pick out items from an online shop that stocks everything from Samsonite suitcases to iPhones. Many frequent-flyer schemes will also allow you to gift points to a loved one, or donate them to charity. But with all this in mind, it's worth remembering that airlines want to build loyalty through these schemes. To do that, they have to draw you in — and that means offering benefits to entry-level members as an incentive. BA, for example, gives all of its Club members free access to its basic internet package, allowing text-only messages and emails to be exchanged for the duration of the flight on wi-fi-enabled aircraft. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic gives its Flying Club members priority boarding over non-members in economy, and free economy seat selection seven days before travel if they've booked with Virgin Atlantic Holidays. This is just another reason why, even when the loyalty landscape looks bleak, it might be worth staying in the game. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
