Bits: bizarre new Marriott ‘no desk’ policy, more British Airways Shanghai flights

News in brief:

Is Marriott getting rid of desks because young people don’t find them cool?

In my articles on the takeover of Starwood by Marriott, I made a couple of observations about the perceived lack of cultural fit.  The team that created ‘W’ hotels is unlikely to sit happily in a Mormon dominated institution that still insists on bibles in every bedroom and a big photo of Bill Marriott in the lobby.

Exhibit B on ‘how Marriott just doesn’t get it’ is in this article from Slate.  As Marriott-branded hotels are refurbished, Marriott is ripping out the desks.  They’ve seen all those kids in Starbucks with laptops on their knees and they have decided that desks are just so not cool.

The business traveller of today prefers to sit in bed with a chai latte (although it is unclear where you would get a chai latte at your average Marriott) with their Macbook on their lap.

If you are under 30, I blame you.  You were asked at some focus group why you refused to stay at Marriott hotels and you said ‘because they have desks in the rooms’.   You’ve screwed it up for the rest of us now.

British Airways increases Shanghai frequencies

British Airways has announced that it is adding three additional flights per week to Shanghai from 20th February.  These will be coded BA160/161.

As always with new BA routes, Avios availability will be excellent as the flights will have been loaded with two Club World seats and four World Traveller seats on every service.

From 1st August, the main daily Shanghai flight will be switched to a new Boeing 787-9.  The additional three weekly flights will remain on a Boeing 777-200.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.