Bits: new BA CEO starts today, get 10% off Etihad economy flights, Jamie Cullum and I

News in brief:

New British Airways CEO starts today

Today is the first day in the job for Alex Cruz, the new Chief Executive of British Airways, who replaces Keith Williams.  He is obviously easing himself in gently, starting on a Friday.

Cruz was previously CEO of Vueling, the budget Barcelona-based airline also owned by IAG.  He has done a good job of growing that and we can only hope that his easyJet-style experience with Vueling does not colour his approach to BA.

Get 10% off Etihad economy flights

Etihad has launched its first ever discount code today, offering 10% off economy flights departing from the UK and Ireland.

You need to book on the Etihad website here and use code ETIHAD10.

Flights must be booked by 7th April for travel by 30th June.  As I am writing this before the code is live, it is not clear if it discounts the entire fare or just the non-taxes element.

Jamie Cullum and I ….

Last night my wife and I were at the new St Regis hotel in Dubai to meet the annoyingly talented Jamie Cullum and see a small, invite-only concert.

This was a stroke of good luck on our part since the event fell during our holiday.  I got the tickets through Starwood Preferred Guest and its SPG Moments ‘redeem for exclusive events’ offers.

I paid just 9,000 SPG points for the tickets.  To put that it context, the sign-up bonus on the UK Starwood credit card is 10,000 points.  It turned out that the tickets also included as much Bollinger champagne as you could physically consume and a wide range of canapes.

A raft of new SPG Moments offers are available for Europe at the moment.  These include:

• ELO at the O2 in London in the SPG Suite
• The Harlem Globetrotters at the O2 in London in the SPG Suite
• Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at the O2 in London in the SPG Suite
• Visits to Illy in Trieste, plus accommodation
• Il Divo at the O2 in London in the SPG Suite
• ‘Dinner in the Sky’ in Athens, plus accommodation
• Barry Manilow at the O2 in London in the SPG Suite

These can all be booked at the SPG Moments website.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

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.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.