Bits: share your HEx upgrade code, Finnair launching San Francisco, extra BA Tenerife flights

News in brief:

Share your Heathrow Express upgrade codes

Heathrow Express emailed its database on Wednesday with a free First Class upgrade code.

These are valid for one person on a ticket (one-way or return) booked in advance via the Heathrow Express website or app.  The codes are valid until 30th November.

A couple of readers emailed me to ask if they could give away their codes via HfP.  If you got the email and know you won’t be using your code, please post it in the comments here.  If you use a code someone posts, please add a ‘Used’ comment after it.

Remember to check out my article on other ways to save money on Heathrow Express, including the 12% Mastercard discount which is still running.

Finnair launching a new route to San Francisco

Finnair announced yesterday that it is launching flights to San Francisco from Helsinki in June 2017.  They will operate three days per week over the Summer using an Airbus A330.

The flight adds to existing services to New York, Chicago and Miami.  It will be part of the BA / AA / Iberia joint venture agreement which means the revenue from the service will be shared with the other airlines also flying the route.

I would imagine, given the flight time, that this route will be guaranteed an A330 with fully flat seats in business class.  The Finnair website currently lists the following routes as having fully flat seating: Beijing, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Nagoya, New York, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.

As a oneworld partner, you can both earn and redeem Avios points, and earn British Airways tier points, on these services.

Extra British Airways Tenerife service added

British Airways announced yesterday that it is adding an extra Tenerife flight for the Winter season.

The reason I mention this is that the new service has a great time slot – 10.25am every Saturday, departing from Gatwick.  The first flight is on 17th December.

As this service was only launched for sale yesterday, you should be able to find Avios redemption seats easily enough.

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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.