Well the tool is live... so it's time to convert those BMI Diamond Club Destination Miles to British Airways Avios (unless there's a reason you want Diamond Club miles - eg redemption space on Jet, Qatar, Virgin Atlantic or Transaero). An update before you begin from BMI - Ensure the following is up to date: Contact details Name Email address Date of birth in … [Read more...]
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) – Check if yours has expired!
I was going through a pile of old loyalty cards, old ticket flight stubs, train tickets, hotel electronic keys that I have by my desktop computer (I swear the amount of junk I have gets worse each day), when I noticed my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was going out of date. Now for those of you within the European Economic Area (EEA), this is a great little thing as … [Read more...]
Tired of the stupid APD charges? Tell your MP via A Fair Tax On Flying…
There's a short but sweet website for those of you who want to let your Member of Parliament (MP) know EXACTLY how you feel about Air Passenger Duty (APD). It's "A Fair Tax On Flying - http://www.afairtaxonflying.org/" and it's simple aim is pile the pressure on MP's to raise the question of APD in the Westminster Chambers and to try and reduce the pain that is APD. Air … [Read more...]
UK Border: Heathrow will be ready for Olympics… Honest!
Officials have been on the PR offensive this morning, promising that entry into London Heathrow will be ready for the increase in demand in the run up and aftermath of the London 2012 Olympics. Marc Owen, Heathrow director of the UK Border Force has stated that "Hundreds of extra fully trained border staff will be brought in". In regards to border security, he also … [Read more...]
Poll: In Flight Mobile Phone Use – What’s your view?
It's time for something different at GhettoIFE - a poll! Earlier this week I wrote about Virgin Atlantic introducing full Mobile Communications on-board their new 3-class Airbus A330's, and the comments were not that favourable. Full in this case is defined as Voice, SMS and Data. Yes - you will be able to make and receive calls whilst in the air. So my question is … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week – Things to think about…
Well I was going to write about the Virgin threat, but lets be frank - It isn't creditable unless they manage to throw a big spanner with the EC/Monopolies Commission. So let me wrap up this discussion for a bit - until it all goes pear shaped (which knowing BMI - is entirely likely) Status - If you've got to a certain point, hang on tight. If you're short before say April, … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week: So what happens if IAG gets the nod?
With BMI futures week, I'm now going off into the wild possibilities of what might happen. This is based on the following: Gut feeling Prescience and things that have happened before. What we know: IAG Group is the preferred buyer for British Midland Airways, although Virgin is making its usual noises. There's about zero chance of being migrated to Miles and … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week: It’s confirmed – NO Miles and More Status Match
Those of you who were hoping to match to Miles and More from BMI Diamond Club - some very bad news for you (and if truth be told, I've sort of known this after chatting to a few people last week). From http://forum.airliners.de/index.php?showtopic=44637&view=findpost&p=607297 and translated by Google: The sale of bmi IAG (the parent company of BA) - shall be … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week – Where Next with my miles/status?
What I am about to do in is open up one hell of a can of worms and suggest programmes for those of us who are looking for a new home for our miles post BMI Diamond Club shut down (if/when it happens). Now, this affects me personally as I target the "value" range of flying, and I can see what might happen (and lets face it, it could be completely wrong) so here are a few … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week – Should I re-qualify for BD*G/BD*S?
Well the clue of the post is in the title - Should you be aiming to re-qualify for Gold or Silver? Well the short answer is Yes. Because when BMI finally goes, it's pretty much a given status will be matched by the overtaking airline - be it IAG's British Airways or Virgin Atlantic. Based on the current timetables, here's my thoughts on when if to go for the full … [Read more...]
