NEWS: Delta to be forced from T3 to T4 at Heathrow, Virgin Wonderskin collaboration, Free Avios pricing tool and

Free Avios pricing tool

It is annoying trying to work out how many Avios you will need to redeem and the cash needed when you want to book a redemption. There are so many levels of Avios, plus taxes and charges, and when you add things like an upgrade voucher, which changes the taxes, it becomes a minefield. This is where my friend Marek’s website is a godsend. It’s completely free (though you can also buy him a coffee for his hours of work on the webpage).

While you can get the exact price by doing a dummy booking on ba.com, it is not simple: first you have to find dates where they exist, and those dates need to have the same peak/off-peak status as when you plan to travel. 

However, on Redemption Calculator, you can get the full information instantly. You can add in Barclaycard upgrade vouchers, Gold Upgrade Vouchers and Amex Companion vouchers to get the correct pricing.

Here is a screenshot of what you can expect to find:

I did an example using a return to LAX for one person, first using an Upgrade voucher and then a companion voucher for one person. It took seconds and could save you Avios if you have both vouchers and aren’t sure which to use. It also gives a useful comparison if you are wondering whether which card you should get now that the earning rates on Amex have reduced, unlike the fee!

Upgrade voucher:

Companion voucher:

You can find the website here.

Delta to be forced from T3 to T4 at Heathrow

Delta and Virgin Atlantic have a long-held alliance, with Delta customers being able to use the Virgin Upper Class wing and its Clubhouse lounge at Heathrow’s T3. This is reat news for anyone who likes to fly Delta since you can redeem your Virgin points on them and still get the full Upper Class experience at T3. It also allows the two airlines to share staff at the airport, creating efficiencies. 

Heathrow reviews the airlines and their allocated terminals fairly rarely, but as schedules change and new airlines join, it needs to be checked now and again. This occasionally results in a change of terminals. If you have ever changed terminals at Heathrow, you will know it is not exactly quick, and connections are much longer than others. So it is understandable that Virgin Atlantic were not happy to hear that Heathrow plans to move Delta to T4, which is about a mile from T3 and will involve a long bus ride. Many people transfer to and from Virgin to Delta and vice versa, particularly on Indian routes, so this will make their journey far more complex. Previously, it has been a big plus point that passengers do not need to change terminals, so it could make Virgin less competitive on some routes. 

The only advantage is that moving Delta to T4 will improve connectivity between the airline and Air France/KLM. Air France is also opening a new lounge at T4, so Delta customers should be able to use that.

Obviously, Heathrow is in a bit of a predicament, with limited terminal space and three competing alliances to please. Star Alliance is fairly self-contained in T2, but Oneworld is spread across 3 terminals, which isn’t ideal.

Virgin Atlantic CEO  Corneel Koster said the move “to the remotely located Terminal 4 would create friction for customers, weaken competition and reduce choice.As all other airports seek to co-locate joint venture partners, Heathrow has chosen to split ours after more than a decade together.”

A spokesperson for Heathrow said “Following consultation with our airline customers, Heathrow has developed a clear plan to make the best use of current terminal capacity and deliver a better overall experience for passengers, as well as strengthening operational resilience and creating room for growth.”

Virgin Atlantic are now said to be looking at legal options to challenge the decision.

Virgin and Wonderskin collaboration for 1000 Virgin Points

Even if you don’t wear make-up, this could make a great Christmas gift, especially since it’s limited edition. It is also a good way to support a worthy charity. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wonderskin will donate 5% of total Headliner global sales to Look Good Feel Better (UK and US).  Founded in 1989 in the USA by the cosmetic industry and an oncologist to help patients manage the visible side effects of cancer treatment, Look Good Feel Better offer free skincare and make-up workshops to help people going through cancer retain and regain a sense of dignity, confidence and normality while receiving treatment, and coping with both the physical and emotional side effects.

Wonderskin and Virgin have collaborated to introduce Headliner, a new limited-edition Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain shade inspired by Virgin’s iconic red Pantone. So if you want your lip colour to match your airline, this could be for you!

Red can be an intimidating colour for lips, especially with a lipstick, whereas a lip stain can be much more subtle and easier to wear. The red has a subtle pink accent – creating a softer, more wearable take on the classic red lip. It’s been designed to flatter every skin tone, it’s perfect for anyone who’s always wanted to wear red but shied away. I am not someone who feels comfortable wearing a bright red lipstick and normally would go for more of a tinted balm when I want to wear red. However, this is great as it is long-lasting but is still far more subtle than a bright red lipstick.

Wonderskin’s patented stain technology delivers longwear, all-day colour that’s transfer-proof, waterproof and lasts up to 10 hours, so it is perfect for a long day of travel, and it won’t leave a mark on your welcome drink champagne glass!

“At Virgin, we’ve always believed life is more fun when people feel free to be themselves and say yes to the unexpected. That spirit is at the heart of our collaboration with Wonderskin. Headliner celebrates the joy of showing up as yourself, embracing real life and making the most of every moment – from the everyday to the unplanned moments that often prove the most memorable.”

— Sam Kelly, Chief Experience Officer, Virgin

If you have not seen Wonderskin before, you apply it in a rather unique way. You add thin layers of the lip stain until you are happy you have even coverage. You can repeat the steps later if the first coat is not strong enough for you.

Don’t assume it’s a Halloween special effect when you see your lips are blue; it’s a normal part of the process! Then wait 60 seconds to dry, then wipe away the blue mask with a damp tissue or cotton pad to reveal the colour. 

Headliner Limited-Edition Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain

RRP: £18 / €22 or 1000 Virgin Points

Stockists:
Wonderskin.eu.com | TikTok Shop | Virgin Red