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Malaysia Airlines to Introduce Private Terminal Transfer with BMW
Malaysia Airlines, part of the Oneworld alliance, has announced that it will be introducing an exclusive private terminal transfer service between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building of KLIA Terminal 1 in collaboration with BMW. This is due to the fact that the Aerotrain connecting Kuala Lumpur International’s main terminal with the satellite concourse is still out of service.
Beginning 1 February 2024, Enrich Platinum, Business Suite, and Business Class passengers flying with Malaysia Airlines will be chauffeured in style with the all-electric BMW i7. The 24-hour service offers a sustainable and premium travel option exclusively for Malaysia Airlines’ passengers, in addition to the Premium Bus transfer currently provided by the airport operator following the temporary suspension of the aerotrain service.
During this initial phase, a fleet of BMW i7 vehicles will be deployed to serve departing passengers, with the pick-up point located at Gate G1 of the Main Terminal Building. The airline will also deploy additional units to serve arriving passengers shortly after completing the arrival lounge at the airport’s Satellite Building.
Vehicles will be allocated for solo travellers, couples, and families up to four (4) passengers per car.
Hilton’s new partnerships bring new points redemption
Hilton and The BRIT Awards announce new partnership
Hilton and The BRIT Awards 2024 with Mastercard have announced a new partnership, offering access for Hilton Honors members. The partnership builds on Hilton’s ongoing commitment to supporting the music industry, with the first-ever GRAMMYs hosted at The Beverly Hilton in 1959/
In the UK, Hilton’s Secret Socials events have offered music fans and Hilton Honors members an exclusive opportunity to see global artists they’ve never noticed before, including Kylie Minogue and Olly Alexander, Stormzy, Ellie Goulding, Becky Hill and Tom Grennan. From today, 27th January, Hilton Honors members can use their Points for access to one of the biggest music moments in the UK calendar, with a limited number of tickets available to redeem on the Hilton Honors Experience platform.
You will also be able to redeem for the eagerly anticipated first Secret Socials event of 2024, where the winners will have an intimate performance from a BRIT-nominated artist.
In the lead-up to The BRIT Awards, the official Nominations Event was hosted earlier today at the London Hilton on Park Lane, which has recently undergone a multi-million-pound renovation. You can read my review of the new look here.
The BRIT Awards will be held on Saturday, 2nd March, at The O2 Arena in London. Hilton Honors is its free loyalty programme that allows members to use their Points to enjoy money-can’t-buy access to music and sports events, available through the Hilton Honors Experience platform.
Recently, this has included intimate gigs with Kylie Minogue, Stormzy, Ellie Goulding and Tom Grennan as part of Hilton’s Secret Socials. Or getting close to the action at high-profile events such as McLaren Formula 1 experiences at Silverstone or A Stay on the Green package at the Ryder Cup in Rome, where guests spent the night in a bespoke Hilton bedroom on the 10th hole, all whilst watching the golfers just outside the bedroom.
The Professional Tennis Players Association’s New Partnership with Hilton
The Professional Tennis Players Association has also announced a new global partnership with Hilton. In this multiyear exclusive collaboration, Hilton will serve as the Official Hotel and lodging Partner of the PTPA, offering benefits and hospitality to professional women’s and men’s tennis players who often manage the stresses of a rigorous travel schedule.
“The possibilities this partnership opens up for players are truly exciting,” said Bethanie Mattek-Sands, PTPA player executive committee member and nine-time doubles major champion. “As professional tennis players, we spend most of the year living in hotel rooms worldwide. Having Hilton as an official global partner will ensure we have access to accommodation options and benefits that elevate our travel experiences. This is a game changer.”
As part of its partnership agreement, Hilton will extend elite benefits to PTPA members who sign up to participate in Hilton Honors, offering players the best of the Hilton experience through its award-winning loyalty program.
Hilton and the PTPA will also curate exclusive experiences for Hilton Honors members centred around the biggest moments in tennis.
ANA increases European Flights – more chances for Virgin redemptions?
ANA business and first class redemptions are the holy grail of redemptions using Virgin Points. As well as being great value (although not as good as before), the airline has excellent and very large business and first-class seats. You can read our review of a first class redemption in The Suite in this article.
Now, with more frequencies being announced in Europe as well as the resumption of suspended routes, there should be more opportunities to redeem if you are flexible on where you start.
Beginning in July, ANA will increase the frequency of the Haneda-Munich and Haneda-Paris routes to daily service, followed by the resumption of the Haneda-Vienna route in August. In addition, during the 2024 winter schedule, ANA will launch the Haneda-Milan, Haneda-Stockholm and Haneda-Istanbul routes, previously postponed due to COVID-19. Further information on the new routes will be announced once finalized.
| Route | Flight | Current Plan (as of March 30) | New Plan | Remarks |
| Haneda = London | NH 211/212 | 7 roundtrips/week | 7 roundtrips/week | |
| Haneda = Paris | NH 215/216 | 3 roundtrips/week | 3 roundtrips/week
(Wed., Fri., Sun.) |
To operate daily from Jul. 1
Suspended on Jul. 26*2 |
| Haneda = Frankfurt | NH 203/204 | 7 roundtrips/week | 7 roundtrips/week | |
| Haneda = Frankfurt | NH 223/224 | 7 roundtrips/week | 7 roundtrips/week | |
| Haneda = Munich | NH 217 | 4 flights/week | 4 flights/week
(Tue., Thu., Fri., Sun.) |
To operate daily from Jul. 1 |
| Haneda = Munich | NH 218 | 4 flights/week | 4 flights/week
(Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.) |
To operate daily from Jul. 1 |
| Haneda = Vienna | NH 205 | 3 flights/week
(Mon., Thu., Sat.) |
To operate from Aug. 1 *3
To operate on Oct. 25 |
|
| Haneda = Vienna | NH 206 | 3 flights/week
(Tue., Fri., Sun.) |
To operate from Aug. 2*3
To operate on Oct. 26 |
|
| Narita = Brussels | NH 231/232 | 2 roundtrips/week | 2 roundtrips/week
(Wed., Sat.) |
- For flights departing from overseas, the dates of the implementation are the following day.
- Service will be suspended due to the closure of airspace for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
- Sales for the Haneda-Vienna route will begin on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
To redeem on Virgin Points, you will need to call up Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Seats are available for redemptions 331 days before. Note there never seems to be more than one first-class seat released per flight currently.
Here are how many points you need.
