NEWS & OFFERS: Etihad Expanding in Asia, 5,000 Bonus Virgin Points & Pop-Up Global Entry

Etihad Expanding Network Across Asia

In an interesting move, Etihad have announced that they will be expanding their Asian network. With more flights to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket. Including the use of their A380 to Singapore from 2025 which has its impressive three room “The Residence”. 

As we have reported already this year Etihad unusually have had quite a few very attractive sale fares. It feels very much like they are wanting to compete on the Europe to Asia market that Qatar has been so prominent in for the past few years. 

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: We are thrilled to announce that our iconic A380 aircraft will begin serving the Singapore route early next year.

This aircraft provides our business and leisure travellers with an exceptional flying experience and seamless connections to our Middle East, European, and North American networks. It highlights Etihad’s dedication to optimising travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond, ensuring more convenience and comfort for our guests.

We will have our sixth A380 online next year as we build our capacity further to cater for the travel needs of our guests.

The new flight schedule is below and can be found on Etihad here.

Singapore Flight Schedule – All times local. From 01 February 2025

Bangkok Flight Schedule – All times local. From 27 October 2024

Phuket Flight Schedule – All times local. From 27 October 2024

If you’re only ever used to flying British Airways but are tempted by Etihad you can see a previous article where we compared the two here. 

5,000 Bonus Virgin Points

Virgin Red has brought back an offer from June, in which they are rewarding members with 5,000 bonus Virgin Points when they sign up to auto-exchange their Tesco Clubcard points into Virgin Points for the first time until 17 October 2024. This means Tesco Clubcard points are automatically converted into Virgin Points with each quarterly Clubcard statement.

Virgin Red members who turn Tesco Clubcard points into Virgin Points will get 2x the points value, so members can make their money go further. Tesco Clubcard holders can sign up to Virgin Red for free and start earning Virgin Points straight away when shopping at Tesco.

To set up auto-conversion: 

• Sign into your Tesco Clubcard account here
• Scroll down and select the “Vouchers Scheme” page
• On the final page, select the “Virgin Points” box

To then request your Virgin Points, sign into your Clubcard account, go to ‘My Points’, and select ‘Request Virgin Points’.

Members must have 250 Clubcard points in their account on 17 October to qualify for the bonus points.  

You can find all the information on the Tesco Clubcard page here.

Virgin Points can be spent across hundreds of rewards on Virgin Red such as flights with Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Experience Days, cruises with Virgin Voyages and discounts on train travel with Virgin Trains Ticketing.  

The bonus 5,000 Virgin Points could get you £25 Virgin Experience Days or Virgin Wines vouchers, £25 off your next train ticket with Virgin Trains Ticketing and more on Virgin Red.

For more information on how to use your Virgin Points, visit here.

Pop-up Global Entry Enrolment Interview Locations

If you are conditionally approved for Global Entry and are waiting to do your interview on arrival but don’t have any trips to the US lined up then this might be handy for you. 

CBP are hosting a special enrolment event in Switzerland starting tomorrow (12th August) and running until Friday 16th August. 

At the time of writing, there are appointments available. 

• Zurich, Switzerland: on Monday 12th Aug to Thursday 15th Aug 2024.
• Bern, Switzerland: Friday 16th Aug 2024.

To book your appointment you will have to log into your TTP account and select “schedule interview” which will show you all available locations, dates and times. 

You can find out more about Global Entry here.