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British Airways Holidays lower deposit to from £25pp
From now until Monday, 22 January, you can book your British Airways Holidays with a low deposit of just £25pp (down from £60pp) before paying the balance off in as many instalments as you wish. Holidays to destinations further afield can also be secured this week from just £50pp (down from £75pp).
British Airways currently has a sale on until the end of the month. Some of the best deals were for holidays, particularly if you consider the possibility of double-tier points on top. It is also a good way to buy expensive flights without having to pay for it all in one go. Even adding one night in a hotel to a flight booking makes it into a holiday, meaning that the money stays in your pocket until nearer the time. You also earn an extra 1 Avios per £1 spent.
You can find a list of all the best current BA Holidays deals in this article or use BA Holiday Finder to get a price for your holiday here.
More New Year Holiday sales launch
Barcelo up to 50% off
Barcelo has started their Blue Monday promotion with up to 40% off in destinations such as the Canary Islands, Barcelona, Andalusia, Dubai and many more. Plus, get an EXTRA 10% off using code BLUEM24.
The discount is available for Barcelo, Royal Hideaway, Dukes in Dubai and Occidental hotels. Barcelo’s hotels range from standard modern 4 stars to the more luxurious 5* spa resort Asia Gardens in Spain. I have visited the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach – Adults Only in Tenerife and was very impressed with the modern luxury hotel which features some suites with pools. You can read more in my article here.
To get the extra 10% off, you will need to be a member of My Barcelo, which is free to join.
The sale runs until January 15.
You can find the offer page here.
Bahia Principe
Bahia Principe, a resort hotel company with hotels in Spain, the Caribbean and Mexico mainly, has a good offer of up to 46% off. You have until 24 January to book and can travel until 1 December 2024.
Plus, if you’re travelling as a family, the first child is free! (depending on the season). Also, if you’re a member of My Bahia Principe, you can get an extra discount of up to 10% off and other benefits.
The rate is non-refundable, but changes are permitted.
I have stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe Sian Khan (Adults only) on the Riviera Maya and loved it. Prices there start from $98 all-inclusive per person per night, which is amazing value for a Junior Suite.
You can find the sale page here.
Marriott changes Suite Night Awards to Nightly Upgrade Awards – what’s the difference?
Marriott Bonvoy has changed the name and some of the benefits of what used to be called Suite Night Awards, which are issued to Planium members after 50 nights. I’d advise anyone with them to try to use them in Europe or Asia rather than the US as you are more likely to be successful.
Members will start to see the new name, as well as more premium rooms and suites across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio available for upgrades. The good news is that members will also be able to now use this upgrade benefit at The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Aloft, Element and Protea hotels. You will need to make sure you update the app to be able to see these.
Here are the details outlining the changes:
· Nightly Upgrade Awards will be the new name for Suite Nights Awards. Nightly Upgrade Awards are one-night confirmable upgrades to a premium room or suite. There were previously non suite rooms available so it makes sense that they change the name. A premium room could be anything from one that is newly renovated to one on a higher floor or a corner room.
· Members will be able to choose from five additional brands when redeeming their awards: The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Aloft, Element and Protea Hotels
· Nearly 20% more premium rooms and suites will be available for upgrades across all participating brands with features like oceanfront rooms, balconies, and extra space.
· Members will receive notification regarding the status of their Nightly Upgrade Awards request closer to check-in, starting three days prior to arrival.
