Rare Business Class Avios Availability to Australia in May/June 2027

We’ve spotted some excellent British Airways Business Class Avios reward flight availability from London to Australia for May and June 2027, something that’s rarely seen on one of the most sought-after redemption routes in the network.

Australia is typically a destination where you need to book as soon as reward seats are released, 355 days before departure, so seeing this much availability many months later is highly unusual. There is currently plenty of Economy availability to Melbourne throughout April and May too, with a good amount of Premium Economy and Business Class availability also showing in May and June.

The Melbourne flights route via Kuala Lumpur and currently price at 110,000 Avios + £340 return in Economy, 253,000 Avios + £610 return in Premium Economy and 374,000 Avios + £899 return in Business Class. While Business Class availability for return journeys is more limited than the outbound flights, there are still opportunities available for those with some flexibility.

We’re also seeing availability to Sydney, which suggests this may not be limited to just one Australian destination. It’s well worth having a search across other destinations in the region too, as there may be additional reward seats available that haven’t yet been widely spotted.

If Australia has been on your Avios wish list, now is a great time to search. Reward availability to Australia is rarely this generous, especially in the premium cabins, and we wouldn’t expect it to last for long once word starts to spread.

Check Avios availability here. 

Marriott Expands With 16 New Design Hotels Properties Across The US

Marriott Bonvoy members will soon have 16 new boutique hotels to choose from after independent hospitality group Palisociety joined Marriott’s Design Hotels collection. The move means travellers will be able to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at a range of highly regarded properties across California and the US.

The portfolio includes several popular California hotels, such as Palihotel Palm Springs, Le Petit Pali Laguna Beach, Le Petit Pali St. Helena in Napa Valley, Silver Lake Pool & Inn in Los Angeles and the recently opened Hôtel Lili Beverly Hills. Other additions include properties in Seattle, San Francisco, Albuquerque, Memphis and Wilmington.

For Marriott Bonvoy members, this is particularly good news as many of these hotels are known for their distinctive design and boutique feel, offering an alternative to the larger chain hotels that typically dominate loyalty programmes.

There is one catch. As with other Design Hotels properties, elite benefits will be limited. While members will be able to earn and redeem points and receive elite night credits, benefits such as complimentary breakfast, lounge access and Suite Night Awards generally do not apply at Design Hotels.

Palisociety was founded in Los Angeles and has built a loyal following thanks to its collection of design-led hotels under brands including Palihouse, Palihotel, Le Petit Pali and ARRIVE. The company says joining Design Hotels will allow it to reach Marriott’s huge customer base while maintaining its independent character.

The hotels are expected to become bookable through Marriott Bonvoy from 22 June, with properties being added in stages over the following weeks. If you’ve been looking for a more boutique way to spend your Bonvoy points, this could be one of the most interesting additions to the programme in recent years.

IHG One Rewards Launches New 100% Bonus On Purchased Points

IHG One Rewards has launched a new promotion offering members up to a 100% bonus when purchasing points, allowing you to buy points for as little as 0.5 US cents (around 0.37p) each. The offer runs until 16 July 2026 and is one of the most generous promotions the programme regularly offers.

With the maximum bonus, every point you buy is effectively doubled. While we generally don’t recommend buying points speculatively, these promotions can make sense if you have a specific redemption in mind.

One example is the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. On a sample date, an Overwater Pool Villa with Club Benefits was available for 205,142 IHG One Rewards points per night or $1,397 (£1,020) including taxes and fees. Buying the required points during the current promotion would cost approximately $1,026 (£750), representing a saving of around $370 (£270) compared to paying the cash rate.

Of course, not every redemption will offer this level of value. IHG uses dynamic pricing, meaning the number of points required generally rises and falls alongside cash rates. Before purchasing points, it’s always worth comparing the cost of buying the points against the cash price of the hotel.

If you have a particular IHG redemption in mind, this latest 100% bonus promotion is worth a look. Just make sure you run the numbers first, as the best value comes from buying points for a specific booking rather than building up a balance speculatively.

You can buy your IHG points here.