Do you want to fly first class around the world and stay in 5-star hotels for next to nothing? In an insightful interview with fellow frequent flyer Mark interviews professional Avios point collector, savvy travellor and property developer Ian Walmsley. Mark and Ian share with you the tips and tricks to collecting travel points, the best cards to use and how to collect a number of rewards simply by knowing which cards and services to use. Take a trip into Mark and Ian’s wallets and hear first hand which cards they use to travel first class around the world. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

 

Where are you redeeming the most points? 

For earning for points I will use the American Express Platinum card. The annual rate is £575 per year but you will earn that back during the year. This card earns you 1 membership point per pound spent which can be exchanged for flights on BA, Virgin Miles and a range of hotels, you also get travel insurance around the globe and premium car hire insurance. For every pound that you spend on the American Express card transfers to 1.5 Hilton points and additionally and for every 5 nights that you stay gives you get one night free. 

 

Where do you pick up the tips and tricks? 

I pick up a lot of information from blogs and sites and quite often read non-English blogs to pick up some great deals. It’s also worth setting up Google alerts to notify you when certain sites post offers and deals. 

 

British Airways Platinum Plus Card 

Only generates British Airways points at  1.5 Avios points per pound spent. The biggest benefit of this card is that when you spend £10,000 per year you get a companion voucher each year which allows you to get 2-4-1 on travel fair. If you and your partner both have these cards and spend regularly you can get two companion vouchers meaning you will get 4 return flights for the price of 2 in business or first class. For long-term spending, this is the best card you can get.  

 

The Curve Card 

Where credit cards are not accepted you can use the Curve card and re-charge those payments to a visa or MasterCard. You will also pay zero foreign exchange fees while abroad. You can use this to re-charge to the Virgin visa card and as systems recognise the curve card as a debit you can pay for government services with the HMRC with your card. A lot of people are paying taxes and earning points through the Curve card.   

 

BEST MOMENTS 

“I’ve been collecting originally air miles before they were Avios for over 15 years.” 

“I like to save money” 

“Since air miles became Avios and it came online, I’ve been able to save a lot more and now I frequently use them to fly around the world” 

“I got around a million Avios points at the moment” 

“I got a trip to the Maldives in the Waldorf that hotel should of cost me 20K and I got it for 2K” 

“The Hilton is probably the best hotel scheme for mid-range members. It’s the only scheme that includes breakfast and more benefits.” 

“The majority of people don’t actually know how easy it is fly first-class and get these trips for next to nothing. Essential we’re just playing the game.” 

“HSBC and Virgin cards are good for visa spending.” 

“The Virgin credit card is the best credit for collecting points” 

“When your window opens up you’ll quickly be able to see what you’ll be able to book.” 

VALUABLE RESOURCES 

https://jacksflightclub.com/ 

https://www.headforpoints.com/ 

https://rewardflightfinder.com/ 

https://awardwallet.com/ 

 

ABOUT THE HOST 
Mark Homer is an entrepreneur investor.  He has worked with investment since he was 15 years old using the laws of wealth! He is a spreadsheet analyst with an impressive following from major publications including BBC Radio, The Wall Street Journal, The Independent, and co-authoring the UK’s best-selling property books.  Mark has always looked for the best investment vehicle, and at the end of 2007 with Rob Moore the co-founder of Progressive Property his joint portfolio produced more profit than any of the other investments he’d tried in the last ten years, combined.  

CONTACT METHOD 

• Email: [email protected]  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhomer1  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markprogressive  
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/markprogressive  

ABOUT THE GUEST 
Ian Walmsley is a professional Avios point collector and savvy frequent flyer along with Ian’s travel geek and planning geek hats he is a professional property developer and owner of South East property company Leading Homes.  

 

 

 

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