Today the second episode of a special two-part podcast with Barry Collins – a property developer from Eastbourne who decided to take up the SAS million-point challenge. He had to fly on 15 of the 17 SkyTeam airlines in the last few months of 2024 to learn 1,000,000 frequent flyer points. We last heard from him when, at Jakarta, a fellow frequent-flyer broke it to him that some of his flights didn't actually count ...

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On Thursday and Friday I am bringing you a special two-part podcast with Barry Collins – a property developer from Eastbourne who decided to take up the SAS million-point challenge. Fly 15 of the 17 SkyTeam airlines and you earn 1,000,000 frequent flyer points. All began well …

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As talk of a peace deal intensifies, Russia remains on the no-fly list for the UK and European Union. But many airlines from outside Europe are happy to fly to and from Moscow, St Petersburg and elsewhere – with the UAE better connected than ever, including flights on Air Arabia for only £80 one way between Abu Dhabi and Moscow. Access from the UK via Belgrade and Istanbul is easy. But be warned that the Foreign Office says Russia is a no-go zone.

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“You won’t find cheaper tickets anywhere else”: that is the remarkable pledge from rail retailer Trainline.

A poster campaign outside one of the UK’s busiest railway stations creates the impression that the market-leading ticketing firm is at least as cheap as other sources. But I have different recommendations to save money when you travel by train.

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An exclusive for you today. After five years of closure to tourists, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will receive its first Western visitors this week. As Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours has been telling me, only a small and remote region, Rason, will initially open.

NB: The Foreign Office warns against visiting North Korea.

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Mind the gap – between what train drivers on London's Elizabeth line have been offered, and what they believe they deserve. The employers have offered a 4.5% raise which would take their annual salary above £75,000, but the members of the train drivers' union, Aslef, have voted overwhelmingly to strike on four days in February and March. Are they pushing their luck?

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Network Rail wants passengers to stay safe at stations – not running for their trains – and to avoid delays to trains at London King's Cross, the hub for the East Coast main line. So it is trialling removing trains from the departures board three minutes before departure.

In response, I have been trialling how long it takes to walk from the concourse to the mysterious platform 0.

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After a trip involving six intercontinental flights, I have arrived back at Birmingham airport over an hour behind schedule. The sequence since leaving the UK two weeks ago goes: Cancelled, Late, Cancelled, Late, Late, Late.

Don't put too much store by the airlines' schedules.

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On Travel Desk Tuesday, I’m talking to Annabel Grossman, global travel editor for The Independent, about Lonely Planet’s selection of alternative romantic destinations for 14 February.

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In an unprecedented and coordinated attack, the airlines that use Heathrow airport – as well a prominent hotelier – are demanding lower charges and higher standards.

Virgin Atlantic, British Airways’ parent IAG, the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC) and the Arora hotel group say the current way that charges are set by the Civil Aviation Authority are not fit for purpose.

Heathrow says it wants a better long-term arrangement, but that expansion – in the form of a third runway – must be paid for.

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