On this page, you’ll find links to the very best how-to guides and popular articles that have appeared on Tricks of the Trade.
If you’re new to the world of British Airways Avios, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles, hotel loyalty schemes or miles & points in general, this page is where you should start.
General travel & loyalty schemes
A beginners guide to frequent flyer programs aka airline miles & points
Introduction to hotel loyalty programs
Airline miles v hotel points – which should you be collecting?
The ultimate UK travel hacking glossary
How to fly the world’s best First Class cabins using miles
How to save £100’s on your flights
Fifth freedom flights – how to try business and first class ‘on the cheap’
How to get £60 of ‘free’ food and drink at Gatwick Airport
How to avoid the Dynamic Currency Conversion ‘scam’ when spending abroad
When do hotel points expire and how to reset their expiry date
When do airline miles expire and how to reset their expiry date
British Airways – Avios
A beginners guide to collecting Avios points
Everything you need to know about British Airways Tier Points and elite status
How to ‘buy’ cheap Avios points
When does British Airways release Avios reward flights and how to book them
How to fly BA First Class for £55 return using Reward Flight Saver
British Airways Avios v Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles – which is best?
Everything you need to know about the BA 2-4-1 companion voucher
The best ways to use 125,000 Avios and a BA 2-4-1 companion voucher
Planning on earning a BA 2-4-1 voucher? The free BA Amex isn’t for you
Five of the best ways to use your Avios without paying heavy taxes
Collect at least 3,000 Avios at Heathrow [2019]
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles
Everything you need to know about Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles
When should you be using Virgin miles instead of Avios points?
How to reserve Virgin Atlantic flights without enough miles in your account?
The Virgin Miles Booster explained – a good way to buy miles cheaply
How to convert Virgin Atlantic miles to BA Avios (and why it’s not a great idea)
How to convert Virgin Atlantic miles to Hilton or IHG hotel points + is it ever worth it?
Credit Cards
Which UK credit cards give free airport lounge access
New American Express sign-up bonus rules
Everything you need to know about American Express Membership Rewards points
Amex Gold v Amex Platinum – which is the better card?
What’s the best card to use abroad?
Curve Card removes foreign exchange fees – now a must-have in your wallet
What are the best alternatives to Amex for earning Avios/Virgin miles in the UK?
Luxury Locations