This Week in Travel from Turning Left for Less

In the first of our new season, I will be interviewing female racing driver Abbie Eaton who started competing at aged just 15. She has won many races such as the Mazda MX5 Supercup and the GT Cup championship. She has competed in the 2021 and 2022 all female W Series alongside formula 1 in Singapore, Texas and Florida as well as European circuits. Abbie talks about how she travels with all her race gear, adapts to new time zones and also makes sure she arrives fit to race at peak fitness. She also tells me about her time being the test driver for The Grand Tour alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

This will be the last This Week in Travel until September when we will be coming back with a fresh format. If you have any suggestions about future program format or content, please let us know in the comments below. In the meantime, feel free to catch up on any episodes you have missed and follow turningleftforless.com for more regular content.   Description: In this video I will be discussing the higher tiers of Marriott and Hilton with Gold status and above. Which can you get via credit cards, which are easier to earn points and redeem them, which has the better perks and which one do I prefer? I hold Marriott Platinum and Hilton Diamond and stay at both chains regularly.   Links:  World of Hyatt/MGM https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/landing/mgm-rewards-update.html Amex Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Amex: https://youtu.be/DljlItYEFx8 Hilton full article: https://www.turningleftforless.com/hilton-honors/ Hilton Status Match: https://www.hiltonhonors.com/en_US/status-match/landing Marriott full article: https://www.turningleftforless.com/is-marriott-bonvoy-the-right-hotel-loyalty-programme-for-you-one-of-the-best-for-luxury-travellers/  

British Airways have changed the terms and conditions of their double tier point offers. Find out what the changes are, do they affect your bookings and ways round them. Also how do you book Avios flights on airlines other than BA? Links: https://www.turningleftforless.com/beginners-guide-spending-avios-part-1/ Double TP T&C https://www.turningleftforless.com/breaking-british-airways-holidays-changes-the-rules-on-double-tier-point-promotion/ https://www.turningleftforless.com/redeeming-avios-on-other-airlines-aa-qatar-etc-how-to-do-it-the-new-prices/ Vueling Club: https://www.avios.com/es/en/join-avios

If you are unsure of all the rules about retaining your BA status or don’t know what a soft landing is then this is for you. I will also take a look at the best options to maintain your status cheaply. All fares are business class unless stated.   Links: Learn more about the BA Executive Club in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rMNw42QPUA&list=PLAJhZqbxo2iXn6aIrRztc2lMiZ9bzL_0K&index=2&t=33s   Luxembourg tier point break https://www.turningleftforless.com/tier-point-breaks-luxembourg/   Catania tier point break https://www.turningleftforless.com/tier-point-breaks-catania-sicily/   Avis status with BA https://www.turningleftforless.com/news-british-airways-offer-avis-status-for-exceutive-club-members-and-1000-avios-bonus/   BA Low fare finder https://www.turningleftforless.com/suggests/ba-low-fare-finder-phg/   160 tier point routes https://www.turningleftforless.com/best-british-airways-tier-points-runs-including-december-for-the-25-reduction/   Double tier points https://www.turningleftforless.com/offers-british-airways-holidays-extends-double-tier-points-and-winter-hilton-sale-starts/

This week I have been in the Arctic Circle to celebrate Finnair’s new route to Bodø in Norway. It’s a great time to visit Norway as the NOK is very weak against the British pound meaning prices for many things are less than the UK. Hotels outside of Oslo are also great value. I then took a train journey down to Trondheim that cost just £45 in first class and was absolutely breathtaking. I took hundreds of photos of the snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, lakes and fjords that we passed. Trondheim is a larger city than Bodo with no less than three Michelin star restaurants and a beautiful Grand Dame of a hotel – the 5* Britannia.  Finnair are increasing their frequency to Trondheim this summer so I flew back to London via Helsinki with Finnair.   Here are all the links you need: RIB-boat from the waterfront to Saltstraumen – the world’s strongest maelstrom Stone age visit and lunch at Tuvsjyen Climbing at Bratten via Ferrata, Bodø’s newest attraction Hike to Keiservarden – Bodø’s city mountain Kjerringøy, one of the Nordland county’s prettiest villages, surrounded by high mountain peaks and a beautiful coastline. Kjerringøy Trading Post - Norway’s best preserved trading post Red sand beach of Mjelle Radisson Blu Hotel Bodo Craig Alibone Champagnerie & Patisserie Pust Sauna, to experience a traditional sauna on the Norwegian Sea LystPå restaurant Minimum Collection Time Credit Cards Britannia hotel(part of Leading Hotels of the World)  and Spielsalen restaurant Trondheim: https://britannia.no/en You can get extra perks by booking through our luxury travel agent partners GTC https://www.turningleftforless.com/booking-enquiry/ Radisson Blu Royal Garden Trondheim Finnair flight reviews: https://www.turningleftforless.com/reviews/flight-reviews/

If you enjoy a tipple onboard your British Airways flight, then this one is for you. I chat to British Airways’ own Master of Wine Tim Jackson about how he chooses wine for Club World and First, what we can expect to be sipping in the next few months onboard and an update on cocktails and spirits.    You can find out more about luxury travel for less on our main website: www.turningleftforless.com TLFL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turningleftf... TLFL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningleft... TLFL Twitter: https://twitter.com/turningleftfor   Cape Town episode: https://youtu.be/CFioU6S1qhk

If you have been interested in visiting Palm Sorings then this week is for you. I chat to TV presenter Patrick Hoy about his love for the city and his top tips for visiting as well as adding in my own experience in how to get there, where to stay and what to do. Hotels:  1. The Sand - https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Hotel_Review-g32523-d13913281-Reviews-Sands_Hotel_and_Spa-Indian_Wells_Greater_Palm_Springs_California.html The Twist Palm Springs - https://thetwistps.com Restaurants:  Spencer's restaurant - https://www.spencersrestaurant.com/ Copley's - https://www.copleyspalmsprings.com/ The Tropicale Restaurant: http://www.thetropicale.com/ Wilma and Frieda - https://wilmafrieda.com/ Bars: The Paul Bar - https://www.thepaulbarps.com/ Tailor Shopps - https://www.tailorshopps.com/ The Parker Bar - https://thetasteedit.com/the-parker-palm-springs-secret-wine-bar/  Other Links: 1. https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/ 2. https://www.gpsmycity.com/ 3. https://www.amtrak.com/home Book now using GTC: https://www.turningleftforless.com/booking-enquiry/

Want to choose a new suitcase or hand luggage wheelie bag but not sure where to start? I talk about what luggage I use as a frequent traveller that looks good, is practical and last well. As well as others that I have tested over the years. And of course, how to get the bag you want cheaper! Links: This is the previous version of the Samsonite suitcase that I had until recently and it’s a bit cheaper. It’s pretty much exactly the same as the newer version except the mouldings. https://amzn.to/3INMkEo Current C Lite: https://www.samsonite.co.uk/c-lite-spinner-81cm--black/122862-1041.html Comparison of hand luggage including Away and Tumi: https://www.turningleftforless.com/luggagereviewtumiawaysamsonite/ Level 8 reviews: https://www.turningleftforless.com/luggage-review-level-8-carry-on-and-medium-suitcase-black-friday-sale-and-chance-to-win-luggage/ Level 8 Road runner hand luggage: https://amzn.to/3MKtVcT

Want to know how you can travel with ease, get great deals, and find all the inside information about your flight before even the airline tells you? Or perhaps you struggle to find reward flights on Miles or Avios. This week I’ll take a look at the apps I use when travelling and how to get the best out of them. BA Concorde Room T3? https://www.turningleftforless.com/news-offers-ba-to-open-concorde-room-at-t3-uk-us-business-class-from-1066-and-emirates-free-wifi-for-all/ Finnair Super Light fares and baggage changes for business class: https://www.turningleftforless.com/news-finnair-negative-changes-to-baggage-allowances-redemptions-and-seat-selection-on-most-fares/ https://www.turningleftforless.com/news-offers-clarification-on-ba-and-oneworld-status-holders-on-finnair-new-policies-and-business-class-to-us-and-beyond-from-1202/ Trip it: https://www.tripit.com/web Expert Flyer: https://www.expertflyer.com/ Get Transfer: https://gettransfer.com/en Get your guide: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/getyourguide-tours-tickets/id705079381 Reward flight finder: https://www.turningleftforless.com/suggests/reward-flight-finder-3/ Seat spy: https://www.seatspy.com/

Heard about mistake fares but don’t really know the full details or too scared to buy one? This episode looks at how to find them and the risks of buying. I also look at the main ways to buy hotel status from credit cards to clubs.    Founders Card   Hilton Honors Gold Benefits    Marriott Gold Benefits   Melia Gold benefits   Radisson Rewards   Accor Voyageur    We've also covered a lot about credit cards in the last episode where you can start collecting Avios, miles and points. You can watch it here  or listen to the podcast here.