Langham Hospitality Group has announced the launch ofBrilliant by
Langham,
a new loyalty platform designed to meet the dynamic and evolving needs of its guests.
Similar to both Accor Live Limitless and Marriott Bonvoy, the new program will reward members with not only stays, but also
curated experiences.
Beyond traditional perks, Brilliant additionally allows for the introduction of personalised experiential offerings, from whimsical
excursions and cultural immersions to unforgettable wellness and culinary delights. Examples of such offerings are said to include:
Private cooking lessons and dinners with celebrity chefs
Behind-the-scenes dance and musical performance encounters
Nature walks with guided mindfulness sessions
Off-the-beaten-path tours hosted by local guides
Traditional crafting workshops with seasoned artisans
Themed tea parties in picturesque locations
Brilliant will go live on 29th February 2024 and thereafter serve as Langham sole loyalty program.
It replaces the group’s existing loyalty programs, Langham Supper Club and 1865 Privilege by Langham, both of which will cease to operate on
28th February.
Members from the closing programs will have their past loyalty rewarded with an invitation to join Brilliant at higher starting membership
tiers.
Analysis of the new Brilliant program will follow, once the T&C's have been released.
Qatar Airways Holidays launch fan packages for the Formula 1
Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced on 19 February the
launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship.
The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences.
From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1 Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all
global races (excluding Qatar).
Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1.
Similar to the inaugural packages, this year’s fan packages include an array of flexible and competitively priced options for select
F1® 2024 race destinations.
This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring
savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages.
One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the
pinnacle of F1® hospitality.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club members
In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards
future travel and experiences while helping them retain and quickly reach their next tier.
Members can also purchase their package using Cash + Avios.
Alternatively, members can bid for the packages using Avios. How will the Formula 1 deals work?
Packages have been secured for the following races:
Melbourne Grand Prix, 24th March (now open for bidding)
Miami Grand Prix, 5th May
Monaco Grand Prix, 26th May
British Grand Prix, 7th July
Las Vegas Grand Prix, 24th November
Qatar Grand Prix, 1st December
The Privilege Club Collection website is only open for bidding on the Melbourne Grand Prix at the moment, so we don’t know exactly what will
be available for each race.
However, each package will include two Paddock Club™ VIP passes and hotel accommodationfor the entire
race period, usually three days.
Paddock Club is the highest level of hospitality available and includes track tours and pit lane walks.
How can you bid for Privilege Club experiences?
Privilege Club Collection will eventually have a mix of ‘buy it now’ and auction experiences, although everything currently listed is for
auction.
Here are two very important points to note:
(1) You must have Avios in a Qatar Airways Privilege Club account before you can bid. It is NOT good enough to have
Avios in say a British Airways Executive Club account which is linked to your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account. You must have physically
moved Avios across to your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account.
(One snag here is that you can’t use the entire balance of a British Airways Executive Club household account to bid. The only Avios you can
move into a Qatar Airways Privilege Club account are those in your own personal account. If you have 200,000 Avios and your
partner has 50,000 Avios to give you a household balance of 150,000 Avios, the most you could use to bid for a single Privilege Club
Collection auction is 200,000 – ie your own balance.)
(2) You must have enough Avios in your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account to match your maximum bid. You cannot bid
more than your current Avios balance, and you cannot set a future auto-bid which is higher than your balance. Transfers are free, instant
and can be reversed at any time.
Travellers passing through Melbourne Airport can now access short stays with use of amentities.
Travellers passing through Melbourne Airport, Australia’s busiest 24/7 hub, now have instant access to hourly hotel stays.
Following it's recent refurbishment, the PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport, the only hotel connected to the domestic and international terminals via a sky-bridge, is now offering short-stay hourly accommodation..
Bookable online or by phone, short stays at the hotel are available in three, five and eight-hour blocks, from $109, $119 and
$149 respectively
– significantly less than rooms at nightly rates.
Whether it’s to catch up on some sleep, freshen up or just chill for a few hours, travellers can access newly refurbished rooms with city
or airport views, a 24-hour gymnasium, heated indoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room.
Other amenities include the modern Australian restaurant, Airo, the casual Airo Café for coffee and light snacks, and Airo Bar for boutique
beers, regional wines and specialty cocktails (and no doubt conversation with fellow flyers).
The suites and family rooms are a great idea for families travelling at hours that little ones do not cope well with, or after long
international flights with broken sleep, enabling you to refresh prior to moving on more refreshed.
A room at the PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport
Bali imposes tourist tax from Valentines Day 2024
A tourist tax of 150,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approx GBP 8 or USD 12) oer person has been introduced for foreign travellers to Bali effective
from 14 February 2024..
The levy aims to raise funds to protect the culture and natural environment of the Indonesian island.
A ‘Love Bali’ initiative by the island’s provincial government has created a development plan to be funded by the tax.
“The goal is to preserve the integrity and balance of Bali’s nature, its people, and their culture,” a statement said.
“As a form of support that aims to protect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people, Bali will
impose [a] levy for the international tourist.
“Efforts and innovations will continue to be made for maintenance the culture and the natural environment in Bali. There will also continue
to be an improvement in the quality of services.”
The levy is described “as a form of support, towards the efforts to preserve the nature and culture of Bali”.
It comes as the regional authority continues to make “various progressive efforts and innovations related to improving Bali’s quality of the
nature and culture through preservation, conservation and revitalisation.”
The proceeds will also go towards improving “the quality of services, safety, and comfort of tourists, by developing land, sea and air
infrastructure in an integrated and connected manner”.
Payment can be made online or on arrival at designated payment counters at Bali’s airport and seaport.
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T&C's apply
Top Tips For Travellers' Health
There’s an ever-expanding body of scientific evidence that (whether behind a desk at work or during a long plane trip or
train ride), being seated for prolonged periods can be harmful. We provide tips to boost your health and reduce the
harmful impact on your body while travelling.