Airlines, points and real journeys
Flights
How I book flights, use Avios and companion vouchers, choose when to pay cash, and deal with the occasions when the journey does not go to plan.
Explore the flight section
The flight content is split by the decision or experience rather than by airline alone.
Points and vouchersFlight redemptions →Real Avios bookings, Companion Vouchers, Reward Flight Saver and points-versus-cash decisions.
On boardFlight experiences →Cabins, seats, upgrades and flights where the product or journey is genuinely worth reviewing.
When plans changeWhen flights go wrong →Missed connections, overbooking, diversions and the practical lessons that came out of them.
Before you bookBooking & planning →Separate tickets, protected connections, seat selection and other choices that can materially change a trip.
On boardFlight experiences →Cabins, seats, upgrades and flights where the product or journey is genuinely worth reviewing.
When plans changeWhen flights go wrong →Missed connections, overbooking, diversions and the practical lessons that came out of them.
Before you bookBooking & planning →Separate tickets, protected connections, seat selection and other choices that can materially change a trip.
When flights go wrong
We volunteered to be bumped from BA108 in Dubai →Why I would do it again – but only after getting the compensation agreement in writing.
India & Goa: the missed connection that changed how I book flights →A four-hour domestic delay, a missed flight home and the risk of separate-ticket same-day connections.
Southern Spain: when the return from Gibraltar changed →A weather-disrupted return journey and another example of why the journey home matters in trip planning.
India & Goa: the missed connection that changed how I book flights →A four-hour domestic delay, a missed flight home and the risk of separate-ticket same-day connections.
Southern Spain: when the return from Gibraltar changed →A weather-disrupted return journey and another example of why the journey home matters in trip planning.
Flight experiences
Flights where there is something genuinely useful to review: a notable cabin, seat, upgrade, aircraft, redemption or service experience.
Booking & planning
The practical guides here will cover decisions such as separate versus protected tickets, connection buffers, seat selection, when Avios make sense and what to confirm in writing when an airline asks you to change your plans.
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Flight redemptions, airline experiences, disruptions and practical booking lessons.