Discover the glamour of the Far East with British Airways Holidays

BA PEOPLE • August 2016

The Gurus

Claire Bentley, managing director of British Airways Holidays, shares her tips for getting more from your next trip to the Far East

What’s new from British Airways Holidays?
We’ve launched a tailor-made service on ba.com that allows customers to create a multi-destination holiday with total flexibility to combine flights in and out of different airports, book multiple hotels and select car hire for any part of their holiday.

We’re excited about what this means for customers visiting the Far East. You can now enjoy a city and beach break by stopping off in both Bangkok and Koh Samui, or combine cities to see Tokyo and Singapore in one trip.

Where in the Far East does BA fly?
Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai and Beijing – to name just a few. We also resumed direct flights to Kuala Lumpur last year. For the full list of destinations, visit ba.com.

Which destinations can I combine for the trip of a lifetime?
For something really special, combine Asia and Australia. Fly to Sydney before heading to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, then fly to Hong Kong before returning to London.

Any hotel recommendations?
If you’re planning a city break, Raffles Singapore is seen as the place to stay in Singapore. Try its famous Singapore Sling cocktail and mix with celebrities and royalty. The Langham in Hong Kong is another luxurious option. Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, close to popular attractions, it’s one of the city’s original grand hotels.

Parallax
For something “really special”, Claire recommends combining a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with a city break in Hong Kong

If you’re beach-bound, try the Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia. This award-winning, family-friendly hotel is in Emerald Bay – one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, surrounded by rainforest. In Thailand, consider The Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui. It’s great for families and there are spectacular views of the surrounding islands.

Alternatively, The Pavilions in Phuket is an exclusive, elegant and child-free resort, perfect for a romantic retreat. There’s a good restaurant and must-visit bar, plus the thrills of Phuket on your doorstep.                 

When is the best time to book?
Our holidays go on sale 350 days in advance, so you can easily plan ahead. Book early to reserve your spot and choose to pay by deposit to spread the cost.

Can I earn Avios on my multi-centre holiday?  
Yes. As a member of the Executive Club you will earn at a rate of two Avios per £1 spent on a BA Holidays trip. Customers with a BA American Express credit card can also earn one Avios for every £1 spent, and 9,000 bonus Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first three months of joining.

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