Dr Joe McAleer, the Connecticut-based historian, writer and Blue Executive Club Member, shares his travel plans and secret escapes, as well as tips on earning Avios

Why did you join the Executive Club?
I was a frequent traveller on BA back in 1991, so it was a logical way to show support of my favourite airline while collecting air miles (now Avios).

How do you spend your Avios?
Avios are great for free flights or upgrades. They’re also useful for US flights on American Airlines – BA’s oneworld partner – to places like San Francisco.

Do you travel mostly for business or leisure?
Mostly business, to London, but I always try to add on time for leisure – a quick trip to Edinburgh or Paris.

Where was your most memorable trip?
I went to Moscow in 2010 for Orthodox Christmas. I wanted to experience the winter as described in Doctor Zhivago. It certainly was memorable – and probably the coldest I’ve ever been.

Where’s next on your list?
Two very different book projects will bring me to London and Rome. One is a biography of an English war correspondent during the First World War, the other a book about the Vatican.

What are your recommendations for your hometown?
Stamford, Connecticut has a beautiful coastline and a vibrant nightlife. Don’t miss Columbus Park Trattoria for superb Italian dishes from Puglia.

Describe your Perfect Day…
There’s no finer place than Paris, with good friends. I’d rise early, pay my respects at Notre Dame, tour the Louvre, then stroll the St Germain quarter. In the evening, cocktails at Le Meurice then dinner at Le Tastevin.

Which place would you like to be kept secret?
Hawthornden Castle, about 10 miles south of Edinburgh in the foothills of the Pentlands. I was once the administrator of a writers’ retreat there. Tucked away in its own glen, the pink sandstone pile is perched on a cliff above a raging river. It is tranquil and inspiring – the ideal place to think big and write bigger.

Do you have any extra tips on earning Avios?
Apply for a British Airways co-branded card to earn Avios on every purchase. And watch for special offers from BA to earn double and triple Avios.

What do you enjoy most about flying with British Airways?
It’s that special feeling of being part of a club with a rich flying tradition. From check-in and the lounges to being on board, you are guaranteed superior service. Flying is a pleasure, never a chore – how it should be.

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This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips