Software consultant Francis McLaughlan, from Edinburgh, has turned travel from a chore into a hobby. He tells The Club about ticking off his bucket list, surprising destinations and getting the most out of his Avios

What are your tips for making travel more pleasurable?
People think travelling is a chore - especially travelling regularly, but I have found that by using same airline, and making sure it’s in theoneworld alliance, regular travel becomes easy. I particularly enjoy priority check-in and fast-track boarding.

Where was your most memorable trip?
As a child I dreamed of going to Australia in style. So when I turned 40, I flew First on a BA Airbus A380 to Singapore. I spent my birthday at Raffles Singapore before flying to Sydney and Melbourne where I visited Taronga Zoo and drank wine in Yarra Valley.

Where do you go when you want to escape Edinburgh?
A lot of city breaks. I'm going to Valencia very soon, then Basel, Hamburg and San Diego. I enjoy experiencing new culture: I watch a lot of theatre in Europe and am a big foodie.

Has anywhere taken you by surprise?
A few years ago, I visited St Lucia. I found a great deal and used Avios to keep the flight costs down. When we arrived on the island we were met by a helicopter and treated to a private flight before landing in our resort. I’ll never forget it.

What’s the best thing about being an Executive Club Member?
I’m a Gold card holder and have a British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card, so over the past twelve years I’ve been awarded two return tickets to anywhere of my choosing [as part of the American Express Companion Voucher scheme]. That is a fantastic benefit. There are also benefits at whichever airport I fly from – the concierge service is useful and I enjoy spending time in the lounges.  

What’s your top tip for collecting and spending Avios?
I use my BA Amex credit card for business and leisure, as it helps top up your Avios when you’re not travelling. For a person starting out, upgrading to premium cabins is the best way to spend your Avios. I’m often surprised by the difference in price between World Traveller and Club – it’s usually not as much as you’d think.

To discover the benefits of being part of the Executive Club, click here

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips