Hi, I’m Richard — a travel enthusiast from the UK with a passion for making premium travel accessible to everyone.

My journey into the world of points and miles started with a single, unforgettable experience: a friend used his air miles to book me into a business class seat on a long-haul flight. That moment changed everything. The lie-flat bed, the food, the service — I was hooked. I knew I had to figure out how to do this myself.

Since then, I’ve spent countless hours learning the ins and outs of loyalty programmes, credit card rewards, and the best ways to maximise every point and mile. By day I work in IT, but in my spare time you’ll find me planning the next adventure — or figuring out how to pay as little as possible for it.

What Boarding First covers:

• Collecting and spending Avios — the UK’s most versatile travel currency
• Getting the most from American Express cards and their reward schemes
• Hotel loyalty programmes and how to earn free nights
• Real trip reports and honest reviews from a UK perspective

Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into the points hobby, there’s something here for you. Welcome aboard.