Success: excellent Scandic Hotels redemption via Finnair

Following up on the Preferred Hotels Titanium match topic: The Thief took care of the first two nights, and it’s time for a change of scenery. When people think about hotel loyalty programmes in the Nordics, Choice is usually the first name that comes to mind. After multiple rounds of devaluations, though, it’s no longer quite the bargain it once was.

Instead, here’s another excellent sweet spot that we’ve mentioned before: redeeming Scandic hotel vouchers through Finnair Plus using Avios.A quick recap:

• Two voucher types are available depending on the hotel category
• Basic: €74.42 + 500 Avios (promo code: VOY)
• Premium: €114.40 + 500 Avios (promo code: VOFINN)
• No deposit required and free cancellation
• The voucher must be printed and presented at check-in
• Breakfast for two is included (except Germany and Poland)

There are several cash-and-Avios combinations available, but the cheapest option is generally the one requiring just 500 Avios. Apart from nine luxury properties, every other Scandic hotel can be booked using the Basic voucher.

Anyone who’s travelled in the Nordics, especially Norway, knows how painfully expensive hotel rates can be, which makes these vouchers exceptionally good value.

For this trip, I redeemed a voucher for Scandic Byporten in central Oslo. The cheapest room without breakfast was selling for well over €250, meaning I got more 30p value per Avios! Unfortunately, the more upscale Grand Hotel Oslo had no availability. Otherwise, I definitely would have taken the opportunity to give it a try.

The voucher is valid for six months and is in your name.