Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Friday!

Today we have something a little different. Before we get into the usual deals and reviews, I want to make sure you know about the free webinar first!

Here's what's inside today's post:

We're thrilled to announce the return of our live webinars! After such a great response last year, we're bringing them back. Join Dan and Marie for a free 45-minute session on the exact points and miles system for booking premium cabins, no credit card required.

📅 Sunday, July 12 · 12:00 PM CET (2:00 PM Dubai, 5:00 PM Bangkok, 8:00 PM Sydney)

You'll learn:

Plus, one lucky attendee will be selected for a personal 1:1 session with our team to find the best options for their upcoming trip.

Only 100 spots available — these filled up fast last time, so grab yours before they're gone.

Dan and Oskar's latest video is the third hotel review from their Bali series, and this time they stayed at Alila Villas Uluwatu.

This hotel has been on luxury travel lists for years. Built on the cliffs of Uluwatu, with huge private pool villas, dramatic ocean views, and that very calm, minimalist atmosphere.

The beginning of the stay sounds almost impossible to beat. They arrive at check-in and immediately get a complimentary welcome massage. Not a welcome drink, not a cold towel. A proper five-minute head and shoulder massage. That is the kind of small, unnecessary luxury that people remember. Before they even see their villa, the hotel has already changed the mood.

The villa itself also looks incredible: private pool, outdoor shower, huge bathtub, large indoor-outdoor living space, and those massive doors that open up so the room feels connected to the garden and pool.

The average nightly rate is around $845, ranging from the low $700s to over $1,000 depending on dates. At that level, it is not enough for a hotel to just look beautiful. The service, maintenance, dining, and details all need to match the price.

The positives are very clear: the arrival experience, the cliffside setting, the villa design, the bed, and the breakfast. The breakfast especially sounds like a highlight: a polished à la carte menu with creative juices, specialty coffees, coconut yogurt, nasi dishes, and a setting overlooking the ocean.

But there are some negative things too. The hotel opened in 2009, and parts of the property are starting to show wear. Service seemed inconsistent, limited seating at the main infinity pool was frustrating, and the experience did not always feel as personalized as it should at this price.

Dan and Oskar gave it 77 out of 100, which is still a good score, but maybe lower than people would expect from a property with such a big reputation.

Sometimes the most famous hotels are famous for a reason, but that does not mean they are automatically the best choice for every traveler. If you care most about aesthetics, a private pool villa, and dramatic views, Alila Villas Uluwatu could be amazing.

Now for a very interesting cash deal, Air China has some amazing business class fares from Stockholm to Asia right now, valid for travel in July and August 2026. The destinations covered include Tokyo, Seoul, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.

You can book these fares through Air China’s website.

The prices I am seeing:

These are very good prices for roundtrip business class from Europe to Asia. Many fares to this region run two or three times higher.

All examples route via Beijing, so layover length will vary and is worth checking carefully.

You could fly into Tokyo and build a Japan trip, use Seoul as a base for Korea, fly into Manila and explore the Philippines, or use Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong as a gateway to wider Southeast Asia.

Air China is not Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines, and I would not book this expecting Qsuites. But for around €1,200 to €1,500 roundtrip in business class, this is an incredible deal. 

Before booking: check total travel time, layover length in Beijing, aircraft type on each segment, whether the fare is bookable directly with Air China, and visa or transit rules if you plan to leave the airport in Beijing.

If you have been waiting for a reason to plan a big Asia trip, this is a very good one.

That's it for today. See you at the webinar on Sunday, and more deals, news, and trip ideas coming your way on Monday.

Catch you in the clouds,

Tomi from Points Master