This trip wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't had the internet - and FlyerTalk in particular - to draw upon. I first became interested in frequent flyer schemes at the start of 2011, joining BA's Executive Club and logging LHR-MIA-MSY-DFW-LHR by mid-January. As it happens, I only managed one more relevant flight in 2011, yet by the start of 2012 I was thoroughly hooked on both the FT community, and the mathematical challenge of making status at minimal extra expense. To that end I joined Hilton's HHonors program, intending it to be simply another source of BA miles (as they were), but it soon became clear that I could rack up hotel stays more rapidly than flights, and it made more sense to keep the points with them.

An article in BA's High Life magazine - yes, there's at least one person who reads it- had convinced me that I would enjoy a visit to Gibraltar; whilst another had me fascinated by its remarkable airport. What started as a daydream turned into firm plans when I learnt (from here, naturally) of a 25% discount code for Club Europe flights; realised that I was due some holiday from work; and found that I could stay cheaply in Gib by opting not for a hotel (of which options were limited, and opinions on TripAdvisor often negative) but instead a boat! The 8am flight out of Heathrow posed a problem for my Bristol-based self, which I initially intended to resolve with another stint at the Yotel. But then I realised I was sitting on enough HHonors points to use the Paddington Hilton instead- and /then/ I realised that for the same points, I could avail myself of several far more swish properties elsewhere in London.

Thus was born my luxury-holiday-on-a-budget: a 5* hotel, Club class flights, and a boat in the Med in June, all made possible by loyalty schemes and/or internet-savvy. I even snagged a code for the Heathrow Express from here! Of course, the universe couldn't let me have too perfect a time... The dreaded IRROPS struck when I tried to get home, leading to the most extreme example of being bussed to your plane, with over five hours of delay. but before that, the trip certainly delivered, so read on for fancy accomodation, Club Europe, dramatic scenery, dolphin-, monkey- and plane-spotting, confusing patriotism, and a glimpse into just how convoluted life can become if you're in Gibraltar and your plane is in Spain.