Bits: 500 free United MileagePlus miles, Ramada London Docklands now a DoubleTree by Hilton

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News in brief:

500 free United MileagePlus miles

MileagePlus Dining, the programme which awards you United Airlines miles for eating in certain US restaurants, isn’t of much interest to United members in the UK.

However, for a limited period, you will receive 500 United MileagePlus miles just for signing up.

If you have a United account, you might as well give it a go. The link is here and the offer runs until 30th March.

You will need to temporarily change your account address to a US one first judging by the comments below.

Ramada London Docklands hotel now DoubleTree by Hilton London Excel

This story ties in nicely with two recent Head for Points articles:

How Ramada has been losing its top UK hotels in recent months and

How new DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are springing up everywhere!

I stayed in the Ramada London Docklands for the grand sum of £20 during a promotion a couple of years ago – I reviewed it here. The hotel was in need of refurbishment but it was an acceptable property with a decent pub just behind.

It is now the DoubleTree by Hilton London Excel. Looking at the room photo above, it has seen some money spent on it. I imagine rates will be low when Excel is closed and, via the DLR, you can get into Central London quickly via the Jubilee Line at Canning Town.

It is an absolute stinker of a Hilton HHonors redemption at off-peak dates. In February, for example, I found it at a shocking 50,000 points per night on a day when the cash rate was just £80!

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (December 2021)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card? It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status. We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with American Express Gold (20,000 bonus points), the American Express Rewards Credit Card (5,000 bonus points) and – for small business owners – American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus points) and Business Platinum (40,000 bonus points).

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.

(Want to earn more hotel points? Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)

Category

Hilton Honors, United Airlines and MileagePlus

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

James67 says:

24 Jan24 January 05:24

I did the £20 Ramada stay too, for two nights, and thought it was an absolute stinker even at that price. Unless you have something to do at Excel or immediate vicinity, this and tge other surroundi g hotels are best avoided at any cost. I hope no HFP reader finds themselves stuck out there due to the liberties the hotels take with their advertising.
- James says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 05:44
  
  If you are in London for work in the city location isn’t bad if you don’t want to get caught in the morning rush
- Rob says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 07:19
  
  But …. £80 for a Tue in Feb, based on a sample day when Excel is quiet, is a great deal in London for a refurbed hotel on the DLR.
  - James67 says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 13:15
    
    James and Raffles, I guess you are right, if one’s relaxed about it then it could work. Personally, I felt like I was in the back of beyond and always disgruntled getting too or from DLR which felt like a bit of hike through the car parks and over the edge of Excel. I would rather stay in Wembley or Croydon. If no good rates there you can always book and cancel to generate the 20k points needed for HI Wembley for around £90. However, for HH diamond I concede DT Excel could be great deal at £80 midweek.
will says:

24 Jan24 January 06:29

I get this message… Your primary address does not appear to be in the 50 U.S. states (and DC). Please call 1-800-555-5116 to complete your enrollment. Seriously??
- Nick says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 07:05
  
  Ditto!
- KK says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 07:05
  
  Same here …… No Joy 🙁
  Any ideas?!!
  - Rob says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 07:23
    
    Added a note to the article, thanks
  - Lady London says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 10:52
    
    Like they imagine no British person ever travels to the United States?
    It’s very quaint the ideas some airlines get.
- Sasha says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 08:32
  
  Changed address to the US one and it got through. Then changed it back to the UK. Hope points will still be posted.
  - davef says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 11:37
    
    Very bad idea. I cant change mine back now. It wants me to send 2 of …
    
    Accepted address verification documents
    1.Change of address confirmation provided by the postal service (United States Postal Service or an international postal service)
    2.Copy of postmarked mail with current address listed as forwarding address
    3.Government-issued ID (e.g., national identification card, foreign driver’s license)
    4.Utility bill dated within the past 90 days
    5.Receipt for personal property taxes paid within the past year
    6.Rental agreement or residential lease dated within the past year
    7.Payroll statement provided by the member’s employer, dated within the past 90 days
    8.U.S. military ID
    9.Official government/military travel orders or proof of official duty status
    
    So I’m stuck with an address set to a random NY hotel.
  - gs says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 11:46
    
    Very bad idea since this is likely to trigger that you would have to fulfill their PQD requirements for earning status.
xcalx says:

24 Jan24 January 08:40

OT

I am travelling down to London on Monday ( free thanks to redspotted hanky) Staying at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt ( on the Carlson FF rate £57.59 which includes a £15 bar credit). I picked this hotel as it looks to be near the Royal Brompton where I am having some tests and a consultation with a specialist.

A few questions for the London based HfP folk.

Can I buy an Oyster card at Kings Cross Station when I arrive. OR would it be easier using taxi from KX to the hotel on Cromwell Road.
Finally any recommendations for a nice bar serving food near the hotel.

Thanks
- CDB says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 08:51
  
  Easiest just to use a contactless credit card rather than oyster for occasional use, same journey price and oyster costs £5 deposit. You can buy an Oyster card at the ticket machines if you want.
  - xcalx says:
    
    24 Jan24 January 09:01
    
    Thanks, didn’t know about the contactless credit card option, do I still buy a ticket or just swipe the CC at the barrier.
    - Dynamo says:
      
      24 Jan24 January 09:23
      
      Swipe your cc at the barrier. Amex accepted
      - Sandgrounder says:
        
        24 Jan24 January 09:44
        
        But don’t forget to register online first. You can’t just turn up and use contactless to travel.
      - Guesswho2000 says:
        
        24 Jan24 January 09:50
        
        Yes you can, I’ve turned up and used a credit card not linked to my online account many times!
      - Genghis says:
        
        24 Jan24 January 10:24
        
        You can use a contactless credit card without registering it first but if there are problems with swiping or too much money has been taken, it’s easier if the card has been registered in advance.
- Chris says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 11:17
  
  I work at Imperial College so I know the area fairly well. There’s a few pubs near your hotel. There is the Gloucester Arms on Gloucester Road or nearer still is the Stanhope Arms next to Tesco.
  My favourite pub in the area is the Queens Arms which is just off Queens Gate Mews.
  If late night refreshment is in order I’d go to Gentings Casino opposite the Natural History Museum – you can get membership on the door for free. The bar takes Amex too!
Ian says:

24 Jan24 January 09:53

I’m pretty sure you can just turn up and use contactless. Registering does allow you to review your journey history and print off the history and costs (useful for expense claims) though.
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 10:07
  
  I just checked and, my mistake, you can. Apols!
  - Alan says:
    
    25 Jan25 January 05:52
    
    Indeed, it’s a fantastic system! The only need for an Oyster card now seems to be if you need to load a travelcard on it – capping works fine. I wish other cities had a similar system. Opal in Sydney is free for the card but you have the hassle of reloading it (nowhere near as many places as Oyster) and being left with a small residual balance. There’s talk about trying to implement a TfL NFC system in a couple of years. Melbourne on the other hand has Myki, which was ludicrously overpriced and isn’t easily upgradeable to support credit cards!
William says:

24 Jan24 January 23:05

The number of points required for free nights at Hiltons has become fairly ridiculous and my experience is that the standards in European Hiltons is slipping. As a gold card holder I am starting to wonder if it really is worthwhile to have allegiance to any particular hotel group. Sometimes the upgrades are not granted, even when a call to central reservations shows that they are available. I’m now looking around.
- Rob says:
  
  24 Jan24 January 23:43
  
  hotels.com may be your best choice – free night for every 10 booked and you are not tied to any chain. More here – https://headforpoints.com/2015/05/06/welcome-rewards-relaunches-as-hotels-com-rewards/