The new HFP chat thread – Tuesday 23rd June

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We have decided to run this new daily chat thread on Head for Points.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the defacto repository for random comments and questions. It is unlikely that the news flow will be so big over the next few weeks that we will need many ‘Bits’ articles, however.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind. At this tricky time, and given that many of you are stuck at home self-isolating, we want the HFP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article. This has long-term benefits as its keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

By default, HFP shows the last page of comments under the article. If you want to see the first page of comments and read them all from beginning to end in order, click here: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/06/23/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-tuesday-23rd-june/comment-page-1. The page will refresh with this article but the comments will now show the first page and not the last page.

We will continue to monitor how this is working. Let’s see how it goes. Take care!

Category

General

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

Jonathan says:

23 Jun23 June 14:36

Just had my Crve annual limit increased from £100k to £300k without asking. I recall someone else saying they’d had a bump to £500k the other day. I typically use it for HMRC at circa £30k/year (had upgraded to metal for this) & overseas spend with not much day to day spend.

I have been very diligently “saving” recently to earn some hotel points (not a game i’d played before) so pretty surprised to have benefited in this way as they were quite strict on balanced spending for a couple of months to get my limit from £50-100k/year.
- Ian says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 14:51
  
  I’ve had a £500k annual limit (£7,000 daily / £50k monthly) for a good few months. In theory I believe it can go as high as £1m annual limit !
  - The Urbanite says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 21:41
    
    The upper limit is a lot higher than £1m and above £1.4m too!
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 14:58
  
  Just had mine bumped to £500k too
  - BP says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 15:18
    
    Me too. Only spent £17k on it in the last year. No chance of me ever spending £500k!!
- memesweeper says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:39
  
  Wow. 500k here too. That’s not a limit, that’s a challenge. Here goes!
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 12:16
    
    I got 300k over the weekend but I had to ask, and now I’m offended!
- jc says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 17:14
  
  Mine too, but pretty useless now that Fronted has been introduced. I could upgrade to Metal but my understanding is that this resets your limits back down anyway…
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 19:59
    
    It reset my spend but not my limit. That stayed as it was at £100k
    - jc says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 08:59
      
      Thank you
- fivebobbill says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 17:57
  
  Ditto Jonathan, good spot, 300k and 50k a month!
  - The Savage Squirrel says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 20:41
    
    Well that got my hopes up and …… no change 🙁
    - Matt says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 22:24
      
      I’d recently had my daily limit increased to 4.5K and my annual limit to 100K. They’d refused to increase my 20K monthly limit.
      Looked earlier today and found my monthly limit was 50K and annual 300K without further communication from them.
Harry T says:

23 Jun23 June 14:41

I’ve got an early morning flight out of MAN on 17th July. Looking to stay at an airport hotel the night before and also leave my car there (train prices from Newcastle to Manchester verge from entertaining to insulting). Does anyone have advice about which hotel to pick? Looks like only the Hilton and Radisson are open – I have Gold status at both. I just want to turn up, sleep and leave, perhaps with some breakfast. I would prioritise convenience for getting into Terminal 1. Thanks.
- Anna says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:11
  
  Hi Harry. We now normally stay at the Hilton, unless the hotel is full you should get a room upgrade with free bottled water if you want it and they do a good cooked buffet breakfast. The shuttle will get you to any terminal in 5-10 minutes. Staff are always really friendly and helpful and generally answer any queries via the HH app immediately. If cash prices are high you can usually get a room for 30k points.
  - Anna says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 15:15
    
    Actually I guess the buffet breakfast might not be available just now, but they also do a breakfast bag to go so that might be the current option.
    - Harry T says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 15:50
      
      Thank you – looks like it’s about £169 for the night and parking for up to eight days. Does that sound about right?
      - Anna says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 16:46
        
        That sounds about right for peak season, you might be able to park more cheaply at T1 but you can’t beat the hotel parking for sheer convenience. I’ve actually booked the CP for the night before our next holiday but that’s because it was 12,500 IHG points in the recent bonanza!
      - Harry T says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 16:56
        
        Anna, is there a Crowne Plaza at the airport? Can’t actually find it for those dates. May be closed! Thanks for the advice RE pricing. Hopefully rates drop when flights pick up.
      - Anna says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 17:29
        
        Yes there is a CP, there’s also a Clayton which is quite pleasant and sometimes has better rates. The 3 are pretty much next door to one another. If your flight isn’t too early you can get really good deals at one of the HIs just off site but obviously they are not as convenient.
      - Harry T says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 17:37
        
        @Anna
        Thanks, I’ll check out the IHG options too. Looks like the airport HIX isn’t open for the dates yet. I expect more hotels will open in July due to the announcement today.
        
        7.30am is an early flight for me but some people just love waking up before 5am, so who knows.
      - Peter K says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 22:41
        
        @HarryT
        HIX is very basic and had no Aircon. If a hot night you will not sleep well. Shuttle is £3 per person each way. It was paid cash last time I used it.
        
        Hilton is decent, but getting shabby. The beds are firm. The shuttle is regular and good.
        
        Only stayed at the Crowne Plaza once. The walls were very thin and the people next door noisy. Had to call reception in the end.
- Genghis says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 17:35
  
  There used to be a TP express “party train” at c.2am from Newcastle to Manchester airport for those early doors flights. RIP.
  - Harry T says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 17:38
    
    Was the party on the train or was it a train from the party? 🙂
BJ says:

23 Jun23 June 14:44

Any thoughts on whether Hilton Euston is worth 26, 000 points/night? Stayed there years ago and wavunimpressed, I’m guessing nothing has changed but at that price for location I’m tempted.
- Pid says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 18:29
  
  Stayed a few times in the last few years and it has never been great but have normally paid £80-90 on offers so could never complain.
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 19:39
    
    Following your comments I went back and looked at the rates and they are averaging £110 a night, so 0.42pp, a little higher than Rob’s 0.33p valuation but only due to the 5 nights for 4 opportunity. Think I’ll pass.
- Lady London says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 21:54
  
  Hampton Waterloo gets rave reviews. I have a soft spot for Hampton Croydon. Isnt there a nice Doubletree in Greenwich? also the Doubletree behind Marble Arch has its fans.
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 22:53
    
    Being Diamond Hampton feels like a wasted opportunity. However, I like Hampton Croydon too. Sonetimes stay there when we want to go other places in SE apart from London. It is a good deal still at 20k, and the rates can work with the amex offers. Last summer I felt it was showing quite a lot of wear and tear, and cleaning could have been better. However, we stayed in it soon after opening so we inevitably compare it to then. I am tempted to try the new Hampton Ealing though as we have friends in Kew and Wimbledon.
  - Crafty says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 22:54
    
    These are generally nowhere near where the poster wants to stay!
    - BJ says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 05:37
      
      A lot of that is because most (all?) Hamptons are new builds and so far there is not that many.of them. I hope we will see a lot more of them as I like the offering and the rates. I generally see hotels as only a place to sleep at night and I’m not a big breakfast eater so the luxury end doesn’t make sense for me. Obviousky I still prefer to stay sone place nice if the price or points is right.
New Card says:

23 Jun23 June 14:53

What’s the best way to get the Live Chat option to appear on the BA website? I can’t seem to find it today.
- BJ says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:25
  
  Clear cookies and sign in.
Spk says:

23 Jun23 June 14:58

Has anyone had luck topping up nsi recently with creative curve metal? have been trying all week for various amounts and declined every time.
- Dan says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:38
  
  Just done £1k an hour ago.
BJ says:

23 Jun23 June 15:27

Quite a few readers were waiting for amex referral bonuses to post last week. Anybody hot them yet?
- Lee says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:32
  
  No, 15 days
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 15:46
    
    Not looking good, my dad needs to cancel his PRG but he might have to let his fee hit to get his referral bonus. He tried contacting them but they stuck to the 10 week party line.
    - Wally1976 says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 21:35
      
      Still waiting here too 🙁
  - Binks says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 22:54
    
    No – over 10 days.
Anna says:

23 Jun23 June 15:34

What’s the nicest Hilton/Marriott/IHG hotel between Oxford and the Scottish borders (as far as I want to drive for a weekend away)? I’d like a touch of luxury and good parking facilities. Spa and restaurant preferred but not essential as they may not be open anyway. Not Lancashire or Greater Manchester as I need a change of scenery!
- BJ says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:43
  
  DT Chester is not bad and good value. Good status recognition. Rooms smell damp but I think this is due to too much water in cleaning and poor ventilation as windows only open a crack.
  - Anna says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 16:14
    
    I looked there and it’s £150 pn which seems on the high side for what it is. I know I can get a better deal there another time.
    - BJ says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 17:23
      
      Definitely, I only paid about £60-65 but high prices are not unusual.
- pauldb says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:55
  
  Trump Turnberry at a stretch.
  - Harry T says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 15:55
    
    Very good value redemption but a fair drive!
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 17:27
    
    Quite a way over the border that, but some great scenic route options to get there after passing Carlis.e
- Harry T says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 15:55
  
  Unsure if it fits your plans, but Marriott has the University Arms, Autograph Collection in Cambridge, that I’ve always thought looked nice.
  
  If you fancy London, then remember that points rates are off peak for July. The London EDITION has a good reputation and it’s only 50k points a night during July weekends (cash price around £500 a night).
  
  The Glasshouse in Edinburgh also has a good reputation and looks fairly cheap at the moment.
  
  Sorry, I don’t travel much domestically so I don’t have much personal experience.
  - Anna says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 16:11
    
    London and Edinburgh too far to drive and I’m not keen on a long train journey while wearing a face mask! I’ll have a look at Cambridge, though, always wanted to visit.
    - mark2 says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 16:16
      
      University Arms is excellent and has valet parking.
      Also you previously mentioned Indigo Stratford upon Avon which has had millions spent and the restaurant (Woodsman) is amazing and on Shop Small. Parking more difficult.
      - Anna says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 16:48
        
        Thanks – I’ve got the Indigo in Stratford booked for next year’s birthday weekend! The University Arms does look nice. I wouldn’t have to let my OH find out that it’s £30 pn to park, though 🤣
      - Anna says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 16:59
        
        I’ve booked the University Arms for 2 nights, thanks for the suggestions. Rate is cancellable until the day before and includes breakfast which is a good result.
      - Harry T says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 17:39
        
        There’s still some good rates around. Let us know how you like it, Anna! Hope it’s an enjoyable trip.
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 17:29
    
    Hasn’t University Arms left or leaving Marriott? Might be confusing it with another.
    - Anna says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 17:33
      
      It’s still taking bookings via the Marriott website.
      - BJ says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 17:44
        
        Yes, probably another. ISTR an article or comments on a whole bunch of hotels leaving Marriott and I thought that included one around Cambridge. Might stop there too then as a road trip will be nice after the lockdown and we have loads of hotel points we might be better burning.
      - Cat says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 19:59
        
        The DoubleTree by the rollers to Grantchester deflagged a while back and got a mention – might you be thinking of that one?
      - BJ says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 23:02
        
        @Cat, quite possibly.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      23 Jun23 June 20:02
      
      No the Hilton left to become a “university” branded hotel a concept from America
      
      The university arms was very nice and in a great location for walking around Cambridge. Enjoy Anna
      - BJ says:
        
        23 Jun23 June 23:06
        
        Not quite the same I guess but there are places owned by professional societies such as Ten Hill Place in Edinburgh which belongs to RCPE.
- Lady London says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 21:59
  
  Wasnt somebody warmly recommending Indigo in Strstford on Avon and one other hotel there? there were some nice suggestions in posts on an article Rob did that feels like in last 6 months or so IIRC
  - BJ says:
    
    23 Jun23 June 23:08
    
    Yes, Mark2, up the page 🙂
Rjn21 says:

23 Jun23 June 15:57

With regard to the BAPP 241 validity being increased for 6 months, to 28 months, for vouchers triggered through to 30 September 2020 –
https://headforpoints.com/2020/06/11/british-airways-american-express-241-companion-voucher-extension/
Did a confirmation from BA, as mentioned in the article, appear? Apologise if I missed it.
- Rob says:
  
  23 Jun23 June 17:22
  
  Yes, it is in the Q&A now on the ba.com ‘Tiers & Benefits’ page.