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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 22nd August

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Comments (121)

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

  • Mart says:
    22 Aug22 August 10:33

    Have I missed any information regarding an extension to the dufry dragon pass lounge expire dates?
    We will not be travelling this year and I believe it was 12 months from early January?

    • Rob says:
      22 Aug22 August 10:42

      I am told they are extending but not seen anything official. Not had any complaints from readers.

    • Jon says:
      22 Aug22 August 13:36

      I have it in writing from them they will be extending by 12 months. Worth emailing them if you are worried.

      • Aston100 says:
        22 Aug22 August 16:54

        I have it in writing too.
        I’d upload a screenshot, but I don’t think the functionality exists here.

  • Doug M says:
    22 Aug22 August 11:07

    What do people think of HSBC. I got a current account with them with the intention of moving an ISA and investment (self select shares) account there, and then upgrading to a Premier account. They’ve made a complete mess of the ISA and investment transfers, and their handling of the complaint I’ve made seems entirely inadequate. The phone staff seem fine, but can only ever contact the back office teams by message, which they somewhat sneeringly refer to as overseas. So nothing is ever resolved on the phone beyond promises to send further messages. My intention was to get the World Elite MasterCard, but the interaction with HSBC has left me wondering if I want to deal with them again. Have I just been unlucky or are they often pretty useless?

    • Andrew M says:
      22 Aug22 August 11:35

      You might find service improves once you are Premier. I believe they have different teams for Premier – possibly UK based? The Invest Direct / ISA platform is rubbish – very clunky, horrible to look at and lacking basic functionality. Want to know your total return or profit on individual shares? You’re out of luck. Having said all that, I stick with them as the benefits of the WE card are worth the inconvenience of banking with them.

      • memesweeper says:
        22 Aug22 August 11:51

        +1

        Customer service is unbearable if you’re not Premier, and even then it’s only just OK. Online and app experiences are really poor. Don’t use them unless you have to.

    • Chris Heyes says:
      22 Aug22 August 12:47

      DOUG@ I use “The Share Centre” for my (mainly Grand Children now)
      been using them for a “Lot” of years oldest is almost 14
      six grandchildren a direct debit into each account every month
      plus cheques Christmas, Birthdays & Easter
      Can’t say never had problems with them but not often and they’ve sorted it quickly enough with a phone call (usually cheque into wrong account, i send all in one envelope)
      other than that i’d strongly recommend

    • Jon says:
      22 Aug22 August 13:40

      The premier team are all in the UK and the staff are good for customer service point of view. But… the HSBC investment options are severely limited to shares or a handful of funds. No fundsmith there for example. You are charged ~£45/year for a shares isa which is free at iWeb for example. If you can justify the cost and the effort (and you might with high spend through the world elite MasterCard) then go for it. Otherwise I really wouldn’t bother.

      • Doug M says:
        22 Aug22 August 15:51

        The investment account was £10.50/quarter, and ISA free if you have investment account. Not so bothered about tools and reporting, use other methods for assessing things. Trade costs not important as very buy and hold. Happy to pick my own shares, use mostly ETFs which I like. I’m also with iWeb and agree they’re very good. My philosophy is to spread around a little even if paying to do so.
        Thanks for answers. I may get out of HSBC based on experience so far, already told them complaint outcome I require is they waive all exit fees and costs as they’ve performed so poorly.

        • Jon says:
          22 Aug22 August 16:44

          I have had multiple complaints with HSBC so far, including sending foreign payments in the wrong currency, charging wrong fees, difficulty getting hold of them. In fairness to HSBC, each time I have complained they have given me (without specifically asking) my out-of-pocket costs plus £50 for inconvenience. It has made my annoyance with them melt away (and almost wishing they would make another mistake as it is quite lucrative…!)

    • General Mayhem says:
      22 Aug22 August 18:13

      HSBC – don’t touch them with a 100ft barge pole. Just had a nightmare with Them over a simple matter. Was told I could only contact them on their business phone line. Which never answered. At all. 29 hours on hold in the course of a week. Eventually got to their ‘complaints line’. I was sniffly told ‘we are not currently accepting complaints due to COVID-19’. Eventually got it sorted but only because I used my FCA contacts. Grrrrrrrrrrrr….!!!

      • Crafty says:
        23 Aug23 August 09:37

        That would explain why the numerous complaints I opened (or thought I had) over the botched closure of my business banking account in May have yielded no further correspondence whatever.

        Not accepting complaints due to Covid-19?! That takes “lockdown cheating” to a whole new level!

  • Harry T says:
    22 Aug22 August 11:45

    Data point:
    I’ve seen a lot of commentary criticising Marriott’s lack of provision of benefits for its elite members recently during the pandemic, especially on Flyertalk, so I thought it would be useful to share my experiences as a humble Gold.

    The Langley in March (just as the pandemic rolled in): booked on points, upgraded to a bigger room in the main house, with a lovely view over the front of the property. Given a 4pm checkout on request.

    W Amsterdam: not upgraded (they never seem to upgrade anyone). Given a voucher for two free cocktails (these are expensive and good quality). When I asked if a late checkout was possible, the enthusiastic gentleman checking me in told me that I am always entitled to a 2pm checkout as a Gold Member (not actually true) and agreed to a 3pm checkout.

    University Arms, Cambridge: booked a classic room, upgraded to a classic room with a very nice view of Parker’s Piece. Asked for and received 2pm checkout.

    Augustine, Prague: asked about late checkout, was advised I could have up to 4pm – accepted 3pm (flight at 16.30). Upgraded from the basic classic room to a deluxe room in the oldest monastery building.

    I’ve seen a lot of commenters on flyertalk saying they’ve been denied late checkout as Platinum and above, and also been denied any breakfast offerings, or the hotel hasn’t been serving food. I think this may be a problem in the US mainly, as I’ve been treated above and beyond the program terms in Europe and the UK, as a humble Gold member.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      22 Aug22 August 12:22

      Late checkout requests are always easier when there’s low occupancy

      But in general no issues at all in Europe I think the US is flooded with elites so properties are a little less accommodating.

      • Harry T says:
        22 Aug22 August 14:36

        Agreed, we shall see how lucky I am when travel returns to normal (if it does).

        It’s probably because the US has a lot of people getting 30 nights from credit cards – as you say, flooded with status holders. I can only imagine how bad Hilton is when you can get Diamond from an amex!

        Can’t remember if you said if you’d stay at the Augustine, but I’m currently staying and I would recommend it.

        • Harry T says:
          22 Aug22 August 14:36

          Stayed*

        • TGLoyalty says:
          22 Aug22 August 15:33

          I didn’t as it was sold out while I was there. Stayed at the Hilton which had a pretty decent sky bar but the rest was pretty average.

          • Harry T says:
            22 Aug22 August 16:51

            Ah yes, I remember. It’s definitely not sold out at the moment! I’ve not actually seen more than five other guests.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      22 Aug22 August 16:56

      How do you feel about isolating on return? Or going straight on to elsewhere in Europe?

      • Harry T says:
        22 Aug22 August 20:09

        No requirement for UK quarantine at the moment, when returning from Czechia. Hopefully that lasts until Tuesday!

  • Ross says:
    22 Aug22 August 11:49

    Just ordered a Dyson hairdryer from John Lewis to replace one that was stolen by our removal company(!). Managed to get:

    1.5 avios per pound with BA Amex
    2 bonus avios per pound due to Amex special offer
    3 avios per pound with BA/Avios Shopping
    200 bonus Avios due to BA Shopping promotion

    … so 2149 Avios on a £299.99 spend. And gets me closer to a spend target too. Happy days.

    • Harry T says:
      22 Aug22 August 11:56

      Nice work! Hopefully Amex Morrison’s 10% off will return soon and you can buy gift cards for JL too.

      • Connor says:
        22 Aug22 August 12:30

        It better be back soon, I’ve only a few hundred left on my Morrisons cards for fuel!

        • Polly says:
          23 Aug23 August 11:40

          Down to my last £100 Morrisons gift card..def need that 10% off offer

    • Anna says:
      22 Aug22 August 11:57

      You spent £300 on a hairdryer?! Either you are a hairdresser or have way too much money.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        22 Aug22 August 12:23

        I’m assured the Dyson hardryer is worth every penny as it’s a game changer lol

        • Chris Heyes says:
          22 Aug22 August 14:20

          yep it dries hair lol

        • Harry T says:
          22 Aug22 August 14:34

          My friend has one, and I enjoy using it when I stay over. However, I’m still not quite convinced I’d pay for one. Maybe next time I get a pay rise!

          The dyson fans are good too.

      • Peter North says:
        22 Aug22 August 12:58

        An expensive bit of kit at £300, but I’m guessing its whether you feel its worth it personally. Hugh’s had you over twice this week by the way.

      • Ross Parker says:
        22 Aug22 August 13:25

        Well, I cut what’s left of my own hair, if that counts! The hairdryer was a present for my wife.

      • BLT says:
        22 Aug22 August 14:53

        How much do people spend on handbags when a £20 one from debenhams does the same without the label? The Dyson hairdryer is expensive and general reviews – including my wife – say it is worth it

        • Anna says:
          22 Aug22 August 15:04

          I wouldn’t spend £300 on a handbag! In these parts its an event if someone buys a Shark vacuum cleaner – there will be much marvelling (and some scorn) directed at it when the new owner reveals it on Facebook.

          But I guess we do spend more on travel than a lot of people so it depends what you choose to do with your disposable income.

          • Hugh Jardon says:
            22 Aug22 August 15:29

            Ah! but as someone after my own heart but you did spend £100+ on Lulumon, the very essence of the new culturally aware retail experience, the quintessential epitome of a brand, that embraces the diversity of modern Britain. A point I made to the other half before we settled down with a glass of Blue Nun and a box set of the seventies classic On the buses.

          • Anna says:
            22 Aug22 August 17:25

            I was wondering when my stalker would show up on the new-look site 🤣

          • Yuff says:
            22 Aug22 August 18:26

            Never heard of a shark vacuum cleaner but we have a dyson vacuum cleaner and my wife now has a dyson hairdryer which was bought after a stay in a Relais & Chateau hotel which had a dyson hairdryer in the room and my wife loved using it 🤦🏻‍♂️
            Virtually impossible to get a deal on them, I think I managed to get 10-15% off which still seemed expensive for a hairdryer

          • Lady London says:
            23 Aug23 August 03:14

            @Yuff I believe Dyson stuff can be rather cheaper in Germany. If you can put up with it having the wrong sort of plug.

          • Rob says:
            23 Aug23 August 08:03

            Our house is full of German plugs and UK adapters!

    • Vit says:
      22 Aug22 August 18:29

      @ Ross, Did you add in the Google Nest Mini Hands-Free Smart Speaker, 2nd Gen for a tenner as well? There is a promotion going now with John Lewis if you are spending more than £50. Not sure if I am gonna use it or just gonna put it on ebay though.

      • Ross says:
        24 Aug24 August 09:19

        I did see that but I didn’t go for it as we’re an Apple (HomePod) household, and with a recent house move I’m too busy to eBay it. You’re right that it would have made a great deal even better!

    • KBuffett says:
      22 Aug22 August 19:44

      People seem to gravitate towards John Lewis by default. They are Always Knowingly Undersold. Boots were doing triple points this weekend, so 12% back.

  • Donna says:
    22 Aug22 August 12:08

    ISA transfers have been woefully handled during the pandemic. NS and I must be by far the worst financial institution I dealt with. They closed my complain without addressing the root cause i.e. the transfer has been going on since April and it is not completed. How Fujitsu Siemens got this outsourcing contract for NS and I is simply wrong.

    • Lady London says:
      23 Aug23 August 03:36

      you can get compo for time out of market, wondering if this would include ISA’s. At least one regulator has said they would not pursue for delays during Covid but that was a long time ago and your case might be particularly egregious. you can start by raising a formal complaint.

  • Louie says:
    22 Aug22 August 13:07

    Just had a look at my Tesco Clubcard account and the expiry dates for the vouchers due to expire end August 2020 have been extended to end February 2021.

    • meta says:
      22 Aug22 August 15:17

      Thanks for posting! Same here. I was planning on converting the expiring ones, so this is great news!

    • Navara says:
      22 Aug22 August 16:29

      Sadly that probably means the is no imminent conversion bonus

    • Liz says:
      22 Aug22 August 18:48

      I converted a few yesterday and they still showed Aug 20 😢

  • Reney says:
    22 Aug22 August 14:07

    Hi all, I am hoping to draw on your collective wisdom. I got a FTV from BA back in March (original booking was cash). I have seen comments on HFP where people are getting emails to convert these into e-vouchers. I think Rob himself replied to a comment from me before that I would be able to get this converted. I just called BA and was told that it depends on the “option” I selected at the time I applied for the voucher. I told the rep there were no option as I did this way back in March. And in response, she said, in that case, my voucher can’t be converted. Can I check if others are getting the same message? Or is this a case of call back and try again. Thx

  • Aston100 says:
    22 Aug22 August 17:08

    Hi guys, I need to pay a decorator about £1k late next week.
    He refuses to take PayPal (linked to my BAPP Amex) and insists on cash or a bank transfer. I don’t feel right spending that much money without getting some miles or points out of it.
    I don’t do MS, so I don’t have Revolut, but I was wondering if I DID go and get a Revolut account, could I top that up with my free (white) IHG for £1k (in one hit?), and then transfer from Revolut to this decorator’s bank without any issues?

    Is this possible to achieve in under a week? I’m not sure what limits are in place, nor if there are any cash advance fees or interest etc. Like I say, I don’t do any MS so don’t pay attention to the posts pertaining to that subject.

    Alternatively, if there is a different / better way of getting some points for transferring £1k to an individual that doesn’t involve PayPal, I’d be grateful to hear about it.

    Thanks in advance

    • Anna says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:33

      You could use Billhop to pay on Amex if your decorator has a registered business and you don’t mind paying the 2.95% fee (Rob has done several articles on this). Otherwise Revolut with MC or Visa would work. Incidentally – Revolut is useful for quite a few things such as converting £ to foreign currency and withdrawing abroad without having the faff of finding a bureau de change. Paying your decorator wouldn’t be MS either as the money is going in one direction and not coming back to you in any format.

      • Anna says:
        22 Aug22 August 17:37

        Though both Billhop and Revolut require you to upload ID documentation (and send a photo of yourself in the case of Revolut) so both require a bit of time and effort to set up.

      • Lady London says:
        23 Aug23 August 03:38

        Didnt Rob do an article about 2-3 weeks ago that Amex has a new service that does this and gives you MR’s ?

    • Peter K says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:41

      Revolut has a £5 fee for getting the card in the first place. If topped up from an IHG card you need to pay off the IHG balance (in full, not just the transfer to Revolut) straight away or it will accrue interest. There is no cash advance fee.
      You don’t need the physical card to make a bank transfer.
      My link is below but I’m sure Rob has his own if you search for it.

      https://revolut.com/referral/peterdhh

    • TGLoyalty says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:50

      Topping up Rev with an IHG card is maximum £700 in 7 day period. £300 day 1, £200 day 2/3 and £200 day 5/6 is my usual cadence.

      • Aston100 says:
        22 Aug22 August 18:57

        Thanks, so err, given what Peter K just said, do you spend time constantly paying off your IHG card? like as soon as you’ve done a top up? or is the interest so minimal that you do it once at the end of each week?
        Thanks.

      • Travel Strong says:
        22 Aug22 August 19:54

        Just as an aside – I kept seeing these limits mentioned as limits for Curve+IHG so stuck to them, then I tried more and realised I can do thousands curved every day to IHG.

        So I guess these are just revolut + IHG limits

        • Travel Strong says:
          22 Aug22 August 19:56

          (Or total myth, as Peter K below points out – these are not real limits for revolt + IHG either)

          • Aston100 says:
            22 Aug22 August 20:21

            Since I can’t reply to Peter K’s latest post (wow I thought this new forum software would allow for unlimited nested replies) perhaps you might be able to answer: do you pay off the IHG > Revolut transaction immediately to avoid interest, or do you wait until the end of the week (or wait until you’ve reached whatever limit?)? Thanks.

          • Rob says:
            22 Aug22 August 20:57

            Nesting rules are unchanged although that’s only because we didn’t think about it! I will take a look and see if it can be increased.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            22 Aug22 August 22:01

            They absolutely are for me on both a black card I’ve had since they launched and a white card I got 6 months ago. not a myth at all. These only effect cash like transactions like Rev, Monese or paying the seagulls. HL doesn’t work at all but does with miles+more. No limit for ERNIE.

            Curve worked for a while so there was no limit but MCC passthrough is working again and it’s stopped.

            If I do use it for Rev then yes pay it all off ASAP so zero interest.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          22 Aug22 August 22:25

          There’s no limit for curve.

          Ofcourse these things change all the time and limits appear / disappear with a change of MCC. The only certainty is there will be uncertainty in this game 🙂

        • BP says:
          22 Aug22 August 22:44

          What do you mean “curved to IHG”. I feel like I’m missing something. Have curve linked to IHG but apart from paying Brighton in the past just use it for day to say non-amex spend. I did notice that ATM withdrawals don’t seem to have a fee.

      • Crafty says:
        23 Aug23 August 09:40

        Not since Wirecard.

    • Peter North says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:58

      Just pay the bill, of course the guy wants a bank transfer, or cash, put it down to experience, crack open a beer and chill.

      • Genghis says:
        22 Aug22 August 18:55

        Agreed. Try to find a way to eek out some points but don’t worry if you can’t. Pleased I’ve got my route for Gov childcare acct sorted.

        Anyway, withdraw cash on Curve to pay the man?

        • Aston100 says:
          22 Aug22 August 19:03

          Thanks, but I don’t have Curve either.
          I’ve honestly had no need for that or Revolut etc
          My mini portfolio of a BAPP / free IHG / Halifax Clarity seem to suffice for all my spending needs.

          • Peter K says:
            22 Aug22 August 19:43

            I regularly top up way more than £700 in one transaction to Revolut. No need to use curve for it either. I seem to have a £1500 per transaction limit just at the moment but have done more in one go before. I then can immediately do another £1500 top up from IHG into Revolut.
            The interest over about 3 days on £2000 with IHG was about £4 IIRC.

          • Crafty says:
            23 Aug23 August 09:42

            You’re asking for a points earning solution, but haven’t set yourself up with either Curve or Revolut, the most logical points earning solutions…

        • Lady London says:
          23 Aug23 August 03:20

          what about via Amazon with Am giftcard discount somewhere?

    • Vit says:
      22 Aug22 August 19:52

      @Aston, I think you still can send money to bank account using your paypal via Xoom. I’ve never tried but it will incur a small fees for that. Not sure if it will accept credit card but if that’s the only mean of fund registered with your paypal — worth having a try!

      • Peter K says:
        22 Aug22 August 21:22

        In reply to Aston100 at 20:21
        I usually pay off my IHG card straight away. Following advice on here I have saved the payment page as a favourite and then when I top up Revolut I pay off an equivalent from my IHG card straight away. The debit and credit seen to hit at the same time.
        You do need a balance on your account to be able to get to the payment page to save it as a favourite however, so with your 1 week to sort things I think you’ll likely have to pay when the Revolut top up hits.
        (You can actually go into a credit balance potentially, but I’ve seen some on here say Creation don’t like it).

        • thehornets says:
          22 Aug22 August 21:45

          Alternatively you can just pay your IHG bill via Internet banking. No need to use the special payments page.

          • Aston100 says:
            22 Aug22 August 22:10

            How do you do that please?
            I’m on my bank’s internet banking site and when I go to make a payment, there doesn’t seem to be an option to pay a credit card, just the usual payee name / sort code / a/c number.

          • meta says:
            22 Aug22 August 22:33

            And there is obviously IHG/Creation app if I may add!

        • Aston100 says:
          22 Aug22 August 22:15

          Thanks for the info.
          Testing all this out now.
          £10 initial topup seemed fine and appeared instantly on the IHG dashboard.
          I’ve now tried one for several hundred pounds. Do you know normally how quickly such a transaction would appear on the IHG dashboard, or how you’d know if it was too large / declined?
          Thanks.

          • Aston100 says:
            22 Aug22 August 22:19

            LOL ignore this. No sooner had I typed it and the dashboard updated.
            The amount I topped up was much higher than TGLoyalty mentioned. I am surprised as I inferred that being new to Revolut would have had some limitations. Does it help that I have been using my IHG card everywhere Amex isn’t accepted this year, hence leading to some larger personal limit on Revolut transactions or something?

            Thanks.

          • Genghis says:
            23 Aug23 August 11:56

            40-63-84 (sort code) 86447010 (account number) with your card no as ref.

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