The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 25th August

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• AJA says:

  25 Aug25 August 12:12

  Just a follow up on Transferwise. I initiated transfer to Brazil on Friday afternoon and money was credited to relative’s bank account yesterday. Received emails of transaction progress. Very impressed.

  • Michael C says:

    25 Aug25 August 12:24

    Yep, have always used them for Brazil (even when transferring funds there for buying an apartment), and always perfect.

• TGLoyalty says:

  25 Aug25 August 13:54

  Anyone heard anything about the Hilton Barclaycard Closing?

  • Anna says:

    25 Aug25 August 13:56

    No, why, have you?!

    • TGLoyalty says:

      25 Aug25 August 17:26

      Don’t know if it’s an isolated case for the individual being given 2 months notice of closure or a wider closure until there are more reports.

  • AJA says:

    25 Aug25 August 13:59

    No. Are you expecting it to be closed?

  • memesweeper says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:11

    I heard a rumour, right here in the comments of HfP, six or nine months ago. Since then, nothing, so I think we’re in danger of creating an echo chamber. Let’s face it, there’s nothing we can do even if we all know the date it shuts down.

  • The Urbanite says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:58

    I’ve seen a few recent reports of people getting relationship termination letters from Barclays, but nothing specifically about the Hilton card.

    • Crafty says:

      25 Aug25 August 22:45

      On what basis?

      • The Urbanite says:

        26 Aug26 August 01:55

        They don’t tend to give a reason, just citing T&Cs allow them to close the accounts with notice. It would seem they’re not too keen on the old MS these days.

        • Lady London says:

          26 Aug26 August 03:57

          Going back a long way, that kind of thing was a thing with Barclays and business customers too so far as I could tell.

          I know there’s a new product due to come out ftpm Barclays Sept or maybe Oct. I had made a note to take a serious look as there’s really a gap in cards in the market ATM. But now you’ve reminded me of Barclays actions to existing customers I heard about in the past I’ll pass.

• BrightonReader says:

  25 Aug25 August 14:43

  Quick queries on BA vouchers both arising from cash paid flights

  1. I have an e-voucher that was an FTV that they converted – can this be used for a BA holiday (even if I have to phone BA Holidays)?

  2. I also have an FTV – can this also be used for a BA holiday? Part of this is in £ and part in € as I used part of the FTV for a flight ex AMS priced in € that was then cancelled.

  Can I use both on the same holiday booking?

  Thanks

  • Lottie says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:02

    I tried to book a BA holiday using a FTV on Friday and i was told i cant do it..yet. Apparently they are sorting it at the moment but dont know when the option will become available.

• New Card says:

  25 Aug25 August 15:10

  On BA change fees – if I want to change both the date and the cabin I’m flying in, is that 2 changes so £35 x 2 per person = £70 per person? Or just 1 change so £35? I thought the latter, but was just told the former by BA on the phone.

  • AJA says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:01

    I think you are on the hook for £70 per passenger plus the additional Avios needed for the cabin upgrade. You’re making two changes albeit at the same time.

  • MM says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:09

    Alternatively you could cancel entirely (£35 each) and rebook?

    • MM says:

      25 Aug25 August 17:10

      (assuming it’s an Avios redemption)

  • memesweeper says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:13

    I made an airport (on an open jaw) + class of travel change, both in the same direction, and was charged once, a few years back.

• Benilyn says:

  25 Aug25 August 15:40

  Have 110,000 Mariott points, looking to book 1 (or 2 nights) in a hotel in London / or can drive a bit further. Any recommendations? St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London have a suite for 110k which looks interesting. Time spent mainly at hotel so not so bothered about location, looking for some nice / memorable.

  • Rob says:

    25 Aug25 August 16:52

    Renaissance is about as ‘unique’ as Marriott gets in London. Rest is a bit cookie cutter unless you book a Design Hotel.

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:43

    Renaissance STP is nice, but check what’s actually operating at the moment. Booking Office, Chambers Club and the pool would be my on-property highlights.

    Langley probably the best ‘bit further’ option.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      25 Aug25 August 19:06

      Hear chamber club is currently closed also only Titanium’s get access if you book Barlow Wong incase that matters.

    • Harry T says:

      25 Aug25 August 19:11

      Langley is closer until November 2nd. At Pancras Ren currently has the lounge closed. Emailed yesterday by London EDITION to say they are now closed until October.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        25 Aug25 August 20:11

        Which seems a very odd decision as they’ve missed all of summer and most of Autumn plus it’s actually pretty good for social distancing due to low number of rooms.

        Would have been nice to have some time in the countryside in the pursuit of 75 nights 🙂

• Tobias L says:

  25 Aug25 August 16:00

  Rather obscure question I know, but has anyone here found decent points-generating opportunities in EU, specifically Spain?

  I know in UK that Curve + E… are the way to go, but I’ve recently relocated to Spain and am hunting for any opportunities here…seems to be quite light on the ground, and the usual forums/boards are yielding nothing. Any input appreciated!

  • Sina says:

    25 Aug25 August 21:41

    Amex Melia, and Icon Iberia Visa. There are Lufthansa cards issued by CaixaBank if I remember correctly 😉

  • Lady London says:

    26 Aug26 August 04:09

    ultimallamada dot.com is usually prompt on IB promos and IB-tarjeta-restructed promos (which seem to been the best ones in the past).

    If you cruise the IB Plus site, in Spain or at least looking like it (it’s not just the language) IIRC you find lots more promos especially for retail and was (not sure now)Repsol petrol.

    I also had the impression fewer people have Amex in Spain and I believe some of the offers are really good.

    • Lady London says:

      26 Aug26 August 04:13

      PS if you’re looking for something more complicated I’ve always felt there can be some nice cross border opportunities so I would not entirely abandon the tools you’ve used so far.

      • TOBIAS L says:

        26 Aug26 August 09:34

        Thanks all for your comments! Helpful indeed. I should’ve clarified but the reality is I’m a bit less interested in getting points-earning carda here, but rather generating some spend on FX Fee Fee UK & US ones I have, and creatively “closing the loop”.

        @Lady London I think you are alluding to this (and I still very much have my usual tools ready to go 🙂 ), which is where I’d be very keen to discover more.

        Is there any other hint you can provide, or a way to communicate separately? I’ve always thought Rob could do with a private messaging system on HFP…maybe some day!

• Aston100 says:

  25 Aug25 August 16:02

  Does anyone have any experience of phoning Amex on behalf of their spouse?
  I don’t want to spend ages explaining something on web chat to the agents abroad, so a call with a Brighton based agent would be best, but will they say anything if they detect a non feminine voice? Can I get away with saying “gender is a social construct”?

  • dezbez says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:02

    Yes, plenty of times. And they always ask to speak with my wife I’m afraid (or at least get her permission so they can deal with me). If it’s just a ‘hypothetical’ query you’ll be ok though

    • Sina says:

      25 Aug25 August 21:43

      You can also become an authorised 3rd party on her account so you can discuss the account with them?

  • Vit says:

    25 Aug25 August 22:31

    @Aston, I do it all the time. My partner hates dealing with all these credit card stuffs — I just have to get the consent along with security codes etc. while putting the agent on loud speaker before start asking question / making any queries.

  • Lady London says:

    26 Aug26 August 04:15

    Learn to speak falsetto?

• Bon says:

  25 Aug25 August 16:24

  I need to spend the £100 Platinum Statement credit offer, can this be spent on an M&S e-gift card? Does this qualify for the statement credit?

  • Rob says:

    25 Aug25 August 16:50

    A reader did post that it had worked for them. No real risk is there, assuming you’d spend it anyway?

    • bon says:

      25 Aug25 August 16:58

      The offer only has 2 days to run, risk would be losing the offer if statement credit didn’t appear.

  • Lady London says:

    25 Aug25 August 17:34

    it has been posted more than once that it works for people. best be safe and mix it with some real stuff though.

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