The HfP chat thread – Saturday 12th September

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• YC says:

  12 Sep12 September 09:39

  Upcoming marriott stay at Domes Miramare (completion before end sept). Hotel has emailed me insisting the cancellation terms is 7days before arrival but my understanding was Marriott has a global policy of 24hrs before arrival for stays before end sept. Hotel claims they are a resort and so eligible to set their own terms. Any thoughts on what the actual policy is and if I have a leg to stand on if I cancel inside 7 days?

  • Lady London says:

    12 Sep12 September 10:06

    I’d cancel them now if this is the way things are shaping.

    There was another case on here where a Greek hotel refused to refund based on a peak period exemption from global brand covid refund policy. The peak period in question being a whole 6 months and probably the hotel’s entire normal opening period.

    It seems a lot of European hoteliers are taking every opportunity they can to claim 1970’s-style package holiday rules apply.

    Safer to cancel and get out now. can also let Marriott jnow that this hotels refusal to honour their policies is what led you to cancel when actually you were still hoping to use the booking but due to no longer trusting the hotel you decided to cancel.

  • Harry T says:

    12 Sep12 September 10:22

    Double check Marriott T&Cs to see what they say about resorts and local policy. From what I’ve seen on flyertalk, you won’t get your money back from the hotel and Marriott probably won’t back you up. It will probably help if you have decent status and paid on Amex, as status allows you to presumably get better service and Amex are brilliant for chargebacks. However, it’s not a cut and dry chargeback either.

    • Harry T says:

      12 Sep12 September 10:28

      If you are thinking of not going, personally I would cancel before the seven day window. You may eventually win a battle over the precise applicable terms and conditions but it’s probably not worth the hassle.

      On a related note, I understand the business practicalities and wanting to make money during covid, but it annoys me when hotels don’t offer a truly best flexible rate (cancel day before).

      • YC says:

        12 Sep12 September 11:23

        I still would like to go but as we know, things can change drastically in 7 days and the Marriott policy was favourable. I did call the marriott plat line last week who confirm verbally the 24hr cancellation. Do you think if I could get Marriott to confirm this via email – this will save me in case I decide not to go?

        • Harry T says:

          12 Sep12 September 14:00

          Something in writing from Marriott would probably help but I suspect you’d still have a hard time getting any money back.

  • Rob says:

    12 Sep12 September 11:29

    Marriott’s official wording is weak, giving hotels a get-out. Don’t rely on it.

    Cancel 7 days out. Room unlikely to be resold so potential to rebook.

    • YC says:

      12 Sep12 September 11:46

      Thanks all – good info from all as per usual. Will mostly do Rob’s suggestion and avoid unnecessary calls/arguments with Marriott/Greek hotels. Side note – Interesting proposal from the hotel on voluntary covid testing – 300euro credit if u show negative pcr test on arrival (min 5nights stay)

      • Sukes says:

        12 Sep12 September 13:58

        If rebooking try code EZR for room upgrade and EUR50 credit daily. If you have Amex card you may have spend £200 receive £50 cash back offer on selected Marriott hotels but will get hit by 2.99% FX fee.

        • meta says:

          12 Sep12 September 19:01

          Amex offer not available in Greece.

      • Paul says:

        12 Sep12 September 23:12

        This is per room not per person

    • Harry T says:

      12 Sep12 September 14:00

      Rob is right. You’re highly unlikely to find the hotel is booked out, and rates shouldn’t be that much different a couple of days out vs seven days out.

  • Tim Rogers says:

    12 Sep12 September 11:52

    What dates are you due to be there? I’m also staying before the end of the month – currently planning to go unless it becomes impossible (e.g. Greek rules change).

    • YC says:

      12 Sep12 September 15:13

      21-25. Are u planning on booking as last minute as possible given their 7 day cancellation? Don’t think it’s worth the risk of losing the whole cost of the stay. Worst case it’s sold out, will just enjoy the UK!

  • Paul says:

    12 Sep12 September 23:10

    Stayed at miramare last month. Not a great resort. Rooms are 3 star not 5 star. Were people complaining all the time about things generally not being 5 star. Nowhere near the level of domes of elounda.

    • Rob says:

      13 Sep13 September 08:04

      Sinead was at Elounda last week and was impressed. Review to follow.

• FrenchLondoner says:

  12 Sep12 September 12:29

  Anyone with recent experience of BA CityFlyer Economy? Have they stopped serving alcohol (in particular Gin)? Thank you 😉

  • Pablo says:

    12 Sep12 September 12:41

    I did LCY-FLR over BH weekend. You get a bottle of water and a choice of savoury or sweet snack.

    • FrenchLondoner says:

      12 Sep12 September 13:11

      Thanks, Pablo!

  • Brian W says:

    12 Sep12 September 20:05

    My experience in CityFlyer Economy on Tuesday was identical.

• Erico1875 says:

  12 Sep12 September 12:36

  Just bought 173K Melia points for £560 (inc 40% bonus).
  That was enough to book 4 nights Half Board at Gran Melia Don Pepe in Marbella. Cash price was around a grand so a real bargain

  • Sina says:

    12 Sep12 September 20:40

    Not sure if their app is working reliably? I’ve booked fully flexible (Gran Melia Palacio de Isora) for £832 next year, but with points i’m qouted 425K melia points?! This is the only time when I’ve booked truly flexible with Melia as I’ve read here how sneaky they are with cancellations!

• ian_h says:

  12 Sep12 September 13:07

  Amex Bonus Confusion!

  I havent had ANY Amex issued Amex card for the past 2 + years so following the new rules have just started my jorney back with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex.

  I understand that it doesnt really matter in which order I do BA PP & Amex Plat and so BA is likely my next application once a few months have passed.

  My confusion is this though, whilst the Amex Plat is one of the cards I will no doubt end up with I have a small business (Ltd Co) and so the Amex Plat Business Card may be a possibility.

  I just dont understand how getting this would fit into the Bonus strategy – anyone help / got any experience please?

  Thanks

  • Harry T says:

    12 Sep12 September 14:02

    I believe your entitlement to a bonus on the business Platinum is only affected by previous business card accounts, not personal cards. Plus you can also requify for a business bonus six months after last closing your business card.

    • Harry T says:

      12 Sep12 September 14:02

      Requalify

    • Rob says:

      12 Sep12 September 14:06

      No. Business Platinum looks at ALL Membership Rewards cards.

      Personal Platinum only looks at Personal cards, so having a Business Plat whilst waiting for your 24 months on Personal Plat to come around works.

  • Rob says:

    12 Sep12 September 14:08

    Business Plat needs to be before Personal Plat, because Business Plat looks at Personal, whilst Personal Plat does not look back at Business.

    • Harry T says:

      12 Sep12 September 17:48

      My bad, apologies.

• Keith says:

  12 Sep12 September 15:50

  Hilton – if you book using the part points part cash, do you earn points on the cash portion?

  • John says:

    13 Sep13 September 05:36

    Yes

• Darren says:

  12 Sep12 September 19:19

  SLH Amex offer, anyone used this on a prepaid rate? Trying to stack it with a 3for2.

• Steve says:

  12 Sep12 September 19:58

  Idly checking the BA app I see that my LHR-CTN booking on 20 Sep has status “Rerouted ”
  Clicking the info button gives the message:

  Sorry route has changed.
  If you’re travelling on this flight and need info please contact rep at the airport.

  This seems to be leaving it rather late for what could presumably be a major change? Or is it likely to be minor.

  Should I clarify beforehand

  FWIW this is part of a BA holiday booked pre-plague and has already undergone changes from LGW and a rearranged incoming flight date

  Thanks!

  • Lady London says:

    12 Sep12 September 20:12

    Why did you not use the previous change to get the whole thing refunded? I a definitely not going to wait till the airport to sort this out.

    Is this Catania or Australia ???

    Please find out what’s going on, make your decision and let us know.

    • Steve says:

      13 Sep13 September 11:28

      Called up and told it referred to the switch from LGW so false alarm, really

      Yes, it’s to Catania.

• Ed E says:

  12 Sep12 September 20:23

  Has anyone else seen the post on FB referencing what looks like a 2016 article?
  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2016/08/31/win-a-share-of-1000-of-amazon-vouchers-by-testing-a-new-rewards-app/

  • Rob says:

    12 Sep12 September 20:44

    Sorry, IT error – I am tidying up some old articles where the new site has broken the formatting and this one got republished by mistake!

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