The HfP chat thread – Saturday 21st November

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• SL says:

  21 Nov21 November 15:00

  Just been to a Morrisons and was told can only top up their own GCs by £100 (at the kiosk) and they can’t be used for petrol…was told by the cashier and supervisor. Am I assuming this is incorrect?

  • mark2 says:

    21 Nov21 November 15:15

    Most of their own cards can be topped up to £250 (as it says on the card in front of me). I always use a self-service till, with a chocolate bar temporarily making the weight sufficient.
    You can definitely use them for petrol, although the petrol station cashier may need guidance.
    I hope that you got your MORE points (you get more MORE when the spend the Cgs.

  • the_real_a says:

    21 Nov21 November 15:32

    I was told the same about petrol, but there is no physical limitation at the fuel kiosk they can be used for petrol and plenty of people here have used them for fuel. It seems some staff are badly informed or perhaps your local store has implemented local rules.

    You can top up the Morrison gift card by any amount thats printed on the card… I cant remember exactly but something like £5-£250.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    21 Nov21 November 16:03

    So you decided not to believe the front of the gift card that says up to £250?

    • SL says:

      21 Nov21 November 16:13

      I pointed this fact out to them to which they replied the system isn’t showing them the ability to load more than £100. By this point a queue was forming and I decided to stick with just Amazon cards. I have another Morrison’s near work and will try my BA Amex there on self check-out.

      Thanks

    • the_real_a says:

      21 Nov21 November 16:20

      There is a recent EU legislation that forbids non-registered gift cards to the maximum value of 150euro. That’s why you are unable to purchase – for example – one4all gift cards above £120 for the past few months.

      • SL says:

        21 Nov21 November 16:33

        Thanks for the info much appreciated

      • TGLoyalty says:

        21 Nov21 November 18:42

        That’s nice but we are no longer in the EU and I don’t believe that legislation made its way in to the UK laws. I have just bought a 250 Amazon card so either they are breaking the rules or the rule isn’t relevant here.

        So what you need med to do was pre “other amount” and tap in 25000.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          21 Nov21 November 18:44

          Don’t know what happened there!

          Anyway you needed to swipe the gift card, wait for the prompt to select a value then press “other amount” then tap in 25000 and stick your gift card on the scale with something else like a chocolate or some shopping to register on the scale.

        • the_real_a says:

          21 Nov21 November 22:05

          AMLD5 still stands. This directive took effect ahead of the UK leaving the EU on 31st January. Single retailer gift cards are most likely not regulated however, and its good that this is probably user error.

• Gormlesstraveller says:

  21 Nov21 November 15:01

  The main reason to learn the codes on here of course is to be able to nod knowingly at the in-jokes when hanging around at the canapé table at the next HFP do. I felt a bit of an outsider last time when I didn’t understand everything!

  • Lady London says:

    21 Nov21 November 15:09

    yoi got near the canape table? I got b***** all at any of the last 3 do’s. I think some people might have grabbed 3 or 4.

    I’d like a canape or a dessert voucher to be handed out alongside the drinka voucher.

• Andrew says:

  21 Nov21 November 15:34

  I did quite nicely out of the Amex Rimowa deal – 7000 MR points posted even before the order arrived, and 8000 Avios tracked on BA store @10/£1. Thought I would update my luggage so when I do eventually get back to the First Wing I can turn up like Joan Collins with a trolley stacked with matching items.

  • Russ says:

    21 Nov21 November 17:17

    Thank you for the update Andrew. I have the same offer but waiting for a sale but then totally forgot about the BA store. Hope your Joan Collins look works well for you 😉

    • Andrew says:

      21 Nov21 November 17:26

      Hahaha yes! 😎 And I think Rimowa is now one of those brands that has positioned itself that it is never on sale – they used to participate in Harrods 10% off but now they are part of LVMH they are concession and don’t.

  • Anna says:

    21 Nov21 November 17:26

    I’m still dithering over that one. I’m tempted but I would have to spend the rest of my life making sure nobody ever found out I’d spent £500 on a suitcase 🤣

    • Andrew says:

      21 Nov21 November 17:30

      The Cabin Classic is a beautiful piece and I love using it, you won’t regret it and it will never go out of style. I’ve now bought the checkin version to match (and create aforementioned Joan Collins look). And whilst not free, they have this global repair thing where if you find yourself in Bangkok or wherever with an airline broken wheel, you can pop along to the Rimowa store and they will repair it while you wait – they even have a boutique inside Raffles Singapore.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        21 Nov21 November 21:00

        I did look at these but £800 for something that gets thrown about just doesn’t sit right with me.

        I’ve gone for a set of Away bags and having had them for a year I’ve had 0 issues.

      • Lady London says:

        22 Nov22 November 00:44

        koffer.de is ok for rimowa

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      21 Nov21 November 17:37

      Same! Hahahaha

      Also worried about baggage handlers in the know… don’t fancy it mysteriously losing half my stuff.

      Might stick with my tactic of a bright colour on a bog standard hardshell case. No one has ever bat an eye lid and never had anything lost or stolen.

      Interested if anyone has come up with an approach to get the points for next to nothing tho…

      • Andrew says:

        21 Nov21 November 18:07

        I think Rimowa is suitably midrange really – you’d need to be concerned about a Louis Vuitton trunk or something like that attracting too much attention. Rimowa isn’t that exclusive, just nice quality and classic design. Don’t think there’s any real points earning opportunity with this one – just a sweetener/excuse to spend if you want something from the brand.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:

          21 Nov21 November 21:17

          I dont think you can call a brand owned that charges atleast £500 for their main pieces mid range. Plus their also owned by LVMH so mid range is way understating it.

          It is definitely high end. The brand is unique in that they don’t shove the name in your face but the designs are highly distinctive.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          21 Nov21 November 21:50

          @SSS in LVMH world it probably isn’t even mid range!

        • Andrew says:

          21 Nov21 November 22:42

          Yes I agree TG – in the LVMH portfolio, they are towards the lower end, but they have made strides in their brand positioning over the last few years and are becoming more aspirational. And to clarify my point Super Secret, I was just meaning that Rimowa won’t stand out to baggage handlers as being something to steal as someone was suggesting as they aren’t that exclusive or expensive in the scheme of things – whereas a LV suitcase costing many times that certainly would. And it was me that originally posted that I’ve just spent £800 on a checkin suitcase to match my carryon so I am a Rimowa fan!!

      • dezbez says:

        21 Nov21 November 20:57

        I’m thinking Come Fly With Me! 🙈

        • Lady London says:

          22 Nov22 November 00:38

          @SSS is right, whilst mid-rangeish Rimowa has had a certain cult following for a very long time (though if LVMH interfere that much they might ruin it). It’s highly recognisable and definitely aspirational to in-transit luggage rifflers.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    21 Nov21 November 20:30

    Andrew I’m just imagining you in full dress and lipstick (or can’t you say that in this day and age lol) don’t forget the hat

    • Mike says:

      21 Nov21 November 21:21

      I think (hope) the point of this day and age is you can wear whatever you want without judgement!

      Dress, trousers, makeup or not, shaven or not, who cares – you do you and ignore the naysayers…

      • Andrew says:

        21 Nov21 November 22:45

        But I will need my matching Rimowa luggage though!

• Darren says:

  21 Nov21 November 15:49

  Is it wrong that when someone mentions bendy I think of Bendy Bully, maybe its an age thing?

  • dezbez says:

    21 Nov21 November 20:35

    Funnily enough, Bendy Bully has been appearing regularly on Twitter these last 24 hrs, in reference to Priti.

  • Josh says:

    21 Nov21 November 23:04

    I love a bit of Bully. Used to watch that at 1am on Challenge

• mark says:

  21 Nov21 November 16:02

  Did anyone receive the free ihg night for the plat creation card spend yet?
  Really not happy tbh, they are giving me the runaround.
  Does anyone know the best way of dealing with this and who I can put a complaint in with?
  Thank you

  • the_real_a says:

    21 Nov21 November 16:17

    is this still happening? There are 2 ladies at Creation that deal with the operations of the IHG card. You need to find a way to get to them. They will send an “email” to smart people in IHG who will add the voucher manually. I used to call up the fraud line (this way the people are in the compliance team and generally have a bit more common sense than what feels like talking to bags of concrete in the call center) and ask them to find the ladies in question. But call up between 9-5 as thats when they work.

    • Mark says:

      21 Nov21 November 18:38

      Thank you and yeap it’s still happening.
      I want my card fee refunding if they won’t honour it as it’s in the terms and conditions.
      Will let everyone know how it goes

      • Janet says:

        22 Nov22 November 09:02

        Mark, I am having exactly the same problem, it’s so frustrating. I am still fighting for a free night which should have been awarded in May. I am wondering if it’s possible to take this to the Ombudsman. Please report back if you have any success.

  • Crafty says:

    22 Nov22 November 15:54

    Don’t think this helps you but mine posted automatically on anniversary day a few weeks ago. So it isn’t broken system wide.

• Ben says:

  21 Nov21 November 16:29

  Hi
  Does anyone know when (or if) the HSBC 50% conversion to Avios offer will start? I heard it’s yearly and around this time, but I don’t know how to find out when it’s started

  • Peter K says:

    21 Nov21 November 16:52

    It’s not a guaranteed thing that there will be a bonus each year and none has been announced this year. “Past performance is no guarantee of future results”.

  • Dan says:

    21 Nov21 November 17:43

    Was it not 25% last year?

    • Polly says:

      22 Nov22 November 01:04

      Yes

• Anna says:

  21 Nov21 November 17:23

  Due to the new Scottish rules I’ve had to cancel our stay at The George, but re-booked for our silver wedding anniversary in March, if we can travel again by then! They’re still not showing any points availability but I decided to use one of our Ambassador BOGOF certificates and managed to negotiate a 3 category upgrade to a suite for £40 pn extra (Ambasador upgrade plus goodwill upgrade plus cash upgrade). Total cash price for the 2 nights will be £325 which makes me think they won’t still be offering the Club Intercontinental experience by then – when I spoke to the manager he was non-comittal about it but it seems to have disappeared as a future booking option.

  • Anna says:

    21 Nov21 November 17:30

    So booked The Majestic in Harrogate instead, assuming that we won’t be banned from Yorkshire (which you can’t take for granted in Lancashire lol). At least we might be able to use one of the Amex offers in December!

    • Sloth says:

      21 Nov21 November 17:57

      Stayed here in September, only for One night as travelling through. got a decent upgrade as gold. nice hotel, nice inside and an elegant dining/breakfast room. Bar staff incredibly slow, but on the plus side they forgot to charge for half the drinks so I didn’t mind. Would def go back

      Just cross your fingers that the nightingale hospital isn’t in use by then as it’s right next door 🙂

      • Josh says:

        21 Nov21 November 18:33

        You didnt have to queue for an hour to check in? Staff seemed on a permanent go-slow when I was there. Most rooms didnt have a fridge or bottles of water (brand/group standard) and phone calls to reception went unanswered.

        Breakfast was amazing

        • Sloth says:

          21 Nov21 November 18:43

          I had read about the queues for check in but we were there before 12:00 and I asked if they would be able to check us in early. Girl was pretty off hand but did it no problem so no, no queues for me 🙂

          Agreed breakfast very good, we ate out for dinner but the dining room was pretty full for dinner. Did get a dessert (Very good) later on whilst sitting outside listening to a band

        • Josh says:

          21 Nov21 November 22:42

          Ah I went there in January so hopefully the Majestic has sorted itself out since then. Quite a lot of “Hyacinth Bucket” sort of guests with doggies.

    • yorkieflyer says:

      21 Nov21 November 20:14

      excellent wetherspoons by the baths

    • the_real_a says:

      22 Nov22 November 17:30

      Crown plaza was/is only £50 a night 14 nights ahead.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    21 Nov21 November 20:19

    Anna, Did you manage to get Avanti to sort rail tickets out to your satisfaction ?

• Sloth says:

  21 Nov21 November 17:53

  I know a few on here are partial to a bit of champagne so hope the below helps, taken from h u k d…

  £26.65 Bollinger which I think is a pretty decent price. Add the voucher and use subscribe and save

  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bollinger-Special-Cuvée-Champagne-75cl/dp/B003V3POVS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1MZGXEH8MFL00&dchild=1&keywords=bollinger&qid=1605981021&sprefix=Boll%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-5

  • Andrew says:

    21 Nov21 November 18:13

    That’s a pretty decent deal. I have a feeling once the festive season is over there will be a LOT of champagne offers – apparently there’s a worldwide over supply with bars closed, weddings cancelled and our favourite pastime: flying business/first severely reduced.

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