The HfP chat thread – Saturday 2nd January

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• BuildBackBetter says:

  2 Jan2 January 11:18

  How long do Tesco Clubcard points take to post to avios? I have a delivery on 5th, so Tesco debit card points will post on 7th. Wondering if it’ll be too late to convert to avios.

• Tony says:

  2 Jan2 January 11:23

  I have some avios bookings for domestic flights in Japan this summer. I’m increasingly sceptical about the chance of the trip taking place. Can I cancel partner awards under the book with confidence scheme?

  I’d rather not be on the hook for 10x £35 cancellation fees, especially when the fees are low on one leg and zero on the other!

  • ClubX says:

    2 Jan2 January 11:41

    You will still get your full Avios back when you cancel. Also when the tax is less than £35 you just don’t get any refund in cash (i.e. you don’t pay another £35 just to cancel)

    • Tony says:

      2 Jan2 January 11:55

      Thanks – I thought that had changed earlier in the year when they removed the option to cancel online, so if the fees were less than £35 they made you pay that to get the miles back.

      I could have that wrong or it may have been reversed.

      Thanks

      • BJ says:

        2 Jan2 January 12:41

        I am in a similar position Tony but with much less at stake. There is no good news on the 10x£35 I’m afraid. I left our bookings active in hope of a schedule change or cancellation. I cancelled our 2-4-1 as return from BKK was cancelled, and I suspect Japan is not going to allow visitors until days to a week before the Olympics. Now hoping for the same trip in spring 2022.

        • Tony says:

          2 Jan2 January 13:04

          We are due to fly out at the start of August. Unfortunately it was into Osaka which has been cancelled but that’s a BAH booking. They emailed me asking what I’d like to do so am expecting a call in the coming days.

          But to confirm we have to pony up the £35 to get our avios back now?

        • BJ says:

          2 Jan2 January 15:39

          @Tony, you will only lose what you paid where you paid less than £35. Where you pay £35(+) then you lose £35 only, you get any + back. In my case the cash was £35 + pennies per person. CSA tried to waive it for me as per @TGLoyalty but she sought approval from another who would not, hence the reason I am still sitting on those flights.

      • Gavin says:

        2 Jan2 January 13:18

        It was confirmed by some of the knowledgeable people on the Flyertalk BA forum that you don’t need to pay the £35, you just lose the cash already paid (probably only a couple of £ for JAL domestic flights) the same as before. But you’ll have to ring to find out for sure.

        • Tony says:

          2 Jan2 January 13:35

          Great thanks. Yes one flight was a few pounds each and the other incurred no fees at all.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          2 Jan2 January 14:09

          It WAS the case early on after online cancellation went and because you have to speak to someone to do it they are within the T&C’s to ask for it.

          They MAY not enforce it but you have no leg to stand on if they do.

• Andrew Little says:

  2 Jan2 January 11:24

  Which London Hilton property do people currently consider to be the best to stay at out of the Conrad or Waldorf? Thank you in advance.

  • Rob says:

    2 Jan2 January 11:48

    Waldorf is NOT a Waldorf Astoria. Bankside or Conrad is probably the choice.

    • John says:

      2 Jan2 January 17:02

      Anyone been to Biltmore Mayfair LXR?

  • The Savage Squirrel says:

    2 Jan2 January 12:10

    Waldorf seems a bit like Forth bridge in terms of never-ending renovation. To unhelpfully not answer the question … Trafalgar St James is better than both :D.

    • kitten says:

      2 Jan2 January 13:46

      can you explain the difference ? i was eyeing Hilton Bankside. Quite surprised to hear Trafalgar better?

      • The Savage Squirrel says:

        2 Jan2 January 15:07

        Ridiculously good location (with views over Trafalgar Square). Nice rooftop bar with same. Smaller Curio hotel means more character and personal service, and rooms are not all identical (which I like) and have London personality. Good breakfast cooked to order (pre-Covid) – still free for HH Gold. I’m not one to spend ages digging out the room charts to work out exactly what upgrade I got, but either they’re liberal with the upgrades or the base rooms are impressive. Very different to Bankside’s pleasant btu could-be-anywhere stamped out rectangular boxes. Trade-off is standard small property issues that aren’t important to me but may be for you; small gym and no pool.

        • The Urbanite says:

          2 Jan2 January 15:37

          I’ve been eyeing the Vegan suite at the Bankside – definitely would be a different experience!

        • kitten says:

          2 Jan2 January 15:53

          Thankyou both

  • BJ says:

    2 Jan2 January 15:48

    You need to factor in what you are paying for them too as perceived value might influence your decision. Waldorf has been consistently less than 50k but Conrad mostly around 70k, Bankside and Trafalgar a bit of a yoyo between. If it is a special ocassion I would take Trafalgar, it has that something the others don’t.

• Roger says:

  2 Jan2 January 11:42

  Do you still have to call for Marriott bonvoy to bonvoy transfer?
  Looking to tarnsfer some points from mrs account to mine.

  Not sure if Rob is thinking of updating the previous Bonvoy Travel Package article as there seems to be no major changes.

  • Rob says:

    2 Jan2 January 11:46

    Yes, must call.

  • Harry T says:

    2 Jan2 January 14:11

    You do have to call but the process is very quick.

• Chrism20 says:

  2 Jan2 January 12:07

  Question re Marriott points expiration.

  Had an award wallet notification this morning saying they expire in February. When logged into my account it says points expiration is paused until Feb 2021 and on the Marriott Clean/Covid website it says points expiry paused until 1st Aug 2021.

  Anyone any idea on which one to believe?

  • Roger says:

    2 Jan2 January 12:15

    I would trust the Marriott as AW may not be fully up to date.

    • Chrism20 says:

      2 Jan2 January 12:21

      Its the Marriot website that is showing me two dates. When logged in it says Feb and when looking at the covid pages on the website it says Aug. Award wallet and the logged in date match.

      • Roger says:

        2 Jan2 January 12:27

        In that case I will write to Marriott to get a written confirmation.
        or use Amex MR to bonvoy for small amount to reset expiry.

      • Jim says:

        2 Jan2 January 13:13

        US dating system maybe? 08/02/21 ?

        • Chrism20 says:

          2 Jan2 January 20:36

          Definitely August as the month is written in full rather than numerically. I’ve sent an email, will update once I hear back.

• Roger says:

  2 Jan2 January 12:13

  Is there any better alternative to HSBC Premier?
  I am eligible for HSBC Premier due to just one investment (LON:EUA) but have refrained from upgrading as I have been an AMEX guy but thinking of taking a hiatus for 24 months.

  • Roger says:

    2 Jan2 January 12:22

    Nothing seems to have further materialized from here:
    https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/02/18/avios-and-barclays-sign-partnership/

    we are now in 2021 and hopefully we get a news soon from Rob!

  • 747_Brat says:

    2 Jan2 January 13:09

    You could upgrade and take the free Premier card, and when you are ready for the Amex hiatus, just upgrade to World Elite.

  • jil says:

    2 Jan2 January 13:21

    having an hsbc premier has no cost, why not getting one?

  • Grant says:

    2 Jan2 January 15:04

    Depending on when you got in, that’s a nice investment 😉

  • John says:

    3 Jan3 January 03:13

    EUA?? Isn’t the main reason to be in it because of the supposed takeover? Do you want to keep your money with HSBC after that is done?

• Kevin says:

  2 Jan2 January 12:23

  Managed to hit 50 nights with Marriott, but never received any email about status upgrade or 5 Suite Night Awards. However login to my account and noticed that has been upgraded to Platinum elite but where can I check the 5 Suite Night Awards been selected rather than other options. TIA.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    2 Jan2 January 13:49

    You should see an option to select your benefit.

    If you don’t do it before the 8th you get SNA’s anyway.

    • Kevin says:

      2 Jan2 January 17:04

      Thanks found it now.

• John W says:

  2 Jan2 January 12:49

  Qatar Airways January sale …..I had some great value bookings in business , I guess those days are gone ?
  Nothing anywhere this year ??

  • Andrew says:

    2 Jan2 January 13:51

    Even before the Covid mess QR Jan sales were getting less and less each year – didn’t book anything last January (just as well now) so that coupled with all that’s going on, it doesn’t surprise me. They did traditionally start their sale a little later in Jan in their “travel festival” which I recall was about the 12th onwards – so you may still see offers – but of course this year is anything but normal so who knows.

  • kitten says:

    2 Jan2 January 14:01

    ….he asked on 2nd day of January, at 12:49 🙂

    Perhaps give it a bit more time ?

    • Dick Steele says:

      2 Jan2 January 14:30

      Sale on Qatar? They’ve not had anything decent for a long long time.

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