The HfP chat thread – Saturday 9th January

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Tom1 says:

9 Jan9 January 16:46

Looking on the bright side – any recommendations for Hilton or Marriott properties on golf courses in Europe?

I know there are some very nice ones in the Canaries – but thinking Spain/Portugal for a sunshine+golf break when we can travel again.

Would like to use points if possible. Thanks 😊
- The Savage Squirrel says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 17:00
  
  Hilton Vilamoura matches the description of what you are looking for. Got a positive mention on the comments thread the other day, I think.
  Conrad Algarve doesn’t have its own course but weirdly does have its own golf pro. Not sure what that’s all about.
  - Tom1 says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 17:46
    
    Thanks – yes, that’s on my radar. I’ll search the comments to see if I can find it.
- Harry T says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 18:20
  
  I very strongly recommend Penha Longa near Lisbon – had an excellent four night stay there in summer 2020. It is a Ritz Carlton resort that has a massive gold course. I don’t play golf but I’ve walked around the course and it’s very picturesque.
- Louise K says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 18:43
  
  As per Harry Penha Longa is very good, quite resorty.
  
  Hilton Vilamoura is next door to Pinhal golf and then you have all the Vilamoura courses nearby and the operate a shuttle. Some nice restaurants in Vilamoura you can take the shuttle or take a 25 minute walk to.
  
  Conrad Algarve is very nice but in a bit of a strange location – Quinta do Lago / Vale do Lobo courses nearby.
  - LST says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 18:52
    
    Westin Costa Navarino/Romanos and St Regis Mallorca are both lovely resorts with great courses.
    - Tom1 says:
      
      9 Jan9 January 23:31
      
      Thanks all
- Mr(s) Entitled says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 19:02
  
  Doubletree Forest Pines & Spa Resort about 20mons SE of York. Might have a higher probability of your trip going ahead.
  - Charlieface says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 20:34
    
    What is that like, I’ve been eyeing it? Do they give Gold upgrades?
    Both with and without children. I like countryside. Any thoughts?
    - Brian W says:
      
      9 Jan9 January 20:55
      
      I’ve stayed at Forest Pines numerous times for work (not golf) and have enjoyed an upgrade to a suite 3 or 4 times before as Diamond. Sometimes I’ve not had any upgrade at all however but it is a decent hotel with a good gym and pool too. Restaurant option and breakfast are also very good in my opinion and parking is free throughout your stay. Only downside is the rooms don’t have A/C. Rooms have Sky Sports on the channel list which is unusual but welcome if you enjoy sports.
    - dezbez says:
      
      10 Jan10 January 07:21
      
      As a golf course it’s one of the best in that part of the country – 3×9 holes which you pick and choose (Forest course in particular has some stunning holes). Like any British course though, its so much better when the weather is good.
      Can’t comment too much on the resort – I’ve only stayed the odd overnight between rounds in basic rooms which were just that – basic.
      - Tom1 says:
        
        10 Jan10 January 12:08
        
        Agreed on the course -and decent value too. Played 18 holes in October for £20 each which is a bargain considering the quality of the course. Lots of leaves around though!!
  - Tom1 says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 21:14
    
    Haha thanks! I managed to trigger the last Amex Hilton offer by playing golf there.
- Will says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 19:05
  
  The Marriot at Praia d’el rey in Portugal.
  Two superb golf courses on site – Praia d’el rey itself and West Cliffs.
Alan says:

9 Jan9 January 17:04

Could any of the travel experts on here tell me if there is a way of using Avios or Virgin miles for a flight from London to Tbilisi this October.

I know there are no direct flights but ideally would like to do the trip on a single ticket
- Bob says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 17:13
  
  Avios – QR fly there
  VS – AF fly there although doesn’t look its searchable online – no results
  - kitten says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 18:10
    
    I think JL does it but via Tokyo. Isnt Aeroflot in OneWorld?
    
    LH or LX is how I would go but wrong alliance.
    - 747_Brat says:
      
      9 Jan9 January 19:08
      
      Aeroflot is part of SkyTeam!
      - kitten says:
        
        9 Jan9 January 20:09
        
        perhaps virgin milea have access then?
        .
        I think Air Georgia? used to be at LHR once per week but no idea if they have any affiliations.
- Mr. AC says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 21:59
  
  No good options with miles I fear. Aeroflot mentioned in the comments, but it’s SkyTeam and doesn’t fly the route currently anyway due to strained relations between Russia and Gerogia.
  I’d suggest a cash Lufty ticket. I think you can still get Star Alliance status via TAP for cheap to make the trip better…
- Alan says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 22:05
  
  Thanks for all the replies, after looking at the options I think we will have to fork out for Lufthansa.
  - Alex M says:
    
    10 Jan10 January 00:14
    
    Wizzair to Kutaisi and then drive? Or Air Georgia direct.
Anna says:

9 Jan9 January 19:24

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/special-features/new-clinic-manchester-offers-same-19568759

Covid testing in Manchester including Fit to Fly. Still ridiculously overpriced though!
- Blenz101 says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 20:00
  
  MEN were either paid or just printed a press release for that nonsense.
  
  The on-site Manchester airport testing from Collinson offers a PCR test for £45 less.
  
  Plenty of places offering tests in Manchester which a Google search will turn up and prices can easily be compared.
Ana says:

9 Jan9 January 19:44

Hello!

Do you recommend any online place where I can buy a tesco or amazon gift card using paypal?
- memesweeper says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 19:50
  
  Ebay
- mark2 says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 21:50
  
  buying from a third party is always risky.
Tarmohamed says:

9 Jan9 January 20:11

ExpressTest Heathrow. Was booked for 19:50 on Friday, arrived 19:40 and was our turn at 20:00. Result arrived at 15:30 Saturday, less than 24 hours. £80 each.
- Colin MacKinnon says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 21:12
  
  + 1 for same experience with Express Test at Edinburgh Airport.
  
  Just a shame that we can’t fly anywhere in EU now!
  
  (because of their Covid rules)
Dan says:

9 Jan9 January 21:45

Quick data point – read earlier that a few folk on here had phoned up asking for retention offers for the Amex Gold card.

I phoned around 2pm (UK time) and got through to Brighton who did not a budge an inch and only reiterated the fact that there is an anniversary bonus on the card already.

Hung up and phoned again 9.30pm, this time ending up in Manila (I think?- guy had a quasi-American accent) who said he would check my account. he put me on hold for less than a minute and said he could see an available offer of spend £2.5k in the next three months for 10,000 MR which I gladly accepted.

Shows the need to persevere when the say ‘No!’ And very unusual that Manila ends up being more generous than Brighton as normally it is the other way around.
- 747_Brat says:
  
  9 Jan9 January 22:21
  
  I faced the same scenario today and received some rare generousity from Manila with the same offer you mentioned!
  
  P.S.: I can tell the agents are based in Manila, because when I harmlessly flirted with a lady agent today in Tagalog (Philippines’ native language), she laughed hysterically! 😎
  I am sure she wasn’t expecting that from a UK based Amex customer!
  - Crafty says:
    
    9 Jan9 January 23:01
    
    Yes, of course all Filipino women enjoy it when men “harmlessly flirt” with them when they’re trying to work.
    - Russel says:
      
      9 Jan9 January 23:35
      
      Perhaps your Tagalog sounded funny to someone in Brighton
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        10 Jan10 January 00:16
        
        : )
    - Sloth says:
      
      10 Jan10 January 00:04
      
      Filipina…
  - Sloth says:
    
    10 Jan10 January 00:07
    
    Was probably laughing at you cos she didn’t have a clue what you were on about…
DT says:

10 Jan10 January 12:49

Brewdog giving out free beers if you pay £1.95 delivery, long wait to get on the website though