The HfP chat thread – Saturday 27th February

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KP says:

27 Feb27 February 08:59

Why no article on the nee B arclays scheme ?
- KP says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 08:59
  
  *new
  - BJ says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 09:16
    
    Because they are waiting for the go ahead from Barclays. It is potentially in the interests of both HfP and us readers that tbey nurture a good relationship than break agreements I think.
- KP says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 11:09
  
  I believe it is either or. You cant covert from one scheme into another. But I might be wrong
The Savage Squirrel says:

27 Feb27 February 09:13

Need to go somewhere between Liverpool and Southport for two nights in March (it’s related to healthcare provision before anyone asks). Where’s actually open and will give me something to eat, even if it’s just very basic room service?
- Anna says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:35
  
  There are plenty of places open in Liverpool itself, it depends if it’s convenient for you to stay in a city centre. If you do a search on the IHG website for your dates, it says which are open for permitted reasons. Staybridge Suites would be a decent option for work.
  Between Liverpool and Southpool is fairly rural, there are lots of genteel B & Bs and a couple of nice hotels in Southport as well but no idea what’s open and what’s not.
- Red Flyer says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:54
  
  Formby Hall – not too far from Southport to Liverpool rail line or Royal Hotel in Waterloo which is 5 mins walk from the station and eateries on South Road.
  - The Savage Squirrel says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 11:55
    
    Stayed at Formby Hall before – very good, but currently closed 🙁
Paul says:

27 Feb27 February 09:29

I am travelling to Spain next week from LHR has anyone got experience or knowledge of the pre departure testing there?
- Bobri says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 09:47
  
  £79 for the Lamp test downstairs, allow 45-60 minutes for it to be processed. If you’re checking in luggage they won’t check you in without a negative test result, if you travel with a carry-on only they will check the test at the gate
- David wakelin says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 19:02
  
  Hi Paul, I guess you still need a valid reason to travel at the moment ? I have a house & dogs waiting for me in Malaga but haven’t been back since October !
  - Chris Heyes says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 19:30
    
    David wakelin So sorry about a passing of your dogs lol the house will still be there unfortunatly no hope for dogs with October the date you abandoned them lol
Lost confused says:

27 Feb27 February 09:42

Can anyone suggest a way of getting a saving or points bonus from Halfords? Ideally to work in store as I’m after a roof rack for the car and their online chat advice can say go to a store for advice…
- @mkcol says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 09:48
  
  If you have a Blue Light Card I think they’ve got 10% discount this weekend.
- Ali M says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:05
  
  this may not be enough but I have a 10 pound code off – feel free to use it. I havent x
  10OFFa-47ZD-VGMG-SRWP-GQKF
  Also speak to managers – usually found them to be good folks who can do some discount at managers discretion too
  - Lost confused says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 11:05
    
    Ok thanks for the info and code. I suspect negotiating will be the way forward so prob won’t use the code.
- The cyclist says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:20
  
  Roof racks!!!!!
  
  What you driving?, mines an allegro, what’s the wife driving?
  - Gruntfuttock says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 10:22
    
    Vauxhall Viva? 😅 😅
    - mutley says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 10:30
      
      I was once a passenger in a Vauxhall viva in the 80’s and the gear stick broke off in the drivers hand!
      - Anna says:
        
        27 Feb27 February 10:42
        
        We used to have a Ford Cortina estate with a roof rack for when my parents had to get 6 of us plus dog to North Wales for our summer holidays in the 70s and 80s!
      - GillyDee says:
        
        27 Feb27 February 15:47
        
        Happy days – my Dad fitting the roof rack on a Morris Minor for our holiday trunk!
      - Gruntfuttock says:
        
        28 Feb28 February 10:29
        
        I rest my case….
  - Lost confused says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 11:10
    
    A3 here and the mrs doesn’t drive (yet, 1st lesson was March last year and she hasn’t managed to do 10…)
    She now tells me I need to put bikes on a car to go cycling…
    @mkcol no blue light card as I’m the wrong type of essential worker
    - Lost confused says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 11:11
      
      That was a reply to the cyclist
    - The cyclist says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 11:19
      
      It was a long lost Harry Enfield sketch.
      Good luck with the driving lessons
      - Lost confused says:
        
        27 Feb27 February 11:28
        
        Ahh, that was lost on me… Confused see…
  - kitten says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 19:47
    
    Roof racks and caravans are the new thing for the working class.
    
    Richer people have RV’s
- Tarmohamed says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 18:51
  
  Open a trade account. All you need is a business card.
  - EwanG says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 19:04
    
    And some other ways…
    Airtime Rewards for 5%.
    British Cycling 10% (I think)
    Employee perks site…
Jamie says:

27 Feb27 February 09:45

So new M&M Visa card is still coming in Summer?

https://www.cornercard.co.uk/milesandmore

Do we know if it’s June or August? I’m just thinking if it’s worth getting a nectar amex for between April (when old card is retired) and when new visa kicks in? Or I just rely on my fallback virgin CC for this short waiting period?
- Alex says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 09:56
  
  Doesn’t mention a fee? Although it does say “possibility” of 1.25/£1 so maybe more than 1 card to choose from?
- RussellH says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:09
  
  It says “due to launch in summer 2021”, so I would guess late September/early October at the earliest.
  🙂
david says:

27 Feb27 February 09:53

Best hotel in New York please ! Ideally Marriott Bonvoy – tempted by St Regis or Edition.
- KBuffett says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 09:58
  
  JW Marriott Essex House is very very good.
  Obvs St Regis and Edition are of a higher stature but I haven’t stayed there so cannot comment in detail.
- Alex says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 09:58
  
  JW Marriott Essex House – overlooks Central Park I believe. I even think rob did an article on it about value
  - Rob says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 10:04
    
    It was cheap at one point, not sure how. St Regis has grown on me but an acquired taste.
    - david says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 10:08
      
      The rooms look a bit small and grandma-ish in the St Regis ! The room rate is higher at the Ritz Carlton and I want value for my points !
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 10:23
    
    But of course views vary – for me, the view anywhere in Manhattan is awesome if you’re high enough
- Kai says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:01
  
  St Regis is no doubt the best Marriott property especially if you have status. I’ve stayed at both and JW is no match.
- YC says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:59
  
  Edition in flat iron is much better than TS. I would be tempted by the RC over StR but little elite recognition/breakfast. Remember seeing a new renaissance in Chelsea which could be a good cheaper marriott option
pauline says:

27 Feb27 February 09:57

Thanks everyone phoned You First. I spoke to a lovely person who changed my JNB flights to 365 days out.
- AJA says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:18
  
  That’s a result! Pleased for you. YouFirst is excellent.
James. says:

27 Feb27 February 10:03

Anyone using Bendy to pay Virgin Credit card?
- Travel Strong says:
  
  27 Feb27 February 10:12
  
  Feasible. Incurs fronted fee if blue, obviously no fronted fee if metal.
  - James. says:
    
    27 Feb27 February 10:18
    
    Not working for me on Metal. Anyone having success?
    - mark2 says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 12:52
      
      My metal card has been blocked for nearly a month with no response from them.
      Do they usually continue to charge under these circumstances?
      - babyg says:
        
        27 Feb27 February 13:54
        
        my guess is too many people are talking about fight club and too many people are MS via curve… im guessing youre a customer than curve doesnt really want/need mark2?
    - @mkcol says:
      
      27 Feb27 February 15:44
      
      Yep working fine not a problem.
      
      Could be your underlying card doesn’t approve of the transaction. Hilton dislike.
      - Simon says:
        
        28 Feb28 February 15:23
        
        I flagged these Virgin/Bendy issues several weeks ago. There is no logic to the rejections:
        
        • Mother / Wife / Myself – all have Metal
        • Some days, I can pay Virgin with my Bendy/HH; other days it fails.
        • Same happens with the two other Metals linked to HH: some days payments go through; other days, no. And this is the same whether it is via my, my wife’s or my mother’s Virgin app… seems completely random as to whether payments goes through or not.
        
        At least in my family’s case, HH is not the issue as 50% of the time the payment is accepted. But the issue is knowing when, and via which card, that Virgin settlement goes through.