The HfP chat thread – Saturday 13th March

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Tom says:

13 Mar13 March 08:44

Has anyone seen any good points earning pet insurance deals recently? As far as I can tell, my only current option to maximise points is to go through one of the shopping portals. Thanks.
- Secret Squirrel says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 15:15
  
  Tesco
Amar says:

13 Mar13 March 08:49

Is this new? My Biz Plat card has a banner at the top saying all Biz accounts will have to complete all company info:

In the next couple of weeks, Business Cardmembers and Programme Administrators of a Corporate Account will receive an email asking you to update your company information. In this communication you will find your username and a link to our secure online portal. You can also type this link into your browser. Not received this email communication yet? Then please wait for it to arrive.

https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/business/corporate-updates/index.htm
- James. says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 08:55
  
  Wish I had a biz. The 100k point bonus is very appealing
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 10:11
    
    Costs nothing for form one (or almost nothing) – or 29 quid or so to have someone do it for you…
    - James. says:
      
      13 Mar13 March 12:53
      
      Can’t see how I would be able to process £10k in 3 months.
      
      Not many (if any) MS options with Amex and Billhop adds 3%.
      - Amar says:
        
        13 Mar13 March 14:40
        
        Still worth it if you put the full 10k through billhop.
        
        105k bonus
        10k spend
        25k for supps
        
        Total 140k for £295 . . . it’s a no brainer!
      - Amar says:
        
        13 Mar13 March 14:41
        
        Comment came out weird – but essentially you’re buying it’s 140k avios for £295. You’ll have to be inventive on the 10k billhop spend though as they don’t allow most financial institutions
- Rob says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 09:12
  
  Not seen it before.
- RedEyeDonkey says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 11:16
  
  I had this on both my biz accounts (usd and gbp). Took about 2 minutes to fill in. They asked for one document a week later which I uploaded. Haven’t heard anything since so assuming that’s all there is to it.
Suck My Points says:

13 Mar13 March 09:20

I used a Hampton day use for a place to work yesterday.

Got an email receipt after I checked out but the stay now shows as cancelled.

That means no points and no stay credit. Am I right that it should count for points and stays and they’ve done it wrong?

What do I do about it?
- Harry T says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 09:23
  
  It should count as an elite night. I had a similar issue with two days rates at a Hampton. Had to claim using the missing stay form. To their credit, Hilton responded very fast and credited me the nights and points.
  - Suck My Points says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 09:38
    
    Thanks.
    
    It should also get me the 10k bonus from the WorkSpaces promo, as my first use of the day rate, and I have more bookings next week so I hope they do correct it.
    
    It was an ideal quiet workspace (and very cheap) but I could just go and sit in the garden shed if I’m not going to get stay credit.
    - Matthew says:
      
      13 Mar13 March 14:32
      
      I had same issue. Did you book the specific rate for workspaces? My Hampton workspace day rate last year showed as cancelled so had to chase too but they sorted it pretty quickly. I booked via email requested workspaces rate but they actually booked under a standard day rate code and therefore required manual intervention.
      - Suck My Points says:
        
        13 Mar13 March 15:24
        
        The rate when booking is called “Workspaces – Day Use”.
        It shows on the invoice as description “Day use”, rate plan “1DY”.
        
        Do you remember what the correct rate code was?
- Suck My Points says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 14:22
  
  Within 10 minutes of submitting a missing stay request, Hilton emailed me asking for a copy of the invoice.
  
  Less than 6 hours later they have credited the points, and 1 night / 1 stay credit.
  
  I expect to have to chase the 10k points promo for a first Work Space stay, but still, quite an impressive response from Hilton.
  
  The hotel said the stay looked correct to them, but Hilton said it was down as a “late cancel”. I presume that’s a human or system error due to the check in and check out dates being the same.
NKP says:

13 Mar13 March 09:22

what are the HFPers approved accommodations in Nice please? not looking to spend points but any earning opportunity appreciated but not essential! Thanks
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 09:39
  
  From my memory the points options were average. I booked a non chain via hotels.com (wouldn’t recommend 😂)
  - Michael C says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 09:47
    
    I agree with TG: having looked long and hard, I’ve reserved at the not-very-lovely-looking Novotel: at least it has a rrooftop pool, space for a kid, & near to the small train station for Italy/Monaco!
    Stayed at the Boscolo last time, but only due to some random bargain sale: it’s pleasant, but certainly not worth the insane cash prices.
- Dave B says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 09:45
  
  Radisson on the seafront, or Holiday Inn at Port St Laurent – the latter requires a 5 minute train into Nice itself. HI in the city doesn’t have balconies. Lots of Mercure options and the one at Notre Damme is good if you get a room with a balcony.
  - NKP says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 09:50
    
    Thanks TGL, Michael and Dave. Will take a look at suggestions.
  - Anna says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 10:49
    
    I’ve got a 2 bedroom suite booked at the HI in Nice centre for September and it has a balcony. It was the same price as booking 2 separate rooms with more space and amenities.
    - RussellH says:
      
      13 Mar13 March 11:26
      
      We stayed at the HI Nice Centre a few years ago. Nothing special, but excellent location. Lots of options nearby for breakfast and other meals.
      By now I assume the tram from the airport is running. When we were there they we building a tram stop outside the hotel.
      We had some housekeeping issues at the start, and only one free drink for being Gold (I know that is the rule, but we have got two much of the time in the past, and the HI Ghent gave us four!), but we would go back.
      Three nights for 60 000 points seemed a decent deal at the time.
- Chris says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:27
  
  Its not /in/ nice; but only about 20 mins taxi/drive from Old Nice and you won’t get points but if you can afford it the Four seasons Grand Hotel Cap Du Ferat is an excellent stay and experience.
  
  It is a hotel out of its time; in as much as it has single handily keeps the ideal of the Grande hotel alive. It sits on cliffs above the med on Cap Ferrat – its close to the Rothschild villa if the hotel gardens aren’t enough for you. There is a funicular down the cliffs to get you to the pool. It’s run by four seasons so the standards are excellent. The area is quiet; it has huge lovely gardens and a Michelin star restaurant…
  - Algor says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 11:01
    
    This is a fantastic recommendation which I agree in every sentence!
    
    Before first stay I had an ambivalent idea about reserving. After second stay I understood it wasn’t a mirage but my memory, still up to date.
    
    Absolutely incredible hotel!
- Lady London says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:29
  
  Near Nice there is a village called Eze with stunning views. One Relais & Chateaux Chevre d’Or not bad pricing for the quality. Beware drinks prices by the pool though. I had to quietly ensure my other half knew the brandy he’d just ordered a second one of, cost 720 euros and not 720 francs…He hadn’t noticed but luckily he was a banker.
  
  The other one we stayed at Chateau Eza was rustic but OK with a balcony over the edge of the building where we ate our breakfast with nothing below us down to the sea.
  
  If you’ve got a car and don’t mind a short uphill drive Eze is worth it for a short stay if you dont have to be in central Nice all the time
  - Anna says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 10:51
    
    Was that for that glass or the bottle?!
    I think there’s a Mr & Mrs Smith there as well.
    - Lady London says:
      
      13 Mar13 March 10:55
      
      glass…. pretty posh place so was tricky quietly checking he knew.
      
      it was a very, very old Hennessey and I have no idea why it cost so much. i had a sip (probably £100 worth 🙂 ) and had to find a reason to ask for the menu again to check was it really that price…..
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        13 Mar13 March 11:00
        
        With these things you find it’s expensive because it’s Very old and rare not alway necessarily any good
- Brian says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 11:22
  
  Try Airbnb or some other apartment-booking service. Nice is one of those places where apartments in the Old Town are infinitely better value than any hotel. If money is no object, just book a nicer apartment!
- Mouse says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 23:12
  
  Hope this isn’t too late for you to see it. The Hotel Royal-Riviera in Bealieu-sur-mer is stunning, great location and service, or if you want to be in town the Negresco is very beautiful and historical.
James says:

13 Mar13 March 09:45

We have a BA 2-4-1 and around 330k Avios. What would be the best value to use these? We’re open on locations but ideally somewhere sunny and in 2022. Thanks!
- Michael C says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 09:48
  
  Bangkok, Oriental City!
  - Alex M says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 09:56
    
    Now I’ve got that song stuck in my head, thanks a lot!
  - LosZorros says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 10:43
    
    I used to think it was “city” but in fact it’s “setting”.
  - Mike says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 11:52
    
    Me love you long time
- Alex says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:24
  
  How many? Just two travellers I assume?
  
  Do an open jaw! You could fly into Singapore and home from Hong Kong or similar. we did KUL/SIN but BA have cancelled KUL now. Going the other way we’ve flown into Seattle and then back from Calgary after driving through Canada in the summer months which was amazing.
  - Sandra says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 11:46
    
    Alex, this appeals to us but I wondered is it easy to pick up a car in Seattle and drop off in Calgary or did you get from Seattle over the border to Canada by train and then pick up a car? Thanks
    - Alex D says:
      
      13 Mar13 March 14:03
      
      We took the train from Seattle to Vancouver on the Amtrak Cascades service, takes 3.5 to 4hrs and has great views, we paid circa £100 for us both. We then hired a car from Vancouver to Calgary. We have also in the past hired a car in Vancouver, driven to Calgary and back going in a big loop to hit different destinations we wanted to see and flying back from Vancouver. Highly recommend both ways of doing it.
      - Sandra says:
        
        13 Mar13 March 14:55
        
        Thanks Alex D, that sounds good. We’ve been to Vancouver but only explored around that area plus a day trip to Whistler before flying across to Toronto. Seattle is a place we’ve wanted to combine with another trip to see more of western Canada and the Rockies.
PK says:

13 Mar13 March 09:50

Does anyone know if Natwest Morrison offer would stack with Airtime Rewards?
- Andrew says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:00
  
  No reason why not.
  - PK says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 10:07
    
    The offer says it is valid only on Click & Collect. Can they differentiate between in-store and click and collect transactions?
    
    I have done Asda click & collect a couple of times, and usually the transaction on the card account is from the store where I had picked up stuff. Not sure if Morrisons does the same.
Jonathan says:

13 Mar13 March 10:06

Has anyone been awarded an Amex sign up bonus that shouldn’t’ve been given ?

I’m currently ineligible for most Amex sign up bonuses (apart from Platinum card, which I won’t be getting) and December time I got the free MR card. I’m just debating whether or not to get a load of gift cards at Morrison’s with the 10% discount in order to reach the £2K spend for the bonus on the chance I might get it by mistake.

Anyone who’s in a similar position (or been in one recently) please say below, thank you
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:15
  
  You almost certainly won’t get it, not heard a report of anyone getting it for a long time. But then it’s a zero cost gamble so why not just buy vouchers and see – worst case you save 10% on a bunch of shopping…
  - Jimbob says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 11:00
    
    Had the sign up bonus for the ba amex, after 20 months of not holding the card.
    
    Quite surprised, although the tracker showed up on the app, still wasn’t certain I’d get the bonus until it posted, which it duly did.
- Travel Strong says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 10:54
  
  Happens very rarely and if you can’t see a spend tracker for the bonus offer then chance it next to nil. If you do have a tracker though, things may be looking up for you.
  - Jonathan says:
    
    13 Mar13 March 13:04
    
    I can’t see one via their iOS app
- Gothbe says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 11:11
  
  Had one for the old SPG card (Marriott) before the Amex changes came in. i reapplied a couple of months after cancelling it and still had other cards. Did it purely to get referral bonus from partners card.
- John says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 12:21
  
  Reapplied for ba card after 8 months – very surprised to see a tracker – even more surprised when 20,000 basic miles plus bonus for being referred posted recently!
Lady London says:

13 Mar13 March 10:15

Can I say something nice about Accor ? well… about one of their hotels in UK.

Have had a few essential stays since Covid including some at the Ibis in Elstree (that’s about what my clients will run to).

They’re very covid-safe so done a few stays using up my Accor points. No point, ever, keeping Accor points. They have a fixed cash value you never get better.

Needless to say, Accor makes things difficult by blocking my points spend for no reason, inventing that below a certain value they were only letting you use 1000 of your points instead of their, fixed, requirement for you to use 2,000 point blocks always, etc. (Not in the rules or any t’s abd c’s, but hey this is Accor).

Hotel has been absolutely brilliant in sorting this out. Latest one I told them I’m so fed up with Accor I’m just getting rid of my points, so told them to take the 2,000 points (£36) for £30 night. Prices are unusually low ATM and it has good road access and not bad public transport access to North/NW/West London including being very close to Thameslink direct line to Kings X/Blackfriars/Gatwick.

It took the hotel a couple of days after my stay to take the points but I’ve also discovered they’ve given me a status night extra. So Accor’s grear errrr…if you stay away from Accor Corporate.
- WaynedP says:
  
  13 Mar13 March 12:04
  
  Interesting 3 nights for price of 2 at very long list of Accor hotels in Europe & UK (incl Sofitel Gatwick & Heathrow) announced via Virgin Flying Club shop but offer on Accor website doesn’t seem explicitly tied to Virgin FC.
  
  Ts&Cs copied and pasted are …
  
  This 3=2 offer is bookable from 15th to 16th of March 2021 by Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Members only, and from 17th of March until the 25th of March 2021 by the public. It is valid for stays from 26th of March to 1st of September 2021 for a duration of 3 nights.
  
  This rate is the price shown at the time of booking. The booking can be cancelled free of charge up to three days before your arrival. Beyond this period, the amount due is not refundable, even if the reservation is cancelled or modified.
  
  Reservations must be made via the all.accor.com, call centre or directly with the hotel. The offer is subject to availability and is limited to the number of available rooms assigned to this offer on the date of stay at the selected hotel within the list of participating hotels.
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  14 Mar14 March 06:09
  
  720eur a glass brandy and an Ibis on the same
  page!