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The HfP chat thread – Sunday 28th March

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Comments (247)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • fivebobbill says:
    28 Mar28 March 10:37

    Morning folks, still trying to finalize our (hopeful) trip to Dubai in September. Has anyone any experience of The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach, or indeed Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach next door?
    I have read some reviews Marriott Platinum are fairly well looked after. Both properties seem to tick a lot of boxes for us, and both hotels, and have sunny pool areas which we like (not overly fussed on the beach). However we’ve never stayed in that area before (done JBR across the waterway), and are also a little concerned we might be overrun with kids given their “Waterpark?” attraction. There’s just the two of us and sometimes like a bit of peace and quiet… 🙂

    • southlondonphil says:
      28 Mar28 March 12:15

      I can’t speak for Le Meridien but I have stayed at and enjoyed the Westin in the past. The Water Park is brand new and sited between the two hotels, but I’d definitely stay in the Westin as it has a wider beach frontage and a long ribbon pool with (with swim-up bar at either end) so you can park yourself at the far end away from the screaming kiddies. Also, the Meridien end has a Beach Club (Barasti) that pumps out electronic music all day which might get a little wearing.
      You can wander through the gardens to check out both hotel’s pool and restaurant offerings and I believe you can ‘cross bill’ the Meridien restaurants to your Westin room folio, and vice versa.

      • fivebobbill says:
        28 Mar28 March 14:12

        All good info Phil, and the fact some solace can be had at the Westin pool is encouraging feedback. Thank you

    • Blair says:
      28 Mar28 March 13:15

      LM is very cheap this year, and guests were (may still be) getting their breakfast at the Westin. Bear in mind as the Westin will only be as placid as the rowdiest guest at LM. My sense from last time at the Westin is LM out of high season attracts types unaccustomed to polite society. I may be snobbier than others though.

      • fivebobbill says:
        28 Mar28 March 14:10

        Some of that’s my thinking too Blair, but you don’t have to be snobby to expect some common courtesy and good manners. The Westin is that wee bit more expensive though which you would hope would lessen the chances of some of that, however that said, I came across more than a few “loud mouths” in a Waldorf once that I’d gladly have kicked out of the place! I was hoping as Platinum to be offered breakfast in the Westin lounge (if open) and miss some of the package deal crowd as well…

        • Blair says:
          28 Mar28 March 17:25

          Possibly but both hotels allow kids in their lounges during summer so it’s not the haven one might expect.

    • Blenz101 says:
      28 Mar28 March 21:49

      From the hotels you can walk to either JBR or Marina albeit the surrounding roads are typically Dubai and favour cars vs. pedestrians. Good that you aren’t beach people as the view is currently spoilt by the construction surrounding Dubai Harbour. They have already had some test cruise ships dock which may well make traffic in the area worse by September.

      No idea on the quality of the international tourist by September but local families will be using the water park & pool facilities at weekends (fri, sat) and certainly have been known to forget their manner regularly and kids are allowed to run wild in their Dubai bubble.

      Barasti will take care of those mid-30’s and below acting like a poor man Palm V as one of the only beach clubs in Dubai with free entry and no minimum spend.

  • Adam says:
    28 Mar28 March 10:59

    Some mentioned enhanced Amex referral offer for Personal Platinum of 50k points. How many points for the referrer? Also any chance for this to be available to everyone soon?

    • Andrew says:
      28 Mar28 March 11:04

      I get 18k, the applicant gets 50k

    • Adam says:
      28 Mar28 March 11:12

      Rob, you hinted before that 50k personal platinum referral might roll-out to everyone soon. Any idea when if you are allowed to say please?

      • TGLoyalty says:
        28 Mar28 March 11:26

        I don’t think he did.

        It’s targeted you may or may not be targeted at some point.

      • Rob says:
        28 Mar28 March 12:50

        Sooner rather than later.

        • Alan says:
          28 Mar28 March 19:57

          Hi Rob,

          Re the the comments about it being possible to take out US AMEX card, if true is there any chance of an article on this.

          I and I suspect many others would be interested in a US Plat or Hilton card if it was possible.

          • Rob says:
            28 Mar28 March 22:53

            You can’t get a US Amex. All you can get is an International Dollar Card, run from Brighton for non-US citizens. I have one. 30k bonus on Platinum which you get irrespective of UK cards held. HfP articles if you search.

  • Harry T says:
    28 Mar28 March 11:34

    Repost for more data points. Thank you QFFlyer for your reply last night.

    Has anyone recently applied for an International Currency Amex Card? All going well, I am looking to apply for a Platinum Dollar card to use in the USA this summer. I was just wondering how long it takes to to receive the card, and whether it’s possible to pay the balance using the new Wise (transferwise) borderless account. Any data points gratefully received.

    • Clubx says:
      28 Mar28 March 12:19

      I applied and got an actual US Plat despite never been to the US. All you need is your mate’s address (or use Shipitto and fill out the forms) and your current UK amex card number to initiate a global transfer. Don’t use Wise but Azimo instead as Azimo lets you enter the full card number as reference when paying payment whilst Wise doesn’t. Payments often don’t clear on your Amex account automatically tho but raising a billing dispute and proof of transfer would get it done

      • KBuffett says:
        28 Mar28 March 13:57

        Interesting. Wouldn’t doing something like this leave you open to declaring all your worldwide income to the US Tax Authorities? After all, you live in the US

        • Harry T says:
          28 Mar28 March 14:02

          US taxes you based on citizenship, I think. I’ve heard of one or two people signing up to US amex using global transfer.

          • Rob says:
            28 Mar28 March 14:38

            Correct. Plenty of US citizens in the UK end up rescinding their citizenship to avoid this, as Boris did too.

          • KBuffett says:
            28 Mar28 March 15:48

            Sounds interesting. I think the US benefits package is stronger than the UK card, and they don’t charge a foreign exchange fee for non USD spend.

          • Clubx says:
            28 Mar28 March 17:12

            It works wonders. True you don’t get the same car rental cover as the UK Plat, but you get Priority Pass that takes in 2 guests, 200USD airline credit, another 200USD Amex Travel Credit if you renewed recently, many more points transfer partners with more frequent bonuses, and did I mention it’s 550USD vs £575?

        • A says:
          28 Mar28 March 15:39

          No, because you are not a tax resident.

          • Lyn says:
            28 Mar28 March 17:25

            As above, it is US citizenship that applies for US tax on world-wide income, rather than residence.

      • CH says:
        29 Mar29 March 00:38

        Can’t imagine many actually trying this, but Shipito officially prohibits credit cards being sent by them

      • kitten says:
        29 Mar29 March 13:17

        Did you not have to input a US Social Security number?

    • DK says:
      28 Mar28 March 15:03

      Looking to do the same.
      Is Amex widely accepted in the States?

      • Alan says:
        28 Mar28 March 15:16

        Yes, much more widely than here.

      • Rob says:
        28 Mar28 March 15:31

        I think the card name gives it away ….

        Far closer to Visa/MC acceptance rates than the UK.

      • Clubx says:
        28 Mar28 March 17:16

        Consider getting the Marriott or Hilton Aspire as you first US card. You get Priority Pass with 2 guests and Hilton Diamond/ 15 nights status credit, with TSA precheck

  • James F says:
    28 Mar28 March 11:40

    Does anyone think that Barclays might come along with an Avios generating card for us mere mortals that don’t currently meet the income criteria, or do we think it’s going to be limited to Amex options for the forseeable future?

    • Harry T says:
      28 Mar28 March 11:45

      I doubt Barclays is interested but who knows what the future holds. I’m still holding out hope for a new UK Hilton or Marriott card that isn’t Amex.

    • BJ says:
      28 Mar28 March 11:52

      My bet is they will roll out an avios current account in some shape or form to tne masses, just seems stupid not to unless BA are preventing them.

      • Jonathan says:
        28 Mar28 March 19:30

        Why would they? Avios will cost them close to 1p each & current accounts are a guaranteed loss maker in the U.K. as there are no fees for day to day banking.

        The Premier account is entirely designed to get you into their eco system so they can cross sell you mortgages & investment products which do generate a decent margin. Since you need a big income to get a big mortgage or have meaningful amounts to invest then it makes sense to only spend cash on acquiring customers who are higher earners.

        • kitten says:
          29 Mar29 March 13:20

          Yup. Barclays is not a democracy. and not a charity either. As @Jonathan seems to hint, Barclays is targetting and cherrypicking here.

          That does not match with any such lucrative offer to the masses as the masses aren’t profitable enough. Otherwise they wouldn’t be masses.

  • Zoe says:
    28 Mar28 March 12:18

    Hi all… Need some help here for a relative Avios dunce. I am about to hit the trigger for my second 241 voucher but it’s too soon. I need to delay til later in the year. However the Premium Plus credit card is my only regular way of collecting Avios (although have just switched to Barclays Premier). Is there another card I can get which would make sense to carry on collecting as many avios as possible to delay hitting the 241 trigger til November time.
    I do have a Sainsburys card I did a balance transfer with but wondering if that would make sense to collect Nectar and then convert to Avios.
    Help!!! My brain is so confused. Also I don’t understand acronyms like a native so please be kind. Thanks!!!!

    • Genghis says:
      28 Mar28 March 12:32

      If no partner that could earn points, how about the Nectar Amex (1.25 avios / £ and free in first year) or if you’re not bothered about a sign up bonus on Platinum in the future, Amex Gold, assuming you’d spend £15k-£32.8k on it.

    • BJ says:
      28 Mar28 March 12:38

      Sainsbury’s card only good for Sainsbury’s spend, really rubbish elsewhere. Also, don’t spend on that if you are still paying off the BT. You could apply for amex Nectar or amex Bonvoy for avios collection indirectly. Refer partner or family to amex BA blue or BAPP, pick up referral bonus, add them to HHA and pick up avios from their spend plus your own spend if you get added as a supp on their account.

    • Rob says:
      28 Mar28 March 12:47

      Hi Zoe. I would start with this – https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/06/25/comparing-uk-avios-points-credit-cards/

      However …. if you have only had the BAPP as your only Amex for the last 24 months, I would consider Platinum. Not necessarily long term, but as you still qualify for the fat bonus it is worth getting it for a couple of months, triggering the bonus and then downgrading to Gold or Amex Rewards Credit Card. You get a pro-rata fee refund from Platinum so your 30,000 bonus Avios only cost you £120 or so, and you get all the hotel status cards which won’t expire for a year or so.

      If you can’t manage the Plat spend target, Amex Rewards Credit Card is the easiest option – free for life and 1 Avios per £1. The Nectar Amex is another option – higher earn rate (1.25 Avios per £1) but only free in Year 1. You won’t qualify for the bonus on either.

      • Zoe says:
        28 Mar28 March 14:06

        Thanks Rob. Am I able to refer myself for the platinum and pick up more points? Am guessing that is a step too far!

        • Clive says:
          28 Mar28 March 14:11

          People have been doing this but there have been reports of Amex closing down accounts due to this some there is risk involved

        • Memesweeper says:
          28 Mar28 March 18:38

          I wouldn’t do this if you value your relationship with Amex. Although, as you say, you can get away with it.

  • Waddle says:
    28 Mar28 March 12:52

    Amex £50 off £500 for IPhone 12 Pro offer – can it be used on any Apple purchase? T&C says online at apple.com/uk

  • BJ says:
    28 Mar28 March 13:03

    Just noticed I only got 1000 FC miles for the Tesco autoconveesion last month as opposed to 2000. Should I contact Tesco or Virgin about this? Thanks.

    • angel19 says:
      28 Mar28 March 13:19

      Suggest check account transactions. My FC points were posted as two 1000 transactions on 8th and 12th Feb.

      • BJ says:
        28 Mar28 March 13:24

        Thanks, just checked, only 1000 on 8th for me, nothing else.

        • pointyhead says:
          28 Mar28 March 17:12

          Are we all talking same month? First time conversion in January offered 2000 FC bonus credited on 8th and 12th Feb. First time conversion in February only got offered 1000 FC bonus credited 8th March

    • Harry T says:
      28 Mar28 March 14:03

      I only got 1000 points too. Not sure I can be bothered to chase for a tenner though.

      • BJ says:
        28 Mar28 March 15:08

        Never know when that 1000 might prevent a last minute scramble for required points 🙂

  • jason says:
    28 Mar28 March 13:08

    Anyone got any thoughts on if a part cash / points redemption would trigger the elite night promotion? https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/02/03/marriott-double-points-double-elite-nights-promotion/

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