The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 31st March

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• Aston100 says:

  31 Mar31 March 14:10

  Hi guys. Advice please.
  I can see some reward availability to Washington at Christmas, but I wanted to spend the bulk of the time in New York, including on NYE.
  Unfortunately reward availability to/from New York doesn’t work very well for my return home so I’d likely need to fly home from Washington again. So it seems I’d need to waste time travelling back and forth between Washington and NY.
  What is a recommended way of travelling between those 2 cities at that time of year? Fly? drive (stop off on the way to see other places?)? If there is an alternative way of getting back to the UK from New York on 2nd Jan, that would be better I think – perhaps just book a return to Washington and hope something opens up from NY nearer the time and then switch to that?
  Thanks.

  • Rob says:

    31 Mar31 March 14:42

    They have high speed trains you know 🙂

    However, the chance of a suitable flight opening up is very high so, as you say, book a return on Avios to Washington to lock it in (or indeed Boston) and then switch if you can.

  • Anna says:

    31 Mar31 March 14:48

    If Washington isn’t non-negotiable, what about Philadelphia? It’s reasonable drive/train ride from NYC, only 95 miles or so and usually has plenty of award availability.
    The East coast can have very bad weather in the winter so I’d be tempted not to travel too far and risk not being able to get back for your flight.

    • Anna says:

      31 Mar31 March 14:55

      Plenty of F availability on the way out as well if that makes a difference (and if RFF is correct today!)

    • mutley says:

      31 Mar31 March 15:00

      Amtrak between NYC Penn street and Union station Washington is pretty good, about three hours could stop of in Philly ( lots of historical interest there)if you wished.

      • Anna says:

        31 Mar31 March 15:07

        That sounds like a great trip idea, mutley! My late grandfather took a trip to the USA with us one year with the main objective of doing some rail journey from Texas to San Francisco – we flew via Vegas (with a 2 day stay there) and met him at the end of his journey.

        • The Original Nick. says:

          31 Mar31 March 19:22

          I took my parents on a trip using Amtrak and it was great. We flew LHR-DUB and had a night in Dublin, (and why not) and then flew DUB-BOS and stopped there for 3 nights. We then used the Amtrak down to Providence for 1 night and then onto Manhatten again using the Amtrak. Stopped in Manhatten for 3 nights and then flew NYC-DUS with Air Berlin in Business Class when it only cost about £1.60 in taxes. Great trip and the Amtrak was excellent.

      • SM says:

        31 Mar31 March 21:10

        I second the suggestion of a train journey, took my mother on a trip to the US couple or years ago, took the train to Wsshjnng for a day trip and the journey was pretty comfortable.

  • Phil says:

    31 Mar31 March 15:07

    Few years back my wife and I flew into JFK and then back out of Dulles and did NYC, Philadelphia and DC. We probably preferred our time in Philadelphia and DC over NYC. The Kimpton Monaco in Philadelphia was well placed for the historical centre, as was the IC Willard in DC. We used Amtrak to connect between the cities and that worked really well and was extremely comfortable.

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      31 Mar31 March 20:17

      Second the kimpton- perfect location , amazing breakfast downstairs and just over from a Wawa

  • BJ says:

    31 Mar31 March 15:56

    The only (cast iron) advice you ever need on this subject … do not go to the North East Coast of USA in winter, it would freeze the b@lls off a brass monkey, and when it snows in the cities you find yourself knee-deep in horrible dirty polluted slush. Not to mention it can play havoc with their air and ground transportation, the whole thing gets very miserable … miracle on 42nd Street it aint!

    • Aston100 says:

      31 Mar31 March 16:13

      I find that surprising BJ.
      Several people have told me it is fine to visit NYC at Xmas and NYE.
      I don’t have much choice of destinations at present (Cairo and Amman being the only date-convenient non US destinations) and I will lose my companion voucher otherwise.

      • BSI1978 says:

        31 Mar31 March 16:44

        Granted it is only one year of evidence but spent NYE and a few days either side in NYC a few years back and was fine; cold (particularly atop the ESB & on the Hudson!) but just pack the thermals!

      • AJA says:

        31 Mar31 March 16:55

        @Aston I’m with BJ, I think Washington in Dec is a miserable idea, unless you like snow. It is often freezing cold so pack your thermals. The main sights in the city are outdoors and quite far from each other, a pleasant city in late spring or early summer to walk in. That said the Smithsonian museums are well worth a visit. Not sure if Congress does tours in the height of winter.

        • Aston100 says:

          31 Mar31 March 17:00

          Hi AJA, I’m probably going to do 3 days in Washington (not given this much thought TBH) and the rest of the time will be in NYC (with perhaps a day or two overnight enroute from Washington). Love museums and history so I think we’ll probably be OK.
          Besides, I live north of the Watford gap, so ‘bad weather’ is the norm anyway!

        • Reney says:

          31 Mar31 March 18:11

          I lived in DC for 3 years, I think it is much colder in January and Feb. Dec should be fine.I love the crispy fresh air with the sun on my face. I usually take the train to NYC. My colleagues have taken the cheap bus but if you hit traffic it can take hours longer (same for the car I suppose). I have never flown into NYC for Lon to DC no matter how much cheaper the route is. I can’t face the extra travelling through NYC with my luggage. I want to get off a plane into an uber and then home. If I was a tourist that’s ok I think.

        • Anna says:

          31 Mar31 March 19:44

          Aston100, the Smithsonian in DC is a must, and as someone mentioned, the Air and Space Museum out near Dulles. Even if you’re not an aviation geek it’s fantastic – it has a space shuttle, a Blackbird, the Enola Gay and loads of other historic exhibits. The volunteer guides are often veterans so can tell you some great stories. I love America for its museums, just about everywhere you go they have amazing ones. The Natural History museum in NYC is another must – you need to pre-book some of the exhibitions though so it requires some planning.

        • Chrisasaurus says:

          31 Mar31 March 20:19

          Counter point – did Washington (well, Gaylord) for a week twixt Xmas and Back to school a few years ago. Pack appropriately (by which I mean pack *everything you own*) and you’ll be fine. Bitterly cold but bright and sunny most days, zoo and museums all amazing

        • Andrew says:

          31 Mar31 March 21:02

          Don’t forget the Newseum.

          Pentagon tours are currently cancelled due to Covid, but keep an eye on them reopening. It was definitely worth a visit.

        • Rhys says:

          31 Mar31 March 21:48

          Not a huge amount of snow in DC in December. Very dry cold, though.

      • BJ says:

        31 Mar31 March 17:07

        Cairo… now you’re talking, right up there amongst my favourite cities. Never been to Jordan myself but only heard good things.

        • Aston100 says:

          31 Mar31 March 17:14

          Cairo + Luxor were amongst the trips I’ve had cancelled in the last 12 months.
          I genuinely do not believe a trip to Cairo would result in a pain-free return home.
          To me, far more chances of a successful trip (in terms of Covid / isolation etc) to the USA.
          Hence why I booked what I’ve booked.

  • GaryC says:

    31 Mar31 March 16:03

    I’ve taken the regular Amtrak or Acela Express a number of times between DC, NYC and Boston, though I’m not sure the trains on the US east coast count as “high speed”. Despite this, they would normally be my first choice of mode of transport between these cities, even with the leisurely pace. However, given the distance of Dulles from Union Station in DC, if you plan to go straight to your flight it might change the calculus a bit. If you’ve not been before, perhaps plan in a visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air & Space museum (free bus from Dulles) to give you something to do, and a buffer in case of delays travelling down from NYC.

    • BJ says:

      31 Mar31 March 16:12

      High speed in comparison to the rest of the USA. Onky did NYC to DC by train once, cannot remember much about it goid or bad.

      • GaryC says:

        31 Mar31 March 16:32

        I’ve averaged under 60mph on more than one occasion on the Acela “Express”! For a relaxing journey though, up the coast of New England to Boston, or through the Hudson Valley to Albany, they’re pretty nice.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    31 Mar31 March 16:56

    Aston100 Never travelled America at Christmas, But run New York Marathon in October it can be very cold end of October & snow very very possible
    Back to your point though.
    When we “do” America or other places for that matter.
    Why Travel back and forth ?
    We book our flight to one destination stop, book flight back from another destination,
    we use AA to get from one to another costs around $14 plus Avios never been a problem, although if using AA You have to book & pay for luggage to be added when your in US for some reason BA will book your flight but can’t book luggage ?
    We do this a lot as we are usually away 3/4 weeks at a time
    I can tell you sounds scary but it isn’t

    • Blindman says:

      31 Mar31 March 17:39

      I thought the NYC Marathon was always the first weekend in November?

      Was when I did it.

      We also do Open Jaws whenever we fly

      • Chris Heyes says:

        31 Mar31 March 17:57

        Blindman You are probably right was a very very long time ago when i did it around 1980 Alberto Salazar won it i was just under 2.25h my worst but apart from 2 from each country on the front i was behind 1,000/2000 runners
        Was probably end October when i arrived but race few days later
        Alberto Salazar was recently banned for supplying drugs to athletes
        Was a very long time ago

        • Chris Heyes says:

          31 Mar31 March 19:25

          Add 1980 was my first New York Marathon was a free AA Championship qualifier 2.24 so the whole trip was free and as i had Olympic qualifying time it was a formality to enter 1982 injured so 1983 retired, but wanted to end with New York
          but both was October, must have changed to November later

        • Chrisasaurus says:

          31 Mar31 March 20:22

          Well my (only, so far) NYCM time is less than twice yours – but not by many minutes 😳

        • Chris Heyes says:

          31 Mar31 March 22:51

          To Mouse Best was around 2.19 Good enough to get automatic entry into all Marathons without having to fill in a ballot to entry
          Had a lot of fun.
          Wasn’t actually my worst ever, my 1st Marathon was 3 hours 4 sec
          When i say worst that’s because training and age had took its toll by then, i was 35 and past it.
          My best times would have won the Olympics’ just 10 years earlier

      • Chris Heyes says:

        31 Mar31 March 19:13

        Blindman No i was correct not lost it just yet lol
        NYC Marathon 1983
        Marathon | October 23, 1983, 9:00AM

        OVERVIEW
        FINISHERS
        STATISTICS
        TEAMS
        COMPARE
        REQUEST CORRECTIONS
        < Back
        SHARE
        Christopher Heyes BLACKBURN, LA | USA Next
        AGE/GENDER M35 BIB 1005
        OFFICIAL TIME2:38:58PACE PER MILE06:04PLACE OVERALL374 of 14,445
        PLACE GENDER363 of 12,245(35-39) PLACE AGE‑GROUP49 of 2,623(GBR) PLACE COUNTRY10 of 130
        PLACE AGE‑GRADED136 of 5,072TIME AGE‑GRADED2:38:58PERCENTAGE AGE‑GRADED79.7%
        That was my retirement race not a good result Ho Well

        • Mouse says:

          31 Mar31 March 19:41

          Crikey if that was your worst what was your best! It’s hardly slow!

    • Aston100 says:

      31 Mar31 March 18:32

      Chris, I’d love to do a multi city / open jaw.
      No avios availability to facilitate that on the dates I can travel.
      Hence my original post, seeking advice.

  • Aston100 says:

    31 Mar31 March 17:08

    OK, thanks for the input everyone.
    Just had a 50 minute adventure on the phone with BA Youfirst.
    No F availability to/from anywhere in the US on the dates I’m travelling.
    Ended up booking a return to Washington.
    The agent was trying to get me to accept a FTV rather than a refund for a cancelled flight that I wanted to replace with this new trip. Even on Youfirst, the underhandedness is present.

    Good call on the train option – I honestly never thought of it.
    Will probably do 3 or 4 nights in DC. Another couple of nights on the way up to NYC.
    At least 8 nights in NYC.
    Given the frequency of flights and other travel options between NYC and DC, and given this is the late night departure out of IAD, I’ll just head back down to Washington on the day of departure (risky? I’d normally overnight at the city of departure).

    Just seen IHG hotel cash prices in NYC are pretty high compared to points. Sadly I’ve used up all my points booking 25 nights around the UK later this year.
    Oh well, you win some you lose some.

    Thanks.

    • Blindman says:

      31 Mar31 March 17:41

      Another vost for the train form NYC\Washington\Phili.

      If you are adventurous ( and on a budget) you could give China Bus a go!

      • Aston100 says:

        31 Mar31 March 18:30

        I think I’ll definitely take the train up from DC to NYC.
        Hoping for avios seats to open up from NYC back to the UK, in which case I’ll switch my return flight to that. Else I’ll have to decide between a train or a plane back down to DC on the last day.

        • Anna says:

          31 Mar31 March 19:51

          You’ll have a great time – I’ve posted again above re museums in DC and NYC.
          We’ve been to NYC in February and just missed a blizzard but the weather was gloriously sunny and crisp which made for some incredible photos. The Intrepid Museum is also worth a visit if you haven’t been before.
          NYC at Xmas or New Year is definitely on my bucket list but so far we’ve never both been able to get leave at that time of year! Hopefully Xmas 2022 will see us in some exotic location.

    • AJA says:

      31 Mar31 March 22:07

      Well done Aston for going ahead with the trip. I think you’ll have a great time. Hope you manage to change the return flight to NYC, definitely easier than going back to IAD. Hope weather plays ball and that you don’t find it too cold.

      • Aston100 says:

        31 Mar31 March 22:19

        Thanks for that AJA.
        Also thanks for your help Anna (I have no idea where this reply will end up on this page).

    • Lady London says:

      1 Apr1 April 13:17

      Aston100 were you booked in First and then downgraded? remember so long as it’s involuntary that’s worth 75% of what you paid for First (and same again for the extra 241 seat) once you’ve flown in the lower class.

• KBuffett says:

  31 Mar31 March 15:20

  I’ve just had an email from Harrods requesting participation in an online survey about my credit card spending and application habits, what rewards I would seek, why I haven’t applied for the Harrods AmEx. It was relatively detailed and it genuinely seemed like they will be reviewing their offering to make it more attractive. I got £10 worth of Harrods points for my trouble.
  I’m a big fan of the store and do visit it regularly.

  • Andrew says:

    31 Mar31 March 15:24

    Just got the same email and of the same opinion of the store. I think the main reason I’ve not applied for the Harrods Amex is that the sign up bonus for a £150 fee card, is the same as they have given us for answering a survey about it!

    • Rob says:

      31 Mar31 March 15:41

      🙂

• Guernsey Globetrotter says:

  31 Mar31 March 15:45

  Any recommendations for a Dubai airport hotel please peeps? We’ll be flying into Dubai c.9.30/10pm and heading down (or up?) to Al Maha the next day so figure it makes sense to just stay somewhere near and comfortable that night. Cheers 🙂

  • MinR says:

    31 Mar31 March 17:38

    Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre near the airport – rates are usually relatively cheap. However, other hotel options in DIFC or SZR areas are still within 15 minutes of the airport.

    Once out of Dubai city, it’s one highway up for about 40ish kms before the Al Maha exit. Best resort I’ve redeemed at, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

    • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

      31 Mar31 March 17:50

      Thanks MinR!

    • Rob says:

      31 Mar31 March 20:30

      No, it’s a dump. As you need to take a taxi there anyway, and taxis are basically free in Dubai, you might as well spend an extra £1 and go somewhere decent for the same money. Look at the new Hyatt Regency which I reviewed last year and which is only a few extra minutes away.

      If the Sofitel Obelisk is available for under £100 then do that, it is exceptional.

      • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

        31 Mar31 March 20:37

        Cheers Rob – will check those options out too 👍

        • Matthew says:

          31 Mar31 March 23:00

          Think the Sofitel obelisk is on Luxury Escapes for pretty cheap at the mo.

    • The Streets says:

      1 Apr1 April 01:48

      We really enjoyed our recent stay at Le Meridien here – they have refurbished their rooms and the benefits for status members are very good – we stayed a week and couldn’t fault it

• Roger* says:

  31 Mar31 March 17:46

  Anybody know what e-Bay’s office hours are?
  My account has been suspended apparently because of ‘irregular activity’. They say they have sent me an e-mail to explain. They haven’t.

  Talking to their idiot computer ends up with a voice call, then a message asking me to call back in working hours but without telling me what the working hours are! Latest at 15:30 BST. All I wanted to do was buy some BA merchandise.

  Grateful for advice.

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    31 Mar31 March 18:33

    I have always found the best resolution with ebay is via their web chat facility. Usually helpful and knowledgeable.

    • Roger* says:

      31 Mar31 March 20:30

      Thanks, I’ll try that.

• John says:

  31 Mar31 March 19:42

  If I hit Marriott platinum in the next couple of weeks, how long will I retain my status.
  Can someone please also advise on use of 5 night suite credit.
  Thanks

  • Rob says:

    31 Mar31 March 20:25

    End of Feb 2023.

    SNA – https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/10/30/best-marriott-bonvoy-annual-gift-choice-benefit/

• Patrick Cold says:

  31 Mar31 March 20:22

  Lots of Rewards availability @ Six Senses, Maldives into next year if anyone is interested.

  • Rob says:

    31 Mar31 March 20:23

    Looks good at around 1p per point on some days.

    • Patrick Cold says:

      31 Mar31 March 20:53

      Yes, I was pleasantly surprised. Availability wasn`t showing for me on the IHG website; I had to book directly with SS.

      • Benilyn says:

        31 Mar31 March 21:22

        Did you call or email SS? Or did you call IHG phone line. Thanks!

        • patrick says:

          31 Mar31 March 21:58

          I booked on the SS website.

• Anna says:

  31 Mar31 March 20:45

  France going back into full lockdown for a month to try & contain 3rd wave – not great news as they’ve been free to travel to other countries up till now!

  • Will says:

    31 Mar31 March 21:09

    It’ll be interesting to see how the public end up viewing U.K. gov handling of this retrospectively if we make it out now while many other countries struggle through the summer.

    Already feels like everything is forgiven as long as the vaccine works from people I speak to.

  • Lady London says:

    1 Apr1 April 13:31

    Well they’ve really only ensured all schoolchilden take the same 2 weeks as Easter Holidays instead of spreading it over staggered 6 week period as normally. Then made the 1 school week immediately before, an “at home” week for all.

    Returning (4th week) secondary school and above students must study at home for a further week. This is the age where spread has really accelerated so makes sense. Younger children go back to school in the 4th week.

    I suspect it will be extended to 6 or 7 weeks as week 4.

    The really annoying thing is the curfew has been rolled out everywhere when geographically only 1/3rd of the country needed it, to stop those in the 1/3rd from migrating out to avoid it. And now senselessly the remaining 2/3rds area – much with low cases – will now have lockdown enforced when many are more than the 6 miles allowed for travel from any shop or town.

• AnotherUser says:

  31 Mar31 March 21:12

  I enjoyed New York in winter – plenty to do inside – and if you like museums there’s plenty of inside activity in Washington too. If hotel prices are high, I’d book something cancellable and look again nearer the time. Particularly in off peak periods, some nice deals can come up on Hotwire (no points or status recognition, but I ended up paying around a third of the price I would have done booking normally).

  I’ve used the east coast amtrack (from Boston down to Washington) a few good few times. Comfort levels in standard class seemed similar to UK intercity trains, and it’s a convenient way to travel. You used to get better prices booking in advance

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