The HfP chat thread – Sunday 4th April

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• Andrew says:

  4 Apr4 April 10:49

  Anyone had their refund from BA/OptionTown yet?

• Lady London says:

  4 Apr4 April 10:57

  @Anna Mark Dawson John Milton 16 Man who never was in on amazon daily deals today only at 99p

  • Anna says:

    4 Apr4 April 11:12

    Read it – but thanks! Have you read the Beatrix/Isabella Rose ones? Similar stuff but refreshing to have female protagonists.

    • Lady London says:

      4 Apr4 April 11:45

      got a few of those backed up when they came on offer

• John says:

  4 Apr4 April 11:02

  We have a booking for PALACIO DE LOS DUQUES GRAN MELIÁ in Madrid for 3 nights over early may bank holiday weekend paid on Melia points (84,000 points). Obviously this doesn’t look like it will happen now. Been looking at shifting it to other weekends – tried a variety of options including well into 2022 and they’re all coming out at a huge amount more points (200,000+ for 3 nights). How am I best to play this? Cancel and sit on the points hoping future dates come down in points required?

  • Anna says:

    4 Apr4 April 11:15

    It looks as though a lot of hotel groups are trying their luck with cash and points prices just now in the hope that people who are desperate for a holiday will pay basically anything! Luckily I already have plenty of things booked before it went silly and am going to wait it out now and hope things settle back down in the next few months.
    I don’t have much experience of Melia but is there any chance they would move your booking as a goodwill gesture?

    • Russ says:

      4 Apr4 April 15:26

      Fair play Anna you’ve put a lot in getting bookings sorted. Hope it all works out well for you and yours.

  • David D says:

    4 Apr4 April 13:58

    Melia’s current Covid Policy for cancellations.

    Right now, and until December 31, 2021, all the rates that we currently have on sale can be cancelled at no cost. Cancellations can be made between 1 and 7 days before the scheduled arrival date. Some exclusions may apply. May exclude periods with special event restrictions or peak demand weeks. Please refer to the property’s Rate Details for applicable terms or exceptions, if any, when booking or changing reservations.

    For bookings made before today, our cancellation policy is as follows.

    As of May 21, 2020, if customers are affected by travel restrictions in their country of origin or the hotel they have booked is closed for the expected dates of the stay, Meliá offers you the chance to change or cancel the booking under the following conditions:

    For individual bookings made December 31, 2021 customers can cancel their booking up to 24 hours before the date of arrival without any cancellation fee or penalty.

    For individual reservations made before March 2, 2020 for arrival dates up to December 31, 2021 we offer 100% flexibility to postpone the booking up to 24 hours before the expected arrival date. You can postpone the booking up to December 31, 2021, choosing a date for which the hotel offers the same terms and conditions, or agree to pay any possible difference in the room rate without any booking management fees.

    Check the specific conditions for each booking as some exceptions may apply in some hotels during high-demand periods and may require cancellation further in advance to avoid cancellation fees and penalties.

    If the booked hotel is itself quarantined during the guest’s stay, the hotel will abate or return any payments the guest would otherwise have to make in the proportion corresponding to the date on which quarantine is ordered.

    If we are forced to close the booked hotel for the dates booked, we will offer alternative accommodation of the same or superior quality in another of our hotels. If this is not possible, we offer 100% flexibility to postpone your reservation up to 24 hours before arrival: you may choose a later date until December 31, 2021 and on which the reserved hotel is operative again and offers the same terms and conditions or for which you agree to pay a possible difference in rate without any management fee.

  • Michael C says:

    4 Apr4 April 15:02

    Don’t know if your low points bargain for early May has anything to do with the fact that 1-3 May are all holidays in Madrid, so under normal circumstances, the city would be empty.

  • Kirsty says:

    4 Apr4 April 19:17

    I had a great value points booking at the same hotel booked for 10 May, but faced the same problem as you when I looked online at moving it to later in the year. I rang their customer services and they told me I’d have to ‘pay’ the extra points to move the stay, but then I emailed them – customercare.bookings at melia dot com – and set out my case (ie that I wanted to stay but couldn’t because of travel restrictions) and they agreed to move it to September at the same rate 🙂

    • Kirsty says:

      4 Apr4 April 19:22

      By the way, they moved it to September because I asked if this was possible, September wasn’t the only option!

    • John says:

      5 Apr5 April 09:44

      that’s fantastic – thank you Kirsty! I will do the same, fingers crossed

      • Kirsty says:

        5 Apr5 April 10:40

        I’ll keep my fingers crossed you get the same result!

• Doc says:

  4 Apr4 April 11:28

  Rookie question.
  Looking at ERNIE buying options. Since I don’t have Bendy, any other option of earning points or just pay with debit card?

  • Steve says:

    4 Apr4 April 11:33

    Get free Bendy. No brained.

    • Steve says:

      4 Apr4 April 11:33

      *brainer

• John says:

  4 Apr4 April 12:35

  MBNA Horizon card
  Seen on a comment posted today that no cash back received on transactions made abroad.
  Can anyone else confirm this as was hoping to use this card for large transaction abroad in few months time.
  Thanks

  • Rob says:

    4 Apr4 April 16:22

    I seem to get it on mine – I only use it for FX transactions linked to HFP eg our hosting bill.

  • David says:

    4 Apr4 April 21:38

    And this would make no sense, as they will earn more on the interchange there.

• AndyS says:

  4 Apr4 April 14:52

  I want to buy something from Argos using nectar points. I have linked my nectar card to Argos account and know it works because in the past I have collected points. But when I get to the checkout there is no option to use points. What am I doing wrong?

  • Chrism20 says:

    4 Apr4 April 14:57

    I had this back in January. I found changing the passwords on both accounts then relinking the Nectar card cleared it.

    • AndyS says:

      4 Apr4 April 15:01

      Aha good shout! Yes I did change nectar password a while back so Argos probably has the old one stored. Many thanks

• Memesweeper says:

  4 Apr4 April 15:00

  After a gazillion turn downs , I’ve finally been accepted for the Big Beardies Atlantic card (again — I had the MBNA one before). Decent credit limit too. Anything it should or should not be used for? My hobbies include feeding seagulls, electronic random number generation and transfers to Solihull.

  • ChrisC says:

    4 Apr4 April 15:17

    Just read any daily chat thread and all will be revealed!

    No need to have yet another daily discussion on what you can and can’t do with the VS card.

  • Harry T says:

    4 Apr4 April 15:25

    Sounds like you have all the bases covered. I would say to avoid Che, and start slow with all of the above. But I’m hardly a seasoned veteran in the MS wars.

    Out of interest, did you appeal and get accepted, or just reapplied until you were accepted?

    • Memesweeper says:

      4 Apr4 April 15:53

      Just accepted on the pre-checker so went ahead and it was approved online. The only change in circumstances is my existing Clydesdale account is now branded Virgin. Maybe the tie up improved their information sharing and caused an acceptance. Never really understood why they kept turning me down — but I’ve now completed the HfP essential card collection 🙂

      • BuildBackBetter says:

        4 Apr4 April 16:09

        Looks like Virgin is finally accepting high earners. It shunned applications from good credit record as it was looking to earn interest and charges from low earners who struggle to pay on time.

      • Reney says:

        4 Apr4 April 16:19

        Curious about what you and what others consider HfP essential card collection to be?

        Reason for asking: I have my HSBC Premier appointment next week. Still trying to decide if the WE card is worth it to me. If I get the non elite version can I upgrade later?

        My impression is that most people are either focus on WE or VS.I don’t think you can pay Creation with WE right?

        • Memesweeper says:

          4 Apr4 April 16:50

          My essential collection:

          – Paris’ Dad’s hotel chain card (legacy) … used when I can not be creative for any reason
          – Solihull’s finest black card – sits behind curvaceous for most transactions
          – World Elite from fragrant bay , and yes I use this directly into Solihull , which others have advised against and is now making me nervous! My favourite card all round…
          – Yellow shiny from Seagulls
          – Marry Out from Seagulls

          and the VS to complete the set. I now officially need a new hobby 🙂

        • Memesweeper says:

          4 Apr4 April 16:53

          Long term I’m unconvinced the beardy is a keeper. Held the WE for years and happily pay the fees. Totally worth it IMO.

        • Reney says:

          4 Apr4 April 17:02

          Memesweeper thanks for responding. Based on what you said, if you ever stop paying Solihull with WE. What else would you use WE for which would justify the cost?

        • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

          4 Apr4 April 17:25

          ‘Marry Out’ had me for a bit – until I stopped over complicating it and just read it as it sounds 😂

        • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

          4 Apr4 April 17:28

          …and to Reney, I’d imagine the WE intrinsic benefits include being one of the best reward point earning mastercards on real spending (as opposed to MS) and it also gives you lounge access and decent insurance cover for much lower annual subscription than Amex Plat, particularly if you don’t really value the hotel status highly.

        • Ming the Merciless says:

          4 Apr4 April 18:02

          Just completed the set also, with the exception of Paris’ Dad as I missed the boat. The addition of 6th Sense to IHG makes me feel a bit better about missing out on it.

          I use Mary Out for work expenses and also as a pluripotent store for MR points. My main redemptions are also the experiences as I wouldn’t spend money on going to the O2 but loved it as a family experience (Reita Ora, Keizer Chiefs and the capital Jungle Bell Ball…)

          Currently on a 6months brake for amex business platinum. Hopefully the 100k offer will run again or be extended. But I got a double sign up bonus and £400 for holing it for 3 months so don’t feel too bad.

          Converted to personal bendy from commercial bendy last month and lost my 9k daily limit and also temporary blocked the account. Bit of a shame to loose a month of churn but it’s not the end of the game luckily.

          New to the fragrant harbour but will us this as a day to day spend and with caution.

          And finally- Tessa LTD current account. The gift that keeps on giving (75k Virgin points a Q). May move to Goldsmiths once I’ve done my safaris.

        • Reney says:

          4 Apr4 April 18:29

          Thanks, Guernsey Globetrottersays. I have no near term travel plans and current spending is very low. So not sure I can justify WE.

          Ming the Merciless – I am really stumped on some of these code names what is Tessa LTD, I assume Goldsmiths isn’t the jeweller and safaris isn’t the ones with animals?

        • Ming the Merciless says:

          4 Apr4 April 18:45

          Goldsmiths are goldsmiths. Safari are safaris (beardy limited edition). Tessa LTD. Or Tes Co…. pretty spurious but fancied playing the random code word game!

        • Memesweeper says:

          4 Apr4 April 18:51

          @reney – WE might work out for you in year one based on the bonus incentive. Future years, unless you do a lot of lounging, would require a large spend to justify.

          I’ve been lucky in the last year that I’ve needed to park substantial sums for a relative and myself in the care of HM Treasury’s own savings bank. Haven’t resorted to ‘churning’ funds and I’m not tempted to start now.

          @Ming I’m stumped too 🙂

        • Yorkie Aid says:

          4 Apr4 April 19:22

          I’m very new to Beardy (only really got for the HH transfers). Are direct payments to Solihull OK with Beardy or is this not advisable? (fees / interest / questions asked, etc)

        • GaryC says:

          4 Apr4 April 19:34

          All of this manufactured spend code word nonsense day after day, is probably in danger of becoming more interesting to a journalist and gaining publicity than the thing you are trying to hide #justsaying

        • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

          4 Apr4 April 20:06

          @Yorkie Aid – Paying off Solihull with Beardy is fine – no fees or interest – but I’d always advise keeping your monthly spend roughly in line with your customer profile if you don’t want questions asked (I.e. If you said you earn £50k pa on your application don’t run £20k month thru the card!)

          @Gary C – You’re wrong – the problem comes if too many peeps do it because that’s when the card issuers will notice as it impacts their bottom line. The code words are to deter too many peeps doing it and so drawing attention to increasing volumes, as has been said multiple times on here whenever this debate starts up again…

        • Babyg says:

          4 Apr4 April 20:34

          @Guernsey Globetrotter – “The code words are to deter too many peeps doing it ” – really? .. its the opposite…

        • The real John says:

          4 Apr4 April 20:53

          In theory it deters the casual visitor to HFP, plus they won’t show up in search engines (not sure if comments are indexed)

        • Yorkie Aid says:

          4 Apr4 April 21:30

          @Guernsey Globetrotter – Thank you for your help. Really appreciate it and sorry if I upset anyone by asking the question.

• Aston100 says:

  4 Apr4 April 15:10

  Assuming I get to go to the US at Xmas this year, I’m going to need to do a bunch of spend in USD, before and during the visit.
  I’m intending to buy a bunch of IHG points when the next 100% bonus comes along and this is in USD, in order to book the hotels (Approx 15 nights, and looking at minimum 600k points needed).
  All the daily spend over there will also obviously be in USD.

  I would normally use my Halifax Clarity for this kind of thing, but given we are looking at several thousand dollars spend, I wonder if there is a better card, or a way to utilise my free IHG and free Curve, or indeed if the Amex PRG (might still be inside the free year) is worth taking an FX hit for the MR?

  I see the Barclaycard is currently doing 0.25% funds return and is free to use abroad, so I assume the funds return also applies to the USD spend. If so, I wonder if this is the best option (and at same time get rid of my Clarity).

  Thanks in advance.

  • Harry T says:

    4 Apr4 April 15:27

    Why not apply for the Platinum international dollar card? If you’re spending a lot, you could earn the bonus for spending 5k USD too. This is what I plan to do if I’m allowed into the US this summer. There is a minimum income requirement of 65k USD and you need to find a way to pay the bills – I think Revolut or Wise will work.

    • Aston100 says:

      4 Apr4 April 15:55

      Hi Harry, that is an interesting option.
      I don’t think the maths will work for me though.
      I will likely be buying the IHG points as soon as the next sale comes along, and would be spending $2k to $2.5k on the points. I would then have no use for the card until we get to the US, many months later. It is likely that we would complete the $5k spend by the time we leave the US, but we may well have paid up to 8 months worth of the $550pa membership fee.

      Good idea though, and would have been great had our spend all been back to back, and completed within a very short period of time. The membership fee would more than easily wipe out any benefits gained – I think.

      • BuildBackBetter says:

        4 Apr4 April 16:15

        It’s not just the sign up bonus though. You also get a bunch of other benefits like lounge access, elite hotel status, car rental insurance etc that might be helpful.
        Have you thought of bringing spending forward like gift cards or prebooking any activities?
        Or get the card just before your travel and spend more to hit 5k when u r there? Like buy electronics that you anyway planned to buy in UK next year?

        • Chas says:

          4 Apr4 April 17:39

          +1 for getting the card just before you go (although give yourself a buffer, perhaps of 1 month, between ordering and your departure date – the approval process and time to get the card is not as swift as the normal cards.

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