The HfP chat thread – Friday 9th April

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AnotherUser says:

9 Apr9 April 12:15

I got an invite for the offer. T&C’s say invite only, but I think most got it: “Must be an IHG® Rewards member and must be invited to participate in Just For You: Stay 2 Nights, Get 5,000 Bonus Points (“Offer”). 5,000 bonus points will be deposited into your account after completing 2 qualifying nights between 1 April 2021 and 30 April 2021”. Worth checking your messages/emails – I think opt in is needed. It’s for cash stays – need to spend at least $30/night
- AnotherUser says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 12:16
  
  Sorry – that was a reply to @Aston100 about the IHG offer
- DJ says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 12:27
  
  Got the same email, but I just ignored it.
  
  Anyone actually staying between 1st – 30th April for leisure in the UK?
  - AnotherUser says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 12:36
    
    I hope to at the end of the month, assuming the Covid restrictions allow, though not with IHG (other options looks better, even with the 5,000 points).
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:08
    
    You can visit Wales from Monday
    - Anna says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 13:47
      
      And potentially Scotland from the 26th!
    - GillyDee says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 16:51
      
      More to the point – you can leave Wales – hurrah!
Ron says:

9 Apr9 April 13:01

Does Sofitel T5 do stay and park deals? Can’t see anything on their website. Thanks.
- Chris says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:17
  
  On the rates page for the room click on the packages tab you should see them there.
  - Ron says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:29
    
    Thank you. I think because I’m booking a family room (two connecting rooms) and the package option is not available. I may give them a call see if they can do something. Thanks.
- C says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:43
  
  Don’t think they have dedicated parking – they just use LHR parking. Try one of the other nearby hotels.
  - Chris says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:50
    
    Sofitel T5 has outdoor and multi story underground car parking.
  - RichS says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:51
    
    They have their own large car park in the basement (three levels) – very convenient. They offer packages for discounted parking, can either book a stay and park package, or just book another rate then email them and they will let you know the cost for the duration you need. Always use this for all holidays from T5.
Guernsey Globetrotter says:

9 Apr9 April 13:03

So after @Anna mentioned getting 40k points compensation off IHG for her Ambassador BOGOF certificate, I emailed ambassador@ihg.com with a similar request. As a data point the 2 responses I’ve had so far are:
1st – we can extend for 2 months
2nd – we can extend for 6 months
Shall I try for 3rd time lucky? 🙂
- Anna says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:48
  
  Lol, the free night certificate is still in my account as well! Can’t use it before the 30th though, which is probably a good thing …
  - Anna says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:50
    
    40k points was better for me as I’ve got a free night at the Kimpton Clocktower and one at a HI with them.
- Kai says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 14:10
  
  It’s the free night voucher, not BOGOF.
  - Anna says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 15:30
    
    Sorry yes, should have made that more clear. It was the “bonus” free night from the promotion last autumn.
trader363 says:

9 Apr9 April 13:08

If the wife and I have a business Plat each, would Dell Customer Service split an order over two cards?
- Guernsey Globetrotter says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:16
  
  Try asking over chat – I had to do this to get VAT off an order shipped to Guernsey and they dealt with that really efficiently. With the VAT-off plus the stacking Amex offers for £75 and 10% off, I got an Alienware keyboard listed at c.£120 for only £15!
  - trader363 says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:25
    
    Thanks, will do – I just hate the wait times. Definitely worth it if it works though!
Ben says:

9 Apr9 April 13:16

Just checked my Amex offers and got 3 additional points for spend at Sainsburys. (amex gold)
- Aston100 says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:23
  
  That’s great, but there is a discussion on page 1 already.
  - Ben says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:30
    
    Ah right you are.
    
    The mad thing is I read all 5 pages at lunch before I posted that so for some reason didnt see it.
    - BuildBackBetter says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 15:57
      
      People arent excited about Sainsburys anymore!
Louie says:

9 Apr9 April 13:26

I should know this… but I try to avoid BA so I don’t always read everything I should….

It’s just been posted upthread that Dalaman flights have been moved from LGW to LHR. I see that BA are asking me to confirm the new flights are OK. I don’t want to do that in case I have to cancel nearer the time. Am I OK just doing nothing until I am quite sure I will be going? ie there’s no deadline to accept the new flights?

Second question – we were due in to LGW at 23.45. The new flight to LHR arrives at 21.35, which is better (even if LGW is more convenient). But there’s a second daily flight which has always been scheduled to LHR which arrives at 17.15, which is even better. Will I be able to change to the earlier flight (at no charge) as it suits me better?

Finally, if I do try to see alternative options I get “Invalid get itinerary details request”. Does anyone know if this might change or does it mean a phone call?
- pauldb says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 18:20
  
  You should be fine waiting, and fine switching flights. Are these peak time flights that might sell out? I believe the default rebooking will be held for you until you confirm but the earlier flight may sell out.
  
  I had similar for an avios October half term trip to Faro. I booked the undesirable 2215 return flight in the hope it would move to LHR and I could switch. Today I manage to rebook the 1740 LHR flight so you should be fine. Like you it was tempting to wait, but the early flight could sell out; if I have to cancel for an FTV down the road that’s not so bad. I also got the error message online and had to call; don’t know if it would have eventually worked.
  - George says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 23:23
    
    Has an email confirmation come through? I haven’t received anything through after changing my flight, nor has it updated in the app, still says old flight, but as ‘cancelled’.
    - Louie says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 23:43
      
      Yes, came through about 8 hours ago, a few hours after I read the news on here! It says:
      
      “We’re very sorry to let you know that your BA2563 flight to London Gatwick on …. has been cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
      
      You have been rebooked onto the best alternative flight below:”
      
      I should have mentioned this are Avios flights, but I don’t think that should matter.
Harry T says:

9 Apr9 April 13:31

Might be a useful data point for some. Rejected by Virgin money for the Virgin Atlantic Rewards+ credit card the other week (this happened last time too). Appealed in writing to Jubilee House (posted 30th March), stating my salary, career tracjectory, creditworthiness, excitement about earning Virgin miles, recent opening of Virgin money current account. Received an email today approving me with a limit of £6300 – not the worlds highest credit limit, but the last time I applied and appealed rejection, they eventually gave me a sarcastic £1500 credit limit. I did mention in the letter that I had previously closed the same card due to an inadequate credit limit to support my expenditure.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:40
  
  *support my MS 🙂
  - Harry T says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:52
    
    Presume you mean supporting the Ms, aka my gf? 😊
- Neil says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 13:41
  
  It’s a more useful limit than last time around if you have a plan for how to use the points. I’ve looked at it but not sure how I’d use the points and the upgrade voucher is less appealing with no status.
  - Harry T says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 13:53
    
    Planning to use the points for short haul from NCL and EDI (KLM/AF), long haul from US to Europe in Delta, and F with ANA to Japan.
    
    If that all fails, there’s always Hilton (I’ll be Diamond as of next week).
    - Neil says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 14:19
      
      That makes sense. I’m still using my flying blue miles out of NCL and have had some good value trips so might sign up when they run down a bit more. Hadn’t thought about Delta but I’ve still got a pile of United miles to get through as well. Always fancied ANA to Japan in F so will watch with interest.
  - Dutchy says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 14:41
    
    VS made some changes last year, so if you are Red tier you can now access companion rewards in Premium, and In Upper the second ticket is 50% points discount. If you are silver or above, Upper is also bogof + taxes etc.
- 747_Brat says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 14:23
  
  Good stuff @Harry.
  Did you submit any documents too like pay slips, bank statements, other credit card statements?
  - Harry T says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 15:56
    
    @747 nah, I just laid out the details in the letter. Given they can just look me up on the GMC register and also access the publicly available information on salaries, I suspect proof wasn’t necessary.
    - 747_Brat says:
      
      9 Apr9 April 16:12
      
      Thanks for explaining Harry.
      
      Last time they rejected me in 2019, I too appealed and sent them pay slips, bank statements and Amex statements. They were still not impressed and turned down my appeal.
      
      I am thinking of applying again. I am now a Virgin Money current account customer, so that might sway their decision in my favour. 🤞🏻
      - Harry T says:
        
        9 Apr9 April 16:47
        
        @747 you’re more than welcome. Last time I appealed in a similar fashion and received the card with a much lower credit limit. I earn a good deal more now (not quite a playboy billionaire like Rob’s SW1 readership) and received a much higher credit limit – over four times as high. Virgin Money confuse me because they seem to reject higher earners but overturn if you appeal. Sort of like the left hand wants something different to the right hand!
- Lady London says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 19:51
  
  Well done @Harry T.
  - Harry T says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 20:35
    
    Thanks @LL 😊
idontfly says:

9 Apr9 April 13:32

Setting up an ISA with II after a few years. There is a space for a Promotion code – any idea if there are any running at the moment?
- idrive says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 14:42
  
  i am trying to get a code for you. first thing you need to register on the specific page prior to account opening. are you in a rush?
  - idontflymuch says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 16:40
    
    I found a way to get a referral from my wifes account, just took a bit of digging – they don’t make it easy do they. thank you anyway
- Benilyn says:
  
  9 Apr9 April 16:36
  
  Drop me a line on ronakitavod at Gmail dot com and I can refer you. You get 1Y free service.
  - idontflymuch says:
    
    9 Apr9 April 16:39
    
    I found a way to get a referral from my wifes account, just took a bit of digging – they don’t make it easy do they. thank you anyway