The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 4th May

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

• Olver says:

  4 May4 May 07:47

  What are you top ways of making the minimum spend of a card? For me, it’s in the following order

  1. Put all bills on the card council tax/ electricity/water/broadband/insurance/phones
  2. Put all daily expenses from all family members on the card, just adding it all to their Google Pay to make it easy
  3. prepay all large purchases we got coming up mainly all holidays
  4. Buy a load of vouchers for Amazon, Waitrose etc.
  5. Prepay gas and electricity for the next 1 year

  Any other ideas please share them 🙂

  • BJ says:

    4 May4 May 07:53

    Go to a store and buy an expensive item on one card and refund to a debit card. Flexible prepaid hotels and flights which are then refunded after cancelling the card.

    • Olver says:

      4 May4 May 07:59

      Nice one! But that is obviously counting on the hotel/store being willing to return the money via a different payment method. Although I guess why not it’s not like they lose anything with it. Are there any stores you have tried this one? I would not do this on a massive scale but a few 2-3K to get to the finish line would be ok.

      • Alex says:

        4 May4 May 08:44

        Provided you don’t do it very often or on a massive scale – PayPal to a friend can work nicely.

        • Olver says:

          4 May4 May 08:51

          Have you ever tried doing it with 1-2K? would just be thinking Amex picks this up as a cash withdrawal

      • Chris Heyes says:

        4 May4 May 09:35

        Oliver if you “PayPal” to a friend use the buy option to be safe from their BOT
        picking it up, only lose around £20 odd that way
        I Think 2k would be to risky (I’ve done £1.4k once) around 1k or less relatively safe once a year

        • Olver says:

          4 May4 May 10:05

          Nice one, that is basically a loss of 2% but in order to get a bonus, etc might be very much worth it!

        • xcalx says:

          4 May4 May 13:02

          Done a £9k , £7k and a £6k free to family over the last 3 weeks, no problem. I do have an active paypal account though.

      • RussellH says:

        4 May4 May 15:57

        The hotel/store will certainly lose out when refunding to a debit card or by cash. When paying by credit card the merchant will typically lose 1.5-2% (or more like 5% in USA, which is how they can cope with their massive sign-up offers) of the bill. If the transaction is refunded to the original card, then that charge is refunded too. If refunded to a debit card, then you only get a refund of the debit card fee, which may be as little as 25p.
        So, on a transaction of £1000, the merchant could be easily be down £17/£18.
        Also, it would be against the Ts+Cs for card transactions, which state that you must always refund to the issuing card no., even if the card no. has changed or been cancelled.

    • lumma says:

      4 May4 May 12:35

      The store really shouldn’t allow this as it can get into trouble for money laundering and it leaves itself open to losing the money if the cardholder then disputes the original payment.

      A scam in the hospitality industry was call up to book a table saying you want to prepay for the meal, pay for this with a stolen card number. Call back a few days later saying that you no longer want the table, offering to let the restaurant keep a token amount as an apology, refund to a different card. The owner of the stolen card then contacts their bank and gets a full refund.

    • Andrew says:

      4 May4 May 12:49

      Might have changed, but last time I returned an item to World Duty Free they refused to refund to Amex and insisted on a refund to Visa or Mastercard only.

      • Olver says:

        4 May4 May 14:50

        This is really good info guys! My family’s monthly spend makes it pretty easy to get to spend the required amounts but sometimes it would be nice to speed it up a bit!

    • The Savage Squirrel says:

      4 May4 May 16:08

      “Go to a store and buy an expensive item on one card and refund to a debit card.”

      That’s quite a common method of credit card fraud that all businesses should be familiar with and staff trained to look out for and refuse (we mention it to staff every few months). Don’t be surprised if they tell you to jog on quite rudely. If you’re particularly insistent then don’t be surprised if someone disappears into a back room (with your card) to make phone calls that may draw unwanted attention to your account.

• Ant says:

  4 May4 May 07:51

  We are due to fly to Ibiza on 28May & return to U.K. 3 June. I am struggling to find info on entry into Ibiza. I have an EU passport but my partner is British.
  I don’t mind if we have to quarantine at home when we come back I am just trying to find out if we will be allowed into Ibiza.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 May4 May 08:01

    Isn’t there a EU wide discussion on opening up travel today? You may know more after that.

    • meta says:

      4 May4 May 08:22

      1 June target date to let vaccinated tourists in and those from low-risk non-EU countries with negative PCR. For UK tourists it will depend on reciprocity, so I suspect final decision won’t be known until next week once UK list is published.

      • Doommonger says:

        4 May4 May 09:20

        Stating the obvious again, the UK traffic light system will mean nothing in practical terms. It’s being announced the week of local elections for a reason. Whether you have one vaccination or two is irrelevant, it’s wholly dependent on whether your destination country will allow you entry. Until there is relative uniformity in vaccination rates, international travel will be a very hit a miss affair. Keep your points and miles for another year, save yourselves the heartache of last minute cancellations and the subsequent battle for refunds, stop having to second guess the whims of everchanging govt policy, and roll a joint, crack open a beer or three, or whatever floats your boat. Chillax safe in the knowledge that the Doomster has your best interests at heart. Love Doomey.

        • Gruntfuttock says:

          4 May4 May 09:50

          Wise words

        • Zoe says:

          4 May4 May 10:23

          We have invested in a camper van. Means I’m less stressed about overseas travel for now. I think a 5 or 6 hour queue to get through Border Control will take the shine off trips this summer.

      • Navara says:

        4 May4 May 11:09

        Looks like Malta may be busy.
        https://www.itv.com/news/2021-04-14/malta-will-pay-tourists-to-go-on-holiday-there-this-summer-in-bid-to-revive-tourism-industry

  • N says:

    4 May4 May 08:19

    Spain has just extended the “non-essential” travel ban for 3rd countries until May 31st (previously due to end April 30th). This covers the Balearics, too, even though the island’s infection rates are lower.

    https://www.thelocal.com/20210501/spain-extends-restrictions-on-travel-from-outside-the-eu-until-end-of-may/

    This ban means the only Brits arriving from the UK allowed in are Spanish residents, spouses of Spanish nationals/residents, or those travelling for “essential reasons”. Unless your partner fits that description, it sounds like it will be tricky to enter.

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      4 May4 May 10:23

      I can’t see spouses of Spanish residents as opposed to citizens in the Spanish regulations being on the permitted list. The Local article is the only place I’ve seen this referenced

  • lumma says:

    4 May4 May 12:39

    FCO travel advice has changed to allow all travel to the Canary Islands. The rest of Spain including the Balearic Islands are still on the advise against all but essential travel list

• JRC says:

  4 May4 May 08:17

  Have a 10 year wedding anniversary coming up in August. Looking for HfP recommendations for 4/5 star hotels with Spa within 2ish hours of London. TIA!

  • Harry T says:

    4 May4 May 08:20

    The Langley has an excellent spa.

    • Babyg says:

      4 May4 May 12:24

      agreed the spa is excellent…. the prices for the hotel (both points (now 70k) and cash£500 per night + any spa stuffs) are on the high side IMHO…

  • Rob says:

    4 May4 May 08:23

    Four Seasons Hampshire (avoid at weekend if no kids)
    Chewton Glen (best spa, probably in U.K.)
    Langley (far better than I expected, spa wise)

    • JRC says:

      4 May4 May 09:14

      Rob, would Bon Vivant get better rates than those advertised on Four Seasons website etc?

      • Rob says:

        4 May4 May 09:58

        Same rate (Emyr can match any promo rates as well that the FS website shows) plus free breakfast, $100 hotel credit and potential upgrade.

    • Lady London says:

      4 May4 May 13:25

      The Spa at Chewton Glen was completely booked out (huge contingent of locals) one weekend we stayed. If they held spa capacity back for people staying in the hotel it definitely wasn’t enough.

      If I was staying at any hotel and intended to use the spa I woukdn’t keep the booking unless I could get the minimum spa appointments confirmed I wanted at the time I booked the room.

      • Rob says:

        4 May4 May 13:28

        This is weirdly common – Four Seasons Hampshire is the same. Don’t turn up without spa bookings. We’ve even been refused restaurant bookings in the past.

    • OHR says:

      4 May4 May 19:17

      Soho Farmhouse.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    4 May4 May 08:34

    JRC, I would narrow it down to two, Four Seasons Hampshire, The Langley
    That should make it easier to decide.
    You could easily add more, but do you want more decisions to think about ?

    • Nick M says:

      4 May4 May 11:16

      I’ve only stayed at Four Seasons and Langley once, both are very nice…

      I personally preferred the FS as a hotel, and enjoyed the breakfast there. The spa area felt a bit more like a fancy gym that people living locally would use. Whereas the spa at the Langley felt a bit more special (although I didn’t have any treatments at either) – so it depends on what you would be wanting to spend your time doing… The FS will have nice (private) grounds to walk around, whereas at the Langley it’d be mainly the public parkland

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

    4 May4 May 08:54

    I would add Lime Wood to Rob’s list

    • JRC says:

      4 May4 May 09:11

      Thanks everyone. Lime Wood is fully booked and some of the others are asking £900-1000 per night for Bed & Breakfast… It’s a bit further but has anyone stayed at Rudding Park? #8 on Tripadvisor and it’s 3 hours from where we are in Hertfordshire.

      • gareth says:

        4 May4 May 11:00

        Ridding park is lovely. Spa is fantastic, we have one of the dinner bed breakfast spa stays booked for the summer

      • The Savage Squirrel says:

        4 May4 May 16:21

        +1 Rudding Park is lovely.
        To be honest, if Yorkshire is an option then you’re spoilt for choice (yes I’m biased).
        – Not too far from there also; been keen to try out Grantley Hall, but have been waiting for Covid to subside for a non-compromised experience.
        – The Grand in York if you want a hotel within a destination City
        – The Devonshire Arms near Bolton Abbey
        Very sadly the Feversham Arms in Helmsley would have fitted the bill perfectly but has declined significantly in the last few years.
        Anyway, plenty more but that’s enough to be getting on with

        • JRC says:

          5 May5 May 08:23

          Thank you!

      • Tracey says:

        4 May4 May 19:45

        Stay local and go to The Grove!

        • Tracey says:

          4 May4 May 19:45

          Or Sopwell House.

        • JRC says:

          5 May5 May 08:24

          Been, was a bit underwhelmed to be honest. The “black” swimming pool was a bit off putting. Looked ok in photos but when you are there it’s not that appealing.

  • Simon says:

    4 May4 May 09:44

    Fairmont Windsor Park about to open. Looks good…..

  • KBuffett says:

    4 May4 May 10:18

    Corinthia
    Pennyhill Park

  • Mouse says:

    4 May4 May 11:34

    I’ve heard good things about Cliveden House

    • Rob says:

      4 May4 May 13:40

      The Chewton Glen team now run it. It was in need of a lot of a help when they took it on, I don’t know how much has been done. That said, the experience of staying there probably outweighs any issues with the state of it.

  • Tracey says:

    4 May4 May 19:44

    Royal crescent, Bath

• Eligold says:

  4 May4 May 08:32

  Any updates (not just rumours) about terminal 3 opening this month?
  Flying in with VS and would love to experience their arrivals lounge

  • ChrisC says:

    4 May4 May 09:19

    Even if T3 opens there is no guarantee VS would open revivals.

    Even BA hasn’t reopened their T5 arrivals lounge,

  • Sam G says:

    4 May4 May 10:36

    T3 is being readied to reopen later this month, from what I’ve heard whether it will or not is still an open question but there needs to be more space to handle much of an increase in arrival flow due to the border controls.

    But agree with ChrisC, I can’t imagine getting arrivals lounge reopened is a priority – it’s primarily a facility aimed at business travellers which are thin on the ground currently! Especially if US remains Amber list which seems likely at least to begin with.

• Andy D says:

  4 May4 May 08:52

  Lloyds Avios card query – my statement date is 6th of the month. Do I have to get my spending in before the May statement date because the 6th June statement will be 100% cash back, or will I earn Avios for spending between 6th May and 31st May?

  • Andy D says:

    4 May4 May 10:14

    Thanks

• WaynedP says:

  4 May4 May 09:03

  Any idea when Marriott likely to announce their summer promotion offer ?

  More specifically, is it likely to be this week or not ?

  I Need to make a significant booking for July.

  • Bobri says:

    4 May4 May 10:32

    Book now, you can always cancel and re-book

    • Stu N says:

      4 May4 May 13:12

      Marriott have always included existing bookings in their promos so you can safely book now and not worry about it.

• Marco says:

  4 May4 May 09:25

  My IHG Creation app homepage shows I have 0 IHG points. Wasn’t the case previously. Worth calling them up or just a temporary glitch?

  • BuildBackBetter says:

    4 May4 May 09:46

    Look at the transactions?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 May4 May 10:15

    Resets to 0 at the start of the statement period.

    • Marco says:

      4 May4 May 10:25

      Ah! So it’s just for the month… thanks.

• Chris says:

  4 May4 May 10:18

  Data point, but happened to notice the 25k/platinum bonus appeared on my Spire account recently. Wasn’t there when i checked a month or so back

  should re-qualify for Spire next month so be interesting to see what happens then

  • Rob says:

    4 May4 May 10:27

    This is an odd one, but it seems that those who requalified ‘properly’ are getting a 2nd bonus, on top of the one given to all those of us who got a free rollover.

    • MD says:

      4 May4 May 10:42

      That’s been my experience too. Requalified for Spire last year and got the 25K then. Status extended earlier this year but didn’t get offered the additional 25K a month or two back that some of you seemed to get, so was a little miffed. Status now further extended to end of 2022 and just received the additional 25K.

      • gareth says:

        4 May4 May 11:05

        Unfortunately still doesn’t seem universal. I got the bonus last year for qualifying and then have another bonus last month for qualifying again(properly!) but not the random freeby!!!!

        • Ikaz says:

          4 May4 May 11:33

          Same as Gareth, qualified both last year and this year, no random freeby here either

        • Rachel R says:

          4 May4 May 12:10

          Same. Only got what I’d earned.

    • Andy says:

      4 May4 May 14:45

      No bonus for me or my wife despite us requalifying properly last month. So got the normal 25000 i selected at the time but nothing else

  • Peter K says:

    4 May4 May 13:04

    Same as Chris. Not there a month or so ago but there today. Thank you for the heads-up!
    Hit Spire last year but not so far this year.

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