The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 4th May

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Mike says:

4 May4 May 17:59

WA Maldives now 150k makes good use of my free night vouchers. Hopefully will put off a few redemption, plus PCR test is back for vaxx to keep the yanks out!
- Patrick Cold says:
  
  4 May4 May 19:13
  
  Good luck finding those.
  - Secret Squirrel says:
    
    4 May4 May 19:47
    
    Especially at 150k points, see how you might get 1-2 nights at that rate then day 3 becomes quadruple.
Tariq says:

4 May4 May 17:59

Received email today from Courtyard LHR to say that their hotel will remain closed to the public whilst they continue to provide Government Quarantine Hotel service. My reservation is 02/06 for 1nt including parking package and they are walking me to the Marriott LHR on the same rate and terms.
Ed says:

4 May4 May 18:08

Hoping someone can confirm my thinking on this. I’ve got a 241 avois booking for July, which I no longer can make use of. I’d ideally like to rebook for June/July next year. However, 1) the 241 voucher currently is due to expire 31 May 2022, and 2) some availability has come up for back end of April, which would be acceptable. If I rebook now via an FTV, I guess I’d still be able to move the booking if availability opens up for June / July 2022? Is this right? Thanks
- Optimus Prime says:
  
  4 May4 May 18:12
  
  Yes
  - Ed says:
    
    4 May4 May 18:54
    
    Many thanks optimus prime
rk says:

4 May4 May 19:25

Can anyone confirm if the Sainsburys bonus MR for the PRG is for every purchase by the offer date or single use only? TIA
- Dani says:
  
  4 May4 May 20:42
  
  Every purchase instore
  - rk says:
    
    4 May4 May 20:45
    
    Thanks Dani
  - Aston100 says:
    
    4 May4 May 22:05
    
    And online
Chris K says:

4 May4 May 19:33

Any suggestions for a nice hotel in Langley (not *the Langley*) for July, please? Most of the options I’ve found are either going for Heathrow trade or are HIX or similar in Slough.

Prepared to spend a bit because first hotel in over a year and it’s my good mate’s wedding.
- Harry T says:
  
  4 May4 May 20:04
  
  I’m only aware of one decent hotel in Langley, and you don’t want to visit it!
  - Chris K says:
    
    4 May4 May 20:30
    
    400 quid a night would be pushing it a bit! I have 0 Marriott points.
    
    I suppose then, any recommendations for nice-ish hotels in Slough? Maybe the HIX is good after all?
    - Steve says:
      
      4 May4 May 21:24
      
      Stay at a T5 hotel like the Hilton T5, which is in Colnbrook, which is basically Langley.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      4 May4 May 22:56
      
      Monkey island estate isn’t too far and can be £250 a night (but not on the island house) can’t think of any other nice ones that won’t cost you £400 or so in the area.
      
      How about The residence inn slough or the new courtyard Heathrow not 5* but they’re newer contemporary builds.
    - Lady London says:
      
      4 May4 May 23:35
      
      Sofitel T5? Syon Park? Cliveden? think there is a new Hampton in High Wycombe
- Heathrow Flyer says:
  
  4 May4 May 23:36
  
  Moxy Slough is brand new..?
  - Rob says:
    
    5 May5 May 07:42
    
    The Residence Inn in the same building is probably better!
  - Will_ says:
    
    5 May5 May 10:11
    
    Good kebab van opposite it too 🙂
- Number9 says:
  
  5 May5 May 08:10
  
  https://www.sarova-bullhotel.com/
  
  20 mins from Langley, used to be nice hotel not been there in several years. But Gerrards Cross much nicer area than Slough.
Travel Strong says:

4 May4 May 21:02

New to BA J bookings… is there any reason to pick an a380 over a 777? (all other things being equal).

From what I can tell I would stand a reasonable chance of club suite on a 777, and no chance on an a380?
- Genghis says:
  
  4 May4 May 21:05
  
  If Ying yang on 777, it’s like a dorm. I’d pick upstairs 53A etc on 388 over this anyday. If CS, however, go for it at risk of sub.
- Travel Strong says:
  
  4 May4 May 21:29
  
  Thanks. Is there a way to see the seat map before actually booking? I can’t seem to find it! Other airlines usually throw it up during the booking process, but nada.
  - Pete M says:
    
    4 May4 May 21:32
    
    Seat Guru?
    - Travel Strong says:
      
      4 May4 May 21:41
      
      (for a specific flight, to judge if CS or not – so seatguru not an option)
  - Memesweeper says:
    
    4 May4 May 21:37
    
    Go through the booking process and select a seat… abandon before checkout
    - Travel Strong says:
      
      4 May4 May 22:00
      
      Ok found it by abandoning the app and dusting off a laptop instead! Thanks.
      
      I’ve been on this forum for years, redeemed on virgin dozens of times – but the BA stuff is comparatively mind boggling!
      
      Next up is a call at 1am where I may or may not get through depending who closes when, and may or may not get the flights i’d like. Fun!
sammyj says:

4 May4 May 21:29

Any recommendations of brands/chains to try for UK hotel rooms which will accommodate a family of 4 in proper beds (ie king and 2 singles or similar, not sofa-beds, nor just 2 doubles), or that can guarantee interconnecting rooms if we book 2? Like Staybridge Suites (or many others) in the US, or the Radisson Blu at Heathrow. Tearing my hair out!
- sammyj says:
  
  4 May4 May 21:31
  
  Ironically Travelodge do what we’re looking for, but I don’t really fancy a week staring at blue stripes!
  - Wally1976 says:
    
    4 May4 May 22:26
    
    Also Premier Inn good for this
- Sukes says:
  
  4 May4 May 22:53
  
  When in London the Copthorne Tara Kensington hotel (it’s directly behind High St Kensington tube stn). Book a ‘Family Room’ – it’s two normal rooms, each with a bathroom, an interconnecting door, but entrance is via one of the rooms only.
Josh says:

4 May4 May 22:09

Would we say a BA 241 companion voucher is worth £500?

Trying to figure out if paying an extra £500 for cash premium economy flights + upgrading to biz is worth it for this additional cost (I believe avios is same vs my current redemption flight)
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 May4 May 23:00
  
  You normally save a chunk of the fees with a PE to biz upgrade? Are the PE seats more than £650 each return?
  
  I personally wouldn’t value a 2-4-1 at £500 cash.
- AJA says:
  
  4 May4 May 23:07
  
  A companion voucher gives you 2 seats for the price of one so not sure upgrading from WTP uses the same number of Avios as a 2-4-1 in Club.
  
  The advantage of cash WTP and upgrading using Avios is that you will earn TP and Avios back. Whether that is worth paying an extra £500 is worth it depends on whether you have another use for the 2-4-1 voucher and whether you need the extra Avios and TP towards either retaining or gaining status.
- Rob says:
  
  5 May5 May 07:44
  
  If used on business or First long-haul, yes. If used on economy to Paris, no. As always, it varies ….