The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 12th May

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Jill says:

12 May12 May 11:43

As my Tel Aviv holiday in July looks to be a no go: anyone stayed at the Conrad Algarve?

Loads of Hilton points.

Thanks
- Rob says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:06
  
  There is a My Favourite Hotel reader review if you search.
- Simon says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:07
  
  Yes twice. Best hotel in the Algarve for me. Only negative is not on a beach if that is a deal breaker for you… It gets v v expensive over summer…. Be lucky to get decent points rooms. Shame about Tel Aviv. Just telling my colleagues what a superb city it is. Maybe things will have calmed down by July.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:53
    
    Can’t see while they are still evicting people from their own homes in another country.
    - Simon says:
      
      12 May12 May 15:19
      
      Thanks for your succinct and eloquent feedback.
    - Chrisasaurus says:
      
      12 May12 May 18:41
      
      It is a mystery to virtually everyone not involved in doing it…
- Mark says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:15
  
  We are staying July.
  20th-25th 👍
  - roberto says:
    
    12 May12 May 12:47
    
    Booked via Emyr for later in the year on a 5 for 4 offer that was doing the rounds. Not been before but it comes highly recommended.
    
    July and August will be roasting hot with a few too many cost centres running about for my liking but I am sure you will have a great time.
    
    Prices do flit about and can be eye-watering at times during peak periods, that saying there are niche weeks when the weather will be good and the prices reasonable. Those with kids or who areteachers bei g forced during peak times don’t have the luxury of flexibility like us old farts.
    
    The sun is out in Portugal as I type and it would be easy to burn as the woman on the sunbed on the other side of the pool to me can attest to..
    - James says:
      
      12 May12 May 13:08
      
      Sun is shining, the weather is sweet
      Make you want to move your dancing feet
      To the rescue, here I am
      Want you to know, y’all, where I stand
      - Anna says:
        
        12 May12 May 14:00
        
        Ahhh – that reminds me of a Club 18 – 30 holiday to Faliraki in the late 90s 😂
      - ankomonkey says:
        
        12 May12 May 15:03
        
        I like to move it, move it!
  - Pierre says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:00
    
    Funny, we’ll possibly be there those dates too, as a Plan B holiday if Greece falls through. Points booking though, the £ rates are a bit painful in July.
    For the OP: It’ll be our 2nd time staying – we loved the hotel last year! I’m expecting it to be a LOT busier this time around though, so we’ll see…
- Harry T says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:31
  
  I’ve booked a week on points in July, as a back up if I don’t get to go to Palma. I’ve heard good things.
  - Anna says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:01
    
    That’s not going to fill anyone with confidence Harry T 😂
  - Doc says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:16
    
    Better get there before Harry T gets there in July. Guaranteed to move into red category after that 🙂
- Louise K says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:49
  
  Very nice hotel, just in a weird location IMO
- Rh says:
  
  12 May12 May 21:55
  
  I love the Conrad Algarve, have booking for this year and have probably been about 10 times. Shops, restaurants and bars across the road too and great gym, spa and kids club.
Roberto says:

12 May12 May 12:10

Amex offer currently saving £100 on Shangri la bookings so I’m thinking of booking the Shard, has anybody any experience of staying there or what room type to book?
Also breakfast is about £70 per person, is it a decent spread?
Thank you
- Roberto says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:13
  
  Also the non refundable rate…would that mean no refund in the event of another lockdown?
  - meta says:
    
    12 May12 May 12:22
    
    They have 15% off flexible rate at the moment (Live like a king rate). It is about the same as advance purchase non-refundable. I believe you get a free breakfast if you have Jade (courtesy of Amex).
- YC says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:25
  
  Go via emyr or another virtuoso agent if flex rate is not much more than non-refundable. You get free breakfast (I think) and some credits. Breakfast was not a large spread (last year) by Shangri-la standards so I would not pay £70
- TJ says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:35
  
  Yes, stayed there twice. The breakfast spread is huge covering traditional and asian specialties, and the views are superb…but £70 pp is pretty steep. I have Jade status with Shangri-La (used to be a perk with Amex Plat) which resulted in an upgraded room both times and complimentary breakfast (plus a welcome gift if I recall).
- Benilyn says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:44
  
  Have this too, always wanted to go! Tempting!
- Jill (Kinkell) says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:17
  
  Geez. No matter how decent the spread, that is robbery. Anyone considering that obviously has moremoney than sense
  - Rob says:
    
    12 May12 May 15:55
    
    That sounds a bit out of kilter, given that the hotel restaurants are not overpriced (by equivalent standards).
    - meta says:
      
      12 May12 May 16:05
      
      Yes it does seem since you can get afternoon tea for £59. Does anyone know if you can use the restaurant & bar voucher at Ting/Gong?
      - roberto says:
        
        12 May12 May 16:24
        
        If you mean the Golden Circle points then yes. If in London I generally meet chum at either as I still have a stash of Shangri La points.
        
        My next booking is at Gong on June 20th whilst staying nearby at Bankside. As Rob mentioned whilst the Hotel might be expensive the bars and restaurants are not. And it’s a great view of course.
- Mouse says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:24
  
  Emyr should be able to get you 4 nights for the price of 3, as well as the free brekkie
- Andrew says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:53
  
  And if you didn’t see it, BBC’s Amazing Hotels was there this series, so might give some more insight into the amenities in the rooms etc.
- Tracey says:
  
  12 May12 May 20:48
  
  All the rooms are seriously large, it’s more about whether the view is important to you. Stayed their once, think the room rate in a pre Xmas period was around £400 a night. We ate breakfast elsewhere.
Travel Strong says:

12 May12 May 12:16

“Virgin Atlantic has signed a deal with testing provider Prenetics to offer a range of “testing bundles” for the destinations offered by the carrier.

The bundles will start at £152 for a country on the government’s green list and £179 for those on the amber list.”

On the one hand – it depends what the country itself is asking for as to whether £152 is reasonable or not, and thats an unknown right now. On the other hand £152 testing package for a trip to a GREEN list country harldy seems like something to tout as a great value bargain to get people travelling again!
- Rhys says:
  
  12 May12 May 12:45
  
  That’s why we’re in no rush to write about it 🙂
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:44
  
  Randox charges £60 for a Day 2 PCR (£120 for Day2/8) and Qurad charges £35(?) for the predeparture
  
  Doesn’t sound like an sort of deal to me.
  - Joe says:
    
    12 May12 May 17:45
    
    It includes the outbound PCR too though? So 2 x £60 + £35 = £155. So £152 is about right!
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      12 May12 May 18:04
      
      It sounds like these are just for returning to U.K. because it refers to them and green and amber packages
      
      The bundles will start at £152 for a country on the government’s green list and £179 for those on the amber list.
      
      Also says
      
      An individual ‘Fit to Fly’ PCR test will be available for £55 for pre-departure tests.
      
      that’s for an outbound?
- Andrew says:
  
  12 May12 May 15:08
  
  And will they be able to cope with capacity if mass tourism picks up again – it’s like that BA zoom call LFT thing – all well and good when no one is travelling.
peter says:

12 May12 May 12:38

Finally burnt all the Avios using Nectar and my offers are back (after 2 months) not sure if it’s a coincidence or they finally fixed them..
- Youllnever says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:25
  
  Just a coincidence – quite a few people including me have also started receiving the offers again.
  - Andrew says:
    
    12 May12 May 13:36
    
    And for me they never disappeared, week in week out they have been there.
DAVID says:

12 May12 May 13:05

The USA has just downgraded the the travel Advisory for the UK
- Rhys says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:07
  
  Still a travel ban in place though!
  - David says:
    
    12 May12 May 13:34
    
    Its a move in the right direction.
    - Rhys says:
      
      12 May12 May 13:37
      
      It is. We might see a bigger announcement at G7 in Cornwall.
- Optimus Prime says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:24
  
  And Spain bending over backwards and accepting British tourists without proof of vaccine or negative test from 20th May…
  - James says:
    
    12 May12 May 13:43
    
    I can’t believe UK citizens allow somebody else to tell them how to live their lives.
    
    Find a way around stupid rules.
    
    Faites ce que vouldrez.
    - bsuije says:
      
      12 May12 May 13:55
      
      Ah, ya no mate – love a good rule, us Brits! Even better if there’s a queue involved!
  - Anna says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:05
    
    Hmm, Spain is my plan B. If we can go without tests that might bump it up to Plan A! Not if we have to wear a mask on the beach, though, we would hope for Plan A (Florida, where covid rules seem to be classed as a heinous breach of human rights).
    - Optimus Prime says:
      
      12 May12 May 14:06
      
      The mask on the beach plan was dropped a few days after it was proposed.
      - Anna says:
        
        12 May12 May 15:55
        
        Good – I’m not going to look into rules until I know where we can go this summer as I’m sure they will change again in the mean time!
    - Lord Doncaster says:
      
      12 May12 May 15:02
      
      To be honest the UK G’vt needs to abolish testing of those who have already been vaccinated if they choose to travel
      - James says:
        
        12 May12 May 16:22
        
        Not just UK govt – ALL govts. I am happily ignoring quarantine rule here (at 5am, has to be said) as I got my 2 jabs (Pfizer) a long time ago. Nobody in the village seems to care; I present no danger.
        
        Neighbours are exceptionally friendly, asking if I need anything or if they can help.
      - James says:
        
        12 May12 May 16:26
        
        Out at 5am this morning for another 2-miler and to check up on the alpacas & goats.
Sam says:

12 May12 May 13:29

Hi all, a bit late to the game but just want to check this is the correct website to open an account for premium bonds with NS&I – https://www.nsandi.com/products/premium-bonds.
Not bothered about MS when I put money in (I don’t have Bendy or Beardy but have JL but don’t believe that works in any event with Curve?)
- Jay says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:34
  
  That’s the one !!
- rams1981 says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:36
  
  Ys that’s the one but can only top up with a debit card or bendy.
- fivebobbill says:
  
  12 May12 May 13:38
  
  Yes indeed, that link is legit
  - Sam says:
    
    12 May12 May 13:51
    
    Thanks all!
- Steve says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:49
  
  JL does work with Bendy. You’d be mad not to
  - Sam says:
    
    12 May12 May 16:05
    
    @Steve, thanks! I was under the impression it didn’t. I don’t have bendy so will apply.
    
    Is a credit search undertaken when applying for Bendy? And do I go for the free one or fee paying – hoping to put in about 30-40k.
    - Steve says:
      
      12 May12 May 16:42
      
      No credit search for the Bendy, they’re not giving you any credit.
      
      The free card works just fine (and you don’t need to turn on their “fronted” feature either) and dandy for what you’re looking to do.
      
      Promo Code: Y6AEF if you’re interested in a free fiver (I’d get 5 too)
      - Jamie says:
        
        12 May12 May 17:17
        
        Bit desperate their Steve, when looking at the post above.
      - estrangeiro8 says:
        
        12 May12 May 17:20
        
        I’m also late to the premium bonds party. I have a Bendy Legacy and the the IHG credit card – will they work with NSI? If not, I’m thinking if it’s worth getting a new credit card that works with Bendy? Thanks.
      - Steve says:
        
        12 May12 May 17:42
        
        @Jamie, hadn’t seen YorkieAid’s reply, started typing then got distracted!
        
        @estrangeir08 your combo works just fine, no need for any other cards
      - Yorkie Aid says:
        
        12 May12 May 18:11
        
        tbh I was only being opportunistic since Steve hadn’t provided his promo code. I’m happy so long as someone gets a free fiver out of a bank or fintech! 🙂
  - Andy says:
    
    12 May12 May 20:19
    
    Also new here. Whats JL?
    - Steve says:
      
      12 May12 May 21:10
      
      Partnership Card
Kevin C says:

12 May12 May 13:46

Apols if it has been mentioned. 5% off at Kenwood Travel on my Amex plat today. Until 31/7/21.
Anuj says:

12 May12 May 13:50

I currently have 50,000 point referral bonus through my link for Amex platinum, is this offer on everyone’s referral link ? If not and (if it’s ok rob) would anyone like a referral ?
- Steve says:
  
  12 May12 May 14:50
  
  It’s been all over this site. Last day is today and no, anyone wants a referral Rob will provide.
  - Steve says:
    
    12 May12 May 14:59
    
    My bad, the enhanced bonus for the referer ends today. Regardless the point stands, anyone needs a referral ask Rob.
    - Rob says:
      
      12 May12 May 15:53
      
      You need to be APPROVED today, not just applied, so there is a risk you don’t get immediate acceptance.
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        12 May12 May 19:25
        
        Just did my last 24k referral and luckily approved on the spot.