The HfP chat thread – Monday 17th May

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Rob M says:

17 May17 May 16:37

Data point on Amex retention offers – I rang up to cancel my Plat after hitting my welcome bonus – was offered 35k points to stay – which I accepted. I’ve never heard of such a high amount for retaining a card. They seem to be really keen to retain business based on us not being able to use all the travel benefits at the moment. Your mileage may vary – I was told the offers are tailored.
- Andrew says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:00
  
  I got 50k last week, but I’m not a new customer.
  - Bill says:
    
    17 May17 May 19:34
    
    Did you specifically speak to someone in Brighton ?
    - Andrew says:
      
      17 May17 May 20:24
      
      I did yes. They were quite helpful and after a discussion about the lack of useful benefits at the moment, I was thanked for my loyalty and offered the points.
ChrisC says:

17 May17 May 16:39

IHG sale a bit of a mixed bag on my bookings.

Some more expensive than my earlier bookings, some the same and 1 cheaper saving me £45 over a 3 night stay.

I actually did a better saving switching on Saturday for one hotel than if I’d done it today.

Need to check if switching some of my points stays to cash will change the £/points value
Yuff says:

17 May17 May 16:55

Anyone know if Hilton decided to open their lounges today?
- Kai says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:53
  
  It’s up to individual hotels.
  - Yuff says:
    
    17 May17 May 18:56
    
    Thanks.
    Does anyone know which Hilton hotels will have their lounges up,and running by the 28th May, need a room before a flight out Saturday lunchtime and T4 Hilton says most amenities are closed.
    I can see the Conrad is opening most of their services but thinking of other luxury Hilton’s with lounges that will be open for diamond members?
Craig says:

17 May17 May 16:58

NHS app now producing QR codes and allowing print outs. Not sure if it’s been mentioned already?
- Pete M says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:04
  
  It does look reasonably smart, doesn’t it?
- ChrisC says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:04
  
  see page 1 …
  - Craig says:
    
    17 May17 May 17:22
    
    Thanks, I saw it discussed this morning, missed the update this afternoon.
- Andrew says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:04
  
  I’m guessing this only becomes an option after the second dose as I can’t see an option for this on mine – just the details of my first dose.
  - Craig says:
    
    17 May17 May 17:23
    
    Correct. Expiry date shows as 20 June, I assume to match the next stage!!
  - FFoxSake says:
    
    17 May17 May 17:26
    
    Visible after 1 dose here.
    You need to choose the “Share your Covid-19 status” option (not the “Check your Covid-19 vaccine record” option) to get to the QR code and info.
    First time in you have to agree to share details (on Android).
    Then pick the “Travel” option, then the “Show details >” in the green box under your name. Voila!
    - Andrew says:
      
      17 May17 May 18:05
      
      I can’t see an option for sharing Covid status – just viewing status, showing my single dose
      - James Pleasant says:
        
        17 May17 May 18:29
        
        There’s an option Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning
        
        on this page:
        [Your health
        Check your COVID-19 vaccine record
        View your vaccination details, like the name and batch number, and report any side effects you have experienced
        
        GP health record
        View allergies, medicines, test results and more in your GP health record
        
        Manage your organ donation decision
        Help save thousands of lives in the UK every year by signing up to become a donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register
        
        Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning
        Find out how the NHS uses your confidential patient information and choose whether or not it can be used for research and planning]
        
        which is not available if you are outside the UK. I can’t be bothered to use a VPN but I guess that might be where you choose the ‘share’ option if it’s not otherwise apparent
      - Andrew says:
        
        17 May17 May 19:05
        
        Nope not on that page
      - James Pleasant says:
        
        17 May17 May 19:11
        
        Well, I don’t have the option, either, whether on PC or mobile (Android).
        
        2 jabs and no QR code option. I guess it’s important enough for the NHS app bods to sort it out fairly soon.
      - HBommie says:
        
        17 May17 May 19:56
        
        Are auto updates enabled? Mine updated overnight.
    - ankomonkey says:
      
      17 May17 May 21:46
      
      Thanks for the guidance. Have followed and now see my QR code 🙂
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    17 May17 May 17:27
    
    Must be more than just having had 2 doses as can’t see it either.
    - DK says:
      
      17 May17 May 18:00
      
      I had both doses but don’t this option in the app.
      - Craig says:
        
        17 May17 May 19:31
        
        I wonder if there is a time period after the second jab?
      - James Pleasant says:
        
        17 May17 May 19:39
        
        @Craig – won’t be that as I had my 2nd jab in March
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      18 May18 May 01:11
      
      Not sure what changed (other than it’s a new day) but showing now.
Triath5 says:

17 May17 May 17:06

Does anyone know of any decent discount/promo codes to apply to car rentals?

I’m mulling over what to do given extortionate prices for a Spain rental…no luck on Hilton Partners (they don’t seem to search in the Balearics) and have now resorted to look at the big houses (Sixt, Hertz, Avis, etc.) and hunt for some codes. Any input appreciated!
- Tariq says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:09
  
  Same, for USA in November. Ended up just booking via Amex Travel, and using the 50 off 200 offer on the Plat card.
  - Triath5 says:
    
    17 May17 May 17:20
    
    I explored this as an avenue as well but Amex Travel off the bat was at least 2.5x more expensive than any other comparison website, clearly evaporating the £50 saving…even with points its still crazy.
- Triath5 says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:19
  
  And as a follow up, millionth time this question has been asked I’m certain, but I’m being quoted in EUROS and I have an Amex Plat here.
  
  I want the Amex Plat protection for car hires – do I need to pay with the amex (and incur the FX fee) or can I pay with any other non-Amex card and I’m still covered by car excess + all insurances?
  - Aristeides says:
    
    17 May17 May 18:12
    
    You do not need to pay with the Amex plat card.
- Aristeides says:
  
  17 May17 May 18:16
  
  Use Autoslash – they find the codes for you – or Hertz.com.au with Amex plat CPD (633306). You may need to use a VPN service to get the Hertz Oz website to price properly.
Rory says:

17 May17 May 17:25

Need some advice! Flight with BA in F just got changed to a A350 with only Club. However, I might need to change the day I fly. Am I right in thinking that if I don’t accept anything with BA (So no downgrade or flight change) until I know what I want to do, there should be less of a Fare Difference to pay if I want to change the date of the flight? On You First she explained that by accepting Club, I would be re-booked at the current rate. So if I wait to accept a downgrade, the re-booking rate might be higher, and therefore if I want to change the flight, the fare difference should be less? Thanks!
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:42
  
  Are you requesting another date that has F? Or just want to change dates and J would be only option in any case?
  
  If there are no F flights I don’t think there is an option to change Date but still travel in J without paying any differences / a rebooking fee.
  - Rory says:
    
    17 May17 May 21:43
    
    Not too bothered about flying in F, and they did say they’ve changed all flights to the A350 so can’t re-schedule in first. That makes sense.
- Lady London says:
  
  17 May17 May 21:59
  
  @Rory my answer got shifted to below by our glorious Wordpress
Paul says:

17 May17 May 17:38

Re. Creations IHG card, I had seen some comments recently of some missing points or their free night voucher! Has anyone taken it further?

I’ve received small compensation for the delay in their trying to resolve this, however a year has passed, and they are simply saying there is nothing else that can do of offer. Terrible CS for a fee paying card
- Lady London says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:48
  
  Take them to the FOS.
- Yorkie Aid says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:54
  
  I raised my missing free night voucher for this year and got a very quick and polite response from CS. They know about the issue, they are working to resolve it and the voucher will be credited as soon as they can. No compensation offered so far.
  - Paul says:
    
    17 May17 May 18:13
    
    Your attitude may change in time! They are almost forever working on it. Is is an easy process to take them to the FO? I feel I’ve reached the end of the road with Creation’s co. resolutions dept.
    - r* says:
      
      17 May17 May 20:01
      
      You have to raise a complaint with them, then they will give you 150 compensation and tell you they are unable to contact ihg currently but they are trying to sort it out, then youll be given the option of going to ombudsman.
      
      Absolutely raise a formal complaint tho, just talking to their customer service wont do anything.
  - Lady London says:
    
    17 May17 May 21:57
    
    nights owed on the IHG card have been reported to be failing to be credited since around February 2020 by quite a number of posters. A few have said they’ve been fobbed off by Creation IHG card that owes this IHG free night credit, for more than a year now.
    
    Some have reported getting either 40,000 points or £150 whilst waiting. But reports are constantly being received on here people are still being fobbed off.
    
    Know what? I think I’ve just thought of a solution. Why not do a Section 75 claim against the card for breach of contract requesting that the cash cost of a night at your chosen IHG hotel, that you would have used the voucher for, should be credited to your card? I don’t see how Creation could refuse this as a s.75 claim.
    
    To get the value just make a fully flex booking at your chosen hotel for a date ahead within the rules of the voucher and that gives you the amount for your s.75 claim.
Lady London says:

17 May17 May 17:45

You do know that if you take the downgrade and fly it you can then claim 75% of whatever you paid for your First seat back after the flight?

must be kept clear that it’s involuntary so dont accept just the fare diff / avios diff back keep it clear I would have no hesitation in mentioning I intend to claim.

This 75% back is due for both seats of a 241, each, based on what you paid for the first First seat.

I’m a bit doubtful whether voluntarily changing the date and accepting Club wouldn’t lose you the 75%. if they cancel your flight so you’re forced to choose a different flight or date to reroute to and F not available might be ok
- Lady London says:
  
  17 May17 May 17:46
  
  * above for Rory
- Rory says:
  
  17 May17 May 22:26
  
  Thanks for this! I was aware of the 75% back, but didn’t consider that they might not offer it if I changed my date. Gonna be honest, first was only an extra £200 over Club, so getting 75% back isn’t too bad a deal I don’t think!