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The HfP chat thread – Friday 21st May

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Comments (420)

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

  • Cat says:
    21 May21 May 06:35

    Hi all, there’s a promo code for 10% off Qatar flights – it’s a Marriott promo, so the code is MARRIOTT.
    Has anyone used it already and managed to get it to work? I’m not seeing any discounts when I use it.

    • Cat says:
      21 May21 May 07:46

      Sorry, ignore, I should have read the terms and conditions more thoroughly!

      • Polly says:
        21 May21 May 22:11

        Cat, where are you looking to book for, exciting to to be actually thinking about travel!

  • YC says:
    21 May21 May 07:04

    Intern working at SS DV

    • Mike says:
      21 May21 May 07:13

      Which one is SSDV and what is the offer ?

    • BP says:
      21 May21 May 07:52

      An addition sense in Portugal….? Rates appear to jump up once trying to book.

    • Laura says:
      21 May21 May 07:57

      Oh god, I can never figure out the acronyms on here. Feeling like I’m missing out on something!

    • BP says:
      21 May21 May 08:52

      Booked 5 nights in the top suite. Thanks. Had to cancel Hogmanay @ Kimpton Charlotte Square if that opens a night for someone…

      • BP says:
        21 May21 May 11:16

        450,000 points for 5 nights or 12,500 euros cash price. 2.7 euro cent value per point. Not bad value! Certainly better than my 52,000 points for a £240 room at the IC George tomorrow!!

        No doubt I’ll spend about £2k on food and drink over the 5 nights!

        • meta says:
          21 May21 May 11:58

          @BP Full board is €120 per person, half board €80, breakfast €35. You can download Six Senses app for full details.

          • BP says:
            21 May21 May 12:37

            Perfect. Full board it is then and kids under 5 eat free. Stop off to buy 10 bottles of wine on the way there and a very merry time will be had by all!

          • meta says:
            21 May21 May 12:58

            @BP I can recommend Quinta de Pacheca which is 5-10 minute drive from Six Senses.

    • Chris says:
      21 May21 May 09:11

      wow thank you

    • Kai says:
      21 May21 May 09:13

      Thanks, booked the most expensive garden suite and fingers crossed!

    • DT says:
      21 May21 May 09:21

      Wow thanks for the heads up, booked into a vineyard garden suite

    • Mouse says:
      21 May21 May 09:24

      Shame this didn’t happen at the same time as one of the 100% bonus buy points offers

      • YC says:
        21 May21 May 09:30

        There is a backdoor to 80% bonus almost anytime using points and cash at various properties

    • Rich says:
      21 May21 May 09:34

      Has it only just opened for redemptions? Was looking last week for a stay next week. No availability now, typical! Good luck for anyone who gets it.

      • Si says:
        21 May21 May 09:40

        Hoping they don’t notice until my credit card points have dropped in next day or 2… this would make a lovely birthday present to myself!

      • Rob says:
        21 May21 May 09:46

        I just booked the top suite for 3 nights from my account and, due to the limit per room, the 2nd top suite for the kids for my wife’s account. 09.29 confirmation on my email – can’t believe it was pulled by 09.34.

        • Rich says:
          21 May21 May 09:48

          Not pulled, just no availability for my dates.

          Definitely didn’t seem available for redemptions a few days ago, but I may have missed something.

          • Rob says:
            21 May21 May 09:51

            Absolutely still bookable if there is availability.

          • meta says:
            21 May21 May 09:58

            There are still dates. It’s all the way to the end of schedule in 2022.

            I’ll pass though. I had my finger a few times on booking page, but I’ve just been to Douro Valley last August for 2 nights and can’t help thinking I need to go elsewhere. It’s wonderful and I hope everyone enjoys! Book wine tours at other Quintas too.

          • DZOO says:
            21 May21 May 10:09

            You can only book 50 wks in advance…

        • Tracy says:
          21 May21 May 10:11

          What am I missing, points nights all greyed out for me??

        • Nick M says:
          21 May21 May 10:51

          I am only seeing 90k points/rates of €1500 or so? – Have checked various one night stays over the next few months… is there something specific I should be looking for?

          • meta says:
            21 May21 May 10:53

            On the app it will show even though you don’t have enough points!

          • Rob says:
            21 May21 May 10:55

            Er … that’s it. The €1500 top suites for 90k.

          • Nick M says:
            21 May21 May 10:58

            Ooops – thanks… brain obviously not working this morning!

            (Please feel free to delete)

          • meta says:
            21 May21 May 10:59

            @whiskerxx For example, Vineyard Garden Suite (top suite) is available one weekend mid-June, one weekend mid-June and one weekend mid-August.

          • whiskerxx says:
            21 May21 May 10:59

            ah its an app thing

          • meta says:
            21 May21 May 11:00

            Vineyard Garden Suite is going for 2500+ euros on some dates in August.

          • whiskerxx says:
            21 May21 May 11:14

            booked via app , many thanks

        • Pid says:
          21 May21 May 13:41

          I noticed the limitations but do you think they would allow two children (1 & 3) in the same room?

          • Pid says:
            21 May21 May 13:57

            Sounds like they will as this was on the website:

            Children aged 5 years and below stay for free in their parents’ room in a baby cot or day bed, always subject to availability, and eat for free from the children’s menu.

            Children aged 6 to 11 years stay for free in their parents’ room in a day bed, always subject to availability. Breakfast is charged at 50 percent, a selection from the children’s menu is charged at 100 percent, a selection from the regular menu is charged at 50 percent.

            Children aged 12 or above are charged adult prices. If the child turns 12 years old during the stay we will honor the 6 – 11 years policy until the end of the stay.

    • Mouse says:
      21 May21 May 11:21

      So for someone with zero points to use this optimally they would need to buy some points then do a few rounds of cash–and-points-and-cancel I guess. Does anyone know whether points in those transactions are credited instantly (1. buying points outright and 2. getting refund for cancelled points bookings)? Or am I likely to end up with a load of points I don’t really want because the offer is pulled whilst I’m waiting for things to go through?

      • meta says:
        21 May21 May 11:34

        Points refund is instant.

        • Mouse says:
          21 May21 May 11:49

          Thank-you meta. Just noteced that points.com for buying points says “please allow 72 hours for points to post and appear in the recipient’s account” so I guess it’s not to be this time. I can’t imagine the mistake lasting more than a day. Congrats to everyone who was able to take advantage and thanks to YC for posting!

    • Neil Donoghue says:
      21 May21 May 11:36

      Thank you so much for sharing this! An incredible spot

      • r* says:
        21 May21 May 11:47

        Is the only way to get to DV by driving?

        • meta says:
          21 May21 May 11:56

          There is train from Porto to Régua and then I guess a taxi from there to the hotel.

    • idontfly says:
      21 May21 May 12:08

      thank you so much garden suite booked for two nights – £4,343.02 list price – or 180,000 points.

      • r* says:
        21 May21 May 12:17

        Im getting an error has occured while processing your request when I try to book?

    • Toppcat says:
      21 May21 May 13:00

      I think I had to try about 20 different attempts at booking before one worked – before that it was all error messages. This was at approx midday.

      Finally got four nights booked for Sept. Thank you for the tip. What a great site this is…

      Also – I bought some points to top up my balance, and they posted immediately.

    • Tracy says:
      21 May21 May 13:52

      Thank you. Finally got 5 nights booked

    • MKB says:
      21 May21 May 16:58

      Was still bookable on the app around an hour ago, but all availability for all room categories on any date has now gone.

  • Anna says:
    21 May21 May 07:22

    Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham? Looking to break up our drive back from London in a couple of weeks. Suddenly feeling less loyal to Hilton and noticed some good Amex offers on Hyatt stays! Is it worth booking a club room?

    • Andrew says:
      21 May21 May 07:29

      Location is so so, it’s in the middle of construction for the tram line extension but if you just walk 5 minutes down the hill you’re at the Mailbox where Harvey Nics is (more Amex offers) and other restaurants.

      • Harrier25 says:
        21 May21 May 07:49

        …and 5 minutes up the hill you have Brindley Place where you’ll find many more restaurants and bars on the canal.

    • Aston100 says:
      21 May21 May 14:17

      20 minutes away from Phat Buns burger bar, where you should stand outside by the Amex sign in the window shaking your head and waving your fist. Also a fierce expression would not go amiss at this point.

    • The cyclist says:
      21 May21 May 15:57

      I stayed there with a group of chaps when watching England play the Aussies in 2019. The Aussies had a whole floor to themselves. We met Lord Gower in the bar who was very entertaining.

      Good breakfast and communal area, swimming pool and good room sizes ,the tram is right outside which is useful, when its finished it will be even more handy for Edgbaston. We also encountered a couple of Vietnamese ladies late one evening which was, shall I say interesting.

    • Tariq says:
      21 May21 May 20:20

      In the same area I prefer the AC Hotel by the canal. Free parking off-peak on street.

  • Nick says:
    21 May21 May 07:42

    Hi there. I have booked the Hilton Bankside for a weekend in early June. Does anyone know yet if the lounge service has resumed. Additionally, is the pool open, and if so, do you have to pre-book a slot. Cheers.

    • DT says:
      21 May21 May 08:27

      Email the hotel directly, you’ll get a more up to date answer

      • AJA says:
        21 May21 May 09:22

        And then share the answer with all of us 😀

        Sorry Nick, I have no idea what the situation is at Hilton Bankside.

  • FG says:
    21 May21 May 07:46

    In receipt this morning of a complimentary box of treats from Amex X Brighton & Hove Albion. “We’ve missed you at the Amex Community Stadium this season but hope you enjoy the final weekend in style with this little gift from some of our local partners”

    350ml bottle of Brighton Gin
    2x bags of sweets
    2x pies

    Am personal Plat holder and not a million miles from Brighton but never been to a B&HA game in my life…

    • AJA says:
      21 May21 May 09:25

      How weird! But enjoy, unless you don’t like gin, sweets or pies In which case give it to someone…..

  • Laura says:
    21 May21 May 07:59

    I’m stopping in an actual hotel tonight, for the first time in about 6 months. Super excited 😁

    • Anna says:
      21 May21 May 08:09

      Enjoy! It’s kind of surreal and exciting at the same time. Having someone else cook breakfast was ridiculously thrilling 🤣

      • AJA says:
        21 May21 May 09:27

        Anna , are you saying your husband or son don’t cook you breakfast occasionally???

    • Scott says:
      21 May21 May 08:23

      I’ve found quite a few hotels either aren’t doing any breakfast at all; a cold buffet; grab bag with a yoghurt, banana or apple, cereal bar etc.; possibly a sausage or bacon bun to order as the only hot option.

      • HBommie says:
        21 May21 May 08:43

        You’re staying at the wrong hotels.

        Had a lovely breakfast at Nira Caledonian last week.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      21 May21 May 08:30

      I am too, very exciting!

      • Gavin says:
        21 May21 May 10:30

        I did 40 nights in hotels from start of Dec – mid March

        It wasn’t much fun I can tell you!

        • Laura says:
          21 May21 May 15:33

          oh god, no. None of the nice bits of staying in a hotel.
          Hopefully, you have a nice leisure booking soon.

        • The Savage Squirrel says:
          21 May21 May 20:22

          Yes a typical lockdown stay was considerably less nice than, er, your own house . 😥

  • KK says:
    21 May21 May 08:26

    Applied for an ARCC blue card to keep MR points alive when cancel gold and it has arrived but want to get the 2000 points for first supplementary. When I try to add it only shows gold and my BAPP as options. Only had card for 3 days and no spend yet. Any advice?

  • ian_h says:
    21 May21 May 08:29

    Tesco Clubcard Pay+ Question:
    i) Has anyone tried using this card at a tesco petrol station ? – Does it earn the 1 point per £1 like other Tesco Bank Cards?
    ii) I assume that as this is a straightforward Visa Debit its good to use at HMRC etc?
    Thanks

    • Genghis says:
      21 May21 May 08:59

      Pay+ is not a debit card. Think of it as a “conduit” to which you add debit / credit cards to make payment at Tesco. I use it at Tesco petrol stations, but need to pay at counter. I add my (legacy) Tesco debit card as the clubcard number and the same card as the payment card. This then earns 2 clubcard points / £1 spend = 6% return.

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