The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 26th May

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Craig says:

26 May26 May 10:43

Thanks for the advice on a FTV, 241 due to expire in Feb now wrapped in a FTV with Apr 23 expiry (all travel completed). Booked MAN-LHR return and filled in the FTV form 2 days later, FTV appeared about an hour after filling in the form.
David Ward says:

26 May26 May 10:55

Looking at IHG stays in June – some strange “dynamic reward prices” appearing. Cheaper to stay on rewards at Intercontinent in London than in a HIExpress in York for the same night!
- Lady London says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:29
  
  If you see anything grab it. Redemptions are cancelable/returnable and I’ve got the impression that the re-alignment job of cash/pts pricing might have a 3day window
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:38
  
  It is absolutely bonkers at the moment, York cash and points prices seem to be astronomical too. Guess all the Londoners are flooding the hotels. Still hoping for good deals with last min cancellations. Already picked up a few
  - Anna says:
    
    26 May26 May 12:01
    
    Manchester/Chester/Liverpool are the same, I think they are banking on people being so desperate for weekend breaks they will pay anything.
    - Anna says:
      
      26 May26 May 12:05
      
      I booked the HI Ellesmere Port for a weekend in July when we need to be nearby – 17,500 points per night when I booked (still a lot for a HI, IMO), now it’s 48,000!!
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        26 May26 May 13:18
        
        That is madness, I saw a HIX for 48,000 a night a few days ago, can’t remember where
  - Yorkieflyer says:
    
    26 May26 May 19:02
    
    No incoming travel to London and everyone wants to staycation in my city, simples
- marcw says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:41
  
  It is. Not just London. Pretty much everywhere. Similar things happening in Hilton Honors too.
Gavin says:

26 May26 May 10:58

Amex offer 30% back on a £120 spend at Laithwaites
- Anna says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:24
  
  Good to know – this will probably also stack with the 20% blue light discount so could be a real bargain.
  - Gavin says:
    
    26 May26 May 12:33
    
    I’m agency police staff (not paid by the police but by the agency) so not sure if I can apply for one
    
    I have a police email address which seems to be all I need
    - Anna says:
      
      26 May26 May 14:10
      
      I think you can get it if you work for any of the emergency services. My OH gets a code now via his phone, I think he just had to register his card details initially.
    - Jane says:
      
      26 May26 May 15:32
      
      I had to scan them photo ID (NHS) but if you have that then you should be good to go.
      - Gavin says:
        
        26 May26 May 19:29
        
        Blue lights wanted to see a payslip – no good for me as I don’t get paid by the police.
- Babyg says:
  
  26 May26 May 18:04
  
  @Gavin! thanks for this, hope i have it on multiple cards…
- Babyg says:
  
  26 May26 May 18:08
  
  perfect timing, Bollinger is on offer (£10 quid off) + 30% off… so just under £28 per bottle
- pauline says:
  
  26 May26 May 18:48
  
  which card is this laithwaites on i have spend 100 save 25?
  - Gavin says:
    
    26 May26 May 19:28
    
    ARCC is my card
SteveJ says:

26 May26 May 11:11

Airtime rewards sign up bonus boosted to £3, end tomorrow.
Both referred and referrer get £1 on sign up, then both get +£2 is they spend within 5 days. Happy to share a code if Rob/Rhys don’t have one.
James says:

26 May26 May 11:22

Just thought I would share my experience with switching from annual fees to monthly on the Platinum Amex
Called up and asked to change, which the support staff said she would have to check, then was put on a few minute hold before they said they could process it, then was read new ts and cs that said that adding up the monthly charges means that the overall annual charge is £1 more, non-free platinum sups would also be £1 more, and green and gold would be cheaper (I think by around £2/3).
First time their system seemed to go down, but I called up the next day and it went through (though they did have to go through the ts and cs again).
Apparently when you change, all the cards have to be re-issued (including sups if I had any), so I got a new Platinum card, with the same numbers, but different 4 digit security number on the front, and an expiry date of 1 month before the previous one.
They put it through as a product change, and did ask where I heard that it was an option, but just said a ‘friend’.
Overall, good experience
- Anna says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:25
  
  Thanks – I asked about this recently and was flatly refused, will try again!
  - James says:
    
    26 May26 May 17:58
    
    But you’ve only just applied for it on terms that clearly say its an annual fee, so why would you expect them to offer you this? Maybe after you’ve had it a year or more you’d be eligible.
Super Secret Stuff says:

26 May26 May 11:30

FYI – still no end date showing on my (and presumably others) boosted referral offer. Gold CC I get 15k, they get 32k
Bobri says:

26 May26 May 11:31

Apologies, to reconfirm, cheapest day 2&8 test is Randox via BA discount?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:32
  
  Cheapest that will actually turn up.
  - Bobri says:
    
    26 May26 May 12:55
    
    Thanks a lot TGL
  - Jimmy says:
    
    26 May26 May 20:01
    
    I’m still waiting for a Randox test that has been marked as delivered but not actually turned up at my address, so make sure to include a few extra days of margin even for them!
- Pete M says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:39
  
  I think there may be some cheaper ones out there, but Randox have consistently delivered for me. Just note the slightly odd process of sending samples back – it’s not a simple Royal Mail job.
- Yorkieflyer says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:45
  
  Testing for All
- Simon says:
  
  26 May26 May 11:54
  
  Eurofins FitToFly £40ish, Qured £33 LetMebackIn, then CityDoc £60 Day2 – total £135. seems to be the cheapest combo for a green country trip……. From what i can tell, the only risk is the Eurofin one not reporting back before i fly…… Very hard to know the reliability/price tradeoff with all these suppliers though…
  - Rob says:
    
    26 May26 May 12:03
    
    Eurofins and Qured seem to have imploded – can’t comment on the others.
    - Craig says:
      
      26 May26 May 12:11
      
      I did a PCR for the Ipsos/MORI react survey. It was collected at noon Sunday and result arrived at 10am today. Test was labelled Eurofins.
      - Simon says:
        
        26 May26 May 12:14
        
        So net net, its a lottery !
    - Joe says:
      
      26 May26 May 12:26
      
      What’s the issue with Qured? I have a lateral flow / video call test booked with them for a couple of weeks from now!
      - Rob says:
        
        26 May26 May 12:54
        
        Tests not arriving, slots not being bookable, no nurse turning up when you try to do your call.
      - Joe says:
        
        26 May26 May 15:49
        
        I would add that my tests arrived within 48 hours of ordering, and there were plenty of slots available, so my experience so far is positive. Let’s just hope that a nurse shows up on the call……!
Jonathan says:

26 May26 May 12:08

Advice please . I hold a BA Amex card . Am I eligible for the 20,000 welcome points on a Amex gold card after £3,000 spend in 3 months . My understanding is Amex membership points cards are viewed differently from the BA avios cards and therefore I am eligible.
- Joe says:
  
  26 May26 May 12:28
  
  No. You are only eligible for the Platinum Card bonus (currently 70k MR points if someone with an enhanced referral bonus refers you!) if you have not had a MR card in last 24 months. Gold – no bonus if you have held ANY personal Amex in the last 24 months.
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  26 May26 May 13:21
  
  Nope. Only option is Plat which is 70k if you find the right referrer
  - Martin Short says:
    
    26 May26 May 15:44
    
    How do I find 70k plat referred bonus?
    OH only has 35k + 12k for her?
    - Joe says:
      
      26 May26 May 15:50
      
      Plenty of us on here (me included) have one, but Rob/Rhys will probably be able to send you one which is the accepted practice!
      
      If (for whatever reason) they can’t, I’m happy for them to share my details with you to sort one out.
      - Lee says:
        
        26 May26 May 16:13
        
        Just checked my account, that enhanced offer has ended
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        26 May26 May 16:25
        
        @Lee the enhanced offer is targeted. It replaced the one for all card members
- Amy C says:
  
  26 May26 May 16:09
  
  I thought you were eligible so long as you hadn’t held a personal Amex in the previous 24 months. I cancelled my Gold card last June and have since only used my BA. Thought I would be eligible for another Gold in 13/14 months time with another bonus but clearly not if the other responders are correct 🙁
  - Rob says:
    
    26 May26 May 17:00
    
    Rules changed in March 2019. It is now 2 years with NO personal Amex cards at all if you want another bonus.
    
    Only exception is Platinum and BA Premium Plus which are more lenient due to the high fees.