The HfP chat thread – Thursday 27th May

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Ian M says:

27 May27 May 13:47

Marriott Ambassador status…

Have any other Ambassador status members found that they no longer have a personal ambassador? My ambassador seems to have left and instead of being replaced with someone else so that I have a single point of contact, I now receive responses from a different member of the ambassador team each time. Definitely a drop is quality of service. When I had my own ambassador he was familiar with my requirements and requests to send to hotels.
- George K says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:46
  
  Yes, it all changed in January, but it was going downhill for a while. A lot of dedicated ambassadors left and those that remained were dealing with quite a few members each. Marriott chose to stop the direct email approach to a specific ambassador and now you need to go through the general pool, and whoever’s on the rota will pick it up.
  
  A far cry from SPG, for sure.
  - Ian M says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:37
    
    Yeah, very disappointing. So other than Your24 there really seems to be little benefit to reaching Ambassador status anymore
    - George K says:
      
      27 May27 May 17:16
      
      I’d agree. There seems little incentive for them to go above and beyond, especially when they can’t be allowed to get to know the members they’re supposed to service (so they can no longer be proactive either). Very hard to justify the insane cost attached to it, especially since you’re bound to have some sort of concierge service available from elsewhere anyway (like Amex, perhaps?)
Super Secret Stuff says:

27 May27 May 13:50

What opportunities are there to stack the Hyatt and SLH offers? From what I can tell, Hyatt own SLH so might be able to trigger both? Just can’t figure out how!
- meta says:
  
  27 May27 May 13:54
  
  The participating property has to be on both lists. They are different. If so, then it will stack.
- Scott says:
  
  27 May27 May 13:57
  
  If a hotel appears on both lists of eligible locations, then both offers will trigger once you meet the spend threshold. Otherwise no.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:01
  
  Hyatt doesn’t own SLH they have a partnership.
  
  There will be no overlap and where you can use the offer.
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:07
  
  Guys, I know the T & Cs! I can read…
  
  My question is two pronged: are there any overlaps, I spotted none. And in practice, is there any that trigger both because the owners own both a Hyatt and a SLH
  - SteveJ says:
    
    27 May27 May 14:52
    
    Well they are often neighbouring properties so you could stay at one and done at the other
    - SteveJ says:
      
      27 May27 May 14:55
      
      *dine at the other. And apologies I read this as SLS, not SLH, ignore me.
- TJ says:
  
  27 May27 May 15:02
  
  I couldn’t find any properties which might potentially trigger both offers, but have booked a couple of SLH hotels via Hyatt in order to trigger associated benefits, e.g. points, free breakfast, possible early/late checkout and upgrade.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    27 May27 May 15:35
    
    Ok thanks, let us know if any trigger them “by mistake”
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      27 May27 May 15:49
      
      they wont because an SLH is NOT a Hyatt
      
      its purely a marketing partnership. The Cromlix has its own offer which would stack with SLH for example if its on both lists
SM says:

27 May27 May 14:16

Quick question – on phone with BA to rebook cancelled flights from end of this month to August (already been rescheduled from April to May), original dates in April son was booked as infant in lap, May flight when rebooked due to cancellation son was rebooked as infant lap oubound and infant with seat inbound. BA now asking me to pay for infants seat? Is this correct? Asked to speak with supervisor too.
- Babyg says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:58
  
  Not really enough info, are they over 2 now (or will turn 2 during the trips), were they under 2 when originally booked?
  - SM says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:23
    
    Hi,
    
    That’s right, son was under 2 when originally booked, for dates when rebooked i.e May outbound would be under 2 and during inbound would be 2 (we would have been away during his b’day), therefore, question is if we are obliged to pay for his ticket when rebooking due to cancellation. At present he has a lap infant ticket for outbound and set for inbound flight, thanks.
    - Lady London says:
      
      27 May27 May 20:31
      
      Their practice reported here has been they will provide ticket for now 2-year old without charge as the original cancellation was theirs so not your fault. HUACA in core UK weekdays/hours
      - SM says:
        
        27 May27 May 20:53
        
        Thanks Lady London, apologies, what is HUACA?
      - SM says:
        
        27 May27 May 20:54
        
        Got it, Hang Up And Call Again!
Steve says:

27 May27 May 14:20

Amex 24 month period between bonuses: is there an easy way to check for sure that we are eligible? (my notes say that we are, but only by a couple of weeks) e.g. is calling them to ask a bad idea?
- Genghis says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:24
  
  Amex will confirm the date you last closed a card, either on chat or on the phone. I keep the cancellation letters but recently I’ve only received letters for around 50% of closures.
- gareth says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:44
  
  If you don’t want to ring or chat then check credit report
  - Mart says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:24
    
    I use credit karma app gives accurate cancellation dates
- Rui N. says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:44
  
  I called the other day (2 years are tomorrow!) and after getting through the endless list of automated options it was a 1-min affair. The guy didn’t even let me finish the sentence, told me the date straight away. So, go ahead and call, no need to be afraid. 🙂
  - Steve says:
    
    27 May27 May 14:45
    
    Great, thanks everyone!
Laura says:

27 May27 May 14:33

Not very HeadForPoints focused, but I just invested in the new European Sleeper Train company. Exciting

The only thing I love more than flying is a sleeper train! Will it make any money?Probably not, but it was only €250
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:56
  
  Oooooooo, sounds interesting. I think sleeper trains will go through a renaissance soon. Between the trend towards greener travel, some people’s hatred of flying and train / train lines getting bigger and bigger, I can see it happening
  - Laura says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:06
    
    I really hope so!
    
    They’ve raised €500,000 in a few hours (25% of shares). Probably could have sold double that if available
    - Lady London says:
      
      27 May27 May 20:34
      
      What are the privileges?
      
      I used to love the Targa hotel trains from Paris to Barcelona or Madrid overnight. Such a civilised way to travel.
      - Memesweeper says:
        
        27 May27 May 21:05
        
        Loved that train to Barcelona… such a loss
  - WaynedP says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:10
    
    + 1 !
    
    HfP could become the new seat61 with Points earning focus …
    - Super Secret Stuff says:
      
      27 May27 May 16:34
      
      Hahaha that would be good to see, kind of following on from the green travel discussion yesterday, do you think BA or VA will form a partnership with say Eurostar or a night service through the tunnel?
      
      France has already banned domestic flights and flights with a 2 or 3 hour alternative. To me, in about 5 years it could be possible that we see this…
Aston100 says:

27 May27 May 14:41

Is there any reason to pick EWR over JFK when returning to LHR on BA?
Staying in Manhattan.
Flight times being similarish – BA172 vs BA188
Club.

Thanks.
- HAK says:
  
  27 May27 May 14:54
  
  I always find it quicker to get to EWR and it is a smaller airport so less busy.
- AndyW says:
  
  27 May27 May 15:10
  
  Lounge at EWR was pretty average when I was there a couple of years back
  - Aston100 says:
    
    27 May27 May 15:13
    
    Thanks both.
    Booked the one out of JFK.
    Also, a chance of club suites apparently.
    - Anna says:
      
      27 May27 May 15:34
      
      I seem to recall having to pay an outrageous premium for a taxi to EWR, I think it’s because it’s in a different state from NYC, even though it took less time to get there than it would have done to JFK. Enjoyed the lounge at EWR though, I recall they had restaurant-style dining, though you were only allowed in once per visit!
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        27 May27 May 16:36
        
        All taxi drivers have to do JFK at a flat maximum rate, no mater how long or how far it is. Doesn’t apply to EWR as (I think) there are reasonable alternatives
      - ChrisC says:
        
        27 May27 May 18:07
        
        SSS is right there is a fixed fare to and from JFK from Manhatten which is currently $52 plus tolls plus various access fees plus congestion charge plus the ubiqutous tip
        
        For EWR it’s the metered fare plus $17.50 access fee plus the tolls (both ways!) plus tip
        
        See the ‘airport’ tab here
        
        https://www1.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page
        
        There are public transport options to both EWR and JFK which are much cheaper but which are also longer and involve changing trains etc
DK says:

27 May27 May 14:56

I will be travelling from Gatwick on Saturday. Is Aspire lounge open?
Gatwick website says yes but Amex Plat says no. Priority Pass is suitably unclear.
- Rob says:
  
  27 May27 May 15:11
  
  Yes, its open, as per our article last week.
  - DK says:
    
    27 May27 May 17:49
    
    Thank you Rob.
    I saw the article so expected to see as “open” in Amex app and Priority Pass app as well
Aston100 says:

27 May27 May 15:08

About to book some broadway musicals around Christmas.
Are there any points opportunities or ways of saving?
Looking at in excess of $200 per person per show.
These will sell out if not booked and paid for soon, hence it is too early for an Amex IDC.
If no other options, I’ll use a Halifax Clarity (greater chance of recourse compared to Curve and Revolut).

Thanks.
- Anna says:
  
  27 May27 May 15:38
  
  Agree there is a risk of selling out but I wouldn’t pay those prices, a show isn’t better because you’re seeing it in New York. There are places you can go on the day and buy whatever tickets remain very cheaply if you don’t mind finding them and possibly queuing for a bit, there is lots of info online about these.
  I prefer getting tickets for an exhibition or something else which is unlikely to come to the UK and pay more reasonable prices for the theatre at home.
  - Anna says:
    
    27 May27 May 15:40
    
    Or – there are loads of places like jazz clubs (or off-Broadway shows) which are much more reasonably priced but still offer a great musical experience.
  - Aston100 says:
    
    27 May27 May 16:15
    
    “a show isn’t better because you’re seeing it in New York”
    You are right.
    However, I feel Broadway Musicals are an essential part of the New York experience.
    I’m going to limit myself to just two big name shows now. As these are almost certain to sell out (low availability when checking today), and given they are refundable up to 2 hours before curtain up, I’ll go ahead and book anyway.
    Will probably check each morning for last minute tickets for other shows once I’m over there.
    Thanks.
    - Anna says:
      
      27 May27 May 16:44
      
      I know what you mean Aston100, and hope you get to see something fabulous! It’s just my northern “How much?!” DNA asserting itself. I love seeing a show up here and knowing that the tickets were half the price they would be in London! (Even though you usually have to wait about 10 years 🤣)
    - mutley says:
      
      27 May27 May 17:05
      
      Best bet is go to the TKTS booth in Times square on the morning of the performances, they will have a decent selection for that evening at discounted prices.
      
      If you are flying out of JFK especially on an early evening flight I wouldn’t bother with a cab, you will be stuck on the Grand Central parkway and Van Wyk expressway for ages.. If you are staying downtown get on the LIRR to Jamaica and then get on the Airtrain its cheaper and a damn site quicker. If you are feeling flush try Blade which is operating again to JFK.
      - Aston100 says:
        
        27 May27 May 17:11
        
        Thanks Mutely, yes TKTS is on my radar.
        Am intending to start each day with a walk to one of their locations to see if anything decent is available.
        I’ll be staying right next to Times Square. The hotel reckon it is an hour by taxi to JFK on a Sunday late afternoon. I’ll check the public transport options, but don’t fancy slumming it on this occasion for the sake of a few quid and a longer journey.
        Thanks.
      - Rob says:
        
        27 May27 May 17:22
        
        There is another TKTS booth downtown which is very quiet whereas Times Square is usually very busy IIRC.
- Clive says:
  
  27 May27 May 18:15
  
  See if anything you want is on Travelzoo US site. Due to Covid you may not find anything but worth a look
- ChrisC says:
  
  27 May27 May 18:19
  
  As mentioned TKTS is an option. At Times square they sell both on the day discount tickets and advance for full price.
  
  At the Lincoln Centre and South Street seaport locations they also offer matinees for the next day as well
  
  On one visit I saw a 50% offer for a preview of a musical. As I hadn’t heard of it I gave it a miss until I read Time Out. I went back the next few days and it wasn’t available and it opened properly a few days later.
  
  One of the biggest theatrical mistakes I ever made not taking up that option as I could have seen Wicked in preview!
  
  https://www.tdf.org/nyc/7/tkts-ticket-booths
  - Aston100 says:
    
    27 May27 May 20:07
    
    Wow. Wicked is one of the two shows.
    I Just booked it.
    $252 pp (inc tax) 🙁
    Always get annoyed when there isn’t a ‘funds return’ or a miles/points option for anything costing more than £50.
    
    It better be bloody good.
    - Blair says:
      
      27 May27 May 20:28
      
      TodayTix and StubHub. Why queue in person. TT will offer rush tickets at 10am on the dot for a trivial sum.