The HfP chat thread – Friday 28th May

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LST says:

28 May28 May 17:53

Not sure if it’s been covered here but Marriott Points Advance can now only be used for bookings up to 60 days away and need to be settled 14 days prior to the visit. I guess it makes sense as a way to stop speculative bookings.
- Rob says:
  
  28 May28 May 17:54
  
  Will get to this over the bank holiday.
James says:

28 May28 May 18:48

What is the best way to buy more than 100k Marriott points? Can my partner, parent etc buy 100k and gift them to me?
- meta says:
  
  28 May28 May 18:52
  
  Yes, you can receive 500k Marriott points max per year and anyone can send you up to 100k from their account.
YH says:

28 May28 May 19:04

What method would people suggest for tracking down historical flight numbers and aircraft flown? I’m trying to build a list of all flights I’ve taken but am missing a few from a while back.

For example, if I knew I flew HKG – PER in Aug 1998 on QF, is there somewhere I could lookup the flight number and aircraft used for this?
- John says:
  
  29 May29 May 06:07
  
  http://www.lhr-lgw.co.uk/archive-main-munu.html for flights from those airports
  
  Paid subscription to flight aware and the like Kay help
  
  Buy old airline timetable books on ebay
Matty says:

28 May28 May 19:43

What sort of benefits as a Spire Ambassador can I expect on a free credit card night redemption at a Kimpton? I’ve booked three nights this weekend at the Kimpton in Edinburgh. Just checked in. No mention of status or mention of anything – no bottled water for example. I mentioned the current ‘secret word’ and the staff had never heard of the Kimpton secret word thing…
- Anna says:
  
  28 May28 May 19:58
  
  You should at least get some free drinks vouchers – did they not ask you if you wanted these or points? Having said that, we didn’t get them with our room keys and forgot to chase it up! We did get the social hour drinks delivered to the rooms though.
  I think U.K./European staff aren’t as aware of Kimpton traditions as they are in the US.
  - Matty says:
    
    28 May28 May 20:15
    
    I wasn’t asked anything. I asked for late check out, 2:00 pm, which was missed. Just popped back to the desk to sort that. I was asked if I’d stayed at a Kimpton previously – cue me pointing out that I’m Spire Ambassador and I stay at the IHG brand frequently. That didn’t register. I’ve stayed at the Kimpton in Russell Square. I was better looked after there.
    - TJones says:
      
      28 May28 May 21:34
      
      Wouldn’t your stay have qualified for the current “UK’s latest check out” promotion? I have a stay at Kimpton Clocktower soon with a confirmed 10pm check out. I’ll try the new secret password too.
      - Matty says:
        
        28 May28 May 22:08
        
        Never thought to request it when booking. Hotel is very busy. We’re in an accessible room.
- Kai says:
  
  28 May28 May 22:30
  
  Ambassador benefits don’t apply. As Spire you should get room upgrade, and drinks voucher or points.
- Clive says:
  
  28 May28 May 22:36
  
  https://onemileatatime.com/kimpton-secret-social-password/
  - Matty says:
    
    28 May28 May 23:04
    
    I mentioned ‘No More Sweatpants’. I’d seen the Twitter post and explained what the secret social password was all about. I said it had changed within the last day or two – maybe that’s why the didn’t know it? Response was; “that’s very nice”. No upgrade. No vouchers.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      29 May29 May 00:39
      
      Then I’d go down tomorrow talk to the manager and show them the tweet and explain that the service so far has been far from adequate.
      
      Tbh I got an upgrade and late checkout here with only a little bit of probing but it may have been luck of the draw
Harry T says:

28 May28 May 19:49

Any stays at Trump Turnberry since the refurb? Thinking of visiting in June now that the Irish have irrationally banned Brits for even longer.
- Anna says:
  
  28 May28 May 19:53
  
  If Newcastle becomes an Indian variant hotspot you might be banned from Scotland as well!
  - Harry T says:
    
    28 May28 May 21:53
    
    Let’s hope we can build a wall between Gosforth and North Tyneside!
- BJ says:
  
  28 May28 May 21:24
  
  Did you see my reply to you the other day about combining a stay with the nearby Glenapp Castle?
  - Harry T says:
    
    28 May28 May 21:53
    
    I did not, BJ. Thanks for the tip!
  - YC says:
    
    28 May28 May 22:37
    
    I did and they have a very unique sea Safari experience but wow the prices were astronomical c.£11k/person for 3night package
- Andy says:
  
  28 May28 May 21:50
  
  Stayed twice in the last year – got upgraded once to sea view suite and the other time to a standard sea view room. Rooms are nice, breakfast if included in the room rate is excellent. I had dinner at the hotel (at the more casual bar/lounge though) only a couple of times as we were there mostly for the golf course and usually ate in the clubhouse instead, and it’s massively overpriced for the quality and portions.
  - Harry T says:
    
    28 May28 May 21:52
    
    @Andy thanks for the feedback. Were you upgraded due to status? I think I should get free brekkie as Titanium. I haven’t stayed there since last summer, when I was Gold.
    - Andy says:
      
      28 May28 May 22:11
      
      Yes, I was Gold at the time and booked via Marriott rather than Trump’s own website, although room rates where the same. So no breakfast for me due to status but it was included in my room rate on a good deal. Probably costs a pretty penny otherwise. With the fairly significant savings on green fees as a hotel guest I was very happy with my stay overall, the hotel dinners were the only disappointment really. Of course the hotel location isn’t ideal for everyone as it’s a painful drive, but as part of an East Coast golf trip it worked well for me both times
sloth says:

28 May28 May 20:23

Datapoint for $10 DragonPass lounge visits for anyone interested…they changed my account to expire having previously been extended until end of 2021…emailed them on Wednesday to get it refunded, no response at all but refund hit credit card today
- Andy says:
  
  28 May28 May 21:52
  
  What was the email address you contacted them at? I’ve had the same thing happen, now showing expired March 31st.
  - Sloth says:
    
    28 May28 May 21:55
    
    support@dragonpassuk.com
    - Andy says:
      
      28 May28 May 22:11
      
      Cheers!
- kitten says:
  
  29 May29 May 00:23
  
  I’m still not sure why anyone who bought passes should be forced to take a refund. How are they forcing this?
Super Secret Stuff says:

28 May28 May 21:05

IHG gave in after my 3rd email with them where I got very blunt and stroppy. Got my 5k points

Thanks all for helping me get the screenshot, lesson learned, always screenshot the offer!
- Harry T says:
  
  28 May28 May 22:01
  
  Glad you had a good outcome. It’s always a great idea to screenshot the offer, or promises from Amex!
TightRse says:

28 May28 May 23:37

Is there any benefit to holding the Free IHG card while holding the Premier one?

I use the Premier one for all my spending including my M/S.

So, should I send the free one back now and try for another sign up bonus in 6 months? Is that the best that can be done?