The HfP chat thread – Thursday 3rd June

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• Laura says:

  3 Jun3 June 17:53

  Somebody was asking yesterday if Morrisons sold IKEA gift cards.. just had a look whilst shopping and they didn’t have any

• mart says:

  3 Jun3 June 18:00

  can you cancel a platinum personal charge card over live chat?

  • A says:

    3 Jun3 June 18:06

    in my experience yes, but you won’t be offered any retention offers if you do so

  • Anna says:

    3 Jun3 June 18:16

    Yes – they may ask you if you would like to call to discuss offers but if you say no they will just carry on and cancel for you.

• AndyS says:

  3 Jun3 June 18:04

  Do the Virgin Atlantic credit cards (free one if it makes a difference) charge a fee for currency conversion? I have a feeling someone mentioned it the other day that they didn’t, but looking at the official HFP reviews there’s no mention of this, so would assume the default position is that they do!

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

    3 Jun3 June 18:08

    2.99% unless it is for a transaction in EUR/SEK/RON that takes place in the EEA

    • AndyS says:

      3 Jun3 June 18:12

      Aha, many thanks

    • Alex says:

      3 Jun3 June 19:02

      Not just the above currencies. Any EEA currency in reality. I wasn’t charged FX on BGN transactions in 2019 after the change was announced.

  • Andrew says:

    3 Jun3 June 21:52

    They may have been referring to the Virgin Money Mastercard rather than the Virgin Money, Virgin Atlantic Mastercard.

    I’ve got the former. No points, but no commission on FX transactions worldwide.

  • Rob says:

    3 Jun3 June 22:03

    Not on IN PERSON transactions in Euros. Wouldn’t help here.

• Chrisasaurus says:

  3 Jun3 June 18:10

  So for anyone that has stay at the Kimoton Fitzroy – any quality restaurant recommendations nearby?

  • Lula says:

    3 Jun3 June 18:14

    Haven’t stayed there, but know the area well. What sorts of things do you like?

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      3 Jun3 June 18:18

      Well two of our small party don’t eat meat so actually that would be the one thing I’d say would excite – a place with imaginable veggie (not necessarily vegan) offerings – otherwise either modern Italian/Mediterranean is universally approved of I think!

      • Yorkie Aid says:

        3 Jun3 June 18:38

        If you’re willing to walk up to and over Euston Road to Drummond Street (really not very far) you will find an enviable collection of Indian Restaurants which have a great selection of tasty veggie food too. My personal favourites are Chutneys (great lunchtime buffet) and Diwana but you won’t really go too wrong up there with any of them, unless of course you don’t like Indian.

      • Lula says:

        3 Jun3 June 18:55

        Ciao Bella on Lambs Conduit Street is always lovely, and is only a few minutes’ walk away. The Lamb is also a nice and very old traditional pub on the same street.

        Kings Cross is not far to walk, and there are plenty of places around there in the new development. Caravan is good.

        If you want to stroll a bit further, then head towards Exmouth Market, and there are plenty of places, including a nice Italian called Santore.

        In the other direction is Covent Garden, where you have a whole range of choices.

        • Lula says:

          3 Jun3 June 19:02

          Also, there are a couple of Vietnamese places between Holborn and Clerkenwell that are decent, and have lovely vegetarian options.

      • Memesweeper says:

        3 Jun3 June 19:43

        If you can get a booking, Timberyard.

        If you can’t get a booking try turning up and begging at the door. Worked for me, best meal since the pandemic started.

  • Anna says:

    3 Jun3 June 18:19

    We ended up eating at Burr & Co twice as our reservation at Ella Canta was cancelled at the last minute, but it’s worth knowing that you can combine an early dinner with the social hour from 5 till 6 if you want!
    The other night we just ate at a local Italian as we both really love pasta and it’s hard to go wrong with that!

    • James says:

      3 Jun3 June 19:36

      Burr & Co is the coffee shop at the Intercontinental, usually shut by 5 or 6. Do you mean the Printing Press, which is the bar/restuarant at the IC?

      • Anna says:

        3 Jun3 June 20:53

        There’s one at the Kimpton, where we were staying!

      • TGLoyalty says:

        3 Jun3 June 21:39

        That’s in Edinburgh. There’s a burr and co at the London Kimpton too.

    • Crafty says:

      3 Jun3 June 23:12

      Why on earth would you go to London and end up eating in the hotel?

      • Rob says:

        3 Jun3 June 23:30

        It’s a decent restaurant, could do worse.

  • Chrisasaurus says:

    3 Jun3 June 20:09

    Wow, thanks for the suggestions everyone – a lot of really helpful contributions! I’ll research them all and report back!

• Steve says:

  3 Jun3 June 18:49

  Looking at booking an open jaw Avios redemption UK->USA on AA metal; is there any way to figure out what the taxes would be on this without phoning to book (and in particular, whether there would be a saving over booking 2x one way?).

  • Memesweeper says:

    3 Jun3 June 19:46

    ITA matrix cash booking in the same cabin will give you a YQ figure which you add to the real taxes and charges. Usually accurate in my experience.

    Never heard of it being cheaper with two one ways UK – US – UK.

    • Steve says:

      3 Jun3 June 19:59

      Thanks, I’ll try that – I meant that it would be a saving to book the open jaw over booking 2x 1 way.

• Donna says:

  3 Jun3 June 19:01

  I have a big tax bill coming up and the tesco debit card. Is this still the best option to pick up some points?

  • Memesweeper says:

    3 Jun3 June 19:44

    If it’s a big bill consider Curve metal if you have a high earning non-Amex.

    • Donna says:

      3 Jun3 June 19:50

      I dont think the fee for Curve is worth it. I have the virgin card, so my thinking is that I will convert my tesco points i to virgin.

• Anna says:

  3 Jun3 June 19:05

  https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/influencer-spotted-economy-seat-after-24241814

  Rhys – I hope Rob doesn’t make you do this!

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    3 Jun3 June 22:06

    Influences lie? Would never have guessed 🙄

• Binnie says:

  3 Jun3 June 19:23

  If you like the Economist delivered in postal/ paper form – husbo & I are getting on a bit and like to read a real rag, can’t be bothered with digital – isn’t the current Avios Economist deal able to be combined with the £45 Amex deal? Making it about £1 delivered?

  Or nearly free if you are happy with digital (we’re not).

  • Rob says:

    3 Jun3 June 21:59

    Yes, covering tomorrow.

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