The HfP chat thread – Friday 4th June

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• AndyW says:

  4 Jun4 June 07:49

  Took a risk on Portugal about a week ago which hasn’t paid off, flight on easyJet next week, which I am not convinced they will cancel given a lot of people seemed to be booking so might have a relatively decent load. Any good tips on how to get into a flight that will be cancelled? Easyjet terms do allow changes so I could move onto this flight in the hope of cancellation and refund

  • Sam G says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:03

    Earliest possible Turkey flight ? Tricky to pick a Spain / Portugal etc as some of those will still go

    • AndyW says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:44

      That’s a decent idea, thank you

  • Joe says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:22

    I’ve just moved mine to a cheap weekend in Jersey in summer 2022!

  • Harry T says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:50

    If your flight is within a week then there’s a good chance it’ll be cancelled, no? I imagine a lot of people won’t be going to Portugal now.

    • AndyW says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:53

      Harry T – could be, will certainly wait and see, then look at options in a few days. It just looks quite full when you go to book it now and look at available seat selection.

      • Sam G says:

        4 Jun4 June 11:34

        Plenty of people will still go, especially if they’ve paid for their pre-departure test already. Lots of have traveled to Spain etc anyway – quarantine for lots of people isn’t a big deal .

        If the flights won’t be totally empty then the airlines won’t cancel and only changing date will be an option – Ryanair have already publicly said this- this keeps the money in the company at least

• Mark says:

  4 Jun4 June 08:00

  G7 have all flown into the UK form all over the world and will be doing no quarantine.
  These new variants must be really scary and only infect poor people.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:03

    Ministers and civil servants don’t get Covid … just like HNW individuals looking to make large investments (Elon Musk et al)

    • Mark says:

      4 Jun4 June 08:06

      It’s a complete joke.
      If this virus and new variants are so deadly then what the hell are they all doing flying into the UK.
      I just hope people will start to wake up.

      • James says:

        4 Jun4 June 08:26

        God never would have created sheep unless he intended them to be shorn.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          4 Jun4 June 08:41

          Humans created sheep 😉

        • BJ says:

          4 Jun4 June 09:00

          @TG, they did indeed…Dolly 🙂

    • Anna says:

      4 Jun4 June 08:27

      Hopefully that means it will be totally safe for them to travel to Puerto Banus, Mallorca and Tuscany from when parliament goes into recess on July 22nd and the traffic lights will be amended accordingly.

      • Callum says:

        4 Jun4 June 09:43

        It’s beyond obvious that they aren’t going to do any such thing.

        People on here are increasingly hysterical nowadays…

        • meta says:

          4 Jun4 June 09:50

          @Callum And it’s obvious that Michael Gove is not self-isolating after receiving an alert following his attendence at a match in Porto as he’s supposedly in a pilot scheme, so he’s being tested every day so is exempt. Yet we are hearing of this “pilot scheme” for the first time…

        • Anna says:

          4 Jun4 June 10:07

          @meta, surely anyone can be tested every day if they order their 7 free tests?! Or does it only work on government ministers?
          All this is just making me determined to get away, tbh, even with PCR tests and self-isolation on return (which won’t be much different from life for the past 12 months, after all!)

        • Anna says:

          4 Jun4 June 10:09

          Actually this is quite interesting, it says it’s a pilot scheme for workplaces and could be rolled out across the country. Which might be good news for holidays.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          4 Jun4 June 11:40

          To be fair there is a work based pilot scheme where you can skip isolation if you are tested everyday. We can take pet at my workplace.

      • Lady London says:

        4 Jun4 June 11:41

        ….as will no doubt be enacted, Anna

  • Lady London says:

    4 Jun4 June 11:40

    love it Mark 🙂
    influencers too apparently cannot infect anyone. not even in Dubai at Christmas.

• Super Secret Stuff says:

  4 Jun4 June 08:06

  NSFW or near kids but very funny

  https://www.instagram.com/reel/CPPOrVlH0bC/?utm_medium=copy_link

  • Andrew says:

    4 Jun4 June 11:35

    Not really though, is it?

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      4 Jun4 June 15:12

      I found it very funny

• Paul says:

  4 Jun4 June 08:19

  Has anyone ever purchased a car via Cazoo (or similar)?

  The simplicity of it alongside some other incentives right now such as a £300 statement credit offer and 2.5 Avios per £ via Amex makes it appealing.

  However I’m wondering about their return policy if I change my mind of find fault. It sounds very generous, they’ll collect it straight away and offer a full refund, they even throw in insurance for the first 7 days, it’s almost like a free test drive. Just curious if I’m missing anything, or if it really is that seamles?

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:33

    It’s distance selling via the internet so surely you have 14 days in which to return the item?

    Sounds to me like they make a big deal out of the 7 days to make it look like they are doing you a favour when they might just be limiting their exposure with the majority unaware of their rights.

    • The Savage Squirrel says:

      4 Jun4 June 08:52

      Every (always 2nd hand) car I’ve ever bought from a dealer, they chucked in a short period of insurance – up to a month – without it being asked for, almost as an afterthought. I’d always assumed they had some sort of regulatory requirement to make sure you were insured to drive it away and this was quicker/simpler way of fulfilling that requirement than obtaining insurance docs and verifying for authenticity. Much like the return policy, is this just standard procedure dressed up as a feature by using (admittedly very well done) marketing?

    • ChrisC says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:10

      https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/distance-selling-regulations-aAijb9Q8UT3V

      The legal minimum is 7 days.

      A seller can offer more than that but they don’t have too.

      • Genghis says:

        4 Jun4 June 10:01

        7 days was the min under Distance Selling Regulations (valid until 2014).
        Since 2014, the Consumer Contracts Regulations allow for 14 days min to cancel.

        • ChrisC says:

          4 Jun4 June 10:24

          Gah

          Which has a date of 4th March 2021 on that article whcih is why I thought it was the most recent version.

    • IanM says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:26

      I understand if there is finance involved it is not as simple as that in terms of a 14 day cooling off period.
      Take professional advice not hfp advice.

    • Paul says:

      4 Jun4 June 14:36

      So you are saying they you could have up to 14 days to return? If so, don’t they have to state that, vs the fanfare they make about 7 days

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:

        4 Jun4 June 20:18

        They aren’t saying you can’t return on day 13. They are just really pushing day 7 hard so maybe you think you can’t. It halves their liability and most sheepeople won’t check. More fool the sheepeople.

  • Dave says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:37

    I have, yes, and cannot fault the experience. Seamless really.

    • SteveJ says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:26

      Dave, did you buy and keep or used the returns process?

      • Dave says:

        4 Jun4 June 11:19

        Kept, very happy. I got the impression returns would be no-quibble (up to 7 days)

  • Benilyn says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:55

    Is it free return in 7 days even on non fault? i.e. you just didn’t like it or condition say.

    • TicknBash says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:41

      Theoretically should be no different from returning a pair of jeans at John Lewis.
      Alternatively – The blue wasn’t the blue that i thought it was.

  • Sandgrounder says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:36

    There have been good reviews, but one thing to remember if you are trading in is that you can’t get your old car back if you change your mind.

  • Andrew says:

    4 Jun4 June 10:59

    I buy from MSG, but that’s limited to Armed Forces, NHS, Teachers, Police etc.

    Place the order, £500 initial deposit, and it’s delivered on a trailer to your door. They do their own finance deals if you want them. I did a PCP deal directly through Bank of Scotland (it’s a white label Black Horse/Lex product), and they transferred the money direct to MSG. If you are an existing Halifax or BoS customer with a salary credited – they don’t do a credit search and you can choose a car from almost any dealer.

    Comparison?

    Dealer Finance. £3,000 deposit, £359 a month for 48 months, £11,334 final payment.
    MSG/BoS. £3,000 deposit, £239 a month for 47 months, £10,260 final payment.

    • mike says:

      4 Jun4 June 12:26

      Are msgcars.co.uk actually still in business ?

• Ste C says:

  4 Jun4 June 08:32

  I have a question about Che, my father in law lives abroad and has just set up an account with them and wants us to set one up as well to, in his words “put money into that i no longer need” – aka money he doesnt want his wife to know about. My question is, is this the best account to use? is it likely to get flagged? any better suggestions?
  Thanks

  • Bobri says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:07

    Che is the worst account to store money in

    • Ste C says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:16

      how so?

      • Anna says:

        4 Jun4 June 09:20

        Your account can be frozen if they suspect any irregularities and people have reported it taking months to to be able to access their money. Best used for a swift in and out!

        • Ste C says:

          4 Jun4 June 09:22

          Thanks

        • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

          4 Jun4 June 09:29

          In fairness, any financial services provider can and will freeze your account if they suspect irregularities. The second point is the significant one – reports of Revolut’s process quality and internal culture do not inspire confidence.

  • DT says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:23

    Revolut is not FSCS protected, when they go belly up your money is all gone. Also they can be trigger happy with locking your account. Haven’t experienced this first hand but have seen stories here on HFP. I personally never have more than £1500 in there and usually not for very long.

    • Ste C says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:31

      Thanks, would wise be a better option then?

      • M says:

        4 Jun4 June 11:19

        A bank? 😉

      • Lady London says:

        4 Jun4 June 11:50

        Most things are reported to tax in mainstream countries be aware of that too.

        cant he just buy amazon vouchers? otherwise starling the best of the fintechs according to reports but it is a bank so will get reported

        why not suggest he pays off your card(s) whatever he can afford whenever he has unneeded money and you will sort it out with him another way.

    • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:17

      Revolut should be segregating client money, so in theory your money would be safe if they went under. Of course it’s up to you how much confidence you want to put in their client money procedures.

    • Triath5 says:

      4 Jun4 June 14:02

      Revolut has something called “Vaults” which is FSCS protected and pays a tiny bit of interest (on the paid plans) but is readily accessible and fee free.

      https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/savings-vaults/understanding-savings-vaults/how-are-the-funds-in-my-savings-vaults-protected

• MD says:

  4 Jun4 June 08:32

  Sorry for another utilities switching question. Does anyone have experience of PFP energy? MSE are giving me an insanely cheap quote from them but I’ve never heard of them (£808 cheaper, really?). If something sounds too good be true it usually is. A Google search is not encouraging, but would appreciate any opinions, thanks.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:51

    Since it’s utilities you are highly unlikely to lose out. Any money paid via DD is protected by the watchdog so you never lose out. Worst case you’d have to find another deal if whoever picked them up wasn’t competitive

  • Travel Strong says:

    4 Jun4 June 08:56

    Crikey, that saving is more than my annual energy bill! How is the bill so big? grow room? bitcoin mine? heated moat?!

    • MD says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:32

      I dunno. Decent sized house, not well insulated. Underfloor heating not great for the gas bill, and my electricity bill is large as I own way too much tech. Either that or the marijuana farm, I suppose!

    • kitten says:

      4 Jun4 June 11:52

      heaters for an indoor pot farm

  • Harry T says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:07

    Run the numbers yourself because MSE often quote bizarre savings.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:19

      I think there’s now a radio button to compare to your current fixed rate rather than the variable rate you’ll be on when your deal ends.

      Either way it’s only ever cheaper than the best quote from another reputable supplier so vs your current deal is pretty pointless.

      • MD says:

        4 Jun4 June 10:34

        Yep saw that option, cheers. Of the holy trinity on here (Octopus, Igloo, Bulb) only Octopus offering a good saving for me, the others minimal. So PFP seem dodgy, but I take your point about the DD protection.

  • Clive says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:46

    I am currently with PFP and no problems so far

    • MD says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:29

      Thanks Clive. Can you do the usual things that attract people to Octopus, Igloo etc, like reduce the DD to near zero and pay (or even overpay) on Amex? Any referral bonus?

  • lev441 says:

    4 Jun4 June 17:13

    I’m on PFP and have found them a pleasure to deal with – And were cheapest on the market when i signed up in November on a 1 year fixed deal. Recently, I sent my dad their way as their variable tariff was considerably cheaper now his 1 year fix with avro ended. We both got £50 from the refer a friend scheme – feel free to use my link https://refer.pfpenergy.co.uk/benjyl-7

    • Genghis says:

      4 Jun4 June 18:56

      What a gent 🙂

    • MD says:

      4 Jun4 June 21:36

      Why thank you sir. If i go with them I will certainly use your link.

• Talay says:

  4 Jun4 June 09:10

  I need a rethink for £100/200k a year of Amex spend currently going onto BAPP (plus circa £50k non Amex) and being used primarily for Amex 241 on LHR-BKK routes.

  Daughter is growing up, no way to guarantee being able to use a 241 going forward and both parents have 3 or 4 in the bag already. Parents rarely travel together. Avios balance around 400k currently so good enough for 2 or 3 more 241 if required.

  Only other earning card is legacy Marriott Mastercard. IHG premium has disappeared. Don’t fly where Virgin goes.

  I can’t see value in flying singularly on Avios as cash fares for routes are only 20% more expensive that the maths behind Amex fees and the 241 versus Avios into Nectar and free food at Sainsburys !

  And I have £25k stuck in Etihad credit too which has a rapidly approaching end of life date !

  What would the best strategy be now to maximise any sort of value ?

  • bafan says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:27

    How on earth did you end up with that?! Very curious now 🤣.

  • Tom says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:30

    Move over to Gold or Platinum cards and have more flexibility of where your points go?

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      4 Jun4 June 09:42

      +1

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        4 Jun4 June 09:44

        Doesn’t necessarily benefit you but try and get refered for Gold to help someone out with a chunk of points

    • Talay says:

      6 Jun6 June 23:04

      I understand the move to MR from Avios but I’d drop to 1 point per £1 which seems harsh.

      I can almost always find hotel rooms cheaper than a use of points unless wasting points which seems daft in itself.

      Also, Platinum is worse than BAPP at £575. I never need lounge access as I fly premium, I have insurances from elsewhere and it seems the only benefit is earning 1 point per £1 which I can do with a basic card. Where is the Platinum benefit ?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Jun4 June 11:46

    I’d be spending 15k on a gold a year and preferably just for non BA flights (you have £25k Etihad credit so suspect you pay for lots of flights)

    All BA flights on BAPP for double points and hit the voucher.

    Long term I’d spend on the Marriott as they are hardest to earn and provide more value than avios.

    • Talay says:

      6 Jun6 June 23:46

      Marriott is charging about 70/100k a night for hotels in London which I can buy for £200/250 a night giving a value of 0.25p per point. Shocking value.

      In Asia, they are asking 40k for a hotel I can buy for £40 so 0.1p per point. Even worse.

      This has been the case for most of the last 10 years I have been looking.

      So my 100k London hotel costs me £100k of spending and saves me £250. Contrast my £100k of spending generating 150k of Avios which is worth 240k Nectar which is worth £1200.

      Even if I use those 150k Avios on a flight and pay the £625 taxes then my business class flight has cost £1200 (nectar value) plus £625 so £1825 which may or may not be a good deal – I personally think not unless in the new BA seats.

      The SPG / Bonvoy card is 2 points per £1 so it doubles the mastercard rate which gives me 200k Bonvoy each year which gets me 2/3 nights in a £250 hotel. That does not come close to the £1200 Nectar value.

  • kitten says:

    4 Jun4 June 11:59

    Doesn’t Barclays Premier (see Rob articles) give upgrade voucher for singles?

    also have you reviewed if HSBC offerings at top end could do anything for you

    Also keep an eye on Chase Sapphire? so far as incoming Chase to UK is concerned fron around autumn

    • Talay says:

      6 Jun6 June 23:07

      I am looking at the Barclays Premier but that doesn’t help where to move £150k of spending as far as I can see. The voucher is only useable on BA which I hardly ever fly.

      HSBC are too restrictive and I won’t move assets to them.

      Chase Sapphire – interesting – haven’t herd about that.

• DT says:

  4 Jun4 June 09:30

  Has there ever been and LCY – CDG route? Booked the £900 CDG – HNL flights last night and player 2 is less than thrilled about the prospect of having to fly out of CDG. As we live a few minutes from LCY it would help the number of hops feel a bit easier! Though I can’t work out if the route doesn’t exist due to covid, or if it never existed.

  • John says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:35

    I always thought the city flights to Paris went into Orly – but that information is probably pretty old.
    Once the Eurostar is available that should be just as easy – I believe the train to CDG departs from the same station that the Eurostar arrives into.

    • DT says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:46

      Thanks John, it does sound like Eurostar will be the best option, no station change is good to know.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    4 Jun4 June 09:43

    Eurostar it, go for standard premier and you can have a jolly good time with the free wine!

    • Genghis says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:05

      I find SP a bizarre service: as much wine as you can drink but measly and relatively poor quality grub.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        4 Jun4 June 15:25

        It is a bit odd but if your partner is in a wheelchair you get upgraded to SP for free so all good. Nice little disabled perk

    • DT says:

      4 Jun4 June 10:44

      Eurostar is a good idea! Thanks SSS, not as convenient as flying out of LCY but definitely a lot better than going through LHR

      • kitten says:

        4 Jun4 June 12:02

        easyjet does direct to cdg from gatwick, thamelink very quick train there also from London Bridge

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        4 Jun4 June 15:30

        Thats where the wine and food comes in! You want the B line to CDG, last stop. Quite a good option, especially as you can sell it as saving the environment, kind of

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