The HfP chat thread – Friday 4th June

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Gavin says:

4 Jun4 June 11:56

Morning, I’ve got an email from BA about applying for their Amex Accelerating Business Card. They are currently offering a 50k Avios bonus, as well as the normal 2.2k On Business Points. To receive the bonus Avios, I need apply before 10 June and spend 3k in the first 3 months. I was wondering if anyone knows if I qualify for the Avios bonus, I currently have Amex Business Gold, which I’ve had for 8 plus years, and I cancelled my personal Amex Gold about 14 months ago.
r* says:

4 Jun4 June 12:47

Can you still use solihull to feed the seagulls without metallic bending?

I thought Id read something a few days ago that suggested you could, but mine gets rejected?
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:05
  
  Has needed bendy or Che for quite some time now, though non-metallic bending incurs a fee.
- Chris H says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:18
  
  I feel sorry for HfP newcomers wondering why you would feed seagulls using a nice suburb of Brum, never mind the metallic bending! 😂
Travel Strong says:

4 Jun4 June 13:06

Must be the HfP 2nd Jab weekend, 12wks from when half the chat had their 1st jab. Lovely weather for it, hope everyone has zero side effects this time. May your hangover feelings this time only be from alcohol!
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:23
  
  Yep, mine’s on Sunday!
- Jody says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:26
  
  Ha ha, yep, I have mine tomorrow!
  - roberto says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:23
    
    Mine too.. 09:12am
    - Froggee says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 18:35
      
      I moved mine from Monday to Friday as didn’t want to take any chances after last time.
C says:

4 Jun4 June 13:10

Does anyone know if DFS accept Amex online? Need to order a new sofa and would help towards 241! The ‘who accepts Amex’ websites would suggest so but can’t tell for sure without going all the way through the purchase process (waiting for the sale) so any previous experience appreciated! Thanks
- Sandra says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:13
  
  They did last summer when I paid for our new sofa. You could check on their website, might confirm on there the cards they take.
- Chris Heyes says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:58
  
  C Yes ordered one for my Daughter beginning of May, actually paid a deposit over the phone rest balance due anytime before delivery
  Although long build time up to 12 weeks for hers ?
  Will pay balance end June though, target for Bonus Avios on BA Premium Card
- Magic Mike says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 23:14
  
  Every day is a DFS sale day…
Mark says:

4 Jun4 June 13:18

Looking to do a car rental from Inverness to go to the Isle of Skye.

What are some recommended options? I believe there’s the tie up between Avis and BA, but not sure if anything else more than that.

(I have HSBC WEMC and Amex Gold)
- Tom1 says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:48
  
  If you have time, strongly recommend driving north from Inverness round the coast to Skye – NC500 route – fantastic scenery especially when going down the west coast from Durness down to Skye.
  - Linda says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:29
    
    +1 Just wonderful
- Lula says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 15:39
  
  https://www.avisworld.com/worldelite
  
  Booking via this link often gets a discount.
  - YC says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 17:00
    
    Do you know if you have to pay with a WE or just a WE holder? Prices do look pretty decent
- WaynedP says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 15:57
  
  @Mark
  
  I had an excellent experience with Avis at Inverness Airport as an Avis Preferred member in October 2019. (Booked as part of a BA Holiday as I recall).
  
  Quick processing at the airport terminal desk.
  
  Super friendly, efficient staff at the outside pick-up point. Great car, very new, and seemed better than the advertised group code, although not a formal upgrade as such.
  
  Planned to fill up the car last thing before very early drop-off at the end (before opening hours), but garage I had pre-programmed into the sat nav the night before was closed (despite advertising 24/24). So dropped keys off in Avis return box with explanatory apology note inviting them to bill me any ancillary service costs associated with having to go out of their way to refuel.
  
  When invoice arrived, there was ZERO charge for refuelling.
  
  I called Avis head-office insisting it only fair that I paid and sent them my phone pic showing fuel gauge on half when I left the car. I didn’t want staff to be out of pocket or in trouble. They said nothing they can do, account already settled and closed – too much faff to re-open.
  
  Couldn’t believe it after all the stories you hear of being overcharged for car hire extras like this. Genuine true story, I’d be sceptical if it didn’t actually happen to me.
  
  So a big, positive call out for the whole Avis outfit at Inverness Airport – I will drop off a large box of luxury biscuits next time I’m up there.
  - Binnie says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 16:58
    
    They probably gouged the next customer £300 for an imaginary scratch to pay for you free petrol.
    - WaynedP says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 17:15
      
      I sincerely hope not ! They were a very decent bunch, very slick little setup there. I was impressed.
      
      I assuaged my conscience with the thought that they must have some sort of expense allowance for staff to use the cars from time to time, and my fuel cost was offset against that. I’m a loyal Avis customer so hopefully they’ve more than made it up from my custom over the years.
- Phil says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 19:16
  
  Would highly recommend visiting Ulapool for a night. Stay at the Ferry Boat Inn and ask for a Loch View room (should be £100 – £125 B&B). Set your alarm early for the sunrise over the loch in the morning… its fabulous. Certainly worth taking a DLSR and tripod.
  
  When you are on Skye go to the Giant MacAskill museum. Its run by Danny MacAskill’s dad and is the funniest thing you’ll do all day and only costs £2!
  - WaynedP says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 19:40
    
    Looks delightful, thanks – will add to my own list for future.
    
    We enjoyed Isles of Glencoe Hotel.
  - Mark says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 22:22
    
    Thanks everyone! Appreciate the tips.
Mr. AC says:

4 Jun4 June 13:35

Advice required. Friend recently collected almost half of TPs required to hit Silver (with reduced requirements) taking a business class relocation flight paid by his new employer. He was hoping for getting some more TPs later in the year, but what he didn’t account for is that he had an existing Executive Club account (empty – no Avios, no TPs) opened years ago. Regrettably his membership year runs to July 8th.
Is there nothing that can be done? Obviously environment not conducive for emergency Tier Point runs.
Normally I’d say he’s stuffed (membership year dates can’t be changed), but maybe I’m missing some COVID-specific policy that could remedy the situation?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:59
  
  Unless he closed the old account and made a new one and credited his flight to the new one I think they’re stuffed.
  - Mr. AC says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:38
    
    Well, it has already been credited to the old account… Would BA be open to “uncredit” a flight?
    - Jonathan says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 14:41
      
      No. BA have consistently refused requests like this for years. You do get 2 weeks grace after year end to make up any shortfall.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 14:54
      
      Nah then theyre stuffed.
Steve says:

4 Jun4 June 13:35

In case it’s helpful to anyone else: just phoned Amex Platinum insurance about travel to the US, and they said that their advice has recently changed, but that it’s now the case that everything is covered going to amber list countries *except* covid (but other medical conditions are fine). In addition (and I’m sure this is documented elsewhere) the medical insurance doesn’t require booking on the card.
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 13:49
  
  Who’s seriously going to travel to America without medical cover in 100% of circumstances though? Even if vaccinated there’s still a chance of catching it and falling ill (or not being able to return home on the scheduled date), and anyone who’s previously had covid runs the risk of any subsequent illness being attributed to long covid and a claim being refused.
  - Steve says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 13:54
    
    Very true – but this does make the option of booking temporary medical insurance in the US more plausible (rather than having to pay for Battleface, which seems roughly 5 times as expensive).
  - Chris Heyes says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:09
    
    Anna when i was younger (much younger) I was a very naughty boy
    I did 3/4 trips a year without any insurance I know very lucky
    Later my Nationwide account came with free insurance luckily so covered by default, basic flexi-account don’t think anyone opening a new one gets it any more but I’m covered
    I will be taking extra cover for America this time, (but didn’t last time I know very naughty of me)
  - Harry T says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:14
    
    Think it would be medically tenuous to ascribe a de novo condition to previous covid exposure, especially as the post covid syndrome isn’t well defined or understood at present.
    - Jonathan says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 14:46
      
      You’d think that but I had a spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage a few years ago. Fortunately made a full recovery & advised risk of recurrence same as general population but all my travel insurance providers since (Amex/HSBC/NatWest) have inserted blanket exclusions for all intercranial events including traumatic SAH. Being hit by a car clearly has no relation to previous event! My understanding is they can exclude what they like as long as they tell you in advance.
- Andrew says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 14:01
  
  This is helpful, and good news. Thanks for sharing.
- Pthy887 says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 20:32
  
  This sounds far too good to be true. The insurance documentation on the website is still from 2020, and specifically states exclusions linked to travelling to a country against government advice.
  
  Is there any written proof of this anywhere on the Amex website? Is it applicable for trips in other amber countries as well? What does “except” covid mean? As in they wouldn’t treat you in a hospital for Covid and/or they wouldn’t cover cancellations AS A RESULT of Covid?
  
  If this is true it would be amazing news and actually some value to be had from the Plat which I’ve come close to cancelling as only offered a measly 35k retention vs. 50k for people here (though I did have the £400 off Marriott + John Lewis x 2 + Harrods £100 + cashed a few MR at double rate)
James says:

4 Jun4 June 13:44

Anyone aware of a handy Hilton for a Brecon Beacons trip?
- Travel Strong says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 14:03
  
  There’s quite literally nothing with any major chain in that area, until you reach Cardiff – which is far from handy for Brecon Beacons! Options are to pick a city like Cardiff, or somewhere independent in a nice town like Brecon or Hay-on-Wye, or a Premier Inn somewhere close-ish like Hereford.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 14:07
    
    Best western? Think there is one in Pontypool and can get a status match with most major chains
    - Travel Strong says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 14:28
      
      True, but premier inn over the road is better. Both basic but best western is noisier with a view of ponty multilane roundabout. I prefer the known quantity of a premier inn!
      Not recommending ponty either way though – much like merthyr, theres nothing there except old council estates. Towns mentioned above are more scenic. Usk is nice too.
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        4 Jun4 June 15:03
        
        Fair enough, I had to cancel my work trip to the area a couple years ago due to an exam
  - gillydee says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 16:01
    
    There’s a PI in Abergavenny which would be convenient. Usk has a couple of nice hotels – Glen yr Afon and The 3 Salmons – as well as numerous pubs with B&B. For a town of fewer than 3000 souls, it punches well above its weight in great places to eat and drink…
- Tracey says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 16:14
  
  Hilton Newport, very near the Celtic Manor and I think you can use some of the facilities.
  - gillydee says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 16:28
    
    Think that’s the Coldra Court now….
  - Travel Strong says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 16:53
    
    Indeed. It and the Celtic Manor have the same owners now. No longer a Hampton inn – but probably still has awful aircon which cannot keep rooms cool once it gets above 19* outside!