The HfP chat thread – Friday 4th June

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Niall says:

4 Jun4 June 16:47

A stupid question from me, but I have the Harvey Nichols offer on my Platinum card for which the terms say ‘Spend must be billed to your Card account by 6/6/2021’

Does this mean it has to have cleared from ‘Pending’ status? And, if so, is a purchase today likely to clear by Sunday? I’m not far from Harvey Nichols now so wondering if it’s worth popping in to buy something (even a gift card which I understand from previous comments should trigger it)
- Harry T says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 16:52
  
  I’ve purchased a gift card from the HN store in person on the last day of the offer before. The offer did trigger even though the charge was pending for a day or two. I think buying online would potentially not work, as they might charge when they dispatch rather than at time of ordering.
  - Niall says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 16:55
    
    You’re a saint Harry T, thank you!
    
    I will pop down and see if there is something non gift cardy I want to buy (might be a bit safer if I have to ask Amex in case of issues). If nothing I want, will buy the gift card.
    - BJ says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 17:08
      
      I’ve found that if you buy stuff like elemis, espa etc at HN they usually throw in a lot of freebies like small travel sizes and samples. They were well received along with main products as gifts.
      - meta says:
        
        4 Jun4 June 18:02
        
        I did a purchase online today at HN and received the Amex email. It was on my Bonvoy Amex though. I found that credit cards are generally better for last minute spending whereas Amex Plat which is a charge card takes a several days to process.
- Phil says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 19:06
  
  I should have said, I used Amex Plat and BAPP Supp
Jason says:

4 Jun4 June 16:59

Fair play BA for adding 3 extra flights from faro, with the usual avois availability. Please add for Monday night from Lisbon (pretty please)
idrive says:

4 Jun4 June 17:38

HI! Does anyone remember the conversation about Bournemouth a few days ago? Where can i read it, need to book for end of month. Thanks!
- WaynedP says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 17:51
  
  There’s a discussion on pg 4 of comments from Monday 31st May.
  
  Not sure if that’s the one you mean.
  - idrive says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:04
    
    i believe so, thanks, will check!
  - Jody says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 19:13
    
    WaynedP, not sure if you saw it, but I know you were interested in my MSC review. I popped up a couple of posts on Wednesday’s chat.
    - WaynedP says:
      
      4 Jun4 June 19:42
      
      Thanks Jody, I did and thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you so much.
      
      I left a “short” (ahem) comment in response 🙂
      - Jody says:
        
        4 Jun4 June 21:12
        
        Ah, I’ll go and check, I obviously didn’t look back late enough to see your reply! Glad you saw it.
Andy D says:

4 Jun4 June 17:45

Are the Hyatt and IHG cumulative (multiple stays and transactions will trigger the bonus) or do they need a single transaction at the threshold?
- Andy D says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 17:46
  
  Sorry typo, key word missing — are the Hyatt and IHG Amex offers cumulative?
- Rob says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 20:33
  
  Historically these deals have been cumulative.
N says:

4 Jun4 June 18:04

Apologies if this is not allowed, but there is an offer going on with Amex Platinum where if you refer someone to a Business Gold or Platinum you get an additional bonus of 25,000 points, making it 43,000 in total. Unless i completely misheard my account manager

With that in mind, if anyone is thinking of getting either of those cards, I would love to take advantage of this referral offer. Let me know!
N says:

4 Jun4 June 18:07

I have had a personal Gold card since downgrading from Platinum last year due to Covid. I didn’t realize the year is up so I will have to pay the £140. I called up to cancel and get my pro rata refund and also shed the Gold to start the 24 month waiting process for a Platinum sign on bonus, however they tried to get me to stay by saying there are benefits to staying an Amex member and keeping my ~3 year membership, rather than cancelling and rejoining as a new member down the line

thoughts on this? is it worth downgrading to a card that doesn’t give you points, just to keep the membership going until i am eligible to get a Platinum sign on bonus in 2 years?
- Sam G says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:29
  
  can’t think of any. in fact it’s a negative as you can’t kick off after 2 years with a nectar or bonvoy card (assuming all stays the same as now). Your card in two years will come with “member since ” your original date anyway if it’s like my recent business application!
- Lord Doncaster says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:30
  
  Didn’t you ask what the ‘benefits’ are? Can’t think of anything off the top of my head
  - N says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:54
    
    Access to better card offers etc, nothing spectacular to be honest. I’m thinking there might be better service if you’ve been a member for a few years though
- Harry T says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:40
  
  Just get referred for another free/cheap card that doesn’t block you from a Platinum bonus in two years time (free plat c@shb@ack, Marriott, Nectar) if you want to keep your Amex relationship alive.
  - Froggee says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:47
    
    My latest Amex says member since 05 which is a bit random as all my other cards say 98 so I wouldn’t bank on them getting it right anyway!
  - N says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:54
    
    thanks, i will check this out!
BSI1978 says:

4 Jun4 June 18:09

Happy Friday all!

Just checked in at The Sheraton, looking a bit tired than I recall but so far, so good.

Think the staff were a bit bemused by me checking in on my lonesome – GF doesn’t arrive until tomorrow.

There was some chat on this a few days back but whoever flagged this that Sunday morning is due a shandy or 3 from me at the next H4P bash, whenever that may be……!
- Lord Doncaster says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:31
  
  Who will you invite to join you tonight then? 😏😂
  - BSI1978 says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:48
    
    Ha! You’re joking aren’t you, I’m 6’6″ and typically a bath at home is an ungodly mishmash of cold knees or cold toes.
    
    I’m already looking forward to a bath with a cheeky cocktail or 2; that’s as rock and roll as it’s getting for me this evening!
Binnie says:

4 Jun4 June 18:38

Husbo and I came out to our summer place in Europe last week – who cares about amber? – and I have to say the weather is glorious. We have another place on Islay and that was great in the spring. Bought this one 30 years ago inspired by Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises. Good read.
- Harry T says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:42
  
  If I could work from home or was retired, I wouldn’t care about Amber either 😊. Enjoy your break, sounds lush.
- Genghis says:
  
  4 Jun4 June 18:53
  
  Are you married to Squills / Harry / therealharry? 🙂
  - Binnie says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 18:56
    
    Not sure about any of that. I am married to H Schroder but he’s not a Harry.
  - Anna says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 19:31
    
    Ghengis – my thoughts exactly, especially with the Hemingway reference!
    
    Harry T – after I booked our return flights for a fortnight in Spain in August, it occurred to me that I could have sent the OH and the teenagers home after 2 weeks and stayed on for an extra week or so. Doh!
  - marcw says:
    
    4 Jun4 June 22:40
    
    + Shoestring!