The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 8th June

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

• Gavin says:

  8 Jun8 June 11:30

  Reminder that free bus travel around Heathrow ends shortly

  https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2021/06/08/heathrow-airport-scrapping-free-local-bus-services/

• Anna says:

  8 Jun8 June 11:31

  Has anyone stayed at the HIE in Gibraltar?! I am seriously considering booking as another back up in case the government finds another way of putting the kaibosh on Spain and other amber destinations. Obviously the HIE is nothing special but we could easily spend a week or 10 days in Gib and find enough to do.
  Also Rob – do you have any insurance contacts who offer the FCDO cover? Could be a fair bit of demand in the coming months!

  • James Vickers says:

    8 Jun8 June 11:36

    Yes it’s a modern hotel with rooms done to a high standard. It’s very well located not far from airport and centre and also walkable to beaches. It doesn’t have a pool so would have to assess if that’s an issue or not.

  • Rob says:

    8 Jun8 June 11:57

    Only really 3 options in GIB – the HIX, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel (which looks really good) and The Rock (which, looking at reviews, seems to be resting on its laurels and is underinvested). I would go Sunborn I think.

    Remmeber that if it is bad weather the plane has to land in Spain and you are bussed across as Gibraltar airport can’t cope due its proximity to the town, which means quarantine is triggered.

    • Anna says:

      8 Jun8 June 12:22

      I’d take the risk on the weather in August! It’s not the quarantine that’s the issue, though, it’s the insurance/FCDO advice.

      I haven’t checked the prices on the Sunborn Yacht but I’m imagining they don’t take points 🤣

      The walkable beaches from the HIE are lovely, been to them before.

      • JDB says:

        8 Jun8 June 13:50

        I don’t see that the insurance is such a big issue, as there are products such as Nationwide that others have mentioned that provide normal cover for ‘all but essential’ countries, and some level of covid related cancellation if a member of the travelling party got covid, but not if you isolating owing for being in contact. However, there do seem to be gaps – we were looking at Punta Cana and had booked club seats when the extra ones were released, but the specific accommodation we booked had a 50% cancellation policy which wouldn’t have been picked up by BA if they cancelled the route or specific flights (and re-routing very far from ideal) and nor would travel insurance cover this eventuality (I checked). We were getting slightly cold feet re Dominican Republic, so have gone even bolder and booked for red list Argentina, one our our favourites, in Feb…

        • Anna says:

          8 Jun8 June 14:11

          The issue is that our annual policy through OH’s work doesn’t cover FCDO advice so we’d need an entirely new policy which is very annoying. So if we were insured plus didn’t have to isolate on return, would consider an alternative destination.

      • ChasP says:

        8 Jun8 June 14:11

        Stayed at the Sunborn once – when it was moored next to the Excel – got a bargain price via Laterooms even though it was booked 6 weeks ahead

        Very nice room and the open air bar looked very inviting when we arrived – less so on a wet and dark London evening

        • David says:

          8 Jun8 June 15:43

          There are two sunborns, one in London, one in Gibraltar.

    • James Vickers says:

      8 Jun8 June 13:15

      Must include the Elliott in that – it’s just undergone renovation so all rooms have been refreshed and it has a great rooftop pool area with views over Gibraltar..

    • Tracey says:

      8 Jun8 June 14:07

      I’ve stayed in the Elliott, following a recommendation from someone on here or on flyertalk. It is a decent 4 star in a very central position with a pool and sun deck on the roof.
      HIX is on the coastal road in the middle of nowhere, though nowhere is that far from anywhere in GIB.

    • David says:

      8 Jun8 June 15:44

      As others have said, you are missing The Elliot (centre of town) and The Caleta (on the east side, good for beach, but a walk for other stuff).

      We should mention The Bristol Hotel, it is very basic, but some people ok with that.

  • John says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:04

    My room had no table, but otherwise it’s a modern new build where everything works

    • Anna says:

      8 Jun8 June 12:36

      There’s a surprising amount of hotel availability in Gib in August, I thought everybody would be going this year!

      • David says:

        8 Jun8 June 15:42

        There is virtually nothing this week, people are booking very immediately I understand.

        • Rob says:

          8 Jun8 June 16:05

          I was thinking of going next week but, as you say, nowhere to stay unless I take a presidential at the Sunborn (tempting, as HfP would pay for it, but …..)

  • Jake says:

    8 Jun8 June 13:48

    My parents just came back from the rock. They said the rooms were a tad dated but the pool and food was great and the sunsets looked really nice too. Was only £200 per night for a suite so good value too. No points though

  • r* says:

    8 Jun8 June 15:38

    HIE is fine. The only downside was if you wanted to get the bus, it seemed to run on a timetable of its own that was unrelated to any printed timetables 🙂

    • David says:

      8 Jun8 June 15:41

      Timetable is confusingly for when it leaves the start of the route, after that … depends upon traffic.
      But you don’t need the bus for much.

      • Travel Strong says:

        8 Jun8 June 17:55

        From the HIX, you can watch the bus go past the wrong way (to the east side) and then head down to catch it once it turns round and comes back 10-15 mins later….. But tbh, I would just walk most places unless wanting to go from one side of Gib to the other (e.g. HIX to Europa, or from Morrisons if you have shopping to carry!)

• Jonny says:

  8 Jun8 June 11:33

  Earlier this year I was rejected for the Amex Bonvoy card, apparently because I had too many Amex cards (though this hadn’t been a problem in the past).

  I have recently cancelled a couple of cards and am now down to 3.

  How long would I have to wait following my previous application to have a chance of being successful now? I seem to recall I’ll be automatically rejected unless I wait 3 or 6 months perhaps, but wasn’t sure. Thanks.

  • KBuffett says:

    8 Jun8 June 11:47

    From what I’ve read on other comments here, the limit is three cards. I know this isn’t what you are asking, but I thought you may find it useful.

    • idrive says:

      8 Jun8 June 11:49

      i just got my fourth, no issue, asked the Rep no problem. 1 charge+3 credit, higher limit ever on the last one

      • idrive says:

        8 Jun8 June 11:52

        *highest limit ever

    • Aston100 says:

      8 Jun8 June 17:10

      “From what I’ve read on other comments here, the limit is three cards. ”
      I’ve got 4 * Amex main cards and 3 * supps.

  • mark2 says:

    8 Jun8 June 14:02

    I have heard three months, but no recent experience

  • Jay says:

    8 Jun8 June 18:10

    I was advised by the new business team allow 90 days before next app

• SteveJ says:

  8 Jun8 June 11:52

  Local garden centre listed in shop small. Anyone have experience of asking them to split a bill on two different cards at the till (one single £30 purchase). Dunno if the standard till would allow £15 on one card and £15 on another?

  • Andrew says:

    8 Jun8 June 11:55

    Depends.

    If their till and card machine aren’t connected, then they’ll just do two £15 transactions. If they are connected, you buy a £15 gift voucher, then spend it on the £30 plant pot with your other card.

    • SteveJ says:

      8 Jun8 June 12:30

      Gift voucher, what a great shout, thanks!

• Oh! Matron! says:

  8 Jun8 June 11:57

  Not travel related (well, tenuous, as the pointsguy.co.uk is affected) by the web host Fastly is on it’s arse, so if you’re having issues with various websites, this is to blame: https://downdetector.com/status/fastly/

  • Harry T says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:03

    Thanks, FT.com appears affected!

  • Sandra says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:04

    Thank you for that, I’ve been tearing my hair out trying various options thinking it was a problem at our end causing all the errors!

• S says:

  8 Jun8 June 12:12

  Looking to have a short break in Scotland. Couple nights in Edinburgh and then maybe 2 or 3 somewhere more scenic… perhaps not more north than Glencoe though.

  Any suggestions or recommendations for accommodation for either? Would be most welcome thanks.

  • Harry T says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:13

    I quite like the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh. I’ve heard good things recently about the Kimpton too. Can’t get too specific without knowing your budget or preferences though – any thoughts?

    • Allan says:

      8 Jun8 June 12:33

      Recent fire has clsoed the spa complex, not sure when it opens again but they say it will still be closed at end of June.

      • Harry T says:

        8 Jun8 June 13:40

        Yes, they recently emailed me to DSG about the fire – good point. It is a shame but it depends on what you want the hotel for. If you’re out and about a lot, it won’t matter, but it would be awful if you’d booked the hotel purely to use the spa.

  • Andrew says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:34

    How about using the Amex SLH offer and staying at Cromlix? Or go cheaper and stay at the Doubletree Hydro with the Hilton Offer.

    There’s a lot to see in Scotland without visiting Edinburgh or Glencoe. Keep them for less crazy times.

  • Anna says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:38

    There is a beautiful resort on Loch Tay called Mains of Taymouth or something like that. Very nice lodges and apartments. The area is stunning.
    We in Covid central are banned from entering Scotland at the moment, so our Plan C is in jeopardy!

  • Phil says:

    8 Jun8 June 14:10

    Edinburgh resident with several trips over the years taking guests and family members on short tours of Scotland. Personally I would do the following (assuming you are driving):
    – Edinburgh 2 nights (book a meal at The Lookout on Calton Hill),
    – Oban 1 night (recommend No. 26 By the Sea – get a sea view room),
    – Aviemore 1 night (near Newtonmore or Blair Atholl), and
    – Dunkeld 1 night (recommend Dunkeld House Hotel).

    On the drive from Edinburgh to Oban I’d take the following route:
    Edinburgh > Stirling > Deanston Distillery > Doune > Callander > Loch Lubnaig*, Loachearnhead > Falls of Dochart* > Oban

    On the drive from Oban to Aviemore I’d take the following route:
    Oban > Tyndrum > Loch Tulla* > Loch Ba > Glencoe* > Ballachulish > Fort William > Spean Bridge > Aviemore.

    The drive from Aviemore to Dunkeld isn’t long but I would recommend visiting the following:
    – Loch Insch
    – Feshiebridge (if it’s warm you can swim in this river)
    – Dalwhinnie Distillery
    – Falls of Bruar*
    – Blair Atholl
    – Queen’s View*

    All the places I’ve named form part of a continuous route to where you should be going, with a couple of minor easy deviations, and are all worthy of a short stop to take photos/picnic/walks/stretch legs. Some you’ll be happy to drive straight through and take in the scenery. All the one’s I’ve starred (*) I would definitely look to stop at.
    You can forget about Fort William, it’s really only included as a waypoint but you might want to get petrol here (Morrisons) as it is decidedly cheaper than anywhere else on the route outside of Edinburgh.

    If you want to email me any question, I’m happy for Rob or Rhys to share my email address with you.

    Enjoy.

    • Anna says:

      8 Jun8 June 14:14

      All the places on the drive from Aviemore to Dunkeld are doable from the Loch Tay accommodation – we’ve done them all! There are also a few interesting Pictish and pre-historic sites in that area if you like that kind of thing.

    • Andrew says:

      8 Jun8 June 15:41

      Callander is gridlocked most weekends at the moment, can’t move for weegies in the Trossachs. Once you are at Deanston Distillery, you’re better off taking the B822-B826-A81 to miss the worst of Callander. Can also use the B8032 but it’s much narrower and it can get busy with local avoiding tourist traffic – still pretty though.

      (All roads I used to cycle when I was younger.)

      • Phil W says:

        8 Jun8 June 16:53

        Very odd, we were there two weekends ago and no traffic at all. That said Glasgow was still locked down. That said I’d take some traffic to see Loch Lubnaig, Loachearnhead and the Falls of Dochart or go midweek.

        • Muhammad Abdullah says:

          8 Jun8 June 20:32

          Dunkeld, for Hilton is very tired with many F&B issues, I’d avoid that place, maybe try Ballathie House Hotel or Green Park in Pitlochy, excellent food

    • S says:

      8 Jun8 June 21:11

      This site is great…but the chat is best thing really about it due to helpful info like this! Many thanks also to everyone who replied.

• MCO says:

  8 Jun8 June 12:23

  Thinking of a booking a flight for next April and adding a hotel night so I can book with just a deposit. How do BA Holidays work for cancellations. If I decide to cancel will I get the entire deposit back? As a voucher or cash?

  When is the rest of payment due?

  • Anna says:

    8 Jun8 June 12:40

    At the moment you can cancel for a FTV but BA could pull this at any moment. In normal times you don’t get anything back if you cancel, you’d have to claim on your insurance if you couldn’t travel.

    • Anna says:

      8 Jun8 June 12:41

      Currently payment due 3 weeks before travel, normally 5 weeks.

    • Mco says:

      8 Jun8 June 13:36

      So if I book today and they pull it tomorrow I will still be covered right?

      I would get the deposit back as a FTV?

      • Anna says:

        8 Jun8 June 14:16

        Should be. I’ve cancelled a few bookings in the last couple of days and had the FTV confirmation within 24 hours. They send you an email confirming the amount and that’s your voucher, so move it into a separate folder where you know where it is!

        • Mco says:

          8 Jun8 June 15:17

          Thanks Anna.

• Guernsey Globetrotter says:

  8 Jun8 June 12:28

  2 days on the bounce I have been unable to top-up Che via Solihull (2 different cards failing) – is the party over…?

  • The Urbanite says:

    8 Jun8 June 13:05

    How much did you try and do?

  • DT says:

    8 Jun8 June 13:36

    No

  • Alex says:

    8 Jun8 June 15:16

    Likely a block on your card, call them to sort it out. I have to do it regularly as Che is seen as a high risk transaction so the fraud dept flag it continuously

  • Aston100 says:

    8 Jun8 June 17:12

    The creative revolutionary party is still going on over here.
    .

  • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

    8 Jun8 June 18:12

    Thanks for the feedback folks – looks like a call is the next step then … fingers crossed for me!

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.