The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 8th June

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Ds1980 says:

8 Jun8 June 13:04

Hi not sure where best to put this but wondered if people could advise. We have an extended companion ticket until October 2022. We are both teachers so really restricted to travel in holidays and wanted to try and get the most out of it. The ba website isn’t very accessible and from the looks of it the best value appears to be in first class tickets but they are few and far between. We have about 100k in miles and just wanted to use it to go somewhere nice possibly New York or Dubai and use for the return flight home to London. Is there somewhere we can go to easily check and any other advice would be great. Thanks.
- Amy says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:24
  
  Reward flight finder or seat spy?
- Anna says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:30
  
  NYC is about the easiest long haul destination to find award seats on, even in school holidays. The problem with F is that BA are hardly releasing any award seats just now, for various reasons. There are a few being released, generally mid week, to a few US cities (BOS, IAD, PHL), I bagged a couple of them for next Easter hols. RFF is not great these days, but if you sign up there’s a facility to search for all F availability, world wide, for specific dates, which seems to be working at the moment. Seatspy is also generally very good but you have to trawl through the full calendar.
  - Anna says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:32
    
    Look for the few off-peak dates in the school hols as well as otherwise you’ll struggle to get anything for 100k miles. You could do CW out and PE back, I think to NYC or Dubai that would be 100k for 2 of you with your companion voucher. Watch out for the surcharges as well with US bookings, don’t book separate legs!
- iSub says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:30
  
  I find the best way is to use the BA app. (on the iPhone version) Expand the menu (top right three lines), selection “Reward Flights” then use “Reward Flight Finder” This will let you search by region (Asia, Middle East, North America etc) for any time period (in months) and class. It will then show you all the days out and back with flights. If you only have certain availability you might have to open jaw – i.e. flu out to one city and back from another, but this will be clear pretty quickly once you start playing with it.
- pauldb says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 20:05
  
  Work out where you want to go first, and when. You might struggle to find school holiday seats to Dubai in the spring/winter and you don’t really want to go in the summer, probably?
  
  Summer seats to the eastern US/Canada aren’t yet available so you should be able to have your pick if you ready to move fast. Washington/NYC/Boston/Montreal/Toronto or an open jaw. If you can get another 25k avios by August (one credit card bonus?) you can have your pick of the west coast too.
  - Ds1980 says:
    
    9 Jun9 June 13:00
    
    Great thanks all. Will have a good look through responses and start the trawl!!! 👍🏼
Seb says:

8 Jun8 June 13:20

Does anyone know whether Singapore Airlines availability ever shows up on Virgin Atlantic website or do you have to phone up? Looking to book business class, do they even still release to other airlines?
- Sam G says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 15:11
  
  You can’t book business class, SQ doesn’t release space to anyone else on A380, A350 or 777 which now makes up their entire longhaul fleet !
  - H says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 15:46
    
    SQ do release J space normally across their fleet. They are currently not due to Covid-19.
    - Sam G says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 19:56
      
      No they don’t – only regionally (and they used to on the older fleet so you could get something like Istanbul, but all retired now)
- BuildBackBetter says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 16:38
  
  Zero long haul premium seats outside Krisflyer
747_Brat says:

8 Jun8 June 13:32

Looking for hotel recommendations in Edinburgh for 2 nights on points. Got a stash of Radisson, Hilton & Marriott points. Any leads are gratefully received. Thanks.
- mark says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 13:34
  
  Was weighing up my options for EDI as well. Ended up just paying cash for Courtyard Marriott at about £55/night.
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 13:37
    
    That’s a great price. Let me check that for the dates we are planning for.
    Thanks.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:36
    
    How did you find such cheap rates? I can’t see them anywhere other than 1 night this week
    - mark says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 17:07
      
      I’ve booked for 28th June. All websites seems to be around that price.
      - Erico1875 says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 18:02
        
        I was there 3 weeks ago for £35 a night via Expedia. Terrace bar very popular. Need to book
- Harry T says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 13:38
  
  When are you staying? Unless it’s during a peak time, cash could be the way forward.
  
  Sheraton Grand is always a nice place to stay, with a great location. Hard product isn’t brand new but it’s comfortable. The staff are lovely.
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:07
    
    We are looking at a lot of dates @Harry right from this week to July, depending on when can we get time off from work. But thanks for recommending Sheraton Grand, will look into it.
  - iSub says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:23
    
    +1 for the Sheraton Grand. I’m not sure if the spa is open but it is definitely worth it if you can go there. A very nice giant outdoor hot tub and lots of different types of saunas and steam room. The hotel location is great too – nice and central
    - Allan says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 15:06
      
      Spa is shut due to a fire
      - Froggee says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 20:20
        
        The spa isn’t shut due to a fire. The spa is shut due to water damage caused by the sprinklers!
- Phil says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 13:42
  
  The Radisson Collection is a beautiful hotel with a great location. The Waldorf Astoria is nice with great views of the Castle, especially from the Pompadour restaurant. The Glasshouse and Sheraton are also excellent but are just slightly less impressive in terms of location (IMO).
  
  As an Edinburgh resident, I’d highlight recommend you try The Lookout restaurant on Calton Hill (recommend you book early) and try a dram in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society on Queen Street (they have a public bar called Kaleidoscope).
  - Phil says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 13:42
    
    *highly not highlight
  - mark says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 13:46
    
    Phil, any other recommendations on restaurants / cafes etc? First trip for me to EDI and my initial research shows I won’t have enough time to try them all!
    
    Lots of experimental / tasting menu type of restaurants which looks very interesting.
    - Allan says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 14:00
      
      Aizle – now in the Kimpton
      New Chapter – slightly out of the way but very nice and reasonable prices, you shoudl be able to still get a table.
      Berties – Fish and Chips but done properly and a nice setting
      Lookout by Garners cottage is very nice but small and I suspect hard to find a table.
      Most of the starred restuaraunts are going to be booked out for the summer already but Balmoral for Number one would be my choice if you can get a table.
    - BP says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 14:08
      
      I really like Chez Jules which is a centrally located french bistro. There’s nothing fancy about it but the food is excellent and the prices good. A whole lobster, fries and garlic aoli is £23 I think.
    - Colin MacKinnon says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 14:21
      
      Educated Flea on Broughton Street good for gluten-free – not that you’d know it’s gluten free! Which is the top recommendation in my book!
      
      Think the Pompadour is now closed.
      
      Big fan of the top floor rooms at the Glasshouse with their courtyard views.
      
      Many might now argue that the east end of Princes Street is now the new West End. Certainly will be when the new St James complex opens.
      - Jody says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 14:52
        
        Thanks for this, added to my list of gluten free eateries to try at some point on my travels!
      - David D says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 15:55
        
        Reopening this week under Dean Banks. Tasting menu only. Tomorrow if I remember correctly.
      - Peggerz says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 21:30
        
        Pompadour re-opens tomorrow with Chef Dean Banks at the helm. That and Mark Greenaway’s place really have moved the WA Caledonian up a notch.
    - Phil says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 14:34
      
      My wife and I like going to the Magnum restaurant in the New Town. It’s somewhere we never take friends and family and keep it too ourselves 🙂
      
      The hot seafood platter from Fishers is excellent and pairs well with the Chateau Musar they stock. My preference is Fishers in Leith down by the docks but the Fishers on Thistle St in the city centre is good also. You should book the seafood platter at least 48 hours in advance but I always ask when I make the reservation.
      
      A bit more down to earth is Mums on Forrest St. It’s a bangers and mash joint. It’s not going to win any culinary awards but the choice of sausages, mash and gravies are excellent and the atmosphere is fun.
      
      For any Gluten intolerant people, I’d suggest a trip to the Bellfield Brewery Taproom and Courtyard. Great selection of beers that you wouldn’t know are gluten free unless you were told. I’m not gluten intolerant but go there frequently (dog friendly if that is of help).
      
      Final recommendations are pubs. The Bow Bar and Leslies Bar are for me the best two pubs in Edinburgh for beer selection, whisky selection, atmosphere and authenticity.
      - Jody says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 14:53
        
        The beers are fab, we’re gluten free and I ordered my husband a mixed case of 12 for Christmas. Went down a treat!
    - HBommie says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 15:12
      
      I’ve said it more than once, The Kitchin.
      - mark says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 17:14
        
        Incredible suggestions everyone, thank you. Shame that a lot of them are closed on Monday/Tuesdays!
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:09
    
    Thanks Phil
  - Chris says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 16:07
    
    My Wife and I both felt Lookout was the most overpriced restaurant we’ve ever eaten at.
    
    compared to something like #1 or Kitchin it was outrageously expensive
    - Phil W says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 16:50
      
      We were there on Sunday Eve. Absolutely, it is definitely expensive but the food was exceptional and the views stunning.
      - ashraj says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 17:05
        
        Thanks everyone for the suggestions really helpful.
  - Erico1875 says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 18:05
    
    Raddison is shut I think. Scaffoldng up.
- Muhammad Abdullah says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 20:30
  
  What about DT Edinburgh City Centre? Good location and fairly nice hotel
SteveJ says:

8 Jun8 June 13:50

Anyone else just get a minimal content email from BA with “Important changes to your Companion Voucher”
- SteveJ says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 13:53
  
  Ignore this, email didn’t render on my phone properly. Just BA announcing the changes to vouchers earned after 1 Sept
- Stephen Webley says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 13:54
  
  Yes, but I haven’t been able to digest the changes yet.
- LK says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:00
  
  Yeah. Can no longer redeem in first?
  - KBuffett says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 14:40
    
    Is this all the same stuff covered by Rob last week?
    - AJA says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 15:13
      
      Yes, basically formal confirmation of the changes discussed last week.
  - Alex says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 15:12
    
    Can still redeem for J/F if you have the paid for version. If you have the free BA Amex then it’ll be economy only!
    - LK says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 16:16
      
      The version of the ts and cs I can see says if you have the paid for version you can redeem in club world. No mention of first
      - MD says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 16:22
        
        Incorrect.
        
        A British Airways American Express Credit Card Companion Voucher (earned after 1 September 2021) can be used to book a seat for a companion in economy (Euro Traveller) only on the same flight as you (the British Airways American Express Card Account Holder) subject to availability. A British Airways American Express Premium Plus Companion Voucher (earned after 1 September 2021) can be used to book a seat in any cabin for a companion on the same flight as you (the British Airways American Express Card Account Holder) and in the same cabin. British Airways American Express Premium Plus Companion Voucher holders have access to additional Reward Flight seats within business (Club World) subject to availability.
      - LK says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 16:27
        
        Aah MD has copied the whole thing. Thank you! Skimmed on my phone so missed the preceding sentence
      - Rob says:
        
        8 Jun8 June 17:44
        
        No, that is the badly written line explaining that you get access to extra seats in CW.
r* says:

8 Jun8 June 14:07

If ryanair or wizzair cancel a flight UK to EU or EU to UK, they would be covered by eu261 right to reroute, but when they refuse to provide a reroute on a different airline is it still mcol that would be used to reclaim the money?

Not sure if wizz or ryanair have a uk registered office.. does that matter?
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:14
  
  You can remind them of CAA rules first, going to be a lot easier if you try that first
  - r* says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 15:52
    
    I dont have a flight booked with them currently, was going to book with easyjet for the SS DV trip next month.. but then EJ pulled the flight.
    
    The problem is that if I book with ryanair or wizz and they cancel the flight after the SS DV cancellation window I would need to get alternate routing so wasnt sure if it was the same process with those two airlines as it would be with BA or if you basically have little power to claim anything back if you had to use a hungarian court with wizz or something.
    - Pablo says:
      
      9 Jun9 June 05:38
      
      During booking process with Wizz both the app and the web site tells you if the flight is operated by Wizz Air UK Limited or Wizzair Hungary. If Wizz UK, you can claim through mcol. Ryan I think only entertains claims through Irish courts.
Greenpen says:

8 Jun8 June 14:11

Had my car serviced yesterday and they refused Amex. Inchcape in Oxford. They used to take Amex but was told they stopped six to eight months ago.

Inchcape is a big company; don’t know whether it is just the Oxford branch or the whole organisation.
- PMG says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 14:17
  
  I had exactly the same issue with Inchcape in Cheltenham.
  Have always taken Amex but last month they did not…
- Andrew says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 15:46
  
  It’s times like those I’m glad I keep a cheque book in my car.
HBommie says:

8 Jun8 June 14:54

Planning a Uk twin centre and considering a stay in Cambridge/Newmarket area. Is Newmarket a good base for a couple of days in the area and any recommendations for hotels? I’ve seen the University Arms but wondered if there is anything in the SLH bracket? Thanks
- C says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 16:20
  
  If you want to be in the urban area, I suggest Cambridge over Newmarket. It’s easy enough to drive up the road to other towns in the area. In Cambridge the Gonville Hotel is now looking quite swish, as an alternative to the UA (I have no personal experience of either however), and the Clayton is fine.
  - HBommie says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 16:25
    
    Thanks, Newmarket looks to be a typical market town?
  - Matthew says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 21:51
    
    Definitely Cambridge over Newmarket. If you are going July onwards then there is a new Curio Collection Hotel opening called Fellows House that looks very nice. I’m booked in end of July.
    - HBommie says:
      
      8 Jun8 June 23:38
      
      Its for next week due to lack of Pastel de Nata’s and Vino Verde
Amy C says:

8 Jun8 June 15:09

Is there any way of finding out how much you’ve spent on your Virgin Atlantic Reward + credit card so far in your card year? Trying to work out how much I have left until I hit 10k. Cant find the info on the app or the statement. Wish they’d never got rid of the website! Currently been on hold to Virgin for 30 mins!
- Alex says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 15:13
  
  If you call them, they can give you a total spend for YTD. Odd you’ve been on hold for so long, I called this morning and was answered immediately
  - Amy says:
    
    8 Jun8 June 15:15
    
    They just answered. Have me the YTD info. I’m sure this used to be available before without having to ring though.
- Ja says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 15:15
  
  I contacted Virgin by WhatsApp and had a reply within about 1/2?hour.
  
  +44 344 874 7747
- Jonathan says:
  
  8 Jun8 June 18:47
  
  The best way is unfortunately to go and check every statement and get the card spend total for each month (very easily visible in the top right of the 1st page), then add all the numbers together. Unfortunately Virgin Atlantic Credit Cards don’t have a tracker installed in their app.