The HfP chat thread – Thursday 24th June

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Ian M says:

24 Jun24 June 08:42

I’m checking in at a Ritz Carlton today and can see they’ve got at least 3 Executive Suites and at least 3 Carlton Suites available for the duration of my stay. I’m an Ambassador with Marriott, I also made the booking through Virtuoso. I can see on the app I’ve been upgraded to a Grand Deluxe room. What are people’s thoughts, am I within my right to ask at least for one of the Executive Suites?
- Rob says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 08:46
  
  As Ambassador, technically you are allowed a suite upgrade, yes.
- Jonathan says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 08:48
  
  You can always ask if they can do better with upgrade but it’s not an absolute entitlement to best room available.
  
  I find it a bit OTT when mid tier status holders via Amex (which is me) start kicking off about upgrades but as an Ambassador you should be looked after fairly well!
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 08:50
  
  You might get a better response if you say which one as others may have experienced that property. Don’t think you can demand anything because the terms are wholly ie “select suites” but doesn’t hurt to ask nicely.
  
  Also “ At The Ritz-Carlton, suites are only included for Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite Members and rooms with direct Club access are excluded.”
  
  Sounds like if they have a club and the suites include club they may be excluded just because of that clause.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 08:51
    
    Woolly*
  - Ian M says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 08:56
    
    It’s the Ritz Carlton Moscow. The club seems to be closed at the moment.
    
    Extra information is that I stayed there for a week last week (checked out on Sunday) and experienced a number of problems during my stay. Spoke to the manager about it and said I was looking to cancel my booking next week (the one today) and he offered to give me a very good upgrade to compensate for the problems. Following that they overcharged me by 100 USD at checkout! Felt more like Fawlty Towers than a Ritz Carlton.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 09:01
      
      Then I’d just speak to said manager and remind him of his offer.
ChrisW says:

24 Jun24 June 08:53

Any recent tips for the cheapest Day 2 and Day 8 PCR tests at the moment? Either mail in, or do in person in London. Prices do seem much more reasonable than this time last year!
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:02
  
  Randox is cheapest via ba Covid testing website
  
  All reports suggest they deliver within 24hrs or so too.
  - ChrisW says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:21
    
    Many thanks – those prices are actually quite reasonable!
  - stevenhp1987 says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 14:36
    
    +1 Randox have been very reliable thus far.
    
    We’ve had our PCR results around 8pm the following day each time.
- Frankie says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:56
  
  I used Testing For All for day 2 and 8. £99. No issues at all.
Jonathan says:

24 Jun24 June 08:56

O2 handing out a bonus to celebrate 5 years of “Freedom” yesterday – reintroducing data roaming charges in Europe from August 2nd.

Wonder how long it’ll be before the others jump on the bandwagon & calls/messages are paid for.
- Lady London says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 08:59
  
  Well, that didn’t last long, did it?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:03
  
  #brexit but the fish are happier (according to some smug tw*t)
- meta says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:03
  
  It’s a bit of non-story. Are you really using more than 25GB per month on mobile data both in the UK and Europe? I never use more than 7-8GB even before pandemic.
  - kitten says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:11
    
    it’s the thin end of the wedge
    - Jonathan says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 09:56
      
      Exactly! Others will follow & in the medium term we’ll be paying for everything again.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:15
    
    I have when I’ve been abroad for a couple weeks as more time away from places I have WiFi ie the home and office.
    - meta says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 09:29
      
      I have never in Europe! Just log on hotel/restaurant/cafe wifi. Some cities even have free public wifi on the streets…
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 09:53
        
        Giving all that personal data and your phone away to multiple access points isn’t free 🙂
      - meta says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 10:10
        
        I don’t have anything to hide really. I don’t get the obsession with someone knowing about your details. The moment the internet has become part of your life, your personal data has been shared with or without your knowledge. You have no control over it.
      - kitten says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 10:36
        
        You try getting lost and calling up maps on your phone….
      - John says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 16:59
        
        I use Guru maps which lets you download the entire world
  - N says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 15:20
    
    Well, that didn’t age well. EE just announced it’s going to charge £2 per day to use your allowance.
- Gavin says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:06
  
  I was worried for a minute! It’s only for usage above 25GB, and only £3.50 per GB above that. A few years ago I was paying £3 per MB in the EU. Not good to see charges creeping back in though.
  - MW says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:47
    
    Interestingly enough, it is still better than Three (my personal contract) which offers only 20GB in EU.
Diydegsy says:

24 Jun24 June 08:56

Changi airport T1 recommendations for best lounge flying BA club hopefully🤞🤞
- Sam G says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:26
  
  Pre COVID Qatar was best but IIRC the opening hours were a bit funny for BA flight as their flights were 9pm and 2am and it closed in between although I think the plan was to stay open continuously.
  
  Qantas very good especially food and the bar but got very busy especially towards the end of the week. Better once they opened their F / Gold lounge. BA food disappointing but comfortable, got crowded when both flights were in the lounge towards 11pm
  
  You can do a tour of course!
  
  Of course post COVID who knows what will happen, will take a long time before flights & loads are back to normal in Singapore due to their very tough border policy
  - Diydegsy says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:44
    
    Thanks Sam never used Changi before so might do a tour of the lounges as you suggest.
  - Alan says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:46
    
    Agree with tour idea but I enjoyed the QF one the most 👍
    - Lady London says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 10:38
      
      Don’t forget the swimming pool if you have a long layover
      - MW says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 11:26
        
        Swimming pool in the Qantas lounge? Where is it?
- MW says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:48
  
  I liked Quantas because of the food on demand. They also had very decent showers.
  - Rhys says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:58
    
    Yes, very nice showers in the Qantas lounge. Not quite as nice as the Cathay Pacific ones at Heathrow however!
Chrism20 says:

24 Jun24 June 08:59

EasyJet have canned the EDI and ABZ to MAN routes they announced last week citing Sturgeons travel ban as the reason.
- Anna says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:22
  
  I’m wondering if it’s more about demand – obviously only a small number of pax travelling live in the areas affected by Sturgeon’s travel ban. Lots of MAN passengers are from other areas like Cheshire/Derbyshire/Cumbria/Merseyside.
  - Chrism20 says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 10:30
    
    @Anna yes I was thinking the same.
    
    Even in normal times an A319/320 is a huge plane to fill on that route. Sturgeons announcement was probably a great excuse.
- Andrew says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 11:01
  
  I could see the benefit of an ABZ to MAN route. I really don’t get the point of the EDI to MAN route. There’s a direct train every 2 hours that takes just over 3 hours.
  
  If you’re going to the West of Manchester, it’s only 2h20m-2h40m to Preston/Warrington on the train.
  - David D says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 13:29
    
    @Andrew the time of the EDI-MAN and MAN-EDI weekend flights (outbound Friday, return Sunday) were pretty much perfect for 5pm work finishes giving more time to spend in the Manchester Airport catchment area on a Sunday. Coupled with being £30.99 each way was cheaper than the train even with the add-ons. My total cost was £90.96 for the 9th-11th July, and would have spent less time getting to Liverpool than by taking the train, and interacted with fewer people along the way in both directions.
  - Chrism20 says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 14:12
    
    I was struggling to even see the point of ABZ tbh. Loganair are already on it.
MCO says:

24 Jun24 June 09:21

Got a stay coming up at Hyatt. Is it frowned upon by amex to use 6 cards (3 each between me and my other half) over the span of the 5 nights to get £600 off? Was thinking of topping up £250 daily.
- Anna says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:24
  
  I can’t see an issue with Amex as you would be legitimately using your offers, you might need to talk nicely to the hotel reception staff though!
  I’m struggling to use these – had to cancel a stay over half term and no opportunities to re-book before the end of August at present.
  - Anna says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:25
    
    I had no issues splitting a recent Kimpton stay over our 2 cards to get £200 off.
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:26
  
  Just use all the cards at the same time, shouldn’t be a problem
  - Sam G says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 09:28
    
    best thing to do is go one night during your stay when reception should be quiet and offer to step aside if someone else needs help. I’d probably also take a box of celebrations!
    - MCO says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 09:33
      
      Is it on shop small that Amex has an issue with using multiple cards then with same retailer?
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 09:54
        
        Not unless you take the piss
        
        I’ve done it for dinner etc for years without issue. They don’t like you doing the rounds of central London on a £10 shopping spree. Less of an issue now it’s capped to 5 per card anyway.
- Gary says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 09:35
  
  Stayed at Hyatt Andaz Liverpool St and receptionist was acutely aware of Amex offer,. They were more than happy to assist in charging in whatever way I liked. Good idea to screen shot saved offers with relevant card numbers in case any billing errors occur with so many card involved and need to follow up with amex.
  - Jonathan says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 10:27
    
    I agree with all of your post except “in case any billing errors occur with so many card involved and need to follow up with amex.”
    
    If one of them doesn’t credit I wouldn’t be querying it. Amex have a “no gaming” clause in the T&C’s which they might invoke if you prompt them to examine your transactions!
bafan says:

24 Jun24 June 09:33

Went to Shake Shack in Covent Garden yesterday and it’s mandatory to order at the tables with the QR code and the new system doesn’t take Amex. I think the till still does but they were adamant I couldn’t order there :). At those prices I’m surprised they’re so fussy about the cards they accept.
- Pete M says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 10:16
  
  Is it just me who finds Shake Shack and Five Guys incredibly greasy? Like way more greasy than say GBK or Honest Burgers?
  - Lady London says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 10:40
    
    I go to Five Guys for the peanuts.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    24 Jun24 June 12:10
    
    The burgers are meh at Five Guys the fries are pretty good though.
    - Rob says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 12:17
      
      Agree!
      
      No idea why Five Guys refuse to do chicken burgers, unlike Shake Shack. My son is crazy about Five Guys unfortunately – only upside is that we live about 2 mins cycle ride from one so if we get a delivery it is still decently hot on arrival.
    - Lady London says:
      
      24 Jun24 June 13:24
      
      In the US you often get an extra cupload of fries, no matter what size of fries you ordered.
      
      My mission on my next trip will be In ‘n Out Burger though.
      - WaynedP says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 13:41
        
        Gosh, never heard of an in and out burger before.
        
        Why am I picturing included topping is laxative ?
      - Kevin C says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 14:25
        
        Everyone in LA is obsessed with In ‘n Out Burger.
        
        Our London burger vender of choice is Meat Liquor who do a VERY good chicken burger.
      - John says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 17:02
        
        Err that’s their thing – one cup of fries and then throw another cup’s worth loose in the bag
      - David says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 17:30
        
        In n Out is very good. Has cult-like status in some cities/locations, e.g. San Francisco harbour/wharf
      - Magic Mike says:
        
        24 Jun24 June 18:36
        
        In n out is awesome – check out the “secret” menu online beforehand!
- MattB says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 10:17
  
  I’ve noticed all the pubs near me that normally took amex are now using mobile ordering systems that only allow mc/visa. Although mobile signal is so bad in parts of the village that they are happy for you to go inside and pay anyway.
Dave says:

24 Jun24 June 09:37

Accor Taste of London: did you receive something in the post or via email?
- Zana says:
  
  24 Jun24 June 12:28
  
  I haven’t received anything either and was going to drop Accor an email. I booked before Rob’s article came out and didn’t realise that each redemption is for two people, so I redeemed for 2 X 2000 points. I was waiting for Accor to confirm this (and logistics and tickets etc) before I invite friends along.