The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 13th July

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• TJ says:

  13 Jul13 July 17:54

  Does anyone have any experience of the Elegant hotels in Barbados (now under Marriott’s stewardship). I was looking at either the Taramind or Crystal Cove in December…although concerned that their flexible cancellation policy is really not that flexible at 60 days notice!

  • Peter K says:

    13 Jul13 July 18:59

    Went to Turtle Beach (South coast) when it was Elegant hotels and it was meh. It may have changed since the buy out of course.

• Mark says:

  13 Jul13 July 17:57

  Cheapest Day 2 PCR I’ve found is £50…any cheaper? And I’m guessing Qured fit-to-fly to UK is £39. Please tell me there are cheaper ones (in London)!

  • Mark says:

    13 Jul13 July 18:19

    Actually £28 for PCR Day 2 home-test kit… https://www.expert-medicals.co.uk/products/green-list-day-2-testing-package

    • r* says:

      13 Jul13 July 19:29

      expert medicals is £35 once the hidden shipping is added and their registered address is a discount jeans shop in bradford.

      Randox is 43 with the BA code.

  • Simon says:

    13 Jul13 July 18:20

    Expert medicals day 2 is £28. It looks like a two-bob website but who cares, as long as you get the Ref number for your PLF. Use the BA code to reduce Qured to £33.

    • peter says:

      13 Jul13 July 18:58

      EM has £8 postage fee. A lot of bad reviews, so many ppl never received that test. For day 2 worth a gamble, not worth a penny for day 5 to release. I actually had 2&8 with them and all as expected, results emailed within 48h of posting.

      • Simon says:

        13 Jul13 July 19:09

        Thanks. But the reference number comes with your confirmation email for day 2 ?? Don’t really care if it turns up after that.

        • Mike says:

          14 Jul14 July 09:35

          It is about ensuring you test negative to protect others (and yourself). Remembering others always comes before self

  • BP says:

    13 Jul13 July 20:45

    Hoping with the new Scottish Day 2 testing for double vaccinated people coming from amber destinations we can use providers other than the official one.

    • SteveKicks says:

      13 Jul13 July 21:27

      I’ve heard several people have managed to use private tests in Scotland successfully

• NG says:

  13 Jul13 July 18:01

  Hi all,

  Question re Hilton Honors-

  If I book a room under my account and my wife pays upon checkout (in order to meet her spend targets on her card!), would I still earn the points and elite night credits as usual on my account even though I didnt pay?

  Thanks

  • Cabal of rabid baboons says:

    13 Jul13 July 18:24

    Yes , you will, card (s) used at checkout is (are) irrelevant to your points crediting.

  • John says:

    13 Jul13 July 18:25

    Strictly speaking no, but how would they know whose card it is? It also requires them to set some sort of flag if they do find out

    I’ve put my wife’s cards into my Hilton account to book stays to hit the offers. Status members don’t need to show cards or have authorisations for extra spend at most UK Hiltons

    Other solution is to get a supplementary card if it’s just the spend requirements you want to hit

• Njb says:

  13 Jul13 July 19:39

  Just to say – in case feedback gets back to Amex – what a complete disappointment of a added extra the amex lounge at Wimbledon was. Each time we tried to visit the queue was over half an hour long. We left. Next time have a booking system that works or restrict to Plat card and above to give a bit of value for the fee.

  • Sam says:

    13 Jul13 July 20:19

    Not my experience at all. I was there on Friday and went by myself, 20 mins in the queue max, Michael there was great! One of the best choc brownies I’ve ever had and the lady gave me two free chargers and the sunscreen too! A good view of the courts too! I thought it was a great benefit.

  • Andrew says:

    13 Jul13 July 21:23

    Definitely should have been for Plat and above – people with free cards shouldn’t have been welcome.

• KS says:

  13 Jul13 July 19:39

  I have received an email from Hyatt to fast track to elite status on AA through a qualifying challenge of 3 months. I hold no status with AA for now, anyone has an experience on what I can expect as a challenge should I choose to apply?

  • KS says:

    13 Jul13 July 20:22

    Nevermind, found the T&Cs.

• Scott says:

  13 Jul13 July 20:07

  If I were to book a BA holiday with say 1 night in an airport hotel, would it cause any issues if I weren’t to check-in to the hotel? (Could go in, ruffle the bed, loot the toiletries and clear off if need be)

• Mark says:

  13 Jul13 July 20:50

  Serious question :: If it’s impossible to catch covid outside (hence no masks at Wimbledon or Wembley or outside in general) then why are we not allowed to walk around parks/countryside etc if you’re isolating or in quarantine?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    13 Jul13 July 21:08

    It’s not impossible just very very low risk.

    Because if you make exceptions people take the piss. Take the bus to the countryside etc

    • Mark says:

      13 Jul13 July 21:13

      That low of a risk that even the scientists were at Wimbledon with no mask on?
      I’d say near enough impossible.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        13 Jul13 July 21:16

        Because the scientists are basing it upon risk

        And yes near enough but not impossible.

      • A says:

        13 Jul13 July 21:40

        Wimbledon was also a test event that: (a) required proof of recent infection, double vaccination, or negative test; and (b) explicitly recognised its a test to see what will happen with the lower levels of distancing. So you’re comparing apples with a chocolate brownie, let alone a pear.

• KBuffett says:

  13 Jul13 July 20:55

  Which Marriott is better for 1-2 nights; London Edition or London Marriott Hotel Park Lane? (or other suggestions welcome)

  • Harry T says:

    13 Jul13 July 21:03

    London EDITION in my experience last year. I stayed at both on the healthcare rate. EDITION has far superior customer service. MPL gave me poor service for the calibre of hotel but a beautiful suite upgrade. The location is quite different. What sort of stay are you looking for?

    • KBuffett says:

      13 Jul13 July 21:10

      Just a break to get away for a day or two and take advantage of HJH. MPL seems to have a nice pool and gym, how are those at Edition? Do you know if Edition will honour breakfast and upgrade for Platinum?

      • TGLoyalty says:

        13 Jul13 July 21:12

        Don’t think it has a pool (unless I complete missed it). Won’t give breakfast (unless it’s in rate) as that’s not a benefit at edition and upgrades pot luck really.

      • Harry T says:

        13 Jul13 July 21:18

        No breakfast benefits at EDITION. Might get an upgrade if not full but don’t expect miracles. MPL has a niceish pool but don’t count on them to actually honour your appointment times.

        • Harry T says:

          13 Jul13 July 21:18

          EDITION gym is pretty good.

        • BP says:

          13 Jul13 July 23:39

          MPL pool is stunning. The nicest hotel pool I’ve ever swum in. I thought the service was spot on too except when we were made to wait 10 minutes to check out as the person on the desk was covering. That wasn’t a big deal for us and they more than made up for it by giving our baby a very nice Hamleys teddy.

      • YC says:

        13 Jul13 July 21:21

        I prefer MPL for the pool, service (better than Edition to me). They also provided complimentary drinks in the restaurant (sub for exec lounge). Rooms are also much lighter, Edition barely got any light (maybe just the specific room I had?). To just get away from normal life, MPL wins. Edition your just getting a room and a hip vibe (I am a general fan of Edition btw)

        • TGLoyalty says:

          13 Jul13 July 21:28

          Good lobby bar if you like that thing

        • KBuffett says:

          13 Jul13 July 21:29

          All useful comments, thank you all.

  • TJ says:

    13 Jul13 July 21:29

    Also worth considering the Marriott County Hall which has a 25m lap pool very good gym. Status fully acknowledged, upgraded to a very nice room overlooking the Thames, Parliament, etc.

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