The HfP chat thread – Saturday 17th July

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• Chris Heyes says:

  17 Jul17 July 15:56

  OOOooo Dear slight telling off for getting a Retention Bonus then cancelling Gold Card 2 days later upps
  Re-booked America trip for Easter was relatively easy although had to force open Business Class Seats due to no Avios availability Easter dates I wanted
  Also managed to Book same Hotels and Rooms
  Been promised up-grades at a couple for rebooking looking like lost $200 on flights Phoenix-Page az return
  I can live with that rates cheaper at Easter for Hotels
  Plan now is USA Easter, Dubrovnik Aug with daughter, Sorrento Sept
  But for now Portsmouth, Mary Rose ect
  Middle of Aug MGallery Castle Hotel Windsor 3/4 days and trip Windsor Castle
  Any Review on MGallery Castle Hotel Windsor ? appreciated

  • SteveJ says:

    17 Jul17 July 16:13

    Interesting, how cheesed off were they? I wonder if they’ll put a ‘marker’ of sorts that you’re not loyal/retainable therefore not qualifying for future retentions?

    We’ve never ever had any retentions, first one this year, and we’re planning on switching Platinum holder (i.e. I apply in my name, whilst other half cancels), will involve cancelling a month or so after having had a retention.

    • Chris Heyes says:

      17 Jul17 July 18:05

      SteveJ Not that cheesed off really just saying what they have on script
      Earlier 2019/20 Three of us had a Platinum each two of us cancelled after 4 weeks the third cancelled after 6 weeks. hit all Bonus targets plus Referrals came through as well
      I think they were more p****d off then
      Although we got them a lot new Business, so maybe not, who knows ?
      Got Retentions then as well lol
      This time they just said they “MAY” claw it back, but I doubt they will
      All 150k MR points transferred out
      As for being Loyal all three of us have BA Amex Premium so not as if we wait two years without an Amex like some on here
      Next will be back to Platinum, then start again lol
      My Partner and her Brother asked for Gold after Platinum June 2019
      and was given Gold with full Bonuses targets ect
      Now that shouldn’t happen but it did, I asked for BA Amex thinking they wouldn’t be allowed Gold with targets
      So my thinking is they can’t be that bothered

  • Aston100 says:

    17 Jul17 July 16:33

    Cancelling 2 days after being given a retention bonus is just asking for trouble.
    Technically didn’t break any rules, but does feel like painting a target on your back.

    • BartGunn says:

      17 Jul17 July 17:05

      It’s a bit ridiculous tbh. Retention bonuses are provided in good faith. Behaviour like this will spoil it for everyone.

      • Mike says:

        17 Jul17 July 19:06

        +1

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:46

    2 days?! This is why nice things don’t last, you could’ve at least waited until the end of the cards month, wouldn’t have cost you more

    • Chris Heyes says:

      17 Jul17 July 18:23

      Super Secret Stuff, But I’m not on here to play your or anyone else’s game ?
      Just “OUR” Game and I play it to the max
      If I could have hit Platinum target in a week and collected referrals and retentions bonuses I wouldn’t hesitate to cancel in a week.
      Amex could always cancel our cards, wouldn’t bother me wouldn’t even moan about it,

      • Yorkie Aid says:

        17 Jul17 July 18:42

        +1 Amex are ruthless and deserve to be played for every single point!

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        17 Jul17 July 19:08

        Yes I play them and I do it well, they make enough money and deserve it. But why be so blatantly obvious? As far as I know they only do pro rata refunds per month. So just wait a little bit longer and you won’t get banned and can rinse and repeat, take them for even more that just one retention offer.

        The last thing we want is to draw attention to it

      • David says:

        17 Jul17 July 19:58

        Some of us have learnt this is a long term game.

    • Reney says:

      17 Jul17 July 19:07

      I almost wanted to cancel 2 days after the retention bonus came through only because they made me chase the damn thing 7 times over 3 weeks!!! They agreed to it and then the person did not process it which resulted in many chasing. But I’ll keep it for a bit longer to not annoy them.

      Chris did you cancel on the phone or via chat? I feel like I get a lot less engagement via chat so less grumbling.

      • Chris Heyes says:

        17 Jul17 July 19:58

        Reney I Cancelled on phone, actually it was my Partners Gold not mine I was hoping it wasn’t the nice young lady who gave me the retention bonus two days earlier
        funnily same day I got partners brother same 10k bonus and then cancelled it 2 days later, nothing was said so I think it depends who you get and if they look at your profile on system
        i do all the neg for all 3 of us, they just give security Qs and hand over to me

  • AndyGWP says:

    17 Jul17 July 20:01

    2 days is super ballsy. I’d play it out a little bit more as the long game is important for me (and you’d already got what you wanted / your reward), but as you say – your game, your rules.

  • Tony1 says:

    17 Jul17 July 22:23

    Castle Hotel : Mixed bag. Book the car park if needed. Don’t get rooms at back – they are bad. Food hit and miss, afternoon tea good, breakfast poor.
    Rooms could use a refurb.
    Great position in town.
    Rooms overlooking main street are the best of the options.
    Stayed there three times prior Covid.
    Don’t know if you have Accor Status – if you have – it helps – Gold is free with the Accor Card – Think this has been mentioned before somewhere.
    Flyer Talk has some info.

• BartGunn says:

  17 Jul17 July 15:59

  Opened a Fineco account. Anyone know how I deposit cash to enable me to buy shares? Can’t see it anywhere.

  • 747_Brat says:

    17 Jul17 July 18:26

    Use your Fineco sort code and account no. to transfer funds from your main current account.

    Payment are taken from Fineco bank account for all the trades and similarly deposited in the same account for all the shares you sell.

    One quirk you should be aware is that if you want to buy shares in US or European or any other markets for that matter, you need to convert GBP to the relevant currency in the bank account section, before you can buy the shares or funds.
    Hope that helps.

• Aston100 says:

  17 Jul17 July 16:31

  Any recommendations for an EV home charger?
  Type 2 / CCS tethered as will likely be getting a VAG vehicle.
  I don’t think I’ve got 3 phase, so would probably need a 7kw unit.

  Any referrals or points opportunity appreciated.

  • Tom says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:17

    You won’t get CCS on a home install. Type 2 7KW.
    Podpoint seem decent from reviews I’ve read. I’m still on the 3 pin granny charger!

    • Alan says:

      18 Jul18 July 02:21

      So am I, after 4 yrs of owning a Tesla Model S and doing over15,000 miles a year. I keep on meaning to get a “proper” charger but don’t really need one so haven’t got round to it yet.

  • Duncan Stevenson-Price says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:21

    If aesthetics are a concern, we’ve been very happy with the Andersen A2 charger. Looks good and comes in a standard 7kW unit and 22kW for those with a 3-phase supply.

    CCS is just for rapid DC charging so you’ll install Type 2 at home. Some cars have a cap on the speed of a AC charge so you may not get the full 22kW even if you opt for the 3-phase option, but 7kW is pretty perfect for home / overnight charging.

  • Ron says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:24

    In the process of getting eo mini pro 2, I just want something discreet and small. Reviews seems ok.

  • Rory says:

    17 Jul17 July 18:29

    I’ve got a Podpoint and a Chargemaster at home. Both work well, and are nothing special. We have 2 now as we got tethered ones, then our car changed so needed a new charger (something to consider). The Gov usually has some grants floating around for home chargers. Worth a look here – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles

  • Memesweeper says:

    17 Jul17 July 21:04

    A friend of mine loves his Zappi, for scheduling and other tricks.

    I have a bog standard dirt cheap Rolec. Untethered, does the job.

    • Andrew says:

      17 Jul17 July 21:50

      We started the process with Chargemaster and PodPoint. Then I looked at the Trustpilot reviews and cancelled Chargemaster.

      PodPoint were very very good and the service very responsive. The install was painless and quick, done within 3 weeks of applying.

      Chargemaster didn’t respond for 3 weeks and then asked to arrange an installation date. I had to tell them again that I’d cancelled 3 weeks previously. Utterly unimpressive.

      • Aston100 says:

        17 Jul17 July 23:24

        Thanks everyone. I’m leaning towards PodPoint

        I’m guessing referrals aren’t a thing?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    17 Jul17 July 23:56

    OHME great looking compact smart charger

• James says:

  17 Jul17 July 17:19

  Looking for a London stay and spa day next Sunday. The Ned is the obvious choice especially with the BA Amex Offer. Does anyone else have any other suggestions?

  • James says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:21

    Have Hilton & Marriott Gold status so would be open to either of those.

  • KP says:

    17 Jul17 July 17:47

    Stayed at Ned last weekend and used amex offer. Very good experience and recommended. Booked the Ned night in offer which includes a few amenities thrown in

    • James says:

      17 Jul17 July 18:51

      Thanks KP. Was everything open in the Spa?

      • KP says:

        17 Jul17 July 19:40

        Yes everything was open in the spa but pre booking required. Gym was fantastic including peloton bikes and yoga classes. Breakfast options are decent

        • KP says:

          17 Jul17 July 19:41

          Didnt use the mind you. See the menu before you book so youre comfortable with the prices!

        • KP says:

          17 Jul17 July 19:51

          Didnt use the spa*…. i meant

          Ps: we need an edit tool !!

• N says:

  17 Jul17 July 18:25

  Got flights to/from DXB in Nov/Dec with BA in F. Worried BA will cancel and refuse to reroute. Same EK flights are £16k+, which I don’t have kicking about spare. If it comes to it, I’d like to be able to buy the EK flights and take BA to CEDR/MCOL (encouraged by a post earlier this week!).

  If I was to take out a 0% APR credit card, would I be able to buy the flights on it and leave the balance for however long it takes for the issue to shake out with BA? If so, are there cards that will (even potentially) offer me a £17k+ limit off the bat?

  Sorry if basic question, but I’ve never used credit cards for this sort of thing before – only for points earning on things I can afford! Obviously I’m planning ahead quite a bit but I like to have my options/routes planned out!

  • Dani says:

    17 Jul17 July 19:19

    And what would you do if CEDR/MCOL didn’t find in your favour?

    • N says:

      17 Jul17 July 19:27

      Cancel and refund the flight.

      IMO, I’d have a strong argument for booking flex tickets under the “comparable conditions” clause of the EU261 in booking a cancellable flex ticket, as the points booking I have in hand currently is pretty much a cancellable flex (except for the £35pp charge).

      • Ed says:

        17 Jul17 July 20:12

        Avios tickets are certainly not fully flexible. They can be cancelled for a very modest sum (especially in context of an F ticket) but fully flex would typically allow someone to decide to stay a day/week/ month longer and swap to any flight with seats on. Though it may well be cedr/ mcol side with you that fully flex is the closest equivalent to an Avios redemption.

        • N says:

          17 Jul17 July 21:05

          100% agree with you.

          From a layman’s pov (which any judge is highly likely to be), I think a fully flex and an Avios ticket can be argued to be comparable.

        • Rob says:

          17 Jul17 July 22:19

          Very easy for BA to pull up current availability on the day of CEDR and show no Avios seats for weeks on end …

      • Memesweeper says:

        17 Jul17 July 21:08

        Try and find a refundable fare. That’s comparable. Unfortunately that’s often, but not always, fully flex. Try lots of airlines, you may need to convince a judge this is the lowest cost option open to you and you have “minimised your losses”.

        • N says:

          17 Jul17 July 21:12

          Great point, thanks.

  • cinereus says:

    18 Jul18 July 05:35

    Lol there is zero chance MCOL will be resolved by Nov.

  • Jonathan says:

    18 Jul18 July 18:42

    £17k is significantly above the usual limit (£10k) for small claims track. You may still be allocated that route but equally you may not. Once you’re into fast track then it’s more complicated & costs increase.

    Costs for small claims track are also 5% of claim value if claim over £10k.

• Boi says:

  17 Jul17 July 20:06

  Seems I have missed something….some messages are disjointed and random and not linked to anything. Who was fighting?

  • Ed says:

    17 Jul17 July 20:15

    At the start of the day, someone decided to come on the forum and take a few potshots at one of the regular contributors. The offending messages have been deleted, which makes things seem a little disjointed. Unfortunately covid seems to be generating some rather unpleasant discourse on what is usually a very supportive miles and point site.

  • Boi says:

    18 Jul18 July 00:23

    Oops. I am glad I missed it then. Doesn’t sound like fun stuff that we come here for.

• Gav says:

  17 Jul17 July 20:26

  Is the end coming for Curve to Bendy given the change in T&C’s next month?

  • SteveJ says:

    17 Jul17 July 20:33

    You mean Beardy? Time will tell, you’ll need to trial some small transactions and see what happens.

  • Yorkieflyer says:

    17 Jul17 July 20:35

    Beardie?

  • Reney says:

    17 Jul17 July 20:38

    No one really knows what will work and what won’t work from the 5th. I guess we will find out very quickly.

    I’m maxing out my points earning for this statement month, and wondering if I could move my statement date up to earn a few more points before the shutter comes down. Anyone tried this?

    • Bazza says:

      17 Jul17 July 23:55

      Yes! You can do that

    • LessCleverAndrew says:

      18 Jul18 July 00:34

      Curve = curve card, but beardie, shutters coming down, change in ts and cs. It’s all a little cryptic.

• Mikeact says:

  17 Jul17 July 22:17

  Bit of a wake up call with today’s opening comment, but I wouldn’t say he was clearly unhinged at all….it wasn’t that bad….probably a bit stupid knowing that flack would follow.
  Likewise, I personally would not describe your other comment ‘highly valued’ as accurate as well…..the popular contributor you refer to can be rather irritating at times.
  Each to their own.

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