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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 22nd July

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Comments (338)

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

  • Young L says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:34

    Morning all. Anyone had some recent experience transiting at Doha? How much time roughly needed to have a comfortable transition? Thinking of going to South Korea and taking Qatar Airways.

    • Andrew says:
      22 Jul22 July 08:40

      Remembering that Qatar is a red list country and that applies to transiting too.

    • babyg_wc says:
      22 Jul22 July 09:29

      I’ve had 50mins between flights and this was loads (travelling in J so first off etc) as we still had plenty of time, I would only do this if on same PNR/ticket thou..

  • Super Secret Stuff says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:40

    LHR to Sydney is 125,000 avios e/w on the HfP article detailing all the prices. Question is, which routing is this for?

    I did research it a while ago but have forgot the answer! Assume I would be able to use the new 2 4 1 on it?

    • pauldb says:
      22 Jul22 July 09:28

      That’s for the direct BA flight booked as LON-SYD.

      If you stopover in SIN or even if you just book the same plane as two legs LON-SIN//SIN-SYD (which may appear as an alternative as the avios availability pools are separate) then you will pay more avios.

  • Phil W says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:46

    Is the FCO still advising against all but essential travel to Germany? If so, could someone point me to the web page where this is stated?

  • Eric the Half a Bee says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:47

    SS DV – wondering whether anyone has stayed here yet and if they are honouring Ambassador benefits (specifically, free breakfast)?

    • Pete M says:
      22 Jul22 July 08:59

      Free breakfast isn’t an Ambassador benefit, though?

      • Blair says:
        22 Jul22 July 09:02

        Ambassador T&Cs:
        42. Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spa is progressively integrating into the IHG® Rewards programme and at that time the following benefits will apply for InterContinental Ambassador, Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle members at participating Six Senses hotels:

        a. Complimentary Breakfast for two in the main restaurant per day

        b. Signature Amenity of either a complimentary 50 minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or local experience once per stay. The Signature Amenity varies by resort, is subject to availability and confirmed on arrival. Not applicable with corporate or negotiated rates.

        c. Complimentary one category room upgrade (subject to availability, excluding residences and 2 bedroom or greater suites/villas)

        d. Extended check-out of 4pm subject to availability. Guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members

        e. Early check-in of 10am subject to availability. Guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members and in circumstances where the room is not available at 10 am, the member may be checked into another available room until the original booked room becomes available.

        f. Complimentary Internet access. Internet accessibility, speed, and connectivity in common areas and guest rooms vary by resort

        g. Wellness Platter welcome amenity on day of arrival

    • K says:
      22 Jul22 July 09:43

      Well, we’re here right now. They didnt mention anything about such benefit and I’ve just been to reception and asked. Lady had no clue, she said she will check with a manager and get back. Let’s see

      • BP says:
        22 Jul22 July 09:45

        Thanks for checking.

        • BP says:
          22 Jul22 July 09:45

          How is SS DV? I’m hoping to visit in September, COVID situation permitting.

          • K says:
            22 Jul22 July 09:50

            One of the best hotels/resorts we’ve been. Attention to detail is amazing. Recommend half board/full board option.

      • Rob says:
        22 Jul22 July 10:12

        Say Hi to Adriana in Reservations for me 🙂

        • BP says:
          22 Jul22 July 10:31

          With the half/full board option am I correct in saying the meals are always in the same restaurant? We’ve booked for 5 days and have a 2 year old so that may not work unfortunately. If I get free breakfast then I’ll use a lot of room service for lunch & dinner and make good use of the massive suite.

          • K says:
            22 Jul22 July 12:31

            Still unable to get an answer out of reception, re: status.

            Though, on the IHG app, it says: “IHG Rewards is not applicable at this Six Senses hotel at this time”. Whatever that means? No points booking, no points earned or no status recognition or all the above…. Who knows? Rob, can Adriana enlighten us?

            As for half board, I would recommend it as prices are astronomical. You can use it for either lunch or dinner, take your pick. No :blackout” dishes, no restrictions. Credit to the hotel for this, as most half boards are restricted. You can use it anywhere on the property. There is really only one restaurant, the others are attachments to the bar, wine library or pool club.

            I assume the half/full board option is to get some revenue as with so many eating out choices in the area, a lot decide to go out. Hence why they are quite eeasygoing as to how you want to use it.

          • Rob says:
            22 Jul22 July 13:29

            You don’t earn points, no, not until it joints IHG Rewards. That 2-day trial didn’t count 🙂 Ambassador is separate to IHG Rewards though.

          • K says:
            22 Jul22 July 12:35

            Word of caution. Little known in UK, but from 8th July, in Portugal all establishments (hotels, restaurants, airbnbs, museums) require an EU Covid passport or proof of covid test. Whilst you can enter the country with an UK covid passport, these are NOT recognised by restaurants, vineyards, hotels, etc. Some reputable places are not keen to break the law, so it can be tricky. Some hotels provide covid tests on site. We had mixed experiences so far.

          • s says:
            22 Jul22 July 15:14

            I’m not convinced by the value proposition of the half board option if breakfast is included already as an ambassador. I think they’ll reduce it from 80 EUR to 60 EUR if you have breakfast inclusive rate (or AMB) but the veggie/basic mains are around 30 EUR so you’re only getting outsize value if you’re going all out on the steaks/fish and taking the full 3 courses with sides!

        • meta says:
          22 Jul22 July 11:08

          @Rob hahaha that’s such a good answer!

        • K says:
          22 Jul22 July 12:36

          I shall.

        • K says:
          22 Jul22 July 13:56

          I met Adriana and she send her regards. Very lovely lady.

          • Rob says:
            22 Jul22 July 14:30

            I’ve caused her quite a bit of inconvenience in the last 48 hours unfortunately but she has been very helpful.

      • Eric the Half a Bee says:
        22 Jul22 July 10:30

        @K – very keen to hear how you get on enquiring about the AMB benefits. Please keep us posted.

        • K says:
          22 Jul22 July 14:00

          So… not much info, but some. Still couldn’t get a clear answer as to what benefits a Royal Ambassador gets, but they said that no benefits apply for reward nights (which we’re on). I did point out in the T&C that it does mention such an exclusion, and that usually it would say such exclusions apply.

          They did check with the lady Rob’s been in touch with and confirmed that no such benefits apply on reward nights. So… work in progress. Happy to be corrected by Rob, if you speak to ‘you know who’!

          • Eric the Half a Bee says:
            22 Jul22 July 14:22

            Thanks for the update K. Interesting that there’s a post by r* on page 4 of comments, who says that he was given full Ambassador benefits, including breakfast, welcome gift etc. Presumably was on points booking as they were in the top suite.

          • K says:
            22 Jul22 July 18:35

            So, update…. They were very kind and looked for me at the resort and told me that I should have the breakfast free as RA. As for the other benefits they were still looking into it.

            I cannot say it enough: the service here is outstanding, up there with service you would expect at top Asian hotels.

            The spa is really good, the staff well trained.

            What I like about this place, is that they know what you need before you, yourself realise it that you need it. And that’s hard to achieve.

  • Wally1976 says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:56

    Any recommendations for travel insurance for family holiday to Greece (amber list) in August? 2 double vaccinated adults (with minor health conditions) and 2 children
    TIA

    • TGLoyalty says:
      22 Jul22 July 08:59

      Since there’s no FCDO travel advice anymore any policy should cover you

    • Pete M says:
      22 Jul22 July 09:00

      The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Greece, so any will do.

      • Anna says:
        22 Jul22 July 09:09

        Not all policies cover Covid issues though – both illness and disruption related to it.

        • Pete M says:
          22 Jul22 July 09:33

          Good point – it’s shocking they wouldn’t, though! I use LV= and have always been happy with them, bar the price perhaps, but worth it for us.

  • Roger says:
    22 Jul22 July 08:59

    Data Point

    Finding availability on IHG premium card free night awards at some UK hotels but not as standalone reward night using points.

    £100 in annual fees really worth it as two nights I bagged is going for cash in excess of £400 in southern England.

  • James says:
    22 Jul22 July 09:08

    Do Marriott ever run 100% Bonus when buying points?

    • Blair says:
      22 Jul22 July 11:55

      Not in recent years anyway. I think the most recent promo despite the headline bonus being lower worked out the same as the previous year’s higher bonus because of a stronger GBP (points are purchased in USD). IIRC it was 30% last time, 40% the time before that.

  • Dave1985 says:
    22 Jul22 July 09:11

    Anyone got anything exciting planned for the first weekend of freedom?! A nightclub visit?

    Can’t wait! Shame about the weather forecast!!

    • Pete M says:
      22 Jul22 July 09:31

      I was going to go clubbing on Friday, even have a ticket… But then decided that I have travel booked every weekend for a month after that, so it may be unwise if I would like my trips to even have a chance of going ahead!

    • Travel Strong says:
      22 Jul22 July 12:12

      I thought about a casino trip and night out, but have a wedding to go to next week and want to minimise any chance of being contacted to isolate – so I will not be heading out. Turns out this ‘personal responsibility’ thing is really easy and I don’t need legal threats – who would have thought it!

    • ankomonkey says:
      22 Jul22 July 14:48

      I thought you might have been among the 1000+ who went to see The Prototypes DJ in a Leeds nightclub on Monday night. It looked reet steamy in there.

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