The HfP chat thread – Thursday 22nd July

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• LessCleverAndrew says:

  22 Jul22 July 11:48

  Anyone signed up for the BA Amex accelerating business card with the welcome bonus of 50K avios still waiting for the welcome bonus. Its been 2 months since i got the card, 1 month ago that I hit the threshold and I am being bounced around by BA and Amex. Amex on the chat say they have investigated and I must speak to BA to get the points applied, BA Exec club says speak to Amex. Eventually, after 3 chat sessions I called Amex who once again said they will investigate and of course have not got back to me.

  At this point the words seriously, cheesed and off come to mind.

  What concerned me is that this welcome bonus never appeared on my online account from day 1 (which I told Amex about).

  • Zark says:

    22 Jul22 July 12:31

    I commented on this yesterday.
    Turns out that Amex (if you speak to the right person in Brighton & don’t ever again waste any time with webchat which is simply not fit for purpose in my view), are well aware of this problem with Avios not transferring along with welcome bonus AND onbusiness account creation (if new) and points. They advised me to simply wait for IT to fix and check each month around statement date. Once fixed all points will go through around statement date, or so I was told.
    Obviously Amex have been aware of this for some time, so disappointing that they did not proactively reach out to effected customers.
    Must be Covid related, ofcourse….

    • LessCleverAndrew says:

      22 Jul22 July 12:36

      Thanks for the heads up.

      • Jonathan says:

        22 Jul22 July 16:29

        There’s a story behind this I believe but not sure if Rob is sharing it…

• andy says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:01

  So i’ve got flights booked to Munich next month with BA. And currently an Airbnb in Austria booked. It seems highly likely that they wont be letting us in so am thinking of trying to book an alternative in Germany.

  Given that the FCDO no longer advises against travel to Germany, does this mean if i book an Airbnb in Germany and then situation changes/FCDO guidance changes then I could cancel on my amex plat insurance?

  • Dave says:

    22 Jul22 July 15:22

    Someone with more knowledge than me will prob be a long to confirm but I’d imagine you’d be OK

  • Sukes says:

    22 Jul22 July 17:19

    Have a look at AXA’sCovid guidance pdf accessible at https://secure.axa-travel-insurance.com/OLC_V3/welcome/amexUK

    If your flight was purchased when FCDO advised against Germany then personally I would contact AXA to make sure this wouldn’t invalidate cancellation cover for your whole trip in the event that that advice was reinstated.

• r* says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:05

  Got back from SSDV a couple of days ago if anyone has any questions.

  Ambassador benefits are recognised so breakfast is included (usually 40e pp) along with the amenity of complementary head massage for 1 or foot massage for 2 (ppl, not feet :]). We had slightly later checkout, but I’m not sure if thats just offered generally or if due to amb.

  At check in we were greeted by the manager and then given port wine and some nuts, then shown around the room – which is excellent. A welcome fruit platter was on the table along with complementary minibar containing a SSDV branded cocktails and some nuts, olives and cookies. There are also various types of wines available for purchase.

  There is a tv in the bedroom, but in the main room is an av amp (with usb media player), bluetooth speaker and a projector hidden in the ceiling which is lowered via remote control. The bedroom has a walk out balcony and very comfortable pillows.

  The garden is very nice with views of the vineyards, the jacuzzi is heated with an optional waterwall feature at the back plus lots of seating and an olive tree in the corner 🙂

  The hotel and grounds are wonderful. Different paths lead through the forest, which have small seating areas at various points and a path along the river back to the hotel, or you can go for walks through the vineyards.

  The pool is at the front of the hotel along with a bar that serves food until 1800 and next to the pool is the vegetable garden which is big enough to wander around. Further out is the activity hut where you can get equipment for paddle tennis/table tennis, its also the place that some of the activities are held.

  Each day there are set activities which are included, such as kayaking, guided walks, yoga etc along with 45e wine tasting in the wine library in the evening. On Mon and Fri there is a managers reception with live music on the patio. The wine library contains 1000 different wines. Near the wine library is a large bar area with pool table and some board games. Also held on the patio is a cinema evening, not sure if thats certain days only.

  The food is excellent. Breakfast was table service from a daily menu that comprises of different main items such as avocado toast or wood fried eggs along with a side such as mushrooms and spinach or sauages and bacon etc and also a tray of breads, fruit and yoghurt. For dinner, the main restaurant overlooks the pool and on Fri/Sat there is a bbq available.

  I didnt want to leave 🙂

  • Anna says:

    22 Jul22 July 12:09

    Sounds divine! I booked flights to Porto for August next year when easyJet was doing the seriously low pricing so will keep an eye out for SSDV availability opening up.

    • LessCleverAndrew says:

      22 Jul22 July 12:35

      Interesting. Do you use a service like jacks flight club? Google flights and skyscanner only go 11/12 months in advance, respectively.

      • Aston100 says:

        22 Jul22 July 12:48

        Easyjet sometimes let you book 18 months out.

        • LessCleverAndrew says:

          22 Jul22 July 12:54

          Easyjet lets you book +12 months but I want an “easy button” for being notified about routes that I am interested in.

        • Anna says:

          22 Jul22 July 12:58

          Yes, they were pushing advance bookings earlier this year so I took a punt knowing that we are definitely free to travel then and that prices might have gone back up to usual levels for the school holidays!

  • BP says:

    22 Jul22 July 12:36

    Sounds wonderful! Will the suite garden area be very unsafe for a 2 year old? The wall looks very low in the photos with a massive drop below but none of the pictures give a good view of it to properly judge.

    Great to hear Ambassador benefits are being honored. Between 5 nights at SSDV and 2 nights at IC Porto, I’ll get good value from it.

    • r* says:

      22 Jul22 July 13:44

      The wall near the seating area has a rail on it but the wall by the grass is a low wall, has no rail and there is a sizable drop. The other thing to consider is the jacuzzi due to the fairly hot water in there.

      Incase it matters, during the day theres also a moderate amount of wasps flying around in the garden.

  • Zark says:

    22 Jul22 July 15:11

    SSDV sounds ike a fine hotel somewhere near Porto it seems.
    Is it possilble to reveal what SSDV stands for?

    • iSub says:

      22 Jul22 July 15:41

      Six Senses Douro Valley

    • Rob says:

      22 Jul22 July 15:43

      Six Senses Douro Valley. Generally regarded as the best resort hotel in Europe. Now part of IHG (but not IHG Rewards).

      Put all of its £1000+ suites up for redemption by mistake a few weeks ago when it was testing IHG Rewards integration, which is why so many readers are there 🙂

      With great respect to the hotel, they didn’t cancel any of them.

• Sprout says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:11

  Could someone please confirm if it’s possible to make a points booking at an IHG hotel for someone else (namely my young adult son and his girlfriend)?
  Thanks

  • BP says:

    22 Jul22 July 12:37

    Yes the best way to do it is to phone the call centre to make the booking. You can also put them down as a second guest.

• Ryan says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:16

  I have

  Phone the hotel after booking to confirm / have the name changed for their check in

• Oliver says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:26

  Following yesterday’s discussion of BA cancelling flights to Bucharest…

  Does anyone know if accepting a re-route onto another airline means I will forfeit my right to cancel for a FTV?

  I’m just wondering what would happen if Romania gets red-listed but my re-routed flights are still running. My guess is that BA would say they had done their bit by arranging the re-route, leaving me at the mercy of the other airline’s cancellation policy?

• Zoe P says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:31

  Do you think Japan will be open for business by April/May next year? I have flights booked and I really want to make it!
  Also any recommendations for hotels?

  • Reney says:

    22 Jul22 July 12:54

    Where in Japan are you going re the hotel recommendation, what price range and do you have a point stash with any particular chain?

    • Zoe P says:

      22 Jul22 July 13:26

      haha yes I wasn’t very specific. I am doing the standard Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima but would look at elsewhere if there is somewhere I should not miss. No points stashes, and I wouldn’t want to spend more than £250 a night really, but could go higher and make savings elsewhere. Hiroshima for example can be cheaper.

      • Reney says:

        22 Jul22 July 13:36

        I stayed at 5 places on my last trip, the ones that really stood out were Hilton Tokyo (I somehow managed to get Diamond Status for 3 months and was upgraded to a giant room! The free breakfast was amazing and the lounge was pretty good). The hyatt regency at Kyoto was beautiful too.

        Try to have one night in a Ryokan style accommodation whilst you are out in Kyoto. Mostly for the experience, if you have not been before.

        I have always been really curious about the capsule hotels and would be tempted to add one night in those.

        I had to cancel my March 2019 trip and not rebooked yet.

      • Kevin C says:

        22 Jul22 July 13:36

        In Hiroshima we stayed at the Sheraton Grand which is right by the train station and an extremely good food court. The hotel itself is fine.
        I really liked the Andaz in Tokyo if you have Hyatt points or can get a good rate.

        • Pete M says:

          22 Jul22 July 13:40

          Miyajima Island is absolutely magical and much recommended for a luxury riokan experience.

• Jimmy says:

  22 Jul22 July 12:41

  Good afternoon,
  So I’m looking for some advise, as the gov website is the most complicated website in the world.
  For travel now, there is a requirement for a pre departure COVID test and then another PCR test on day 2 of the return to the country.
  This is regardless of vac. but if you are double vac. then you can avoid the 10 isolation.
  Any or or help is very much appreciated!!!!

  • Pete M says:

    22 Jul22 July 13:34

    That is correct if coming from an amber or green country, yes. The pre-departure from overseas can be a lateral flow (not NHS), the Day 2 has to be PCR.

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