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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 31st July

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Comments (317)

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

  • Anna says:
    31 Jul31 July 07:52

    Buenas dias from the Royal Tenerife Country Club! Just watching the sunrise with my coffee from the garden-sized terrace.

    Journey from MAN was pretty painless; everything was super quick at the airport. Ryanair only seemed to be checking docs if you were checking in bags (at the gate they only did a very cursory passport check) so I don’t know what would have happened to anyone who only had hand baggage and not the correct paperwork!

    The flight was about 2/3 full but OH and I managed to end up with a full exit row each, probably the best £9 seat selection fee I’ve ever spent! We were through immigration in about 10 minutes; they checked all the Spanish health forms and my nephew was pulled aside to check his test certificate so I think that must have been random as my son wasn’t. They seemed to be the only older children on the flight – presumably a lot of families have been put off by the cost of the pre-departure tests.

    • Craig says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:03

      Have a great time Anna, lets hope it stays Amber/Green for late September for me!

    • Harry T says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:29

      Enjoy yourself! The plane sounds more full than my Barcelona ghost town flights. Are you going to stay at the RC Abama?

    • Anna says:
      31 Jul31 July 09:08

      Thanks, it still feels a bit unreal that one of the plans paid off 😂. I’m hoping all the media hysteria over amber plus/red is just the government trying to dissuade any more people from booking foreign holidays.
      Harry T – no we’ve got a beautiful apartment (more like a mini villa) for 2 weeks for peanuts so we’re going to stay put and save the RC maybe for a trip when it’s just the two of us again. There’s also the Bahia Principe Fantasia just opened down the road which looks like a Disney resort and I might have to go and have a nosey at some point!

    • Bill says:
      31 Jul31 July 09:25

      Am I correct to think under 12’s are currently exempt from pre departure testing for travel to Alicante? Although my wife and I are fully vaccinated, we cannot prove it using the NHS app because the Isle Of Man hasn’t been added yet. Whilst the Isle of Man will provide a letter I’ve been told it looks like a 10 year old knocked it up on Word in 5 minutes. So my wife and I will more than likely have pre departure tests. Is it ok to have a rapid antigen test? We are going in October so hopefully the app will work for us by then. I realise alot may change between now and October – I’m just trying to get my head around it all for the first time…

      • Anna says:
        31 Jul31 July 10:11

        Pre-departure test has to be PCR or LAMP, I think but there are details on most of the national & regional tourism websites. Hopefully you can get your proof of vaccination to avoid the unnecessary cost! Only over 12s need the test for the time being.

    • Ammar says:
      31 Jul31 July 09:41

      Hi Anna, have a good time. I’m off to Tenerife in September, hopefully things will be the same or easier! Would be interested to know a couple of things:
      1) did you bookcar hire if so who with?
      2) for the return flight back ,are you doing the test locally or did you take it from the UK?
      3) for the day 2 test – who did you use? Did you take the kits with or just left then at home and do when you return?
      Cheers

      • Anna says:
        31 Jul31 July 10:16

        Used Budget car hire via BA holidays (one night airport hotel, 2 weeks car hire) to use up some FTV voucher credit. It was about £500 for a group C car.
        We are going to Palm Mar clinic about 20 minutes away for our return tests, turn up any time between 8 and 6 and you get the results in 15 minutes for £29. Didn’t want to risk having to spend holiday time chasing up video calls not working etc!
        I got the cheapo Expert Medicals Day 2 tests, arrived very promptly by DPD within 48 hours of placing the orders.

      • Sandgrounder says:
        31 Jul31 July 10:29

        I usually use Autoreisen in Tenerife. The cars are not brand new but the rates are low and you get zero excess insurance as standard, no fuel scams and no deposit required. A week in September starts from £85 quid.

    • Yorkieflyer says:
      31 Jul31 July 09:55

      Glad you got away without anymore grief, have a great time. Enjoying baklava and iced coffees here on our last leg in Santorini

    • Chris says:
      31 Jul31 July 19:22

      Thanks for that information. The place looks good. Do you think it would be ok for a family of 5. Children are 10, 10 and 12?
      Also, looked at the prices for end of July next year. Can’t believe how cheap it is compared with something similar in Majorca. Always difficult finding good accommodation that isn’t overly expensive for 5 but this seems like a bargain.

      • Anna says:
        31 Jul31 July 20:49

        Definitely good for kids, the pool is really nice and it’s very quiet and family friendly. The terraces have decent height walls so feel very private and children could play out safely. It’s under the flight path for TFS but not much comes in at night and it’s actually pretty good for entertainment value!
        Yes, the Canaries are one of those best kept secret places for being much better value than the Balearics! Also a manageable 28 degrees and breezy at mid day as opposed to 40 odd C on the continent!

    • xcalx says:
      1 Aug1 August 10:40

      Have a great stay. Nice relaxed part of the Island. Did you use your timeshare weeks. I have a friend who has a 2 bedroom booked for 2 weeks from the 13th Aug for under $600 total from a unused timeshare week seller.

  • Memesweeper says:
    31 Jul31 July 07:53

    Some unexpected good news. I transferred a chunk of bank points into Singapore KrisFlyer and, without making a booking, appear to have been upgraded to their Gold status. It seems there’s a promotion on where 5 transferred miles = 1 elite mile. Clearly this might come in handy if I’m on a Star Alliance or Virgin flight in the next twelve months… any status match ideas from HfP readers?

    • Sam says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:25

      Oh wow! How many points was that?

    • BJ says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:34

      Thanks, ISTR SQ is an MR transfer partner so I will have a look to see if I can make KF work for me on *A partners.

      • Memesweeper says:
        31 Jul31 July 08:42

        The rate from Amex is unfavourable unfortunately. The bulk of mine came from Hong Kong which is 2:1 (same as all other airlines).

        Be aware Krisflyer has a 36 month hard expiry on miles. I’ve already made a speculative redemption… but clearly there’s a risk if I don’t take those redemption flights and subsequently can’t find a use for the Kris miles.

        • BJ says:
          31 Jul31 July 08:54

          OK thanks, it will save me the hassle. I’m just looking for creative ways to get to the USA direct from EDI but it looks like the best option is just to pay for Y and hope for a decent paid upgrade offer.

          • BuildBackBetter says:
            31 Jul31 July 10:32

            Their FRA-JFK and MAN-IAH routes will be reinstated sooner than expected. Especially the former.

          • BJ says:
            31 Jul31 July 10:46

            Thanks @BBB, the problem with those is that it gets back to 1 stop. In that scenario I would just do exINV on BA F or J with 241. What I’m trying to do is keep the journey simple so ideally exEDI direct with Delta or UA. AA is also an option exEDI but a waste of avios I can otherwise boost with a 241. Saving FC now too but figured on using them for ANA.

          • Sam G says:
            31 Jul31 July 10:56

            Can’t think of any good miles options – maybe Turkish Miles & Smiles if you can get your hands on some. But tbh that flight is so short I’d probably just suck it up and sit down the back (maybe spring for “comfort” seats ) – not like the US soft J product is worth forking out £££ for!

          • BJ says:
            31 Jul31 July 13:01

            Agreed @Sam. My own rule of thumb is that I can do ok in Y for about 8h so it puts likes of East Coast America and ME within reach. Over 8h and Y starts to feel uncomfortable for me very quickly. Delta is a 767 on 232 seat layout so that’s as good as it gets in Y. AA is a 787so reportedly the worst of all aircraft in Y (apart from the JAL ones). UA is an old 757. Thus Delta seems best option into JFK or BOS. All are well over £2k in J which simply doesn’t work. I’ll probably end up opting for Delta on a Tuesday in hope of a decent paid upgrade offer.

      • Sam G says:
        31 Jul31 July 08:44

        IIRC you need to transfer in 250k to get the 50k elite miles you need. Don’t forget KF has a hard 3 year expiry once you transfer the points

        • Memesweeper says:
          31 Jul31 July 09:10

          Yes @Sam you are right – transferred in miles are 5:1 elite miles. 50k elite = Gold.

          So that’s an awful lot of Amex MRs or HSBCs. Definitely not worth doing speculatively but I want to make a redemption anyway and this is a nice bonus.

    • Babyg says:
      31 Jul31 July 09:51

      hmm struggling to work out how to take advantage of this…dont have sufficient amex miles to make this work for me.. interesting thou!

      • memesweeper says:
        31 Jul31 July 10:35

        This works best if you have a large stash of HSBC or Marriott points you want to send elsewhere. It might still work if coming from MRs if the Kris redemption is better than another Star Alliance partner on the route you are interested in redeeming on — they have some sweet spots like Istanbul to SE Asia. But there is no easy way to check this out AFAIK.

        My reasons were more straightforward: I wanted two seats in business on Singapore Airlines and their own Kris points are the only way to buy those seats. I had no choice — partners and alliance members can’t book Business on Singapore. I was going to pick up a few more seats, in economy, on Singapore using my Virgin miles, but then discovered Virgin are not booking redemptions on Singapore *at all* at the moment.

        I’m in no hurry to get my missing seats so I’m opening an Amex US$ ICC to bring across some more MR at a better rate than the standard UK scheme, as my Hong Kong stash is entirely gone now. I think the redemptions will still be available for my dates. This, plus the 36 month points expiry, and the limited options for travel at the moment, is all somewhat risky. I don’t care… I want to travel again and have something in the diary that *might* happen.

        @Rob — the loss of the Virgin-to-Singapore redemption route might be worth a mention in a future ‘bits’ … it caught me out. It’s on the Virgin website and confirmed just yesterday by customer service on whatsapp.

        • Sam G says:
          31 Jul31 July 10:54

          I *think* the non-availability of SQ for partners will be temporary (in Y anyway, as you say longhaul J has been blocked on the “new” aircraft to partners (77W/A350/A380) for years and that is now the whole fleet) – LH has done the same IIRC. Partner award tickets on an ever changing schedule are a headache for airlines that just isn’t worth dealing with that the moment.

          There are some other sweet spots – UK to Dubai and Africa (including the Maldives in theory but good luck finding seats!) are v. good value as well is ex-Istanbul to Asia/Aus as you say and personally I don’t think their UK-Asia tickets are bad value vs BA considering the product especially intra-Asia

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      31 Jul31 July 10:28

      This was part of a promotion announced a few months back. Not publicised well here given very little interest on Krisflyer here.

  • Mr. AC says:
    31 Jul31 July 07:57

    Hello! Today is the last day for the 40k cert Ambassador joining offer, which also requires a paid stay before Aug 31st. I wasn’t planning to do one but can probably squeeze one in. I have a stay in Kimpton St Honore Paris booked in September and I do want to be Ambassador when I’m there – but might end up having to cancel anyway.
    Question – what are the chances of another Ambassador joining incentive popping up in September? Rob, what’s your best guess?

    • YC says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:10

      I don’t think there’s any benefits of being ambassador at kimpton besides the use of the 2f1 cert. sorry not answering ur question but just for clarity

      • Mr. AC says:
        31 Jul31 July 08:14

        Doesn’t the guaranteed 1 category upgrade apply at Kimpton?

        • Mr. AC says:
          31 Jul31 July 08:21

          Ah, it looks like indeed Ambassador benefits don’t apply at Kimpton. Thank you, this actually did answer my question!

          • YC says:
            31 Jul31 July 08:31

            No problem – U do get platinum status by taking ambassador but I wouldn’t count on that getting u an upgrade (despite it being listed as a benefit)

        • Optimus Prime says:
          31 Jul31 July 11:45

          Upgrades are no longer guaranteed. The hotel can decide to give you 10k points instead.

    • Rob says:
      31 Jul31 July 10:59

      Absolutely no idea!

  • Taza says:
    31 Jul31 July 08:01

    Morning all,

    Has anyone else received an update regarding the case against BA for the data breach back in 2018?

    I’ve been asked to provide proof of Identity and home location, just wondering if it’s still worth going through before I do confirm my details with pgmbm.

    Thanks

    • Craig says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:03

      Lots more discussion on FT.

    • Ls says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:40

      If you’ve signed up, and choose to withdraw, they will bill you for your share of the legal fees.

      • Pete M says:
        31 Jul31 July 11:44

        Why wouldn’t you? Even if it’s £30 it’s worth the minimal hassle?

        • Taza says:
          31 Jul31 July 12:03

          All valid points and since the case has gone this far, may as well just accept whatever it is they’ll offer. Thanks

  • Sandgrounder says:
    31 Jul31 July 08:05

    How good is availability for the Ambassador weekend night? Any way to check before you sign up?

  • Raveon says:
    31 Jul31 July 08:24

    Any thoughts on the chances of seeing another Marriott Bonvoy status match offer this year?
    Anyone tried it speculatively? And had any luck? If so, what’s the best way to contact them?

  • Frankie says:
    31 Jul31 July 08:29

    Hello. Please can I ask for advice? I’ve an open jaw avios BA amex 2 for 1 booking. Outbound LHR to Phoenix in First and Inbound Vegas to LHR. This is for mid September outbound and return early October. I’ve had an email saying my outbound cabin has been downgraded to CW due to change of plane therefore no First. I’ve not accepted BA’s rebooking option yet or been in touch with them so that’s still in limbo. What are my options please? It’s looking unlikely USA will be open for me for mid September anyway, so the flight likely will be cancelled anyway. Am I due any extra avios compensation for the cabin downgrade which I would get if I accepted the proposed rebooking downgrade to CW on the outbound and then move to different date once cancelled? Can I insist on still having First outbound but via a different route such as LHR to LAX then PHX? I’d probably prefer to go direct when I do go but if I give up my First option to CW and the future plane did have First and it flew in 6 months (for example) would I be stuck with CW as I’d accepted the downgrade. I don’t know what to do and any help much appreciated.

    • Jill ( Kinkell) says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:36

      Put in the search box at top ofHfP home page. ‘ First class downgrade’ and up will pop several articles by Rob and Rhys.

    • Frankie says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:57

      I’ve read the articles as suggested by Jill below so I believe I’m entitled to a 75% refund of the avios for the outbound downgrade to CW and I need to call U First. Is that correct? I’m still unsure what is best do though.

      • ChrisC says:
        31 Jul31 July 09:28

        You can only claim the 75% if you actually fly in Club as until you fly you haven’t actually been downgraded.

        If you really want F then yes BA will try and reroute you but you need to call you first to do this. But do some research before you call on what reasonable alternative routes you want and you may not get your first choice.

      • Chris Heyes says:
        31 Jul31 July 10:39

        Frankie Your in a strange position there. You need to fly CW downgrade before you are entitled which as you are unlikely to be able to do ?
        Your hope is a later date flight with 1st look carefully at dates choose wisely

  • Save East Coast Rewards says:
    31 Jul31 July 08:35

    I was checking Hilton prices for the last week in August and in London they’re relatively cheap. Most of their 5 star offerings (Conrad, Park Lane, Waldorf) are under £200/night. On the other hand in Bournemouth it’s very expensive. The Hampton there is going for £200 some nights and the Hilton £300, so if you want to go there then it’s a good time to use points as there’s lots of availability.

    Presumably the price in Bournemouth is based on a lot of British people not wanting to leave the UK due to the ever changing restrictions and London prices due to not enough people coming from overseas to fill the many hotels they would usually be busy around that time.

    • Harry T says:
      31 Jul31 July 08:46

      You’re right. Hotels in London have very low occupancy compared to normal years. Which is why I’ll be spending time in London at nice luxury hotels instead of dealing with the crowds at the seaside and getting gouged by the sub standard hotels 😂

      • Andrew says:
        31 Jul31 July 08:52

        +1! London is the perfect place for a city break this year. There are hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms in London which aren’t being used by overseas tourists (and Boris’ recent announcement will come too late for them as other plans will have been made) and very few domestic or overseas business travellers, so hotels are very low occupancy and selling rooms for around half their normal rates. Only exception is the very top end like Claridges etc which maintain the same rates as normal.

        • Bill says:
          31 Jul31 July 09:27

          For this reason we are not going to Spain in August and we are visiting London. We got a Premier Inn with interconnecting rooms in Wimbledon for 5 nights £430.

        • Optimus Prime says:
          31 Jul31 July 09:50

          London is fantastic for a city break unless you already live here 🙄

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:
        31 Jul31 July 09:25

        I wonder if the Bournemouth hotels are really busy or are people refusing to pay those prices? I remember London 2012 all hotels put their prices up for the Olympics and then ended up having to lower them nearer the time as there was way too much capacity just for the Olympic spectators and the high prices were putting off regular tourists

        • Travel Strong says:
          31 Jul31 July 09:51

          It has not been unusual to see every premier inn in Bournemouth sold out on a Saturday. Premier Inn do not tend to play games with availability so I believe they are full. However this is just 1 day out of 7 days of the week.

          Hilton Bournemouth current strategy for this peak season appears to be ‘sell as many nights as possible at 300+’, rather an ‘sell all rooms on a Saturday at any price’. Therefore they have stuck with 300+ pricing and have often restricted bookings to 2-3 nights too, right up until the week before. IME the result has been a very busy, but not full, hotel. Hampton have also applied similar tactics – search for 3 night stays and you will find availability that isn’t there when looking for a 1 night stay. Revenue management is very active right now on these properties.

          However all of this is good news for the points redeemer looking for a base price room (40k hampton / 50k hilton). These rooms are available (or will usually become available) every day through peak season!

          • Grant says:
            31 Jul31 July 12:20

            This is fascinating and explains why I’ve been unable to get single night bookings at some Hiltons I’ve been looking at. Cadbury House for example, has no Friday or Saturday nights available in August for a single night stay but will happily show some availability for 2 nights checking in on a Thursday. This happens whether I’m logged in or not.

            Will just have to keep checking closer to the time backI guess.

    • Billy says:
      31 Jul31 July 15:39

      The Premier Inn in Seaton is charging £172 for some nights this week!

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