The HfP chat thread – Friday 6th August

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• Super Secret Stuff says:

  6 Aug6 August 12:43

  Anyway to get a discount when signing up to iWeb or free shares?

  Not a massive amount I want to put in so struggling to see if its worth the money

  Alternatively, any way of getting free shares signing up to Trading 212?

  • Ste C says:

    6 Aug6 August 12:53

    Do you want to get a free stock share worth up to 100?

    Create a Trading 212 Invest account and use promo code:

    4KCL7AN

    We will both get a free share!

    Get the app using this link: http://www.trading212.com/invite/4KCL7AN

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      6 Aug6 August 15:12

      I’ve decided to sign up but I am on a waitlist apparently, wtf?

      • Genghis says:

        6 Aug6 August 15:34

        “Free” isn’t free.

        • Mr. AC says:

          6 Aug6 August 19:15

          Share your wisdom! I’ve been using T212 for a while and I’ve yet to grasp what’s the catch (apart from the CFD product being a tap away, but it’s very easy to resist for someone like me).

        • Genghis says:

          6 Aug6 August 20:38

          @Mr AC

          I tried them just to see what they were like and did a bit of research at the time.

          Yes the ISA is commission free and the trades are reasonably executed, albeit bulk ordered so there may be a delay.

          But:
          – poor customer service and they’re not opening accounts for new customers as they can’t keep up with demand
          – with the app on the phone it’s too easy to check things. What I want it for – buy and hold – I don’t want to be tempted
          – I didn’t like the interface
          – I don’t like brokers mixing proper investing with CFD. Assuming all goes well, investments should be held in custody elsewhere with accurate omnibus account records maintained. But do you necessarily trust such an outfit to do what they need to? What do they do if they lose money on their CFD business – unlikely, I admit – and internal control goes down the pan? Start cooking the books a bit? Yes there’s FSCS protection but only up to £85k.

          For the sake of £5 a trade, I’d rather not worry. At least you know what you’re getting. But you pay your money – or not – you takes your chances.

        • Mr. AC says:

          7 Aug7 August 00:19

          @Genghis Thank you for the detailed analysis, points make a lot of sense, particularly if one has a lot invested (not my case regrettably, most saved money goes to support the family back in the old country…)

  • Genghis says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:28

    Nothing free on iWeb. Indeed you need to pay them £100 set up and £5 a trade. But if you want a no frills broker that’s backed by a big name (unlikely to be allowed to go bust, little fraud risk etc) and will get good execution… I don’t mind paying for this vs the app based freebie ones.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      6 Aug6 August 15:23

      It’s a lot to pay for a pot that I am not sure how long I will keep in there

• Chris Heyes says:

  6 Aug6 August 12:54

  OOOOooo Well what can I say just got home from Trip to Brighton Hilton Metropole, Breakfast, Evening Dinners in Hotel, shopping at GAP, Visit on Brighton 360i few walks along beach to pier and along prom
  Went Weekend just got back today Friday
  Just switched phone back on (never switch on on hols)
  Message track n trace, We are to self Isolate until 11.59pm 13th Aug
  They are sending a covid test kit out to all of us
  Apparently we was close to someone who has tested positive
  No idea where though, but if we have it (I doubt it) we could have spread it about Brighton n on train as well
  Still wont change me though, will carry on switching phone off when on hols
  Follow up phone call about 11.00am
  next weeks trip on cancelled Gr

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    6 Aug6 August 12:57

    Yeh we are currently being invaded by Londoners instead of overseas tourists. Hope you enjoyed you’re holiday though 🙂

    • Chris Heyes says:

      6 Aug6 August 13:10

      Super Secret Stuff, lol Dam Londoners why can’t they stop in London if London’s that good why not stop there lol
      Yes Holiday was excellent good job phone was switched off though or could have ruined holiday Gr
      Quarantine finish’s 13th off to Portsmouth on 14th Sat,
      All Londoners leave Portsmouth from Sat 14th for a week please lol

    • ChrisC says:

      6 Aug6 August 17:17

      It’s even worse this weekend due to people coming for ‘pride’ even when pride isn’t happening.

      I’ve come to Manchester for the weekend to escape.

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:00

    Given that Delta results in pretty weak symptoms for most but the antibodies should provide increased protection perhaps the new motto should be Go out, Spread Delta, Save lives.

  • Tracey says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:32

    We did a day trip. Ate at The Salt Room (located at the front of the Hilton Metropole). well recommended. Day return on the train from north of London was around £15 each.

  • Anna says:

    6 Aug6 August 20:46

    Why on earth have you still got the app?! (Especially if you switch your phone off for days at a time lol).

    • John says:

      6 Aug6 August 21:25

      If the phone was off, the message must have come from someone testing positive at the hotel? Or if they checked in to restaurants etc

• Morgan says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:01

  Looking at heading to Phuket in Sep for 7 nights. Would like to split between 2 luxe (of course!) resorts. Not familiar with the island or local resorts, any suggestions on how to split the time? Looking for pool villas (with a view) and prefer to spend less than £500pn. I know HfP readers will have the right answer to this!

  • meta says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:11

    Think about the weather though.

    • Sam G says:

      6 Aug6 August 13:25

      Yeh. September really isn’t the best, better off going to Greece tbh especially since most of the luxury resorts are quite out of the way and not really near any of the main resorts & travelling around in the rain at that time of year can be a bit unpleasant/dangerous.

      I’ve done a pool villa at Keemala which I wouldn’t recommend. I haven’t stayed but I like the location of the Rosewood, it’s reasonably easy to get into Patong or Karon from there. Then you could do a few days in somewhere more out of the way. Whatever you do make sure you negotiate hard with the hotels – discounts, upgrades, included dinners/drinks etc. They are all empty and lux hotels don’t like to publically discount but behind the scenes you should be able to score some deals.

      If you want to do a boat trip then Simba Sea Trips are excellent, they may not be running much at that time of year though especially to Phi Phi since the sea is open getting out there (& I’m not exactly sure where you are/aren’t allowed to go currently!)

  • Gavin says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:27

    Thailand is getting hit pretty hard by COVID at the moment, might not be the best time to plan a trip! The sandbox procedures might be further restricted if the situation gets worse.

    • Sam G says:

      6 Aug6 August 13:44

      They’ve decided to pretty much isolate Phuket from the mainland now in an attempt to salvage the sandbox and international tourist market so I think they’ll persevere with the sandbox but there are local restrictions and they definitely could be tightened + you’re at risk of being put into govt quarantine if you are exposed e.g. on your inbound flight

  • Clive says:

    6 Aug6 August 14:05

    Marriott have some very good rates/packages available. The Merlin, just outside Patong, has good reviews and is close enough to be far away. A search on Trivago using the filters will bring up a number of options. This site will help with the CoE process https://entrythailand.go.th/

  • whiskerxx says:

    6 Aug6 August 15:51

    Thailand seems a certainty for the red list next time

  • HH says:

    6 Aug6 August 19:26

    I stayed at the Anantara Layan in Feb 2020 and it thoroughly impressed me – everything from the FnB, rooms, service and activities were all a notch above its price point.

• Doug M says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:08

  Just FYI for anyone that does Global Entry for the USA, and is hopeful of US becoming a possible destination again in the next year.
  You can renew GE up to a year before expiry, and once you renew you’re granted a 2 year extension to your current expiry date. This can be very useful with backlogs at CBP. Makes sense to renew as if your GE lapses it becomes a new application with no automatic extension and long wait times for processing.
  For a renewal you do need to repeat the UK Gov pre-check, so still looking at £42 and $100. If an interview is required I understand they now offer remote video option.

  • BH says:

    6 Aug6 August 14:23

    Just try finding a remote interview slot though! I only became aware of the remote option for my renewal (that’s been pending since pre-pandemic times) a couple of weeks ago. If I don’t get the interview before 21 September, I’ll need to start all over again.

  • Luke says:

    6 Aug6 August 14:24

    Thanks for the reminder. Just checked and my GE expires at the end of this year so time to start looking into this.

• Dave1985 says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:09

  First freedom Friday of August! Anyone got anything planned?

  • Andrew says:

    6 Aug6 August 15:01

    Staying at home, to stay safe.

    • Dave1985 says:

      6 Aug6 August 15:49

      Enjoy!

• Mark M says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:16

  Anyone tempted by the Esso offer “300 Nectar Points for a 5p/litre fuel discount”? Don’t be fooled – the small print says it is for the pricy Synergy stuff only. VERY dodgy adverising 🙁

  • Sandgrounder says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:46

    I thought it was all Synergy, not just Synergy premium?
    https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol
    All Esso fuel is branded as Synergy.

  • Toaster says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:54

    Maximum discount is £3 as the 5p off is for first 60 litres and 300 nectar points are worth £1.50. Given that Esso is normally more expensive anyway it doesn’t seem worth it.

• Mark M says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:22

  Re: CC points to Virgin auto-conversion bonus.
  “…In general, it is better to keep your Clubcard vouchers in a drawer until you need them…”
  So. does the Clubcard > Virgin process auto convert ALL of your existing CC vouchers?
  And if so, is there a way to save them safely, then reinstate later?

  • Genghis says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:31

    1) no. Only current quarter points. But these can be transferred to vouchers manually by you anyway intra quarter with any residual being used for any potential auto convert at quarter end.
    2) n/a

    • Mark M says:

      6 Aug6 August 13:45

      Thanks

• Tracey says:

  6 Aug6 August 13:33

  Any recommendations for hotels in Madeira?

  • GaryE says:

    6 Aug6 August 13:41

    Cliff Bay hotel excellent – 10 minutes walk outside of main town centre. Excellent rooms and food. No beach but two levels of pool and sun areas – one at hotel level and other via walk/lift at sea level.

    • Tracey says:

      6 Aug6 August 14:31

      Thank you

  • AFKAE says:

    6 Aug6 August 15:56

    Slightly cheaper is Porto Santa Maria in the Old Town up by the fort. Dead convenient for all the old town restaurants. 2 pools and you can walk for 2 mins to swim in the sea….I went every day.

  • h2d says:

    6 Aug6 August 17:56

    We recently stayed at Reid’s Palace which is an excellent Grande Dame style hotel if that is your thing, albeit on the expensive side, and Quinta da Casa Branca which I would reccomend as well, less luxurious rooms but the grounds are immaculate with great pool and good restaurant. Madeira is certainly an underrated destination as well based on our trip so no doubt you will enjoy – certainly worth getting out of Funchal for a few days if you can!

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