The HfP chat thread – Sunday 15th August

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GT says:

15 Aug15 August 09:44

Does anyone have any advice on how to contact BA holidays. I’ve tried calling 0344 4930787 over the last week including at 8am & they just cut me off every time. I tried Twitter & was asked to send a dm with details. 3 days after sending that, I was told they couldn’t help and I should try calling the above number.
- Harry T says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 10:01
  
  My only advice is to keep trying. We had a torrid time getting through on the phone and chat couldn’t help us. Eventually my girlfriend tried calling the American number via Skype and managed to get through to the Newcastle centre (ironically based down the road from us).
- Anna says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 10:26
  
  I had a similar Twitter response, I messaged back saying that it was impossible to get through on the phone and that my query could be dealt with via Twitter and they seem to be getting on with it now! Obviously the new strategy is to try and give people the brush off before taking action.
- Optimus Prime says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 10:31
  
  So if you need to book a holiday over the phone (only way to have the 24-hour cool-off period unlike flight bookings) you’re screwed?
  - Anna says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 10:47
    
    Their lack of investment in customer services is actually stopping people from spending money with BA now, you couldn’t make it up.
    - Anna says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 10:49
      
      I wanted to make a complicated (and pricey) booking for next summer but due to not being able to speak to someone I have booked an avios flight (before award availability is all gone) and will book hotels and hire car direct. So they’ve lost a chunky 4 figure booking from me.
      - Reeferman says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 11:00
        
        Same here. I’m cancelling a £6k USA trip booked with BA Holidays. Balance was due this week, but too much of a pain to rebook with BA Holidays so have rebooked flight only with AVIOS and am in the process of making all the hotel bookings independently.
    - Optimus Prime says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 11:19
      
      Yes, it’s bonkers. You can’t still UUA a Holiday package through MMB.
      
      Iberia is even worse though. You need to call to change or cancel an Avios booking. You can only do it online when they have cancelled or changed your flights.
      - Bill says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 12:43
        
        It still drives me to irrational levels of fury that I cannot MMB with easyJet reservations made on the phone to customer services. Typically they are voucher bookings or a combo of card and voucher. They don’t show up when you login and functionality is limited when you input the confirmation number and surname
stairali says:

15 Aug15 August 09:50

Has anybody used the EU Covid Certificate in Portugal? My device isn’t compatible with the Portuguese app but I assume I can just download the French (or any other country) one and use that?
- Gary says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 10:07
  
  General consensus from discussions few days ago is that French/German ones wouldn’t import to Portuguese app anyway. Hence didn’t even attempt. On the ground, NHS app Covid pass or print off very much accepted.
  - stairali says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 10:35
    
    Good to know that the NHS one is working. The Portuguese app requires a fairly recent version of Android, which I do not have.
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 10:48
    
    Imports in app I believe – but QR code still not acceptable when scanned
Yorkshire Rich says:

15 Aug15 August 09:50

Currently having breakfast at MO Hyde park on our honeymoon (or is it a mini moon?) having booked a two night stay via Eymr.

I do remember someone the other day saying in these luxury hotels you will have a lot less chance of getting big upgrades and they were proven right in relation to my experience.

The room was upgraded one category despite Emyr emailing saying “I should get a substantial upgrade and it will be a surprise for us both”. We have a view of the road which she complained kept her up on the first night (but she does moan about anything). Nothing a set of ear plugs didn’t solve last night though, or was it the 2 bottles of wine?

I did get the late check out though, aswell as some rose petals on the bed, some chocolate, the food and beverage credit which just about covered 3 cocktails in the MO bar and the 12.5% discretionary service charge.

What really would make my stay now is if an offer just suddenly appeared on AMEX.
- Harry T says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 10:02
  
  2020 was a better year for upgrades, as occupancy was much lower and Americans weren’t allowed in to UK and Europe. I hope the lack of a killer upgrade didn’t ruin your stay.
  - John says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:16
    
    Americans have never been not allowed into the UK though some immigration officers may have slightly stretched their remit (by one interpretation of the legislation, the England lockdown rules did not apply to tourists)
- The Lord says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 11:06
  
  Had a jog past the breakfast restaurant in the park this morning, should have waved. What’s breakfast like there? Always intrigued as I run past. Looks lovely
- Zumodenaranja says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 11:10
  
  It was the first night of your honeymoon and the TRAFFIC kept her awake!!!???
- Jonathan says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 11:50
  
  I’d feedback to Emyr, I’d imagine his comment about substantial upgrade & surprise was based on discussions with his contacts there. I don’t think he’s one to over promise & under deliver so he’s obviously been let down.
  
  Clearly availability of whatever room you were originally slated to be upgraded to may have changed last minute which is always a risk.
  - Harry T says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 11:55
    
    Yes, Emyr has never expressed misplaced confidence in my numerous interactions. Worth getting in touch with him as the hotel may have let him down.
- KBuffett says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 12:09
  
  This weekend is rather busy at London’s high end places. I’m sure the upgrade would have been honoured had you checked in tomorrow for example.
- BJ says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 12:21
  
  I know the urge to post comments on HfP is compelling but don’t you have something better to do on your -moon … 🙂
  - Yorkshire Rich says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:25
    
    Not when I’m eating breakfast no. Besides I spent most of the evening figuring out how to work the worlds poshest toilet.
    - Red Flyer says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 13:03
      
      I’d stop posting now mate as you are not helping yourself! 😆😱
    - BJ says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 13:41
      
      @Genghis may be the man, I recall one of his most famous HfP comments indicated he has experience with Japanese-style toilets (but I’m saying nothing).
      - Si says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 13:48
        
        I once got locked in a KFC “restaurant” toilet in Tokyo. couldn’t work out how to open the door and every bottom I pressed just seems to play a slightly different tune of whale song 🙂
      - Joints&Piles says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 16:49
        
        Typo of the week right there!
      - Lady London says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 18:35
        
        @Si was that really every *bottom* you pressed?
    - Harry T says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 13:52
      
      I love a good Toto. Only ever had them in London hotels (MPL and GSY).
      - meta says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 14:07
        
        The Langley has them too.
      - Anna says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 14:29
        
        @meta, my OH got a bit of a surprise when he started pressing all the buttons in the bathroom at the The Langley!
      - lumma says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 14:49
        
        Shoryu Ramen has the Japanese toilets too
      - Harrier25 says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 15:26
        
        Shame on you, visiting a KFC restaurant whilst in Tokyo!
      - Richster says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 15:47
        
        Apparently, KFC is a bit of a special occasion in Japan – many families actually go there on Christmas day for their Xmas lunch! So I have been told by a resident there. And, Having been to a KFC there a couple of times, it’s great!
      - BJ says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 17:00
        
        Meanwhile over in Kathmandu, KFC has(had) a red carpet and a doorman!
        
        Visiting any Western fast food chain in Japan was a fun experience, at least it was before apps etc became common place.
      - Si says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 19:12
        
        Def BUTTONS I was pressing, not bottoms!
      - Magic Mike says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 22:39
        
        Yep I’ve seen first hand the queues around the block in Tokyo on Xmas day for KFC…
d4ve says:

15 Aug15 August 10:51

Does anyone have any experience in prepaying an element of a Hilton stay in order to benefit from Amex cash back please. I have an October stay but offer runs out before. Is it best to phone/email hotel?
- R says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 11:18
  
  Try to phone them and ask them to email you a payment link. From my experience this method of payment shows as an on-site payment – I have used it when I was paying with supplementary card holder’s card in order to avoid an awkward situation at the hotel (different name on the payment card).
  - N says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:13
    
    +1
  - John says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:18
    
    You didn’t say your hilton status, but as a diamond the last time a European (including UK) Hilton asked me to show a card was in 2017 for both prepaid and pay later rates
Paul says:

15 Aug15 August 11:15

Its contradictory on BA website with the Holidays book with Confidence guarantee as to whether a May 2022 holiday is fully covered including deposit – when you get to pay for a Thailand package it comes back with these conditions before the final booking page…Infers that cancellation leads to loss of Deposit before 3 weeks deadline, rather than a FTV.
Which is correct ?

Amendment Cancellation
Heathrow (London) to Doha Time/date changes permitted at any time for a change fee of 0% per person or an upgrade fee of 0% plus any difference in fare
More than 3weeks before travel date: deposit
More than 72hrs before travel date: 60%
Less than 72hrs before travel date: 100%
Fees apply to the total package
Doha to Phuket Time/date changes permitted at any time for a change fee of 0% per person or an upgrade fee of 0% plus any difference in fare
Hotels or cars (as part of a ‘flight + hotel’ or ‘flight + car’ package)
More than 72hrs before travel date: £100.00 single fee
Less than 72hrs before travel date: £200.00 single fee

Plus any difference in price.
- BJ says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 12:27
  
  You can book Thailahd in May 2022? Have they reinstated the year round service?
  - BJ says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:29
    
    Sorry, just noted via Doha.
- ChrisC says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 16:23
  
  If the red BWC text is there then BWC applies
  
  The rest is just their normal times provisions.
Chris says:

15 Aug15 August 11:42

Looking to book BA flights for next summer using Avios. Does anyone think there is any point in booking from and to Gatwick? I had seen comments suggesting BA will ditch the place.
- Jonathan says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 11:53
  
  If Heathrow also convenient for you & you’d appreciate extra flexibility then I would choose Gatwick. If it’s cancelled you’ll then have option of reroute via LHR, full refund or rescheduling without Avios availability restrictions.
  - Chris says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 12:02
    
    Thanks.
    Gatwick is closer so would be my preferred option. I’m not entirely clear on how things work so if BA cancelled the flight would they be obliged to still get me there and back? I’ll book accommodation separately and will hopefully find a suitable rate that can be cancelled.
    - roberto says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 12:18
      
      Generally if its cancelled from Gatwick then its because its been switched to Heathrow. In which case you could agree to Heathrow or request a refund. If the route has been pulled altogether or its not flying that day then you could ask to be rerouted on another carrier assuming there is an option place.
      - Chris says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 12:29
        
        That’s great. Thanks.
- ChrisC says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 14:09
  
  Is there a difference in the fees? If LGW is lower then book that even if you expect to fly from LHR. If LGW gets cancelled and they swiych you to LHR you can cancel for full refund.
  
  I’ve booked some cash ex LGW AMS bookings (both for trips there and also as positioning flights for ex-EUs) because they are cheaper than either LCY and LHR. If they cancel I’ll switch for no extra cost.
  
  BA are not going to ditch LGW. If they want to keep their slots there for the future then they need to maintain even a minimal service now.
S says:

15 Aug15 August 12:55

I briefly remember seeing on here about Virgin making changes to charges on their credit cards after August 5th. Does it affect Curve? I have the Curve blue and any non-Amex spend goes on it, no MS or anything like that. Sorry if this has already been discussed before.
- Peter K says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 12:58
  
  If no MS then you’ll be fine.
David says:

15 Aug15 August 12:59

Whats the most satisfying hotel upgrade you have ever achieved ? Mine was the W Amsterdam – I booked a room on FHR and I’m platinum Bonvoy. They totally refused to upgrade me despite rooms being available – I spoke to the manager and refused to back down – I ended up with the extreme WOW suite with a DJ booth and table football.
- Babyg says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:16
  
  The most satisfying for me was hilton labriz Seychelles, basically a reward booking (garden villa no pool) upgraded to their best beach front villa with infinity pool, it was most satisfying because the Hilton upgraded us pro-actively (the best kind) so we could look forward to this mega upgrade even before we arrived… no DJ booth, but we did have our covid tests taken on the beach front cabana that comes with the villa.. that was pretty surreal……
- Gruntfuttock says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:39
  
  1979, Boscombe, Florida Beach Hotel, got upgraded to having en suite bathroom rather than shared one down the hall and one floor down. Sweet.
- David says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:45
  
  Each to their own, but that sounds horrendous.
  (A different David)
  - Gruntfuttock says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 13:48
    
    Life was simpler back then, as was the plumbing.
  - The Savage Squirrel says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 13:54
    
    I’m assuming he meant the room with the DJ booth 😀
- KBuffett says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:48
  
  Free HalfBoard after I kicked off for not being upgraded as Titanium for two of us for a week at LRM Beach & Spa in Dubai which included Buddha Bar and Vineet Bhatia restaurants. Saved us a lot of money, better than an upgrade.
  
  Also got a double upgrade at Corinthia via Emyr to Junior Suite which was decent.
- Harry T says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:55
  
  I’m proud of you, David – this might be me in a couple of weeks at the same property.
  
  Best upgrades last year – suite at Marriott Park Lane, W London, Sheraton Grand Park Lane, Ritz Carlton Abama.
  This year, the winner is being upgraded from the basic queen room at the Shelbourne to a Heritage Suite.
  - Harry T says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 13:56
    
    Tell you what, though, the real struggle is getting upgrades at EDITION properties – small number of premium rooms which they don’t like to give out easily. I’ve not managed anything above a Loft.
  - David says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 14:10
    
    I do find the W hotels are hard to get an upgrade (London excluded) it’s always nicer to have the upgrade confirmed on the app before you arrive.
    - Harry T says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 14:55
      
      @David yeah, my last W was the Barcelona one last month – I burned four SNAs because I didn’t want to take any chances in peak season. I think W and EDITION have a bit of a rep for being “stingy”. EDITION have more legitimacy to their upgrade approach though because they often actually have a very limited number of rooms and suites. I think usually around 100 or something in London and Barcelona.
      - David says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 15:10
        
        The W Barcelona whilst a nice hotel has has really dodgy service. I think the staff think they are too beautiful to be working in a hotel – let alone get you a drink. Have you stayed in the turd shaped W in Edinburgh yet ?
      - Rob says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 16:32
        
        Rhys is in W Barcelona as we speak …
      - KBuffett says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 17:31
        
        W Barcelona is a nice building, but that’s about it. Everything else is good but nothing special. The rooms are ‘cold’ and ‘hard’
        Overrated, like most W’s in my opinion. I
        prefer luxury to funky.
- Reney says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 13:59
  
  Got Hilton Diamond for a few months during some offer that I can’t remember to coincide with a Japan trip. Got upgraded to a giant room/suite at the Hilton Tokyo. Was also upgraded to a very large room at Westin Seattle I might have been an SPG gold at the time.
  - meta says:
    
    15 Aug15 August 14:18
    
    The best upgrades are I actually paid for, but for silly prices. Royal Suite at Le Meridien Mauritius for £80 when the going rate was £900 per night. Silly hotels.com Gold member reduction. Plus the hotel gave us full board and I still don’t know why. The rate certainly didn’t include it.
    
    Sofitel Abu Dhabi – paid £120 instead £500 for Imperial Suite again some silly hotels.com reduction. I am still sorry I never got into the 480sqm Grand Imperial Suite at WA in Ras for £250 a night via Amex FHR instead of £6000 due to lockdown.
    - Harry T says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 14:53
      
      Covid has stolen so many deals from me! I sympathise, Meta. Those are some absolute corners you’ve recounted there, though.
      - Rob says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 14:58
        
        We got the Presidential Suite at Sheraton Frankfurt Airport once. Snag was that we arrived late and were leaving very early. It was ludicrously huge, including a kitchen and dining room. It was actually an unnecessary pain because the kids were still little and it took ages to go around every corner the next day to make sure no toys had disappeared anywhere!
        
        The nature of life is that you often get great upgrades on work stays which you don’t really appreciate – often because these are often 1-night stays where it is easier to upgrade – and not on the stays when you want them.
    - KBuffett says:
      
      15 Aug15 August 17:32
      
      Do you upgrade on Hotels.com at the point of booking, or closer to the time of your stay?
      - meta says:
        
        15 Aug15 August 19:31
        
        It was never an upgrade. I actually booked the suites straight away at above rates. Obviously there is a risk that it was some mistake rate, but I think that was intentional by the hotels due to inability to sell higher category suites , time of the year, etc. Always check prices beyond the standard room!
- mark2 says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 15:09
  
  May 2018 Sheraton Suites, Eau Claire, Calgary. wo receptionists both wanted to book us in so I said who will give me an upgrade. One gave me upgrade to much bigger suite – bathroom had double bath and separate shower!
  Then complained about not getting breakfast any more for Marriott/SPG Gold (from Plat of course), so got access to (really good) lounge for stay. We hardly ate or drank outside hotel for five nights.
- BP says:
  
  15 Aug15 August 23:24
  
  Most satisfying probably at Sala Samui when we were upgraded from the base room to a pool villa despite checking in at the same time as a bunch of honeymooners. They didn’t tell us at check-in and completely surprised us.
  
  Four Seasons Bangkok – absolutely massive 1 bedroom suite offered proactively when our room wasn’t ready despite booking a FS Preferred Partner rate with early check-in. Still had to wait an hour but it was worth it!
  
  Aria Skysuites Vegas – 2 Bedroom Penthouse – 90$ mistake rate. They picked us up from the airport in a limo and Virtuoso benefits were also included. Complete bargain!!
  
  Marriott Park Lane – upgrade late last year to a suite. Fantastic hotel and very nice suite!
  
  Intercontinental Samui – Beachfront Pool Villa for 25,000 points – had to fight for them to honour that one.
  
  Intercontinental Bangkok – Club Corner Suite for 35,000 points including club access.
- Neil Spellings says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 17:35
  
  Most satisfying was an upgrade to a 140square meter two bedroom penthouse at Hilton Fiji a few years ago, although it took several days of complaints and escalations about dirty rooms, poor housekeeping, and broken fittings in the previous two (standard) rooms we’d been given to get it!