Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Monday 16th August

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Comments (290)

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

  • MarkS says:
    16 Aug16 August 06:04

    Is it right that you can pre order your day 2 test before you leave? Heading to Ibiza next Sunday. Any recommendations for the cheapest and quickest delivery? Interestingly they don’t require any tests to enter Spain if you’re double vaccinated. Surely that won’t stay the case! Thanks

    • Ian M says:
      16 Aug16 August 06:43

      Same with Poland and quite a few other countires

    • Patrycja says:
      16 Aug16 August 07:22

      If you travel within EU most countries have a test free travel for fully vaccinated. UK has one of the strictest travel rules in Europe (and the world) at the moment. My brother just finished his honeymoon in Mexico. While Brits were rushing back to avoid quarantine hotels, he was relaxing on the beach and returned home to Poland without the need to take a single test.

    • Rob says:
      16 Aug16 August 07:31

      You have no choice – you can’t return to the U.K. without showing the booking reference.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:18

      Just buy it when you’re about to return…what’s the rush to have it in hand before you leave?

    • Wally1976 says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:44

      We ordered our “day 2” tests from Expert Medicals 3 days into our 10 day trip to Greece and they were delivered through our letterbox (yes they fitted!) on Friday, the day before we flew home 👍. Their website says to allow 5 working days for the tests to arrive.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        16 Aug16 August 08:49

        I ordered mine from Randox the day before I was returning (a sunday) and it was dropped in my letterbox on Tuesday 2 days later.

  • blenz101 says:
    16 Aug16 August 07:09

    Could someone check my maths? I have a stash of Tesco Clubcard vouchers for which I have little current use and have just been burning off via Hotels.com. What I would really like is some additional Emirates Skyward miles to fund my upgrades.

    Unless I am missing something I think the only way to get Tesco vouchers into Skywards is Virgin>Hilton>Skywards.

    Assuming I have 300GBP of Tesco vouchers I make it that this will convert to 75k of Virgin Miles which in turn I think becomes 50k of HH points, this can then be turned into just 5k of Skywards miles?

    This seems like such a terrible deal that I fear I am missing something, is my maths right? Is there another route to get better value?

    • Genghis says:
      16 Aug16 August 07:46

      Virgin to Hilton is 2:3. So 75k VS = 112,500 HH

      • Genghis says:
        16 Aug16 August 07:48

        But only in 10k VS increments

        • meta says:
          16 Aug16 August 07:57

          Still a poor value for Skyrewards. You can buy 11k Emirates for much cheaper.

        • blenz101 says:
          16 Aug16 August 08:09

          Ah – thanks Genghis. Not as awful as it first appeared but still poor value. Would seem I could buy the 11k miles for c.150GBP cash so converting this way halves the face value of the Tesco voucher.

          Looks like I am stuck with Hotel redemptions!

  • OP says:
    16 Aug16 August 07:23

    Does anyone have any tips for turning down a possibly unwanted upgrade showing on the Marriott app pre-arrival?

    I had booked a one bedroom suite with a sea view at a resort in Greece (on points) and have been upgraded but to a villa with no view and further from the amenities I care about. Do I have any stake on the room I originally booked if I don’t like it?

    I don’t want to sound too ungrateful / aware this is first world problems territory (!)

    • Rob says:
      16 Aug16 August 07:25

      You have a contractual right to what you booked but if they resell your room it won’t help much so I would speak to them ASAP.

      • meta says:
        16 Aug16 August 07:31

        Yes, contact the hotel asap. You might even get a further upgrade to a villa with a view. Just say that the view is very important to you!

        • Tarmohamed says:
          16 Aug16 August 09:00

          I’d wait until I arrive, and then start a fuss that the view is more important than anything.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:19

      Just msg the hotel on the in app messaging.

    • Jonny says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:50

      Sounds like Domes! Having just been there I agree, stick with the room you’ve booked…!

      • OP says:
        16 Aug16 August 13:19

        Thanks all – followed your advice and sorted via combination of a call and a follow up email this morning. It is indeed Domes (Elounda). Haven’t seen the final room yet as ferry to Heraklion delayed but looking forward to seeing it.

        • Jonny says:
          16 Aug16 August 14:30

          Hope you have a wonderful time! And I’m sure you could always ask to see the upgraded room if you wish.

  • Patrick Cold says:
    16 Aug16 August 07:48

    Good morning. After three years of ill health I`ve just been given the all clear to travel and then back to work in three weeks. I`m single, male and looking for some sun. Top tier with Hilton and IHG and plenty of avios. Where would you go? Thank you.

    • blenz101 says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:12

      Are you fully vaccinated? As your destinations will be presumably limited by the green/amber status the UK Gov has marked the destination.

    • Anna says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:17

      Good news about your recovery! How far do you want to travel? Obviously just now both Europe and further afield are good options for sunshine.

      • Patrick Cold says:
        16 Aug16 August 08:41

        Thank you both, very much – fully vaccinated and probably just Europe for now.

        • Memesweeper says:
          16 Aug16 August 09:51

          Malta is open to Brits and has the weather for weeks to come. Lots of hotels incl the major chains. I’m hoping to go in Sept.

    • Paul says:
      16 Aug16 August 16:03

      Would recommend Greece! Entry is simple but you are stuck for using Hilton points outside of Athens! I am at the Intercon in Athens as I write. Simply outstanding so far as a Spire Ambassador.
      Avios to Athens is open but getting back towards end of August is understandably tight from the direct island services

  • Tazzy says:
    16 Aug16 August 08:33

    Any suggestions for a nice hotel in Tenerife for 7 nights for a couple? Somewhere quiet with restaurants in walking distance and a good gym are essentials!

    • Oh! Matron! says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:50

      Sheraton La Caleta: Stayed there for a few days before a trip to climb Mt Teide. Food was excellent, and each night there was a theme, sometimes with music. Really beautiful grounds, and at the end of the main sea front boulevard into Playa De Las Americas

    • TGLoyalty says:
      16 Aug16 August 08:52

      As with all these questions you need to include your budget, any hotel status any points?

      Ritz Carlton Abama (c300 EUR a night atm)

    • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
      16 Aug16 August 09:40

      Don’t know about the gym, but the Redlevel wing at Gran Melia Palacio de Isora ticks the other boxes. It’s out of the way from the other resorts on the island, but the town of Acala is on the doorstep with plenty of dining options. The Redlevel wing is adults-only, with its own restaurant and pool, and fairly serene.

      The Ritz Carlton doesn’t really have any restaurants in walking distance apart from its own. Most of the other upscale options will be in La Caleta which, although perfectly nice, wouldn’t satisfy ‘somewhere quiet’ for me.

      • Anna says:
        16 Aug16 August 18:31

        We had an excellent meal at L’Incontro in Alcala last week (nominally Italian but serves all kinds of food). Ginormous fillet steaks for 19 euros. Pleasantly located in the small town square a short walk from a promenade next to the sea where you can rent sun beds and do some great snorkelling.

    • Nigel W says:
      16 Aug16 August 10:41

      Went to Abama several years ago and can highly recommend it.

    • Cats are best says:
      16 Aug16 August 15:28

      Is this for travel soon?

      At the moment Tenerife is level 4, which means gyms are restricted capacity. Wouldn’t be surprised if some places simply close them.

      • Anna says:
        16 Aug16 August 18:32

        Why would you need a gym?! Swim in the sea, run on the beach, do press ups and squats on your balcony in the fresh air!

  • Dan says:
    16 Aug16 August 08:54

    Hardly any new (or interesting) Amex Offers lately. As case of a Summer lull or a sign of things to come…?

    • Andy says:
      16 Aug16 August 10:36

      Tell me about it! I phoned to discuss cancelling my Amex Platinum in early June and they told me there were “Some very exciting offers you’ll want to stay for”

      Nothing since unless they meant Sweaty Betty!

      • Reney says:
        16 Aug16 August 11:03

        They told me the same thing about a month ago. The 24k referral bonus is good if you have anyone else to refer a card to. I am legit excited about the lululemon amex offer but that was only on one of the two plat accounts in the family.

  • Manny_D says:
    16 Aug16 August 09:04

    Just seen there is a new Amex Platinum sign up bonus on their website. 60k MR points for 6K spend in the first 6 months.

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      16 Aug16 August 09:56

      The 15k referral on some gold cards is also back.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        16 Aug16 August 13:21

        Odd, appears to have come back on mine too. How weird

        Other person gets 32k for £3k spend in 3 months for info

    • Reney says:
      16 Aug16 August 11:04

      on our account it is 65k. This appeared last week or so for everyone.

      • KS says:
        16 Aug16 August 11:29

        It is 60k SUB without referral. So referral gives only 5k extra as usual.

  • Steve R says:
    16 Aug16 August 09:12

    I’m wanting to book Dublin to New York, using Virgin miles. I know Delta fly the route, but can I cannot find any availability.

    I keep getting KLM & that routes me to AMS

    Any clues ?

    • Sam G says:
      16 Aug16 August 09:57

      Delta are very stingy with the lowest level of award space that partners need to book

    • Andrew M says:
      16 Aug16 August 11:10

      As mentioned, availability on Delta at the low rates is hard to find with FC miles. The best way to find it is to use the month view to identify days with the 50,000 points and $6 tax rate. It might take a few attempts with different dates to get into the month view. I think the mileage and tax is the same for all Delta flights to anywhere in Europe except London. I briefly saw it for the JFK – EDI flight but it hasn’t returned. In the end I booked JFK – FCO so I’ll have a short break in Rome at the end of the trip. It’s worth noting that I was never able to find any transatlantic Delta availability with Virgin points after March 2022 on multiple searches to multiple European destinations. I suspect Delta availability isn’t loaded yet for April 2022 onwards. So basically the answer is be flexible and keep checking!

    • Andrew M says:
      16 Aug16 August 20:28

      Another tip would be to check back on your HFP post and thank those who took the time to reply to your question.

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