The HfP chat thread – Thursday 19th August

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• Yuff says:

  19 Aug19 August 10:52

  Thinking of a couple of nights in London , on points, IC park lane has no availability.
  Diamond and spire ambassador, any suggestions……..thinking Conrad or Hilton Park Lane. Plenty of points in both. Toying with the Savoy but need 2 rooms for 2 nights and that’s £600 in cc vouchers gone plus a fair chink of cash, I know that will be mrs yuff’s choice, I tried a night in the Conrad and a night at the Savoy but she would rather have root canal work than change hotels 🤷🏻‍♂️
  A lounge is preferable…….as I’m typing I’m thinking Savoy……yikes …….

  • TGLoyalty says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:01

    The Savoy >>> Conrad >>>>> Hilton PL

    • KBuffett says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:06

      I agree with TGL, although I saw a huge queue outside the Savoy when I walked past on Tuesday lunchtime.

      Hilton PL is run down. Service is good, but that’s about it. The property doesn’t feel special.

      • JDB says:

        19 Aug19 August 11:33

        I think you might find the queue by the hotel was for tickets or the matinée performance of Pretty Woman at the Savoy Theatre.

    • Patrick C says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:06

      I thought the savoy was part of accor now, or did I miss something?

  • Young L says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:12

    How to book Savoy on points?

    • Rob says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:12

      It’s an Accor hotel, bookable via Accor Live Limitless

    • TGLoyalty says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:55

      you don’t really you swap your accor points for a voucher and use that towards the rate

  • KP says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:25

    Conrad >>>>> Hilton PL

    • Yuff says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:27

      Thanks for the replies, I guessed the Hilton was run down, savoy it is

      • Blenz101 says:

        19 Aug19 August 11:32

        I think it is true of all Hiltons in the UK. They really should do something to protect the brand. Leeds is a perfect case study, hideous old run down Hilton next to a railway tunnel in the centre, lovey fresh DoubleTree (former Mint) within walking distance with canal views Skybar etc, and other side of town a new build Hampton which is also preferable to the old run down Hilton.

        • Gareth says:

          19 Aug19 August 12:14

          The Leeds one will get ripped down as part of hs2….

        • Blenz101 says:

          19 Aug19 August 12:24

          Do we really think HS2 is ever going to get past Birmingham?

        • Rob says:

          19 Aug19 August 13:19

          Yes but not in my lifetime!

          Even it does, say, get to Sheffield the location of the station makes it useless for anyone with business in the city centre.

        • Crafty says:

          19 Aug19 August 13:18

          Each to their own. I often pick the Hilton. My suite upgrade rate is 100% even after about 12-15 stays.

      • Yorkshire Rich says:

        19 Aug19 August 12:54

        I think the Hilton Nottingham makes Leeds look good. I only read the reviews and was put off.

        • John says:

          19 Aug19 August 18:54

          It’s so cheap that I can’t resist

  • JDB says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:35

    I’m afraid the wife is right. The Savoy is in a totally different league.

    • Dan says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:44

      Emyr can do 3-for-2 at The Savoy. Plus breakfast and USD 100 bar/food credit. Plus early in, late out.

  • HackinJack says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:53

    Hilton Bankside is worth considering if you’re OK being south of the river, exceptional service comparable to the Conrad and the lounge is now open again.

• Benilyn says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:01

  Can you use a FTV created from BA Avios redemption on One World Partner Avios bookings?

  • Memesweeper says:

    19 Aug19 August 13:24

    I can’t see why not. The T&Cs don’t exclude them, and you can claim an FTV for an Avios booking on a partner (again, according to the T&Cs), so it would be consistent for anyone to be able to use them. Goodness only knows what the call centre will say though!

• Blenz101 says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:13

  Just a thought for Rob/Rhys, one thing that I don’t think has ever been covered here is how long Hilton status lasts. I’m one night away from renewing Diamond this year but had to Google around other sites to confirm when my renewal would see me through until. Neither the Hilton App or Website give any indication and the whole March thing is extra confusing.

  Surprised HfP wasn’t the top result on this as your clear explanations and practical examples are best in class.

  • Harry T says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:34

    You can just ask Hilton via chat.

    • Blenz101 says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:56

      True I guess but an instant answer without interaction is often preferable. I think like most regular readers I enjoy the site seeing success, appreciate the honest and open way Rob & Rhys interact with the readership and was just posting a suggestion of a topic that could drive traffic to the site.

      I have my answer already from elsewhere but would have prefered to have it from the Waitrose of travel websites 🙂

  • VerdantBacon says:

    19 Aug19 August 13:08

    With all the different status extensions due to Covid it’s difficult to keep track of when everything expires. I have Hilton Diamond, Marriot Titanium and IHG Spire and I have no clue when they run to 😂

• RTS says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:13

  I currently hold the freebie HSBC WE card, and I am thinking about moving over to the paid for WE card. Does anyone have any experience in holding both cards or is this not possible?

  I have also seen a few comments suggesting there is currently an offer on for the paid for card which results in the card being free for the first year. Can anyone shed anymore light on this?

  Thanks

  • Ls says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:17

    Not possible. It will upgrade one card to the other though.

    • RTS says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:23

      Darn – would that mean the 40k offer would not be applicable?

      • Benilyn says:

        19 Aug19 August 11:32

        It is applicable, I did free to paid and got the bonus (never held paid before).

        • RTS says:

          19 Aug19 August 11:35

          Oh great. did you still have to pay the yearly fee for the first year? Or did you manage to get it for free?

        • Benilyn says:

          19 Aug19 August 13:33

          @RTS – I paid. I applied some time in Q1 2021

• The Savage Squirrel says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:20

  Is Hilton’s marketing Email today the most optimistic of all time? The gist is: can’t make it to the Great Ocean Road Australia? No problem. Instead try…………. the Doubletree Hull. 🤣🤣

  • C says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:27

    Realistic, at least.

  • John says:

    19 Aug19 August 12:00

    Doubletree Hull is pretty good and before staycation season was often £60-ish. Stayed several times, travelling by train when I wanted to be in York but didn’t want to pay the £150-ish for the hotels there.

  • The_real_a says:

    19 Aug19 August 12:04

    I stay at the DT in Hull from time to time. Brand new, great staff. One of the best Hilton’s in the UK currently 😀. The museum’s and recently renovated fruit market dock in Hull are quite interesting. Very decent and cheap resturants in the avenues area.

    • Pete says:

      19 Aug19 August 13:50

      Hull is underrated in my opinion. At least it has character.

      • TJones says:

        19 Aug19 August 20:40

        Hull is surprisingly good. Great coastline nearby too. I paid £12 for parking in the multi-storey across the road from the Doubletree. That’s for a week, not per day like you’ll pay elsewhere. I later found you can get £8/week parking easily. The nearby HI Express can also be good value.

• Mco says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:21

  Land midday from a domestic flight and have 7hrs at LHR next week. Any suggestions on how to pass the time? Was thinking of train to central London and have some lunch. Anything better to do around LHR?

  • Blenz101 says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:25

    Windsor is closer and a nice day trip if you haven’t been.

    • JDB says:

      19 Aug19 August 11:42

      Yes, Windsor is a great choice. Lunch options not great though, so although I’m not a fan of chain restaurants Côte, just over the bridge in Eton is good and has great views of the river and Castle.

      • Mco says:

        19 Aug19 August 12:23

        Thanks! Is there any “cheaper” ways to book the Hex?

        • Pete M says:

          19 Aug19 August 13:19

          You can get advance fares, but it’s too late now for next week. You can use Railcards on the HEx, if you have one. Or use TfL Rail – if you are going to go to Windsor that would be preferable anyway. Voldemort and the other one also give decent amounts back (the other one tracks better).

        • Michael C says:

          19 Aug19 August 14:10

          Tube direct to Green Park and lunch at Gymkhana?

• Blair says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:28

  Anyone else get emails per card for Amex survey? Thought it might be worth collaborating on what answers to feed in. Less Sweaty Betty, more Marriott offers as an opening suggestion.

  • Phil W says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:33

    Not really that type of survey. It’s retailer acceptance orientated.

  • KBuffett says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:34

    It’s retailers that decide the offers, not AmEx.

  • Pangolin says:

    19 Aug19 August 13:15

    I wish there was an option on the Amex site to say “Don’t ever show me offers from this retailer again.”

    That way I wouldn’t have to scroll past Sweaty Betty and all the other irrelevant junk that I’m never going to buy anything from.

    I know you can save the offer to take it off the main page but I still don’t want to see it there either, and I wonder if Amex might then think you are interested and constantly show you new offers from the same place.

• Jeff Greene says:

  19 Aug19 August 11:41

  OT: looks like there’s now some evidence that AZ works as well as Pfizer after 4 months. Neither are as effective against Delta as Alpha but still better than the flu jab is against flu , for example. (but still very good at preventing hospitalisation).

  Interesting stuff

  • KBuffett says:

    19 Aug19 August 11:44

    Is there any information about the upcoming seasons Flu Jab campaign. Will there be two jabs (Covid booster and seasonal flu)?

    • Jeff Greene says:

      19 Aug19 August 12:04

      Nothing confirmed yet. “Imminent” apparently but the previous suggestions have been that it would target those vaccinated first.

      • meta says:

        19 Aug19 August 13:15

        I already booked my flu jab at my local pharmacy. All slots have gone the first day. I have signed up for email alerts and then called to book. Doing it end of October.

        • Tracey says:

          19 Aug19 August 20:23

          I have Boots booked for mid September.

    • Tracey says:

      19 Aug19 August 20:26

      I think there will be 2 jabs, GPs and pharmacies are set up to do flu jabs as in previous years so that part is easy. Most Boots and a lot of GP surgeries aren’t set up to administer covid vaccines and to do so would be burdensome for them. No one wants to relinquish the payments they get for the flu vaccine, therefore it is likely to be 2 separate appointments.
      From a medical point of view, the downside is some will get their flu or covid vaccine and not bother getting the other, the upside is that having both at the same time is a big hit on your body, so you may feel better spreading them out.

  • Garyc says:

    19 Aug19 August 12:45

    Do you have a link to the source of this information?

    • Jeff Greene says:

      19 Aug19 August 12:54

      https://www.ndm.ox.ac.uk/covid-19/covid-19-infection-survey/results/new-studies

  • TGLoyalty says:

    19 Aug19 August 13:10

    Even more interesting

    However, Delta infections after two vaccine doses had similar peak levels of virus to those in unvaccinated people;

    Maybe we can put all this vaccine passport BS to bed.

    • Jeff Greene says:

      19 Aug19 August 13:20

      That’s only if they catch it in the first place. The chances of getting infected are reduced (reduced not zero) with the jabs

      Vaccine passports are here to stay especially as better jabs are being developed which could reduce transmission further.

      So is testing before flights etc. People are just going to have to get on with it.

    • Jeff Greene says:

      19 Aug19 August 13:23

      You’re assuming that the peak of infection is the same number of days for vaccinated as unvaccinated people. Do you have any evidence for this?

      (I don’t to the contrary either so I’ll wait and see before making unfounded assumptions)

    • Jeff Greene says:

      19 Aug19 August 13:46

      Peak level is pretty irrelevant when it comes to spreading as by that stage you’d be required to stay at home and wouldn’t be spreading anyway. It’s the pre symptomatic spread that’s the issue and there’s nothing on that yet so we shouldn’t be jumping to wild conclusions just yet.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        19 Aug19 August 13:55

        Not jumping to any wild conclusions

        While I agree your chances of catching it are lower, that bit is obvious but it’ll reduce with time.

        There was always the assumption by people that vaccinated people with symptomatic Covid would be less likely to pass it on as they had lower viral load.

        This study says that’s not the case and in fact they peak at the same level.

        The important part is all about keeping the vaccinated out of hospital and for that a “vaccine passport” adds nothing to society.

        • Jeff Greene says:

          19 Aug19 August 15:21

          Well it does for when you’re going abroad as there’s then close to zero chance that you’ll clog up their hospitals unnecessarily.

          The study says nothing about viral load in general or likelihood of passing on, just the peak (we don’t even know how long the peak is so you’ve jumped to a potentially inaccurate conclusion).

          You’ve already said it does reduce the risk of infection (and therefore the spread) so clearly it does add something.

          I’m not in favour of domestic passports as most people are jabbed anyway but I have no issue with it being used for travel.

          (It may well be the case that transmission isn’t reduced but I’ll wait for actual evidence of that before making an conclusions just because some sketchy data conveniently supports my point of view)

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