The HfP chat thread – Thursday 19th August

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Anna says:

19 Aug19 August 12:41

Asda currently has 25% off 6 or more bottles of wine – one time only post!
- Andrew says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:04
  
  3.5% back on Ode (Spree)
  - Andrew says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:29
    
    I’m not sure how the timing works. Essentially, the funds due show as “pending” and when you top-up they get added.
    
    Otherwise it works the same way as regular pre-pay debit cards.
- Crafty says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:20
  
  This is a rotational offer that comes up about 6 times a year. Most of all of the other supermarkets do it too.
  - Jimmy Mac says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 14:09
    
    Yes, usually the day after they bump the prices up by 25% 🙂
Tomgold says:

19 Aug19 August 12:42

I had a go last night asking Amex for a retention bonus for my Platinum card. was offered 1) downgrade to green or gold 2) change to monthly charge 3) 35k MR points.
I asked for 2&3 but was told I’m only allowed 1 pick. the rest goes without saying.
What if I really don’t want to keep the card much longer?
- Anna says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 12:45
  
  Was that on the phone or on chat? I was told on chat that there is no option to pay monthly which is nonsense, of course so I will have to persuade my OH to call.
  If you’re not keeping the card much longer, go for the 35k points, of course!
  - Tomgold says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 21:12
    
    it was on the phone. at first he was like – okay, I can close your account for you. I had to actually ask for a retention treat
- KBuffett says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 12:58
  
  Is monthly charging really a ‘retention bonus’? Why does it make a difference to anyone?
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:06
    
    I just asked to go monthly a few days after I signed up in September and they switched no problem.
    
    It’s just better for cash flow and less hassle if/when you cancel.
    - James says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 13:17
      
      I did the same.
    - Manny_D says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 13:24
      
      Is this possible when upgrading from the Gold Charge to Platinum too? Or would we have to upgrade first then call a few days later to switch to monthly?
  - Harrier25 says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 17:11
    
    A downgrade to Gold or Green? Wow, thanks Amex, how very generous of you!
- Peter says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:27
  
  I asked the same , but only offered 1&2, the chap from Briton Amex center strongly suggested that he never heard of 35K MR points…
  
  Should I try again later or what’s best way to approach?
  - Benilyn says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:31
    
    Keep trying…
    - Robert says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 14:09
      
      I recently got offered 35k (no other options), which I was not going to turn down!
    - Peter says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 14:25
      
      Did try again but no luck, rejected again. Told that no one would receive extra 35k MR points for holding a Plainum for less than one year, which is lie as my Mrs had the offer in near two months. Think I have to cancel the card now…
  - Tomgold says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 21:13
    
    at first he said that there were no offers but then put me on hold and came up with the above
DI says:

19 Aug19 August 12:48

Airtime rewards question

I am on idmobile, I get 5GB data, unlimited minutes and texts for £9.

Downside is, idmobile does not work with airtime rewards.

Is anyone aware of a similar deal with a provider who works with airtime rewards?
- SteveKicks says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 12:58
  
  Check giffgaff, I believe their prices are broadly similar
- Ron says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:52
  
  I’m on three, 12GB data, unlimited min and text for £8. I believe you can get 15GB for £8 from Vodafone too.
- Connor says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 14:07
  
  Pretty sure they’ll payout to your paypal if you ask.
- SteveJ says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 14:16
  
  I’m on O2, 5gb for £6 a month, deal comes and goes regularly. And works with Airtime.
  
  There really is no reason you should be paying £9 for 5gb
- BuildBackBetter says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 14:35
  
  Better to select a provider whose coverage is good at your home and workplace
Ed says:

19 Aug19 August 13:01

When rebooking an Avios F redemption which was converted into a FTV, does anyone know whether YouFirst will be able to this, or do you have to call the main BA number? Thanks.
- Rob says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:16
  
  Deffo try YF for your sanity.
  - Ed says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:18
    
    Thanks Rob
- Ian says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:20
  
  They did it for me.
  My new booking wasn’t in First, so once the new booking was made that was the last time I could call YouFirst.
  - Ed says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:28
    
    Brilliant thanks Ian.
Mick S says:

19 Aug19 August 13:15

For my clarity – the I have just received the HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard and it has Loungkey access. Do i just present the credit card at reception for free access? I dont think a separate Loungkey card is going to arrive.

In other news, received a text this morning to advise an upcoming BA flight from Manchester to Heathrow will depart from Terminal 1. (not T3)
- Nigel W says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:21
  
  That is correct, they just swipe your card and hopefully you should be able to get in!
  - Mick S says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:27
    
    Thanks. I can close my AMEX gold then, even with unused lounge access. I was thinking of holding onto it for another month to use the lounge passes – but no longer needed. 🙂
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 14:17
      
      Consider that’s 2 free entries where hsbc is only 1.
- SteveJ says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 14:17
  
  WE is only free lounge entry for the card holder (you pay for guests), whereas gold gets you two entries (you twice, or you plus guest once).
  
  Just FYI if this changes your planned gold cancellation timing.
  - Dan says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 14:47
    
    I may be wrong, but I seem to remember you have to register your card with Loungekey. Please check.
APB says:

19 Aug19 August 13:30

Wonder if any of you London peeps can help? We are flying in to Heathrow arriving 10pm at night and heading home to EDI the next morning. What is the most convenient hotel to stay at to minimise travel? Thank you in anticipation
- Andrew says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 13:32
  
  What are you doing when you are in London, or are you not leaving the Heathrow area?
  - APB says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 13:42
    
    Not leaving the Heathrow area – it’s an early flight to EDI
- Jan says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 14:52
  
  Premier Inn Terminal 4 has always been cheap and cheerful!
  - Rob says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 16:29
    
    I liked it!
- Sam G says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 15:35
  
  Sofitel is most convenient
  - Sam G says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 15:35
    
    Assuming it’s when it’s open again. Otherwise Premier Inn T5 & take an Uber in the morning.
    - C says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 16:32
      
      Trying Hyatt Place Heathrow tonight – looks to be a very quick ride over to T5 in the morning. I know some swear by HGI Hatton Cross, but it was nearly the same price and a longer ride to T5 (important with an infant and an early morning departure).
- APB says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 21:43
  
  Thank you all – plumped for Sofitel for the convenience
Paul says:

19 Aug19 August 13:50

For those that managed to pick up Hospitality for the PGA at Wentworth, have you heard from Hilton Honors yet with more information?
- Kevin C says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 23:29
  
  I got an initial email from the person dealing with it but not since then.
  - Paul says:
    
    20 Aug20 August 12:04
    
    Who was that, out of interest?
Douglas says:

19 Aug19 August 14:06

Looking for a few hotels for my upcoming Greece hol in Sept, I’ve noticed quite a few properties in OTA are now offering Free Cancelation until 1-2 weeks before check-in. What are people’s feeling around this? My plans are solid, but you never know if the airline decides that your route is not profitable and blames COVID, so relying on travel insurance is a PITA. I guess I will have to wait until a few days before departure to actually commit my booking
- bafan says:
  
  19 Aug19 August 15:15
  
  Yeah I’m doing a Eurotrip at the end of this month and it’s a real pain trying to find free cancelation places at the moment. If FR / EZY cancel my flight 3 days out then what am I meant to do. Even considering doing hostels again at this point – then at least any losses are limited.
  - Sam G says:
    
    19 Aug19 August 15:37
    
    I read somewhere that hotels are almost trying to avoid bookings from Brits due to our high rates of cancellations vs other Europeans who don’t have all the testing requirements. But you can try negotiating directly with the hotel to see if you can do something. Flights should be fairly stable within ~2 weeks, especially Ryanair they seem to be operating a pretty large stable program
    - C says:
      
      19 Aug19 August 16:34
      
      I’m off to Greece tomorrow, and found Booking.com offered a 48 hour cancellation window for a lower price than the hotels own website. It’s worth checking various portals, as they all seem to have different policies.
      - Douglas says:
        
        19 Aug19 August 17:20
        
        To be honest, a hotel in Santorini on booking.com offers Non-refundable or Free Cancelation until today 23:59. Interesting commend about Brits, I guess I will use VPN in a new browser / account to check if that is different.