The HfP chat thread – Monday 23rd August

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• JandeW says:

  23 Aug23 August 12:53

  Following Rob’s article yesterday on timing of flights to retain status in BAEC…I spend much of the year in Amsterdam and in November will need a TP run or two but am a total TP run virgin!!. How do I book 160TP flights from Amsterdam? For instance if I chose Sofia as a destination… Does it mean that I have to fly via London each time? Or do I book AMS-Madrid on Iberia and then Iberia to Sofia? From the BA website itself, trying to book Amsterdam – Sofia gives you no options… Would be most grateful for some insight…Thks

  • FFoxSake says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:13

    From AMS yes you would fly via LHR and earn an extra 80 TP for doing it (so 240 return in total)
    Use the multi-city option here… https://www.britishairways.com/travel/fx/execclub/_gf/en_gb?eId=111024
    Also set the departure country to Netherlands.
    I think that will price it in Euros, so you’ll probably need to phone to pay in GBP if that matters to you.

    • JandeW says:

      23 Aug23 August 14:43

      Thank you very much, FFS. Very helpful

• Dallas says:

  23 Aug23 August 12:54

  Can we pay Beardy directly using Solihull .Every time i bring Bendy in between it gets declined.

  • SteveJ says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:15

    No, works the other way, though Beardy IT may yet be catching up with the Ts & Cs change so you may get hit with a fee.

    • Dallas says:

      23 Aug23 August 13:50

      Thanks Steve

• AndyF says:

  23 Aug23 August 12:55

  Has anyone been able to use a cancelled flight evoucher towards a BA holidays if calling? Many thanks

  • roberto says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:27

    I emailed BA holidays asking them to offset my evouchers against a future booking. Had success previously with the same strategy and quietly confident it will happen sometime this week.

    I hope so as the final payment is due on the 2nd of September !!

    • Harry T says:

      23 Aug23 August 15:11

      @roberto which email address did you use, out of curiosity? I’ve replied to an email about an FTV before to use it on BAH, but not tried with evouchers.

      • roberto says:

        23 Aug23 August 17:14

        baholidays@ba.com

• Beardless Hipster says:

  23 Aug23 August 13:09

  hotels.com extra stamp on new bookings with promo code RWD1821 https://uk.hotels.com/booking/coupon_terms_conditions.html?couponName=RWD1821

  • Toby says:

    23 Aug23 August 15:03

    Thanks. I was holding off booking a hotels.com stay for something like this!

  • Rob says:

    23 Aug23 August 17:07

    Note this is only 1 stamp in total – good deal for 2 night stays, gets a bit more rubbish for a week (but still better than nowt …)

    • Toby says:

      23 Aug23 August 19:36

      Indeed! I have a one night stay coming up and feel pretty pleased with this offer!

• njb says:

  23 Aug23 August 13:17

  Any recommendations for a York hotel stay- have IHG points for Principal or Indigo and Plat status. Will also consider Hilton?
  Thank you

  • DarrenS says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:25

    We have stayed at the Hilton recently as Gold, solid and very close to everything. Expensive valet parking. I would not pay more for a Tower view as it was covered in scaffolding a few weeks ago and I believe that this is not due to end until later in the year. Doubletree not recommended. There is a brand new Hampton on Piccadilly, which is a great location.

    • Ste C says:

      23 Aug23 August 13:40

      I second not recommending the Doubletree. Small rooms and service not great. I am Diamond and was lucky to get the cookie.

    • Andrew says:

      23 Aug23 August 13:45

      Do the Hilton at Clifford’s Tower rooms have air conditioning these days? I stayed in it for a week for work a good few years back in August and swore never to return due to the heat at night.

      • DarrenS says:

        23 Aug23 August 16:58

        The Clifford’s Tower room we stayed in definitely had air conditioning.

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:28

    If you’re coming by train then Principal is literally next to the station. Hilton Cliffords Tower is the most central although all of them are easy walking distance to all the central attractions. Hilton is also closest to our favourite restaurant 31 Castlegate.

  • The Savage Squirrel says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:43

    Everything is easily walkable to everything in York so any city centre location is fine unless you have limited mobility.
    The Principal has had a downstairs refurb but was locally famous for being dumpy faded glory before; and upstairs reno’ was superficial only.
    Indigo seems acceptable and as you would expect. Not heard anything negative.
    Both Hilton and DT are older properties with mixed records. DT is several old properties knocked together so very inconsistent what you will get. Hilton is overdue a full refurb.
    I’d try out the new Hampton Piccadilly too if it were me.

  • Anna says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:47

    We have a weekend in that area next month, but York seemed even more overpriced than usual, both in cash and points so we’re staying down the road in Harrogate instead! Is there something special going on mid-September? Harrogate was fully booked when I first looked but some availability at the Doubletree came up today. Recent reviews are very mixed, but at 30k points per night for a King room v £194 cash, I’m not too fussed!

    • Sandra says:

      23 Aug23 August 14:34

      Food & drink festival starts 17th for a week, there’s a couple of Fri/Sat race meetings, but York is always busy at whatever time of year, & I suspect the lack of overseas tourists has been covered by staycationers going there instead. In the build up to Xmas it will just get busier. Harrogate is lovely too & you could also have a trip out to Ripon/Knaresborough from there & maybe stop at Haworth as you go back home over the Pennines.

      • Sandra says:

        23 Aug23 August 14:40

        Could be freshers weeks too – York has 2 universities, York & St Johns

        • Yorkie Aid says:

          23 Aug23 August 14:52

          Indeed, despite the lack of international tourists the local press are reporting that York city centre has been experiencing higher footfall even than 2019. Not surprising really, it’s a lovely place.

      • Anna says:

        23 Aug23 August 15:00

        Yes OH’s family are all in that area now so we visit regularly in normal times! We’d normally stay with them but I fancy a full breakfast and spa type of weekend with them making Sunday lunch 🤣. Also it’s the teenager’s birthday so we might push the boat out and take him to Betty’s – he’s very discerning about his tea and cake!
        Will check out the food festival as well – thanks.

        • Grant H says:

          23 Aug23 August 15:15

          Just left York an hour ago, absolutely bustling every day (Friday -> today) exacerbated by the York races. Would really recommend you book your dinners ASAP (especially Bettys if they have availability as the queues were enormous). I’ve got 2 excellent restaurant recommendations, Meltons for the tasting menu (about £60 for 6 courses) and The Rattle Owl for a Sunday lunch- both were delightful! Again book as soon as you can 🙂

  • Aston100 says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:50

    I stayed at the Indigo last year.
    Walking distance to everywhere important.
    Was fine and I would return.

    • Aston100 says:

      23 Aug23 August 13:51

      But small rooms (as seems to be the way with Indigo hotels).

      • Toby says:

        23 Aug23 August 15:04

        Agree with this. Fine location, smallish rooms, nice standard decoration, great breakfast!

  • Harry T says:

    23 Aug23 August 15:12

    Don’t book the Moxy. The Marriott is nice but too far unless you like walking (we do). The Principal is apparently trash. I would recommend the Indigo based on accounts from friends and other internet folk.

  • Mike says:

    23 Aug23 August 16:05

    Hotel Du Vin for some thing different to chain hotels – do avoid the stay city hotel it was the scene of the very first two Covid cases in uk. Another piece of evolving york history. As others say York is very walkable – also v v v busy at the moment due to staycationers so don’t expect an un crowded experience at the moment

    • johnny_c-l says:

      23 Aug23 August 16:40

      Second avoiding Staycity, regardless of C19 it’s a soulless place.

      Hilton next to the tower is good but slightly worn down, Doubletree looks nice but service patchy, I was never keen on it there.

      Hampton is my choice for York, despite it being ‘limited service’ the service is consistently strong, rooms are good quality and you even get a nice view of the walls from a number of rooms.

  • The Savage Squirrel says:

    23 Aug23 August 16:54

    Meltons and Rattle Owl both great restaurant choices! Loads of other good dining options too – we’re very lucky for such a small place.

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      23 Aug23 August 23:05

      At the risk of never getting a table again Skosh

      • The Savage Squirrel says:

        23 Aug23 August 23:08

        …and my favourite, only because nobody will see at this time 😀 … Le Cochon Aveugle.

        • Aston100 says:

          24 Aug24 August 00:46

          Noted!

  • Yorkieflyer says:

    23 Aug23 August 22:58

    Indigo or the York city centre holiday inns are fine locations, the Principal less so as a little noisy next to the station. Hampton find although I’d probably avoid the Doubletree as oldish knocked together gaff and the afore mentioned Hilton

• Taylor says:

  23 Aug23 August 13:51

  Hi does anyone have the direct contact number for BA you first?

  • TM says:

    23 Aug23 August 13:59

    0800 408 7667

    • Taylor says:

      23 Aug23 August 16:48

      Thanks

• Craig says:

  23 Aug23 August 13:54

  hi all – any way to transfer from HSBC rewards to Emirates? I couldn’t see it listed as a partner but am hoping there might be a workaround that doesn’t hurt too much

  • Blenz101 says:

    23 Aug23 August 14:47

    Nope. But can can for Etihad if that works.

    • Craig says:

      23 Aug23 August 16:19

      thanks for confirming anyway!

• Scandinavian Traveler says:

  23 Aug23 August 13:59

  Has the Hilton purchase points offer been reduced to 80.000 + 80.000 bonus instead of the initial 160.000 + 160.000 bonus or is it just my account not eligible for 160.000 + 160.000 bonus?

  • Rob says:

    23 Aug23 August 17:04

    Sometimes the 160k limit is targeted even when everyone is offered double. Its hard for us to know because we only see what we see, and I see 160k + 160k.

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