Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 24th August

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Comments (511)

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

  • KTj says:

    Crowne Plaza Edinburgh cancellations.
    My husband was informed last night that our mid Sept booking to CP Edinburgh is cancelled. I have not seen the email as husband is away overnight but I understand covid reasons were cited and there was nothing offered in terms of being rebooked elsewhere (i.e. as suggested by the guaranteed room policy). I saw someone else recently noted this CP was going to be closed longer than 31 August as originally displayed on the website. If they are on here today – please let me know how you got on with your cancellation.

    I think we will try and push it, but if we need to rebook (2 free nights plus cash booking) what are the better options (mid range) indigo or voco? It’s annoying as we booked early August and now (obviously) the prices have gone up!

    • Anna says:

      I saw a review of The George on Tripadvisor which said they had been moved there because of a cancellation at the CP so it’s definitely worth asking if they can do this for you!

      • KTj says:

        Thanks Anna. I found that – and also a review on the George IHG website from later in July that says original hotel cancelled and transferred. Hopefully we can get somewhere with this – given there is precedent

        • Richard says:

          I had my points booking cancelled last night. Suspected they would do this so I had a backup booking at Indigo but it was 10k more points.
          I rang IHG customer care and said they should refund the points difference. They called back today to say that it was authorised and will happen in the next week. Given how useless they have been I can’t be bothered to chase for anything else.
          I did ring crowne plaza last night and got the concierge at IC. He didn’t know why CP was closed but suggested it was a commercial decision. It certainly isn’t “to prevent the spread of Covid” like their nonsense cancellation says!

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    Freetrade: Just gone on the app and had a message that they are making changes to there T & Cs. My initial dread was baseless as they all appear to be positive changes:
    – clarifying things like contact us, maximum order value, directly linking to there risk statement etc.
    – removing wording around batching orders as they do not do this at all
    – stating how they do currency conversions
    – other generally positive changes like stating what can happen with limit orders and buy orders, good for retail investors who don’t know this stuff

    They still have the referral programe for up to £200 free share each, *not advisable to post the links publicly*

  • Oliver says:

    Anyone have any advice on using a BA 241 voucher expiring soon? I am unlikely to travel before it expires? Thanks

  • rams1981 says:

    Tesco Clubcard expiring vouchers. Is best bet still to spend part of the voucher on something like Virgin miles and then get a refund of remainder to extend expiry?

  • Fola Akingboye says:

    Can someone please confirm if HSBC is giving the 25% avios bonus transfer to the HSBC Premier credit card(free version) holders also or is it only available to the World Elite card(paid version)?

    • Rob says:

      You can confirm this by reading our other article today about this offer and clicking the link to the official T&C 🙂

  • ash says:

    What test is everyone taking to get to Spain? Going Sunday hopefully

    Thanks

    • Anna says:

      You only need a test if you’re not vaccinated, but Collinson are doing 3 hour LAMP tests at airports for around £70.

    • ash says:

      Meant to say will only be on day 13 of double jab so will need a test

    • TGLoyalty says:

      If you’re vaccinated no test. If you aren’t a NAAT (PCR or Lamp) taken within 72 hrs

      Since you get the results from a LAMP within 2 hours it’s probably the one to go for but I got results from a day 2 pcr test within 24 hours a couple of weeks ago (which would’ve been fine for travel as it had my passport number)

      • MinR says:

        Am I correct in assuming that Portugal Mainland does require a test even if you’re vaccinated as they only accept the EU Digital COVID Cert so the NHS Certificate isn’t valid?

        • Tracey says:

          Yes. Portugal mainland requires a test. Madeira doesn’t.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          Yes but Portugal will accept an antigen test within 48hrs?

          • Pid says:

            Yes that’s correct

          • meta says:

            Yes, you need an antigen test 48hrs (PCR too within 72hr) and vaccination certificate! So both. If no vaccination certificate, then 14-day isolation!

      • Nick says:

        Most countries (including Spain) don’t need passport number on certificates. Just first and last name.

        • ash says:

          Dare I say it but does that mean a NHS one would be fine? Don’t think I would go down that route in case of delay

          • TGLoyalty says:

            Portugal specifically doesn’t accept NHS ones. Don’t think the others care

  • Char Char says:

    Anyone managed to cancel an IC Rome booking that is dated before the hotel opens in April? Can’t do online and support no help

    • Anna says:

      I posted this recently but have you actually gone through to the end of the process and checked to see if the points are back in your account?

      • Char Char says:

        It won’t let me get to the point where it is cancelled, gives error
        “We couldn’t process your request at this time. Please try again later, or contact Customer Care for assistance.”

        • Anna says:

          I have had this on a Mr & Mrs booking but my points still re-appeared.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Why wouldn’t you just wait until they get in touch? Don’t want to stay at all in the future for a cut price 40k a night?

      Otherwise phone IHG and they’ll sort cancellation over the phone.

      • meta says:

        We answered to you over and over again. You keep on asking the same question every day.

      • Alan Todd says:

        Just spotted this so apologies.. had booked for Feb 2022 (thanks to 40k tip on these boards.- cheers whoever that was!) … what tends to happen in these situations? alt hotel/rebooked at same points cost.. or unknown? TIA

  • Joe says:

    If I have e-vouchers in GBP can I use them to pay for a one way from Europe which BA site prices in Euro ? How would this be possible.

    • John says:

      The same way you use any other voucher

      All vouchers for a booking have to be in the same currency, but you can convert vouchers to a different currency by booking a flight in the currency you want and then getting a new voucher

    • Anna says:

      Can you not change the currency? EasyJet etc let you do this so you don’t have to work out what 4000 Czech Koruna or whatever are!

    • Louie says:

      Works for flights in US$ so I’m sure it would for €. BA just convert them at the current rate, which is shown (or rather the currency equivalent is shown) before you complete the transaction.

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