The HfP chat thread – Friday 3rd September

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Craig says:

3 Sep3 September 13:07

Used part of the Amex Plat £200 dinning credit at the Ivy in Cambridge last night, it’s showing under savings on the website already even though it hasn’t posted to the account.
- John says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:40
  
  anyone had their Annouska £200 Amex credit apear after spending >£500 by the end of August?
  - Let's fly says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 18:04
    
    Yes I got it within a day or two. Sadly the item was rubbish quality with a pearl falling off when coming out of the case so I had to return….!
David W says:

3 Sep3 September 13:08

IHG Spire level. Is the trigger 55000 or 75000 at the current time? Website is saying 75000.
- Grant says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:11
  
  The former. The app will show 55k as the target.
  - David W says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 13:14
    
    Thank you for prompt response.
Stu N says:

3 Sep3 September 13:49

Anyone worked out how to turn the just-released NHS Scotland QR codes into something that will give you the EU COVID digital pass?
- Anuj says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:40
  
  You can’t even with the England ones, so doubt the Scottish ones can be. When you scan the english one in a EU covid app it doesn’t actually convert it to a EU covid pass, it just allows it to be scanned domestically.
  - stevenhp1987 says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 15:49
    
    +1 We’re not in the EU so we’re not eligible for an EU Covid Pass.
    
    Only a matter of time until most EU countries recognise the Scottish pass much like they do the English NHS Covid Pass.
    - Rhys says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 15:52
      
      Isn’t there a way to use the Irish app to generate one?
      - Pete M says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 15:53
        
        Yea and the French one. But the French one only scans in France. But I haven’t had a problem with everywhere else recognising it as long as they don’t scan it.
      - Anuj says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 16:53
        
        While that works it doesn’t generate a eu covid pass, it only works domestically
    - Stephan says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 15:59
      
      QR code on the NHS app works fine in France. You need it everytime you go iut and never had an, issue with it.
      - Pete M says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 16:04
        
        Hence why the French one also works 🙂 But the French ones gets you further basically everywhere else in Europe than the NHS one.
- Harry T says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 16:23
  
  Nope! But the English ones work just fine in Ireland and France.
Aston100 says:

3 Sep3 September 14:04

A bit confused.
As a fully vaccinated British Citizen, going to Morocco soon, do I need to do any pre departure tests in the UK?
I’m aware of the entry requirements in Morocco. I’m aware of the entry requirements back in the UK. Just not sure if there are any tests or anything that need doing before leaving the UK, in order to satisfy some UK govt requirement or other.

Thanks.
- Rhys says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:09
  
  No
  - Aston100 says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 14:23
    
    Thanks Rhys.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 15:41
  
  Vaccine or not there’s no requirement to take a test for a flight unless your destination requires it.
Chas says:

3 Sep3 September 14:10

I have 2 nights booked at the Holiday Inn Brighton next weekend (cash and points booking), but now only need 1 night. I actually have 2 rooms (and still need them both). I don’t appear to be able to change it online – I only have the option to cancel. Any tips to be able to amend this without it all repricing? Would calling IHG or the hotel directly likely to yield better results?
- Guernsey Globetrotter says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:33
  
  Have you checked that repricing won’t go in your favour? I have just updated 2 bookings for next week at HIEs in Portsmouth and Poole (originally booked about a month ago) and both were cheaper when re-booked 🙂
  - Chas says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 14:40
    
    I haven’t, but I checked availability a few weeks ago, and it was fully booked (Brighton Marathon weekend). When I booked a few months ago cash prices were insane and I got over 2p per point with my bookings. It may even make sense to stomach the £60 early check-out fee per room if necessary…
    - Chas says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 14:45
      
      OK, just checked. Rooms are available, but a repricing goes the wrong way for me (and there are no Seaview rooms available which we currently have). Cash rates are now £307 p.n….!
      - John says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 14:59
        
        Lesson is to always book nights separately if there is any chance of needing to modify.
        
        For IHG, points and cash is basically just points – you buy the extra points prior to booking the room with points only.
      - Chas says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 15:22
        
        Yup – I know that now! Is there any way to amend it without cancelling? Otherwise can I just leave the room after night 1 (with the keys in the room), and not stay for the 2nd night, without paying the early departure fee? How does “checking out” in that scenario actually work?
      - Kai says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 15:33
        
        Contact the hotel directly. They can shorten your stay without repricing.
      - Chas says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 17:36
        
        Thanks Kai – will give that a go
- Harry T says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 16:26
  
  I always book nights separately for rewards, for this kind of reason. If reprising doesn’t work in your favour, and two nights is cheaper than rebooking one, then just leave your key card in the room and put the DND sign on your door, then leave early. Only suckers pay early checkout fees 😉
  - John says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 18:58
    
    The purpose of early checkout fees are to not have to pay the room rate for the nights you don’t want…
Dave says:

3 Sep3 September 14:28

Just had my payment from Shieldpay, nice surprise before the weekend!
- Craig says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:38
  
  +1
Craig says:

3 Sep3 September 14:39

What’s people’s gut feeling for how far in advance to book day 2 tests?
- Richie says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:46
  
  Not before day -3
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 15:29
  
  I only book them just before I fill in my PLF.
  
  No need to buy them any earlier.
C says:

3 Sep3 September 14:47

Does Octopus energy allow you to top up with Amex? I know Igloo does but wasn’t sure about Octopus and I’m probably going to switch to them. Thanks!
- Alex says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:53
  
  Yes, it does.
- AL says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:54
  
  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/03/28/which-energy-suppliers-let-you-pay-your-bill-with-amex/
  
  To do it, make a one-off payment, for as little as £1, and new bills will be deducted from your balance – anything over that from your D/D, as you’d expect. There used to be, and maybe still is, a Virgin Red offer – you can collect points for switching (3700 for single and 7400 for dual).
- Duncan says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 15:49
  
  Absolutely! In fact, I just did it this morning. I have my direct debit set to £10 and just top up the same amount each month on the Amex. Works a treat!