The HfP chat thread – Saturday 4th September

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• Aston100 says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:08

  Hong Kong.
  The IC Stanford and the CP Kowloon seem to be quite cheap next summer.
  I don’t know the area, so not sure if there is a good reason for the low prices for those 2 properties.
  Anyone have an opinion on them? For a 5 or 6 night stay, 2 adults.

  Thanks.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:18

    The locations are fine low prices are probably just to do with COVID nervousness?

    The IC HK (future Regent) is just down the road as are the Rosewood and the Pen etc I found walking around and hoping on the boat to the other side very easy.

    • Aston100 says:

      4 Sep4 September 12:24

      Thanks.
      The other IC is no longer showing on the IHG site on the dates I checked.
      Some of the other IHG properties (including a Holiday Inn) are more expensive than the IC Stanford, hence wondering if there was some circumstance I was unaware of.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        4 Sep4 September 14:45

        Yeah the other IC is undergoing a refund and will reopen next year as a Regent.

        RE is 5/6 nights too long in HK I did 4 and that was plenty.

  • Richie says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:28

    5 or 6 nights in HK sounds too long.

    • Aston100 says:

      4 Sep4 September 12:32

      Richie, I’ve not been before. How long do you recommend?

      I would feel odd doing less than 5 nights somewhere far from home.
      My travel plan for Indonesia next summer currently looks like a need to fly BA to HKG. So It makes sense to me to get a few nights over there prior to flying out to DPS.

      • BuildBackBetter says:

        4 Sep4 September 12:44

        Unless you want to visit specific places in HK, I’d recommend spending more time at Bali.
        If you haven’t been to, Macau is worth a day trip. HK is just a massive city and it’s unique attractions won’t take up more than 3 days.

        • Aston100 says:

          4 Sep4 September 13:01

          BBB – good to know.
          I’ve got 22 nights available. Have provisionally set aside 7 nights in South Bali and 7 in the North. My route home may take me through SIN or CGK, so allowing 2 or 3 nights there (have been to both before).
          If the consensus is that 5 nights is too long in HKG (even for a first time visit) then I’ll need to reassess my whole itinerary.

        • BuildBackBetter says:

          4 Sep4 September 13:41

          @Aston100, depends on what your interests are. Personally, if I had that time, I’d spend 12 days in Bali (prefer Ubud) and spend 2-3 days in Jogja/Borobudur. Just one hour away but some spectacular monuments. Would spend less at HK/SIN and skip CGK altogether.

        • Sam G says:

          4 Sep4 September 14:03

          You could fill 5 days in HK if you went out did some hiking etc but personally I agree – spend more time in Bali. Maybe do 3 stays instead of 2 – travelling around there takes a long time so you can base yourself closer to the things you want to do that way in each location.

          Definitely don’t bother with Jakarta – Singapore has far more to offer

        • Memesweeper says:

          4 Sep4 September 14:30

          Flights into Macau are worth checking if planning an itinerary. Some nice cheap AirAsia routes that aren’t available at HKG.

        • r* says:

          4 Sep4 September 14:38

          I dont think 5 days is too long for someone whos not been before but it depends that they want to do. Disney, macao, ngong ping, victoria peak/hk island.. thats 3 or 4 days then a day looking around tsim tsa tsui. If all you want to do is look at tst/hk island then yeah.

        • Genghis says:

          4 Sep4 September 19:56

          We did 7 days in HK – had been before – at JWM (old style travel package) when wife was pregnant a few years ago. Explored more of the city at a slower pace. I’d go again for a similar length of time. We both hated Macau when we went the time before that. Different strokes.

      • Blenz101 says:

        4 Sep4 September 13:57

        Agree 5 nights is too long. Three would be more than enough. Plan out what you are going to do in HK and see for yourself.

        Once you have done the typical spots of tram to the peak, star ferry, night markets, mong kok, perhaps some photos of the choi hung estate and soaked up the local vibe what else is it you intend to fill your time with?

        It’s a metro city with malls and high rises.

    • Njb says:

      4 Sep4 September 21:49

      Totally disagree – but it was our first time there. We loved it.

  • John says:

    4 Sep4 September 14:53

    Hong Kong next summer isn’t happening unless you’re happy to spend the first 14 days locked up (and no leaving for “exercise”)

    • Aston100 says:

      4 Sep4 September 15:15

      John, what leads you to this conclusion? and does it apply to other places in that part of the world, or just specific to HK?

      • Sam G says:

        4 Sep4 September 15:27

        It’s possible. HK wants to open to China and China wants / needs COVID zero (and can function well with closed borders so they’ll need to follow. Whereas places like Singapore, Thailand etc are already underway with their reopening – Phuket Sandbox, Singapore-Germany travel lane etc. Bali likely to do something similar before long – they need the $$$

      • meta says:

        4 Sep4 September 15:34

        @Aston100 I spent 5 nights on my first visit. The reason is that when I went all flights arrived in the afternoon, so the first day was more or less light sightseeing. We also went one day to Macau and that eats up at least half a day.

        • meta says:

          4 Sep4 September 15:39

          @Blenz101 there is so much else to see you might also want to venture out of the central parts onto other islands and nature sights. You could easily spend a week and not see everything. If you just want to stay in the nice hotel and watch the boats in the harbour, then yes by all means. I like to explore. Nice temples, small neighbourhoods… But obviously we have different interests.

        • Aston100 says:

          4 Sep4 September 16:13

          Meta, sounds like my circumstances too.
          I think BA27 arrives at 16:45 so I’d get time just for an evening meal somewhere that night.
          4 full days thereafter.
          10am flight to DPS on the final day.
          As I’m into history and museums and don’t tend to hang around hotels much, I reckon 5 nights might be alright (Technically one late evening and 4 full days).

        • Red Flyer says:

          4 Sep4 September 19:54

          5 days probably not enough I would say! We lived there for 3 years and often had relatives over for 10-14 days and they only scratched the surface on their trips. About 90% of HK is not urban so plenty of smaller islands and off guidebook things to do – including some lovely white Sandy beaches too! Also a night at the races on a Weds is not to be missed and the corporate box that Cathay have available via redemption was a real steal.

• Niall says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:12

  Had an avios 2-4-1 booking made pre covid for a trip in April 2020. After being moved (because of cancellation) a couple of times, requested a FTV a couple of weeks ago. This was a couple of days before the cancelled flight was supposed to leave.

  I thought (probably wrongly) that 2-4-1 avios booking came back in a single future travel voucher ‘containing’ the 2-4-1, avios and cash elements. But I’ve received two codes which both start ‘125-‘ which I thought somebody mentioned previously denoted they are evouchers?

  • Jill ( Kinkell) says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:29

    The voucher should have the original booking reference at the top and it will say ‘your future travel voucher is here’ The 2 codes 125…. Will represent the 2 passengers on your 241 booking. The taxes, fees ,charges plus the 241 are ‘wrapped up’ in this. The 241 and FTV is now valid until 30 Sept 2023.
    Might be a good idea to note what you paid, both in terms of number of Avios and ££ on the print out.

    For those who chipped in so helpfully a few days ago re: Denver cancellation. I mulled it over and eventually went for the FTV ( sorry LL) I was just so stressed, angry and downright pi##ed off at all the BA rubbish I’d been given over 4-5 calls. I’ve noted all the CS names, times of calls, conversations and I feel a letter of complaint coming on. Might make me feel better, but BA will ignore and issue corporate response.

    • Lady London says:

      4 Sep4 September 17:56

      I sympathise but unfortunately this result is exactly why BA bullies, misinforms, fails to inform passengers of their correct rights and stonewalls.

      But I do feel for the large numbers of people BA’s illegal tactics succeed with

  • ChrisC says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:45

    If the numbers start 125-2 they are FTVs (call to use)

    125-4 are e-vouchers

• RTS says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:12

  Hi,

  Does anyone know when HSBC WE points are credited? Is it on statement day or as and when a spend hits the card?

  • Ls says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:15

    Statement day.

    • RTS says:

      4 Sep4 September 12:15

      Ah, thanks. 🙂

• ChrisA says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:22

  We (family of 4) had been hoping to spend 2 wks in Canadian Rockies next summer & I had hoped to be able to use my 241, but as there seem no sign of BA restarting flights to YYC, does anyone have any suggestions what are the best value/service options to Calgary now? Not fussed where from as starting in Belfast, so we need to go to a bigger airport with any carrier.

  • Paul says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:56

    Go to Vancouver instead of Calgary, Rockies just as accessible, and flights available now…

    • KBuffett says:

      4 Sep4 September 14:16

      Do you know if that route has new First cabins?

      • barnaby100 says:

        4 Sep4 September 14:23

        No first on the route

  • MisterE says:

    4 Sep4 September 15:01

    I agree Vancouver is probably best next option while Calgary suspended, but its currently just an A350 whereas in past times its been an A380. So much less capacity and I don’t see any Avios availability for summer 2022.

    Might be worth considering using 2-4-1 to get to Toronto (still showing Avios availability) and then connecting to Calgary. Westjet fly that route and seem to have a decent reputation. Alternatively, Westjet may well be flying directly from UK (was LGW; may well move to LHR). Its more of a budget option, so is likely to be cheaper for cash than Air Canada or BA would have been.

    • ChrisA says:

      5 Sep5 September 12:06

      Thanks everyone for the information. I will look at the Toronto idea. Westjet sounds good – looking at their website Economy seems to include a hold bag and meals – what are the budget limitations? As for moving to LHR from LGW – that would make things much easier than having to use EZY to LGW. Have they announced a move to LHR?

• manilabay says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:23

  Applied for HSBC WE MC in August and was charged the annual fee, as expected, however the letter said it was £0 fee. I tried reporting over live chat but rejected. Made formal complaint on HSBC website and today have confirmed I will receive a refund. Worth giving it a go – and thanks for others highlighting. Around 4 days from initial complaint submission to getting confirmation today, will await the refund now.

  • HH says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:38

    Does anyone know if they’re still issuing the letter saying £0 fee for new applications now?

    • RTS says:

      4 Sep4 September 12:44

      Risk it for the biscuit. You have 14 days cooling period in any event.

  • Reney says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:43

    can I ask what was the argument you put forward?

    • Polly says:

      4 Sep4 September 20:36

      Not able to use the lounges etc..they really push that aspect of the card. Always best to phone them.

  • Harry T says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:14

    Why didn’t you just ring in the first place? Chat are useless!

  • C says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:35

    I would like the HSBC WE card, but don’t fancy the fee for the first year. There have been a number of such reports of getting the fee waived firvthevdirstvyear – is there enough confidence that this is anything other than luck?

    • Polly says:

      4 Sep4 September 20:37

      They couldn’t find a record of my letter, but waived it anyway… weird thing was it was re charged again, and supp fee, but yesterday was waived again…seems to be a system error, which they have now claimed to have fixed.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:49

    You just had to phone. Took me about 5 mins.

    • Ls says:

      4 Sep4 September 14:13

      Same. She was very polite and it immediately credited.

• Roger says:

  4 Sep4 September 12:29

  IHG Black Card free nights

  I used two consecutive weekends for 2 certificates at HIX
  In my app one hotel seems to have been paid $22.XX while the other seems to have received a payment of $232.XX.
  Difficult to believe this but this is what is shown in my account in the App.

  • Char Char says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:31

    This usually happens, don’t know if thats the actually amount they receive from IHG or not

    • Zara says:

      4 Sep4 September 12:48

      I had a free night redeemed last week but I’ve been charged for it in my Amex as a no show. Been trying to get hold of IHG and the hotel to no avail so have now created a dispute on amex. The charge is £179 and my sister who did the same has the same charged (fully processed). I was going to write a review on the hotel but would like this resolved first. Their customer service was quite mixed.

      • Char Char says:

        4 Sep4 September 12:55

        Keep phoning and speak to either the reservations manager or above, don’t bother with IHG support.

  • Kai says:

    4 Sep4 September 12:57

    It’s what IHG pays the hotel for your redemption. Not relevant to you.

  • Sam G says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:57

    I’m not sure for IHG but usually it’s a small $ amount if their occupancy was under ~95% to cover the housekeeping. If their occupancy was over that figure then it’s likely you displaced a paying guest and IHG will reimburse them their Average Dairy Rate for that night instead

  • John says:

    4 Sep4 September 14:56

    If hotel is 95% full they get paid the flexible rate, otherwise they get a pittance.

• Chris H says:

  4 Sep4 September 13:11

  Hi everyone,
  at the end of next month we have booked flights with Swiss Air on their 2 4 1 offer last year to Bangkok via Zurich.
  They have cancelled the outbound flight and offered us an alternate flight on the next day so we have to rebook transfers, cancel and rebook the hotel, and lose a day’s holiday.
  Can I insist on a flight on the same day, if there is one available with another airline? And if I can, would it have to be the same routing via Zurich?
  All this assumes that the restrictions by Thailand are lifted on 1st Oct, and it is lowered to an AMBER list country before we travel!!
  BTW, I know we can cancel entirely and get a refund, but changing the date means we would lose the 241 offer and have to pay thousands extra.

  • Sam G says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:59

    Have you tried asking them for Lufthansa? Same group so might be an option

    Highly unlikely you’ll be going IMO so don’t act too quickly so you keep the refund option open. If the flight goes and you aren’t on it you’ll be forced to do a date change or travel credit which as you say may result in a large fare difference

  • ChrisC says:

    4 Sep4 September 14:01

    Just to be clear the trip was booked is LHR-ZRH-BKK rather than ZRH-BKK with separate positioning flights to ZRH?

    • AJA says:

      4 Sep4 September 14:58

      Not sure if I understand – I think you are saying you booked LHR-ZRH-BKK on one ticket and that the ZRH-BKK sector has been cancelled.

      If so you are also entitled to be re-routed direct LHR-BKK but you may have to fight for that. They could offer LHR-FRA-BKK on Lufthansa on the same day and if you still want to go I’d be tempted to accept. Alternatively if the current suggestion means you have a night in ZRH then duty of care applies and they would have to pay for hotel and meal.

      • ChrisC says:

        4 Sep4 September 15:37

        I’m asking how the trip was booked by Chris H.

        Because it matters as to which EU261 rights apply.

        If the trip was booked as LHR-ZRH-BKK then full EU261 rights accrue .

        If it was booked as ZRH-BKK then the Swiss interpretation applies as Switzerland does not automatically accept ECJ rulings.

        • Chris H says:

          4 Sep4 September 16:41

          Thanks for all your answers.
          To clarify, I booked LHR-ZRH-BKK, and then return on a 241 deal last year.
          they have offered to change the whole booking to the following day.
          I only have up to the 12th to give them an answer or, they say, they will assume I have accepted the change.

        • AJA says:

          4 Sep4 September 18:15

          Apologies. I misread your profile name and thought I was responding directly to Chris H.

          You raise interesting points although I thought Switzerland applied EC261 in full anyway. Interesting about the fact that it doesn’t automatically accept ECJ rulings. I didn’t know that.

  • Lady London says:

    4 Sep4 September 17:58

    No you won’t lose the 241 even if you rerout

  • Lady London says:

    4 Sep4 September 18:01

    No you wont losr the 241 if you use your EU261 right to choose even a much later date. Even if your new date is well outside the promotion date. As they cancelled it’s 100% they have to keep honouring what you bought for the same price and that is 2 seats now on date of your choice.

    • Chris H says:

      4 Sep4 September 18:29

      Thanks for the info. Just to clarify, as they have cancelled one leg of my trip, under EU261 I have the right to ask for another flight on the same day, even if it is with another airline; or to ask for the entire trip to be rescheduled at a future date without having to pay any extra if the costs have changed?
      Have I got this right?

• George M says:

  4 Sep4 September 13:27

  Looking for some reviews on the one and only le saint geran. Looking to go October time. Does anybody have any first hand experience of this resort?
  Thanks

  • Jill ( Kinkell) says:

    4 Sep4 September 13:51

    Not first hand, but many times to Mauritius. Meant to be one of the best hotels as of a few years ago. Prince Maurice was very good , and we like the Oberoi. Didn’t care for Le Touessrok. We have ,several times, done 7 nights in the south at Le Morne, ( some really nice hotels). then used the hire car to transfer to7 nights in the north…usually Oberoi

  • SM says:

    4 Sep4 September 15:04

    Stayed there once, attentive service, good food, rooms are spacious, would happily stay there again.

    • Mrs_Fussy says:

      4 Sep4 September 18:35

      Second that ! Great value one & only

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