The HfP chat thread – Friday 8th October

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• Ryan says:

  8 Oct8 October 11:36

  Yep, up to 90 days says live chat

• JRC says:

  8 Oct8 October 11:37

  Rob do you know if there will be any further extensions to BAPP 2-4-1 vouchers? Have one expiring in Mar-22 and doesn’t look I will be able to use it by then.

  • Rob says:

    8 Oct8 October 11:41

    No chance.

    Vouchers started expring last week (1st October). No way will they extend yours when other readers have already lost theirs this week.

    • Anna says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:05

      Who has let a voucher expire?!!

      • Alex says:

        8 Oct8 October 12:14

        I have 4 on just one account. Take one pls.

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 12:33

          Ooh, where shall we go?! Seriously though, you need to get some swapped for FTVs.

      • SteveJ says:

        8 Oct8 October 12:22

        Exactly this, simple UK one way flight cancelled for a FTV. Madness to let them expire.

        • Sprout says:

          8 Oct8 October 12:39

          Is there an article somewhere I can read up on this process? – I have several as well. thanks

        • BJ says:

          8 Oct8 October 12:52

          @Sprout, it’s simple. Just book a one way domestic flight using voucher with maximum avios and minimum money (or opposite if that works better for you). 24h later go to manage my booking and click cancel. It will give you the option to take a voucher, and that’s what you take. 24h nit really necessary but wait that long anyway.

        • JRC says:

          8 Oct8 October 14:16

          Ok so if a book a 2-4-1 in Economy to Manchester, then cancel to trigger a FTV. Then at some point within the next 12 months I call up and can book 2-4-1 to
          USA (or another destination) in business/ first and just pay difference in Avios and taxes?

        • SteveJ says:

          8 Oct8 October 16:48

          @Sprout it’s as simple as BJ says. Mentioned at the bottom of this article :

          https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/08/04/british-airways-future-travel-voucher-extension/

        • BJ says:

          8 Oct8 October 18:04

          Yes @JRC. Through September 23 though not just 12 months.

    • flyforfun says:

      8 Oct8 October 13:11

      Thanks for the prompt!!

      Just booked a flight for Monday – day the voucher expires. How soon do I need to wait before pressing the FTV button request?

      • Anna says:

        8 Oct8 October 13:41

        I did my last one the same day but it doesn’t really matter.

        • Tom says:

          8 Oct8 October 15:02

          I did it immediately and it worked just fine

      • TGLoyalty says:

        8 Oct8 October 17:12

        Straight away works fine.

• Peter Taysum says:

  8 Oct8 October 11:38

  Hi again,

  If I book BA holiday, will I get upgraded for buying IHG Ambassador, or will they not recognise it?

  • Anna says:

    8 Oct8 October 11:40

    I don’t think anything would be guaranteed – also Ambassador is only guaranteed to get you upgraded at ICs, not any other brand.

  • Rob says:

    8 Oct8 October 11:41

    Won’t recognise it, unless you get lucky.

    • Peter Taysum says:

      8 Oct8 October 11:44

      Yes it’s Intercontinental O2 as suggested the other day! 😀

      • John says:

        8 Oct8 October 11:50

        Ask to buy ambassador when you check in and see what happens

        Obviously more likely to have an effect on direct bookings

        Could also email in advance to test waters

        • Peter Taysum says:

          8 Oct8 October 11:52

          Thanks!

          Actually thinking to book through Emir!

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 12:06

          Peter – the last time I asked Emyr about the O2 he said it was no longer participating with Virtuoso. Not sure if that was just temporary while it was a quarantine hotel though.

    • Peter Taysum says:

      8 Oct8 October 11:49

      In which case; it would probably be better to just book flights from BA (not do holiday; the double TP not THAT significant) use IHG Ambassador for “free weekend night” and do it that way…

      Is there a portal for Intercontinental for Avios through BA/etc?!? I’m new to IC. Am HH Diamond (thanks to HfP!)

      • ChrisC says:

        8 Oct8 October 12:32

        “Is there a portal for Intercontinental for Avios through BA/etc?!? I’m new to IC. Am HH Diamond (thanks to HfP!)”

        Don’t understand what this means.

        To get the benefits of IHG/AMB status you need to book direct or via someone like Emyr.

  • Kai says:

    8 Oct8 October 15:07

    It’s written in the t&c – all benefits are applicable except the guaranteed room upgrade.

• Sandra says:

  8 Oct8 October 11:45

  Anyone not WFH & looking to update their wardrobe, I’ve just had a Charles Tyrwhitt email offering 15% off with 15OFF until 2359 on 17th which, with the Amex spend £100 get 20% back, is a pretty decent discount.

  • peter says:

    8 Oct8 October 11:49

    That’s great thanks! But have a look at Craghoppers glitch on HUKD 😀 Free shopping..

    • Richie says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:30

      The error has been fixed.

    • Phil W says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:34

      No longer working 🙁

  • Simon says:

    8 Oct8 October 11:56

    “CTRV50” code gives you 50 quid off a 200 spend. add that to the amex deal and i got 6 shirts for 125 quid net. (added a pair of lovely socks to get me over £200) !

  • Nigerian Prince says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:24

    worth checking local store to see if they have anything better, CT website and stores are operated independently

  • Andrew H says:

    8 Oct8 October 15:15

    And 4.5% at Airtime!

    Amateur…!

    Might be up for the challenge.

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      8 Oct8 October 21:33

      Won’t stack with the Amex offer though

• elguiri says:

  8 Oct8 October 11:59

  Recommendations for places to stay in Tenerife in December? Needs to sleep 2 adults and a child.

  • Anna says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:08

    What sort of area do you want to be in? Are you thinking hotel or apartment?

    • elguiri says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:32

      Still trying to get my head around the area question. Somewhere close to beach, but family friendly, not loud or lively.
      Prefer apartment. We’ll be there for a week, and having a kitchen and access to a pool would all be preferred. But if the hotel room has separate area for child’s bed, would consider it (just don’t want to have to switch my light off at 8pm…)

      • Anna says:

        8 Oct8 October 12:39

        Apartments are definitely better for privacy, and having some sort of kitchen facility is always handy with children.
        A lot of the higher end apartment complexes can be booked on hotels dot com or booking dot com these days if you want their benefits and free cancellation etc.
        Tenerife isn’t particularly beachy so you’ll pay a premium for accommodation with beach access. A lot of places have excellent pools though, and if you hire a car you can drive to the various beaches (though in the very touristy areas parking is a nightmare).
        If you can be a bit clearer about which part of the island you want to stay in, I can probably be a bit more helpful!

        • elguiri says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:24

          So after a quick look, La Arena, Los Cristianos, and maybe Costa Adeje seem family friendly.
          Definitely in the south as wouldn’t hear the end of it if we got another ‘cold’ winter holiday after the one we did in Lanzarote a few years back…
          Also, don’t want to be driving far from airport after arriving, but it looks like these are all close by.

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:54

          Costa Adeje is a bit quieter than Los Cristianos. Though the beach at Cristianos is great for families if rather crowded.
          Resorts do vary wildly so it pays to do some research depending on whether you’re fishbowl cocktails and clubbing or golf and fine dining.

        • elguiri says:

          8 Oct8 October 16:52

          Actually planning beach and day trips to the the rest of the island

      • Amy C says:

        8 Oct8 October 14:07

        Currently lying on the rooftop of my hotel in Los Cristianos, second time in Tenerife and will be the last. Only here in my quest for BA silver status. Hope you find somewhere suitable. Tenerife just doesn’t inspire me to explore so I’m ill equipped to advise. Went to Adeje in 2014 but I think this area is fractionally less ‘Benidormy’.

        • JRC says:

          8 Oct8 October 14:18

          I made the same comment about Tenerife but apparently it’s very upmarket now according to folk on here….

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 15:20

          Tenerife has something for everyone. I spent a year there as a student in the early 90s when the delights of Playa de Las Americas were right up my street (it was quite astonishing how I came out of that degree course with a 2:1 in MFL) but nowadays the place would just keep me awake. But there are other areas which are perfectly suited to what I like doing now, namely sight-seeing, history & culture, food and scenery. The place is incredibly geologically interesting as well as having a fascinating history. It’s also a world-class centre for Astronomy – Brian May completed part of his PhD thesis in Physics there. There’s always something I haven’t seen or done and that’s just one island!

  • Harry T says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:15

    RC Abama or Sheraton.

  • Jane says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:19

    We’re staying in the Bahia Principe Tenerife for half term, it was pretty cheap and hopefully will be cheerful 🙂 reviews aren’t terrible.

    • elguiri says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:49

      Not done resort yet, ever. The fantasia one looks good for a 4 year-old. Would be interested to hear your feedback once you’ve been.

      • Anna says:

        8 Oct8 October 13:15

        We stayed near there in August, I was dying to go in and have a look! It’s in an odd location though, on a busy road right opposite some rather tacky shops and bars, and it doesn’t have a beach either. It gave the impression having just been crammed into an empty plot of land really.

        • Jane says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:31

          Not keen on the beach and we have a sea view booked so hopefully won’t have to worry about the busy road ! at this point though, it’s just time for a holiday and especially one where I don’t have to lift a finger 🙂

        • xcalx says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:41

          I have had some great nights in the bars you describe as tacky which I presume you didn’t visit.

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:43

          Jane, I was talking about the Fantasia one, sorry!

        • Anna says:

          8 Oct8 October 13:46

          Xcalc, I have had plenty of nights in those kind of bars historically, but I wouldn’t pay 5 star hotel prices to stay directly across the road from them!

    • Jody says:

      8 Oct8 October 13:06

      We’re staying in a different one, the Bahia Principe Sunlight Costa Adeje between Christmas and New Year.

      Well, I say that, it can be cancelled for a full refund, I also have the Barcelo Santiago booked as well. Similar prices for them both (booked ages ago).

      I’m trying to decide which would be best for gluten free, which is quite difficult as it’s not mentioned that much on reviews. Barcelo haven’t answered by emails, but they did answer the question I put up on booking.com. Bahia did answer my email.

      No idea how to decide between them!

      • Jane says:

        8 Oct8 October 13:16

        That one is joined onto our one. I saw something on the Bahia Facebook group that if you tell them about allergies they give you a card and if you show it at the restaurant the chef will come and guide you through what you can / can’t eat. if you search for the hotel on facebook the group should come up and seems fairly helpful.

        elguiri, the fantasia did look really good but was quite a bit more pricey for what is supposed to be a cheap week.

    • FatherOfFour says:

      8 Oct8 October 13:49

      Kids will enjoy it there, we did too.

      • Crafty says:

        8 Oct8 October 16:43

        GF Victoria at Costa Adeje is brilliant. Basic room is a “senior suite” so you can put the kids in the second bedroom, then pop out to the balcony, job done.

        • elguiri says:

          8 Oct8 October 17:08

          Looking at the website GF Victoria looks good. Obviously no kitchen etc, but if the breakfast is good we prefer to have lunch/dinner out at local restaurants anyway. Any things not happy with there?

• Nomid says:

  8 Oct8 October 12:04

  Anyone got 3000 extra bonus for BAPP sup?

  • xcalx says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:35

    No. 3 weeks now and still nothing. Once this months Avios transfer over I will cancel. Not worth the extra payments for the 3k Avios

  • aDifferentSimon says:

    8 Oct8 October 14:27

    I didn’t even get the base bonus on a gold supp.

  • AJA says:

    8 Oct8 October 16:06

    I think we have to wait until the beginning of November. The offer was 3,000 Avios when you spend over £500 on the Supp by 31 October so I think they will only be awarded after that date. Then again the offer T&Cs also said “it may take up to 120 days for the up to 6,000 Avios to be applied to your account” which could mean 120 days from end of promotion or 120 days from date of applying or even 120 days from end of date to apply for a supp. I can’t remember when the promotion started but if it was 1 July 2021, 120 days would be 29 Oct 2021.

• Mark says:

  8 Oct8 October 12:07

  Has anyone ever used 1stflight recently. Need then for luggage courier service but can’t seem to get hold of them?

• Igloo says:

  8 Oct8 October 12:29

  I’ve got a trip to Newcastle planned for December and looking at Hotel options, does anybody have any recommendations?

  • Simon says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:44

    The Malmaison is a decent location. Maybe more stag/hen than romantic weekend vibe though

  • Genghis says:

    8 Oct8 October 12:51

    Certainly not fancy but we liked Staybridge Suites last time we were there.

    • BJ says:

      8 Oct8 October 12:58

      +1, favoured option in Newcastle, Definitely niot DT Airport though.

      • John says:

        8 Oct8 October 13:51

        Did you have a bad experience? I liked it in 2018 and before, but stayed recently and wouldn’t go back.

        • BJ says:

          8 Oct8 October 18:19

          @John, only issue was the most horrible person I ever encountered at a hotel reception anyplace. Figured her attitude was due to our being a same sex and/or mixed race couple. However, when in reception later I observed her giving an elderly British couple an equally hard time. Despite giving it much thought I decided not to complain about her because maybe there was more to it and she was having a very bad day for whatever reason, and all the other staff encountered were lovely. Regardless, the experience put me off ever returning to the hotel.

  • Anna says:

    8 Oct8 October 13:18

    The Indigo, while not as nice as the Durham one, sometimes has excellent rates and is good for status recognition. (Payable) car parking at the rear. There was a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse there when we stayed but I don’t know if they’ve actually reopened after the last lockdown.

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      8 Oct8 October 14:29

      +1 for Indigo. Very convenient for the station too so great if you don’t need to bring a car.

  • MrHandBaggageOnly says:

    8 Oct8 October 13:51

    If you’re not brand loyal, look at Motel One. I stayed a couple of weeks ago. Decent rates, central location, comfortable rooms and great staff. In top 10 on TripAdvisor and I can see why. Had never stayed at a Motel One before, but will consider for future trips on the back of our Newcastle stay!

    • Liam says:

      8 Oct8 October 16:56

      I used to stay at the Motel One in Manchester quite a lot when I would go up there for work and had no complaints.

  • Travel Strong says:

    8 Oct8 October 13:55

    The staybridge suites rooms are probably the nicest/newest i’ve encountered – and you can have a kitchen if thats useful. However the other facilities (gym/food/etc) are limited compared to Hilton Gateshead – which is my current preferred property overall, despite the rooms being a little more dated.

    • BJ says:

      8 Oct8 October 18:21

      If you’re a fan if Staybrudge the one in Dundee is super.

  • Chris says:

    8 Oct8 October 15:49

    I like the Crowne Plaza, directly behind the station

    Never stayed in the Staybridge, but I’ve tried most of the others Hampton, Hilton, Indigo, Malmaison, and I think Crowne Plaza is the best

  • Igloo says:

    8 Oct8 October 17:30

    Thank-you! Will look into those! Embarrassingly I have no IHG status (well Gold but that might as well be no status!) The CP is working out cheapest for my dates so may end up there!

  • David D says:

    8 Oct8 October 19:14

    I am a big fan of the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, especially the Executive Plus rooms with the lounge looking out over the Tyne.

    Last time we were there in August, the Innside by Melia had not long opened too and looked good and quite well priced and is a riverside location on the Newcastle side.

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