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The HfP chat thread – Friday 8th October

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Comments (669)

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

  • Gringo says:
    8 Oct8 October 16:20

    I was on the phone today to BA and the CS rep said something interesting to me. Usually if you cancel an Avios booking they charge £35pp, but she mentioned that if you cancel within 24 hours of departure they waive the £35 charge but only refund the taxes and avios. I’m not sure if this could possibly work out better for some situations.

    • Simon says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:23

      oh to just get through to a BA rep…..

    • Genghis says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:34

      Doesn’t sound right to me.

    • AJA says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:50

      I didn’t think you could cancel a reward booking within 24 hours of departure. Are you sure the CS rep didn’t actually describe the FTV option which is essentially a refund of Avios and taxes inside a voucher for future use? BA doesn’t charge £35 if you do that.

      • Amy C says:
        8 Oct8 October 17:01

        Just hijacking this as I’m considering the unthinkable (Cancelling a Maldives redemption in Jan). The taxes and avios are tied up in the voucher are they? No way of avios going straight back into my account and just the fees tied up in a FTV?

        • TGLoyalty says:
          8 Oct8 October 17:02

          No. It’s either all in a voucher or pay £35 each and get back Avios and fees.

        • Anna says:
          8 Oct8 October 17:03

          Nope, you’d need to cancel (by calling!!) and lose the £35pp fee, to get any of it back.

          • meta says:
            8 Oct8 October 17:20

            @Amy C I’ve cancelled my Dec Maldives trip, so don’t feel like you’re the only one!

          • Lady London says:
            8 Oct8 October 17:54

            ….or give it a lot more time and wait for a significant reschedule or a cancellation by airline of any flight on your booking then you can get entirety refunded (amongst other choices)

        • TicknBash says:
          8 Oct8 October 18:30

          @Amy C @meta I’m booked for MLE in December too. Why are you cancelling ? Am I missing something here ?

          • meta says:
            8 Oct8 October 19:22

            @LadyLondon 99% certain there won’t be any changes for Maldives as they are fully open and off the red list.

            @TicknBash You’re not missing anything. It’s more personal. I realised that I don’t like the feeling of being trapped on one island with not being able to drive somewhere. There are other places where I can get the same white powdery beach experience, feel isolated and remote for at least half the price and also be within easy reach of something else. Then there is the weather to consider given that it can be dramatic at any time of the year and sea plane experience wouldn’t be then a pleasant one. And also being stuck in a villa, I can watch Netflix at home and don’t need to be paying through the roof for that. It’s just a personal decision. This was booked during lockdown no.2 (or was it 3?) to go in March and rebooked during lockdown 3 (or 4?). I think being stuck inside also made me not think about it properly and the thought of going to somewhere sunny and remote was appealing. Not so much anymore.

          • meta says:
            8 Oct8 October 19:28

            And now that I’ve written it feels like it’s about money, but actually it’s not. I felt ripped off in Iceland most of the time, but we were just driving and driving and it felt like landscapes were changing all the time and it seems like it was never ending. That really ignited the explorer in me again and this doesn’t sync well with Maldives.

          • Amy C says:
            8 Oct8 October 20:04

            I got carried away and booked too many holidays and now SA isn’t red anymore I’d rather go there in Feb for a road trip abs just stay home in Jan. I’d love to keep Maldives too but I’m going away every month from Sept this year to May 22 at the moment and that’s ridiculous financially and just generally. So no, you’re not missing anything.

          • Babyg says:
            8 Oct8 October 20:23

            meta – “not being able to drive somewhere” yup the Maldives aint for you… the m25 is probably a better bet and cheaper… 🙂 To be fair the maldives is totally overpriced and overdone, but if you focus on what the maldives was originally about, it was the white sand, incredible bright blue lagoons, and nothing else to do youll love it…

          • HBommie says:
            8 Oct8 October 20:35

            @meta could I ask where the white powdery beaches plus road trip are in December?

            The more ideas the better for me.

          • Yorkieflyer says:
            8 Oct8 October 20:40

            We’ve done Conrad rangali on points in a over water villa, it’s a great one off experience but I wouldn’t go again

        • TicknBash says:
          8 Oct8 October 20:58

          @meta @amy thanks both for replying. Like a lot of people here got a really cheap deal for Lux which is now 80% more !

          A bit reluctant to let it go but at the same time weather is not best and the Mrs will just be heading into her final trimester.
          😰 decisions decisions

          • meta says:
            8 Oct8 October 22:40

            @Babyg 😂 But that was then, now it’s different…

            @HBommie Not in December, but I’d go to Seychelles or Mauritius. You can drive around and there are white powdery beaches. You can also hike to remote beaches on La Digue. Then there are other places, just need to google and research a bit.😀

    • Marina says:
      8 Oct8 October 21:23

      You sure she didn’t mean within 24 hours of making the booking ? Then they wouldn’t charge the cancellation fee

  • Chris says:
    8 Oct8 October 16:23

    About to spend a decent chunk on a retailer who offers Curve cash, but seriously wondering if I should just use my VA Mastercard directly and forgoe the Curve cash given the stories of late

    • Yorkie Aid says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:29

      Silly to leave cash on the table. Doubt any other CC company would be as childish and amateurish as Creation

      • Harrier25 says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:06

        I did worry for a few days, but then decided that Creation will very much be an isolated case and am back using my Hilton Barclaycard with Curve.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:52

      Maybe keep a screenshot of the offer on your camera roll encase you run into any issues

    • Andrew says:
      8 Oct8 October 19:02

      Which retailer. If there’s Curve Cash there’s bound to be a similar offer on another card.

    • The Urbanite says:
      8 Oct8 October 20:00

      If it’s genuine spend you will be fine. They’ll only come after you if you accrue Curve Cash on blatant MS.

    • Yorkieflyer says:
      8 Oct8 October 20:42

      I’ve locked our Curve cards away

  • Tom G says:
    8 Oct8 October 17:02

    Quick q as I am rusty on using BA Avios on AA. AA website showing availability LAX-JFK next August. BA showing no availability, can I call BA and book in this case?

    • AJA says:
      8 Oct8 October 17:16

      Is the flight AASaver inventory? (I think I got that terminology correct?) If so then yes you should be able to call BA. Not all AA reward seats are available to BA

  • SG says:
    8 Oct8 October 17:04

    Could anyone share their Sandals Rewards membership number for a referra?.Currently at a Sandals resort and planing to return,just found out about a referral scheme

    • Ant says:
      8 Oct8 October 17:48

      HI u can use mine if you want 7742169394036405

      • SG says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:27

        Thanks,I shall attach it to my booking!

      • SG says:
        8 Oct8 October 23:54

        Hi Ant
        Not sure if I need to confirm your name as well with your membership number?!If that will be the case I will get back to you via Rob

    • Tazzy says:
      8 Oct8 October 18:03

      Which one? Going to le toc on St Lucia in November

      • SG says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:47

        Hi Tazzy
        We are at the Sandals Grande Antigua,I think there are 3 Sandals resorts in St Lucia and there are all highly rated!Planning to go there next time!

  • N says:
    8 Oct8 October 17:08

    Has anyone had any luck negotiating a remote mattress run with a UK-based hotel? Thinking about trying this to get a few extra nights under my belt but wondering how likely it is.

    • Rob says:
      8 Oct8 October 17:11

      Innkeeper’s Act has some odd provisions about showing your face, so very unlikely. Best to offer to turn up on Day 1 in person.

      However, given high occupancy rates at many places now, it’s going to be tougher. Best bets will be, for eg, a Residence Inn for Marriott or a Staybridge for IHG – the long stay brands who don’t have any long stay overseas guests.

      • N says:
        8 Oct8 October 17:14

        Thinking to call the Moxy, especially at 4k a night…

        • BJ says:
          8 Oct8 October 17:33

          By all means call, I expect they’ll still be laughing and sharing the tale on Monday 🙂

          • N says:
            8 Oct8 October 18:08

            Well, I can confirm I gave one receptionist a reason for a giggle this Friday evening… Apparently not possible in the UK, but maybe in Europe

          • BJ says:
            8 Oct8 October 18:44

            Applaud you for trying @N, nothing ventured certainly nothing gained. Always worth a shot.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        8 Oct8 October 17:44

        But you can digital check in without ever showing your face.

      • David says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:08

        I’m flying up to Aberdeen for this very purpose – so I hope you can’t do it remotely !

    • Pablo says:
      8 Oct8 October 17:50

      I’d be happy to check in under your name at the Heathrow Moxy. After all, UK properties only ask for a name, not for an ID.

      • BJ says:
        8 Oct8 October 17:55

        Just get name added as second guest and problems solved anyway.

      • N says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:09

        Thank you – I’m local to Heathrow! It was another Moxy I had my eyes on

      • Graham Walsh says:
        8 Oct8 October 21:52

        When I checked into the Aloft at Excel this week they asked for photo ID and a credit card. I had neither on me but eventually showed a picture of my license and used my phone for pre Auth. Work had already paid for the room.

        • meta says:
          8 Oct8 October 22:42

          Yes, Marriotts have started asking. Last two stays in the UK, all asked. Hilton and IHG nothing.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            9 Oct9 October 10:46

            I stayed at the weekend no request for ID or even the card I used.

      • Aston100 says:
        8 Oct8 October 23:09

        I’ve been asked for formal ID twice this summer in the UK. Never happened to me at a UK hotel before.

  • Elizabeth Wright says:
    8 Oct8 October 17:19

    Quick question… I travel to Portugal a lot, and actually arrived on 1st October, when apparently the rules changed.

    Latest advice on visit portugal website says:

    RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) – 72h before boarding, or
    Rapid Antigen Test – 48h before boarding, or
    a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate, or
    a valid Vaccination or recovery certificate issued by a third country, under reciprocal conditions.
    Children under 12 do not need to present test.
    All passengers need to fill a Passenger Locator Card (individually) before departure to Portugal or on board at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card

    https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

    Has anyone been recently (i.e. since 1 October)? Is the UK vaccination certificate accepted under the reciprocal agreement? I cannot keep up!!

    • Jonathan says:
      8 Oct8 October 19:18

      TIMATIC doesn’t include U.K. in the list of reciprocal countries so that alone would make me not risk it.

      My personal experience today is also of at least 5 people being denied boarding by Ryanair on a flight to Faro for not having a test only proof of vaccination. Also signs in English only on the immigration booths saying show Covid test result although the guy didn’t actually inspect mine closely.

  • Swiss Jim says:
    8 Oct8 October 17:56

    Just had the following from Creation. Hey ho. Pure MS spending, so thinking I’ll call it quits 2 months early, not reply and hope then simply credit the free night voucher. Oh, and pile in instead for the last 2 month’s on my partner’s card. Has anyone else received? Seems too much of a coincidence – had card for years, never had this before…

    _______________________________________________________________________________

    As part of our ongoing commitment to customer service and fraud prevention we regularly attempt to contact our customers to confirm transactions on their IHG card account.

    Unfortunately we have been unsuccessful in contacting you on this occasion and would be grateful if you could contact us at your earliest convenience on 0371 376 1489 to discuss your recent purchases.

    In order to protect both you and your card a “referral” indicator has been placed on the card to prevent further spending. Please do not attempt to use the card until you have spoken to one of our operators.

    I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

    • Melonfarmer says:
      8 Oct8 October 18:15

      Interesting. Had mine declined at Tesco this week & about to try at IHG themselves later.

      Day 8 and still no letter about my other Creation card (mild ATM use years ago).

    • Yorkie Aid says:
      8 Oct8 October 18:20

      I had that message after a couple of failed Revolut topups. Just call them. They ask whether it was you or not and then clear the marker off the account.

    • Yorkie Aid says:
      8 Oct8 October 18:21

      And they won’t be giving you the free night certificate. See the thread on chat yesterday.

      • EwanG says:
        8 Oct8 October 20:08

        Creation CS might be saying that but unless they advise you your account is not being maintained in good order* they are contractually obliged to give the free night cert on the anniversary.
        *The letters did provide this (or indeed anything) as a reason for account closure.

      • Lady London says:
        9 Oct9 October 12:10

        Oh yes they will.
        Whether they like it or not

  • Jonny says:
    8 Oct8 October 18:02

    Anyone here stayed at Ink 48 in NYC? Be interested to hear thoughts since more recent reviews look a bit ropey

    • TGLoyalty says:
      8 Oct8 October 18:20

      It was a highly regarded Kimpton. Shame if it’s gone downhill since leaving.

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