The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 26th October

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

• High Grade says:

  26 Oct26 October 15:59

  I got my IHG credit card statement today. I noticed something very worrying. In the points section it stated the amount of points earned this month, as it usually does. However the line below where it lists the amount of points transferred to my IHG account was 0. Perhaps this is why there have been a few reports of people not having their points arrive as usual. Just spoke to customer service, who said they will not be awarding points from now until account is closed.

  • Youllnever says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:03

    Already discussed on page 1.

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:10

      Not really. On P1 Customer Service had allegedly claimed there was simply a delay to the points transfer.

    • Jill (Kinkell) says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:11

      No letter, various communications regarding great features of the account. Bill paid and Points in IHG account yesterday. Seems I’ve escaped so far!

      • Anna says:

        26 Oct26 October 16:42

        I don’t think we should be poking Creation too much. The less info they give us, the worse they are going to look when all these complaints go to the FOS. I’ve got my initial complaints in but I won’t be engaging any further with them until I go to the FOS with all the issues I’m challenging which Creation hasn’t even notified me of (unless they acquiesce to all my requests, obviously!)

        • Anna says:

          26 Oct26 October 16:43

          That was to David, below. Clearly Jill hasn’t poked them in any way!

        • David says:

          26 Oct26 October 21:24

          Anna, you’ve complained already to Creation and IHG?
          I’m suggesting a simple and logical question would have been basic common sense to ask at the point of enquiry. Hardly poking them (unlike making an actual complaint!). How else are people supposed to gauge what is going on and what justifiably be complained about at a future point in time?

    • Char Char says:

      26 Oct26 October 17:35

      Most people aren’t going to go through 10 pages to find a hope of a mention on creation.

      • Lady London says:

        26 Oct26 October 18:43

        You’re correct Char Char. They’re going to type “site: headforpoints.com Creation” into Google instead

    • High Grade says:

      26 Oct26 October 21:02

      Sorry must have missed that.

  • David says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:11

    And did you ask why/under which T&Cs are they doing that? And why they didn’t advise this in the notice of closure letters?

    • Harrier25 says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:44

      Creation really have taken their gloves off and are clearly willing to chance their luck using their bare knuckles!

      • Char Char says:

        26 Oct26 October 17:39

        Whoever has decided this is obviously trying to play hard ball, acting like they are a victim of people using their unprofitable card.

  • stevenhp1987 says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:05

    Rang Creation who gave me a number to ring (IHG Rewards).

    IHG says they don’t have me listed as an IHG credit card member anymore so it could be that Creation have informed them of the cancellation a little early?

    They will get back to me in 1-3 working days.

    • Harrier25 says:

      26 Oct26 October 17:11

      …and what do you expect IHG to do about it? The issue here is Creation, not IHG. Use your time on the phone constructively, don’t waste it, and use that time to launch a complaint with the Creation Complaints Team.

      • Yorkie Aid says:

        26 Oct26 October 17:19

        You can use this link to start your formal complaint. They do respond within five working days and then you’ve set yourself down the correct path for having your complaint properly dealt with: https://www.creation.co.uk/about-us/customer-care#form

  • SteveJ says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:27

    All seems like a storm in a teacup? Give it a few days, my last statement (14th) points posted a good week later than usual. Not sure the people on the other end of the phone have a clue, so calling is possibly more stress than it’s worth. Nothing I’ve read here or page 1 suggests otherwise.

    • Char Char says:

      26 Oct26 October 17:43

      They are 3-4 days later than ever before and people are being told they are not getting the points so I would think that suggests otherwise that people will receive the points

      • SteveJ says:

        26 Oct26 October 17:54

        As I said above, mine posted a full week late this month. That was last week.

    • High Grade says:

      26 Oct26 October 21:32

      My statement says the points are not being transferred and that has been confirmed by creation CS. Not sure this is just a delay but I hope you’re right as I was due nearly 19k points this month.

      • stevenhp1987 says:

        27 Oct27 October 10:23

        Define: Confirmed by Creation CS.

        They stated they won’t transfer the points or they are delayed?

  • Char Char says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:47

    I’m quite sure they are going to be scamming everyone out of points until the end now

    • Lady London says:

      26 Oct26 October 18:41

      Surely though Creation would wish to continue all the store cards they also run in the UK? So why would Creation behave in a way that is sure to lead to FOS complaints and MCOLs based on breach of contract etc, as well as potentially drawing the attention of UK financial regulators?

      Something does not add up here if we assume Creation are not stupid.

      Could the problem be with IHG? Apparently a lot of hotels in the US exited IHG and there was speculation the minimum fees to hotels guaranteed under contract by IHG had not been paid?

      • JDB says:

        26 Oct26 October 19:23

        @LL the regulator is fully apprised of the situation.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          26 Oct26 October 20:23

          Are they? What’s their take?

          They’re ok with creation taking payment of a YEARLY fee then when THEY withdraw it part way through that year they can keep the whole fee?

          That points earned while their card is still open can be withheld?

          You’re talking BS.

        • JDB says:

          26 Oct26 October 21:40

          @TGLoyalty – you have inferred various things I did not say. My statement stands, but it would be wrong to draw any inferences.

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      26 Oct26 October 19:09

      If I was a betting man I would say the non-transfer of points thus far is simply down to incompetence, like most things in the world. Like SteveJ, I also received this months points about 9 days later than usual. I have mentioned this several times in the last few days but it seems to fall on deaf ears. I would definitely give it at least ten days before I started wasting my time chasing up any missing points. It does appear that many people seem to be looking for black bears in dark rooms that probably aren’t there

      • TGLoyalty says:

        26 Oct26 October 19:47

        I think it’s pretty deliberate check the number of points “transferred to IHG” this month and why it says 0 when previously it always said the amount earned this month.

        • SteveJ says:

          26 Oct26 October 20:04

          @TGL I agree that is strange, the mid Oct statement I refer to did mention the full points earned in month as “points transferred”. They turned up late. Not been in a position where points transferred = nil

        • QFFlyer says:

          27 Oct27 October 03:02

          Agreed, my black had the points turn up a week late, but the statement said they were transferred. My white and OH’s black says points transferred zero.

          I don’t doubt it’s incompetence, as this is Creation, but I suspect there’s an element of deliberate at this point too.

  • Britbronco says:

    26 Oct26 October 20:12

    ‘Not awarding points from now until account is closed’ could mean that they are just going to transfer the remaining points after Dec 3rd.
    The pdf statement stills states the points have been earned, just not transferred yet, so I expect they will transfer in due course, but maybe not until after Dec 3rd.
    Almost like they are trying to create doubt that points won’t be earned on any further spending to deter people from spending on the cards.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      26 Oct26 October 20:24

      I’m going to continue spending 😉

      • Anna says:

        26 Oct26 October 21:13

        Me too, can’t claim for missing points and free night certs otherwise!

        • QFFlyer says:

          27 Oct27 October 03:03

          Same, if nothing else I’ll still earn Hilton points as usual…

• AK says:

  26 Oct26 October 15:59

  What happened to BA lights to Alicante? They used to operate quite a few flights a day but can see nothing now. Is this route dropped permanently?

  • Sam G says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:26

    were closed for sale out of Gatwick whilst BA negotiated with the pilots. They did approve a deal so presumably BA are completing the rest of their negotiations and arrangements will put them back on sale. They are still in the schedule, just off sale

    • AK says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:31

      Thanks

    • Anna says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:48

      Thanks, I asked this the other day but didn’t see a reply before the page dropped off. Got it in mind to use up one of my FTVs next year.

  • Mikeact says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:49

    Been running all Winter out of Southampton with the LCY fleet.

• cabal of rabid baboons says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:09

  Our favourite grocer now sell Amazon gift cards in a similar manner to its own in that you select a top up between £15 to £250 rather than cards of different amounts.

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:15

    We have always had both options in our local store

  • David says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:24

    Never not been available where I am.

  • Char Char says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:45

    Not sure if you mean our favourite M grocer, if so they have been available for a long time.

  • Young L says:

    26 Oct26 October 18:25

    My store has this, but max top up is capped at £100.

• ash says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:13

  Just read Marriott going to fully dynamic pricing from 2023 🙁

• Olver says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:23

  What are your top ways of making the minimum spend of a card? For me, it’s in the following order

  1. Put all bills on the card council tax/ electricity/water/broadband/insurance/phones
  2. Put all daily expenses from all family members on the card, just adding it all to their Google Pay to make it easy
  3. prepay all large purchases we got coming up, mainly all holidays
  4. Buy a load of vouchers for Amazon, Waitrose etc.
  5. Prepay gas and electricity for the next 1 year

  Any other ideas, please share them 🙂

  • Sandgrounder says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:31

    So, use the card as much as you can for legitimate purchases?
    Probably the same for me.

    • Olver says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:36

      Yeah basically, guess buying some Avios and paying somebody with Paypal and transferring it back could be added to the list.

      • Jonathan says:

        26 Oct26 October 18:53

        Could use PayPal like that but they would take a few percent to process your card transaction and your friend would get less than you paid.

  • Anna says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:50

    If you lease/PCP a car, go with a finance company which accepts Amex!

• Tom says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:26

  Just booked ‘day 2’ tests from simplytestme for £12 per person. Amex accepted and SMS containing PLF code (5 letters, 7 numbers) received more or less instantly.
  Not really fussed about whether or not the tests arrive, but happy to report back next week if anyone is interested?

  • Sandgrounder says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:32

    Yep, interested. I’ve got a trip shortly, will default to Randox without acceptable feedback for cheaper options.

    • Pete M says:

      26 Oct26 October 16:38

      What sort of feedback do you need Sandgrounder? You pay, you get a PLF. If it doesn’t turn up you do a free NHS test. Why would you pay more?

      • Sandgrounder says:

        26 Oct26 October 22:12

        I want to get what I paid for and I want it to be fit for purpose so I can fulfil my obligation. I’m not someone who plays fast and loose with the law. That’s just me.

  • ChrisC says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:51

    Just ordered as well for a trip in a couple of weeks.
    PLF code received via text and email recept via email.

  • Lee G says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:06

    We ordered 4 on Friday for arrival back home today. Received emails this morning saying all 4 had been sent and 3 were waiting for us. I’ve just done the test, easy to upload the photo so now just the last step for them to confirm my negative result and to see if the 4th arrives. £12 ‘well spent’ so far.

  • Alex says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:24

    I have an unused PLF arrival test bought from Chronomics in August. I am wondering can this be used as a day 2 test? It has a Passenger locator reference number AP******/**

• xcalx says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:32

  Anyone having problems checking in for a Jet 2 flight. Son and family trying to checkin for flight home from Faro tomorrow all details correct and checkin box just resets. Tried on multple devices and still no joy.
  Thanks

  • xcalx says:

    26 Oct26 October 16:41

    Sorted after phoning Jet2 message says If unable to checkin on line all online checkin seats have been allocated don’t worry check in at the airport. Why don’t they state that online, idiots.

• Pthty says:

  26 Oct26 October 16:32

  Looking to travel to Thailand for winter…appreciate a lot of uncertainty at the moment re restrictions etc. Would appreciate some pointers regarding travel insurance from Amex Plat (I’ll be calling later anyway to triple check but hoping someone here might have insights to share).

  As I understand it:
  -Quarantine requirements in Thailand are ONE day while you await PCR results (could be longer, yes, but this is the theory).
  -If someone on your flight tests positive, every one must quarantine for X days?

  Would Amex Platinum (or HSBC Premier) insurance cover me in case of:
  a) Thailand introducing further restrictions (e.g. 10 day quarantine instead of 1 stated as of date of booking e.g. TODAY) in which case I’d cancel the trip
  b) Thailand introducing further restrictions for UK citizens (e.g. covid cases going up so they don’t let us in)
  c) Getting Covid over there ($50k insurance requirement)

  Any help appreciated!

  • meta says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:16

    You need to book the first night hotel in advance and pre-pay for PCR test, both non-refundable, so if the airline cancels flights/changes schedule, be prepared to part with that money or claim on insurance if they allow it.

    Regarding insurance, too specific questions that you should be asking the insurer. Nobody here can provide you with an accurate answer.

    • Allan says:

      26 Oct26 October 17:27

      Not going to work for the BA double TPs offer then is it, neither hotel or car hire as can’t get there on day 1.

      • ChrisC says:

        26 Oct26 October 17:48

        The 2*TP offer says nothing about using the hotel / car just that it’s booked for the length of the stay.

    • Pthty says:

      26 Oct26 October 17:54

      Fair enough.

      Another question, what’s the deal with the VTL (vaccinated travel lane) with Singapore Air flights? The flight I’m looking at has a stopover in SIN and some flights are VTL (more expensive) and some aren’t…as far as I understand transit in SIN is permitted if double vaxxed and from a green country but keen to see if anyone has any other info.

      • Sam G says:

        26 Oct26 October 18:59

        you’d only want/need to be on a VTL flight if you wanted to enter Singapore for a stopover. Transit at Changi is possible on any flight. Note on the way back through Changi from Thailand you won’t have free access to facilities so book as short a connection as possible

        • Pthty says:

          26 Oct26 October 19:13

          Thanks for the response! Makes complete sense. Will avoid those VTL ones then.

          Next challenge I face is whether or not domestic travel will be allowed during Xmas, as the flight is to BKK but want to head to the beaches…let’s see how I feel and whether to pull the trigger on these tickets.

      • Clive says:

        26 Oct26 October 20:43

        You will also need a RT PCR Test within 48 hours of departure for transit through SIN

  • Richie says:

    26 Oct26 October 17:40

    Why bother risking it?

    • Pthty says:

      26 Oct26 October 18:12

      The prospect of another winter in UK seems quite bleak plus hopefully between now and then the Thai govt will have enough time to iron out the kinks.

      Still relatively cheap Economy flights, worst case scenario a bit of a write off in an extreme case, plus life is about taking risks (to some degree).

      Finally, having spent all of this and last year’s summer working remotely from a sunny EU country despite usual fears from people, I’m more convinced that life is too short.

      • Wollhouse says:

        27 Oct27 October 08:22

        Pthty, in response to domestic travel within Thailand, IF you fly into BKK you have to do the quarantine there, and it’s not 1 day. The 1 day is for the sandbox schemes so you are already at the beaches (samui or phuket). You need to fly direct to Phuket or transit through BKK on the same PNR to samui on the designated transfer flights. If you’ve done your quarantine in BKK and you subsequently fly to samui after, you need either a neg pcr, double vax >14days or proof of recovery <90 days. At the moment from samui to BKK you don’t need anything, but everything is fluid.

  • Andy says:

    26 Oct26 October 19:13

    I’m not sure if one person tests positive the whole flight has to quarantine anymore, that’s surely the point of the PCR on arrival test?

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