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The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 26th October

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Comments (669)

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

  • KP says:
    26 Oct26 October 20:21

    Marriott is extending status according to GSTP

    • Clive says:
      26 Oct26 October 20:44

      Also moving towards a revenue based programe

    • NSL says:
      26 Oct26 October 20:55

      Total waste of time putting in the effort to retain platinum. No additional year or rollover nights to reward the effort.

      • Rob says:
        26 Oct26 October 20:59

        Glad I got Titanium, if only because I would have been annoyed for the same reason.

      • Harry T says:
        26 Oct26 October 21:10

        Lol I’m about to become ambassador!

      • TGLoyalty says:
        26 Oct26 October 21:54

        So you’re moaning you’ve had your status extended for another year? My guess is that free night would’ve meant a significant number of titanium in 2023/24.

        • meta says:
          26 Oct26 October 22:34

          I am annoyed because I made an effort to earn Platinum in 2019, then in 2020 and now in 2021. People who have not made an effort for three years have every right to complain. I would appreciate it if they actually gave us a some head start rather than blanket extension for everyone. It could have been less than this year for example like Hilton did with higher threshold for next year.

          It’s not surprising given that Marriott does not seem to be interested in its loyalty programme.

          • meta says:
            26 Oct26 October 22:35

            *have made an effort

          • TGLoyalty says:
            27 Oct27 October 07:44

            So your platinum earned in 2020 got you 25 night head start on 2021. Add in 15 nights from Amex you had to do 10 nights to get plat again. If it’s a stretch to stay 10 nights then what’s the point in having it in the first place.

            Those 10 nights also earned you 5 SNAs or a FNA.

      • will says:
        26 Oct26 October 23:58

        If you have the 15 night credits from the Amex card then the SNA’s were worth stretching to platinum for this year. A platinum last year with the +15 nights would only need another 10 nights to unlock 5 SNA’s. I did that through stays but actually pushed through another 20 nights mattress run in the recent all off peak redemption sale in October to get me through to titanium and another 5 SNA’s. Effectively paid 160k points to get another 5 SNA’s which I consider to be worth it.

        • Rob says:
          27 Oct27 October 00:37

          Very similar to what I did, and for the same reasons. The extra 6 months on my 2021 SNAs is also handy since I’ve not been able to use them so far and I didn’t really fancy a November / December trip to Venice etc.

          • meta says:
            27 Oct27 October 04:37

            SNAs earned this year are valid anyway until 31 Dec 2022. It’s how they always worked. So this extension means nothing unless you have some from 2019 or 2020.

  • The Original Nick. says:
    26 Oct26 October 20:26

    Can anyone suggest what I can do about my LHR – LIS (overnight layover) LIS – RAK (2night stay) RAK – LIS – (layover 1 hour) LHR trip for the weekend of November 5th. As we can’t travel direct to Morroco from the UK it seems that flying my itinarary isn’t a problem but I don’t want all the hassle. I’ve sent TAP emails and tweets with no replies and all I’ve asked for is future travel vouchers instead of flying. Is there any way I could possibly get my money back?

  • Alan S says:
    26 Oct26 October 20:27

    Anyone travelled to Iceland recently?

    The information online seems to be contradictory as to whether you require a negative test prior to departure from the UK if you can provide evidence of recent positive PCR-test (older than 14 days but less than 180 days). Some sites say you need both, others say proof of a recent positive PCR test exempts you from the requirement to present a negative test.

  • Aston100 says:
    26 Oct26 October 20:45

    Working on an itinerary for my recently acquired flights to BKK next summer.
    This will include a long stint in Bangkok and either Samui or Phuket.
    But I’ve got 5 – 7 days spare for a 3rd location.
    I’m thinking Penang, Siem Reap or perhaps somewhere in Thailand.
    Anyone want to take a guess if it’s going to be awkward trying to do a multi country trip next summer? i.e. just stick to Thailand to keep it simple for now? Or am I good to attempt going to PEN or REP?
    I’m assuming the weather is going to be wet everywhere (other than Samui).

    Thanks.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      26 Oct26 October 20:57

      I really like Chang Mai and the surrounding mountains with eco – ish tribal hotels. Lovely place and can get an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok, which is, errrrr, an experience? Very novel

    • Blenz101 says:
      26 Oct26 October 21:04

      Almost certainly going to be some kind of pain with no coordination between countries and a very strong desire to keep the virus out given the health infrastructure.

      At best you would be taking a PCR to enter another country and another to get back in. Possibly still testing on arrival in addition with designated hotels until your results. Getting a positive result will be an even worse outcome.

      I would suggest Chiang Mai for another side of Thailand than where you have planned and keep things as simple as possible.

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      26 Oct26 October 21:27

      You might get bored at Penang after 2 days.
      Siem Reap can be super humid in summer.
      Stick to Thailand mainly to avoid getting caught in covid restrictions.

    • Tony1 says:
      26 Oct26 October 21:44

      If, and only IF, you are able to sort out the Covid, 6 days in REP is good. Totally different to Thailand, but a bit of a cheaper tourist trap. Temples well worth it – you will need to take a few days.
      Think from earlier comments Rhys is off to that part of the world. See what he said when he returns. Humid – yes – good hotel pool – necessary. Sofitel or Raffles cheap and good – YMMV

    • Aston100 says:
      26 Oct26 October 21:58

      Ok thanks for suggesting Chiang Mai.
      Would Pattaya or Hua Hin be any good for 5 nights in August?

    • Talay says:
      26 Oct26 October 22:08

      Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, you’ll see not a lot of real Thailand there then !

      I’d stay flexible and don’t discount the Gulf of Thailand round to Koh Kood as an alternative to the (presumed) worsening weather on the Andaman side of the country.

      I lived there and have been to XX inland towns of various sizes and to be honest, they are mostly all the same with varying degrees of interest depending on how much value you put on another statue, another religious whatever and some other meaningless local shrine.

      To be honest, why bother with Phuket out of season and Samui in the last decade can be flooded at will with seasonality gone out the window.

      Do your research, have various options but just hit up Bangkok and see what comes. Traveling in Thailand needs only minimal planning and there is no need to set out 6 weeks of destinations and if borders open up easily, then it’s just as easy to fly around the region.

    • BJ says:
      26 Oct26 October 22:30

      BKK – train or VIP bus to Chiang Mai – flight to Phuket flight (or VIP bus with stopover in Hua Hin) to BKK. I kid you not about the VIP buses, they are fab and you’ll see more than from airplane so if you have a sense of adventure go for it. Only use daytime buses though. The VIP buses are mostly double dockers but only have 16-24 seats. For seats think first class airplanes 25 years ago 🙂 if you want to get more adventurous and away from tourist Thailand then hire a car and drive south as far as Songkhla but no further, exploring as you go.

      • Aston100 says:
        27 Oct27 October 01:10

        Excellent BJ, thanks for the suggestions. Well definitely look into that bus and perhaps a car option too. I’ve got £120 of Avis vouchers to use before September 2022.
        Good point by Talay about maybe just doing things on the fly.
        So picking up a car when arriving in Phuket and driving all the way back to Bangkok, stopping at places of interest appeals to me. Might get to visit the bridge on the river Kwai.

        Thanks again everyone. I think I’ve got the basics of a flexible plan now

        • Polly says:
          27 Oct27 October 07:23

          Aston, we took the normal bus from Bangkok to C Mai, and it certainly opened our eyes, locals getting on and off, stops for little local Thai food cooked right there. Long day, but totally worth the experience. Stay within one country for now.
          BJ, haven’t used that VIP bus yet… fully intend to.

          • BP says:
            27 Oct27 October 12:08

            If taking the VIP bus then expect and plan for your luggage to be rummaged through. Keep anything of value and passports on your person or in a smaller bag that you take in the passenger compartment.

    • Elguiri says:
      26 Oct26 October 22:55

      Not been in summer, but Chiang Mai was favourite city in Thailand. Hua Hin was also good to do day trips from (take the train from Bangkok).

      • Olly says:
        27 Oct27 October 05:19

        Like the comment above about Penang, Hua hin is nice if a little dull for more than a couple of days (Hilton is best located hotel there).

        If you’re feeling more adventurous get yourself over to Luang Prabang in Laos (you can travel there on a slow or ‘fast’ boat from the Thai border near Chang Rai)

        If you prefer to stay in Thailand get yourself down to Krabi and the boat onto Rai Lay beach. It’s a hidden gem

        • Crafty says:
          2 Nov2 November 14:52

          We did 10 days at Marriott Hua Hin with our daughter and were perfectly happy with that – just treated it as a resort holiday in a more exciting location with better food.

  • ChrisC says:
    26 Oct26 October 20:57

    Does the BA 300 mile rule apply to BA holiday bookings?

    Have a CDG-LHR-HEL-NYC return booking. The CDG-LHR and LHR- CDGs have been cancelled.

    Would much prefer AMS. Would they allow that instead?

    • mart says:
      26 Oct26 October 21:07

      they should allow LHR?

    • Nick says:
      26 Oct26 October 22:54

      Officially no, but you can ask, they do have some flexibility. Main problem will be getting through to the right team – you’ll have to speak to the Bremen hols guys for that, and it’s a small team at the best of times.

      • ChrisC says:
        26 Oct26 October 23:55

        Bremen are usually great and a lot easier to speak to than the UK offices.

        Will have a think about what I want to do and call them in a couple of days.

  • The Original Nick. says:
    26 Oct26 October 21:03

    I remember the roads and what were left of the bridges in Samui in 2002-03 from the downpour of a 7 day 24hour non stop fall of rain in the August so never underestimate the weather there.

  • Vit says:
    26 Oct26 October 21:49

    Hi, Rob et al., newbie question please. I think I am doing something wrong. I am trying to use 241 which is due to expire mid-2022 to book flight to MEX but seems that I am not able to combine economy cabin from EDI/INV – LHR with J from LHR-MEX. Is this correct?

    Cheers,
    Vit

  • Babyg says:
    26 Oct26 October 22:32

    Amex Plat ICC question, anybody know how to get the Priority Pass (digital) sorted? I haven’t received anything from Amex (eg no physical cards or letters), and the Amex Plat ICC website is pretty terrible with broken links and do nothing loops all over the place.

    • BJ says:
      26 Oct26 October 23:11

      Just call priority pass CS, they’ll get it sorted quickly IME. They will help you get access to you pass via app while waiting for the physical card to arrive. FWIW, during the periods I held it I used app only, no problem.

    • QFFlyer says:
      27 Oct27 October 02:57

      I had it a couple of years ago and had to fill in a form in the welcome pack which I had to email to Priority Pass. Priority Pass were shockingly bad, didn’t respond to anything, not even once. The cards eventually turned up about 6 weeks later.

      • BJ says:
        27 Oct27 October 06:53

        Few minutes on one telephone call was all it took them to sort out the problem for me.

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