The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 27th October

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

• Fur Fox Ache says:

  27 Oct27 October 12:58

  Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do with a small pot of expiring Air Canada Aeroplan points? I’ve poked about on the website etc. but not seeing anything I can do and am thinking that the few I have are just going to expire as there is little to nothing I can usefully do with them. Thanks for any input….

  • Pablo says:

    27 Oct27 October 17:34

    Do some askcanadians surveys. To register and complete surveys use Windscribe vpn set to Canada

    • Fur Fox Ache says:

      28 Oct28 October 12:29

      thanks both – will investigate!

• BrotherBearnse says:

  27 Oct27 October 13:01

  Have the chance to get a last minute holiday in mid November. Looking at the Caribbean and more specifically St Lucia due to flight availability.

  Will be me and the wife and our nearly 2 year old.

  Can anyone recommend anywhere to stay? Believe there is a curfew outside of hotels so want somewhere with enough to keep us all occupied. All inclusive would probably make sense. But don’t want to pay silly money.

  Any other suggestions gratefully received too.

  Thanks in advance.

  • Mrs_Fussy says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:06

    if you can please do to Viceroy ! I cannot recommend the place enough. Best rooms at par with Sandy Lane and service to match. You have a reef at the end of the beach and the most beautiful snorkeling

    • Mrs_Fussy says:

      27 Oct27 October 14:09

      I also want to add they have a kids club but its dead. However, its a very safe beach and bulters come with all rooms. the minibar has free juices, water and soft drinks.

      Please shop around as headline prices are expensive. I booked via luxuryholidaysdirect in 2016 and got a stellar deal

    • Tracey says:

      27 Oct27 October 20:02

      Second this, unless you can afford the Jade.

      For a specific room recommendation look at the small cottage -own plunge pool & butler and spacious enough but a lot more reasonably priced than some of the larger ones.

• Shaw West says:

  27 Oct27 October 13:01

  Looks like AMEX is on overdrive. OH applied for Platinum Monday and the card is here today :O. That should be record!

  • YC says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:02

    Very normal card delivery speed for amex. The best in the market from what i can tell

    • CarpalTravel says:

      27 Oct27 October 13:30

      +1

  • Shaw West says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:08

    And I have my 24K referral points in my account too

    • Andrew says:

      27 Oct27 October 13:24

      Standard timescale too

      • Shaw West says:

        27 Oct27 October 13:29

        Lot of comments about cards being delivered late. Hence I posted my experience. I have always received the cards in couple of days 🙂

        • Reney says:

          27 Oct27 October 14:29

          I think those were referring to Virgin or the priority pass.

  • BJ says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:01

    No, I applied Monday and got the card yesterday. The cut off is 10 am so apply and get instant approval before then and you can have tbe card next day depending on the post.

• HH says:

  27 Oct27 October 13:13

  How do you prove you have COVID-19 health insurance cover, which Mauritius requires proof of to allow entry? My travel insurance is through HSBC Premier, but I don’t know how to prove I have it?

  • Sam G says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:21

    https://workplace.aviva.co.uk/partners/hsbc/travel/travel-proof-of-cover/

  • YH says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:25

    Call up the Premier phone line and ask for them to send you a proof of travel insurance. It will get added to your My Documents section on online banking within a few days.

  • HH says:

    27 Oct27 October 19:44

    Thanks both!

• YC says:

  27 Oct27 October 13:25

  With peak/off-peak hyatt pricing kicking in tomorrow (?), what have HFP’ers tentatively booked? Looking for some inspiration

  • Young L says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:45

    Is it tomorrow? I have already seen the new peak price at Park Hyatt Kyoto for stay in April 2022.

    • YC says:

      27 Oct27 October 14:59

      Ah shame… must have got my timing wrong!

  • Reney says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:31

    I booked a long weekend in Budapest.

• PJJ says:

  27 Oct27 October 13:40

  @GENGHIS – A BELATED THANK YOU
  On the 10th October you gave me your referral code for Starling Bank (I know as it took me 2 to 3 hours looking back and I did try Google, but wasn’t going to ask again) and finally got round to opening an account.
  Again Thank You
  ANOTHER TREE PLANTED AT GENGHIS WOOD !

  • Genghis says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:53

    Good to hear!

  • BJ says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:05

    It’ll help offset all the small cabbages the man uprooted.

• BJ says:

  27 Oct27 October 14:11

  How many attached HfP readers travel solo for leisure? Very curious. Starting to get very frustrated here with an increasingly travel-averse partner.

  • Char Char says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:16

    Yes, I find many people aren’t able to travel due to many reasons like jobs, family, money or time so it comes down to, either go alone or miss out completely. I’d rather be travelling somewhere I want to go rather than be back at home wishing I was. It’s also a good way to meet or interact with people more

  • ChrisC says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:17

    I’m not attached so my travel is always solo but my attached friends in your situation seem to have worked it out so they can do their individual things without the other being forced into something they don’t enjoy.

    There is usually a negotiation about not using all their annual leave for your solo trips and the other partner gets to spend a smilar amount of time and cash on their interests as you do on your trip away.

  • Sandgrounder says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:18

    I do, my wife is off this week and has chosen to mostly lie on the couch. She also spends a lot longer with her family in Latvia than I choose to.
    I quite enjoy it, if I go away alone I keep a busy schedule so I don’t get bored. Driving holidays are my favourite.

  • Anna says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:28

    I would totally go away on my own! OH may well get another full time job after he retires next year and son will be old enough to fend for himself so I can easily see myself somewhere warm with a pile of books and a knowledgeable tour guide. And a spa!

  • YH says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:33

    All the time – definitely recommend it.

  • Ja says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:42

    I do. My OH only likes flying to Xmas markets (Europe) or 6 nations rugby matches. So I go off on my own. Normally long haul – all round the USA. Buenos Aires and Santiago in Jan 20. Toronto in about 3 weeks and Hawaii next May. I have a holiday away and he has a “holiday” at home eating what he wants and watching what he wants. He does go off on walking holidays to Peak District etc whilst I stay at home.

  • Jalpo says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:44

    Yes, only two long-haul holidays together in 20 years whereas I go once or twice a year, usually alone although sometimes with a friend or visiting friends. The disparity in costs seems unfair but they’re simply not keen on long flights. We have plenty of shared holidays closer to home (Europe/UK).

  • Rhys says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:55

    I’ve done a fair bit (gap year/work travel). It can be really fun but it can also have its moments of loneliness. The thing I miss is having a conversation partner for dinners, but I’ve also met some fantastic people whilst travelling.

    • BJ says:

      27 Oct27 October 16:05

      Get the feeling solo travel is going to feature in the forum 🙂

      • David says:

        27 Oct27 October 22:39

        Solo travel is great till you meet the special person.
        Had some great holidays on my own – the thing I dreaded the most was well meaning people feeling sorry for you and trying to befriend you.

    • Lady London says:

      27 Oct27 October 21:25

      Yes it’s awful when you come across a fantastic view or a beautiful sunset and the person isn’t with you to share it.

  • BuildBackBetter says:

    27 Oct27 October 15:00

    Go somewhere pretty and post pics on Insta tagging your partner. If there is no change in desire to travel even then, time to dump your partner.

  • BJ says:

    27 Oct27 October 15:02

    Good to hear, makes me feel a lot better that it seems not so uncommon and people find their ways 🙂 I guess it’ll feel a bit strange after 17 years travelling together but in my younger days I actually preferred solo travel. It provided more opportunity and incentive to interact with locals and other travellers than when travelling as a couple or group.

  • Harry T says:

    27 Oct27 October 15:15

    I have done before and would again, if the situation required it. It can be very freeing. The thing I miss is turning to someone else and sharing my feelings about the experience. There is something uplifting about shared amazement and joy.

    • BJ says:

      27 Oct27 October 16:06

      Thanks to all for sharing.

  • Aston100 says:

    27 Oct27 October 17:28

    I travel once or twice a year with Player 2 to boring places.
    All my other holidays are more exciting and are done with friends or other family members.

  • Andrew H says:

    27 Oct27 October 20:41

    Yes. Skiing. Sometimes my partner comes and walks. This winter have two solo trips planned and one with her to Zell am See.

  • Lady London says:

    27 Oct27 October 21:21

    Love the comments in answer to your question BJ. I thought it was just me! Now I don’t feel so bad that it was always just me haring off somewhere whereas my partner wasn’t that way inclined.

    • Mike says:

      27 Oct27 October 21:25

      LL – you only posted that once – you OK ?

  • Bearing up says:

    27 Oct27 October 23:04

    Life is about making and sharing memories.

  • barnaby100 says:

    28 Oct28 October 21:11

    Constantly. We have very different ideas of what a good holiday is!

• KP says:

  27 Oct27 October 14:15

  American Express Travel – Spend £200 or more, get £50 back.

  Has the spend need to be in a single transaction . I need to book two car hire for two different locations. Can the spend target be split?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    27 Oct27 October 19:00

    Yes normally cumulative.

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