The HfP chat thread – Saturday 30th October

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

• Jan M says:

  30 Oct30 October 07:35

  Question about Uber and its surge charging. First time taking an Uber to the airport yesterday. When I got in the estimated charge was between 33 and 45 pounds. I left the taxi and saw that the fee was 45 pounds so let only a pound in tip, because with a normal taxi it’s never been more than 30. Two hours later I check my email and I see that the final invoice increased it to *83* pounds, citing a 2.7 surge. There was nothing in the app before, during or after immediately after the journey, except the price range I mentioned. I even happened to be chatting to the driver about how Uber worked and he mentioned how there was no “surge” at the time…

  Any thoughts? I find this all extraordinary. I complained to Uber and they are giving me 43 pounds credit as a “good will gesture”. But I struggle to see how this behaviour is even legal. If prices go up because of traffic, sure, but they control the “surge” and they can apply it retrospectively on a trip? Neither the driver nor I knew. It is nearly more than the return flight!

  • John says:

    30 Oct30 October 07:46

    I don’t know anyone who uses Uber in London any more

    • Jan M says:

      30 Oct30 October 07:50

      Local airport. Was in work till 3pm and needed to be on a 5pm KLM flight from Cardiff…

    • Andrew says:

      30 Oct30 October 07:53

      What do they use instead?

      • Asim says:

        30 Oct30 October 08:00

        FreeNow, Bolt. Couple of others too I’m sure.

      • James says:

        30 Oct30 October 08:01

        Hopes and dreams.

    • Aaron C says:

      30 Oct30 October 08:26

      I’ve basically given up with Uber both in London and elsewhere in the U.K. They seem to have far fewer drivers on the road than pre-pandemic so waits are long. The last time I used it the driver said that he could afford to be fairly picky about which jobs he accepted and you were actually more likely to get a car outside of Zone 1 since they could make more journeys where the traffic is lighter.

  • BP says:

    30 Oct30 October 07:46

    Normally the surge pricing range is clearly displayed when you order.

    • Jan M says:

      30 Oct30 October 07:50

      Thanks. That’s what I assumed!

  • Jeff Greene says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:02

    “ Any thoughts?”

    Don’t use the crooks again

  • TGLoyalty says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:21

    I’ve never had that before

    Did you leave the “estimate” on the screen a while before actually ordering? If I’ve done that I always start again and order immediately if I’m happy with the latest price.

  • George K says:

    30 Oct30 October 10:00

    I thought the price you see before you book, is the price you pay. Did the driver vary the route?

  • r* says:

    30 Oct30 October 10:27

    How do you know if surge is active?

    I dont use it much, but had a journey in porto on thurs and it was 7e, the exact same journy was then 16e on fri.

    Do normal taxis have this surge pricing bs or are they the same price throughout the day?

    • Nick says:

      30 Oct30 October 10:40

      It’s demand based pricing and not bs at all. Rob has written several posts about it previously but essentially it’s win win. Not having enough drivers when demand surges is a perennial taxi problem (the old ‘taxis disappear when it rains’ thing). Uber solves this by encouraging more drivers to go out when surge is in effect, increasing supply to meet demand. Those who don’t want to pay more will wait until later, thus smoothing demand into off-peak. It’s actually genius.

      • Rob says:

        30 Oct30 October 11:16

        Look at this way. In London, when it was raining, you could never get a taxi however much you are willing to pay. Now you can – if you’re willing to pay up, which is fine by me.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      30 Oct30 October 11:09

      Normal taxis might have peak and off peak pricing depending on the city but the fare and the meter are fixed.

      Uber are just being dynamic with supply/demand.

      • Rob says:

        30 Oct30 October 11:12

        Uber now has to show you the fee upfront. It isn’t an estimate any longer, it is a guaranteed price.

  • A says:

    30 Oct30 October 13:42

    This is why I always screenshot uber & ubereats. Too many issues.
    The price shown wasn’t an estimate, it was the price. Surge can’t be added mid or post-journey.

  • Can says:

    30 Oct30 October 15:05

    They are often good to correct it. Write to their help line. One option is perhaps the driver took a longer route than anticipated

    • lumma says:

      30 Oct30 October 16:26

      That doesn’t matter with Uber as it should be the price displayed when you book. Bolt can increase dramatically depending on the route taken

  • Sarah says:

    30 Oct30 October 16:03

    I’d complain more strongly to Uber and push for a refund of the extra charge, rathe than a credit note.

• ChrisC says:

  30 Oct30 October 07:58

  If anyone is interested it’s absolutely tanking it down here in the City of Amex.

  • Andrew says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:58

    Does that mean raining?

• Bach says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:11

  Since my IHG card became useless, looking at HSBC for Mastercard. I am confused about the eligibility to open an HSBC premier account. Need an investment product to open the account. But need an accout to open an investment product… Can I apply to Premier without the investment criteria (so only the income criteria) and then open a GIC after?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:22

    Yes. You have 6 months to open the GIA.

  • Harry T says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:30

    Yeah, I just opened the premier account and then opened a GIA.

• Brighton Belle says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:13

  If you are referring to the seagulls home town it isn’t where I am unless I’m already in the metaverse

• Colin MacKinnon says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:29

  Any recommendations for a hotel at Phoenix Skyharbour airport?

  Need a quick nightstop, so most important is ease of access to and from the terminal. Not worried about food, executive clubs or upgrades!

  • roberto says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:22

    Stayed at the Hilton Garden inn a couple of yrs ago doing the same.. Was very good for what we paid and would stay again.

    Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport
    3422 E. Elwood St
    Phoenix AZ 85040-1626, US

  • Tariq says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:36

    Not stayed there as the trip was cancelled, but I understand the Crowne Plaza is walkable to the shuttle train going to the terminal.

  • Mirp says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:49

    I stayed at the Crowne Plaza which you can take a free train from the airport too. In the morning I took a shuttle from the hotel back to the airport.

    The time before that I stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn — their shuttle wasn’t working so they reimbursed me for a taxi to the hotel. It was enough of a faff that I paid the extra for the Crowne Plaza the next time. I also didn’t want breakfast the 2nd time as it was an early flight.

  • Metty says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:59

    I’ve stayed at Crowne Plaza PHX a couple of times. The free PHX Sky Train transit from terminal to 44th St means you don’t have to wait for the hotel shuttle. Several aircrew did the same so I guess they know it’s quick and simple. You do have to cross the road from the transit to the hotel which may be alien to those used to driving across the road 🙂 and I’ve no idea whether it’s a dodgy area. Google Maps label says the CP is ‘classy’ which is a bit of a stretch but they’ve been great at upgrading me and always given the runway view I requested. Probs as everyone else doesn’t want one! Fine for a Tier Points run stopover.

• Ana says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:32

  Does anyone know if you can still go to Radisson Blue Maldives with points? I can’t find availability on the website

  • meta says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:35

    The availability comes and goes. However, despite a great deal, it is a really badly run hotel so much that they have to entice people to come. Just read all the reviews They offered me 50% discount seaplane transfer if I don’t cancel my points booking.

• Simon says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:42

  My apologies if this has been covered lately, but has the offer of 15,000 Virgin points for switching to Virgin bank now expired? I was under this impression, but then saw a comment a few days ago implying that it might still be around? (Though I can’t see any offer for this via the Virgin Red app nor via a Google search.)

  Any insights would be much appreciated. Many thanks, all.

  • ianM says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:47

    I think it has been replaced by £150 virgin experience voucher

    • mark2 says:

      30 Oct30 October 09:58

      or a case of wine, which I had previously and some bottles were quite good (personal preference of course).

      • Simon says:

        30 Oct30 October 10:59

        Many thanks, Mark. Much appreciated.

    • Simon says:

      30 Oct30 October 10:58

      Thanks, Ian. Snoozed too long, I guess.

    • Anuj says:

      30 Oct30 October 12:51

      I opened an account under the wine off but then never switched accounts for the wine and I just got an email offering another chance if I carry out a switch

• BrianS says:

  30 Oct30 October 08:48

  What is the best way to raise a complaint to Creation?

  Thanks

  • Jenny says:

    30 Oct30 October 08:52

    complaint for what, them closing down your account for MS?

    • QFFlyer says:

      30 Oct30 October 15:17

      The list is endless. Closing the account is one of the few things they’re doing for which there is no reason to complain.

  • Sprout says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:03

    @BrianS – Concensus seems to be to phone them and record the call.
    @Jenny – very helpful.

  • ChrisC says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:04

    Please see any of the daily threads for the last couple of weeks,

    • Char Char says:

      30 Oct30 October 09:43

      That’s not helpful, tailing thorough about 100 pages.

      • ChrisC says:

        30 Oct30 October 11:46

        I said any not all.

        there really is no need to have the same question answered each day when full answers are easily found elsewhere

        In any case I note you didn’t answer the question either. hjereas at least I pointed in the right direction.

  • Char Char says:

    30 Oct30 October 09:44

    Use contact form whilst logged in on the website

    • SteveJ says:

      30 Oct30 October 14:24

      They don’t reply to messages from the contact form and you have no record you every messaged them. A very one way system.

      • QFFlyer says:

        30 Oct30 October 15:18

        https://www.creation.co.uk/about-us/customer-care

        You get an acknowledgement email for this one, the one you submit via “contact us” you do not.

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