The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 9th November

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• Gav says:

  9 Nov9 November 14:06

  Letter from NS&I today to state that the card I have used to top up my account has a credit card underneath it and it is against the terms of the account to use a credit card. This time money will not be returned but if it happens again, the funds will be returned and the account closed.
  That’s me Told!

  • Andrew H says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:10

    I haven’t been able to use VACC+ behind Curve at NS&I

  • Youllnever says:

    9 Nov9 November 15:14

    Do you remember when you did the most recent top up?

  • BP says:

    9 Nov9 November 15:28

    I got the same. Referenced the details provided for the KYC check which was done about 5 months ago.

    • gav says:

      9 Nov9 November 15:40

      same here, said recent, but mine was Feb 2019- I was honest at the time in what I was doing, as well you cant lie and they wanted to know where the money was coming from so I showed them the full audit trail I had.
      They were happy at the time, but not now

  • Lady London says:

    9 Nov9 November 17:12

    Is it actually stated in their terms?

    • Rui N. says:

      9 Nov9 November 17:23

      I don’t see any mention of a credit card at all (just credit agencies). They do say “the Bonds must be purchased using a debit card in the name of the applicant issued by a UK bank or building society”, which technically Curve is not. But again, if that’s what they meant to say, they should have said so instead of making terms that do not exist.

    • Blenz101 says:

      9 Nov9 November 19:04

      It’s explicit on the top up page that is must be a debit card issued by a UK bank or building society.

      A KYC check will quickly reveal the use of credit cards for those using Curve and having their accounts flagged.

      NS&I / the taxpayer need not be on the hook for unnecessary processing fees.

      • Rui N. says:

        9 Nov9 November 19:18

        The “top of the page” are not T&Cs. You cannot say that the T&Cs are gospel when it’s convenient and then disregard them amd say it’s not needed to be there when it’s not.

  • AndyW says:

    9 Nov9 November 17:22

    How can they know? They should only be able to see a curve card, shouldn’t have any idea what’s behind it surely

    • Rui N. says:

      9 Nov9 November 17:24

      They are likely making an educated guess with the confidence that no one that has used a credit card behind Curve will challenge them on this.

    • Genghis says:

      9 Nov9 November 17:36

      Been through KYC so needed to provide all statements showing cash flows.

    • Gav says:

      9 Nov9 November 19:30

      They know with me as I had to tell them as part of a KYC check. However they were happy at the time (this was Feb 2019) and I continued to use the card until the last topup about 2 months ago when the creation thing kicked off and I decided to call it a day and closed my curve.

• Boi says:

  9 Nov9 November 14:32

  Sorry to repost again. Asked the question then went to sleep so it’s on page 1. Might not be seen.

  Anna, we are flying in to Nassau. We don’t mind hotels or villa.

  So any recommendations welcome. Thanks in advance.

  • Anna says:

    9 Nov9 November 16:29

    New Providence Island (where Nassau is) is one of the more built up and touristy places but you’ll find lots of facilities and things to do and it might be more convenient than arranging a transfer to one of the outer islands.
    I’ve no idea what Xmas availability is like but there are some big hotels on Cable Beach, which is a lovely stretch of sand, plus condos like the Westwind Club. There used to be a Sandals on its own island just off this stretch of coast but I don’t know if it’s still there and it’s possible adults only if it is!
    Otherwise I’d have at look for villas on VRBO or similar to accommodate a family.

    • Anna says:

      9 Nov9 November 16:30

      Atlantis on Paradise Island is amazing for kids but may be very busy over Xmas.

      • Boi says:

        9 Nov9 November 19:16

        Thanks Anna, I like busy 🤣
        I will check out Atlantis. Might get it on points.

        No options for HH and IHG where I have bigger balances. I know you pass by Miami. Any recommendations there(and New York)?

        We are doing Nassau, Miami then new year’s in New York.

        So tips on accommodation and celebratory things to do in those 3 places will be greatly appreciated

        • Anna says:

          9 Nov9 November 19:35

          That sounds fabulous, Boi, I have told my OH that next year we are going somewhere warm for Xmas, just once! I’ve had to promise him we can go somewhere for Xmas dinner before we go so he doesn’t miss out 🙄.
          There is a Hilton and a HI in Nassau but they don’t look particularly appealing!
          Haven’t been to MIA for some years but there is loads of accommodation to choose from, depends if you want to be on the beach or near malls etc.
          For NYE in NYC definitely try and get something on points if possible, and fairly central in case of blizzards and public transport not working!
          If you get time, tell us about it.

        • Boi says:

          9 Nov9 November 20:45

          Thanks Anna,
          Yes didn’t find anything appealing for HH or IHG.

          Packing would be interesting: warm and cold… my other family will have 4 days in Dubai on their way home after cold New York!

        • Anna says:

          9 Nov9 November 21:20

          Layers! On 2 occasions I have bought myself a beautiful winter coat in Miami, one was 20 years ago and still looks good!

• Josh says:

  9 Nov9 November 14:42

  Another random question.

  I’m just £115 away from my companion voucher for BA and I want to receive it before the IT issues start on Thurs.

  Does anyone know a merchant/way to buy something that is processed fastest?

  I made 2x purchases yesterday that have been processed at different speeds so I’m hoping theres a known merchant that Amex will process same day?

  • Josh says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:45

    On the 13th* no idea why I said thurs

  • Benilyn says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:54

    TBH you are cutting it fine. But anyways, Expedia is quick IME

  • John says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:55

    Ebay, top up oyster if in London

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      9 Nov9 November 15:03

      Top up Amazon if you use it a fair amoung

  • Sandgrounder says:

    9 Nov9 November 16:35

    Tesco is usually quick

• Ross says:

  9 Nov9 November 14:48

  Just to clarify for flights going to the US post Nov 8, is a negative Lateral Flow test accepted under conditions of negative test 3 days before? Or should you go for a PCR to be safe? Traveling in December and I’m interested to see if everything is in order or if there any potential travel pitfalls with the new regulations. Thanks

  • BLT says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:56

    From what I’ve read you need a supervised LFT, not PCR.

  • Sean says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:56

    Supervised Antigen test is fine.

  • Jen T says:

    9 Nov9 November 15:42

    You have a choice of tests, but whatever you use, it must be supervised (in person or virtually).

• Degsy says:

  9 Nov9 November 14:51

  Rob: any word of another Virgin Points Booster Bonus in the offing?

  • Rob says:

    9 Nov9 November 14:55

    Not heard anything.

• NP says:

  9 Nov9 November 15:00

  Can anyone recommend a company for transfers between Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back, for 8 people. Have looked at Blacklane (2 Cars) and AtoB (Seems like 1 van is possible + cheaper) but want to make sure I’m not missing any. Thanks!

  • Blenz101 says:

    9 Nov9 November 19:20

    Careem or Uber? Both actually Uber owned but Careem is popular locally. They will do standard and premium transfers.

    Most they will take in a van due to Covid is 5.

    You can get a quote on the App but expect not much over £30 per van each way.

    • BP says:

      9 Nov9 November 20:08

      A standard taxi is at least £50 1 way.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      9 Nov9 November 22:58

      £30 in an Uber from Dubai to Abu Dhabi! I wish

      • Rob says:

        10 Nov10 November 08:46

        We usually pay around £40.

• Cranzle says:

  9 Nov9 November 15:01

  Can anyone help with hotels recommendations in Athens. 5 star only

  • JDB says:

    9 Nov9 November 15:12

    The Grande Bretagne, for location, good size/quality rooms (worth paying for the Acropolis view ones) and the rooftop bar/restaurant with Acropolis view. Outside the city, the Astir Palace at Vouliagmeni – now Four Seasons.

    • Cranzle says:

      9 Nov9 November 15:30

      Sounds great, thank you.

    • George K says:

      9 Nov9 November 17:22

      Grand Bretagne is indeed as good as it gets. I’d recommend the adjacent King George too – smaller rooms (in fact smaller hotel), but suites are fairly big. I’d also suggest nearby AC Athens Capital hotel.

  • Dace says:

    9 Nov9 November 18:56

    I stayed at the Four Seasons and was quite disappointed with it in comparison to it’s price point.

• Andrew H says:

  9 Nov9 November 15:30

  Reading a lot of people asking for tests before flying…

  …I’m off to Austria next month and (fully vaccinated, recovered and boostered) as far as I can see I don’t need tests before flying, or after arriving there, just one in the UK two days after my return.

  Still a good idea to do Verifly though?

  • Andrew H says:

    9 Nov9 November 15:34

    P.S. it’s the pre UK departure I am most interested in – I am pretty sure of the Austrian requirements (proof of vaccine or recovery); just people still asking about pre UK departure testing…

    • Alex B says:

      9 Nov9 November 16:45

      To get into Austria you need the aforementioned proof of vaccine, to get back you need a locator form including a test code (Day 2 Antigen).

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