The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 10th November

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• Ryan Gill says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:31

  Those who are running low on wine should know that there are 2 Averys codes at Wines direct dot com. 100 off a 250 spend seems good, considering a 24 bottle purchase yields free champagne. Doesn’t enrol in a wine plan and Averys on nectar connect at 40/£. WINESDIRECTAVERYS100

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    10 Nov10 November 10:13

    Oooo thanks

  • Phil W says:

    10 Nov10 November 17:24

    Could anybody make this offer work? It accepted the code but wouldn’t apply a discount to anything, tried adding Avery’s own wines, that were not on any offer and still no discount.

    • Ryan Gill says:

      10 Nov10 November 20:44

      It worked for me last night. Initially it didn’t as it is for 1st time customers, but I changed the email and it worked. Although maybe they’ll refund me, but not as yet.

• Harley says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:34

  Stood in a very large queue at Border T5, looks like all egates closed

• Joe says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:36

  Creation – I have also received the 1.5k credit limit increase from January.
  When people first reported how stupid this was I thought tbh it’s prob some auto generated process. However I have been with creation at least 3 years and never before had an increase. Therefore they must have recently decided to increase limits across the board which makes it crazy they didn’t think to exclude account closure customers.

  • Sprout says:

    10 Nov10 November 07:42

    I had the letter and, after I queried issues about points not being transferred and interest calculation, they subsequently closed the account without communication. I then received a letter dated the day they closed the account informing me of a credit limit increase.

    • Sprout says:

      10 Nov10 November 08:00

      I’ve also just noticed that across 2 different accounts they have posted credits equal to the outstanding balances which they have defined as “Goodwill compensation”.
      I find the terminology interesting, as to me the term “compensation” implies that I have been mistreated in some way for which they acknowlege some wrongdoing on their part?
      Unfortunately for me the balances were very small (single digit £) but it might be worth others running a balance if this is going to be their approach going forward?

      • Benilyn says:

        10 Nov10 November 08:20

        Sprout – did you move your account into negative balance at any stage around the account being closed?

        • Sprout says:

          10 Nov10 November 10:25

          The account has regularly been in negative balance over the last 2-3 years due to the timing of the processing the debits and credits. (ie I make a charge and pay off immediately)
          However, I don’t think that is the driver. I think the trigger is if you contact them to query something eg points transfer.
          It could be something you could work to your advantage ie run up a balance, ring up to query points transfer, get account closed and balance written off (maybe). No harm in trying anyway 😉

      • John says:

        10 Nov10 November 09:56

        Reported by others too, the amount owed was wiped when their accounts were closed immediately.

        I haven’t received a closure letter but I will make sure I owe them a lot on 3 Dec just in case

        However I did get points to my IHG account on 25 Oct

        • Lady London says:

          10 Nov10 November 19:07

          JDB what”s going on with summary closures triggered by a query and balance being credited? What is Creation thinking they’re making right by doing this? I know you will know.

  • Jonathan says:

    10 Nov10 November 09:57

    It would help if their telephone lines actually worked. Another day of “try again later”

    • Benilyn says:

      10 Nov10 November 10:14

      The 0371 number works fine, the direct dial did not

      • ben says:

        10 Nov10 November 10:22

        Do we assume that on 3rd Dec internet access to the “to be closed” Creation accounts will cease? Or will it still be possible to pay off the card a few days after that? One of my IHG cards hasa statement date of 8th and I was just intending paying it off in full at the end of December by the usual method.

        • Rui N. says:

          10 Nov10 November 10:24

          They have to give you a way to pay after the account is closed. You are able to just keep paying the minimum amount until all balance is cleared out (if you are keen on having Creation put with you for a lot more time!)

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    10 Nov10 November 11:45

    Rui N – Wouldn’t only paying the minimum off incur interest charges? Or am I missing something if the account has been closed by them?

    • Rui N. says:

      10 Nov10 November 11:58

      Of course it would. But you might want to have a reason to talk to Creation every month going forward!
      I’m not advocating to do this of course. But Creation can’t just close cards and force everyone to pay the full balance, they have to allow people to pay the minimum amount going forward until the balance is cleared.

      • Yorkie Aid says:

        10 Nov10 November 12:11

        Ah OK. Understood 🙂

      • JDB says:

        10 Nov10 November 14:10

        The terms require you to pay the balance in full on closure.

        • Anna says:

          10 Nov10 November 14:22

          Bearing all this in mind, we all need to make a note to take screenshots of our accounts on December 2nd!

        • Froggee says:

          10 Nov10 November 15:46

          @JDB The terms do indeed. But the letter they sent reads as follows. What’s your take on the second paragraph?

          “We write to inform you that we’re closing your Credit Card account from 3rd December 2021. You will no longer be able to use your credit card from this date. This will also apply to any additional cardholder(s) you have on your account.

          If you have a balance on your account you will still be required to make at least your minimum payment each month until your balance is paid off in full.”

• Marie says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:38

  I require an in person PCR test and live somewhat in the sticks , so the well used and often reviewed airport testers are a last resort requiring a 3 hour round trip . Has anyone any experience of Boots PCR service?

  • blenz101 says:

    10 Nov10 November 07:51

    My parents have used it in rural South Wales and never had an issue with the results coming back in the timescales promised.

    Postal + video call tests could also be an option?

  • PMG says:

    10 Nov10 November 07:53

    I did a Boots PCR Test during the summer and it was pretty painless. In and out of the store in five minutes and results after around 30 hours. Think I had the test Thursday morning and received results Friday afternoon (but would need to check exact timings…).

  • Tracey says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:49

    It’s fine other than the booking system is a bit ropey, but once you have your appointment all should be good.

    • Marie says:

      10 Nov10 November 11:16

      Thanks all

• Rh says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:41

  Morning all, am I right in thinking that if I have 12:25 flight on a Sunday, can I book the PCR test anytime on the Thursday before the flight or does it have to be after 12:25 on the Thursday? I meant to say I am fully vaccinated and going to Dubai. Thanks.

  • blenz101 says:

    10 Nov10 November 07:52

    After 12.25, Duabi goes on number of hours (72) rather than days.

    It was the UK that did days.

    • Rh says:

      10 Nov10 November 08:18

      Great – thanks.

  • KP says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:12

    Personally I would do on Fri. So in case you have an issues boarding your flight your test is valid one more day.

    We were denied boarding and had to take the flight the next day but had to redo our test at a whooping cost of £159 per person !!

• Mjshort says:

  10 Nov10 November 07:47

  Any Spa&pool Hotel recommendations for a 2 night stay in the South East area please?

  • Hulk says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:23

    Pennyhill Park

  • Rob says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:42

    Four Seasons Hampshire
    Chewton Glen
    Cowarth Park (never been)

  • Lady London says:

    10 Nov10 November 19:11

    Chewton Glen spa and pool were full of locals on the weekend so would want to ensure I could get spa bookings and not weekend

• s879 says:

  10 Nov10 November 08:05

  Etihad are still not refunding APD for my two kids. We arrived back in the UK last week so the flights have already been flown. I have sent passport copies to the email on their website, called call centre, contacted via Twitter and Flyer Talk. The latter two are quick to respond but haven’t helped at all. It’s a straight forward case! Etihad are not on Resolver for my issue so I need some advice please. Tickets were paid my my Travel Bank Etihad credit so can’t contact my credit card. Their customer service is so rubbish. Its about 160-170GBP so I do want it back.

  • John says:

    10 Nov10 November 09:58

    I guess you are only wanting a refund to travel bank since that’s how you paid.

    You could still do LBA then MCOL

  • Jonathan says:

    10 Nov10 November 09:59

    What makes you think you are due a refund?
    What class did they fly?
    What was the flight journey in question?

    • Pete M says:

      10 Nov10 November 10:30

      Children in economy don’t pay APD: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exemptions-from-air-passenger-duty#children

      • s879 says:

        10 Nov10 November 12:47

        Jonathan, it was an economy flight and my children are 12 and 15 years old so they are due an APD refund. Its about 80GBP each. It was a fight to Abu Dhabi.

• Nigel W says:

  10 Nov10 November 08:13

  Thanks for the help from my question last night. Another question incoming… what recommendations do HFPers have for hotels in Malmo?

  • Sandgrounder says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:25

    Radisson is fine, big rooms.
    Park Inn is fine, includes breakfast and business rooms are only a tiny bit extra at the mo.
    The Savoy has the Martin Beck and Lenin novelty and is right by the station.
    MJ’s is on the Amex Plat dining list, so who knows, a hotel bill might trigger a credit?

    • Sandgrounder says:

      10 Nov10 November 08:32

      The Savoy and MJ’s are currently available through Secret Escapes, had some good rates for my recent dates.

  • PMG says:

    10 Nov10 November 08:29

    Tend to stay in either in the Clarion Live or Clarion Temperance mostly as my company has negotiated rates there. They are both decent enough and in good locations (not that Malmo is very big) but the Live is newer and nicer on the inside. The Temperance does have an evening meal included which is usually a fairly good standard if that would impact your decision…

    • PMG says:

      10 Nov10 November 08:31

      Of course on these points earning opportunities are limited if you don’t stay in Nordic Choice Hotels often 🙂

  • Peter K says:

    10 Nov10 November 09:58

    Do you need to stay in Malmö? Copenhagen is only a short (very frequent) train journey away and has plenty of hotel options.

    • John says:

      10 Nov10 November 09:59

      It’s a lot cheaper

  • John says:

    10 Nov10 November 10:00

    If the aim is to save money then just stay at the Quality Hotel by Hyllie station, simple and easy

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