The HfP chat thread – Friday 12th November

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Save East Coast Rewards says:

12 Nov12 November 13:52

Does anyone have a typical timeframe when an AA flight (AA coded, on 001 ticket stock – i.e. booked with AA direct) will post to BAEC? I’m hoping that my flight yesterday (US domestic) will post before BAEC goes offline 13-17 November for maintenance.
I also have another AA flight from the previous day which is on a BA code so I wonder which will appear first
- ChrisC says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 14:04
  
  Need to allow 2-3 nights post flight before AA flights post to BA (same time frame as 125 ticketted)
  
  So I’d say unilkly they wold post before the temp closure but will be in the queue for then they open up again
JD says:

12 Nov12 November 13:59

Emirates skywards: c.60k points due to expire 31 Dec

Does anyone know if I can do anything to keep them alive?

If not, any options I’m missing? Or thought on or in addition to:
– book an Emirates redemption that I actually want to take (not sure about this) in 2022 – presumably if I need to change or can’t travel though I’m constrained to 1 year?
– cash out to arsenal seats or similar
– cash out to Heathrow rewards
– redeem for easyjet (or other random airline) flights
- Rob says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 14:07
  
  I think you’ve covered it pretty well. A one-way in Business to/from Dubai is 62,500 I think.
- Blair says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 16:13
  
  “If you can’t quite reach a particular reward, transfer your Skywards Miles to family or friends so you can combine them in one account and make your Miles go further. You can transfer Miles at a cost of USD 15 per 1,000 Miles and you can transfer up to a maximum of 50,000 in a year.“
- PJJ says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 17:43
  
  Emirates have a shopping portal run by Collinsons as they cover B.A. and Virgin.
  Don’t know if any on there will post quickly
  Noted on the B.A. one Domino’s post within 5 days, don’t know if they are on Emirates
  - Hulk says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 17:50
    
    Do Collinson run the BA and Virgin shopping portals?
    - PJJ says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 21:04
      
      I do believe I’ve seen their name on their, as with Emirates
      Correct me if I am wrong
Sal says:

12 Nov12 November 14:03

Can you pay off beardy with world elite? Tried and says no mac specified. Whatever that means
- Babyg says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 14:25
  
  err can you pay a credit card off with another credit card??.. not usually… and if you were successful i imagine its consider both a cash advance, and probably against the T&Cs and may lead to the shutdown of one of your cards…
  - Rob says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 14:48
    
    Creation has ALWAYS let you do this …. no fees either.
    - Joints&Piles says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 15:19
      
      This was failing for me earlier, shortly before the site went down for “maintenance”.
      
      Hopefully it’s just another temporary screw up by the Creation IT department.
Ryan Gill says:

12 Nov12 November 14:06

I’ve had good experiences with Bolt app in London, Nottingham and Malaga. Many half price journeys and easy to hire an e-scooter in Malaga. Referral code available if ok with the two R’s?
- Alex M says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 15:03
  
  Yes, please…
  - Ryan Gill says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 16:26
    
    RYANG83
    Many thanks
- Aston100 says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 15:39
  
  Bolt driver availability very poor, especially outside of London.
  - Anthony says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 16:38
    
    Bolt was brilliant in Krakow.
  - MrDr says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 17:08
    
    Excellent availability in eastern Europe. Think bolt is Estonian or something
MrDr says:

12 Nov12 November 14:13

Data point

Approved for amex plat. Arrived yesterday.
Dining credit added today via chat
- Babyg says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 14:23
  
  Cripes! Anything with AMEX Plat ICC takes weeks… as soon as i hit my SUBonus I will revert back to the Amex Plat UK again….
  - Aston100 says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 15:40
    
    Thanks for that. I’m not confident I should apply for one.
Graeme says:

12 Nov12 November 14:49

I’ve got an IHG free night voucher to use and will be in Miami for a night in October next year.
I can choose from IC MIami, Kimpton Palomar, Angler’s, Surfcomber or the CP SoBe Z Hotel. What’s the collective preferences if any? Doesn’t seem to be much difference review wise. I’ve only stayed at the IC before which was really nice but wanted to be in South Beach area this time.

TIA.
- ianM says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 15:30
  
  Just redeemed one for the Surfcomber for 2 weeks time, and also one for the Epic – Surfcomber looks a rip off tbh, $500 a night with an 11am checkout. I saw quite a lot of dodgy reviews for the Z-Ocean, the Surfcomber is at least right on the beach. Will need to make the most of the wine hour and free coffee – hopefully will get some sort of late check out.
  If you’re not bothered about the beach then Epic might be best, or IC if you have AMB.
  - Graeme says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 16:17
    
    Thanks Ian, yes, should have said the Kimpton’s all much about such reviews. Z Ocean, not so much and quite consistent bad ones. I try to ignore the ones enraged at only 1 towel in the room for example. Easily resolved. I was swaying to Surfcomber or Angler’s mainly due to location.
- Blair says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 16:14
  
  Someone described the Surfcomber to me as smug and complacent. Which prob goes for all mid-tier beachfront properties in Miami Beach.
  - Graeme says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 16:20
    
    Yes, agree having been once before. The IC was nice and more business like in that regard and a nice hotel overall, got an upgrade to a bay view and 2 drinks vouchers in 2019. Just staying the 1 night after a tour of South Florida before flight home the next night.
Lee says:

12 Nov12 November 15:03

How likely will AMEX give bonus for converting MR to Marriott? I can remember last time was 2 or even 3 years ago. Seems quite often in US.
- QFFlyer says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 15:24
  
  There’s one right now in Australia
SteveJ says:

12 Nov12 November 15:15

Has anyone been the Phoenix in mid February? What’s climate like?

I’m not a fan of excessive heat, but t-shirt and shorts weather would be nice, low 20s does the trick.
- Blair says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 16:15
  
  Chilly at night though so you end up taking two wardrobes
  - SteveJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 16:34
    
    Thanks, I can handle that. Days times OK?
    - Rich says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 16:47
      
      People from the north of the US head to Scottsdale and the like for Winter – it’ll be fine for you. Mild sunny days, cold nights – it’s a desert climate after all.
      - SteveJ says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 17:40
        
        Thanks all!
      - elguiri says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 17:46
        
        They go to Scottsdale for the shopping outlets…
- elguiri says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 16:38
  
  Drive up to Grand Canyon from there and it’ll be covered in ice…
- davef says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 19:25
  
  I’m heading there similar time. It’ll be hot days and cool nights but also depends how high you go around the area.
  It’s also high season so pricing will be very high.
  
  If you’re into architecture and art glass then you need to find time for the Chihuly exhibition at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West and also at the Desert Botanical Garden. Will cost you near $100 to see both though. (tickets inn advance only)
  - Lyn says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 20:55
    
    The Desert Botanical Garden is part of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admission Programme which gives free admission if you are a member at another garden.
    
    So if you are visiting other gardens while in the US it might be worth paying for a membership somewhere. For instance the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego costs $40 for an annual membership for an individual or $60 for a family. This seems to be about the same cost as a single visit at the Desert Botanical Garden and it happens to be a good garden to support!