The HfP chat thread – Thursday 25th November

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Tom says:

25 Nov25 November 06:44

Morning folks. Does anyone have any experience of catching the Etihad bus from their bus station in Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport? I took advantage of the offer posted on HfP a couple of months ago: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/10/06/etihad-business-class-sale-to-dubai/.

My question is whether we have to get the bus or can we take a taxi instead? I suppose this depends whether check-in is done at the Etihad bus station or at Abu Dhabi airport.

My reason for asking is that Etihad has just retimed our bus from Dubai. We previously had a reasonable 10am bus and a 2.5hr wait at Abu Dhabi between the bus arriving and the flight departing. The alteration now means we have a 5am bus and, upon arrival, a rather undesirable 7.5hr wait.
- Shaw West says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:28
  
  If you are on a return ticket, you need to take the bus else the return will be void
  - Tom says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 07:45
    
    Thanks. That’s what I feared!
    - Kevin C says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 07:53
      
      Surely they check you in at the airport rather than the bus.
  - Babyg says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 08:27
    
    Shaw West, is this from experience, or just going by the T&Cs, note have a look on flyertalk, there is a thread on this, most people are saying you can skip the bus (they dont check your tickets on the bus)…
    - Shaw West says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 08:30
      
      This will be typical for any connection. You miss one leg and the ticket will become invalid. I will be genuinely surprised if they don’t checkin/check the ticket for the Bus. Then it would be a very cheap direct flight to AUH
      - Shaw West says:
        
        25 Nov25 November 08:31
        
        Would be best to check with the Transfer deck in AUH.
      - Anuj says:
        
        25 Nov25 November 11:29
        
        I’m pretty sure I’ve read someone’s comment on here saying they’ve missed the bus and been fine.
- Rich says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:20
  
  There are also covid testing rules that apply to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi – I don’t think you can just jump in a cab anyway.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:11
    
    OP would have to comply with the testing in order to take their flight
    
    Cabs are still running to AD but I believe not as easy as it once was. Im sure regulars like Blenz101 could shed some light on it.
  - Blenz101 says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 10:43
    
    No longer in place. You can now travel freely between the emirates.
    - Benilyn says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 10:51
      
      @Blenz101 – I’m flying into AUH (from MLE) one way ticket in EY. If I understand correctly I can just take my hire car and drive to Dubai, no more further testing required right?
      - Blenz101 says:
        
        25 Nov25 November 13:53
        
        Correct. No border checks at all now between AUH and DXB.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 09:09
  
  I’m 99.9% sure you’ll be absolutely fine missing the bus.
  - Shaw West says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 10:00
    
    I would check with the Transfer desk in AUH
Nick says:

25 Nov25 November 06:45

You need to book at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/book-or-manage-a-booster-dose-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/ which will give you a choice of venues. The earliest booster vaccination date is 182 days after your second dose
- Tracey says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:47
  
  Also walk in clinics:
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
- StevieKicks says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:49
  
  If you’re in Scotland, it’s 24 weeks after your second dose
- Paul says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:44
  
  My wife booked via the NHS website, and had her booster 17 November, having had her second dose on 9th June. I would have booked mine early too, but was suspicious that it was an error, as press were reporting that minimum 6 months required between the two, however the staff at her booster said anytime after 5 months was the guidance they had. Went back to try and book mine, and all November and early December dates had gone, earliest 21 December (second dose 4 June), and also only pharmacies available (closest 7 miles) contrasting with second dose which had the choice of several ‘centres’ as well as surgeries (over a dozen within 4 miles). Oh well, you snooze you lose…
  - Paul says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:02
    
    Have now managed to rebook for 4 December (exactly 182 days, still no ‘local’ sites available though), and I suspect that timing was key in success for my wife, and presume that the website has now been tweaked to only allow 182+ days, whereas it was obviously just showing all available dates when my wife booked, rather than a specific date relative to your jab status…
  - AJA says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:07
    
    I tried to get the booster at my local pharmacy a week ago but they were adamant that it was a no go until 6 months after 2nd jab which was 8 Jun meaning 8 Dec at the earliest. In the end I booked online, at the same pharmacy. Earliest appointment I got is 14 Dec. So that’s when it is although I will ask on the off chance next time I visit. I find them more amenable to doing it earlier if you can show you have a booking.
ayearinmx says:

25 Nov25 November 06:57

If my TP Collection year ends on March 8th 2022, and I fly on March 8th 2022, does it count at the end of my current year (let’s call it 2021) or right at the beginning of my next year (2022)?
- Paul says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 06:59
  
  The former
- Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:54
  
  The former, despite what the BAEC terms say.
  - ayearinmx says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:36
    
    dammit…. looks like i’ll have to spend an extra day in buenos aires…
Matt says:

25 Nov25 November 06:57

Does anyone have a hotel recommendation at or near Madrid airport, please? Terminal 4S if relevant. It’s for one night after a positioning flight for an ex-EU redemption. Nothing fancy needed but restaurant or walkable eating option would be ideal. Many thanks.
- Cabal of rabid baboons says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:09
  
  Artiem have always been good to us, complimentary evening snacks and drinks are handy.
- Shaw West says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:29
  
  There is a whole load of Airport hotels including a Marriott and a Crowne plaza
  - Sam G says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:02
    
    Yes plenty and v cheap. Just check that their shuttle buses are running, I was looking for a night in Jan and some still aren’t
  - elguiri says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 10:02
    
    +1 Crown Plaza, although I seem to recall there were no lifts to the dining room, so had to carry a pushchair up about 200 steps…
- Gtellez says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:59
  
  I like the Marriott Auditorium, free shuttle bus and usually very good points redemption (it used to be a cat 2, now cat 3).
  - Matt says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 21:56
    
    Thank you all. Useful to have a couple of recommendations to focus on.
Crafty says:

25 Nov25 November 07:14

I too have had an automated £99 credit for the previously taken IHG Premium renewal.
- Gareth says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:17
  
  When was this taken originally?
  - Crafty says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 12:11
    
    Fee was originally 23rd October with statement. It was manually reversed a few weeks later following my query. It has now been reversed again on the November statement…
    - Crafty says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 12:12
      
      Sorry poor choice of words. For clarity I have (for now) been given £198 back.
- Harrier25 says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:53
  
  Maybe Creation seeked regulator advice regarding the taking of annual fees after the closure notices had been sent out and were told that a dim view would be taken?
  - Jonathan says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 08:06
    
    Closure notices were sent in October though & these refunds are for annual fees taken in August?
    
    No refunds for me for Feb & June fees (not that I want a refund).
    - Harrier25 says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 08:18
      
      I’m only guessing of course, but maybe they were told to refund all card fees from the past 3 months?
  - Anna says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 08:07
    
    I’d be interested to know if they also sought advice on withdrawing the benefits!
    - Harrier25 says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 08:09
      
      Clearly not!
- JonD says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:45
  
  I had an October 23rd end of year and £99 fee was taken out on the 22nd. That’s now been refunded.
  
  I suspect they think by refunding yearly fee they are no longer liable for any points or free night earned from issue of letter until now.
  
  I guess now my only claim is for the transfer of points from Sept/Oct and the free night from last year.
  
  Surely for creation it would now just be cheaper to close the curve loophole and keep everyone’s card open.
  - Lady London says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:03
    
    I wouldn’t say that JohnD. My view would be the annual fee simply paid for the opportunity to use the card. Repaying the fee doesn’t let them off any other promises. So long as the card is open to you to use I would expect every single benefit earned or part-earned to be provided. They don’t get to choose and balance off unless I agree.
    
    This is like BA quickly and unilaterally refunding tickets when they drop a route – in the hope that this will block or deter you from claiming your other rights such as a reroute and duty of care.
    
    You should still claim your other rights regardless.
    - JonD says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 09:13
      
      Thanks for the comment. That’s a useful parallel. Onwards with the complaint!
    - QFFlyer says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 12:02
      
      I agree, their refunding the annual fee (I’ve also had that today) is their choice – I still spent the required amount and part of the contract with them involved 2x IHG points per £1 spent. They’re showing as earned on my account, so transfer them to my IHG account and I’ll back down, until then complaint stands.
Joe says:

25 Nov25 November 07:17

I saved the BAPP Amex 10k bonus offer to my card and it has just disappeared from my list of saved offers – does that mean it has been triggered? I was definitely thereabouts on the spend.
- roberto says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:21
  
  Or the spend by date has passed…….
  - Gtellez says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 09:01
    
    The date was Nov 30th
- Gustavo says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 11:35
  
  It should show (now or soon-ish after you have triggered it) on the Triggered section on the app. Not sure if you are looking in the Web version or app.
SRTravels says:

25 Nov25 November 07:40

Er…. As head of ecommerce for a group of retail brands I have to disagree. People preempting BF has slowed down sales across retail (been on analyst calls and spoke with partners who look after many other similar clients) Everyone from John Lewis & Curry’s, through to Virgin Atlantic & IHG have Black Friday emblazoned over their homepages. A two second jaunt on the TfP feed will find you at least 3 BF articles and the same with similar travel/reward sites. I wish it was a flash in the pan; it’s not it’s here to stay.
- SRTravels says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 07:42
  
  This was reply to Andrew saying BF was a flash in pan but didn’t seem to reply in the thread properly.
- Cranzle says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:42
  
  Do consumers receive genuine deep discounts that are unavailable at other times of the year?
  - Rob says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 08:50
    
    For travel that is not hugely relevant though. You don’t know in June that you will need a hotel in Manchester for a specific day in December for eg.
    
    Buying a new TV etc is different.
- Andy says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 09:48
  
  There’s whole bunch of small independent retailers who’re boycotting it https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/11/85-independent-retailers-to-shut-websites-on-black-friday/
  
  Think one of the real problems with BF is it doesn’t generate extra revenue and cannibalises sales from earlier in Nov, and pre-Christmas
  - Andrew says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 10:21
    
    The 85% of “small independent retailers” figure seems unrealistically high.
    
    Aren’t the majority of independent retailers trading on platforms like Amazon, E-bay and Etsy? If I was looking for something in particular on Friday and got a “404” or “website closed” page, I’d be buying an alternative from a retailer that was trading instead rather than wait until Saturday to see if they were still trading.
- Roy says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 10:45
  
  I doubt many people outside the US would remember (or even know) when Thanksgiving is, let alone plan their shopping around it in advance.
  - Andrew says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 12:05
    
    Finance people are always aware as the US markets are shut.
    
    Besides, it’s Roast Turkey with all the trimmings in the staff restaurant at lunchtime today. Nom.
  - Rui N. says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 13:38
    
    They don’t, that’s for sure. But by now they now there is a big sales event before Xmas, and in the last few weeks they’ll have seen all the ads about black friday (at least online they are all over the place; don’t watch much TV so don’t know there).
Craig says:

25 Nov25 November 07:45

A bit odd this year with Shop Small only appearing on some cards? Has anyone tried customer service yet?
- Isolde says:
  
  25 Nov25 November 08:00
  
  Yes – added to all cards via chat
  - Craig says:
    
    25 Nov25 November 08:02
    
    Thanks.
    - Harrier25 says:
      
      25 Nov25 November 08:11
      
      Probably not worth the phone call though based on current t&c’s.
      - Craig says:
        
        25 Nov25 November 08:29
        
        Did it on chat whilst doing other things, I’ve had it trigger occasionally whilst out and about when I didn’t expect it to.