The HfP chat thread – Thursday 2nd December

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• George K says:

  2 Dec2 December 13:10

  Looks like the American Express Christmas lounge in Covent Garden is back for platinum card holders. Open Fridays and weekends..

  • Kevin C says:

    2 Dec2 December 13:12

    Is it Platinum only this time? I couldn’t see entry requirements anywhere. It’s called Amex Winter World rather than Platinum House.

    • George K says:

      2 Dec2 December 13:23

      That’s the one – I hope I didn’t jump the gun. Email came on my platinum account so potentially made an incorrect assumption.

      • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

        2 Dec2 December 13:26

        Email came to one of my other cards

        • George K says:

          2 Dec2 December 13:51

          That settles it – my apologies!

  • TJ says:

    2 Dec2 December 16:01

    Covent Garden briefing says:-

    As part of the partnership, during the first three long weekends in December (3rd-5th, 10th-12th & 17th-19th December), American Express will welcome all shoppers to an American Express Winter World lounge located on Floral Street. From 10am-7pm guests can take a break from shopping and step into a Christmas haven where they can enjoy luxury gift wrapping tutorial services, an enchanting Christmas lighting experience and festive refreshments before leaving with complimentary tote bags.

    • Graham Walsh says:

      2 Dec2 December 16:43

      For some reason, all my email notifications were disabled for my Platinum card. Found the info here https://www.coventgarden.london/experience/things-to-do/american-express-x-covent-garden/

• Alex says:

  2 Dec2 December 13:11

  Looking to upgrade from HSBC Advance to HSBC Premier. What’s the best/quickest route?

  I called HSBC this morning and got told that the Premier counters at HSBC branches can no longer do the upgrade on site. One can be initiated in a full service HSBC branch, but most of the processing will be done over the phone in a callback. Customer service also mentioned the upgrade for an existing account cannot be processed online – only new accounts can be initiated via the Internet. I was also told the phone route can take up to 3 hours as the different teams lead me through the process. Has anyone managed to process an upgrade online? A 3 hour phone call with HSBC sounds like hell…

  • Ls says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:14

    Massive hassle for me. I got refused in branch (“Covid”), on the phone (“go to branch”) and via online message (“call us”). Put a formal complaint in. Didn’t get a response. Escalated to ombudsman. HSBC executive office called and made an appointment for a phone call, as well as overly generous compo. Called exactly at appointed time, took about 40 mins, mostly being read full terms and conditions relating to travel insurance.

    • Paul Pogba says:

      2 Dec2 December 14:37

      Is this a bank worth sticking with? I have never had such a faff trying to open a First Direct account, if they ever get it open I’m probably going to set up a few direct debits and transfer to Nationwide as an existing customer for the bonus.

      • Anuj says:

        2 Dec2 December 14:40

        Ironically First Direct is part of HSBC

        • Paul Pogba says:

          2 Dec2 December 15:02

          Thats my point, it sounds like Ls is having a nightmare with their legacy operation and from my point of view their established “challenger” brand isn’t much better.

  • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

    2 Dec2 December 15:04

    Not an upgrade story but I opened a Premier Account recently and it took a good hour and a half in branch. Applied for the World Elite Mastercard at the same time and it never arrived. In the meantime they charged me a £12 late payment fee for not paying the £195 annual fee on a card that never arrived. I called to complain and they reversed the late fee and issued a new card. The new card finally arrived (2+ months after account opening) but in the meantime I have also discovered that I have a late payment against my Experian record now, so my credit rating has suffered too as well as all this inconvenience of multiple phone calls and time spent. I complained again and got £55 compensation and an undertaking that they would update my credit record but I won’t hold my breath. A very poor customer experience and if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m looking to take an Amex break and there are few other reward earning alternatives I think I would have binned HSBC by now…

    • Alex says:

      2 Dec2 December 15:14

      That does sound horrible. My reasoning behind opening a Premier account is in line with yours. Looking for an AMEX alternative + other cards in my wallet are going away…

  • Britbronco says:

    2 Dec2 December 22:13

    The best way is not to upgrade but to apply for a new premier account. This can be done online easily. The new account should appear on your existing online profile, and within a couple of days your advance account will also be upgraded to premier.

    • Alex says:

      2 Dec2 December 23:17

      Wouldn’t that mean that I’ll end up with two separate HSBC checking accounts?

      • Sloth says:

        2 Dec2 December 23:54

        Correct but is that really an issue? This is the quickest and easiest way tbh

• Steven says:

  2 Dec2 December 13:21

  Any recommendations for a particular site for buying discounted gift cards? Many thanks in advance.

  • John says:

    2 Dec2 December 13:27

    Morrisons for me. I used to have a work-related site but I stopped working in that sector.

    I then used topgiftcards for a time, but one day they just took my money and didn’t give me anything, and didn’t respond to messages, had to do chargeback.

    • Steven says:

      2 Dec2 December 14:01

      Is that Morrison’s combined with the 10% rebate from AMEX/Virgin or do they offer discounted gift cards directly? Thanks

      • Reney says:

        2 Dec2 December 14:54

        yes using card offers. Does your employer use Perks at Work that is a good route.

        • Steven says:

          2 Dec2 December 19:29

          Yes, I did have a look but couldn’t see any gift cards on there, thanks.

  • Peter K says:

    2 Dec2 December 13:47

    Never personally used them but cardyard has been mentioned here a few times.

  • Shaw West says:

    2 Dec2 December 13:53

    Monese 😉

    • Paul says:

      2 Dec2 December 13:55

      yes, Monese or Morrisons!

• Rich says:

  2 Dec2 December 14:08

  France update. Test required for vaccinated arrivals from UK from Saturday. Can be PCR or antigen, taken within 48 hours (of departure or arrival? Who knows…)

  As reported by Euronews

  https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/12/02/france-travel-restrictions-covid-test-required-for-uk-travellers-from-saturday

• Doommonger says:

  2 Dec2 December 14:12

  Is anyone still collecting Nectar points?

  Here is my list for this week;

  Fresh Tagliatelle 20 points
  Red Grapefruit 10 points
  Sainsburys Carrots 10 points
  So Organic Aubergine 50 points
  Baby Salad Potatoes 750 g 20 points
  Sainsburys Cauliflower 40 Points
  Fresh avocados 20 points
  Sainsburys White Pitta 10 Points
  Swarf Beans 20 Points
  Taste the Difference San Francisco style Sourdough 20 Points
  Double Cream 40 Points
  Microwave Thai Rice 10 Points
  Celeriac 30 Points
  Fairtrade Bananas 10 Points
  Chopped Tomatoes 20 Points
  Red Peppers 20 Points
  Large Free range Eggs 120 Points
  Sainsburys Raspberries 50 Points
  Semi Skimmed Milk 20 Points
  Easy peelers 1KG 90 Points
  Chocolate Yule log 40 Points
  Sainsburys Mincer Pies 60 Points

  Doomey

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:14

    Who isn’t collecting Nectar points! I still get loads of those offers, about 15 to 20 a week. Usual £20 shop nets me at least 300 points, even on a bad day

  • Harrier25 says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:57

    🥱

  • Rich says:

    2 Dec2 December 15:12

    You typed your shopping list in? A summary would have done. I was thinking ‘get a life’ but it made me smile. And mincer pies???

  • ChrisC says:

    2 Dec2 December 15:16

    Not sure how helpful these lists are to anyone else but you.

    • mutley says:

      2 Dec2 December 17:59

      Like most of your ill informed comment, fancy a mincer pie?

      • ChrisC says:

        2 Dec2 December 19:40

        What ill informed comments have I made?

  • Gavin says:

    2 Dec2 December 22:44

    I’m getting at least 1000 points in offers every week, generally on things I typically buy. This week I’m offered a total of 1160 points via offers, I’m likely to buy some of the products to get me 760 points.

    Some stack, eg I’m getting a lot of 80 points for any tinned fish and 20 points for a specific can which is £1, the same with tins of soup. Also if I have an offer for the same item two weeks running, once for 40 points and once for 80 points they stack too if bought in the 2 day window when both weeks offers are available.

    I generally don’t buy any product if it’s offering 20 points or less. This seems to mean I get offered higher points in the future. They stack with Nectar prices too if I use the smartshop devices, which I find quite fun and a lot quicker.

• LakerDC10 says:

  2 Dec2 December 14:14

  Press Release on The White House webpage. Suggests 1 day LFT is required and no other changes to arrival or post arrival tests. Looks like my December trip is on!

• Soloflyer1977 says:

  2 Dec2 December 14:22

  Flying to Ireland next week and need a pre-departure (48h) in-person antigen test. Boots looks like a winner at £30 but you have to buy the test before you can check availability…
  Has anyone used it? Lots of availability? Thinking about taking it in Liverpool Street.

  • WaynedP says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:26

    If it is anything like the Boots PCR pre-departure test (which I’ve used twice and can recommend) you enter your credit card details in order to view availability, but payment is not taken until you show up in person for your test on the appointed day.

    Has worked well for me on two occasions.

    • Soloflyer1977 says:

      2 Dec2 December 15:14

      Great. Thank you WaynedP

      • thehornets says:

        2 Dec2 December 16:31

        There is a list of supporting stores on the web site. Not all stores participate and not all stores do all tests.

        The process works exactly as Waynedp says.. If you don’t take the test, you don’t get charged.

• Patrick says:

  2 Dec2 December 14:43

  Due to fly to USA on 26-12 at 11:00. Looks like USA set to announce tests being required the day before travel instead of the 3 days it is now. Anyone know where I can get a test on 25-12 Christmas Day with results back in time? Will need to be PCR as I will use the same test to cross border into Canada later on my day of arrival via land.

  Was going to use Collinson at Stansted (I live not far away), but they are closed Christmas Day.

  • A says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:57

    Expresstest at LHR are open on the 26th from 6am, and have the 3hr PCR test. Should be do-able if you book and get there as soon as they open.

    • Patrick says:

      2 Dec2 December 15:06

      Thanks. Looked at them already in both T5 and T2.
      They don’t appear to open until 7am.
      https://www.expresstest.co.uk/book-a-test/testing-centres/heathrow-t2-departures-3hr-fit-to-fly/?testType=FTPCR&productType=Fit+To+Fly

      For those that have used ExpressTest at T5 or T2, how quickly are results normally returned?

      • Paul says:

        2 Dec2 December 15:21

        Fortnight ago, T5, behind club check in, tested at 14.30, results email at 16.35. Very easy process.

        • Paul says:

          2 Dec2 December 15:21

          Sorry, for the 3hr test…

      • ChrisC says:

        2 Dec2 December 15:23

        IMHO even a 7am slot would be risky.

        You’d need the result no later than 10.00 (assume checkin closes 60 mins before departure)

        • Patrick says:

          2 Dec2 December 15:29

          Yeah, I would never contemplate doing it 7am and hoping the results get back by 10.
          I might push it if it is a 6am test and results by 9.
          2 options i think.
          1) Travel to LHR the day before (on christmas day) and get a PCR test, and then go home.
          2) Assuming USA still allows lateral flow antigen to enter and not a PCR, do that at LHR in the morning of 26th before flight (I think results are 30-60 minutes), and do a PCR on 24th somewhere else near home to enter Canada by land on 26th. Canada only accepts PCR.

        • ChrisC says:

          2 Dec2 December 15:54

          1 – you might as well stay overnight that do that drive

          2 – What about doing both at LHR on the 26th – quick lateral flow for the US and a PCR for Canada where the timing of the result is less critical for the flight (but also more expensive)

        • TGLoyalty says:

          2 Dec2 December 23:35

          I guess the worry is getting a positive PCR result while on the flight / when landing

          Does the Canada one need to be within a day too? also the LFT can be done at home via video supervision so saves travelling for hours on Xmas day or leaving earlier than you need to on Boxing Day.

      • Polly says:

        2 Dec2 December 15:41

        Ours were back in 2.5 hrs, but they can’t promise that. Luck of the draw.

  • Soloflyer1977 says:

    2 Dec2 December 15:45

    Randox – 3h & 12h PCR is available at Stansted – Short Stay Yellow Zone on Christmas Day.

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