The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 7th December

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

• Colin MacKinnon says:

  7 Dec7 December 10:50

  Creation: they haven’t “cancelled” the card, they have just “restricted” it !

  So, since I get my free night on the anniversary (in October 2022!), should I keep my card “open” by having a token amount of debt on it.

  If so, how much? ie if minimum payment is a fiver a month, then I keep £55 debt on it?

  Of course, if Creation confirm in writing that they have no intention of delivering the free night, I might only have to wait for the FOS decision.

  • Youllnever says:

    7 Dec7 December 10:52

    If your card is cancelled, your account will show as restricted.

  • Rui N. says:

    7 Dec7 December 10:53

    Are you sure that what is “restricted” is not your online account and not the card?

  • Andrew says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:17

    If you’re account is “restricted” how are you going to pay your bill online?

    Maybe they’ll write it off. (Obviously there is also faster payments available).

    • Rui N. says:

      7 Dec7 December 11:29

      The payments part of the account is not restricted.

  • JDB says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:37

    On closure of the account any sum outstanding is due immediately – para 15 T&Cs.

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      7 Dec7 December 15:38

      They haven’t posted closing statements yet though

  • JDB says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:43

    They won’t confirm anything to you in writing unless you make a formal complaint and wait for the earlier of 8 weeks or their final resolution/decision. You can’t go to the FOS before that. FOS preliminary decisions currently taking 6m+ and if it goes against Creation they are very likely to ask for an Ombudsman decision that will add a few more months.

  • Sandgrounder says:

    7 Dec7 December 12:03

    Your online account will probably stay open but restricted for a minimum of 5-6 years so you can access your statements.

    • Mark says:

      7 Dec7 December 17:20

      I’ve already downloaded my statements in case I need any evidence from them. Also worth grabbing a screenshot from the app as if you’ve spent more than the anniversary night threshold it shows how much more, as long as the total points not transferred.

• Ali M says:

  7 Dec7 December 10:50

  Can see the new Hilton @ Maldives coming up as ‘coming soon’ now. They have the standard photos on

  • can says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:20

    great, thx.

• Blair says:

  7 Dec7 December 10:58

  Jen who stayed at Kimpton Alton SF recently – any chance of a longer review? I have reserved it on ooints across various nights next summer.

  • Colin MacKinnon says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:03

    Me too!

    • Blair says:

      7 Dec7 December 12:58

      Latest reviews not so good. I am thinking of switching. No good IHG alternative though; The IC is in an unsafe area and the Mark Hopkins is tatty and past its prime.

  • Jen T says:

    7 Dec7 December 17:02

    Of course! It was previously another hotel (Google will help you) and there weren’t many reviews covering its life as a Kimpton when we stayed at the end of November. Biggest bad point is the staff (I know there is a general issue with hospitality staff everywhere at the moment). No recognition of IHG membership, had to provide all my details again on check in, but didn’t ask for the COVID vaccination info (a legal requirement in California). Overall, they were very disinterested. The fire alarm went off one evening so we evacuated… Standing on the sidewalk, I noticed how few people were outside, the restaurant was still full, people were still checking in, using elevators, etc. I went back in to be told it was a test – no-one had been told/no notices – and they seemed surprised we had bothered to leave the room. No apology or real care for guests. Some sections of the hotel are still closed with painting taking place. Rooms are huge (definitely a plus point) but looks like a quick refurbishment with some dated items remaining. Many look onto an internal courtyard with clear views into other rooms so beware! No housekeeping during stay, no minibar, no fun robes (all expected Kimpton signature items). The only unique bit is that there is a record player in your room and vinyl to borrow downstairs. Restaurant is rammed every night (one of SF’s hottest new openings apparently) so you’ll need to book a table if you want to eat there. Free coffee in the morning from reception for a few hours (only green tea if you don’t like coffee) and there is the free wine hour. Lobby area has no natural light and seemed to be used for private functions a lot so you’re basically stuck in your room if you are in the hotel. However, it’s a fantastic location to get public transport around the city, good local walks/restaurants/sightseeing nearby, and Hertz & Avis have branches across the road if you are going to hire a car for onward journeys or day trips.

    Any other questions, just ask! It felt more like a Holiday Inn stay – I could have been anywhere to be honest. Although it does have the Kimpton scent in the public areas!

    • Blair says:

      7 Dec7 December 17:54

      Hmm interesting. Very useful thanks Jen. I am book-ending a trip to Vegas next August with some nights in SF before and after. I may swap to my tried and tested Le Meridien that I use for work. And save my IHG points for aspirational stays elsewhere. Devastated that Chicago lost its best Kimptons to Sonesta; that used to be my go-to US trip in August. This Alton doesn’t sound up to Kimpton par.

    • Blair says:

      7 Dec7 December 17:55

      Also in California I’ve resigned myself to always needing to bring my travel kettle and teabags with me. This tea in the lobby schtick does nothing for me.

      • JenT says:

        7 Dec7 December 20:38

        I’m only just back from the USA so enjoying proper tea, made properly! We did ask if something other than green tea was available but they said no…

• KK says:

  7 Dec7 December 10:59

  Got some avios CW flights to Maldives over Xmas. Got enough avios left and considering booking back up economy flights in case of red list changes while out there – has anyone done this before or advise on it. Would calling 24 hours before cancelling for a refund be problematic given call centre waits and issues as would need the refund if not used?

  • KP says:

    7 Dec7 December 12:20

    I have done this in Aug. Went to DUbai on BA. Booked a one-way DXB-LHR flight on cash in case it went to red. Straight after the amber/red announcement, I cancelled the ticket and received voucher within a few minutes. Really very easy. I’m sure the same can be done on points.

  • GeorgeJ says:

    7 Dec7 December 16:15

    Yes, its a sensible approach to have a back up. I have put several bookings in place to have something available if rules changed. Pretty easy to cancel for a voucher or even cash. No real downside.

• Soloflyer1977 says:

  7 Dec7 December 11:08

  John Lewis Waitrose Click and Collect is very slow at the moment. Ordered on Wednesday last week, earliest collection date was Saturday. Delivery never arrived. Followed up with call centre yesterday who said it is on a van somewhere and have no further update. Checked the order tracking just now, it is ready for collection. No email or text confirmation.

  • can says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:10

    JL have been very disappointing for me recently, too.

    • Rob says:

      7 Dec7 December 12:40

      My wife’s new iPhone got delayed by a day too last week.

      On the upside, JL just gave me a £10 credit with no minimum spend, as long as I order via the app. My wife has started getting the free coffee and cake vouchers again too.

  • Rui N. says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:30

    Order made during Black Friday arrived today for me. It wasn’t urgent, but kind of ridiculous in 2021.

    • can says:

      7 Dec7 December 11:48

      They now also has the worst customer service, especially compared to Amazon. I waned to return a child care seat within warranty, they turned it into many-phone-calls bureaucratic nightmare. Amazon would have approved it in 10seconds. It’s like they want to lose the market even more.

      • rams says:

        7 Dec7 December 11:57

        I agree. John Lewis extra guarantee is pointless now based on my experience with expensive headphones

  • Michael AC says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:47

    We’ve had similar experiences with John Lewis since the pandemic. Orders not turning up or delayed by weeks. We’ve still got an apology voucher we haven’t got round to using because we had such bad experiences lately.

  • Lady London says:

    7 Dec7 December 12:58

    At least you got a slot. This time last year it was completely booked up over 5 weeks ahead. Click & Collect wasn’t much better at any of the many branches I use.

  • Elizabeth says:

    7 Dec7 December 13:38

    Similar experience with Boots as well. Also used to be very good, but click and collect has been delayed by 6 days thus far, and still hasn’t arrived in the shop.

• Rh says:

  7 Dec7 December 11:09

  Hi all, just prepping for a flight back from Male tomorrow. I have added the information and VeriFLY has accepted it and issued my pass. However, I still can’t check in for the flight – is there usually a time lag? Thanks .

  • Benilyn says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:58

    Wasn’t for me to Male

  • AFKAE says:

    7 Dec7 December 12:16

    I did this about a month ago and it was fine. Are you within the 24 hour check in window?

    • Rh says:

      7 Dec7 December 12:34

      Yes, strange!

• NorthernLass says:

  7 Dec7 December 11:18

  Bit niche but a couple of people have mentioned the Baker’s Cay Curio Key Largo. Annoyingly, it has been going up and up in terms of points pn required (60k to 80k and now 90k, I’m not at all sure it would be worth that), HOWEVER, they seem to have the intern working for them atm and there is a 1 bedroom suite which has a separate living room with sofa bed available for 90k pn (so 360k on 5 for 4), which might be good value for families.
  I was pondering over it for next December but there are better value Florida options now, IMO.

• Char Char says:

  7 Dec7 December 11:26

  Whats with all these avatars and highlighting now, looks like a moderator/Rob is replying to everyone

  • Rhys says:

    7 Dec7 December 11:32

    Bug from the forum launch. Will be sorted tomorrow.

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