The HfP chat thread – Thursday 9th December

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Gavin says:

9 Dec9 December 18:38

Another disappointment from Hilton as a Diamond member – no drinks vouchers – I’m on a run of 25 stays with no vouchers, no upgrade, 330ml water bottles, parking not comped.

Benefits in name only
- Gavin says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 18:44
  
  Also – no Cookie!
  - Tom H says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 18:51
    
    You at a Hampton then?
  - FFoxSake says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 19:05
    
    Makes my Spire free drink and snack look positively generous 🙂
    But you are getting free brekkie at least which is still a valuable perk (maybe…!)
  - Anna says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 19:05
    
    Shocking, where was that?! We are off to the Doubletree Chester tomorrow, already been told no upgrades 😕. But we’ve paid 40k points pn and cash price is currently £261 so I’m not too fussed as they can’t really deny us breakfast, which is the best gold perk!
    - Harrier25 says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 19:54
      
      Anna, make sure they put you in the refurbished wing.
    - Gavin says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 20:12
      
      DT Bristol. Woman on reception clearly not that bothered about first impressions. Won’t be here again. This was easiest for the gig I’m off too now
      - Tariq says:
        
        9 Dec9 December 20:30
        
        Shame as that always used to be a decent place for benefits. Not had parking comped there for a long time though!
      - Tom says:
        
        10 Dec10 December 00:00
        
        DT Bristol? They don’t give a …. about Diamond status. One of the worst hotels I’ve stayed at
        
        Btw, the AC system is flooded with mould
    - Lou says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 22:08
      
      The jacuzzi is amazing!!
    - Lou says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 22:09
      
      When we went to DT Chester in September we didn’t get an upgrade, bit we did get drinks vouchers
    - BJ says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 22:37
      
      Upgrades plus minibar both times I stayed there. It’s nice but they did not ventilate rooms well so lingering damp snell. Hopefully the ventilation issue has been solved in light of covid.
  - Harrier25 says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 21:05
    
    The cookies are horrible sickly things anyway. I’d be overjoyed if they didn’t give me one of those….but they always do!
- John says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 19:04
  
  None of those are diamond benefits though, except for upgrade which is at hotel’s discretion
  - Points Hound says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 19:27
    
    Not that exciting but ‘bottled water’ is a named benefit actually 😂
  - Pete says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:12
    
    And you only (usually) get cookies at Doubletrees.
    - Gavin says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 20:20
      
      I’m at a DT – should have made that clearer!
- Peggerz says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 19:57
  
  Sorry and surprised to hear this. I’m a recent convert to Hilton and as 💎 I’ve had single and double upgrades, water, drinks, lounge access with/without spirits, snacks & breakfast. All within the last 6 months. I’m unlikely to keep diamond after 2023 but enjoying it while I can.
  - Harrier25 says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:43
    
    I’ve had all those benefits as Gold at Hilton. My go to brand is always Hilton.
  - BJ says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 21:11
    
    Bank tge points, get your OH set up well to do status match/challenge if possible. Once granted it, transfer your points Iver to them and do some cheap stays. Although not as good as it once was, Aberdeen is your friend for this. Newcastle and Glasgow also help. Not that difficult to hit the target and enjoy some weekends away too.
- Chris says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 20:16
  
  Is your complaint that Hilton have given you everything you’re entitled too and nothing more?
  
  Clearly upgrade is at discretion of hotel, you’ve just made up all the other benefits yourself 🤷🏼‍♂️
- ianM says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 20:27
  
  Why would you get drinks vouchers?
  - BJ says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:50
    
    Common for Diamond at Hilton if you don’t get comp minibar. At least it was before all the fake jewels flooded the market.
- BJ says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 20:47
  
  25 stays without a single upgrade … I’d have thought it impossible!
  - Gavin says:
    
    10 Dec10 December 00:09
    
    Sorry 25 stays with no drinks vouchers. I get the occasional 1 category upgrade. Would rather have 2 free pints though as I don’t usually need the extra space.
    
    Last time I stayed at a Hilton with a pool, booked it specifically to use the pool. Called up in advance to book a time to use pool. Told at check in pool closed. A Hampton I stayed in 7 times in a month, never offered water. Done 46 nights this year in Hilton’s, not the most, but still nearly once a week, but IHG give me a free pint or two every time.
    
    Plan to burn my points next year. Doubt I’ll be more than an occasional Hilton stayer in future due to life changes and drop in income.
Ryanfozzie says:

9 Dec9 December 19:31

Just been issued 2 X £50 vouchers from BA as compensation. These are e-vouchers starting in 125. Does anyone know if they can be applied to BA Holiday bookings? Just wanted to save an hour of holding to be told no….
- cabal of rabid baboons says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 20:03
  
  yup, they are E-Vouchers and can be used against the outstanding balance of a holiday via E-Mail
  to BA holidays
  - Nick says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 21:22
    
    Technically no, it’s against policy to use CR e-vouchers for Holidays bookings. You might get lucky and find an agent willing to transfer the value across, but don’t be upset if they do apply the policy correctly.
Paul Pogba says:

9 Dec9 December 19:53

Does anyone want to send me a Monese referral link?
- Craig says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 19:57
  
  Join Monese and get up to £50 once you start spending! Just enter my invite code when you sign up: CRAIG708
  
  Download the app here: https://www.mone.se/7vQs/afa87a32
  - Paul Pogba says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:38
    
    Thanx!
- Craig says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 19:57
  
  Thanks.
  - Toaster says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:39
    
    I hadn’t realised that to get the referral bonus you have to order a physical card (£4.95) and make a transaction. To get the full bonus you have to spend £500.
Vit says:

9 Dec9 December 20:42

Good morning from Novotel Swampy Airport, doing test and go. Negative result after 7 hours. Jet-lag hits me hard!

Quick question please, has anyone done booking using avios on QR flight since the BA IT overhaul? I tried to do but it didn’t let me.

Cheers,
Vit
- BJ says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 20:55
  
  Good to hear, enjoy your long overdue visit with family and friends.
  - Vit says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 20:56
    
    Thanks BJ. Still another rapid test to do in phnom penh but yes hopefully a negative one too! 😉
    - BJ says:
      
      9 Dec9 December 21:03
      
      Ah ok, I hope still all fine 🙂
    - Polly says:
      
      10 Dec10 December 05:49
      
      So glad you made, enjoy the rest of your trip, and more negative tests…
Keely says:

9 Dec9 December 20:54

My sister is in Jamaica , check in staff for TUI won’t recognise that under 18 year olds have one jab only to be fully vaccinated – won’t allow them to board unless they purchase a day 8 test ! (They already have day 2 tests booked as per recent changes) .

Appreciate that the rules have changed recently and my niece can now get her second vaccine but she couldn’t until recently due to the timing of the first. Very stressful situation …
BJ says:

9 Dec9 December 20:59

Any news regarding the return of free breakfast for Gold and Diamond at USA Hilton properties in 2022?
- Harrier25 says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 21:39
  
  ….and drink vouchers for Gavin?
- Andrew says:
  
  9 Dec9 December 21:40
  
  Isn’t that it now – this is the new normal?
  - BJ says:
    
    9 Dec9 December 22:41
    
    Probably, I think it’s more likely we will see benefits reduced elsewhere than reintroduced in USA. Hope I’m wrong though.
  - ianM says:
    
    10 Dec10 December 00:22
    
    Supposed to be for 2021 only. Very confusing, was at Hilton last week in Atlanta and $12 food credit but breakfast cost $16 just a total PITA.
    
    No 2 room upgrade and free mini bar either!.
Stephen says:

9 Dec9 December 23:31

Has anyone returned from the Maldives recently with Qatar Airways? There have been some reports that they are not accepting lateral flow tests for flights back to the UK?