Important dates for your diary – offers about to close which you shouldn’t miss (July 2016)

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• Slo says:

  24 Jul24 July 08:35

  The hailo offer doesn’t appear to have worked for me. Has anyone actually received the 1000 bonus?

  • Johnnycl says:

    24 Jul24 July 13:25

    It worked for me, but points were slow posting. I think it was 60 days for the points to arrive – whatever it said in the T&Cs (points within X days) it was on the last day of the time frame they gave.

• Fenny says:

  24 Jul24 July 11:23

  Mine was booked at 18%, but has come through at 8%. I raised the claim in April and it’s now gone beyond the 2-3 months they say. All I get back is that they’re waiting for the retailer. I think they lie deliberately to get the sales and then flannel for months until we get fed up.

• Fenny says:

  24 Jul24 July 11:23

  Exactly.

• Tom Murray says:

  24 Jul24 July 11:32

  How does anyone keep track of these offers? I have a Tesco clubcard bonus outstanding for nearly three months, a Tesco wine bonus outstanding, just signed for a work related “The Economist’ subscription for Iberia rewards etc.

  Short of printing all or diarying it on my phone, does AwardWallet or any other app keep track of this. I’ve previously also had nightmares with Avis hires worldwide – ‘Avis’ which seems to consist of multi worldwide private companies as franchises have a third party customer relations outfit that agree with the problem, state ‘i hope it won’t stop you renting with Avis again’ and never deal with it. I’ve now given up trying to claim the Avios on two hires in SA in October last year, one in CPT, the other JNB. Pointless literally.
  TM

  • Genghis says:

    24 Jul24 July 11:51

    I keep track of all cash back, points offers etc in a spreadsheet. Sad but it seems to work

  • Fenny says:

    24 Jul24 July 12:03

    It depends what it is. Things like wine deliveries, I have to put in my calendar, so I remember to be at home to receive them. But I just checked my clubcard account and spent several minutes trying to remember what I’d ordered as a direct or wine order for £110 and 110 points. It’s actually the Harry Potter script (Elder Adorable Niece will be over the moon) that I ordered last week.

    I do keep screenshots of orders for things, just in case I need proof when following up a claim. When I’m booking holidays, I keep a spreadsheet of dates, times, prices, prepayments or pay at hotel, etc, just so I know what I’m doing.

    • Tom Murray says:

      24 Jul24 July 13:10

      Hmmm..maybe I’m seeking too complicated a solution. I think the spreadsheet idea is the way to go. Since ‘heading for points’ at the back end of last year, we’ve swapped ‘historic’ bank accounts with credit cards attached and john lewis type shopping for Amex, Tesco and so on. Mrs M goes nuts swapping around but the Avios total is climbing. It’s a pity that the ‘offers’ and ‘bonuses’ need watching but I suppose it’s no different to reconciling your bank and credit cards as we’ve always done – it’s just more work!

      • Genghis says:

        24 Jul24 July 13:15

        Mrs Genghis used to complain about getting new credit cards all the time but seems to have now accepted it given I activate the cards, change the pins, ask her to sign and then place them in her purse.

• Genghis says:

  24 Jul24 July 13:16

  Agreed. It’s hard to track each purchase now. Perhaps that’s what they want – people to not really know what’s going on and forget about cash back due

• Alan says:

  24 Jul24 July 14:13

  Agree – old layout was clearer

• Alan says:

  24 Jul24 July 14:14

  If it ends up as a final no (I’m still hopeful they might pay out) then I’ll be taking it up with Diamond Desk and trying to get some HHonors points in lieu!

  • Fenny says:

    24 Jul24 July 19:40

    Let us know and we’ll start a class action!

• Doodles says:

  24 Jul24 July 16:10

  Hi Raffles, I am just writing to say thank you for the advice on this site. I am just back from an ex EU trip to the US and have gone from Blue to Silver as a result. I was always bronze, earnt from travelling PE where possible but last year I travelled on a redemption flight and with the new earning rates, it was looking more difficult. For the benefit of any new readers, this is how I reached silver:

  CE flight to Marrakech (£150, 160 TP earned)
  CE flight to Verona (£60 and 7500 avios, 80 TP earned)
  CE/CW flight from CPH to JFK (£400 and 30000 avios, 360 TP earned)

  Spent 37500 avios, earned 20542. I only have a Lloyds credit card to earn avios and from previous flights.

  I am not tied to visiting a certain place at a certain time of year so took advantage of the low prices offered during sales. I know there was a lot of criticism in yesterday’s comments but, right now, I am happy at being able to choose a seat for free at time of booking and the 50% bonus on future flights. The long haul option from my local airport (Bristol) is AF/KLM. I travelled with them twice and both times there were problems.

  Just a few points from my trip to the US which might help some other readers:
  The hotel hoppa at Heathrow (H57) did not arrive in the morning (3, possibly 4 buses did not arrive). Don’t rely on it if you have an early morning flight. I won’t be using it again, my general opinion is that the drivers are rude, impatient and drive carelessly.

  Before my flight from Copenhagen, I stayed in Malmo. The train was some minutes late and, just before CPH airport, announced it would not be stopping there. Everyone had to get off at the next stop and take an overcrowded train back to the airport. I had plenty of time and don’t know if this happens often or not but best to leave plenty of time.

  I stayed at the Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown, booked as a redemption after the 100% bonus when buying points was mentioned on this site. The hotel is ok, but the metro station, Hoyt-Schermerhorn does not have lifts/an escalator and it is 3 flights of stairs to exit the station. If you have luggage, better to walk to/from Atlantic Terminal.

  • Rob says:

    24 Jul24 July 16:51

    Thanks Doodles, glad it is working out well. You may have been at HI Brooklyn Downtown at the same time as Anika, there is a review lined up for next week. It is now up to 35,000 points per night but, on the upside, the pool opens on 1st August.

  • CV3V says:

    24 Jul24 July 18:49

    I was in Malmo last weekend and due to the refugee situation at the moment, to cross into Sweden you need your Passport/IC. It means that the trains which used to run direct from Copenhagen, through the airport to Malmo now all stop at the airport, you then have to get off train, go through the passport check to get on the Malmo train. Its not too inconvenient but adds a few mins on to journeys. Going from Malmo – CPH – Copenhagen city centre its one train and no checks.

    Malmo is a great place for a quick weekend break and the hotels are much cheaper than in Copenhagen. We stayed at the Raddison Blu using the Golds 2 for 1, so nights for 99 pounds, including breakfast!

    • Fenny says:

      24 Jul24 July 18:55

      I was in Copenhagen for 48 hours last month. I would have nipped over to Malmo, but just didn’t have time. I shall definitely be going back and will make time for the trip over the bridge. The public transport system is very easy.

      • Genghis says:

        24 Jul24 July 19:10

        The Øresund Bridge really is impressive

    • Doodles says:

      25 Jul25 July 21:53

      I also stayed at the Radisson Blu. I am able to book discounted travel agent rates so, it really was good value for Scandinavia and I liked the hotel. I also stayed at Park Inn Copenhagen airport, again at a discounted rate. Location is very handy. I would stay at either of those again.

      • Fenny says:

        25 Jul25 July 22:42

        The Crown Plaza in Copenhagen is 2 stops on the train from the airport and about 200 yards from the station/ metro. Excellent location and great views over to the city.

        • Alan says:

          25 Jul25 July 23:08

          Yep, excellent property. Also gave Exec Lounge access as IHG Plat when I was there a couple of years ago.

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