Get triple Shangri-La Golden Circle reward points via their app – a 30% rebate

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• Hayley says:

  20 Feb20 February 03:41

  OT: I’m trying to book a reward flight between Auckland and Christchurch as I can see Qantas fly that route. But when I put it in to the BA site it keeps saying BA and partners do not fly that route. Am I doing something wrong or is the BA site just being hopeless as usual. It’s got so bad lately when trying to book anything I’m tempted to give up the Avios game altogether and stop using them until they sort out their website.

  • Sam G says:

    20 Feb20 February 04:02

    the website doesn’t work with any QF flights operated by regional partners etc (inc. Aus to NZ – operated by a low cost subsidiary) – you’ll need to call in to get these, they should wave the booking fee. Been like it for years no idea why they can’t fix it!

    But I just had a look – these flights are operated by Jetstar – their low cost airline – these aren’t bookable using Avios.

    • Hayley says:

      20 Feb20 February 05:14

      Thanks Sam, that’s helpful about the website. I did a search on SkyScanner and it looked like there were flights with both Jetstar and Qantas which was what made me think I should be able to book with Avios. I may call the booking centre just to double check.

      • Michael says:

        20 Feb20 February 06:13

        You will need to book via the call centre as the Qantas branded flights are operated by JetConnect as Qantas. These don’t appear, like all Qantas regional flights operated by QantasLink on BA.
        They can see the flights in the call centre.
        Please don’t redeem on Jetstar, it is quite bad value Avios to comfort wise, plus on 20kg luggage.
        Qantas will allow full status baggage.

      • Clive says:

        20 Feb20 February 09:31

        Hayley – we flew that route on Air NZ and found that the domestic Air NZ fares were much lower on their .co.nz site than on the .co.uk site.
        It was only about £40 per person one way.

  • Nick says:

    20 Feb20 February 10:48

    Qantas do not fly AKL-CHC – or indeed any domestic NZ flights. It’s Jetstar, which while owned by them is NOT part of oneworld, and doesn’t offer Avios redemptions.

    With the greatest of respect, it’s not really on to blame BA’s IT for your inability to understand schedules – and of course this is another reason not to trust skyscanner (which is a very poor tool!) – it was showing you a QF codeshare rather than the actual operating carrier.

• Sam G says:

  20 Feb20 February 06:18

  my understanding / experience is = JetConnect (QF coded – Aus-NZ vv) you can redeem Avios by phone but Jetstar (intra-NZ) you cannot. As Michael says these would be unlikely to be good value anyway – the domestic flights are pretty cheap

  If you are doing any long distance flying in Aus e.g. Perth – Sydney, that is when Avios do tend to be good value esp. booking close in

• the_real_a says:

  20 Feb20 February 06:21

  OT – since a few people asked i replied to my comment about nesting a HKG – LHR – HKG inside two one ways to save additional taxes using a Llyods upgrade voucher.

  https://headforpoints.com/2018/02/17/using-cathay-pacific-low-tax-avios-redemptions-asia/

• ahop says:

  20 Feb20 February 07:25

  OT: when using a 241 do you have to return to the same UK airport that you departed from?

  • Tetly1967 says:

    20 Feb20 February 07:34

    No, I have an LHR-SEA, OAK-LGW 2-4-1 booked for later in the year

  • Rob says:

    20 Feb20 February 09:24

    No

• fbrj says:

  20 Feb20 February 08:46

  Another OT!
  Insurance – I have just had a very positive result on a claim for an abandoned main holiday sector through partner’s illness at our Far East start point. Apart from medical costs I had several flights, hotels, a cruise, visa costs, flight change fees etc (all individually booked by me) refunded with no quibbles. This was a standard policy that comes with of a Lloyds current account. Claim processed within 2 weeks. Amount £7000+

  Although I also have an Amex Plat – apart from medical it only covers most expenses if you have paid for them using the card. Apart from the main flights out of the UK all other costs were not in £ and so that card was not used.

  As our return flight (on AY via HEL) was 11+hrs late into LHR an added bonus has been a successful claim for 2 x EUR600.

  • Pug206 says:

    20 Feb20 February 11:22

    Re. Lloyds insurance – that’s good to know. Thanks for posting.

  • KBUffett says:

    21 Feb21 February 20:48

    I was stranded for 48 hours due to cancelled flights (there was only one flight a day out). I then decided to make my own way by travelling to another European city and flew out of there. Had I stayed the flight was cancelled on the third day too.
    Anyway, my Amex Plat insurance would not cover anything claiming flight cancellations are not covered! Beware!

• Mr(s) Entitled says:

  20 Feb20 February 08:56

  OT: I’m about to stay in my first Marriott (Breadsall, Derby). If I get SPG Gold via Amex Plat and I then use that to obtain Marriott Gold, do I get a free breakfast and is that typically enforced as a continental breakfast? My experience of Hilton’s is that you gain access to the full buffet irrespective of the T&Cs.

  • AndyR says:

    20 Feb20 February 09:53

    It depends if there is a lounge and if it’s open as. There is a good thread on Flyertalk that tracks this. This is what it says for that hotel:

    * Derby / Breadsall Priory, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club / No Lounge; Full breakfast in restaurant; 11/18/16 update

    So you should get full breakfast as there is no lounge but that is based on a report from 2016.

    • Cate says:

      20 Feb20 February 11:44

      I’m not a member of FT but if anyone here is and wants to add, Marriott Windsor exec lounge doesn’t serve canapes/alcohol on Friday or Saturday. Starts again Sunday night.

  • Arnold says:

    20 Feb20 February 13:05

    It’s a disappointing, low-grade hotel considering the setting unfortunately.

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:

      20 Feb20 February 16:48

      That’s pretty much in line with my expectation.

    • Peter K says:

      20 Feb20 February 23:03

      Thanks for that. I had looked at it as a potential place to stay but the reviews I’d read had made me wonder and what your have said confirms it isn’t great.

• Jovanna says:

  20 Feb20 February 09:16

  OT: I’m looking for hotel recommendations for Las Vegas. I’ve no idea what is the good and what is the bad…

  • Rob MC says:

    20 Feb20 February 09:26

    It all depends on your circumstances.. i.e how old you are, what you want to do, budget etc

    There are some definite rubbish ones..i.e Circus Circus.

    • Jovanna says:

      20 Feb20 February 10:19

      Sorry, I was deliberately vague, as I was leaving my options open.

      We’re a couple in our thirties. Cash booking, not points. Diamond status with Hilton and Spire Ambassador with IHG.

      • Optimus Prime says:

        20 Feb20 February 10:35

        I loved the Palazzo.

        As Spire Ambassador I did get the room upgrade, complimentary gift (fruit and water) and late checkout.

        I booked directly on IHG website but I heard of people who did through Amex FHR and they got a double upgrade.

      • Rob MC says:

        20 Feb20 February 10:42

        I would suggest looking at Wynn/encore , Venetian, Palazzo. The weekdays are cheap roughly around £100-£120 a night but the weekends jump a lot. Remember resort fee on top which adds a lot.

      • Tracy says:

        20 Feb20 February 12:23

        I booked the palazzo through amex travel to get the amex £200 off £600 spend on my amex platinum. Amex travel was significantly cheaper than booking direct with ihg, although I will get no ihg points.

      • MattyS says:

        20 Feb20 February 12:39

        MrsS just spent four nights at the MGM Signature with a couple of friends for a 40th birthday few days away which she thought was excellent and got what seemed a very good deal on lastminute dot com booked a month in advance, flying Norwegian. Don’t believe any status would apply though.

        +1 re resort fees which were $35 per day payable locally for very little in return.

  • Gareth says:

    20 Feb20 February 09:57

    Try mycheapvegas.com username guest password guest.
    Lots of stays on there mainly mgm owned properties with free buffets each day all free cancellation too.
    If you have spg or Marriott points then cosmopolitan is a great hotel at 45k Marriott per night on the expensive Friday Saturday nights

  • roberto says:

    20 Feb20 February 10:27

    If its your first time in vegas I would reccomend a center strip casino somewhere near Bellagio, Paris , Ceasers. The further away you go from this point generally speaking (except for the wynn/encore) the prices drop however the distances are such that being in the middle of the action is perfect. Prices double at weekends and go crazy durring US holidays so a five day trip arriving on a sunday is often the most cost effective option.

    Deals come and go so book a cancelable booking and keep checking.

    Have a blast , its Vegas baby…

    • Ben says:

      20 Feb20 February 11:05

      Im 29 and went with my other half last year. We stayed in the cosmopolitan, it is very lively and has a great range of restaurants and pool parties (free entry) in the complex. I am planning on going in Aug this year for my 30th and will definitely be staying there again. I am marriott Gold so got upgraded (even tho it was Mayweather/McGreggor fight weekend) and late check out so that was an extra bonus.

      I also stayed at the Encore a couple of years back, that again is beautiful with great clubs and bars etc but it felt slightly more refinded/relaxed than the cosmo, which was more young and trendy.

      I stayed at Caesars when I was 21 that again was nice I think my taste has changed over the past 8 years, but it was a great hotel just not so much going on there now days (apart from Omnia)

      As Roberto says…its Vegas baby….

  • Alex W says:

    20 Feb20 February 11:08

    The Tropicana is a doubletree, swim up poker etc, had a great time. Hilton lake Las Vegas is a nice get away. Also Venetian is an Intercontinental, can be cheap during the week and big suites.

  • jovanna says:

    20 Feb20 February 17:53

    Thank you for all the assistance. Its a toss up between Prestige level in the Palazzo, given my IHG status, or the Cosmopolitan because it sounds a bit lively and there’s a reasonable selection of restaurants.

• Annon says:

  20 Feb20 February 10:00

  OT HSBC premier criteria changing to 75k income rather than 100k so may help people get the world elite premier MasterCard

  • Alex W says:

    20 Feb20 February 11:10

    Ooh interesting. Will they include rental income in that 75k?

    • Annon says:

      20 Feb20 February 11:15

      Not sure potentially, they won’t include income from savings and investments.
      You will still need to have a life product or a Hsbc mortgage too.
      Change coming 26th March ish

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

    20 Feb20 February 17:08

    Any changes to Jade?

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