The Lloyds Choice Rewards credit card is being closed to existing cardholders

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• Nick M says:

  11 Aug11 August 05:47

  OT – Marriott Travel Certificates… I’ve received an email reminding me I have one unattached. Looks like there will be a gap 18 Aug – 18 Sept when they’ll be “converted to the new scheme” but no more info as to what this means…

  • Roger1* says:

    11 Aug11 August 06:27

    Me too, even though I ‘redeemed’ mine a couple of weeks ago.

    Except it wasn’t redeemed. Cork didn’t do it properly – the clue was a 1-night points reservation in my account instead of the 7-night one it should have been. Numerous messages to and fro. It’s all right now, and I am 2,000 bonus points richer.

    With just a week to go before the big day, I’d say act quickly if you were thinking of redeeming at current rates, just in case of a problem.

  • AndyW says:

    11 Aug11 August 07:52

    Got the email too despite already having redeemed the cert.

    • AndyW says:

      11 Aug11 August 07:54

      Marriott login also seems to be down

      • RussellH says:

        11 Aug11 August 10:44

        Yes, and my Marriott M’card bill arrived this morning, though it normally bills on the 10th of the month. This one billed last Monday.
        I was wondering if Marriott had asked Creation to bill earlier than usual as part of their points merging activities.

  • SRoss says:

    11 Aug11 August 07:57

    OT – Marriott Travel Certificates Also received email informing us of a one month period where we would be unable to action the Cat 9 Certificate we have. This is not a problem for us but we are unsure about the consequences of leaving the decision until after the 18 Sept, given the following from Marriott: “If you are still trying to plan that perfect trip, you can hold onto the certificate and will be able to add it to a reservation starting on September 18, 2018 under the new Travel Packages program. For certificates purchased prior to 8/18, we are working to convert your package and it will be available based on the new converted values on September 18, 2018.”

  • Mariusz says:

    11 Aug11 August 08:52

    It seems to me they are allowing some to convert old cat to new for the TP. Gambling on the 1-5 cert and 120k miles might not be such a great idea if you end up with cat 1-4 cert after mapping.

  • Alan says:

    11 Aug11 August 09:51

    I’ve read on OMAAT of other folks receiving the same notification. No such email for me. As you say looks like a one month hiatus before redeeming, I’m hoping they’ll extend validity due to that. I’m looking to book an SPG property so can’t book until the programmes merge anyway.

    • BJ says:

      11 Aug11 August 18:25

      No email here either. My partner and I are still holding onto our certificate. My conclusion remains the same as it always was, cat 1-5 becomes cat 1-4 so no loss, and everybody with 6 and above gets lucky with a ceruficate that means we don’t lose out. For those who bought a cat 1-5 with a view to upgrading – tough luck, we still get what we paid for and we can still upgrade it now or after 18th according to our preferences. I suppose there is still an outside chance the cerificates could be voided for points but if so then why wait a month? Biggest downside i see is disappearing availability during the month we have to hold existing certificates.

      • Scallder says:

        12 Aug12 August 04:21

        You can still book the stay and attach the certificate later as Marriott is keeping the ability to book without the points in your account…

        • Rob says:

          12 Aug12 August 10:08

          Not for ex SPG hotels.

• The Lord says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:07

  OT – has anyone had any joy using a UK issued card to access ME lounges? https://secure.americanexpress.com.bh/wps/portal/uae/benefitsexplained/airportloungeaccess/!ut/p/z1/tZTBUoMwEIZfRQ8cmSwhNKm3UNtKK7Za0cKlk9K04hSIgE716Q3ojActrTOaAzMh_7e72f0nKEJzFGXiJdmIKskzsdX7MOosxlMCF4xhD-j5OXgU4ym96gFngO4bAexZHFB0DN8b8gtCLzURDGvBtRtM_LENXuc43oIuwTaB0YQxCtzpey6bDWBIcMN_HXfwALjtjX2XDiyYOp-8bXl9wD0YDf1bF7jn-DMYuTbx7OPy7-Xxb-v_VuAB_g5FKIqzSlUPKBSp3J08C2lA80lFkhmgZFHWs4xFsSoNWMpMrpOqlDu11edy9eMvkRQqL6pt_pxtpIhjWZZ1IhUnKxQy0sUCYmoyLFYmYXHXZEtBzSWxuoRYzHKI0BeLmtrbRtsI2rzTCNqG0y7An4IWe4S6_3RvgycEzX557wMB6R8HJM5HwPR1ofJ4oUQhUhQqUT2cGcBrPwS8b0BQ-8H_Wz-MDnlTPx7J49NTxLVD86ySuwrN_9eiOiMu_J6_0R3WLTCTbJ2j-TdYl_EDrNKgWSmzOzf9Gwa2o17ebtfpPSs5Pz19B23yuGY!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

  • Polly says:

    11 Aug11 August 14:48

    No joy, but the gatemen, always ask my oh to pay cash and he can go in, despite having the Amex priority. A complete con. I then phone up amex and they credit the payment. A real annoyance.

• Mr(s) Entitled says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:13

  OT: I’ve just established a Ltd Co. Any tips people are willing to share with regard a means to accumulate points? It’s somewhat of a niche question but figure there must be a few here who have experience.

  • Mark2 says:

    11 Aug11 August 08:24

    I closed my company in 2013 and only managed to get a few points on a NatWest business card. My advice, which many will disagree with, is to keep your money and the company’s completely separate. It is a different legal entity from you; not like being self-employed.

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:

      11 Aug11 August 09:05

      For what it is worth, I agree on the separation front. It is after all the companies money and not mine.

      I could have been clearer but I was thinking along the lines of dedicated business accounts, credit cards etc. I’m seeking efficiencies that my excellent, but non-collecting, account won’t consider in the course on their day to day profession.

      • RussellH says:

        11 Aug11 August 10:40

        Business credit cards are a different matter from business bank a/cs. Business credit cards are a complete rip-off. The cost to your suppliers of accepting them is much higher than for a personal credit card – look at what HMRC charge to accept a business credit card and compare that with what they used to charge personal cards – and there never seem to be any perks for all the money that is taken, at least for Visa/M’card.
        You can always dedicate a specific personal card to your business use, and then always pay that card off from your business bank a/c.

      • Genghis says:

        11 Aug11 August 11:02

        BAPP and SPG Amex cards have unlimited supps and can always get a free Gold on a Plat acct etc for Ltd Co use. That way Ltd Co transactions show up separately to personal transactions making being reimbursed easier to manage. At each reporting period, just make sure to pay down the balance.

    • RussellH says:

      11 Aug11 August 10:34

      IMHO, it always makes sense to have a separate business bank a/c – it makes life very much simpler.

  • Simon says:

    11 Aug11 August 09:25

    I have 4 Ltd companies. Each company one buys, renovates then rents out property. Each company makes multiple purchases every year renovating and maintaining the properties. I make the purchases on my own credit cards then the Ltd companies reimburse me via bank transfer. This is because I’ve not yet found a business card that generates as many points as a personal card. Just remember to be on top of keeping your invoices and filing them correctly. I try to put as much as I can on mine and my wife’s BAPP as they get 1.5 avios per £ plus you get the bonus of a companion voucher each every year. Remember you can link an AMEX card to paypal. Any supplier or tradesman that doesn’t take Amex I use HSBC World Elite MasterCard which gets 1 avios per £. I’m currently tempted to maybe also get the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard which would mean 1.5 miles per £. We however tend to nearly always fly BA or One World Alliance as we generate so many avios and prefer 1st to Upper.

    • KBuffett says:

      11 Aug11 August 11:56

      I do this too with not insignificant amounts and then claim the expenses from various Ltd companies but my accountant keeps trying to advise me against this.

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:

        11 Aug11 August 12:01

        Why?

      • KBuffett says:

        11 Aug11 August 12:54

        He says that HMRC could argue that you I am actually self employed as opposed to Ltd as I pay for everything personally first and the claim back from Ltd. To be fair to him, I have asked him to take a robust approach in protecting me.

      • Lady London says:

        11 Aug11 August 15:08

        I’ve always told my accountant proceeding in this way, especially if there are logistical reasons to (such as a card not functioning with bus acct etc.) is exactly the same as any employee paying expenses out of their own pocket by any means they choose, then having to fill out an expense form to be reimbursed by the company. So far no problems. Can anyone see any flaws with that?

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:

        11 Aug11 August 17:36

        Lady London – Makes sense to me. But I think it will depend if the expense is 9% of turnover or 99%.

    • the_real_a says:

      11 Aug11 August 14:12

      I’m curious why you chose multiple LTD companies and not a single entity for your purchases? (currently looking at the best structures for exactly the same reasons as yourself)

      • Ben says:

        11 Aug11 August 15:56

        Essentially the Ltd Co is acting as a Special Purpose Vehicle. It has the benefit of limiting the owners liability in case of an uninsured claim against the owner, it allows the property to be disposed of either as a property sale or company sale (attracting stamp duty as opposed to SDLT), avoidance of suplimentay SDLT for seconds homes if it’s a residential property, and finally the ability to make Morgage I treat fully deductible.

        You could really go for it and have the LTD Co owned by a Limited Pattnership (not an LLP )

        I’m no accountant but I think that sums it up.

      • the_real_a says:

        11 Aug11 August 16:53

        Thank you. Really helpful. Much appreciated.

      • Ryan says:

        11 Aug11 August 17:29

        I do the same. I used to lump in as one but now have separate personal cards for Business use for each Ltd And then simply attach the Statements and Receipts for the Purchases at the end of each month and claim the money back.

        Never had an issue in 10 years. Though we have a few staff so no self-employed risk.

        I like the IHG Black for Spire (or rather more like Status Matches) and also the Virgin Card. Amex is a BA and Starwood depending on the company and then a Plat for personal and referrals.

        Revolut is good for transfers and then Curve for HMRC rounds it out. I use Curve linked to IHG abroad for Business and a Nationwide Flex CC for Personal / S75 purchases. And a Nationwide FlexPlus for Cash.

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:

        11 Aug11 August 17:33

        “avoidance of supplementary SDLT for seconds homes if it’s a residential property” I thought this was payable upon purchase by an individual or Ltd in the property was in use, or it’s last use was, as a dwelling?

      • Genghis says:

        11 Aug11 August 18:43

        “Though we have a few staff so no self-employed risk”
        You can be self employed and still employ people. Like Rob does with HfP I believe.

        • Rob says:

          11 Aug11 August 21:00

          Correct. Although there are legal risks that come with that if you don’t have deep pockets in case of any legal or insurance claims by an employee, but in my case are mitigated.

      • A bit of a genius says:

        11 Aug11 August 19:46

        Yep – @Ben – that was very helpful.

      • A bit of a genius says:

        11 Aug11 August 20:01

        @Genghis – indeed – I am self-employed but have one part-time employee, she works on a casual basis but I have to get payroll & HMRC correct.

• Bill says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:34

  OT – I’ve been trying to login to aer club on aerlingus.com and also my avios.com account. For the last 24 hours without success. I’ve reset passwords on both and web chat informed me both accounts are not disabled. When I explained that I still couldn’t login at first they said wait 30 mins then the 2nd time said it’s a known issue and I should try again today. Well I have just tried and still cannot login. So what is the best number to call please? I feel like I am getting nowhere up to now and getting the run around

• Mark1980 says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:40

  OT – Have never really looked into the HSBC premier card before as i’d never have been eligible but we’ve just sold our house and released some equity which I think means I could stick £50k in a HSBC savings account and thus become eligible for a HSBC Premier card. Can anyone clarify on what the process would be i.e. do I need to open a savings account first, deposit the 50k and then apply for a premier card? Any help / advise appreciated. Thanks!

  • James M says:

    11 Aug11 August 09:04

    Just book an appointment to open the account, they’ll run through eligibility pretty early on in that meeting.

  • the_real_a says:

    11 Aug11 August 14:16

    Its very straightforward – just “play the game”. You dont need to go into branch, they can do the interview on the phone. Cash on deposit counts as investment. Just make out when they call you will make some more robust investment decisions once you are eligible for the premier products which attract extra interest. They will also offer you the card at the application stage, so opening the premier account does result in a credit check. Be ready to accept the card when offered.

  • Polly says:

    11 Aug11 August 14:44

    They give you 3 months to transfer the cash into the account too.

• Mikeact says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:53

  Could somebody spell out in more detail the terms of the £50 off Virgin discount ?Thanks.

  • Rob says:

    11 Aug11 August 09:03

    It is probably on your till receipt if you visit the pub!

• Tilly71 says:

  11 Aug11 August 09:02

  Slightly OT:
  Does it really take 3-5 days for Amex to send BA your details for your 241 companion voucher to be available in your BEAC account?

  • Genghis says:

    11 Aug11 August 10:15

    Can even take a lot longer. I’ve had a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

    • Tilly71 says:

      11 Aug11 August 11:57

      Cheers G..

• CountryKerry says:

  11 Aug11 August 11:22

  OT
  Following on from yesterday; all transactions with Curve since 25th July have posted to he underlying card.

  Annoyingly, so have twelve £1.00 authorisations and a juicy transaction to VWFinance which was originally declined!

  • Liz says:

    11 Aug11 August 16:14

    My 3 missing transactions posted today as well.

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