IHG’s new voco brand to open in Dubai, rebranding the Nassima Royal Hotel

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• 1nfrequent says:

  11 Dec11 December 11:01

  O/T but I used the Amex Starbucks offer on the last day (6th December). Got an email saying that I had redeemed it but when I check the App it only shows the offer as having expired. Offer terms say it can take between 5 days and 90 days for the credit to show. Is it worth giving them a call to nudge them along or is patience the better virtue?

  1F

  • Peter K says:

    11 Dec11 December 11:18

    I’d wait a little longer as you’ve had the confirmation email. I’ve had some offers show as expired (as compared to redeemed) after I’ve had the statement credit hit the account!

    • 1nfrequent says:

      11 Dec11 December 13:17

      Will do. Thanks, Peter.

      1F

• joe green says:

  11 Dec11 December 11:01

  OT: I need 5,644 IHG points to reach Spire Elite I am guessing this needs to happen by 31st of December. Can put £3k through my IHG premium card but how can I be sure the points will post in time. If they post on the 31st would it still trigger Spire Elite for the next year or not?

  Any other ways to get the last few points I checked Virgin and only have 9,888 points and minimum transfer is 10k and takes up to 30 days so may have missed that also.

  Sitting on plenty of Avios and MR if there is a way to get those over?

  Thanks!

  • Genghis says:

    11 Dec11 December 11:07

    I’d say spend asap to ensure the points are included in your Dec statement (dated last as 28 Dec).
    Virgin transfers no longer elite qualifying.

  • Peter K says:

    11 Dec11 December 11:15

    Virgin transfers no longer count for status. The Creation statement always is created after 25th in December. Not sure if points would arrive on time but assume they would. No way for avios to get status in IHG.
    Try staying at hotel that allows 5k bonus point packages. They are elite point counting and the cost of the stay should make up the other few hundred.

    • joe green says:

      11 Dec11 December 11:48

      Thanks Peter and Genghis – Interesting was wondering why my statements are dated 21/22/23
      of the month except for last December being 26th but points credit anything from 21st – 30th of the month.

      Just noticed I have an 80% buy points bonus so for $67.50 I get 5,000 + bonus 4,000 points will these be elite qualifying?

      • Genghis says:

        11 Dec11 December 12:35

        No

      • EwanG says:

        11 Dec11 December 16:25

        Make sure your transaction is made well ahead of your statement date so it goes through on your December statement, i.e. is not still pending and falls onto the January statement.
        I pointed out in a similar query a few days ago that recent months have seen a bigger lag between the statement date and points crediting to my account. Hopefully the IHG points go through in December but if they don’t I think you have a valid reason to complain and for IHG to rectify.

  • Nick Burch says:

    11 Dec11 December 21:12

    Some hotels offer a “bonus points” package for slightly more than the normal rate. These bonus points are elite qualifying!

    So, booking an IHG hotel for one night, and adding a 3k bonus points package (varies between hotels if they offer 1k, 2k, 3k, 5k or some combination) is the safest way to go.

• Tilly says:

  11 Dec11 December 11:08

  O/T – would like to book to go to Japan and South Korea in same trip. Is it possible to book outbound to Tokyo then return from Seoul using BA 241 voucher? If yes how can I book this? Do I have to phone BA as can’t see how can book online. Then book separate travel between the two cities/countries.

  TIA

  • Genghis says:

    11 Dec11 December 11:14

    Yes. Need to call BA to use 241.
    IMO though, Kansai (the area around Osaka / Kyoto) is much more interesting than Kantou (the area around Tokyo) so you could look for flights from there. There are a couple of JL flights KIX-ICN/GMP.

    • Tilly says:

      11 Dec11 December 11:17

      Thanks Genghis, knew I’d get a fast response from you.

      • Mark says:

        11 Dec11 December 12:06

        I did this trip recently but did Seoul first, I echo Genghis’s view, to factor in a flight from ICN-KIX then you aren’t doubling back on yourself. We did LHR-ICN, ICN-KIX, NRT-LHR, we did Narita as we got to experience the 787 F cabin and a better flight time. Plus with BA now launching a direct flight to KIX you might get good availability there. Feel free to ask anymore questions, happy to help.

    • AlexT says:

      11 Dec11 December 12:06

      Kansai, yes. Osaka itself no. Don’t plan more than a day for the city… Kyoto is a different matter entirely. Quite a few interesting places to visit around Tokyo too – Hakone, for one. Can stop by Nagoya on the way between Tokyo and Osaka too.

      • Genghis says:

        11 Dec11 December 12:41

        I like Osaka. Nothing much to see but great food and nice people.
        A stay in Koya-san, however, at a temple will be truly memorable.

      • Genghis says:

        11 Dec11 December 12:46

        Depending on timing, I’d recommend taking the long route from Tokyo to Osaka via Nagano and Matsumoto (Jigokudani Yaen Koen, good onsen for yourself and Matsumoto castle).

      • Genghis says:

        11 Dec11 December 12:49

        Even better, get yourself to Kyushu, the best part of Japan. The best food and the friendliest of people. I lived there for a couple of years.

      • Tilly says:

        11 Dec11 December 13:38

        The food is very important. Big foodie here.

    • Brighton Belle says:

      11 Dec11 December 16:47

      +1 just back from Kyoto autumn colours. If you like gardens, temples and Japanese culture it is 10/10. I lived in Tokyo for 2 years and Kyoto, Nara is stupendously better.

  • Tilly says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:37

    Wow thanks everyone! Definitely lots to think about.

    • Mark says:

      11 Dec11 December 13:43

      Osaka is amazing for food, if your a foodie i’d have a couple of days there. Now i want Okonomiyaki

      • Cat says:

        12 Dec12 December 07:46

        In the meantime, if you’re London-based, I highly recommend a visit to Jidori – by far my favourite Japanese restaurant since Bincho shut down. The food is sooooooooo good.

  • Tilly says:

    11 Dec11 December 18:40

    As you’re all so amazingly knowledgeable and helpful, a couple more questions:

    1. The 241 voucher is husband’s, does he need to call BA or can I do it?
    2. Best time to visit? September or November? I hate the cold but don’t want it to be too rainy. Earlier in the year isn’t possible for us in 2019 unfortunately.

    • Genghis says:

      11 Dec11 December 22:15

      1. Set yourself up as a third party on his account then you can call.
      2. Depends where you’re going exactly. We were in Seoul in Oct and weather was nice but a little chilly. I was in Tokyo in early Sep this year and weather was nice.

      • Tilly says:

        11 Dec11 December 23:08

        Fab thanks. I am set up as a third party on his account, I set his account up for him and TBH he doesn’t even have his own log in details, I manage it all.

        Planning on Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and maybe Hiroshima. Not takr planned it TBH. Only have 2 weeks so will probably have say 10-12 days in Japan then a couple of days in Seoul.

• Anna says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:33

  Sorry if someone’s already mentioned it, I’ve just noticed a “spend £500 get £100 back at Marriott” on one BA Amex.

• Nico G says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:36

  OT Not sure if targeted but received an email from eBookers offering £10 bonus+ credit for filling in a very short survey.

• Sapiens says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:38

  I have a xmas party ticket I can’t use tonight unfortunately. Happy to forward it to someone for free, as long as you can attend!

  • Neil says:

    11 Dec11 December 15:42

    Might be a little late but is the ticket still available?

• Alex says:

  11 Dec11 December 14:39

  What are the options of ‘transferring’ my wife’s Amex points to my hotel scheme account? Usually I transfer them as Avios to her BA account, which is part of our family BA account, but this time I am thinking if there are other options. Is something like Amex>Her Hilton>My Hilton possible? Or via SPG?

  • Lee says:

    11 Dec11 December 14:46

    200K per year for Hilton, 100K a year for SPG/Marriott

    • AndyW says:

      11 Dec11 December 15:49

      The Hilton transfers are very efficient in my experience as well

    • Rich says:

      11 Dec11 December 16:19

      Are there any downsides to doing this? And are transfers in from Membership Rewards eligible to be transferred out to another member like this? Could be very useful if so

      • Mark2 says:

        11 Dec11 December 16:56

        Transfers from MR points are irrevocable.
        Once transferred they are the same as any other points.

      • meta says:

        11 Dec11 December 17:11

        Yes, but if the names don’t match it might trigger an audit from the said programme. I am going through similar with Krisflyer at the moment. Nothing worrying, they just said that the points will be transferred back to the original collector (had to provide the MR number to them). It does take a bit of time though for it to be completed. It’s now been 5 days and they are still not back. At least I have plan B and have left plenty of buffer time before I need to make my desired redemption.

      • Mark2 says:

        11 Dec11 December 17:36

        Hilton and Marriott allow transfers to any other account.

• Neil says:

  11 Dec11 December 15:56

  Any spare ticket for tonight please email me – neildonoghue@hotmail.com

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