Watch Wimbledon tennis with IHG Rewards Club with a fantastic points redemption

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• Tony says:

  30 May30 May 06:14

  Wimbledon tickets very quickly increased to 150k. Clearly still an amazing deal but with 13 days to go I imagine they reach much higher.

  • shoelace says:

    30 May30 May 23:04

    of course.
    the market is efficient.
    a few pikey delusional empty nesters on here trying to spend avois from years of tesco shopping and economist.subscriptions ain’t gonna change that 😀

    • Rob says:

      31 May31 May 06:39

      Market is inefficient until HFP makes it efficient.

      I have an interesting sideline in picking up underpriced charity auction items across West London when the item and the audience are not a good match 🙂

      Sometimes works in your favour. Hilton felt their auction platform was not popular enough to easily shift 60 packages for the McLaren tour so they underpriced it as 25,000 points. We shifted the lot in 6 hours.

• James says:

  30 May30 May 06:50

  OT: flying CAI-LHR today (on the BA service, not the Belgian service yet !!) and was opup’d to biz from PE 🙂

  I had tried to upgrade a long time ago using Avios but because I had purchased my PE ticket via AMEX Travel using the Amex offer of £200 off a £600 spend (which I only just qualified for ticket price wise !!) it had booked into some sort of discount bucket despite none of the documentation indicating this and the class being the usual T class for PE on all my documentation and ticket.
  Anyway, after lots of discussion with lots of BA CS personnel on the phone they relented and allowed me to upgrade outbound only using Avios.

  So….it is a very nice surprise to have been opup’d on my inbound flight…..BA could have had my Avios & extra taxes if they’d let me upgrade my T class PE ticket originally 😉

  So….watch out, apparently there is a secret bucket class for discount PE tickets despite the website making no reference to a sub-class of T in the list of classes. I am very surprised that they do not make a distinction between the full & restricted class using a different letter like they do for all other cabins.
  Why do they not just use another class letter ?! Then all would have been clear before I purchased the ticket.

  Anyhow, I’m a happy bunny 🙂
  Enjoying my sixth of a glass of pre-flight champagne 😉

  • Charlieface says:

    30 May30 May 09:47

    Been a few stories like this with Amex Travel, they are selling Bulk Tour and Inclusive Tour tickets without an attached hotel, which they are not supposed to do.

    • RussellH says:

      30 May30 May 10:08

      Selling ITX (Inclusive Tour) tickets to flight only pax used to be very common practice, done quite openly by including seriously unpleasant hostel accommodation in the ‘package’. Everyone knew that nobody would actually use the ‘accommodation’.
      I do not think that this happens anymore, but (obviously) have no idea what Amex may be doing today.
      Ts+Cs for ITX tickets always used (and I assume still do) include a clause stating that carrier ticket inspectors – train, ferry or airline – have the right to see an accommodation voucher when an ITX ticket is presented, but in 28 years I never heard of any of my customers having been asked to show a voucher.
      So I would guess that it is normal to turn a blind eye to this.

      • Lady London says:

        30 May30 May 14:50

        I used to work for a travel agent that specialised in doing exactly this.

    • Lady London says:

      30 May30 May 14:49

      +1 several reports of people having this nasty surprise with tickets purchased via Amex

      It’s either incompetence or… system abuse of the ticketing rules. They can put **** accommodation with the ticket that you won’t actually use, but they must sell only with accommodation. Apparently Amex is not doing this. It’s the kind of behaviour you expect from the old “hole in the wall” ticket consolidators that used to be on back streets in Soho and Covent Garden!!

• Matt says:

  30 May30 May 07:12

  OT I’ve paid for a large foreign transaction on my Spg card by mistake. If I can get the merchant to refund it, would the foreign transaction fee be refunded as well?

  Nothing has posted yet to my account

  • Jonathan says:

    30 May30 May 07:59

    Yes, you may lose (or gain) a small amount depending on any change in underlying exchange rate but the 2.99% foreign exchange rate fee will be returned.

    • Matt says:

      30 May30 May 09:17

      Thanks

      • sunguy says:

        30 May30 May 12:01

        You may have to contact your card issuer for a manual refund of the fee – I had something similar on my Hilton Barclaycard a couple of years ago, where the hotel charged money without my full knowledge/realisation (long/short, they charge 1 night stay on booking, for every booking, even fully refundable) – they refunded the money, Barclaycard not only took 3% of the outbound money, but the inbound money too….so it “cost” me £35! But to get the refund I had to call them – all done in about 10secs flat!

  • Crafty says:

    30 May30 May 09:11

    Yes.

  • Anna says:

    30 May30 May 09:11

    I got a refund to my SPG card recently (a hotel took a large payment in error) and was charged a £12 fee for the privilege! I need to speak to SPG about this.

    • Shoestring says:

      30 May30 May 09:22

      Sounds like you should be getting the £12 refunded by the hotel, not SPG.

      Or try both? 🙂

      • Jonathan says:

        30 May30 May 10:15

        Was it listed as a fee or just discrepancy in £ amounts? The pound has taken a bit of a hammering recently so if the amount refunded was £1200 and the pound has dropped 1% between payment & refund then refund will be £12 less than you paid. Nothing you can do about this unfortunately as refund is processed in local currency then converted to sterling at rate on refund date. The flip side is you can profit if currency has moved in your favour.

        • Anna says:

          30 May30 May 10:34

          It’s listed on my statement as a “refund transaction fee”!

        • John says:

          30 May30 May 12:55

          You mean if the pound has *risen* 1% then your refund will be lower

• Mark says:

  30 May30 May 07:41

  201,000 now, can see this going for 500k+

  • TGLoyalty says:

    30 May30 May 08:56

    Agree and still 12 days or so to go

    • Lady London says:

      30 May30 May 14:53

      I do hope the purchasers understand that there is a big difference between Centre Court and No. 1 Court and the matches they will see. IHG should have made it clear which it is, in the offer.

      • Rob says:

        30 May30 May 14:58

        Except this is week one, so not much difference. No 1 has the roof now too. I accept that, in terms of spectacle, Centre is clearly better.

• Robert says:

  30 May30 May 07:56

  OT – is it possible to book a four segment trip and have the UK domestic legs in E cabin and the LGW-FCO legs in CE cabin? Can’t get it to work on BA booking system and wondered if it’s possible to mix cabins?

  • Roberto says:

    30 May30 May 08:05

    A travel agent could do it for you. I used Propeller to do it for me. They also will get you free seat selection if youre status does not.

  • BJ says:

    30 May30 May 09:06

    Yes, just select stopover in London then choose same day for departure from London. That allows you to pick any flight and cabin combinations you wish.

  • Robert says:

    30 May30 May 11:36

    thanks for this advice I’ll try those options. It’s annoying that CE for domestic routes is twice the price as Rome from London.

• PaulC says:

  30 May30 May 08:00

  Sorry major O/T – I’m new to the Hotel game having always moved my points to BA/Avios. Hilton Honors specifically but guess its the same for all of the schemes? When they offer free room upgrades is it only to the next type of room or is it straight to an Executive room with lounge access? For example for the best result pay for the cheapest possible room and you will get an Executive room if available.

  • Roberto says:

    30 May30 May 08:09

    Normally no.. if you want exec and lounge you need to book a delux room , its not always the case but generally so. Those with higher status may get treated differently but its what I seem to see.

    • PaulC says:

      30 May30 May 08:14

      So its normally just an upgrade to the next room up from the booking?

      • Jonathan says:

        30 May30 May 08:21

        Upgrade depends hugely on where you are in the world. Eg. In USA every man & his dog has status so don’t expect anything beyond guaranteed benefits (free breakfast as Hilton Gold), in UK it’s mixed but an upgrade to Executive Room/Floor is often only the better room & lounge access not included. East Asia tends to give more perks as status is held in higher esteem.

        • PaulC says:

          30 May30 May 08:25

          I’m looking for maximum perks for a hotel in Hong Kong to go along with our Swiss Business class flights recently booked for January 2020. My 3rd time to HK so only really need somewhere with good MTR access. Two ways of looking at it and can’t decide, cheap and simple or go all out, haha.

        • Stu N says:

          30 May30 May 08:48

          Have a look at the Harbour Grand on HK Island. It’s not a major chain (I think it’s Preferred Hotels or LUX or something) but if you’re paying cash rather than redeeming that shouldn’t matter massively.

          It’s slightly off-centre but you’re 5 mins from Fortress Hill MTR (Island Line) and can be in Central/ Admirality in 20 mins or Wan Chai in 15 by tram. The MTR is really clean, efficient and cheap – you’ll struggle to burn the credit on a £14 Octopus Card in 4 or 5 days .

          HG is about half to two thirds the price of the (admittedly more central) chain hotels but unless you’re going proper top tier (Four Seasons/ M-O/ RC) I don’t think you’d do much better. We’ve stayed there three times – book one of the slightly larger rooms with Club Lounge access and you can’t go wrong. You get full breakfast with table service and drinks (including sparking wine – decent austrialian fizz – and cocktails) and canapés in the evening. The staff are lovely too.

        • Lady London says:

          30 May30 May 14:55

          … and upgrades are often denied, often legitimately according to the t’s and c’s of upgrades being “suibject to availability” translation= “if we feel like giving you one” !!

          Also a lot, lot of “fake” upgrades such as saying a room 3 rooms further away from the lift is a higher category than the one two rooms away from the lift, etc.

          Personally if it matters that much to you I would contact the hotel beforehand and try to get something in writing. if it’s a significant booking you might have a better chance.

      • Nate1309 says:

        30 May30 May 11:38

        I was really happy with the RC HK. Upgraded room had a fantastic view of Victoria Harbour, and as Gold we were given 2 free drinks in Ozone. (breakfast was pricey though)

  • Rob says:

    30 May30 May 08:40

    Never that simple – general rule of hotel schemes is that unless the word ‘guaranteed’ is there you should value it at nil.

    Some will also upgrade you to an Executive Room but still refuse you lounge access! Had this happen to me at IC Abu Dhabi.

    • Nate1309 says:

      30 May30 May 11:36

      Also happened to me in the Conrad Nusa Dua. That was the first time though, stayed at both the Hilton Gatwick and Venice Molino Stucky lately and was upgraded rooms and allowed lounge access. HH Gold.

  • Charlieface says:

    30 May30 May 09:51

    Depends on the country and hotel company. I found in the UK with Hilton it’s often a suite, with Ihg it’s just a slightly bigger room.

• Diydegsy says:

  30 May30 May 08:43

  Hi Rob, just wanted some advice. I have until now not collected virgin miles but just recently won 200,000 miles through a competition and I don’t know where to start re redemptions. I remember there was an article on delta flights from the USA to Europe with £4 in taxes but are there any other sweet spots I should look for or articles on how best to use them. Good dilemma to be in I know but unsure if I should take out credit cards to gain more miles or not. Appreciate any feedback thanks.

  • Rob says:

    30 May30 May 09:04

    ANA to Tokyo is the best partner redemption – very cheap, even in F.

    You may want to hold tight until KLM and Air France rewards are available later this year.

    • Andrew says:

      30 May30 May 09:34

      KLM will be interesting.

      Potential for a “tax free” route from Inverness to USA on points via Amsterdam?

      Does Flybe have anything that connects with a Virgin/Delta Flight from Inverness for future redemptions?

  • Russ says:

    30 May30 May 09:07

    ANA return in First for 90,000 Virgin points is still available I think.

    • Lumma says:

      30 May30 May 09:38

      Business is 90k, first is 120k

      I recently booked ANA from Frankfurt to Tokyo for 90k virgin miles plus £200 in taxes.

      Lots more availability from Frankfurt than Heathrow but you need to call to book either. Find saver availability on united.com (75k miles each way) and call to book

      • KevMc says:

        30 May30 May 16:12

        Do you know if it is possible to book FRA – TYO – LHR, or does it require the round trip to be to the same airport?

  • Michael says:

    30 May30 May 09:21

    I think some of the Delta A350 (latest business class seat) flights from America to Asia can be had for 60k FC miles and $5. Although that’s very out of the way.

• Diydegsy says:

  30 May30 May 09:08

  Thanks are the taxes similar to BA redemptions?

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