Save up to 25% at Hilton hotels in South East Asia, Australasia, Japan, Korea and Greater China

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• Benylin says:

  30 Jul30 July 06:12

  OT: best couple seats for a 787-8 in CW? This is the one with 3 rows in the first block, then the gallery / toilets, then another 2 rows. 2-3-2 seating.

  I was thinking 3 A/B or 3 J/K (at £85 per seat 😣) based on my research so far.
  This is London to Osaka.

  • Stu N says:

    30 Jul30 July 06:59

    I think 3A/B are the best option – direct aisle access and away from loos. Apparently 3K can be used as a crew seat so there’s a higher than normal risk of getting booted out it. 7A/B and 7J/K are also mentioned as the window seats also have direct aisle access too but you’re right at the back of the cabin so probably last to be served and so limited choice of meals.

    • Benylin says:

      30 Jul30 July 07:07

      Ah 3A/B are booked, so are 1/2A, 6A/B. How is 1J/K?

• Cat says:

  30 Jul30 July 06:25

  O/T TdMB update!
  Hey all, I’m still here at the start of day 4, although Concerto was spot on with the weather (thanks for the website Stu N).
  Sunday was just horrendous. We were told by guides that we met along the way that a month’s worth of rain had fallen within 24 hours at lunchtime. It certainly felt like it. Being caught in a thunderstorm on Saturday was bad, but nothing compared to the relentless, torrential downpour of biblical proportions that went on all day on Sunday. The problem was that I had a couple of mountain passes to go through (1400m of altitude gain that day), and a number of rather terrifying “streams” that had turned into rivers, that needed fording. I slipped off one of the rocks I was trying to use as stepping stones and went knee deep into the (glacial meltwater mixed with rain) river. It was very, very cold, and I was squelching around in that water for another 6 hours. Also, it was 5 degrees and very, very windy on the higher parts of the route. I found myself regretting not bringing gloves.
  I have no video footage or photos, as I didn’t dare get my electronics out of my bag, or even open my bag unnecessarily. Or stop moving for that matter.
  Yesterday was much, much better – sunny, blue skies, beautiful views of the mountains *that I could actually see*! Absolutely glorious! I really hope it stays this way.
  Thanks all for the messages of support and encouragement, it’s really appreciated! Sorry to not reply sooner, I’ve had no reception at all, but this rifugio has WiFi!

  • Stu N says:

    30 Jul30 July 06:52

    Sounds like a tough day on Sunday, just be glad you’re not camping!

    • Lyn says:

      30 Jul30 July 07:57

      Thanks for the update Cat. So glad yesterday was a much better day after your horrendous day on Sunday. Hope your shoes have dried out. Good luck today,

      • Cat says:

        30 Jul30 July 11:33

        Most of my stuff is dry Lynn, but I still have a couple of damp, now very smelly items that I suspect I may need to chuck away! Drying space is in high demand in the rifugios at the moment!

    • Cat says:

      30 Jul30 July 11:30

      Many people are, Stu. Rather them than me!

• TripRep says:

  30 Jul30 July 06:45

  I’ve been considering a return trip to the Maldives, so been reading up on current options.

  Heard recently that the Waldorf Astoria yacht transfer is now an astounding $350++ each way. So approx £700 rtn Inc taxes.

  Fairly pricey for a 50min boat ride.

  Also if you stay over NYE, there’s a MANDATORY $800++ “Celebratory Dinner”

  Reassuringly expensive to keep out the HFP Riff Raff(les)?

  • KBuffett says:

    30 Jul30 July 06:57

    Fairly standard stuff for higher end Maldives resorts.
    I’ve always paid and booked via travel agents for trips to Maldives as that way your costs are fixed rather than leaving your self open to additional charges if you do a redemption booking.

  • Rob says:

    30 Jul30 July 07:50

    There is a new Hilton Curio about to open too, which is billed as a 15 min boat ride. Don’t know any more about it but might be worth a look.

    • Keith says:

      30 Jul30 July 12:20

      For SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton:

      Boat transfer. The compulsory roundtrip fees are: Adult: USD 148, Child (6 to below 12 years): USD 74, inclusive of all taxes and Complimentary for Child below 6 years.

  • Marcw says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:15

    The Raffles was recently in VoyagePrivee/SecretEscapes for a really good price.
    On a related note, Air France has also a holidays page with some attractive offers. Go and have a look.

  • John says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:24

    The NYE dinner thing is common in many Asian resorts, but that $800 (probably £800 after extra charges) is ridiculous. That would cover 2 weeks at the Hampton Blackpool where I just spent 1 night :p

    • Rob says:

      30 Jul30 July 08:32

      Can they find 200 people across the entire planet who would pay that? Yes. So they do.

• Lev441 says:

  30 Jul30 July 07:18

  O/T – doing my first aer lingus redemption today to Toronto – bargain at just £84 return in taxes for business class. Currently sitting on the plane ready to depart for Dublin.

  Assume the aer lingus lounge is better than priority pass ones in Dublin?

  • Polly says:

    30 Jul30 July 07:38

    Morning Lev, enjoy your trip. Know its the bargain of the year flt 4 u.
    Re lounge, no the aer lingus one is no better. Is brighter tho. Try both if you have time. I usually go into the DAA one down the corridor.
    Have fun…

    • Lev441 says:

      30 Jul30 July 08:49

      Thanks polly…Have about 4 hours to kill so will probably check out both!

      • Joseph McCarthy says:

        30 Jul30 July 09:20

        I would head to the DAA lounge in T1. It’s probably the best in terms of seating and food options. But as others have pointed out these are not that great. It has a bar and barista service if you prefer this where the EI and DAA lounges in T2 have fridges you can just take items from. The lounge in T1 is not much of a walk from the other ones (I’d say 5 min or so and no security or anything to clear it’s all airside) so if you have 4 hours I would head there.

        • Lev441 says:

          30 Jul30 July 10:05

          Thanks, will check out the t1 lounge now!

  • fivebobbill says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:39

    There is only one Priority Pass lounge in Dublin T2 where your Aer Lingus flight arrives/departs (only one in T1 too actually), run by the DAA (Dublin Airport) and it isn’t great tbh. Small, narrow, usually crowded, and a severe lack of food and drink options, totally underwhelming. It’s ok if your have Priority Pass access, travelling Y and just looking for somewhere to sit, but if travelling Biz then definitely head for the Aer Lingus one round the corner. It isn’t on a par with the Galleries in LHR, but it’s a lot better than the DAA one.
    Enjoy
    BTW, I’m flying back MIA to DUB in November, one-way, 11,500 avios and £28 🙂

  • Relaxo says:

    30 Jul30 July 09:16

    Need a Toronto redemption for 2020. How did you book this Lev? Im aware there was a price difference between Avios vs Exec Club, but only latter option available now.

    • fivebobbill says:

      30 Jul30 July 10:01

      You need to search the Avios site for availability, then phone BA to check if THEY have availability on that particular flight and you will pay cheaper taxes. Bear in mind though that if availability is also showing on the BA website they will hit you for an “over the phone” booking fee, otherwise not.

    • Lev441 says:

      30 Jul30 July 10:04

      It’s still available either online via Avios.com if you have an AerClub account (with higher taxes and surcharges of around £110 each way) or by calling up BA executive club (£53 yyz-dub and £31.40 dub-yyz) I had a couple of instances whereby the availability disappeared when the guy went to ticket it. On a third attempt I managed to get an agent that either knew what he was doing or the system was playing ball.

      I know in a previous article, rob suggested that availability is better on Avios.com but the guy who eventually got my flight ticketed said that the availability *should* match.

      • Harvey says:

        30 Jul30 July 13:24

        How does one know which routes are cheaper in taxes via calling BA compared to Avios site?
        I’m interested in anywhere in North America.

        • Lev441 says:

          30 Jul30 July 13:33

          They are all cheaper booking via ba executive club vs AerClub avios.com

      • Lady London says:

        30 Jul30 July 15:55

        They always did say that and there were in fact quite frequent differences to be found.

• Steve says:

  30 Jul30 July 07:59

  OT- I’ve an offer of 5000 MR points for each additional supplementary card on amex business platinum. Are the supplementary card feees pro rata refundable like the main annual fee? Could be half a million MR for £17900…

  • TGLoyalty says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:13

    Yes they are.

    0.5m = £5k at 1p per point so wouldnt want to spend that full £17k

  • Genghis says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:16

    Yes. Not too sure about your numbers though. 500k MR = £5k at my valuation.

    • Waddle says:

      30 Jul30 July 09:13

      I think Steve was saying he could net 500k MR for £17900 in fees maxing out the number of Platinum supps allowed.

      • Shoestring says:

        30 Jul30 July 09:29

        I think you guys are missing the ‘pro rata refundable’ bit? He wouldn’t pay £17900, obvs, or it would be terrible value. Either he means £1790 (?) or else he means a smaller fraction of £17900 after pro rata refunds.

        Wouldn’t appeal to me, getting refunds on 99 cards in a row, but hey 🙂

      • Genghis says:

        30 Jul30 July 13:17

        Plat supp fee now £295 on the business plat x 99 = £29k in fees. However, supp golds are free and the IT probably still works that you can add free golds to get the 5k bonus…

• Marcw says:

  30 Jul30 July 08:13

  It seems all your August holidays will get a little bit more expensive.

  • John says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:26

    Or cheaper… Going to buy a new kitchen and bathroom with my USD credit card and saving a few hundred quid compared to a few months ago :p Now also using it for daily spend despite the hassle of needing a signature lol

    • Genghis says:

      30 Jul30 July 09:26

      All depends how you’re settling that USD credit card, of course.

  • Andrew says:

    30 Jul30 July 08:39

    All pre-paid. I’ve even got a stash of the local currency to spend when I’m up there.

    “The cork that can’t be travels – Nose of a dog otter.”

• Joseph McCarthy says:

  30 Jul30 July 09:24

  I got an email from IHG:
  “You can still get fast tracked to IHG® Rewards Club Elite status
  It’s not too late. As a valued IHG® Hotels & Resorts business traveller, you can still get the IHG® Rewards Club upgrade you deserve.

  Remember, whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, you can enjoy complimentary room upgrades* and free Internet at over 5,600 IHG® hotels around the world with Platinum Elite.
  And getting your upgrade couldn’t be easier.

  • Stay 5 nights (instead of 40) within 90 days from sign-up to be upgraded to
  Platinum Elite status until December 2020
  • Stay 2 nights (instead of 10) within 90 days from sign-up to be upgraded to
  Gold Elite status until December 2020

  Don’t miss out.
  Sign up between 11 June and 31 August 2019.”

  Seems a bit too good to be true but I couldn’t see the catch to it. Signed up obviously so will see I guess. Hadn’t seen this type of offer announced before, is it usual?

  • Rob says:

    30 Jul30 July 10:23

    First time I remember IHG doing it, but Hilton and Marriott have been doing it for ever.

• Sandra says:

  30 Jul30 July 09:32

  Bits. Just offloading my frustration. Don’t reprimand me as no-one else at home just now. Flight EDI-PMI in June changed earlier in the year from a Friday to Saturday which was fine for us. Checked in online for the return as normal but were refused boarding at the airport with another couple because BA sent a smaller aircraft and we were rerouted via LHR arriving nearly 8 hours late. (Were we chosen because we were Avios or singletons?). Email this morning refusing EU261 because they notified us of flight cancellation more than 14 days prior. Eh? But they will give us out of pocket expenses! Where do they get their staff? Even quoting we flew out on the original Friday date. Ramesh! Please read the EU261 claim again! Sorry guys. Might be a long day here.

  • Alex M says:

    30 Jul30 July 10:48

    You have pretty straightforward case: 1. Ask for their final response. They will send you same rubbish. 2. Immediately after that submit MCOL online. 3. Wait few weeks for their email/letter asking for your bank details. That’s it. No need to waste time explaining yourself to their CS, twitter team or Alex Cruz.

    • Sandra Brown says:

      30 Jul30 July 12:02

      Thanks for that Alex. Sorry what’s an MCOL? Bit of a novice as not had to do this before. Sandra

      • Optimus Prime says:

        30 Jul30 July 12:05

        https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

        • Sandra says:

          30 Jul30 July 12:42

          Thank you. Such a hassle for my entitlement due to staff inefficiency.

        • Lady London says:

          30 Jul30 July 16:10

          This is a perfect example of what it’s like dealing with British Airways’s offshore service teams.

          They had me in tears once on the phone after 50 moins of obduracy when they were completely in the wrong. For that I will never forgive British Airways. I can’t tell you how many flights they lose from me each year due to putting me through that (and other rubbish of which this was the culmination).

          More importantly for them I also did not give tasty chunks of corporate business to British Airways either over a period after that.

          Do the three steps the other poster said. You will get your money. Don’t waste your time if British Airways is continuing to employ these incompetents.

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