Chat thread – Monday 11th November

[Panda Mick]

tical wrote:

Any recommendations for hotel at/close to Dubai Airport for a family of 4? Arriving at 22:30 and looking to spend the first night somewhere convenient before moving on to Abu Dhabi

Ignore anything that you can’t walk to. My experience of getting a taxi / uber a few weeks ago at 11.30pm was nothing short of hideous. You have to queue for an uber, which is an inevitable scrum, and the crowd waiting for a regular taxi must have been hundreds big

Either pre book or stay on airport

[Rydel22]

I was going to ask the same question about the Easyjet Adventure Advent Calendar. Last year they sold 150 of these for charity and then I think 100 more after HFP followers were interested. I think it was launched 7th Nov last year. Anyone have information on this?

[davefl]

Remember folks, with dynamic pricing it always pays to keep checking after you booked.

Just saved myself 9k Marriott points on the 5-4-4 that I booked last week (11% of the booking cost). Better in my pocket than theirs.

FYI, Marriott points bookings are refunded instantly.

[mkcol]

Interesting story about Wizzair’s scheme popped up in my suggested reads feed.

[dundj]

Good Evening from Hilton Stockholm, and our final night in the Riddarholm Suite which we were upgraded to after initially being upgraded to a King Executive room from a standard Queen room.

Nice space in the living area with a large desk overlooking Gamla Stan. A small dressing area with two and a half wardrobes and plenty of stealable hangers, with the bathroom off to the right. The bathroom has a separate walk in shower though the rain shower will flood the rest of the bathroom if left on too long. Deep bath is good for a long soak. Good 3-ply toilet paper for the toilet as well. Bedroom is not massive by suite standards, but is the same size as a standard room here and includes a chaise longue and a large TV.

Breakfast is certainly good and Diamonds or Executive guests can sit on a table at a raised platform looking out over the water towards Gamla Stan, though works are taking place to build a new urban park.

The Executive Lounge is small, but homely. Full of hygge feelings. Standard fare for a lounge, with one hot option which has varied from potato soup to spring rolls, plus more sandwiches and wraps than Pret at the start of lunch.

Easy to walk to anywhere in the city too though Slussen metro station and the bus station are a couple of minutes walk away.

[rams]

Feedback on Singapore airlines great customer service. Sister-in-law was running late for her flight this morning. Got to airport 45 mins before departure. She was booked in business (presume this helped). They called her to see where she was an hour or so before the flight and when she explained they said they’d help her make the flight. In the end they were also able to get her bags loaded which they didn’t guarantee on the phone.

Presume she got really lucky here, as imagine most airlines are not so pro-active?

[robert1]

Rydel22 wrote:

I was going to ask the same question about the Easyjet Adventure Advent Calendar. Last year they sold 150 of these for charity and then I think 100 more after HFP followers were interested. I think it was launched 7th Nov last year. Anyone have information on this?

That’s correct, I was wondering if there is one this year, if so, when will it be released

[Gordon]

London Stansted records ‘busiest day in history’ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyjzg0m66go

And it’s only going to go one way, and that’s passenger numbers increasing, I’ve heard a lot of groans regarding Stansted, even though it’s not far from where I live, I rarely use it myself.

[Timerichmoneypoor]

Gordon wrote:

London Stansted records ‘busiest day in history’ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyjzg0m66go

And it’s only going to go one way, and that’s passenger numbers increasing, I’ve heard a lot of groans regarding Stansted, even though it’s not far from where I live, I rarely use it myself.

owned by MAG so same dedication to good service levels.

[RyanB]

Etihad related question. Myself and my partner have managed to get a points booking in first class on the a380, I have another family member travelling on the flight on a points booking but only economy was available. Does anyone know if I would be allowed to bring them as a guest with me in to the lounge?
The route is Heathrow to Abu Dhabi. I don’t think the economy ticket is upgradable but wondered if anyone has ever had any luck paying to upgrade a guest points booking at the airport? The residence is currently available for selection in first but is this really worth a little over 2k for a 6/7 hour flight? Thanks for any help anyone has for me on this

[dundj]

RyanB wrote:

Etihad related question. Myself and my partner have managed to get a points booking in first class on the a380, I have another family member travelling on the flight on a points booking but only economy was available. Does anyone know if I would be allowed to bring them as a guest with me in to the lounge?
The route is Heathrow to Abu Dhabi. I don’t think the economy ticket is upgradable but wondered if anyone has ever had any luck paying to upgrade a guest points booking at the airport? The residence is currently available for selection in first but is this really worth a little over 2k for a 6/7 hour flight? Thanks for any help anyone has for me on this

Residence is for one or two people no matter the price quoted. Would mean two 1st seats opened up which may help your friend in Y. Soft benefits in the Residence are nowhere near pre-Covid levels though so you need to decide if £2k is worth it for 1st in private seating.

[aq.1988]

RyanB wrote:

Etihad related question. Myself and my partner have managed to get a points booking in first class on the a380, I have another family member travelling on the flight on a points booking but only economy was available. Does anyone know if I would be allowed to bring them as a guest with me in to the lounge?
The route is Heathrow to Abu Dhabi. I don’t think the economy ticket is upgradable but wondered if anyone has ever had any luck paying to upgrade a guest points booking at the airport? The residence is currently available for selection in first but is this really worth a little over 2k for a 6/7 hour flight? Thanks for any help anyone has for me on this

What was the cost in points and cash, out of curiosity?

[Rydel22]

We landed late in dubai and stayed at the ibis for one night before moving to our main hotel the following day. It was really cheap and actually very nice. They offered free pick up to and from the airport with breakfast.
Even budget level in the uae is really nice.

[RyanB]

aq.1988 wrote:

RyanB wrote:

Etihad related question. Myself and my partner have managed to get a points booking in first class on the a380, I have another family member travelling on the flight on a points booking but only economy was available. Does anyone know if I would be allowed to bring them as a guest with me in to the lounge?
The route is Heathrow to Abu Dhabi. I don’t think the economy ticket is upgradable but wondered if anyone has ever had any luck paying to upgrade a guest points booking at the airport? The residence is currently available for selection in first but is this really worth a little over 2k for a 6/7 hour flight? Thanks for any help anyone has for me on this

What was the cost in points and cash, out of curiosity?

It was 280,000 points plus £890 for both tickets

[jimboandthejetset]

Good evening. Hilton Debit card question. How quickly are the cards issued after signing up and/or do they issue a virtual card number that can be used online straightaway. Thanks!

[tical]

yorkshireRich wrote:

I’m sure Rob has stayed at the Sofitel Obelisk and did some sort of write up on it (unless I’ve dreamt it).

What time you heading to Abu Dhabi?

No set time – once we, and most importantly the kids, are ready next morning

[Lumma]

Gordon wrote:

London Stansted records ‘busiest day in history’ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyjzg0m66go

And it’s only going to go one way, and that’s passenger numbers increasing, I’ve heard a lot of groans regarding Stansted, even though it’s not far from where I live, I rarely use it myself.

They’d solve a lot of the issues in they revealed the wing you’re departing from earlier but I find it easily the worst of the six London airports. If there are issues with the trains, you’re basically stuck too