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This is today’s chat thread.
If you have specific questions about Avios, hotels or credit cards, please ask them in the appropriate forum and not here. This thread is a good place to post interesting deals you have spotted or your general thoughts on travel and all things miles and points. Thank you for contributing.
I’m flying Dubai to LHR in economy this coming week – any views on which DXB lounge to go for or other tips? – I’m BA Silver and have Priority Pass – had heard of Silvers being turned away from the BA lounge earlier this year.
Also, on upgrading – am on a client-booked ticket and have just read how bad the Econ seating can be. Any experience here on how feasible upgrading might be? I know I can only use Avios to go up one to Premium Economy (no availability at the moment), but I’d also consider paying cash – in that case is it best to ask at the check-in desk?
Bristol Airport Fast Track
The article on BA refusing to refund seat reservation fees reminded me of my experience with BRS “fast” track (security). Early August at 5am is a busy time at BRS, so it seemed like a good idea. The reality: 1 of 2 lanes was closed and the queue moved more slowly than standard security.
I asked the airport for a refund, but got fobbed-off with cut-and-paste T&Cs – “best endeavours”, “staff sickness”, etc preventing service delivery – capped with “…we know you be disappointed at this outcome”. Too right!
I guess the potential get out clause / excuse is what are you actually paying for with Fast Track, as there are certainly no guaranteed times. Interesting for Bristol, the headline banner on the booking page says ‘Our Fast Track channel gives you priority service at security and the fastest route to departures.’, so you would think that not getting the fastest route would be a clear failure to deliver the service.
However the T&Cs say ‘The Fast Track Service is a dedicated fast track security channel. The aim of Fast Track is to minimise queuing time in the passenger search area.’. So you are paying for the privilege of using a specific lane, with only an ‘aim’ of it actually providing any benefit!
After a bit of advice from the South America specialists please? About to start planning I think for Nov 26, should have around 4 weeks, maybe a little bit more. I will have a BA companion voucher and probably two Barclaycard upgrade vouchers. I have no preconceived ideas apart from the fact that a few IHG nights would be beneficial to help towards Diamond for 2027, and that a week somewhere towards the end for relaxation will reduce the risk of Mrs S divorcing me.
Grateful for ideas from the HFP collective brain.
That’s a big topic, @strickers, but if BA starts releasing F award seats to (e.g.) MEX again, that would be a very nice start to a trip and surely put Mrs S in a good mood!
That’s a big topic, @strickers, but if BA starts releasing F award seats to (e.g.) MEX again, that would be a very nice start to a trip and surely put Mrs S in a good mood!
Save that Mexico is a long way from South America which was the remit… Santiago is the only SAm route offering First.
@strickers – using the Barclays vouchers limits you to BA and therefore far fewer destinations vs using the CV with Iberia which offers a better experience plus far more routes with multiple daily flights on some key routes. No idea re IHG options and an idea of what/where constitutes relaxation might yield some options. Some mean sitting on a beach or a pool, but for us that’s highly un-relaxing!Thanks both, relaxing could be either beach or somewhere with a nice view and a veranda. I’m generally thinking Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and perhaps Paraguay but willing to look further afield. Most of the larger cities have some IHG options, I’m not tied to those specifically but if they are good hotels then I will use them during entry/exit to the region. Very much expecting to start in Madrid.
@strickers We are about to head off to South America via Madrid on Iberia , firstly to Quito and Galapagos, then a 2 week+ jaunt round Peru , with a couple of days mid trip at a Spa resort to gather our wits and rest! Chile next and Easter Island and Atacama desert. Combination of cash and Avios LATAM flights, open jaw back from Santiago ( hoping F seats might become available on BA) Somehow I think not a great deal of relaxation comes into this 7 week trip! The only IHG we are staying in is the HI at Santiago airport -on points!
We’ve been to Rio( lovely setting but didn’t feel safe ) iguassu was fabulous, BAires was lovely, then a cruise from BA to Valparaiso which was very enjoyable.
I’m sure all the big places have IHG properties although we didn’t stay in any.
SA is a huge continent and a lot of posters extol the delights of many places-you’ll. have a hard choice ( and precious little time to rest that Knee!)@strickers Not a SAm specialist in any way shape or form, recently back from Peru and Colombia and had originally planned to go to Ecuador or Bolivia instead of Colombia but then changed plans.
In terms of IHG coverage there’s 3 nice new properties in Lima – a newly built IC that looks very nice as well as a good Vignette conversion and a new build Voco. I stayed in the HI (which was still nice) as I preferred the busy centre of Miraflores, those three are nearer the Larcomar part which some prefer. I’d go back to Lima mainly to eat! No IHG in Cusco if you want to visit Machu Picchu, or in Arequipa, Puno or Trujillo.
The IC in Bogota is too far out, so I stayed in one of the more central HI which was fine. I stayed in the IC Cartagena which was good, nice pool and restaurant, small but well stocked lounge. It is on the hotel strip out of the old town. You can get taxis in and out as bit too far to walk in the heat (and I do like to walk everywhere).
No IHG coverage in Ecuador except in Quito, and the HI there looked dated. No IHG in Bolivia either.
Other forumites will fill in the gaps for Argentina etc I’m sure
@strickers – I feared you might mention beaches! The four Cono Sur countries you mention aren’t the best endowed with good ‘pleasure’ beaches although there are spectacular beaches/coast for walking or wildlife. The geographically challenged may mention some in Paraguay…
Punta del Este in Uruguay is billed as the St Tropez of SAm but very overbuilt although nice beaches a way from the city. Further south, opposite BsAs, Carmelo is a rather nice quiet resort but on the Rio de la Plata rather than open sea; it has sandy dunes but muddy river water! The beaches in Chile near Santiago, like Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are pretty crowded and you should read the FCDO advice on Santiago and those places before booking anything.
In Argentina, two relaxing places to consider are the wine country around Mendoza (but not the city itself) although it’s become a bit too popular and thus more expensive and the lake area around Bariloche/Llao Llao which is incredibly beautiful. A similar flying time from BsAs (2h30) is Salta – where we fly to every year for R&R in Cafayate, a stunning four hour drive away.
Has anyone won tickets for the Champions League games through Qatar Experiences?
I’m considering using my family member’s account for bidding. If I win, will my brother have to be present, or can I attend the match with someone else?
It mentions that the tickets are non-transferable, but how strict are they?
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