Chat thread – Tuesday 25th March
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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.
Yesterday’s chat re BRS turning away PP holders reminded me to say a PP holder had their first refusal at DUB T1 yesterday. Flying around 6pm and the DAA lounge was taking only business class or pre-booked.
Up to now I had never heard of refusals at DUB, and with the old East Lounge becoming the pay to enter Martello Lounge the overall capacity has increased.
Email from Ryanair launch of their Frequent Flyer scheme, Prime. Looks weak particularly around timing of bookings to get seat selection
Yesterday’s chat re BRS turning away PP holders reminded me to say a PP holder had their first refusal at DUB T1 yesterday. Flying around 6pm and the DAA lounge was taking only business class or pre-booked.
Up to now I had never heard of refusals at DUB, and with the old East Lounge becoming the pay to enter Martello Lounge the overall capacity has increased.
My gripe ( as it’s me who posted ) is that I can’t even pre book ( at 8 plus weeks out ). Not that I want to pre book but I know walking up will be a complete non starter. I also rang Amex Plat and was less than impressed with the agents attitude. What’s the point of PP being touted as a benefit ( about the only benefit I actually use ) if you can’t use it ? It’s the same at airports that offer restaurant credit in lieu of a lounge (like BNE).Cards issued by Amex don’t qualify ( but some PP cards issued via other banks etc do ).
I’ve held the Plat for nearly 20 years but I think my relationship with them won’t be renewed going forward.Flyer talk reporting that the new look BAC ‘cards’ are being rolled out even though it’s not 1st April. Though maybe they wanted to avoid doing it the !
The most interesting observation is that the new cards have no expiry date on them. It would be an unusual sort of accidental screw up if all they were doing was changing the branding, so leaves you to wonder why …
Because they’ll all get updated next week anyway?
If you put it on now people will be screaming that they’ve had their status cut short etc etc.
Short article in the FT about BA’s new first suite. Information presented without comment. Let me know if that guest link doesn’t work.
British Airways tries to regain its halo with a new first-class seat – https://on.ft.com/4j3LfbA via @FT
Just had a whatsapp purporting to be from the LHR CP about my reservation today and that they have “pending” messages for me if I respond.
Has their logo on.
I’m suspicious because account only created in the last month but also because the hotel has my phone and email if they want to get hold of me!
Called hotel and person I spoke to said she’d just had a similar call and it’s spam.
So be aware.
Do you have a reservation today?
Do you have a reservation today?
And if yes, through what channel did you book?
Does anybody know of a way to covert Amex points to IHG, it seems the only partner with IHG is HSBC Premier (which I can do, if I only had more points).
I initially looked to book Hilton T4 at LHR but the total points cost is 60K, whereas I could book Crowne Plaza at T4 for considerably less.
Although I cannot see a way of transferring Amex points directly to IHG, is there an airline I could transfer into then out of?
Does anybody know of a way to covert Amex points to IHG, it seems the only partner with IHG is HSBC Premier (which I can do, if I only had more points).
I initially looked to book Hilton T4 at LHR but the total points cost is 60K, whereas I could book Crowne Plaza at T4 for considerably less.
Although I cannot see a way of transferring Amex points directly to IHG, is there an airline I could transfer into then out of?
You’d lose so much value transferring via an airline you might as well just compare the Hilton T4 at 60K HH points against the cash price of the Hilton, the Crowne Plaza and indeed the Premier Inn.
@phantomchickenz I did post back on yesterday’s thread but it got stuck in moderation, so posting here again.
Mine is 11.40am back to EDI, and I’ll probably be rocking up around 9.30 till around 11ish. (Unless of course things deteriorate and FDCO slaps a do not travel advice on Istanbul.
If you are interested in being there before 11am, I’d be happy to guest you – no pressure on being social!
I fear (non-replying) travel agent has gone bust without paying airline (this is TATL).
So I have booked an Avios redemption for 40 hours later, giving me the 24 hours to cancel if I don’t need it.
There is also redemption availability on flight 23 hours later – will I get into trouble with BA if I book that flight too with Avios?
(It would be almost impossible to take both flights)
I realise it might be possible to advance the existing booking if I know I need to use the option, but the availability might well be gone by then.
£42 cancellation fees are immaterial.@phantomchickenz I did post back on yesterday’s thread but it got stuck in moderation, so posting here again.
Mine is 11.40am back to EDI, and I’ll probably be rocking up around 9.30 till around 11ish. (Unless of course things deteriorate and FDCO slaps a do not travel advice on Istanbul.
If you are interested in being there before 11am, I’d be happy to guest you – no pressure on being social!
That’s awesome @freckles, many thanks! I would have been aiming for 11am’ish anyway, so can get there a bit earlier no problem. Is it Galleries First T5?
Anyone know how to exchange details here without publicising our email address for all and sundry to pilfer?
Send me an email to this temp address and I will reply from my own email.
Yes, it’s the Galleries First T5.
Just had a whatsapp purporting to be from the LHR CP about my reservation today and that they have “pending” messages for me if I respond.
Has their logo on.
I’m suspicious because account only created in the last month but also because the hotel has my phone and email if they want to get hold of me!
Called hotel and person I spoke to said she’d just had a similar call and it’s spam.
So be aware.
I have had several requests for payments for several stays at IC Sydney this year. That has been widely reported elsewhere. If the communication was about a valid stay raise a data complain with IHG they need to start taking this seriously.
Email sent
Do you have a reservation today?
And if yes, through what channel did you book?
Yea and direct with IHG.
Have emailed one of the hotels management team about it.
Will forward to the IHG Data officer later.
Email sent
Got it and reply sent from mine. See you 9th
New IHG offer released, ‘exclusive’ which suggests targeted. 3K points every two nights Apr 1 – May 15, max 9K so six nights.
Just had a whatsapp purporting to be from the LHR CP about my reservation today and that they have “pending” messages for me if I respond.
Has their logo on.
I’m suspicious because account only created in the last month but also because the hotel has my phone and email if they want to get hold of me!
Called hotel and person I spoke to said she’d just had a similar call and it’s spam.
So be aware.
That’s interesting. I received the same message via WhatsApp about 2 weeks ago. It was the also the morning of the night I stayed there. I ignored it as I didn’t see it until after I had left. So much going on I forgot about it until reading your post.
Under hotel logo and name it said “business account – joined in last month 253.
At end of message it said – reply ok to continue.
Just had an email from the manager I’m in contact with and this isn’t a scam and something they are trialling.
Also got a nice upgrade to a suite. But it’s almost as far from the lounge as it’s possible to get!
Just had an email from the manager I’m in contact with and this isn’t a scam and something they are trialling.
Also got a nice upgrade to a suite. But it’s almost as far from the lounge as it’s possible to get!
That’s good to know.
Always had a good stay there until last time. Interestingly I was sent an email asking for feedback and gave a poor rating for first time ever.
Booked non refundable rate (at short notice). Arrived. Given keycards for room. I asked if they had been programmed so I could use the Lounge. I was told I didn’t have access. I replied that I had annual Lounge pass. I was asked to prove it. I showed pass in the app. Then I was told the Lounge was full! I then said that wasn’t acceptable and I would have stayed in the HIX if I didn’t want Lounge access. By this time a queue was forming. She reluctantly then said I could use the Lounge. Dropped my bags off in my room and went up there to relax and sit in comfy chair. Didn’t want food as had already eaten. The Lounge was not full and I got a table to myself. The staff were as helpful and friendly as always. Pity about the Receptionist.
Didn’t get an upgrade. Was platinum at the time. But after a few other stays, am back to Diamond – stay 8 nights by 20 March challenge. I’ve got another stay at the hotel in about a month’s time, so will be interesting to see what happens then.
At present staying in Indigo Larnaca and being well looked after – have stayed here before.
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