[AnotherUser]

That’s not encouraging! Fingers crossed they’ll let me in the Aspire lounge at least…

[AnotherUser]

I’ve not stayed at the George. The Kimpton is nicer than the Indigo, but to be honest I’d just go with whichever of the two is better value – both should be perfectly ok, both will be rammed and a little chaotic on the 31st (so you’ll likely get a small room and no upgrade), and you’re presumably not going to Edinburgh that night to hang around in the hotel anyway 🙂 The Kimpton bar/restaurant is much nicer than the Indigo, if you end up wanting a drink there.

[AnotherUser]

Thanks! I should be able to visit the Plaza Premium lounge then – hope the gin bar’s good 🙂

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. The Plaza Premium seems to close stupidly early – around 3pm 🙁

[AnotherUser]

Using corporate code 786996886 still brings up Railcard discount for me

[AnotherUser]

dougzz99 wrote:

Seems a really expensive way of earning £250 cash back.

I was going to say the same. £250 won’t make much of a dent in the cost of a week in the US!

If you want to go and want an excuse, go for it 🙂 New Orleans can have some cheaper hotels if you go off season, and I’d guess Washington may have some cheaper rooms next year if you go in hot and humid summer when Congress is out of session (but still great museums open ). This isn’t likely to be a ‘good value’ mattress run by any stretch, but that may not be a worry.

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the advice. Managed to spend the points on a stay 🙂

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. Nothing that near me, sadly 🙁 I’ve emailed Accor to chase the Kobo points but, if I’ve no joy, I’ll either transfer out the points or gift a stay…

[AnotherUser]

In terms of lounge access, if you phone Priority Pass after you have your amex they can set you up with a digital pass in app (I had to do it because my Priority Pass card was lost in the post). Can’t promise how soon after getting the card you can do it, though

[AnotherUser]

points_worrier wrote:

AnotherUser wrote:

Thanks for the replies. I’ll check the terms of cover and look at current account options

At least I’ll be covered for medical expenses etc. Bags and cancellations I can spring for myself if needbe!

The biggie is medical expenses, as this can be £hundreds of thousands if you are really unlucky. You are covered for this.
But, re cancellation: An aggressive reading of the T&Cs could leave you not covered for cancellaiton of any part of the holiday because part of it has been paid on a mastercard. I hope I am wrong: does anyone have any experiences of this? But ‘£7,500 for costs to return home (and to resume original trip) and unused travel and accommodation costs where a trip has been purchased on the Card account’ seems to imply the *whole* trip must be charged to the card.

Thanks. I checked with Amex CS and was left with the impression that this wouldn’t invalidate all cancellation cover, but I’ll get something in writing from the live chat.

I know people (me included!) will often give amex card details to secure a hotel stay and then pay with a few free card at the end of an uneventful stay – which hopefully wouldn’t invalidate cancellion insurance for a while trip

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll check the terms of cover and look at current account options

At least I’ll be covered for medical expenses etc. Bags and cancellations I can spring for myself if needbe!

[AnotherUser]

Any idea what might be going on? I booked us seats together, but now KLM has changed the mum’s seat and put her (and child) in row one. It’s not giving me the option to change this on the app. Hopefully easily corrected!

[AnotherUser]

Thanks again!

[AnotherUser]

Thanks! Fingers crossed I also avoid queues

[AnotherUser]

Amex plat insurance should cover a 5 week trip, I think, though not preexisting conditions

[AnotherUser]

Caelis is a great place for lunch – excellent food/drink, and great value compared to the UK.

Hotel Claris is another nice option with a rooftop pool (you can swim lengths, but it’s on the small side for that). Good location, and restaurant. Not as slick as some of the 5* hotels in bigger chains will be, but also a lot more reasonably priced (at least for some dates).

The new Kimpton hotel in the city looks nice, but I’ve never stayed.

[AnotherUser]

You’re right @Andrew – sorry if I was unclear. With IHG’s PR about the new system I’d hoped that Diamond members would see more upgrades (even without the confirmable in advance suite upgrades) but was probably too optimistic.

I’ll be travelling in the next year (I hope) enough that I could use the confirmable suite upgrade easily enough. Though admittedly that might end up with me paying £2X to stay in a suite in an IHG hotel where I could have got a perfectly nice room in an indy hotel for £X (which I guess is the intention!)

[AnotherUser]

Thanks! We’re talking 55*45*25cm cabin bags – so hopefully doesn’t count as taking the piss!

That’s handy to know re lounges. I guess we just have to hope that they’re not sold out!

[AnotherUser]

It’s saying facilities will open end of July on my booking!

[AnotherUser]

I’d been hoping significant parts would already be upgraded (they started last year iirc). Maybe too optimiy, though!

[AnotherUser]

Thanks – you’re right! If it helps anyone else, I found the Netherlands government info here https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/exemptions-to-the-entry-ban/eu-entry-ban-exemption-categories#:~:text=or%20great%2Dgrandchild.-,You%20must%20fill%20in%20a%20Declaration%20of%20exemption%20from%20COVID,who%20lives%20in%20the%20Netherlands.

My Google Fu must have failed me earlier!

[AnotherUser]

I’m booked there next month. Would also be interested to hear any feedback on the place (booked there for a similar reason – decent points rate compared to the cash price of even Premier Inn).

The Voco Edinburgh Haymarket is nice (modern, well-organised, and fab views from some rooms) if the location works for you. Was booked up on my dates, though.

• This reply was modified 52 years, 9 months ago by .

[AnotherUser]

Thanks!

[AnotherUser]

Does the Railcard rate mean you don’t get points from the stay?

[AnotherUser]

Related question – anyone know which lounge KLM business class tickets give access to?