[astra19]

I’m guessing there is no workaround for buying Hyatt points on a new account? I’m a little anxious about waiting 60 days and then availability will disappear before then.

[astra19]

astra19 wrote:

Excellent tip on the Regency – if I buy points with their current bonus it’s almost a third of the cash price. Will probably do that. Thank you very much!

Maybe spoke slightly too soon – I’m not eligible to buy points because I haven’t been a member for 60 days. Grr. Still plenty of time before the trip but it would have been nice to be able to book it early.

[astra19]

meta wrote:

astra19 wrote:

Does anyone have any hotel recommendations for Belgrade? No real status other than the phantom IHG Platinum Elite that I’m not sure I actually have.
They seem pretty reasonably-priced overall. Looking for a couple of suites for a weekend in the summer.

Hyatt Regency is reasonable. You may want to purchase points if it works vs cash. 10k points for a premium suite. There is also Hilton which is fine. Crowne Plaza is also a good option on the cheaper end. There is a newish Indigo that I haven’t been to. Metropole is no longer part of Marriott which was the best in my opinion, closely followed by Hyatt Regency.

Excellent tip on the Regency – if I buy points with their current bonus it’s almost a third of the cash price. Will probably do that. Thank you very much!

[astra19]

Does anyone have any hotel recommendations for Belgrade? No real status other than the phantom IHG Platinum Elite that I’m not sure I actually have.
They seem pretty reasonably-priced overall. Looking for a couple of suites for a weekend in the summer.

[astra19]

How long do Melia points take to post? I completed a Points+Cash booking last week which should be eligible, but nothing is in my account yet.

[astra19]

Mike wrote:

Im Flying Man-USA via LHR in F , having never experienced first wing in LHR is it worth exiting upon arrival in LHR and re check in thru first wing or is it a waste of time ? any advice ?

On your return it might be worth doing this. The last time I was transiting I ended up waiting half an hour in “Priority” security on my return.

[astra19]

Apparently they were directing people to the First lounge to use the toilets yesterday morning?

[astra19]

Andrew. wrote:

A good friend who is cash rich, time short and usually needs a bit of a boost in order to qualify for Gold every year. I have family who live in Scotland, I’m more than happy to impersonate him in return for a free trip home.

How on earth does that work?

[astra19]

It’s an irritating error when booking Club flights with a UK connection. They need to sort it out, it’s been going on for ages now.

[astra19]

Agree totally with @Lula and @JDB. I felt as safe in Mexico City as any city in Europe, and honestly safer than I do in some American cities. I’ve had a slightly pushy glasses seller (never seen so many in my life) and someone half-heartedly try to pickpocket an empty pocket at rush hour but no worse than somewhere like Paris.

[astra19]

I enjoy CCR, especially for breakfast. It’s a pleasant bonus, but not work First on its own.
However I do love travelling in First. Three out of my four trips so far have been outstanding; one was perfectly nice but not amazing. Crew is much more attentive, and one thing I really appreciate is being able to pick exactly what and when I eat. They’re happy to mix and match to create a great meal.

[astra19]

I had a colleague who always got upgraded (company policy was PE, she got upgraded to Business), to the point where she was a bit suspicious of the whole thing! I never did when I travelled with her.

[astra19]

I’m not sure I understand their pricing model. I’ve had a really good deal a few months ago on the Level White House in London but no idea how or why! Can’t seem to find any good deals for it any longer.

[astra19]

I’ve only been once but I remember the service being less than affable, to the point of feeling uncomfortable. Tasty food though.

[astra19]

Interesting. I would have thought it wasn’t a particularly popular thing. I would be happy to invite someone in.

[astra19]

Does anybody remember the name of the website that would match people with others to guest them into a lounge? I’d sign up to guest some people in.

[astra19]

Don’t start on the basis of cheap London flights. I find regional pricing often has little resemblance to London starts. I’ve sometimes paid half of what the exact same London-departure holiday would have cost when flying from Edinburgh.

[astra19]

I like EWR. The First dining isn’t much to speak of, but service is lovely and friendly. Often less traffic at the times of BA flights too.
I think First is worth it overnight too. It’s nice to have someone make the bed, have the pyjamas, etc. If it’s not ridiculously more expensive in cash I find it’s worth it, but for Avios it certainly is.

[astra19]

@Thegasman I think you’re probably right; my only ever upgrade was exactly as you describe. And I haven’t been in WTP since… so they certainly made a lot of money from me for it.

[astra19]

NigelHamilton wrote:

Everyone does parenting differently, which is the point of debate. For me, I would rather give something up myself if it means giving it to someone else. Be interested to know how many people would take a class upgrade if it was only offered to them and not their partner – I suspect there’s plenty that would! I’d end up divorced before the start of the flight 😂

I was offered an upgrade to CW on a flight and my husband wasn’t (he was travelling on a separate booking), and I initially turned it down. The gate staff was so touched that she managed to upgrade him too! It was our first long haul business flight and now we’re quite attached to the idea, so it worked out for BA in the long run.

[astra19]

Heard nothing after multiple messages, but husband who was on the same booking got his double tier points on Friday.

[astra19]

I agree Mouse! I’ve been Silver for a while now but I’m actually only really about to use the “fun” perks for the first time today because it’s my first BA short-haul economy flight in a while. I’m looking forward to it!

[astra19]

Question on strategy:
I currently Silver, and have 1000 tier points, and my year expires this week. I am waiting for a further 500 points from this promotion. I haven’t contacted BA yet.
My husband, also Silver, also has 1000 tier points and will get another 500, but his earning year does not end for many months, so he will definitely reach Gold soon.

I’m wondering whether I should get BA to retroactively add the points to make me Gold, or use them as a way to ensure that I will at least reach Silver for next year and get a leg up towards Gold too. Since my husband will already have Gold, is there any real disadvantage to me staying Silver? Do I just need to get him to book our flights so that we ensure we get the Gold benefits, or is that even necessary?

[astra19]

Seems rather quiet honestly today. Currently in an almost empty CCR.

[astra19]

It happens. Sometimes you’ll just say the wrong thing after all the right things that came before.
I managed to get about 1500 Avios in the last 2 days, though I have no surveys left. I hope they keep populating, it’s an easy way to earn while I’m otherwise fairly idle.