[EDB99]

JDB wrote:

Bucharest is pretty poor.

The old IC which closed down a few years ago was. The new one (full refurb after reflag from Hilton) is pretty decent.

[EDB99]

Supergers49 wrote:

Thanks @EDB99

Apologies, I think Express Rail is what I was referring to. The train leg of the journey states the following in the proposed itinerary on the LH app,

“Reference number OS 3545 operated by OEBB TRAIN”

So then the ticket is valid for OS3545 only. If it is a flexible fare, you may be able to rebook to another train.

[EDB99]

VS often has issues charging cards in currencies other than the one one the card is issued in.

It can help to ring them up rather than booking online. Many agents know about the issue and will charge you in your home currency.

Also, do not ring them up immediately after putting an award flight in your cart online (as it may temporally block the seat).

[EDB99]

Warsaw, Sofia and Bucharest are my value for money picks. Berlin can sometimes also be very cheap, but rates fluctuate widely. The new one in Crete I have not been to, but it looks great and I was able to score a ridiculously low rate in shoulder season.

If we are more taking quality rather than bang-for-the-buck, I would second Paris Le Grand.

[EDB99]

Are you sure we are talking Rail&Fly, not Express Rail?

With Rail&Fly, you just buying a regular flex train ticket (which the airline sells you as a bundle just like an add-on insurance or a rental car). You can use the ticket the day before and the day of departure (or the day of arrival and the following day).

Express Rail is a different animal, where trains get an OS flight no. and standard OS ticket rules apply (so yeah, layovers are possible but tickets may be expensive and may require an expert travel agent to book).

[EDB99]

phantomchickenz wrote:

Would be great if you could feedback on whether the retrospective application works. Thanks!

Yeah, Rob kindly confirmed it worked.

In the past, I have applied suite upgrade awards and club upgrade awards for family and friends on existing bookings as well.

[EDB99]

FYI–I just updated the email address in my profile to the current one.

I could also mail hello@headforpoints.com if that arrives with you…

[EDB99]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your interest–it’s yours!

Yeah, I think if you ring up the recently off-shored call centre, they should hopefully be able to attach it to the existing booking.

How do I get in touch with you? The forum does not allow for PM’s – please correct me if I am wrong. I know your last name but I would require you WoH account # to send it.

[EDB99]

I have a GoH to gift as well.

Only condition: You should have an existing booking for 2025 on which you want to apply the GoH. (It is technically valid until 02/2026 but I could use the elite night credit if someone heren redeems it for 2025.)

[EDB99]

Hi,

I still have two CAA/club access awards to give away. Please DM me if interested.

Please be a bit patient, I’m on this forum sporadically.

Regarding the terms: These awards expiry at the end of February, 2025. You actual stay must be COMPLETED before the end of February. You can only redeem a CAA on a Hyatt property which has an open club lounge during your stay, that would mostly be the case at Hyatt Regency/Grand Hyatt properties.

[EDB99]

I just contacted World of Hyatt about this once again. This time I’m trying via the Hyatt Concierge on Twitter/X.

[EDB99]

phantomchickenz wrote:

Off to IC Berlin this week and thought I’d reach out to see if they would offer any perks if I renewed with them. Absolutely nothing. Not even a bowl of fruit. I thought properties were incentivised to sign up Ambassadors?

Yes, I think one number that was floating around was the agent signing you up receiving the equivalent of USD 50. Maybe hotel owners did not like it and induced IHG to stop such remuneration.

In any case, I think Amb is still useful at the IC Berlin.

For one, the EUR 15 Amb credit can be used very widely. They can stretch it a bit, too (e.g., a few weeks ago, I spent in on minibar items and they took the total of c. EUR 20 off the bill for the Amb credit).

For another, the IC Berlin routinely gives me real upgrades as Diamond Amb. Last stay: Booked Classic, got Jr Suite. The one before: Booked Classic, received King Premium with City View High Floor. Etc.

[EDB99]

Thanks, Deek!

[EDB99]

I like it, too. I already have enough bookings that I’ll easily earn the extra 10.

Only downside is that it makes the 40 nights lounge access milestone even more accessible. Could mean more crowded Club Intercontinentals by the end of the year.

[EDB99]

Thanks, will give that a shot!

[EDB99]

I’ve heard rumours (nothing more than that) AwardWallet might be the culprit.

This wouldn’t surprise me. In parts, AwardWallet wallet seems questionable (using sort of a script-kiddies like hackish approach when no api is available).

[EDB99]

Thank you, all.

Not sure if this can indeed be classified as the Dedicated Diamond desk but the call center resolved the issues swift and efficiently. Also had no wait time and was greeted as a Diamond.

[EDB99]

u07ch wrote:

The app has a digital concierge facility that will quickly get you talking to a human

Thanks. Are you on iOS or Android?

In the Android app, I do not find anything like that. The links to customer service I am seeing are the same as those when visiting ihg.com via browser.

[EDB99]

Brag: I did the 3 flights in December 2019. Took them until some time in January 2020 to switch my status to Gold.

Have been benefitting from the C19 extensions since. Expect to have the matched status until the end of February 2024. Will be the last Kreisflyer cohort to get a C19 extension in Feb of next year.

[EDB99]

Okay, get it.

I guess my perspective is different as I live outside the UK. This is the primary source of information for all things BA, VS, avios, aviation in the UK, and UK-based points/mile/travel opportunities. (I do travel to the UK a fair amount for both work as well as family-related reasons.)

[EDB99]

BOS Terminal A has no airside connection to other terminals. Also, your research is right: There are no lounges other than Delta ones in Terminal A (one in the main section and one in the satellite).

Also, no paid access to Delta Sky Clubs. You need a Sky Club membership, status + eligible international Y flight (or eligible international flight in premium cabin), or the right credit card. A UK-based Amex Plat in conjunction with a Delta flight would do the trick.

The Delta lounges at Logan aren’t spectacular, but quite decent IMO.

Alternatively, consider Legal Sea Foods/Legal’s Test Kitchen. It’s not cheap, though. Alternatively, there are some (not so great) fast food places and family/casual dining restaurants.

[EDB99]

Cdog wrote:

looking at the Virgin status match, however I cannot get the flights I want ticketed by virgin, I can get however DL ticketed but VS operated.

If you look at the terms on the same page as the status match form, it states:

You’ll also need to have a future revenue flight booked with Virgin Atlantic in either Premium Economy or Upper Class.

Now I understand that “booked with Virgin Atlantic” is not entirely clear-cut. But I think it is save to say you either need to book through virginatlantic.com or another direct channel OR you need Virgin ticket stock at the very least.

I think by that rule, you can pretty much rule out Delta ticket stock. I agree with Rob, though, that in practice, YMMV.

[EDB99]

I suggest you check whether the Regency Club at the Hyatt has opened. (It hadn’t when I stayed there as Globalist.)

The IC’s club is quite nice. Overall, I’d say the IC is the slightly nicer and posher hotel. Just in case you will be using the metro, its location is somewhat more convenient as well.

If you’re Globalist, I’d seriously consider the Hyatt (they’ll probably upgrade you to a Regency suite if booking a base room). Otherwise, the IC might be the better choice.

[EDB99]

Michael C wrote:

Another vote for HuaHin Marriott. Nice pool area (especially for kids), and bang in the centre of town for walking to the night market, etc.

You might be mixing up the Marriott and the Hilton.

It’s the Hilton which is bang in the center of town near Hua Hin beach and the night market. The Marriott is like a 2.5 mi/4 km walk from the night market.

[EDB99]

Chiang Mai.

Last stay was in Spring 2019 so take this FWIW.

Back then, I thought the Anantara was the best option. Have stayed at the Shangri-La as well and wasn’t impressed.

I guess your main decision will be whether to stay inside Chiang Mai (near the walled city, the main temples, the night market…) or merely within the region. If you go outside the city, there are some options that are likely up to a higher standard (such as the Four Seasons). Never been due to my preference for staying near the center. You can still do trips out of town to Doi Suthep and so on…

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