[EwanG]

can2 wrote:

Not exactly reliable though..
For instance, L’Epicure has three stars, which is in Amex’s list, and it doesn’t show there..

Agreed, Tim’s site is getting updated but isn’t fully in sync with the Amex site. An example being Megeve in France where Amex has 8 locations and Tim only 7 (each list has a recent addition). One restaurant recently closed permanently (3 weeks ago?) but Amex isn’t updated (might not be aware) so both lists are inaccurate;

TLDR you need to do more than check one list!!

[EwanG]

One thing to bear in mind is not to mix carriers when using the 2-4-1, otherwise taxes/fees could be significantly higher on the BA segment.

[EwanG]

Good result, I’m sure you are relieved!
I try to take screenshots for any significant purchases, but I don’t always remember, and even with them sometimes am disappointed!

[EwanG]

Cancelled flight emails have been issued. I received mine this morning

[EwanG]

Are you saying the purchase is not showing in your list of purchases via the Avios portal?

The first thing I’d do is to use the ‘missing Avios’ function to confirm they see the transaction.

https://www.avios.com/en-GB/collect-avios/shopping/my-account/missing-avios/

If it’s not showing there it would be a cancel and rebook, unless the price has gone against you. You might reassess if you need the flexible booking too.

If the transaction was recorded, continue through the missing Avios function, but beware they still may not award the Avios if the agency don’t see it was the Avios store that was the last referrer.

[EwanG]

Personally I’d escalate persistent overcharging vs agreed documented costs to the exec office; my email to gil.west on their .com address came good when I wasn’t able to use an ADR route one time.

[EwanG]

@Aston100 your understanding of how it works is spot on, but did you include the additional hours when you made the booking? I expect you did, noting you included in your original post:

For clarity, you need to make your original booking with the four hour grace period included. You can’t return the car four hours late and claim you shouldn’t be charged.

Did the charges on the Rental Agreement the provided match what was on your reservation email?

You mention BVRLA, were all these reservations in the UK?

[EwanG]

I’ve also received the email, for a 1-way Avios redemption in April booked via BA. Interesting that the email was limited on what’s happening ie no reference to pulling flights after end March!

[EwanG]

@Aston100 There was also one case I escalated to Gil.West and that finally brought to a conclusion after 4 months a misapplied damage charge! Hopefully this is the ultimate revelation and brings you success!

[EwanG]

gold_service_uk@hertz.com is the email address I’ve had success with in the past

[EwanG]

If you are serious about using them, rather than scalping just for the points or TCB, their refer-a-friend scheme can be much better than those deals.

I’ve been a client previously, and if I was going to change broker again, they would be towards the top of my list.

[EwanG]

The FOS process requires you to go through the provider’s complaints process first and either reach a final decision from that institution, or for it to have timed out.

Time limits for a complainant and for a response are here: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/expect/time-limits

[EwanG]

@Paul-B if you have a genuine reason to raise a complaint with Creation e.g. they did not refund the fee (IMO I’d only do if it was a significant chunk of the fee) or withheld points or an earned voucher then you could do that now. You’ll need to determine if it’s worth your time!

It doesn’t sound like this applies to you but if you’ve already complained and have reasons to take further (e.g. it was not upheld) and missed the time limit to refer to FOS then your option is limited to a formal legal process i.e. moneyclaim or similar.

[EwanG]

e14 wrote:

Teams really is a clusterfudge of an application – anyone else not seeing a dial pad … and I’ve no idea where my Skype credit went.

Agreed.
Initially I couldn’t get it to work too but now if I go into the Teams app and click my name (top left) it has the option for the dial pad. This loads up https://calling.web.skype.com/ so you could try going there directly.

I used it this week for the first time since Skype was closed, the only annoying thing was when switching to another app it automatically put the mic on mute but I could still hear the other person, this is an issue eg if you are reading a card number within an app rather than having it written down or in front of you.

[EwanG]

Candor wrote:

Can’t see any mention of Fuel/Petrol Stations being excluded on the Morrisons offer

Normally very clear when they run the similar Tesco offer

Morrisons sold off all (or almost all) fuel sites to Motor Fuel Group, so your transaction is with MFG and not Morrisons. Same reason you can’t use Morrisons GCs there. You’ll notice MFG on the signage above the fuel station shop.

[EwanG]

Johncarribean wrote:

I was wondering though whether I could just purchase a £100 bottle with no membership, would that trigger?

From what I can see, you have to be a member in order to buy bottles.
If you have this on two cards you could become a member using your first card!

[EwanG]

Glad they were able to link the account and at least it should help with the rental days for status, although that might be of little help when they relaunch Privilege.

I had no status recognition at that last rental referred above, no cars in a higher category available either, even when raised to the manager, and with many suitable vehicles all outside, was advised all were booked! I did a dummy booking online for the same dates and strangely enough there was availability in the higher class showing!
My rant over…!

[EwanG]

Am I right in understanding you haven’t picked the car up yet?

Tell them at pickup you are a privilege member and it took central CS 4 days to reset access to your account and can they link it instead? They might be really helpful!

I’ve had the opposite: My last Europcar rental was linked to my account but it may as well not have been, as zero status recognition. Won’t use that branch (in France) again!

[EwanG]

@Chris-R if you log in via the app, under ‘membership’ and to the right of your points it shows your tier.
Or, via the website, log in, click on your name and third line (left of point total) lists your tier.

Agreed their app and website are dreadful!

[EwanG]

This has been asked previously – see https://hfp2026mar.kinsta.cloud/forums/topic/how-does-hertz-and-axis-work-for-platinum-cards/

Advice provided was: As you already have a GPR account I believe the following steps are required in order to get your status updated to Five Star:
Go into your GPR account, add the 633306 CDP, and add your Platinum card as a saved payment method.
Contact GPR support via email to ensure your status is updated. Apparently your account status should update automatically but I would do this last step if you have a requirement to rent in the near future.

Post back here to let us know if adding the CDP and card to your profile was sufficient or if Hertz needed to be involved!

[EwanG]

Tim

Although your hotel booking is non-refundable, another approach would be to contact the hotel directly, explain the situation and see if they are able to accommodate a date change, moving your arrival there one day later.
Has there been any change from Ryanair to the return flight (if you are indeed returning with them)? If you want to keep your holiday the same length, you could agree to Ryanair moving your outbound by one day and your return by the same.

I appreciate you might not be flying back from DBV or picking up a cruise etc so might not be able to/ want to do the above!

[EwanG]

I probably should have suggested this previously when reading this (or Rich_A’s earlier thread) but another avenue you could have used here was ECRCS (European Car Rental Conciliation Service): We help customers with unresolved complaints concerning cross border rentals in Europe

https://www.ecrcs.com/

It’s ADR for cross border rentals.

Having used this twice in the past 24 months, both times successfully, I will start a new topic about this one day soon.

[EwanG]

That’s good news. Some suggestions: Think The Cairngorm Hotel or Doo Below would be two good options for Hogmanay

The Old Bridge Inn has never failed to disappoint for a meal.

How long will you be there?

[EwanG]

@captaindave Given you are flying to CMF I’d personally head east or maybe a bit south, and rule out Flaine, Avoriaz and Morzine, as these northern Alps resorts are significantly easier to reach from GVA (60-90 mins), and as a Saturday and key changeover day 28 Dec will be busy.
You’re asking for quite a lot and think you’ll need to compromise on something!

Down the valley from Les Menuires is the resort of St Martin de Belleville, or at the other end of the 3 valleys area you have Meribel, both are quite attractive. Meribel has the better apres – Ronnie’s / the Rond Point very popular!
Are either resort an option to add?
I suggest narrowing down from CMF based on accessibility first. Telegraph Travel always have good articles on ski resorts, inc for non-skiers.

[EwanG]

Candor wrote:

I just joined curve , with the pro plan- with intention to put HMRC fees through it, plus have a number of trips abroad where the FX free would be very useful
However they’ve sent a business card, meaning there was a charge appearing when I was attempting to pay HMRC
Not a great start with them

I had this when I upgraded to metal (from a personal basic card). Easily changed to a personal card, but the cynic in me considers this is part of their strategy to maximise interchange fees and the user won’t notice!

Write a message to support requesting a refund of fees to see if they oblige. The fees charged by HMRC should have been obvious in front, unlike Curve’s own fees which only appear later!