[OldStoat]

NorthernLass wrote:

@OldStoat, how long is your stopover? It’s not actually that far into Madrid city centre where you’ll probably get better value and better food. By the time you’ve got a shuttle bus or taxi to one of the actual airport hotels there’s probably not much in it, time-wise.

It’s just overnight en route to SJO. I did think of extending the holiday for a couple of days and getting a culture fix in Madrid before the wildlife of Costa Rica, but Mrs Stoat pointed out that that would mean packing more clothes and more weight. There’s a weight limit on flights in Costa Rica, so we just need an overnighter.
The Novotel looks good, I must say, as does the Innside by Melia.

[OldStoat]

Any suggestions for decent airport hotels near MAD? I was mildly amused to see a review for the NH which said that while the hotel didn’t have a bar, restaurant or helpful attitude, it did have cockroaches. So that’s a win, I suppose.
I think that as my backpacking days are over, my tolerance for unsalubrious hotels has diminished.

[OldStoat]

Metty wrote:

Random Monday question regarding those little 17ml bottles of Monte Vibiano olive oil that are offered on BA, Qatar etc in the pointy end of the plane.

The producer’s website has various options for buying e.g. 10x 10ml bottles; this wouldn’t last too long in our house.

There’s bound to be someone on here who is a connisseur of such things, can anyone recommend a spicy lemon/chilli extra-virgin oil that is available in a bigger bottle. Have tried various Waitrose/M&S products over the years but nothing as nice as the above 🙂

If you want infused/flavoured oils, these guys do a good range https://www.thegiftofoil.co.uk/pages/olive-oil. Great for dipping ( bread, rather than yourself)

[OldStoat]

Thank you…sigh.

[OldStoat]

Thank you, both- that’s v useful.

[OldStoat]

Skywalker wrote:

I find that emailing them gets a quicker/better response especially when the issue is complex

Send a screenshot of what the offer should be and what it looks like in your account for contrast

Excellent advice- I got a reply within the hour! Thank you.

[OldStoat]

Froggee wrote:

I’m afraid it is right.

But depending on on the validity of your ticket, you could change that flight if it is somewhere you wish to go back to?

https://hfp2026mar.kinsta.cloud/2024/06/12/can-you-cancel-the-return-leg-of-an-avios-redemption-after-flying-outbound/

You would then only need to pay for a one-way redemption going there if you can make it work?

Sigh…
Well, the important thing is that we’re back home and there is a lot of medical activity planned in the near future so we’re in the right place. The Avios are trivial by comparison, and until the investigations are complete, Mrs Stoat is not going anywhere.

[OldStoat]

Interestingly, my 750 TP spend bonus has just come through on top of the original 500 and the flights so far. All visible on the BA website rather than Amex. Waiting to see how it will all add up. It will be very interesting to see inf the 500 starting bonus is around next year.

[OldStoat]

Thanks. I rather suspected that. Getting back after March 31st might cost me the status boost. I will have to negotiate with Mrs Stoat….

[OldStoat]

Thank you!