[Olly]

NorthernLass wrote:

Got 🍿 for when @JDB arrives 😂

Shall we invent a new term for this type of post – JDBbait perhaps? 🫣

[Olly]

drop me a message on instagram @newdavidbailey and I can share with you

[Olly]

Have you considered the InterContinental Residences? We stayed in a 2 bed apartment there and they are very high spec, also means you get your own lounge (and kitchen). Has a gym, a nice quiet pool and a private beach (albeit the view isn’t that great from it due to another development). It is a very short walk over to the hotel for the free breakfast. I used my Ambassador certificate here which made it a very reasonable stay and the residences felt a lot more civilised vs the hotel.

[Olly]

Other options for that part of Portugal would be either of the Martinhal properties, though I think the weather would also be fine in their Cascais one, which gives you plenty of off-site dining options in the town which is a short taxi ride away.

Otherwise, Cyprus is a good option at that time of year, somewhere like the Almyra in Paphos (or any of their sister hotels) is very small child-friendly

[Olly]

If your wife is able to book direct, could she book for 2 people under your name, and list herself as the additional guest? I think that would be the only semi-legitimate way to get this to work

[Olly]

@cat we’re also off to Skomer in July to do Puffin spotting whilst staying at the Grove of Narbeth on a 3 nights HHonors redemption

The only other thing we have booked is Madeira in the Easter hols for my last trip as a silver club member but looking at Turkey for the summer hols and possibly Canada for October half-term

[Olly]

Thanks @man_of_kent – my points also arrived today so it turned out to be a storm in a teacup. Why Accor don’t seem to know who had qualified for the offer or not is a bit of an indictment on their CRM

[Olly]

tootsci wrote:

@Olly Did you get anywhere with this? Just logged into mine and same for me

They responded to say that they needed to investigate and would revert back. That was ten days ago

[Olly]

LeeG wrote:

Olly wrote:

I’m showing as Titanium, but with an expiry date of 12/25 which isn’t going to be all that useful

Also showing as Titanium, but with an expiry date of 12/27. This was through the Rotana status match route.

Thanks for the data point, mine was also through this route so I shall drop them an email

[Olly]

I’m showing as Titanium, but with an expiry date of 12/25 which isn’t going to be all that useful

[Olly]

If you have a P2 and a high level of annual spend (£25k+), a better tactic is to upgrade make the referral, cancel your card, and start the merry-go-round again once P2 is close. We’ve been doing that for years and is a bit less suspect than downgrading

[Olly]

chungcyk wrote:

Has anyone had experience to use Curve as the backup method and linked to Barclaycard yet? Just paid with the PP debit card and the transaction name is “Add to Bal”, so am a bit worried it’ll be treated as Cash Advance… I’ve paid it off on Barclays now just in case, though it’s not come through yet even in pending!

Any feedback yet as to whether it’s treated as cash?

[Olly]

BSI1978 wrote:

On the IHG website now, and whilst it states that the SS London will be open / available to book from Dec 1st, it then also states that it doesn’t accept the Ambassador complimentary weekend voucher.

It states that, but not actually allowing you to book any dates via the availability calendar until April for cash, and no points dates

[Olly]

We went in Feb half-term 2024, and stayed at the Chedi El Gouna, about 40 mins away from the airport. Weather is warm and pleasant at that time of the year, and we found the hotel to be reasonable though the service was pretty hit and miss, had a nice beach and you could swim in the sea as it was on a reef.

The local town was nice for a walk around, with plenty of restaurants, and the whole area is part of a gated compound off the main road. Can’t offer any advice on Hurghada itself, but the airport was basic, and finding a taxi (even pre-booked) was a challenge due to patchy phone coverage, and it being an absolute scrum.

[Olly]

Yes same here, we’re taking the kids to Saariselka after they break up at Xmas, taking the BA flight out and then returning with a couple of days stopover in Helsinki. Also very interested in recommendations for activities (and companies offering) and appreciate all the tips

[Olly]

Thanks JDB. I tried them earlier but only to the medical emergency line was open. Apparently the main line only opens at 10am BST so I’ll try them again then

[Olly]

Appreciate the reply. We’re staying in the Ibis Styles nearby so should be straightforward was just hoping to avoid having to schlep the bags. Sounds like that’s unavoidable in this case though

[Olly]

You can do it at the same time on one call – I’ve done so multiple times. If you’re not an authorised nominee for your partner’s account then they will need to be available so that the call centre agent can complete the second booking with them after they’ve processed the first one for you

[Olly]

Have you considered booking a villa/serviced apartment with a private pool?

[Olly]

Given that you’re in transit and they won’t know your plan I don’t think you’d have a problem

[Olly]

JDB wrote:

Olly wrote:

Makes something of a mockery of the UKs stance of them needing to be ten for it to work

It’s hardly just a UK thing and some EU countries have a higher age limit. I think you may be underestimating the issue of child abduction. Some countries will require formal consent from the other parent if a child is travelling with only one parent.

If that were the reason given that would be reasonable. But I’m not convinced that there’s much difference between a 7 and 10 year old in that regard. It’s a subjective decision much like the rationale on changing it from 12yo to 10 in the first instance

[Olly]

Makes something of a mockery of the UKs stance of them needing to be ten for it to work

[Olly]

Worth noting that kids can also use the e-gates so long as you submit the arrival card on their behalf beforehand

[Olly]

meta wrote:

I find Smart Ex website extremely user friendly compared to other Japanese sites. It’s very easy to use and there are no issues unless you don’t know how to read the instructions or try to use the website from 11:30pm to 5:30am Japan time, but the system will tell you that.

In August there is no need to pre-book anything as very few travel to Kyoto/Hiroshima/Fukuoka in extreme heat. Just buy Suica/Pasmo on arrival (non-tourist ones are again readily available) and then register on the website and book everything. The difference between booking well in advance vs a few days before is maybe £10-15 per person.

We’re travelling as a family of four. Can I load tickets for 4 people onto a single Suica or do I need to buy four separate?

[Olly]

There’s a hilton near the Spanish/Portuguese border which could be a good option
https://www.islantillagolfresort.com/en/golf