[Roberto]

Whilst not answering your question I flew in Business on Malaysian this week (Melbourne to KL) and it was a super service. I would not hesitate to use them again.

I hope others chime in and answer your question. All the best.

[Roberto]

As my rule of thumb it’s $5 a day for the maid and your servers when eating plus a couple of bucks here and there for drinks. If you have a butler maybe $100 at the end of the stay.

Seven days you’re looking at prehaps $400 maybe a little more if you’re diving and/or using the spa.

[Roberto]

My bag was secondary screened for an inhaler which they plucked out like they won a major prize before ceremoniously putting it in a zip lock bag and presenting it to me like I was on the terrorism hit list

When I asked why I was told “it’s an inhaler” – I could have congratulated him on his observation skills and asked why the heck that has got anything to do with security but let it slide as he was obviously a power crazed d1ckhead and I did not want to feed the troll.

It’s pathetic…..

[Roberto]

Roberto wrote:

AL wrote:

irstflyer wrote:

Thanks folks, how is status notified between the airlines? Do I need to add my Delta details to my Virgin account or vice-versa? Any idea of the process? It just seems unclear to me at the moment, as when I book FinnAir, for instance, I can put in my BA number and it auto recognises gold status. Doesn’t seem to be an equivalent for Delta/Virgin?

This means DL recognise you have VS status if you pop your VS FC number on your PNR but there isn’t any reciprocity in the same way as OW airlines do it.

So how does it work with other alliance airlines? I have noted my VS gold frequent flyer number on my up and coming Singapore airlines booking , are SQ able to see that I am Gold or do I have to show my physical “VS Gold Card” (which of course I dont have) at check in and the lounge?

To answer my own question. When checking in today SIN to MEL on Singapore Airlines our VS Gold is clearly noted on our boarding passes so there must be some IT in the background that links star alliance together assuming your annotate your booking with another airlines FF number.

[Roberto]

AL wrote:

irstflyer wrote:

Thanks folks, how is status notified between the airlines? Do I need to add my Delta details to my Virgin account or vice-versa? Any idea of the process? It just seems unclear to me at the moment, as when I book FinnAir, for instance, I can put in my BA number and it auto recognises gold status. Doesn’t seem to be an equivalent for Delta/Virgin?

This means DL recognise you have VS status if you pop your VS FC number on your PNR but there isn’t any reciprocity in the same way as OW airlines do it.

So how does it work with other alliance airlines? I have noted my VS gold frequent flyer number on my up and coming Singapore airlines booking , are SQ able to see that I am Gold or do I have to show my physical “VS Gold Card” (which of course I dont have) at check in and the lounge?

[Roberto]

I swapped the BC plat to the basic Avios card on the app earlier in the summer a few months after the cards were introduced. Kept checking and eventually it came up as an option to upgrade – processed in a jiffy and already have my UG voucher. I also have the Hilton card.

[Roberto]

Can echo this. I have been successful many times getting MH to interline non-connected PRN’s. Planning to do the same on the 19th of next month with a MH booked KUL-SIN and onto a BA booked (241) SIN-LHR-AGP.

[Roberto]

Unsure of your question however when we landed into Abu Dhabi at 1am I booked us into the Premier Inn at the airport for about £70 staying there for 8 hours.

Saved about £300 rather than heading straight to the Shangri La, we still checked early enough to make our (free) breakfast at the Shang.

[Roberto]

I am flying to SIN on the 1st Nov on a 777 with NCS, hoping to try out the post-covid catering update (allegedly restarts that day) rather than all the food on a single tray al la CE. Back in First later that month (777 with new doors) booked on a new style 241 from Malaga at just £655 for two plus 237500 avios.

Also shoe horning in a visit to Melbourne with Singapore Airlines, Sydney with Qantas and KUL with Malaysian – all business flights booked as awards.

There is avios ability out there but expecting it to be available in six weeks time is unrealistic on pretty much the only SEA route BA have.

[Roberto]

nope….

[Roberto]

Mine was a daily charge that was held as pending on a cruise. When we disembarked the cruise company totted up the 6 daily charges plus the last night and I paid the bill as I got off.

The 6 “pending” charges never dropped off and I was eventually billed them too. Spoke to the cruise company and they said that they had not collected those 6 charges only the one big one at the end.

I was advised to wait a couple of weeks to allow time for it all to right itself, that never happened and I was advised to speak to my credit card company (Curve) as the cruise company felt it was an issue from their end. That’s when I got the hump as they just seemed ignore me. 17 days later they replied and the 6 charges disappeared, I am just waiting for the underlying cards to get the money back. About $600.

Good luck getting yours over the line..

[Roberto]

A full account of the outage reported on the BBC this morning detailing amongst other things that the Web servers password was Qwerty1234 & people wonder how they got hacked !!

BBC News – IHG hack: ‘Vindictive’ couple deleted hotel chain data for fun
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-62937678

[Roberto]

OP here..

It took 17 days with some help from chasing, emailing and twitter for them to acknowledge my issue. Double charges now disappeared from my curve account and the credits should hit the underlying cards by the middle of next week.

[Roberto]

Also worth a read….

https://www.politico.eu/article/queen-elizabeth-joe-biden-king-charles-westminster-abbeyonly-heads-of-state-plus-one-to-attend-queen-elizabeths-funeral/

[Roberto]

Yes the pool is heated. It’s a small pool up on the 4th or 5th floor overlooking the harbour with good sunset views. It’s kinda small up there and often a bun fight for beds. I was in San Diego in April this year and it was bitter, so cold infact we scooted over to Palm Springs a couple of days early. Too cold to use the pool

I enjoyed my time in SD but don’t think I will be back.

[Roberto]

Langkawi – Casa del Mar Hotel.

[Roberto]

If you “really want” to sit together then just pay and have done with it. Life too short to worry about paying for stuff like that.

Have a great trip.

[Roberto]

I would echo Jon’s comments about the Shangri-la , its our go to place in KL. Great location and a price that often belies its quality.

We have 4 days there in November on our way back from Melbourne and very much looking forward to it

[Roberto]

THIS OFFER FINISHES TODAY…..

I tried to make use of it but paid off a BA Holiday (against the rules) in euros (also against the rules) and did not get my bonus 2000 avios. Says it can take up to 90 days so might kick in down the line I guess.

[Roberto]

The arrival/departure time Changes could be a precursor for the clocks changing soon after. They could be just getting their ducks in a row booking the better time slots as daylight hours alter.

[Roberto]

And if you’re looking at the Conrad Rangali Island I read today that the only “cheap” food option the Rangali bar stops serving food at 6pm now in an effort to move you onto the more expensive resturants.

We had a blast there last spring at 95k HH points per night and have rebooked at the new higher 125k rate for 10 days next March. Flying Turkish in ecomony unfortunately as there were no BA club award options available at the time we booked.

Even on points it’s expensive, we spent $5000+ last time and many others spent far far more.

[Roberto]

jamesv92 wrote:

Hi can’t see this anywhere but does this include British Airways Holidays?

It generally does not in the terms but enviably does track.

[Roberto]

If you booked before the 7th of June you will be covered under the book with confidence policy and will receive your money back onto your card and the avios returned to your account when you apply for a voucher online. You won’t be charged a cancellation fee and you will get your cash/avios in about 4 weeks maximum.

If you want to move it you will need to call , you will need availability and you will be charged £35 per ticket/person.

[Roberto]

PineCliffs is excellent if travelling with kids in tow , plenty to keep them occupied. It’s a great resort and one we have been to many times in the shoulder seasons. Super beach and for or five pools inc an indoor one which is full of kids. There are villas for larger families as well. Usual Marriott style and good albeit expensive food options, make sure you get the free breakfast option

The Conrad which is 20 mins away is also a beautiful resort too with almost eye-wateringly high prices that we stayed at in June and have booked for next June as a Hilton award. There is often a 443 or 544 promotion on which together with the excellent free gold/diamond breakfast can make it reasonably priced. I paid €39 for two rum and gingers at the bar there recently and still feel the pain… very classy and well worth exploring.

Much to do nearby each property, get a car and eat locally – both offer so much.

[Roberto]

Both legs on the 7th and the 8th will be counted into this year and you total will reset to zero on the 9th.