Chat thread – Tuesday 30th January

George K wrote:

shub wrote:

For anyone staying at Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama around 16th Dec to 22 Dec, I would suggest to check the price again for a potential new booking.

Well done. How did you spot that?

I was checking the website very often to book around Christmas and new year break, but it’s not yet open. Just noticed the blip this morning. I guess I’ll have to change my holiday plan and flights now.

JaneDoe wrote:

Are we entitled to EU261 compensation on Turkish Airlines, coming back from Istanbul? I have done a bit of a search and I am thinking maybe not cause it is a non EU country – would be happy to be proven wrong. 6 hours delay.

No, your flight is not covered by UK261 as you are travelling from a third country on a third country carrier. A TK flight outbound from the UK would be covered but not on the return sector.

A quick question regarding Curve Metal cashback.
After the recent changes, I was able to pick 12 retailers for 1% cashback, and it was going good.
However, in the past few days, the spend seemed to have not registered. The spend appears in Curve, but the cashback does not.

can2 wrote:

A quick question regarding Curve Metal cashback.
After the recent changes, I was able to pick 12 retailers for 1% cashback, and it was going good.
However, in the past few days, the spend seemed to have not registered. The spend appears in Curve, but the cashback does not.

I have never had *any* cashback actually come through in Curve. I’ve given up.

BBbetter wrote:

Only a matter of time before bots crack that.

Absolutely – I came across a tour company in Mexico that was even posting the same photos over and over to make the reviews look more real!

Aston100 wrote:

On yesterdays chat thread – thanks to everyone who provided info regarding cherry blossoms (or lack thereof) when visiting Japan in mid-May.
Related query: is August on the main island really as uncomfortable, hot and humid as a couple of blogs I skim read suggest?

Yes, you are looking at temperatures of 35+ and very humid plus possibility of typhoon anywhere but north of Honshu. If you are going in August stick to Hokkaido. Although it will be hot in Sapporo for example, it won’t be as humid.

I’ve completed a search through past topics on travel debit/credit cards and I’m still confused! I’m going to Costa Rica in March and hotels are all going to be paid either through a credit card either in advance or at the property. I will also need to pay for trips and food once out there. I have the Capital on Tap business card which I believe does not have FX charges and earns avios. I also have the Halifax Clarity Credit card. I would like to also have some cash for meals, taxis etc. Would it be best to take some colones with me (using a bureau de change here in the uk) or use the atm at the airport on arrival? If I was to do that what card should I use? Thank you for any advice!

I signed up for curve black at £9.99 a month

If I link my virgin Atlantic premium mastercard and make the £1000 fronted transaction to HMRC – will I get the 1500 virgin points ?

Any risk that virgin money don’t want the card to be linked with curve?

meta wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

On yesterdays chat thread – thanks to everyone who provided info regarding cherry blossoms (or lack thereof) when visiting Japan in mid-May.
Related query: is August on the main island really as uncomfortable, hot and humid as a couple of blogs I skim read suggest?

Yes, you are looking at temperatures of 35+ and very humid plus possibility of typhoon anywhere but north of Honshu. If you are going in August stick to Hokkaido. Although it will be hot in Sapporo for example, it won’t be as humid.

OK thanks for confirming.

chrishond wrote:

Plutus

I’m on the starter level (was given 3 months free).

I’ve already spent £250 which is the rewards cap.

Is there any benefit in still putting through more debit card spend?

Also my chosen perk is asda. Do I need to spend £10 there and get £10refunded as a perk?

No point in putting anything over the £250 onto your card, particularly if you have any other card which gives rewards! Plutus have shot themselves in the foot with new users / not on a tier. Even if you upgrade, rewards are severely constrained!

Yes you will need to spend £10 in an Asda (or online) and you will get this credited as PLU.
You could buy a gift card or anything really!

You need to make the Perk spend this month (today/tomorrow, it will reset to whatever you’ve selected for Feb), it will take a few days for the credit to show against your chosen perk (ie Asda this month)

@Aston100

My suggestion is that if you’re going to depart for home back from Tokyo, then I personally normally backload Tokyo, mainly because if you’re going to buy stuff from all the weird and wonderful places back to here, you’d be able to get it from Tokyo, the staff there will also be much more familiar with tax returns and stuff, and it’ll save you taking that large amount of luggage around with you.
For a first time visitor, it really depends on what you’re looking for but 3-4 days in Osaka, 2 days in Kyoto, 1 or 2 days in Hiroshima (the memorial is worth visiting but it’s not exactly an exciitng city – the new Hilton there is quite nice though.
If you’re planning to go that way, and you’re driving, then I’d also suggest visiting Shikoku, which is the large island south of Hiroshima, it’s a lot more traditional and the pacing a lot more relaxed.
As others have said, to escape the humidity, Hokkaido would be good, but just be aware that outside of the touristy area, you’re going to struggle with a language (although google translate helps a lot now)
My other suggestion if you’re really keen and opened about food is be open minded and go to a fish market that’s less touristy and just point and eat – it’ll be fun.
Depends on how much of a local experience you want as well, if you are going in Summer, you might want to look at the more local apartment type accommodations, they have washer dryers in the room and a kitchen – so it gives you the option to cook some of the wonderful things you see at supermarkets.
If you’re there for 3 weeks, also consider staying 1 or 2 nights at a Ryokan (traditional inn), it often includes breakfast and dinner and the food is often amazing an uses local ingredients – the ones around Mt Fuji would be foreginer friendly.
Hope the planning goes well and hoping that you’ll also enjoy it!

shub wrote:

For anyone staying at Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama around 16th Dec to 22 Dec, I would suggest to check the price again for a potential new booking.

The people’s champ!!