Chat thread – Monday 7th April
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Hilton Offer received on one our BAPP Cards. Will monitor to see if it eventually arrives on the other. It’s a pity that it only on until 4 July. I should have a use for it before then but would be pleased if the offer is extended until the end of August (wishful thinking!!)
Meantime, me & OH are off to DPS next weekend (IHG Sanur again), flying QR ex-EDI (presently in Economy with potential to upgrade) and looking to buy Noise cancelling headphones x 2 for this trip (and hopefully similar future Vacances) – (provided the Orange one hasn’t totally wiped out my pension!!..Ugh!!). Frankly, I am all ‘Amazoned-out’ with the choice and reviews of such headphones and would appreciate some help!! I know I have previously seen recommendations/comments in the forum in the past but have no idea where to find them! I am happy to receive any current top tips/advice/recommendations, if anyone has the time to point me in the right direction and thanks in anticipation!!
Oh, and finally, many thanks to all in the HfP community, whose help and insight has enabled me to (unexpectedly) achieve BA Silver just before the 31st March deadline and in time for our trip this weekend.
I agree with @Aston100 regarding the Bose QC45, that is what I use and they are very good indeed. They are available on Amazon for <£200 and similarly at Bose’s website but note that as a discontinued model these are certified refurbished.
The current model seems to be simply called Bose QuietComfort Headphones. I cannot readily see any difference and note that depending on when you need them, Bose regularly drop the price.
I pair mine with the Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter which plugs into the plane headphone socket and transmits to the Bose thus avoiding trailing cables.@Aston1000 @MGW & @inman. That is of immense help and cannot thank you all enough for taking the time to respond. Your suggestions have allowed me to focus and narrow down on what I want/need. I saw that the Sony MX4 has been reviewed as the best of the upper mid-range products. Forgive me for being non-tech savvy, but do I still need a Bluetooth transmitter for the plane? I’m on Amazon Prime and I’m happy that I’ll have delivery (possibly by tomorrow if I get my finger out!!🤣🤣).
@ToonFlyer, you’re welcome.The Bluetooth transmitter just means that you do not need to plug a cable between the plane headphone socket and your headphones. I find that an great improvement as I use the Bose even while asleep. But, it is not necessary.I did try one of the on ear Sony’s years ago and the sound/nose eddy toon were on a par with Bose but I found the over-ear QC 45 much more comfortable.
Over the years our kids have insisted on various cheapies of the NR variety via Amazon, none have been as good as Bose and none have proved durable.
looking to buy Noise cancelling headphones x 2 for this trip
Bose qc45 (SE version is pretty much the same thing) or Sony xm4 (xm5 have mixed opinions).
Aim to spend well under £200. There are often deals on both.
More expensive brands and models available but with diminishing returns. Those two are the sweet spot.Check out “nothing” ear buds.
Used the first release of them for a couple of years now with no problem
Thanks @tw33ty. I’ll have a look to see what they have to offer as I’ve not yet made any decision on what to buy.
@ToonFlyer, you are most welcome. We also really like the DT at NCL and stay there when visiting the NE even though we don’t fly from there! It’s probably the best value for money Hilton property we’ve ever stayed at, often under £100 pn, nice restaurant, lots of free drinks vouchers and of course such friendly staff.
Not that I’m partisan but have to agree with you. Even though we live on the coast (South Shields) we have found it both economic and convenient to stay at the NCL DT prior to taking early morning flights (pre 07:00). It works really well where the flight operator has a ‘twilight’ baggage drop, allowing us time park the car the night before and then time for a reasonably leisurely breakfast – which is available from about 04:00, before we simply cross the road into the terminal and pass through fast track security with little fuss!!👍👍)….
Oh, and yes, and they are good with the drinks vouchers as well!!🤪🤪🤣🤣@ToonFlyer, my earlier response seems to have disappeared.
You do not need the BT transmitter, I just find it better than having to plug a cable between the plane and the headphones, especially as I sleep with the QC45s on.
I did try the current Sony option years ago, it worked fine wrt sound quality and NC but I found them less comfortable than the Bose.
Bottom line is I don’t think you can go far wrong with either but avoid the Amazon cheapies, which we’ve found lack durability.
Personally, while I like NC earbuds for everyday use I find that I can get a whistle if I fall asleep with them on and apply pressure thereto. This seems to be related to breaking the seal between ear and bud and forcing the NC into overdrive.@jumpersforgoalposts Don’t lose heart. I gather airlines may be able to see your status before you’ve received your approval confirmaton as it’s possible the sending out of email confirmations/update to app/website(if there is one) only happens at certain times but the approval may have been done.
Depends on the country and tbe airline of course but Good Luck.
How come Avios costs suddenly shot up? Using my barclays upgrade voucher a CW for PE cost for 2 people 1 way to CPT/JNB was until today 95000 Avios + £475, it has suddenly become 135000 + £475. Any ideas? Dont worry I figured it out – they have switched to 4 days of peak pricing but is there really that much difference peak vs off peak?
How come Avios costs suddenly shot up? Using my barclays upgrade voucher a CW for PE cost for 2 people 1 way to CPT/JNB was until today 95000 Avios + £475, it has suddenly become 135000 + £475. Any ideas? Dont worry I figured it out – they have switched to 4 days of peak pricing but is there really that much difference peak vs off peak?
Yeah – it’s nuts. If these are the dates that you need to fly and they have availability then it is what it is but the relative value for a Barclays voucher vs Amex is really poor on peak days. In my head, one Barclays voucher = half the value of one Amex voucher but that is only really on off-peak days with the value being close to one third on peak days.
So South Africa is:
30,000 / 35,000 Economy
47,500 / 67,500 WT+
90,000 / 100,000 BusinessSo the saving you get using the voucher falls from 42,500 Avios per person to 32,500 if you travel on a peak date vs off peak and the absolute cost in Avios jumps a lot as you note.
The difference is even bigger for Singapore which I have just used a Barclays voucher to get to. I saved 100,000 Avios on the four of us for the one way flight by flying on Thursday rather than Friday.
How come Avios costs suddenly shot up? Using my barclays upgrade voucher a CW for PE cost for 2 people 1 way to CPT/JNB was until today 95000 Avios + £475, it has suddenly become 135000 + £475. Any ideas? Dont worry I figured it out – they have switched to 4 days of peak pricing but is there really that much difference peak vs off peak?
You’ve answered your own question. The cost hasn’t shot up, the PE cost has always been 95K off peak and 135K peak.
Apologies as a bit off-topic, but does anyone use Trading 212 for their ISA, was wondering how easy it is to withdraw money if you need it? (probably won’t but who knows).
Great platform, you get daily updates on interest payments, I’ve just topped up my allowance for another year. You can withdraw without penalty same day if you need to.
Beware, there are some companies giving a bonus for the first few months, but then the interest drops well below the standard rate.
Thank for the feedback @Gordon. I’ve been reading MSE as wanted to try something different incase this is the last year we are able to take out a 20K account. I will be aware of the ones with three month bonus lead in & then drop. Normally do a bog standard FRISA.
@Misty – Your welcome, an example is Money box below, the headline rate looks good, until you look a little more into it! After 3 months the underlying rate drops 0.3 below that Trading 212.
I’m afraid it does look like this will be the last chance to invest £20k in a tax free ISA.
@Gordon Thank you for the link, Yes unfortunately I think they may become extinct, only time will tell.
Good morning from Boppard and specifically the Bellevue Rheinhotel which is like stepping back into the 50s, both in design and service. There are six normal hangars, toilet paper is of good quality but once again no kettle, the worst part is a not entirely opaque bathroom door which really doesn’t fit the decor of the room. Fortunately, there is a nice balcony overlooking the Rhein where one can sit as the other ‘sits’. Cost for half-board which included a four-course meal in the Bristol restaurant was €225 a night which is now £5 more thanks to The D.
How about the pillows? My pet peev with most hotels in Germany is their pillows either being huge and square (so you have to fold them in half to form a sort of normal pillow shape) or the long super thin ones (which you have to double up to make a normal thickness pillow).
Make sure to go up the chairlift and drink some local wine. Maybe not at the same time though…
@elguiri Single square pillow but I brought my own too in anticipation, lots of local wine drunk and I didn’t see a chairlift? Maybe the wine clouded my vision in addition to my judgement?
@elguiri Single square pillow but I brought my own too in anticipation, lots of local wine drunk and I didn’t see a chairlift? Maybe the wine clouded my vision in addition to my judgement?
it’s called Sesselbahn Boppard – however just checking the website, it looks like it’s closed (for winter?). Well done for planning ahead with the pillow !
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