SS255

My hotel is booked, so you can add me to the confirmed list. I also tried to apply a suite upgrade which is expiring tomorrow, and was told no go on the group rate. I have e-mailed Piotr.

Yoshi212

For a fool like me that would like to book a suite flat out can it be done directly and then I can just call the hotel to have the reservation marked that I'm part of the DO so that I can still attend events?

price123

You have to book on the group rate. If you email, the reservation will be made directly into a suite. Alternatively, I can make it for you if you provide necessary details by PM or email.

You could try making the upgrade using daily rate and a suite upgrade certificate and then asking the hotel to change the rate, but until working hours, I can't ask whether this will be ok.

qbrain

Suite upgrade applied this morning (Texas time) by contacting Piotr via email yesterday afternoon. Thanks for the contact info.

travelkid

Just a heads up you need to use the code under corp rate, and not under special offer code.

travelkid

What nights pre/post DO can the code be used for?

price123

Good question and will need to check the contract later. I think last year was 2 days either side so likely the same this year.

travelkid

Took less than 5 minutes to have the expiring suite upgrade confirmed by e-mail during office hours^

Pat89339

Received a response to my email and a suite upgrade has been applied. Thanks! Since I have the hotel reservation buttoned up, you might as well switch me over to confirmed, barring any subsequent conflict of course.

Pinky

I received a prompt email from Piotr and the hotel confirming the suite upgrade was applied.

SS255

Piotr confirmed my suite upgrade, too. ^ Fun times!

price123

We have now (at last) got the cancellation policy correct on the Hyatt website, so I am happy for anyone else to book now.

We are still in contact with Virgin Atlantic, to see whether they would be interested in providing an activity once again. I think everyone really enjoyed last year's safety training.

Alternatively, there will be a new Aviation Experience opening in London, so we would foresee using a river taxi to get there and having a look around. As it's not yet open there is little information about it, but we would approach the owners to try to negotiate a reduced entrance fee.

For Friday evening, Frequent_Flyer1 has kindly booked a private room at 4030, the Gherkin. This has a capacity of 16 people and offers great views over the capital. The food is also high quality and I would allow around 50 GBP ahead. Let me know if you wish to come. Dining at 4030 is one of the benefits of American Express Platinum or Centurion mebership (through the concierge) as the restaurant is otherwise for private members only, therefore this would be a good option to try it out for anyone wondering about taking out the card.

American Express UK have once again generously offered to sponsor the dinner on the Saturday evening. I'm sure everyone agrees that this was one of the highlight's of last year's event.

We have started collecting prizes for the draw/raffle. Currently, we are undecided on how this will work but I will give out more information nearer the time. Prizes will be from Hyatt Hotels and Resorts around the World once more.

Brituchenite

Can you add me as a definite! Hotel room booked. Flight from USA booked! Looking forward to spending some time in London and back at the lovely Churchill HOtel!

price123

Despite having requested bonus points for the event since last October, Hyatt have definitely said now that they will not provide any promotion. It has not been ruled out for last year but due cannot occur this year.

As such, we will partially waive the 2-night minimum stay requirement, as we understand people may want to stay elsewhere or hotel hop with the Andaz to increase stays. However, we still encourage staying at the Churchill as they treated us well last year and last year's attendees received special amenities in the room each night.

Therefore, if you stay for just 1 night on the group rate, you may attend any events on that day, except for taking part in the prize draw.

If you stay 2 nights or more on the group rate, you may attend all events regardless of whether you are staying at the Churchill on that night (i.e. you could stay at the Churchill Friday and Saturday night, but may still attend the champagne reception on Thursday).

In order to be entered into the prize draw, you need to have 2 nights on the group rate at the Churchill. We would like suggestions for how to play the prize draw this year - same as last year with everyone receives a prize and donations requested; paid tickets for the draw but limited to 1 per person; a secret or non secret auction? What would you find best? We will be raising money for St Martin-in-the-Fields charity for homeless people once again.

Also, what was most popular in the goody bags? We know which was most valuable but maybe that doesn't coincide with what was most appreciated?

If anyone local wishes to come to the American Express focus group (expected on Friday morning), let me know and I will try to arrange something in return.

Pinky

I booked my hotel but as I just switched firms this week I need to find out if I can take off work in Oct to make this event. Will know more soon but I would like to go.