Pruhealth scrapping its free/discounted gym loophole in November. Discussion

Flib

Hmmm, I was just about to recommend PruHealth as the provider for our company PMI. I thought that if people wanted to join the gym, this was a great deal. The nearest gym to the office (in central London) is a Virgin Active and it costs £71 per month on PAYG or £64.95 on a 12 month contract. The company pays our premiums which is a taxable benefit. It seems that it's still possible to get some money off, just not the same kind of discounts as before??

brownbabygirl

jtcowie wrote: »

All I can say is a big thank you to moneysavingexpert.com for alerting me to the PruHealth deal a year ago - I would never have worked it all out myself.

It took me 8 months to get to Platinum status and I got a total of 3200 points over the whole year, so my premiums are down to just over £5 a month. Even during the first year, my premium was only two-thirds of what the gym alone would have cost. And I got £155 cashback when I joined PruHealth. I only went to the gym twice a week, but also got points from all the easy online stuff which other people have mentioned.

To answer the queries regarding maximum points in the Exercise category, I have just looked at last year's Vitality statement and I got a total of 1500 points in that category - made up of 200 for maintaining fitness rating; 690 for gym visits; 600 for two fitness assessments and 10 for the guide to routinetics (online I think). So, I think that the 1500 max for Exercise is right as I should have got 1040 points for gym visits (2 per week x 52 weeks x 10 points), but didn't get any more credited points past 690 points as I had reached the 1500 Exercise maximum by other means.

Once I got to Platinum status, I chose to spend £25 on a two-hour health screening at the Nuffield hospital in Cambridge. I think it was well worth the time and money - quite extensive and the opportunity to discuss any concerns with a doctor without feeling that there is a time pressure was great. The screening would normally have cost £400, so I thought it a bargain and very useful.

I also took the opportunity to visit Champneys at Henlow Grange with a friend at a big saving for both of us (I paid £35 she paid £95). You get a 25 minute massage included and, as we didn't take any additional treatments, it was a cheap 24 hour break. We found it very enjoyable - lots of classes to do if you wish, lovely pool and jacuzzi, excellent food and very relaxing environment. In fact, I now have friends queuing up to go as my guests!

So if you can get to Platinum status by November, I'd say go for it!

How does it work with bringing guests to Champneys. What percentage of the full price do they pay?

JonnyC_2

JonnyC wrote: »

Does anyone have a defintive answer on whether your billing is adjusted instantly/next billing month if you hit platinum after Nov 1st? If so, then in the whole scheme of things what's the big fuss about paying a bit extra until you do?

FYI - I spoke to Pruhealth and they confirmed that if you reach Platinum status after Nov 1st your platinum gym fee comes into effect in the next billing month.. no quarterly rubbish!

camaj

Redknapp wrote: »

Lady on the phone even told me in detail how to get to Platinum in 4months and that was with getting 150pts each for Gym and Fitbug per month.

I don't think you have a 150 point limit with fitbug. In theory you could get 10points every day on fitbug alone. However if you go to the maximum 15 times, you'd only be left with 16 days at most to use the fitbug since you can't use it on the same day as you go to the gym.

digispacedesigner

I'm off! Ditch the healthcare and find a better gym will work for me!

jtcowie

In reply to Brownbabygirl, the deal with Champneys is that a standard twin room is normally £219.95. If you are a Platinum member you get it for £35 and your guest pays £95. You can take up to three guests and go as often as you wish.

There are different rates if you are a Bronze, Silver or Gold member. It's also a bit more expensive if you go on a Saturday night and/or go to the Tring spa.

By the way, I also got points for having the Health Screening - 400 just for going and then some extra for having good blood pressure, etc.

Hope this helps.

brownbabygirl

jtcowie wrote: »

In reply to Brownbabygirl, the deal with Champneys is that a standard twin room is normally £219.95. If you are a Platinum member you get it for £35 and your guest pays £95. You can take up to three guests and go as often as you wish.

There are different rates if you are a Bronze, Silver or Gold member. It's also a bit more expensive if you go on a Saturday night and/or go to the Tring spa.

By the way, I also got points for having the Health Screening - 400 just for going and then some extra for having good blood pressure, etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that! You had the health screening AT Champneys?

I am 500 points from Platinum and yet to take my 2nd fitness test so this is something I look fwd to!:T

Money~Bunny_3

This isn't looking so good. I joined recently and even if I get maximum gym points and the screenings/assessments that I can reasonably do, I'm 400 points off Platinum. And I still have to pay £8 a month for the gym.

Ugh, I'm getting married in October and (with the confusing discrepancies and other stuff) I don't need all this hassle!

Maybe you have to be logged in to see this, but here's a PDF of the policy terms. https://insurance.pruhealth.co.uk/uk/prudential/download/acrobat/indiv_member_policy_doc.pdf
Under paragraph 6.6 on page 12, it says you can cancel at any time by writing, and they will cancel your policy 30 days after receipt of the letter. So I will need to send a letter at the end of September to cancel in time. I would send it recorded and follow up with a phone call.

I'm going to have to take up jogging

brownbabygirl

Money~Bunny wrote: »

This isn't looking so good. I joined recently and even if I get maximum gym points and the screenings/assessments that I can reasonably do, I'm 400 points off Platinum. And I still have to pay £8 a month for the gym.

Ugh, I'm getting married in October and (with the confusing discrepancies and other stuff) I don't need all this hassle!

Maybe you have to be logged in to see this, but here's a PDF of the policy terms. https://insurance.pruhealth.co.uk/uk/prudential/download/acrobat/indiv_member_policy_doc.pdf
Under paragraph 6.6 on page 12, it says you can cancel at any time by writing, and they will cancel your policy 30 days after receipt of the letter. So I will need to send a letter at the end of September to cancel in time. I would send it recorded and follow up with a phone call.

I'm going to have to take up jogging

if you will be taking up jogging anyway why not keep the health insurance membership and get fitbug as well. you can then cancel your gym membership and not have to pay the £8. i think the vitality partners (eurostar, champneys) may make it worthwhile. i guess it all depends...:D

Bargain_Rzl

Money~Bunny,

Have you had a look at how long it will take you to get to Platinum after November? As you say you joined recently I'm assuming your policy anniversary is at least six months away. If you have already had your first fitness assessment, completed your first stress questionnaire and meal plan (etc etc etc), then by November it'll only be a couple of months till you can do it all again (what with the "once per half year" limits on various activities).

If you are 400 points off platinum by the start of November, you'll obviously be on Gold at that point, and I'd expect it should only take you another couple of months to make up those 400 points and move into the Platinum bracket.

If you can afford those couple of months paying for the gym at Gold rate (and if the £8 a month thereafter is also affordable for you) I think you should find it's worth your while to stick with it