The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 26th March

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We have decided to run this new daily chat thread on Head for Points.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the defacto repository for random comments and questions. It is unlikely that the news flow will be so big over the next few weeks that we will need many ‘Bits’ articles, however.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind. At this tricky time, and given that many of you are stuck at home self-isolating, we want the HFP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article. This has long-term benefits as its keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

We will review how this works after a few days:

we could potentially split it into a daily travel and non-travel chat thread

we may install some basic forum software

we may start suggesting potential topics for daily discussion

Let’s see how it goes.

We will do a separate article in a day or so about how we plan to run the site over the next few weeks. Take care!

Category

General

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Peter says:

26 Mar26 March 11:58

I have a booking tomorrow night from LHR to SIN and just can’t get through to BA to get refund. I call 02032500145 that gives automated response then just cuts out. Any suggestions how I can speak with a customer service agent?
- Shoestring says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 12:35
  
  if it’s a points booking you can cancel online see the workaround thread
- AJA says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 12:42
  
  Try 0191 246 3933 or 0191 490 7901 Those are the numbers I have for BA’s Newcastle call centre
- Lady London says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 22:58
  
  Do yourself a favour and when you get through, ask them is the flight definitely running. First. This might just save you a cancellation fee. SIN may be one of the routes still running though.
Jaff says:

26 Mar26 March 12:43

Researching fir a trip to Taiwan when all this is over! Some good J class fares on Asiana (a350) and Korean Air (747-8) via ICN.

Assuming both survive the next few months. Wondering if anyone has flown either recently and which would they choose?

Love the queen of the skies but never flown the a350 so torn at the mo!
- Lady London says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 23:00
  
  A350 unless you’re a 747 specialist.
  - Lady London says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 23:01
    
    Personally I would do SQ on whatever they’re running.
Pangolin says:

26 Mar26 March 12:52

Question about travel insurance vs. S75.

The insurer says try I must try chargeback on my CC first, before making any claim.

The credit card company says I must go through the insurer first, before making a chargeback.

Which one is telling porkies?
- Polly says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 13:13
  
  Would think chargeback is last resort, why else would we take out insurance. Think insurance companies are obs hurting, so passing the buck to the credit card companies.
  - Charlieface says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 16:25
    
    Credit card is lying. They are jointly and severally liable together with the AIRLINE, not the insurance.
- the_real_a says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 16:45
  
  Chargeback is not S75. Chargeback is Visa/Mastercard`s own process for return of monies due to contract not fulfilled.
  
  I am no stranger to complaints processes, and small claims courts – but every-time i have issued a charge-back its been successful and instantaneous. From a practical perspective you really should issue a charge-back in the first instance. You can always follow up with S75 later for consequential loss.
  
  My view is that your insurance is correct in this instance to ask for a charge back first. And its practical and quick to do so. Dont muddle chargeback and S75.
  - Pangolin says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 17:08
    
    Thanks. It’s Amex though, not Mastercard or Visa. Does that change anything?
    - the_real_a says:
      
      26 Mar26 March 17:53
      
      Firstly – is your AMEX a credit card or charge card? Only credit card versions are applicable for S75. But Amex also have a chargeback process – usually instantaneously. Key words are “Chargeback for breach of contract please!”
      
      If they refuse, demand they put that response in writing – either voluntarily or via an official complaint, then use that for insurance purposes. If insurance is declined then ombudsman complaint against both insurance/amex and let them sort out who is liable. Finally if your Amex is a credit card (not charge) then make S75 claim. I always prefer S75 as a last resort as it has the greatest chance to be legally defended. The other routes are generally signed off by junior staff who can fix your problem for under £1k or £5k type of manager.
      
      But now is the time to start collecting the paperwork and proofs.
      - Pangolin says:
        
        26 Mar26 March 18:26
        
        It’s the PRG, so a credit card.
      - Pangolin says:
        
        26 Mar26 March 18:26
        
        And thanks for the great advice 🙂
AlanC says:

26 Mar26 March 13:07

Email from Emirates that EDI to DXB 5th April cancelled. 4 seats paid by Amex Starwood card. Email says to get in touch within 3 days of departure. Best process for a refund? Cheers
- Harry T says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 14:42
  
  Ring within three days of departure
RD says:

26 Mar26 March 13:23

Hotels.com reward expiry? Anyone heard if they will be extending expiry, I have slowly been building up a reasonable balance on hotels.com rewards, however they will expire in June if I don’t earn or spend before then. Is there any news on whether they will be pausing expiry like other chains?
- Genghis says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 13:46
  
  Nothing has been announced. Closer to the time, book a cheapie in Laos etc (assuming still operating) and cross your fingers
- Rob says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 14:24
  
  Book a £3 hostel in Bangladesh for tomorrow night.
  - RD says:
    
    27 Mar27 March 00:25
    
    Thx, I had always assumed you had to stay to get the benefit.
    - Genghis says:
      
      27 Mar27 March 01:05
      
      You’re meant to.
- Liz says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 20:53
  
  I booked a hostel in Edinburgh for last week for £11 which reset my date till next year.
BeardFatigue says:

26 Mar26 March 13:24

Anyone know how long refunds take to hit card from QR? Was flying OSL-DOH-BKK but self-cancelled and took the hit.
- Polly says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 13:30
  
  QR allow you to defer a flight for a fee around £400. Only found that out by chance when we had a funeral that might have made us change our plans. They were very helpful. It was useful to know this for any future bookings.
  Think you have to allow a couple of weeks in the current sit.
  - BeardFatigue says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 13:42
    
    Thanks Polly – yes, offered £600 to move out at the time plus fare increase as we were on the cheapest bus ticket.
koroleon says:

26 Mar26 March 14:29

What are my options for a very delayed refund? I cancelled an Avios award booking (booked with the Lloyds voucher) 4 weeks ago and I still haven’t received anything, not even a confirmation email. The call centre is useless. Can’t go through my credit card (not even sure that’s an option) as it wouldn’t get me the miles. Any ideas?
- GeorgeJ says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 14:53
  
  Koroleon,
  Same situation from week past Tuesday, though they warned that it might take some time, not too worried as long as it actually happens, though a month delay sounds excessive. Best I can suggest is give them a call and make sure it is still outstanding and hasn’t gone into limbo (which is what I will do). Incidentally even when they are very busy the US number seems to work (and actually routes to Ireland so doesn’t cost the earth).
  Interesting to compare with BA where I had to unwind some cancelled bookings today and email was with me as we spoke, pretty impressed at speed and overall helpfulness (Newcastle centre of course).
Ben says:

26 Mar26 March 14:47

OT. BA just lowered my TP threshold by 30% so ill be Gold for another year. Lets just hope I get to use it.
- planeconcorde says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 14:56
  
  Did you request this or have you benefited from a blanket policy change?
  - planeconcorde says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 15:03
    
    Found it, a blanket change.
    
    https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/executive-club/tiers-and-benefits#flexibility
    - jack says:
      
      26 Mar26 March 15:27
      
      Not exactly overly generous… would not cost them much to make a simple, bigger gesture. But then one only needs to look at how they treat their staff, thoughts especially with Mixed Fleet crew. No doubt their staff will have to agree to all sorts of “temporary” cuts in pay and conditions to get through this crisis.
- Will in SFO says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 15:01
  
  According to another site BAEC members have been emailed today to say that anyone for renewal in April, May or June is having their TP threshold lowered by 30%. No one in my family of four- two of whom have their tier point year expiring in May and are silver currently- have had the email.
  - Ben says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 15:08
    
    Yes, they sent me the same email. Mine was due on the 8th April.
    
    No it wasnt a request, just got the email out the blue.
    - Isobel Brown says:
      
      26 Mar26 March 15:10
      
      Renewal date 8th April. Got email too.
  - Sunguy says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 15:16
    
    8th May – got the email and got the TP 🙂
    - Stu N says:
      
      26 Mar26 March 15:19
      
      Got the email, am on the right side of the cut too so will retain gold despite cancellations.
      
      Just hope there’s somewhere to fly to…
- Cathy says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 15:59
  
  I’ve had the same email, my year ends 8th June
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  26 Mar26 March 16:05
  
  So my wife is Silver, has 1,280 Tier Points and her year ends next month.
  
  She’ll become Gold next month? At least we get something out of it!
  
  I’m only sat on 320 Tier Points with cancelled flights so no Silver for me this year 🙁
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    26 Mar26 March 20:45
    
    I don’t know I was silver and re-qualified for Silver already TP year ends May and I got the email but not mention of 30% less tp just that any vouchers I have have been extended by 6 months.