The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 2nd April

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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.

By default, HFP shows the last page of comments under the article. If you want to see the first page of comments and read them all from beginning to end in order, click here: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/04/02/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-thursday-2nd-april/comment-page-1 The page will refresh with this article but the comments will now show the first page and not the last page.

We will continue to monitor how this is working:

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. Take care!

Category

General

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

r* says:

2 Apr2 April 09:50

A few months ago someone asked me to make a booking for them via Opodo which has then been cancelled. Opodo are making it impossible to actually contact them for a refund, their phone line is trying to force a voucher and then hanging up. It was booked on Amex, would it be valid to contact amex and try to issue a chargeback?
- Cat says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 10:54
  
  I would, Opodo CS are dreadful.
Mike the pike says:

2 Apr2 April 09:59

Transferring points from Virgin to Hilton – seems that you have to call 0344 412 2414. is this what others have done, or am I looking in the wrong place.
- TripRep says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 10:04
  
  Go to the Virgin website and double check contact details,
  https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/contact-flying-club.html
  
  there’s a txt msg service which should be easier than being on the phone don’t trust any number other than what’s on the official website
- Mike the pike says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 10:12
  
  I’ve also noticed one of my account has my middle initial, the other doesnt.
  Seems to imply both should match – has this caught anyone out, or did it work ok?
- ankomonkey says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 13:58
  
  Hey! That’s my sister’s number!
  - P says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 14:36
    
    Hey, that’s my mistress’ number!
Bentoni says:

2 Apr2 April 10:10

Just for a data point:

Requested to have my Virgin FC points transferred To IHG on Saturday, the points are now posted in my IHG account.
M Lyon says:

2 Apr2 April 10:20

I have a question about Marriott elite night credits from cards. I currently hold the old creation Marriott card that grants me 10 credit nights a year. If i apply for the AMEX bonvoy card, will this stack to 25, or will it be capped at 15 nights? Also, if i take the AMEX bonvoy now, will i receive the 15 nights at point of registration or at the beginning of next year?
- Bentoni says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 10:45
  
  I believe this has been answered before – there is a cap of 15 night credits from credit cards.
  
  So it won’t stack.
  - M Lyon says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 11:18
    
    Thanks, i did try to search for the answer, but without a dedicated forum section, its not easy. I did see in the US, that you can stack nights, but this is only for those that have a business and personal version of the Bonvoy card
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      2 Apr2 April 11:52
      
      You used to be able to stack them but the USA cards now all = a max of 15 nights
      
      Marriot may not have been so clever with the UK and its possible if you have a USA and UK card they stack all depends how good the IT coding is.
      
      But as per the T&C’s they are not *meant* to stack.
Pete C says:

2 Apr2 April 10:35

Hi all, I have a 2-4-1 booking for later this year that may yet need to be cancelled, and I no longer hold an Amex card. When I go to rebook, will I need to take out an Amex to pay the taxes & fees, or can my travel companion use their Amex to pay these, even though the 2-4-1 voucher is in my name?
- Secret Squirrel says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 11:46
  
  I believe you can use any Amex so one in the name of the other person would be fine.
  - AJA says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 12:40
    
    + 1
  - Pete C says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 13:16
    
    Fab, thanks both
  - Charlieface says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 15:51
    
    Technically the Amex offer to be in your name, but Amex don’t do name verification so just put your own name on someone else’s card.
Nat says:

2 Apr2 April 10:38

Anyone managed/know a number to book new flights for later in the year with BA currently (its 2-4-1 voucher different split legs + infant so cant be done online). Appreciate many people looking to change flights at current, would have thought given current market a resource allocated to new bookings for later in the year? Obviously the longer left, the less avaiability.
David S says:

2 Apr2 April 11:28

About to cancel my BA flights to Greece in June. Was booked in March, so should get a voucher with 12 months validity. Can I use the voucher value against a 2-4-1 Avios redemption to pay the taxes and carrier imposed charges?
- AJA says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 13:42
  
  Yes this is possible. I also understand that if the voucher is for more than the value of the future booking you will get the difference refunded in a further voucher.
Graeme says:

2 Apr2 April 12:01

Re. hotels.com refunds – has anyone had a Coronavirus-related refund that included a Rewards Night? I’ve got the option to cancel my Easter stay but it only shows the cash amount, not the value of the Rewards Night.

Thanks all.
- mr_jetlag says:
  
  2 Apr2 April 12:03
  
  You get the rewards night back, same value. I didn’t trust it to the website though, and called to cancel.
  - Graeme says:
    
    2 Apr2 April 12:09
    
    Blimey, a two minute wait for the perfect reply! Thank you. I was hoping to be able to avoid calling (for my sake and theirs), but I suppose I’ll have to.
    
    Thanks again.
    - Liz says:
      
      2 Apr2 April 12:51
      
      I cancelled my bookings online and one was a rewards night and I got all the rewards back no problem and refunds came through in a few days.
      - Graeme says:
        
        2 Apr2 April 14:16
        
        Thanks Liz. When you were looking at the cancellation screen, can you remember if it was just showing the cash element of the booking? I wouldn’t know I’d used a Rewards Night looking at that screen.
      - Liz says:
        
        2 Apr2 April 19:57
        
        Cant remember what it looked like but I knew it was a reward booking because I had a printed copy of the booking. It should show in your booking history which one was the reward booking.
      - Graeme says:
        
        2 Apr2 April 20:51
        
        I know which one is the Rewards Night, it’s just that it doesn’t show on the booking/cancellation page (it was one of three nights). Anyway – I cancelled online and it reappeared instantly, cash to follow within 30 days. Thanks Liz!