The new HFP chat thread – Wednesday 15th April

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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/2020/04/15/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-wednesday-15th-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.

aDifferentSimon says:

15 Apr15 April 12:36

RE:Curve verification
I’m not getting the in app verification notifications so can’t use it at the moment. Last used it on 31/3. Anyone else?
I’ve updated the app.
- Genghis says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 13:01
  
  Me too. Been like this for a couple of days now. I updated iOS and the app but still not coming through. Hmm.
- Peter K says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 13:37
  
  Someone said the other day to leave the curve app open and then make the purchase. It works then IIRC.
  - Genghis says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 13:40
    
    It was me that advised that. It’s since been playing up. They’re messing around with Curve Fronted so perhaps that’s it?
  - BJ says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 14:28
    
    That’s the way I’ve always used Curve as I like to keep the card locked when not using it. I open app and unlock card, complete transaction, watch it track, lock card, close app. Never had any problems.
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 15:04
  
  Not been working for me for a few days.
  
  Seems to work for my wife though… I’ve not had any Curve notifications for a few days despite playing with settings etc.
  
  There is a bunch of people complaining on the Curve forums so I expect it’s being worked on…
  - aDifferentSimon says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 21:06
    
    Thanks, I’ll keep an eye on it .
J says:

15 Apr15 April 12:49

When I eventually get through to BA, I presume the refund goes back to the original payment, in my case an Amex? Has anyone experience of Amex transferring a balance by bank transfer instead of a cheque? Thanks
- boo282 says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 13:54
  
  Yes, they are able to send refunds back (on cancelled cards) via bank transfer. That’s what I’ve had done for a refund from BA.
  - J says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 13:58
    
    Thank you! Also anyone struggling to get through to BA, I quickly got through calling their German number, +494215575758, press 2 for English. I was calling from Germany but assume number still works from the UK.
Pierre says:

15 Apr15 April 13:41

I’m in a very similar situation. Avios redemption flights booked direct with iberia, into Madrid, and then on a separate booking from there on to Peru.
I called iberia on 23/Mar, was on hold for a good hour and a half I think before getting through.
I would suggest calling the ‘avios’ line direct – I initially called the CS line and was told they cannot help, for some reason. Be aware that this is a local Spanish nr, I used Skype credit to make the call: +34 91 774 2607.

Refunds agreed without an issue. But so far I’ve only had the avios refunded for the long-haul flight, and none of the cash has yet arrived, over 3 weeks later.
I’m not chasing again though, I suspect we just need to sit tight, the funds will eventually come through.
rams1981 says:

15 Apr15 April 13:47

BA call centre only dealing with refunding flights due to go in next 72 hours even though they have cancelled the flights already. What a poor level of customer service hoarding the cash and not allowing refunds online or by phone.
- Heathrow Flyer says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 15:01
  
  False – they will process any refund if you speak to an agent.
  
  Try the 0207 number for the UAE on ba.com
  - rams1981 says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 15:18
    
    That is what an agent told me when I got through.
    - Heathrow Flyer says:
      
      15 Apr15 April 18:36
      
      Strange. I just got a refund of a LHR – VIE ticket for the end of May after calling at 14:00 today.
    - Hugh says:
      
      15 Apr15 April 20:05
      
      I had that on Sunday. Hung up, rang again and got through to a really helpful agent who was more than happy to help!
      - rams1981 says:
        
        15 Apr15 April 22:45
        
        Thanks, good to know. Will try again
Venturelog says:

15 Apr15 April 14:20

Hello, hope someone can provide info. I recently changed my flight plans (Covid19) when i had to leave earlier than expected from Athens. As it was a busy time i wasn’t able to speak to BA to get them to change the flight date. I waited on my original return flight to be cancelled so i could claim a full refund. It never happened as flight still went ahead. I cancelled just before it departed and applied for a voucher. Unfortunately the voucher application was rejected as journey was started. Instead, it seems like they have said that the remaining part is kept open. If i do book it on another date, would the flight be booked with additional costs (fees or price difference)? I don’t mind visiting Athens again for a short trip. Thank you
- AJA says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 14:51
  
  Are you sure you have the ability to use your return flight towards a future flight? I thought flights not flown were just forfeited if the original flight still operated. As you rightly say the e-voucher is only available if you have not yet flown or the flight is cancelled. You cannot get a voucher if you have already started your journey. Does it still show up in MMB? If you do, by some quirk, have the ability to change the flight from Athens to another date it will be subject to any fare change even if you book the same booking class..
  - Venturelog says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 15:03
    
    Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the website and app both crash when viewing bookings.
    The email “ We have however updated your reservation accordingly, keeping the remaining part of your ticket open for future use. When you are ready to rebook, please contact the British Airways contact centre who will be able to make the change to your booking. Please retain your booking reference as well as your ticket number(s)” Has anyone else had this?
meta says:

15 Apr15 April 14:35

New tactics from BA to push you to accept the voucher. This is the second email I received regarding this flight. Flights still haven’t been cancelled.

—

You’re booked to travel with us in May. However, due to the ongoing situation with coronavirus, we will be continuing with our temporary suspension of flights on this route for part of May and then moving to a reduced service. As a result, your flight may be one of those cancelled.

Flights in your booking that may be at risk of cancellation…

To check if your flight is still operating, please go to http://www.ba.com/mmb.

For information on how to request a refund, please visit our coronavirus information page on http://www.ba.com.
- LB says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 15:34
  
  I had the same email today but have just received my refund for the same (BA cancelled) flight.
AndyK says:

15 Apr15 April 14:51

Requested Virgin Miles transfer to Hilton via Whatsapp. Miles left the account on Apr 9th.
I just got an email asking for all these extra details like DOB, addresses, emails, last flight taken.
What if I ignore the email? Will they complete the transfer? Or return the miles back to the account?
- Heathrow Flyer says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 15:02
  
  Why not just reply like the rest of us did?
  
  No reply = no Hilton points.
- Blindman says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 15:04
  
  Reply to it, as it is legit.
  - Mr(s) Entitled says:
    
    15 Apr15 April 19:27
    
    I had to provide name, Virgin account number, date of birth, address and Hilton account number via text. Miles moved without issue in about a week.
    - Rob says:
      
      15 Apr15 April 19:29
      
      According to one I got today for a flight refund, you need to reconfirm when it is over 24 hours from the time to your text to the time it is dealt with.
Heathrow Flyer says:

15 Apr15 April 15:03

Anyone got any experience of a Hotels.com cancellation booked using Tesco CC vouchers in Covid times? What can I expect?
- BLT says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 17:17
  
  Phone Tesco CC, they should refund the clubcard points back to your account. You can then cancel hotels.com booking.
- Rob says:
  
  15 Apr15 April 18:44
  
  Yes, a reader had one. Clubcard vouchers are lost. However, reader contacted Tesco and Tesco credited the points back as a goodwill gesture.