The new HFP chat thread – Monday 20th 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/2020/04/20/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-monday-20th-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.

BJ says:

20 Apr20 April 11:00

Travel insurance datapoint: Nationwide FlexPlus (provideed by UK Travel Insurance) advised this morning over the phone that any trips booked after 18 March will not be covered for Covid-19 (including medical cover) until WHO declassifies the outbreak as a pandemic. Not really sure where this will leave us if epidemics subsequently remain in some countries. Time to try and find policies with more explicit written cover details I think.
Oli W says:

20 Apr20 April 11:14

Does anyone know how long KLM are taking to process refund requests? Thanks
- Lady London says:
  
  21 Apr21 April 02:57
  
  Theyre not. Give them one reasonable attempt and take it to your cardco for section 75 refund or chargeback after 7 days if they cancelled your flight.
Crafty says:

20 Apr20 April 11:23

OT: Having waited the specified period for my Ryanair refund, I’ve now received an email offering a voucher instead. Obviously this is taking the P – the form I filled in was explicitly for a refund, they are just playing for time.

I am sure I saw on here a maximum number of days that airlines may take to give a refund once it’s been lawfully requested – perhaps under EC261? – but can’t find it by googling. I’d appreciate it if anyone who knows this information can share. My plan would be to use it in a chargeback request, to show I have exhausted recourse with the airline.
- Phil says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 11:46
  
  Technically they should refund in 7 days. I have received the same Ryanair voucher email, contrary to my refund request 4 weeks ago. Therefore, I have disputed the charge with Amex and they have already closed the case in my favour.
  - AndyGWP says:
    
    20 Apr20 April 15:38
    
    Likewise just had that email
    
    I’m going to try and get in touch with them, then will also take this route of chargeback via. credit card.
    
    The original email stated they would refund within 20 working days… I’m on day 17 so I was going to wait a few more days anyways
    - AndyGWP says:
      
      20 Apr20 April 16:28
      
      I tried… they’re being un-reasonable. Section 75 it is then!
  - Crafty says:
    
    20 Apr20 April 16:29
    
    Thanks, opening mine now, hopefully as straightforward!
    - AndyGWP says:
      
      20 Apr20 April 16:49
      
      I only just did it, but my Amex claim was approved pretty much immediately 🙂
stuart says:

20 Apr20 April 11:36

i’d,like some help from flyertalk helper if anyone can point me in the right direction. actually looking to give BA some money with booking the return leg of an avios reward but unable to talk to call centre.

can anyone help out from BA pls ?
- Rob says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 11:42
  
  They can’t do that for you. All they can do is trigger or chase refunds.
Phil says:

20 Apr20 April 11:44

Thought you might be interested in my experience with Ryanair:

21/3 – Ryanair cancel flights scheduled for 2/4 & 7/4.

23/3 – Submitted refund request, back to original payment card, using Ryanair online request form.

28/3 – Ryanair advise there will be delays to processing refunds.

8/4 – Ryanair once again advise there will be delays to processing refunds.

20/4 – Ryanair send me a voucher instead of refunding to my payment card and are now advising that cash refunds won’t be processed until the Covid-19 crisis is over.

20/4 – I’ve raised a dispute with American Express online and they’ve already closed the case in my favour.

Unfortunately, I suspect raising Credit Card disputes is the only likely way of getting your money back from Ryanair in the next few months.
- Crafty says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 16:35
  
  Almost identical timeline here, raising the dispute as we speak.
NickAnon says:

20 Apr20 April 11:44

My Virgin flight to Hong Kong has completely vanished from my itinerary. I booked with points 2 one way flights and the return leg is still there. I was looking to get it changed to open ticket, but cant do that if it docent exist anymore! Any ideas?
- Lady London says:
  
  21 Apr21 April 02:50
  
  Go back and retrieve your original booking confirmation out of your email.
  - NickAnon says:
    
    22 Apr22 April 11:01
    
    I have the email but how does that help me?
ed says:

20 Apr20 April 11:51

Hi. Might of missed this elsewhere, but can someone advise regarding Accor scheme points expiry with Covid-19 please? Thanks
- Roy says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 13:01
  
  Check the expiry date in your account. Mine got reset when they credited me with the extra status points and nights. Maybe that was only for people with status though – not sure.
- Ian says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 13:39
  
  I think the points still reset after a year’s inactivity and the status year is still the calendar year but I received an email generously (I think) crediting my account with half the status points and nights I would have needed to renew at my current status level. This was about a month ago.
  - Ed says:
    
    20 Apr20 April 15:30
    
    Thanks Ian and Roy!
  - Roy says:
    
    21 Apr21 April 08:36
    
    Right. I got that email. And when the status points hit, it also had the side effect of resetting the points expiry date shown in my account to one year from the day the status points hit.
    
    That wasn’t mentioned in the email so may not have been intended, though.
D says:

20 Apr20 April 12:02

My Virgin Atlantic card was issued on April 30th. I’ve just attempted to cancel ahead of my next renewal, however the annual fee was charged on April 3rd for the forthcoming year. Virgin are refusing to refund this as it already appeared on my statement and I’ve made purchases after that date, even though the entire year has not passed. Anyone had this problem and any advice on how to overcome it?
- Louise says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 13:38
  
  Yes, i told them my year wasnt up until end of the month, so i just paid off my balance (not the fee) and told them to cancel card, it was passed to another deprtment to do
- Dezbez says:
  
  20 Apr20 April 20:58
  
  That seems particularly harsh. I would be inclined to call them back saying they are in breach of TCF (Treating Customers Fairly) requirements and that their approach to Conduct leaves something to be desired, and you demand a refund. Then if that fails, raise a formal complaint with the threat you’ll go to the FOS ( this currently costs companies £550 irrespective of the outcome so there’s every incentive to for them settle).