The new HFP chat thread – Wednesday 22nd April

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• Neil Murray says:

  22 Apr22 April 11:33

  Thought some HFP people would like to know. I had to call BA to sort a refund for a cancelled flight: 15,500 Avios plus that nominal £1 charge offer they did recently. So unlikely to break them. I did offer to waive the £1 refund, though.
  Anyway, I also asked about rolling over my Gold status, which I was easily going to hit this year before…
  My year expires in late August, so doesn’t fall within the automatic rollover that they recently announced.
  However, I was told that as I’ve been Gold for more than five years, amassing the correct amount of TPs every time, my status should be “automatically” extended for 12 months. But I was advised to call nearer the date, just to check.
  What criteria they’re applying I don’t know – perhaps someone who has just made Gold for one year would be bumped down. But five years’ continuous status is obviously being taken seriously. Makes sense: when flying returns, you don’t want to piss off your top customers and send them running to Star Alliance, do you?

  • Doug M says:

    22 Apr22 April 11:56

    Neil, everyone’s BAEC TP year ends on the 8th of a month, and the status lasts until the last day of the following month. The late August remark is a little confusing.

• CaptainAnonymous says:

  22 Apr22 April 11:38

  Any data points on Amex chargeback timelines?

  Was due to fly oo Sri Lankan to MLE a month ago, paid J tickets. Flight was cancelled and I filed a refund request but have seen no evidence they are actually processing refunds. Call centre is impossible to reach.

  I initiated an Amex chargeback online 2 weeks ago under goods/services not received. Since then, haven’t seen any status change or request for further documentation.

  • Richard says:

    22 Apr22 April 22:38

    Try messaging them on securechat and see what they say. I had a credit balance, although not caused by a chargeback, refunded to me in 6 days that hit my current account today – so they clearly still have refund proccessing capability in some form working ok.

• RK says:

  22 Apr22 April 11:54

  Quick Question: Is anyone else struggling to log into their IHG account?

  • Genghis says:

    22 Apr22 April 12:09

    Yes. Locked out for 30 mins. App working Ok though.

    • RK says:

      22 Apr22 April 13:13

      Thanks Ghenghis, I was locked out of both, deleted the app, reinstalled, got told to wait 30 mins before allowing me access.

  • stevenhp1987 says:

    22 Apr22 April 16:16

    I was locked out earlier for “30 minutes”. Worked after noon.

• Ross Mitchell says:

  22 Apr22 April 11:55

  I called BA to try and get a refund on my cancelled flights for 7th May, but was told they are only handling calls for flights in next 72 hours.
  Is this consistent, as some people seem to be commenting on getting refunds for flights more than 72 hours in advance?

  • MattB says:

    22 Apr22 April 12:06

    They may be have been done online using workaround.

    • Stu N says:

      22 Apr22 April 12:28

      I had no issues getting refunded for a cancelled flight in May – 241 and Avios refunded instantly and cash back in 48 hours. I’d try calling back and seeing if you get a different agent. If it’s Avios/ voucher say you want them to make a new booking when flights are released.

  • AJA says:

    22 Apr22 April 14:41

    That’s so annoying. FT was saying just yuesterday that the 72hour window no longer applied. I really don’t understand why since you managed to get through they couldn’t just deal with your call. Seems petty to make you hang up.I would just call again.

• Kate Dove says:

  22 Apr22 April 12:11

  I have a hotel booked through BA Executive club using Avios pints. Hotel is obviously closed and I cannot find any information of contact numbers to change the booking or h=get my points refunded? Can anyone help please?

  • Anna says:

    22 Apr22 April 12:54

    What are the cancellation terms on your booking? There are contact numbers on the BA website but it seems a bit hit and miss on how long it’s taking people to get through.

  • spinner99 says:

    22 Apr22 April 15:31

    I got refund on a BA hotel yesterday booked for May. Called the standard number and pressed the hotel and car hire option before getting through to the “music”. Had been cut off several times before that though. Don’t take the first option which asks if you want to chase up a refund…

• Tom says:

  22 Apr22 April 12:26

  Virgin Points (again):

  I didn’t know you can spend points with Kaligo… Pretty poor value but if i used my points to book a hotel with them would the booking still be valid if Virgin went under?

  • Charlieface says:

    22 Apr22 April 13:02

    https://headforpoints.com/2019/03/11/how-to-redeem-your-virgin-flying-club-miles-for-hotel-rooms/

    Depends if Virgin pay Kaligo immediately or only near check in date. If you can, pay a small amount in cash by credit card to get S75

    • Tom says:

      22 Apr22 April 13:37

      Thanks!

  • Rob says:

    22 Apr22 April 14:06

    Probably, yes. I would expect that Kaligo would ask for payment at time of booking from Virgin – but of course Virgin may not pay the invoice.

• Jody says:

  22 Apr22 April 12:28

  Phoned Barclaycard the other day to find out how a Section75 claim I opened on 2nd April was going (no update online). I was on hold for 2 hours and 35 minutes, only to be told that they basically had no idea, and that the dispute team had minimum staff (as did all teams). Not great really.

  Today I called Halifax top open 2 claims as can’t seem to do it online, was on hold for about 30 minutes before my call got answered, but really helpful, took all the details and claims have been opened.

• Genghis says:

  22 Apr22 April 12:44

  For those questioning not receiving the IHG 25k points Spire Elite benefit:
  I went over the 75k IHG points mark this month and the 25k bonus points for hitting Spire Elite option appeared on my online account (not app) under “Explore your benefits”.

  • Michael says:

    22 Apr22 April 13:01

    They weren’t there after hitting the reduced 55,000? I’ll hit Spire due to the reduction next statement but guess I need to hit 75,000 for the bonus.

    • Genghis says:

      22 Apr22 April 13:03

      “They weren’t there after hitting the reduced 55,000?” No. But you could probably contact IHG and ask for the points to be added manually.

      • Michael says:

        22 Apr22 April 13:17

        No bookings in the pipeline so no great urgency for the 25,000. IHG will be getting bombarded with calls so happy to wait.

  • Neil Donoghue says:

    22 Apr22 April 13:15

    Thanks Genghis! I will hit 75k this month and I thought this might be the case. I expect IHG haven’t adjusted the bonus to trigger at 55K yet

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