The new HFP chat thread – Wednesday 29th 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/2020/04/29/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-wednesday-29th-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. Let’s see how it goes. Take care!

Category

General

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

Ali says:

29 Apr29 April 08:50

Also got an email from Curve saying ‘we are changing our issuer’. Truth be told havent gone through the FAQs but the heading made me think maybe they are switching from mastercard to Visa or something but the email content doesn’t reflect. Admittedly – havent actually clicked on the FAQ link thinking somebody here might know in short what it means x
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 08:58
  
  They’re bringing he card issuance in-house. Meaning Curve will issue the cards instead of Wirecard.
  - Ali says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 08:59
    
    Ah ok…
    Thanks.
    So really no change for us as a consumer.
    Thank you 🙂
- Brian W says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 14:13
  
  “Please read the our updated Curve Terms that show Curve as the e-Money issuer (with Firm Reference Number 900926). If we don’t hear from you within the next 60 days, we assume you are happy to continue with us on our exciting journey and we will transfer your account to us”.
  
  Wonder what would happen if you were in first month or two of Metal subscription and notified them you don’t agree with the new terms or transfer, they would need to end your account without you being liable for the £50 metal card penalty (for being within first 6 months)?
Connor says:

29 Apr29 April 09:38

Anyone else notice new changes to the Curve T&C’s?

New £5 delivery fee for Blue cards
First 10 cash withdrawals from an ATM are free, 50p after this, applies to ALL cards. (per week, month, year????)
- Alan says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 09:46
  
  The way the fee table is written, you get 10 free withdrawals total. It never resets.
  
  Have to admit, I am struggling to see the point of the free card following all of the recent changes. You are giving up S75 protection for no benefit whatsoever. It can no longer be used to circumvent Debit card only payments (without the rather significant 1.5% fee) and now free cash withdrawals are extremely limited. I know Rob wrote an article on it recently but I still can’t see any benefit to the card as it now stands
  - Connor says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 09:50
    
    Seems pretty ridiculous, especially as a metal user. The only reason I’m still hanging on is I’m able to very easily reclaim the monthly fee through Curve Cash. If it wasn’t for that I may have dumped it by now.
  - Rum says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 09:54
    
    If it really is 10 withdrawals period, I am out. It’s easy to just open up a Metro Bank account for free cash withdrawals abroad. Curve was great while it lasted but alas they dug their own grave.
    - Rob says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:00
      
      Metro is EU only.
      - Rum says:
        
        29 Apr29 April 10:20
        
        Correct but 99% of the time that works for me.
    - Genghis says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:46
      
      Starling is global – v easy to use.
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        29 Apr29 April 11:22
        
        +1 but i can count on both hands the amount of times I’ve need cash abroad the last few years.
        
        One thing to remember about Curve – you can guarantee what the terms say isn’t reflected in reality, might be one of your sayings Genghis 🙂
      - Genghis says:
        
        29 Apr29 April 13:07
        
        🙂 Indeed. Along with “change is the only constant in this game”. There’s always outrage when things change. You can’t really influence the change. Best way is to accept that change will happen and all you can do is to manage the risk accordingly.
- Ali says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:47
  
  I didn’t read into it that email deep…
  but sounds a bit unfair.
  I for one make lots of withdrawals from my debit card – specially when need 750 pounds together rather than having to make a bank appointment or having to go x3 times over 3 days for the same amount. (have metal)
New Card says:

29 Apr29 April 09:39

Has anyone had HH points post today following a VS transfer? The last few weeks of posts suggested these transfers generally occur on a Wednesday. Nothing showing for me yet.
- Bigmaggot says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 09:58
  
  My miles posted yesterday from my transfer request on 18 April
- @mkcol says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:00
  
  My transaction went through on 22nd April but none appeared in Honors yet today 29th April.
  - Liz says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 19:27
    
    Mine appeared in HH a/c today – requested on 15/4
Heather says:

29 Apr29 April 09:40

I want to use the Virgin money 2 for 1 voucher to book flights for early next year (ignoring virgins troubles as there’s nothing else I can spend them on).
Is there any way to do this without holding on the phone for hours?
- Craig says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 09:45
  
  I booked using the text service.
- Rob says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:03
  
  MAY be possible via the SMS or WhatsApp service.
  - Mac D says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 10:37
    
    Well currently waiting 2 days for the whatsapp service 🙁
Euan says:

29 Apr29 April 09:47

I have a flight on Friday which is cancelled. It was an Avois booking, 15,000 + £1. Can I cancel online to get my avois back or do I need to call up? I’m not too bothered about the £1.
- Rob says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:02
  
  No, need to call unfortunately or go via Flyertalk.
  - Euan says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 10:10
    
    Thanks Rob I’ll give them a call.,
Sk123 says:

29 Apr29 April 09:49

Reading Rob’s article on Curve. So, if I get Curve Metal I can pay my Amex bill and Hilton Barclaycard bill via this card, right? Id there provision on Amex and Barclaycard websites to put a card number as payment option?
- Rob says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:01
  
  I thought Barclaycard blocked Curve? With Amex, you can pay it online with a debit card. Same with MBNA.
  - Sk123 says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 10:04
    
    Thanks Rob, so I can pay AMEX bill with Curve Metal then.
    - DJ says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:55
      
      Just make sure you test with a small amount first, as your underlying card might charge you on cash advance fees or interest, this is beyond Curve’s control.
      - Sk123 says:
        
        29 Apr29 April 11:23
        
        Thanks, will do. I have the HSBC Premier Card in mind as Rob said Barclaycard gets blocked so will see how that goes.
  - mark2 says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 12:32
    
    My experience is that Barclaycard only accepts clearing bank credit cards – not Curve, Revolut or Monese, although the last two allow bank transfers which can be used to pay Barclaycard.
- Sk123 says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:03
  
  Sorry, it’s only Visa and Mastercard I believe. So if a website allows Visa and Mastercard (credit or debit) payments, is there any benefit in paying via Curve or just pay via, say Hilton Visa Barclaycard directly. Sorry, this is the first time I’m considering Curve and want to choose the right one of the 3. We have about £1.5k of spend per month on Hilton Barclaycard and £2k on Amex along with about £1k direct debit for mortgage, bills, Sky, etc.
  - Steve says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 10:48
    
    You have to consider both sides. Does a website allow both credit and debit? If so no real benefit to Curve.
    
    BUT how does your card issuer treat it? I.e. a credit card will “allow” you to directly withdraw £200 cash at an ATM, or another credit card issuer may “allow” you to pay your bill with another credit card. But if your issuer treats these as cash advances (which they will) then that’s where Curve comes into its own.
    - DJ says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:57
      
      I’m pretty sure Curve will still pass on the MCC code as cash withdraw .. had that on my Barclaycard before.
      
      In my opinion, there is no real benefit In using Curve if the site takes credit card.
      - Sk123 says:
        
        29 Apr29 April 11:16
        
        Thanks all. I’m trying to understand what else people use it for. I can see cash withdrawals, HMRC but i don’t have need for those.
        1. Do people load their Curve card details for what they normally have a direct debit for such as mortgage (Curve metal), mobile phone bills, utility bills, Sky etc. I use my BA Amex for Amazon, grocery etc so no real benefit re the 6 premium retailers.
        2. I do make charitable donations and many websites don’t accept Amex and send money via Western Union too. Would Curve Blue work for those purposes?
- Anna says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 11:10
  
  You can’t make payments TO Barclaycard with Curve.
  - Polly says:
    
    30 Apr30 April 13:40
    
    Nor HSBC WE
Doug M says:

29 Apr29 April 09:50

Amex not exactly speedy with refunds at the moment. Having successfully got refunds from various airlines and hotels Amex now sitting on the cash. Asked via chat and phone. In progress apparently.
- Trevor says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:07
  
  Amex, on this occasion, were dreadful is transferring the refund credit balance to my current account. Process started April 13th and first told 7 days, then 10 and now due 30th. Difficult times but wrong info a bit of a pain. Lots of excuses and I await tomorrow to see if it will actually happen.
  - Crafty says:
    
    29 Apr29 April 10:21
    
    Same. Worrying.
    - roberto says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:56
      
      Worrying seems extreme , its a pain and the money will appear in about 10 days. I have had 6 refunds all onto cancelled cards all transferred to my bank in about 10 business days.
      
      Yes its not like the old days but they are swamped with requests and low on staff.
    - Genghis says:
      
      29 Apr29 April 10:58
      
      Mine took a few days.
Novice says:

29 Apr29 April 09:55

Do y’all call Amex up when need something doing? I’ve always used webchat and must admit everything is always done properly. I don’t have patience for phones can’t believe some ppl stay on phone for hrs. If no webchat, I tend to email if I can with a few laws and complaints thrown in the email. Have never had a problem with any companies tbh.
- Harry T says:
  
  29 Apr29 April 10:06
  
  Sometimes web chat are a little slow when it comes to more complex issues. I use them for the simple stuff. Sometimes talking to a human resolves the issue more quickly and satisfactorily.