The new HFP chat thread – Friday 1st May

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• joe bloggs says:

  1 May1 May 10:51

  I’m guessing covid-19, and BA and others saying it’ll take several years (if ever) for air travel to approach 2019 levels (and gatwick usage taking a sever hammering) means that the new runway will will be a LOT lower priority than it was.

  • Rhys says:

    1 May1 May 11:09

    Remember that the runway would not have been operational until the end of the decade, by which time traffic will undoubtedly have recovered. Doesn’t make sense to cancel the project due to a short term fall in traffic (and 2-3 years, compared to 10+ years of planning IS short term). Of course, doesn’t mean it won’t get scrapped due to other hurdles.

  • Nick_C says:

    1 May1 May 13:30

    Will LOT still be flying?

• joe bloggs says:

  1 May1 May 10:52

  “with covid-19″… this system needs an edit button, even if its just valid for a couple of minutes after a post is made.

• Vinz says:

  1 May1 May 11:13

  Hi all
  I’m trying to get a refund on a BA flight scheduled to depart on 7th. I didn’t call BA until now as I wanted to be closer to the date of the scheduled departure. I’ve been trying their number all morning but I keep getting disconnected.
  Any tips on when best to call? Or is there another workaround on their website to get a refund and not a bloody voucher?
  Should I start calling special services/you first etc? Even the gold line number disconnects you for no reason…
  Thank you!

  • AndyW says:

    1 May1 May 11:32

    I would just call sporadically throughout the day, as have others that I have spoken to, and it didn’t take that many calls to get through, you just have to be lucky I think.

  • flyoff says:

    1 May1 May 13:20

    Use BARefundHelper on flyertalk. This is a great service and all of my requests have been resolved within a day.

    • Vinz says:

      1 May1 May 14:31

      Do you have to message them directly? Or in the forum? Would you know?

• Owain Roberts says:

  1 May1 May 11:26

  Does anyone have any data points on how long hotels.com refunds are taking to come through?

  I know the cancellation page warns that they may take up to 30 days, but I had assumed this was a bit of an exaggeration so people don’t phone when they haven’t come through after a few days.

  • Graham says:

    1 May1 May 12:41

    I cancelled a booking with them on 8th Apr and it hit my Amex A/C on the 23rd. So about 2 weeks.

  • Chris E says:

    1 May1 May 12:43

    My most recent batch took about 3 weeks from request to payment. I have another one pending from around a week ago.

• TimM says:

  1 May1 May 11:33

  Simon Calder is currently on BBC News. He says the big legacy airlines, such as Air France, Luthhansa, BA and Emirates and the others. will never return to how they were because big business who were paying for business travel on them have realised meetings can be held online faster and for practically nothing.

  • Rob says:

    1 May1 May 11:39

    Doesn’t work that way. All the senior people WANT a few days away from their partners and kids to attend a conference, trade show or board meeting abroad. The bulk of business travel has always been avoidable.

    • Boi says:

      1 May1 May 12:02

      Ha ha haa @Rob!
      It’s not business after all but is still business 🤔

    • TimM says:

      1 May1 May 12:05

      Well perhaps after the lock-down, the increase in domestic violence etc., the broader effect will be less cohabiting and thence less business travel?

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      1 May1 May 12:33

      100% and just because you can have endless video calls all day doesn’t mean you’re getting the value of a single 2hr meeting in person.

      You ever tried to forge a relationship or close a deal without being in person? If the other guy is willing to travel you need to either do the same or else be a whole lot better over the phone

      • Jessiefan says:

        1 May1 May 14:10

        Been doing video calls all week and they are a pain in the ass!

        Nothing beats a few days away and face to face so it’s a +1 from me

        • TimM says:

          1 May1 May 15:24

          Jessiefan says:
          “Been doing video calls all week and they are a pain in the ass!

          Nothing beats a few days away and face to face so it’s a +1 from me”

          Arse, please.

          The argument against HS2/3 has always been to invest the money on reducing the NEED to travel, i.e. far better broadband and travel should mostly be for pleasure. Watching TV news or even listening to radio these days is a national disgrace – appallingly unreliable internet connections and terrible sound quality (People, have a ‘lapel ‘ microphone at the very least!)

          With better broadband and and the most basic of sound capture education, there would be far less need to travel for mundane purposes and that HS2/3 money could be far better used elsewhere.

    • Chris Heyes says:

      1 May1 May 13:13

      Rob, lets hope your wife’s not reading this then lol

      • Stu N says:

        1 May1 May 13:15

        I think Rob’s wife does plenty of business travel herself…

        • Chris Heyes says:

          1 May1 May 13:19

          Stu N What are you trying to say lol

        • Stu N says:

          1 May1 May 13:34

          I’m saying I’m sure she enjoys a bit of business travel for all the reasons Rob has listed.

        • Rob says:

          1 May1 May 14:05

          She does! All parents are quietly grateful for a couple of days away from their kids once they reach a certain age 🙂

        • aDifferentSimon says:

          1 May1 May 14:16

          About 2 weeks old if memory serves…

    • Brian W says:

      1 May1 May 23:11

      I’ve been doing Zoom meetings every other day and it’s literally killing me now. I cannot wait to get going again, not only to get out of my house, but to get that great face to face relationship back again with colleagues and clients. Time away from the base is good for everyone involved.

      Not only this, my points earning on the company spend has dropped off a cliff!

• Boi says:

  1 May1 May 12:00

  When does the current Curve go back in time offer expire? I see the limit is raised to £5000?!

  • illuminatus says:

    1 May1 May 12:13

    £5k and you can go back 90 days vs 14 – they announced this promo would last until the end of the Covid19 crisis

• Andrew-A says:

  1 May1 May 12:18

  I’ve just had confirmation that our BA return flights EDI – LHR then LHR – FCO for 25 June have been cancelled. The EDI ones are Avios, the FCO ones are Avios plus 2 for 1. I have clicked through on the link which takes me to the voucher page, which I don’t want, so I assume I need to call them to get Avios, 2 for 1 and cash returned?

  • Anna says:

    1 May1 May 12:23

    Yes or go via Flyertalk. Incidentally, your companion voucher should have been applied to your connecting flight as well, it would have saved you a few Avios. Hopefully this will still be the case in the future!

    • Andrew-A says:

      1 May1 May 12:50

      Thanks Anna
      Makes no difference now but at the time of booking the agent did mention using the voucher as well for the EDI – LHR flight but I had already booked the outgoing ones on two separate bookings and was just calling in to get the return flights plus 2 for 1 added to the Rome flight.
      I will remember for the future, when there’s somewhere I want to go….

      • Stu N says:

        1 May1 May 13:11

        I’ve had cancellations through for June trips last night and today as well. You need to call for refunds or rebooking but once you get through, they are very quick and efficient in dealing with it.

• Georgie says:

  1 May1 May 12:20

  Afternoon all

  I’m planning a trip to Singapore and Thailand , have moved my reward flights to Feb next yea 🤞 . Will be my first trip to Asia , just starting some planning and will be staying in Bangkok for 2 nights (or maybe 1 with early and late flights either side ). I read the review yesterday on the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit , and noted the comment regarding first timer visitors and the riverside. Does anyone have recommendations please? Mid range I’d say, there’s so many it seems a bit overwhelming! If anybody has views on how long a first time visitor should stay that would be useful too please.
  (Also is there a way to subscribe to the chat threads please…?) thanks 😊

  • Michael C says:

    1 May1 May 12:42

    Hi Georgie!
    Do you know what your approx. budget per night will be? There’s great stuff in all ranges.
    Just to give you an idea, the Sheraton G.S. starts at around GBP180, and the luxury room reviewed would be around GBP240/night (but of course with all the goodies included!).

    If you’re there on a Sat. or Sun., Id recomment Chatuchak market.

    City centre is great for getting around, and is more “full on”. River might involve a little more travel but easier for temples and Chinatown, and more relaxed to come back to in the evening. The
    MILLENNIUM HILTON would be abut GBP115 including b/fast.

    Have fun!

    • Georgie says:

      1 May1 May 12:50

      Hi Micheal thanks. I’m kind of working backwards with the budget, as in doing the research to see how much I need! We have 18 nights in total , planning Chiang Mai and then one of the islands (not sure which one yet) . I’d prob say around max £150 mark budget. I don’t plan (esp in Bangkok ) on being in the room that much but would still like somewhere nice . (My nephew suggested hostels 😱🤣, no thank you lol).

      • Michael C says:

        1 May1 May 12:59

        If you’re planning to do nightmarkets/a couple of bars & restaurants, maybe the Sheraton area.
        If your evening are more along the lines of a relaxing cocktail with gorgeous scenery, maybe the river.
        The Hilton is really pretty decent for the price. Cute hotel ferry to shuttle you across river. Near enough to Asiatique night shopping area/Wat Pho reclining buddha, etc. etc.

        • Georgie says:

          1 May1 May 14:20

          Thanks I’ll take a look at the Hilton 😁.

        • FlyingChris says:

          1 May1 May 14:33

          Another +1 for the Millennium Hilton being a good affordable base, with the river location being able to get you to the various temples/main sights pretty easily without having to negotiate the city traffic. It’s on the ‘other side’ of the river, so will find yourself taking their hotel shuttle all the time, but for the 3-4 nights we were there it didn’t bother us and operated regularly all day long. The Skybar had amazing views and live music in the evenings. Remember it had a great breakfast spread that you can eat outdoors next to the river.

      • Novice says:

        1 May1 May 17:45

        @Georgie, I reckon you’ll need at least 2 nights Bangkok as traffic is horrendous.

        And Chiang mai is awesome but there’s white temple in Chiang rai, one not to be missed. If you go Phuket, I recommend phang nga bay as it is stunning. Phi phi islands were packed so spoiled it for me as I was envisioning Leo’s beach.

        If you go to Elephant camps, do research as sometimes it’s not actually good for the Elephants and I hope you enjoy. It’s a great country for a one-time off the bucket list destination 😂

        • Novice says:

          1 May1 May 17:46

          Also Singapore is absolutely epic. If it wasn’t as hot as it is, I’d wanna live there.

  • Darren says:

    1 May1 May 13:14

    Most of the Riverside hotels are near Saphan Taksin station for the BTS (skytrain) which will give good access to many parts of the city. There is also a river boat stop at this location which gives access to all of the attractions up and down the river (Grand Palace, Chinatown, Wat Arun, Iconsiam etc), the boat service is just like a bus which locals and tourists use and is very cheap if you get the local boats and a bit more if you opt for the tourist boat.

    Each of the hotels in this vicinity have their own boats which link to Saphan Taksin making connections very easy and you get a free boat ride every time you leave the door. Grand Orchid Sheraton, Millenium Hilton, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental and a few others.

    2 days at the start and one at the end would work for first time visitors depending on your flight times.

    • Darren says:

      1 May1 May 13:22

      Its Royal Orchid Sheraton, not Grand

      and second the market at Chatuchak

      • Georgie says:

        1 May1 May 14:28

        Thanks Darren 😁

    • Georgie says:

      1 May1 May 16:12

      Cheers thanks I’ll have a look. Any tips re Chiang Mai , things to do/not to do?
      Thanks

      • Chuck says:

        1 May1 May 16:39

        Great compact city, try and stay within the central area, basically a big square surrounded by a canal and a ring road, couple of blocks away from the road if possible due to noise and pollution ! I did AirBNB there rather than hotel and it was excellent. Can’t see it to link, sorry.
        Do go to the Muay Thai centre, eat street food, good (locals) food market near the University, also did a fruit and vegetable carving morning which was fun. As you can see my holidays are based on eating !

      • Crafty says:

        1 May1 May 22:13

        Are you sure you want to be going to Chiang Mai in February? Google burning season and just be sure your dates don’t fall then.

    • Lyn says:

      1 May1 May 23:10

      Sorry I missed this post before I replied. These are the river buses I mentioned in my comment below. Definitely try the slower boats frequented by the locals rather than just the express boats.

  • Chuck says:

    1 May1 May 13:17

    I would try and do 2 nights in BKK, there is lots to do. In normal times the traffic, heat and number of people will slow you down.
    Recommend the riverside for a first visit, if you don’t have points then try a local chain such as Chatrium Riverside, great value, super location.

    • Georgie says:

      1 May1 May 14:30

      Thanks Chuck . I have no points or status 😢so will take a look at your recommendation.

      • Darren says:

        1 May1 May 15:23

        This is where status will come in handy. Take out an Amex Platinum card and you get Hilton Gold and other benefits.

        It may not suit you at the moment but it could work out well for you when the world is a better place.

        • Georgie says:

          1 May1 May 16:21

          That’s something to consider actually….I have the free BA card so could upgrade….

  • Clive says:

    1 May1 May 19:54

    Let me clarify something. The River is good for sightseeing ie the Temples and is picturesque. You have access to the BTS (Train) as most hotels will run a ferry service to Taksin. On top of this you also have Asiatique which is a touristy night market and area with restaurants. Hilton, Sheraton and Anantara are all usually well priced.

    Sukhumvit is in the heart of the city. Lot’s of great nightlife from bars to restaurants to ohh you know what. Plan your location well as you want to be in vicinity of the BTS to ease travel. It will take you longer to the sights from Suk than from the River.

    One day will definitely not be enough time for Bangkok. I lived there for five years so if you need any suggestions let me know.

    For the Islands you have the main ones of Phuket and Samui but there are lot’s of lessor known places such as Koh Lanta, Kho Phangan, Koh Lipe, Koh Pi Pi etc again depends what you want to do when you get to the Island.

  • Lyn says:

    1 May1 May 22:53

    I’d like to second considering staying near the river in Bangkok. I’d also like to suggest using the river buses to get to places along the river like China Town and the Grand Palace, whether or not you are staying near the river. The river buses are frequent, and very inexpensive, and many routes have stops near the Saphan Thaksin Skytrain station.

    The Jim Thompson House museum is one of my favourite places in Bangkok, for it’s beauty and serenity and glimpses into the vanishing world of old Bangkok, yet it seems to somewhat of a secret . I took a Thai friend and her husband there and it became a favourite of theirs too. She enjoyed the new experience of travelling by river bus as well.

    You should have a treat in store with your first trip to Asia.

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