The new HFP chat thread – Saturday 2nd May

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• Aston100 says:

  2 May2 May 18:45

  Does anyone have any experience of how good/bad the IHG Creation free card is likely to be if attempting to chargeback or even doing a section 75 claim?

  I ask because I’m looking at some flights at Xmas & New Year with a tiny flag-carrier airline that doesn’t seem to accept Amex. So if things don’t go well, I would be forced to turn to the card provider. I know Amex have been great thus far, but I have no idea about the free IHG Creation card.

  • memesweeper says:

    2 May2 May 18:50

    I’ve never used them for section 75, but in general their customer service is hard to get hold of and their issue handling often poor quality in my experience.

    My best chargeback/S75 experiences have been with Amex and Barclaycard, and if I thought I was buying something with a significant risk of incurring an argument later I’d favour those cards.

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      2 May2 May 21:13

      Creation CS – lol 😂

  • Algor says:

    2 May2 May 19:03

    Someone used my IHG Creation card for payment in IHG hotel.

    Card frozen and disputes department was due to contact me in 2 week, after 3 weeks got email and funds back.

    I didn’t contact them back, all it took was 15 seconds to report fraudulent transaction.

• Save East Coast Rewards says:

  2 May2 May 19:11

  The last flights from T4 will be departing today.
  From tomorrow the remaining T4 airlines (Air France, KLM, Alitalia, Kenya Airways, Kuwait Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Air Malta, El Al, and Malaysia Airlines) move to T2 until things pick up enough to resume operation from their usual terminal.
  For some reason trains and tube to T4 will continue for another week before these will stop operating. I wonder if TfL Rail will go to T5 once T4 is closed.
  When HFP reported on the terminal moves they said most T3 airlines would be moving to T2 and T4 mostly moving to T5. This turned out not to be the case (everyone moved to T2 except BA and Iberia), apart from HFP I didn’t see anywhere else that said T3 airlines were moving to T5 so I wonder what the source of this was? Presumably things were even quieter than expected so they decided it was easier to use T2 for everyone.

  • Doug M says:

    2 May2 May 19:45

    T5 just doesn’t have IT for other than BA. It took them a while to get Iberia there, and I think that’s not fully compatible.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    2 May2 May 22:37

    I found it very strange at the T5 IT is very BA centric if not IAG centric.

    • Doug M says:

      2 May2 May 23:41

      I suppose the plan was always BA. It is slightly odd agreed. I know when Iberia first flew from there all the flights operated as BA code share numbers to enable the process.

• John says:

  2 May2 May 19:28

  Sign of things to come.

  Grant Schapps has thrown £5.7 million at Belfast George Best, and City of Derry airports.

  EasyJet base Belfast International will have to wait a bit longer (cargo only there right now, BHD has EI passenger flights to LHR, and LDY has Loganair to Stansted).

  https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/flights-will-resume-at-some-point-but-industry-insiders-unsure-how-long-it-will-take-39174654.html

• Genghis says:

  2 May2 May 19:29

  Hilton used to (still do?) do a package for hotels in Thailand where you got certain benefits. I’m can’t remember what it’s called and can’t find with a bit of googling. Can anyone remember and is it still going?

  • Chris Galley says:

    2 May2 May 19:34

    Hilton Premium Club?
    https://hiltondiningapac.com/

  • meta says:

    2 May2 May 19:35

    Hilton Dining Club Apac?

  • Leon says:

    2 May2 May 19:36

    Are you thinking of https://hiltondiningapac.com/ ?

    • Genghis says:

      2 May2 May 19:40

      Thanks all! V speedy.

      • BJ says:

        2 May2 May 20:35

        You want to be careful with this, they can play fun and games with it. However, in the current circumstances I expect they will be bending over backwards to be accommodating. You should also note that Hilton is not particularly good in Thailand, both Marriott and IHG are better. Also a good location for independent hitels via your hotels.com credit if you have send at the moment.

        • Genghis says:

          2 May2 May 20:58

          Cheers BJ. I was looking at Conrad Ko Samui. Any ideas for a child friendly holiday in Thailand?

        • BJ says:

          2 May2 May 22:14

          Samui Residence? I’ve been there and can understand why people want to go. However, I never recommend it because I really dislike Samui. I think it is everything that has gone wrong with Thailand but that’s just me, you and others might enjoy it a lot. With the baby I imagine you are looking for someplace relaxing and quiet (but not too quiet), with a nice beach which is not too crowded where you can easily keep an eye on him. Ao Nang beach in Krabi might fit the bill. It has quite a few decent resorts including villas that will offer much better value for money than Samui or Phuket so do a search and see if any takes your facy. The coastline and countryside around Krabi is stunning and largely rural so an easy place to hire a car and enjoy exploring both the other nearby beaches and the mountains and forests inland. Ao Nang beach is small and pleasant for a stroll in the evening with lots of places to eat given the number of resorts around.

        • Clive says:

          2 May2 May 23:41

          If you want a family friendly area then Khao Lak is very good. You also have a good selection of excellent hotels. We have stayed maybe 5 or 6 times in the area and find it very relaxing.

        • BJ says:

          3 May3 May 00:05

          Agree with Clive that Khao Lak is good choice too. It’s about a 2h drive from Ao Nang. I settled on the latter because it’s closer to Krabi airport but the reason why I suggested the car was you can explore along the coast to Khao Lakm and Phuket too if you wished. If you did opt for Khao Lak both Krabi and Phuket airports are suitable. I know Harry would likely suggest a more off the beaten track place and I would too but I know you like full service hotels so I kept that in mind. However, to get the best out of your destination of choice do consider a high end family run place. Doubt you would be disappointed if you got to expeorience some real Thai hospitality and untarnished South Thai cuisine. Enjoy!

        • Genghis says:

          3 May3 May 09:09

          Thanks all. I went to Thailand a couple of times as a youngster: Bangkok, the north, Samui, Phuket and Krabi area but it’s always good to get new perspectives. 👍🏻

• Ray says:

  2 May2 May 19:59

  I’m just wondering when AMEX are going to run a transfer bonus for Rewards to Avios, like the 40% ones they do un the US at least once a year. Does AMEX UK not do them?

  • Rob says:

    2 May2 May 20:04

    No, they stopped 3-4 years ago. Amex hates airline transfers because it pays more per mile than it pays if you choose to take 0.45p per point as statement credit or 0.5p as a shopping voucher.

    However we MAY see unofficial ones, ie where BA emails you to encourage you to transfer but Amex pretends it doesn’t exist. It is a way for BA to get some money out of Amex.

    • Ray says:

      3 May3 May 00:58

      Thanks Rob.

• James says:

  2 May2 May 22:47

  Advice and help needed on BA refund. I requested a full refund for a cancelled flight: Avios, 241 voucher, cash for taxes and cash for seats. I made the claim 5 weeks ago, have logged a complaint with customer relations and still do not have anything back. Customer relations have told me they can do nothing to escalate, it’s all in a queue with an offshore team in India. Is this everyone else’s experience and the refund lead times are this extreme for all?? If not what have I done wrong!!!

  • Lady London says:

    3 May3 May 01:30

    If it was just money I would say do a Section 75 with your credit card. But your stuff is BA-specific.
    Other than calling again early in their opening hours am unsure what to suggest.

    I think I’d call them and mention I;d like the lot back and really need the cash back so you are thinking of doing Section75 if it’s not all back within 2 weeks as you did give some slack but can’t wait any longer.The thing with BA seems to be that until something hurts they’ll keep on doing it and whilst I have the greatest sympathy with their offshore processing centre also struggling, unfortunately another solution needs to be provided otherwise you will chargeback or section 75.

• Baji Nahid says:

  2 May2 May 22:56

  Quick question, Im looking at flights to NYC from ex europe on the BA app and noticed that if I wanted to book the ticket I am unable to use my avios to reduce the ticket price which is in euros (flying from paris to JFK). Is Avios spend on BA only for UK customers?

  Appreciate any help!

• FloriGuy says:

  2 May2 May 23:15

  Hey,

  My Ernies seem to be taking longer to clear. How long does it usually take you guys?

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