The new HFP chat thread – Sunday 3rd May

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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/2020/05/03/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-sunday-3rd-may/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.

David S says:

3 May3 May 13:24

Re: Downgrading from BAPP to the free BA card.
If I downgrade my BAPP, is that classified as a new application with a credit check?
- Genghis says:
  
  3 May3 May 13:27
  
  Amex are entitled to do a new credit search but they rarely do.
  - David S says:
    
    3 May3 May 13:47
    
    Thanks Genghis
BJ says:

3 May3 May 15:21

The BBC on what global travel may look like…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52450038
Definitas says:

3 May3 May 15:25

I messaged Virgin via WhatsApp last week to request a transfer of miles to IHG and got an instant automated reply saying they had received my message and It may take a few days to get round to p processing it. Has anyone else experienced this and Can I be confident that it will happen
- Mac D says:
  
  3 May3 May 15:37
  
  No it’s not guaranteed that they will reply during normal hours I’ve had 3 responses at 2-5am then followed up half hour later that sorry they didn’t hear from me. Each time took up to 5 days, so pretty pathetic response, it previously worked flawlessly last month and they had said don’t worry about rushing to reply. I suggest phone.
- Seesaw says:
  
  3 May3 May 15:39
  
  No but you clearly know from the earlier comments that WhatsApp and text service is not working properly
- Baji Nahid says:
  
  3 May3 May 15:40
  
  CALL THEM UP! Sorry for the caps but it is much easier for everyone to do it over the phone now before they get busy again or go bust.
  - BJ says:
    
    3 May3 May 17:33
    
    Thanks, I was in same position so I just called. I was on hold less than 15 minutes and got it all sorted. My 10k from Morrisons now on the way to Hilton.
    - Baji Nahid says:
      
      3 May3 May 23:53
      
      no worries i am glad its all sorted! 🙂
- Rob says:
  
  3 May3 May 17:17
  
  It will happen but, as others have said, you only get a 20 minute window to reply when they contact you otherwise your case is closed. Replies come 24 hours per day so you need to be prepared to get up at 3am and respond.
  - Definitas says:
    
    3 May3 May 19:31
    
    By the sound of it I need to phone. Are you hedging your bets Rob and parting with any of yours?
    - Lady London says:
      
      3 May3 May 20:09
      
      Asked and answered answered answered.
  - Roy says:
    
    3 May3 May 20:37
    
    I guess it might be luck of the draw but if you include all the information they need in the original message, then my experience was that they just went ahead and actioned it without asking me anything more.
    - Mac D says:
      
      3 May3 May 20:43
      
      Not for me, best to phone!
Seesaw says:

3 May3 May 15:41

He doesn’t think it’s a good profitable investment doesn’t mean there isn’t some sort of future Of travel
- Mac D says:
  
  3 May3 May 17:56
  
  There won’t be a full recovery for a long long time and buffet won’t want to take the risks despite the bail outs
BJ says:

3 May3 May 15:47

@Genghis, since you have already beem most of the major destinstions, how about…
https://soneva.com/soneva-kiri?utm_term=soneva%20kiri&utm_campaign=Brand+%5BROW%5D+%7C+Soneva+%7C+Exact&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2435886746&hsa_cam=7191341921&hsa_grp=78462180937&hsa_ad=391156781518&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-7702000454&hsa_kw=soneva%20kiri&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1arS6vSX6QIVCbTtCh3GygEQEAAYASAAEgIeF_D_BwE
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  3 May3 May 17:41
  
  Soneva is from the people that started six sense I believe and heard great things about their resorts
- Genghis says:
  
  3 May3 May 19:24
  
  Thanks. I was looking for something much cheaper though and ideally on points to use up my now ever increasing stash. I’m a tight northerner. Gonna do some more planning tomorrow.
  - BJ says:
    
    3 May3 May 23:15
    
    There you go Genghis, the circle has now closed 🙂
  - Bazza says:
    
    4 May4 May 01:13
    
    Word!
Secret Squirrel says:

3 May3 May 20:04

How long is BA taking to officially cancel your flights in your account at present?
I’ve just looked up our flight using low fare finder and it’s not listed, no seat data on seatspy etc but app still showing its live.
- Secret Squirrel says:
  
  3 May3 May 20:18
  
  May 29th from LGW. Still showing in my app as still going but on the web no data for the flight, it’s gone from inventory.
  So wondering how long it takes BA to officially notify you your flight has been cancelled.
  - Lady London says:
    
    3 May3 May 21:22
    
    Is there anything we can look up other than an airline’s actual website, that will tell us if a flight in a few weeks is cancelled? Some airlines are still showing flights I know are cancelled but I’m having to look in too many places to verify.
    - Secret Squirrel says:
      
      3 May3 May 21:32
      
      Same here but I need BA to officially cancel the flight to me before I can claim my full refund.
- Qwertyknowsbest says:
  
  3 May3 May 20:19
  
  I have June flights cancelled. Gave up on the phone to BA and raised Amex claim.
Julia says:

3 May3 May 20:08

You may think they are thick but they were told to enforce the rules in this way.
Chuck says:

3 May3 May 20:12

Are they ‘thick’ or are they just implementing the regs ?
I don’t believe sunbathing is exercise …
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  3 May3 May 20:37
  
  And what’s the rule?
  - Lady London says:
    
    3 May3 May 21:01
    
    @SS you may be ok where you are but in Northern Europe including the UK, for most of the year even going naked in the park, the sun is not strong enough for your body to produce ideal amount of Vitamin D.
    
    There are some foods that are very Vitamin-D rich, or natural-based D3 (more than most doctors would prescribe but not too much) can do the trick. There are some nasty synthetic-based D3 supplements about that should be avoided. Even though it lists as lower Vitamin D than some tablets, cod liver works well taken daily as it is a natural source easily absorbable by most people including kids. Just hold your nose when taking it though!
- BJ says:
  
  3 May3 May 21:17
  
  Depends how close they are to others and for how long. However, that’s besides the point, sunbathing in public areas was not allowed AFAIK. Police had to act because if they didn’t there would be a danger things got out of control. I agree however that there is no place for heavy-handed or clearly inappropriate policing.
- Bazza says:
  
  4 May4 May 01:16
  
  Of course there is a risk! You never been approached by anyone will sunbathing?
  The advice is clear for anyone with sense! Spend the minimum amount of time outdoors as you can!