The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 14th 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/2020/05/14/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-thursday-14th-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.

JohnT says:

14 May14 May 08:22

SeatSpy are giving you a chance to win 20,000 Avios points to use toward a trip or upgrade if you sign up for one of their paid plans .
- Rhys says:
  
  14 May14 May 08:36
  
  Article tomorrow
- Peter K says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:27
  
  The big question is whether they have fixed the issues with the website.
  - Rhys says:
    
    14 May14 May 09:28
    
    I spoke to them the other day and apparently they have modified how they process the data which should give more accurate results
Connor says:

14 May14 May 08:41

Looks like Tesco have pulled the plug on Curve – at least for paying their cards off. Now getting an invalid card details message, and if I try to re-add the card it says this card is not supported.
- Grant says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:27
  
  This will be a transacation that is now caught by Curve Fronted and if you’ve not turned it on, it won’t go through.
  
  You may already know this and / or be using Curve Metal, in which case ignore me!
  - Connor says:
    
    14 May14 May 09:39
    
    Understand your thinking but unfortunately not. I am a Metal user so wouldn’t of been a problem. It seems Tesco have just blocked the use of Curve cards being used to pay off your card as the website just won’t take the number anymore. Shame as I was getting 1% Curve Cash from paying off the card.
    
    This is no doubt down to Curve’s stupid advertisement of paying a credit card with a credit card which Tesco have probably decided enough is enough and blocked it completely.
    - Michael says:
      
      14 May14 May 10:37
      
      I had the exact same issue for the first time yesterday. Like you I’m Curve Metal. Used Rev instead but it’s annoying nonetheless.
    - guesswho2000 says:
      
      14 May14 May 12:21
      
      Exactly what happened with Barclaycard about a year ago, sadly.
Tom Bourne says:

14 May14 May 08:48

Whats the standard time allowed before re-applying for the same credit or charge card? Does it vary between companies?
- Rhys says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:14
  
  I know it’s 6 months for Halifax. Likely to be similar for others.
C says:

14 May14 May 08:52

My home insurance renewal is due in the next few days. The online portal only accepts Visa/MasterCard but there is an option to pay using Amazon Pay. As my Amex card is linked to my Amazon account, does this mean I can charge it to that card? From people’s experience, are there any catches I’m missing (extra fees etc)? I’ve used PayPal for things linked to my Amex but never Amazon Pay before! Thanks
- Grant says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:28
  
  There are no fees added for using Amazon Pay in my experience. It may not allow you to select your Amex as the payment card but it is worth a try.
  - Sundar says:
    
    14 May14 May 16:31
    
    Does Amazon Pay use your balance in Amazon ? If so, easy to charge it using Amex.
    Let us know how you get on as it would be an alternative use of amex
KD says:

14 May14 May 09:13

I have Amex Gold charge card. It renewed in February, i was using it for flights only due to double points. Most of my spend goes through premium BA Amex in order to hit spend target now.

I want to keep my MR points balance Alive. Assume best option is to downgrade to Free reward Amex. Does doing this reset the clock for further bonuses in 24 months?

I like my Amex charge gold, however Iv literally never used it in 8 weeks and I can’t see any reason to keep it? I could reapply in the future.. Will Amex transfer the my partial fee refund to my BA Amex?
- Alex M says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:17
  
  The clock won’t reset.
  Ask amex for retention offer before cancelling. the fee, i think, can be transferred to BAPP or your bank acct.
- Rhys says:
  
  14 May14 May 09:19
  
  You have to wait 24 months after holding the card, not applying for one. Here is an article on the 24 month rule: https://headforpoints.com/2020/01/01/what-american-express-bonuses-can-you-get-based-on-the-cards-you-have/
  
  Try the ARCC card if you want to keep your MR account open. https://headforpoints.com/2019/11/03/review-american-express-rewards-credit-card/
- JS says:
  
  14 May14 May 10:47
  
  Has there been any reports of people getting a retention deal on gold charge card? I am in same position!
  - Rob says:
    
    14 May14 May 10:57
    
    Someone yesterday said they got 10k. No other data points though and not sure if this person was in their free first year or was paying.
    - JS says:
      
      14 May14 May 14:30
      
      Tried this now, Wasn’t offered anything except a free downgrade to the fee-free card.
      - the_real_a says:
        
        14 May14 May 17:01
        
        My gold charge card free year ends in June after i ditched platinum when the fee increased. What card did they offer to “downgrade” you to? I was under the impression that i would need to make a new application (not downgrade) for the fee free cards…
    - BuyEMLocalBonds says:
      
      15 May15 May 13:30
      
      I think they followed up confirming fee paying and have to spend 1k for the 10k points
FFoxSake says:

14 May14 May 09:26

A heartfelt and moving message to British Airways from its staff and Unite.
Worth watching to very end…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLloF1IYmss
Xavier P says:

14 May14 May 09:41

I’m awaiting a refund from BA for a flight booked with Avios plus a companion voucher. If I cancel my BA Amex Premium card (as it’s due for renewal and getting no use) will the companion voucher be returned to my Avios account? i.e. I don’t need to keep my Amex account open for my voucher to be valid for future use? I won’t lose the companion voucher? Is there a downside?
- Genghis says:
  
  14 May14 May 10:11
  
  1) Yes
  2) no
  3) no
  4) no.
- Vit says:
  
  14 May14 May 10:30
  
  I am sure you already know this but I believe you will need amex card to pay for your tax/fees when booking using your 2-4-1 voucher in the future. Of course, you can always use card of your friend / family member.
Isobel Brown says:

14 May14 May 09:46

Further to my post yesterday about a deposit for car hire in Canada in August which I was about to lose..
I have negotiated with Canadian Affair to issue me with a future travel voucher for the value of the deposit.
This means I no longer have to choose between paying the balance and losing the deposit.
If the holiday goes ahead I can use it this year. If it doesn’t will use it next year.
It was worth persisting with them.