The new HFP chat thread – Monday 25th 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/2020/05/25/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-monday-25th-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.

Sk123 says:

25 May25 May 13:10

My Curve card is linked to the HSBC Premier MasterCard. I have spent over £2,000 via Curve. How much Avios should I have earned when I log-in to the HSBC premier account as they don’t seem to be earning any.
- Rahaney says:
  
  25 May25 May 13:44
  
  They post per month, not per transaction like Amex. World elite card £1 = 2 HSBC points = 1 Avios. Free card half as much
- Annabelle says:
  
  25 May25 May 14:03
  
  You should earn 4000 points which converts to 2000 Avions. However you only get these points after you get a statement. Then you can transfer them to avios
  - Thinking Point says:
    
    25 May25 May 17:06
    
    Thank you both. That’s reassuring!
happeemonkee says:

25 May25 May 13:18

Attraction Tickets Direct

Bought 2 tickets for Universal Hollywood through them. Had to put in the intended date of travel to the park which was 28th March 2020 (due to fly to LHR – LAX 25/3). Obviously, flights were cancelled from the UK and the parks were closed so I asked for a refund of the £158.

They came back and said the tickets were now open until the end of the year but I don’t think we will be going. They are only offering an 80% refund instead as a goodwill gesture as the tickets were non refundable. Surely they are in breach of contract if Universal was closed on the date we were ticketed to visit? I paid by credit card.
- Charlieface says:
  
  25 May25 May 13:37
  
  Depends what the contract actually says, often it’s actually an open ticket you can use for 6 months. If not do a S75 claim from your credit card.
  - happeemonkee says:
    
    25 May25 May 16:05
    
    HI, when booking we had to choose the actual date on when to visit the park, there was no flexibility. They’ve now changed it to an “open ticket” for travel up to the end of December this year. The thing is I don’t think we’ll be going
    - Lady London says:
      
      25 May25 May 16:33
      
      Nope. Not valid. Theyre trying to make a unilateral change to the contract. They cant do this witbout your agreement. If you were required to specify a date and at the time you bought your ticket, that contract was binding for a date or set of dates they were not open for then you do not have to accept them unilaterally widening the dates the contract (your ticket) covered on the day you bought the ticket. Tell them to take a funny run and you want your money back promptly.
      
      see my earlier answers. if they say anything that does not indicate you are getting the money within 7 days threaten them with a chargeback on your card. Merchants really dont like this.
      
      if you do have to proceed then of course you will use section 75 which is more powerful but chargeback seems to have more scare power with a merchant.
      
      Let them know enough:s enough, look into terms to see if you still owe them a booking fee, if not decide if you want to be kind and leave them the 20% anyway, request payment within 7 days. if no sign of cooperation do section 75 after 14
- Lady London says:
  
  25 May25 May 13:41
  
  Sounds like they are proposing to keep their commission. If it wasnt separated in the contract I think they cant. TBH though in these times, if you can afford the relatively small amount involved, I would consider helping the agent out by leaving them the 20%. If i didnt have to, I would say the above to them and tell them you will consider leaving them the 20% but only if they receive the money within 7 days otherwise you will do as below.
  
  Looks to be clear breach of contract so ask your credit card to refund you under section 75. dont bother with chargeback it’s weaker.
  
  If cardco refuses tell them you will take them to the Ombudsman. Likely they will cough up then as it’s a clear case and if you do that it costs them a few hundred.££ regardless of the outcome.
  - Lady London says:
    
    25 May25 May 13:47
    
    *seen charlieface’s post above now and (s)he has got a point. If ticket was that flexible and if you think the park might open again during its validity (possible if the US caves in to domestic economic and holiday pressure) then take it less the 20% but try to make it a condution they refund within 7 days to end the matter on both sides.
    - Lady London says:
      
      25 May25 May 13:49
      
      Hum. just seen they said the tickets ‘now open till the end of the year’. sounds like they werent originally. kinda like a voucher attempt by them! my first suggestion applies.
JL says:

25 May25 May 14:18

My friend has stupidly (by her own admission) accepted a BA voucher for 2-4-1 reward flights. Anyone managed to talk BA round, and get the Avios and 2-4-1 voucher back instead? or is it just too late? (ps it really was a friend, it really wasn’t me! :-))
- Anna says:
  
  25 May25 May 16:20
  
  What’s the problem with this, does your friend need the avios for a different booking, without the 2 4 1? I don’t know if it would technically be possible but I suppose it’s worth a try calling BA as it doesn’t involve then giving your friend any actual cash refund, so they may be more amenable.
JL says:

25 May25 May 14:22

My friend has accepted a BA voucher for 2-4-1 reward flights. Anyone managed to talk BA round, and get the Avios and 2-4-1 voucher back instead? or is it just too late? (ps it really was a friend, it really wasn’t me! :-))
Gruntfuttock says:

25 May25 May 17:27

Cut and pasted from Airlineroute earlier this afternoon.
London Heathrow – Buenos Aires Ezeiza Service cancelled until 31AUG20 inclusive
London Heathrow – Calgary Service cancelled for the remainder of S20
London Heathrow – Charleston SC Service cancelled for the remainder of S20
London Heathrow – Helsinki Service cancelled permanently for the time being
London Heathrow – Podgorica Previously planned new route in July/August 2020 cancelled

Separately, previously planned London Heathrow – Portland OR service will now commence on 02SEP20, on board Boeing 787-8.
Chrish says:

25 May25 May 18:45

Look I’ve just given a statement in my PM’s Garden you lot on here must understand i had to Drive to Co Durum i had a cat to feed let my think what name did i give him or was it a her blast forgot what i put on Tesco insurance form was it moggi or moggy (i’m sure it wasn’t “Maggi that’s a soup)
never mind i didn’t brake any rules “Did i”
i drove to a castle to lie or was it lay morri or fred after he, she passed away after i received my clubcard points of course
Readers on here will of course realize i was not braking any guidelines about moggy (i mean quarantine) the (Tesco) guidelines are clear (as mud) i learned about them on here after all yours faithfully Dominic
- Sloth says:
  
  25 May25 May 19:45
  
  Someone’s has a bit too much cider in the sun…
  - Lady London says:
    
    25 May25 May 23:09
    
    Didn’t Nicola Sturgeon sack a very close Minister for doing same as Boris hasn’t punished Dominic for?
    - Louise K says:
      
      25 May25 May 23:52
      
      No, her CMO resigned for driving to her holiday home, twice, at weekends.
      - Josh says:
        
        26 May26 May 03:06
        
        Indeed. It’s not comparable
      - Lady London says:
        
        26 May26 May 10:55
        
        not comparable? sorry not clear
        
        “resigned” ahem. Sounds like Ms Sturgeon can take a tough decision. When otherwise it would look like only the little people to obey the rules, different for the PM and their entourage.
Pauline says:

25 May25 May 19:49

I have a 1st class return with a 2 4 1 to Singapore in June which is cancelled. I want to rebook 11 months later. But my 2 4 1 expires (with 6 month extension) in jan 2020. Phoned ba and was recommended a voucher failing which I will lose the 2 4 1. Is that my best option or is there another option?
- meta says:
  
  25 May25 May 20:01
  
  Since you want to rebook, just rebook on the phone straight away. No need for the voucher. They will put you on the flight regardless of reward availability unless it’s full in F.
  - Pauline says:
    
    25 May25 May 20:20
    
    Can I do that? He said no as my 241 would be expired.
    - Anna says:
      
      25 May25 May 20:31
      
      Call YouFirst, they will sort this for you.
  - Rob says:
    
    25 May25 May 20:32
    
    Not true AFAIK. They WILL rebook you in ‘revenue F’ (so no need for Avios seats) BUT it must be under 12 months from the original ticketing date (ie the date you made the booking) and the 241 must still be valid.
    
    The only way to extend the 241 is to take the Book With Confidence voucher which gets you an April 2022 extension.
davvero says:

25 May25 May 20:29

I’m off out for an eye test now. I fancy the coast. Anywhere with good fish and chips?

If I crash (or drive into the sea) I’ve failed my test.
- Anna says:
  
  25 May25 May 20:31
  
  Try Blackpool, they are welcoming people back, as we speak. Or better still, Llandudno. Say you thought it was in England and you’ll be fine with the Heddlu.