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The new HFP chat thread – Wednesday 10th June

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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/2020/06/10/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-wednesday-10th-june/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

Comments (175)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • Nick says:
    10 Jun10 June 11:36

    Does anyone know if the 20k Amex Platinum ‘just because’ points are still available? I didn’t ask last time and would like to be armed with info before I call asking to cancel!

  • The Urbanite says:
    10 Jun10 June 11:40

    Capital on Tap and the Miles & More cards. Is there a cap to the amount of points one can earn per month? I vaguely remember something posted about one of them being limited to 2x credit limit per month but look at both T&Cs and can’t see anything?

    • Rob says:
      10 Jun10 June 12:15

      You can only clear your credit limit once mid month, I think, with Capital On Tap. Don’t quote me on that.

      The Miles & More cards are charge cards and have no credit limit.

      • The Urbanite says:
        10 Jun10 June 12:28

        Ah that must be it, thanks!

      • AlexT says:
        10 Jun10 June 17:34

        Not exactly true on the M&M card. Yes they are charge cards, but the letter sent with them, as far as I recall, stated a suggested limit amount. I did exceed it once, got a decline on the offending transaction, and a prompt call from the issuer to confirm the recent transactions.

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
    10 Jun10 June 11:54

    Looks like Tesco Bank aren’t giving up on Clubcard points

    https://ldn.tbe.taleo.net/ldn01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=TESCO&cws=1&rid=5688

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
    10 Jun10 June 12:12

    Melia points on sale again thanks to a 50% bonus. Now €0.33/point, which is about as cheap as it has ever been. Important restrictions on the bonus though:

    This promotion applies to a single purchase per MeliáRewards member, for a maximum of 300,000 points, which is equivalent to 150,000 promotional points.
    The 50% bonus points will be credited as promotional points in the “my promotions” area of the member’s account.
    Valid for reservations made before 31st December 2020.
    Valid for stays up to 30th April 2021.
    Valid to use in any hotel available on melia.com, App and Contact Center.
    The points can only be used once, on a single reservation. If they are not all used in one reservation, they are not saved for future bookings.
    If you cancel your reservation before 31st December, and the reservation has a free of charge rate (flexible rate), the points will revert to your account and you will be able to make a new reservation as long as you meet the conditions of the promotion.
    If the reservation is cancelled before 31st December and the reservation has a non-refundable rate, the points cannot be reused.
    If a reservation, which has been made using the promotional points, is cancelled after 31st December, the points cannot be reused.
    These points will not form part of the account balance, as it is a promotional campaign. They are not valid for upgrading and cannot be transferred. Points are not valid to use on the partner network or on hotel services.

    • Andrew says:
      10 Jun10 June 12:39

      Is there a special link?

      • Andrew says:
        10 Jun10 June 14:13

        How can you buy points which don’t have these limitations attached to it then?

        • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
          10 Jun10 June 17:34

          It’s just the 50% bonus that has the restrictions. The 100% that you are paying for works as normal.

    • JC says:
      10 Jun10 June 13:51

      Very interesting. Thanks a lot for this. I bought the points on Melia’s website, received the 50% bonus in my promotions and booked my stay! Very happy. Thank you.

      • JC says:
        10 Jun10 June 17:50

        With the 50% bonus, it results in a purchase price of €3.24 per 1,000 points which is a great deal.

  • Brian W says:
    10 Jun10 June 12:30

    I’ve been going back and forward with IHG in relation to the non-awarding if the Choice Benefit for Spire despite their Travel Advisory stating it would be included with the extension. They are claiming to me that the redemption date for the previous years Choice Benefit has been extended along with the Spire status and it is not a new Choice Benefit that is being awarded. Their website and other comms are terrible if this is genuinely what they are claiming.

    One response states:

    Hi Brian ,

    Thank you for your prompt response.

    I genuinely apologize for your frustration with the manner you feel your concern was handled by us. Please know that we do not intend to let you feel disappointed. IHG takes each and every concern seriously, we always want our members to provide the service they deserve.

    I would just like to reiterate that what was written is about the extension of your Spire Elite status so meaning the statement “For Spire Elite members this includes the Choice benefit of 25,000 bonus points or gifting of Platinum Elite status to someone each year ” is also talking about the we will include extending the redemption date of your benefit. It is not mentioned that a Spire Elite choice benefit will be available for you to redeem every year.

    Rest assured that your comments and feedback will be fully documented and for our higher management to review.

    Let me know if there’s anything else!

    I went back to them this morning pointing out that this contradicts the Travel Advisory and also that some members are reporting they are being awarded the 25k points by calling up and taking them to task. The response I got back was:

    Hi Brian ,

    Thank you for your response!

    We appreciate you going out your way and sending us those blogs. I will definitely let our management know about is.

    I would like to kindly let you know that exception is given in a case to case basis it is not a benefit we can freely give to our members.

    Again, we understand and took note of the confusion on your end however, you were already advised that what is written is for the extension of the redemption date.

    Regretfully, I am unable to provide such exception on your case, Brian.

    Hoping for your kind understanding.

    Thank you for your business as a Spire Elite member!

    Good way to ensure I book everything I need this year with Hilton.

    • Andrew says:
      10 Jun10 June 12:38

      Oh so basically we aren’t getting our ‘free’ 25k bonus then. Maybe an article by Rob so everyone knows.

      • Rob says:
        10 Jun10 June 16:17

        Odd (not surprising, but odd). Not that you should take the call centre word for it of course. I will ask.

  • rams1981 says:
    10 Jun10 June 12:32

    Anyone else having issues topping up Revolut with IHG card in last couple of days?

    • Anna says:
      10 Jun10 June 14:22

      No, quite the opposite, all limits seem to have been abandoned. Just need to remember to pay it off straight away to avoid charges.

      • xcalx says:
        10 Jun10 June 15:12

        Is that with the free card. thanks

      • Rossy says:
        10 Jun10 June 16:38

        I’ve not had issues topping up either. I do tend to pay it off on the same day to avoid paying interest, but I have been wondering, given that (I think legally), and payments to credit cards must be put towards clearing interest first before clearing the balance, do I need to actually pay the full amount off?
        Using a non-accurate, hypothetical example, if I topped up Revolut with £100 and incurred 1% charge at £1, could I not just pay off £2 from my CC balance to ensure that the interest part is covered or do I need to pay the full £100 to ensure no interest is incurred?

        • John says:
          10 Jun10 June 17:24

          The interest is incurred on the £100 (because it is treated as a cash-like transaction). Interest is incurred daily but only added to your account monthly.

          If you pay off the interest but don’t pay off the principal, why would interest stop being charged?

      • Rossy says:
        10 Jun10 June 16:39

        *all payments

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:
    10 Jun10 June 12:47

    BA have just cancelled my flights to Turkey in Aug. Per their email I can change my booking or get a refund via Manage My Booking. Logging in they show no alternative flights. I believe what they mean is no alternative BA flight. Am I still able to make them put me on an alternative airline and if so, do I have complete flexibility with regard the origin? Flights were from Gatwick but replacements are at dire times so I’d rather fly from MAN.

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:
      10 Jun10 June 12:48

      I should point at that these were Avios bookings originally should that impact the answer.

      • Ammar says:
        10 Jun10 June 13:22

        Im in the same boat – had flights cancelled to AYT in Sept but cant find any alt dates, not even sure if they are doing them next year?

        • Andrew says:
          10 Jun10 June 16:16

          I just took the refund and ran, not even looked at alternatives, I’m not planning to travel until the new year.

    • Secret Squirrel says:
      10 Jun10 June 13:26

      So Aug SH flights being cancelled, anyone been cancelled for Sept onwards?

    • Anna says:
      10 Jun10 June 14:19

      Problem here is they would probably insist on re-routing you from LGW or other London airport in the unlikely event of agreeing (even though you are entitled under EU261). LCC prices seem REALLY low for the summer holidays just now though, so you might want to get your avios back for another time and pay cash for alternative flights.

      • Peter K says:
        10 Jun10 June 19:54

        Not really cheap to DLM from MAN. Looked the other day for Sept and, including checked luggage and priority seats, it was about £350-425 per person return. Even HBO was £200ish per person absolute cheapest.

    • Charlieface says:
      10 Jun10 June 14:28

      No not much flexibility in terms of origin unless they agree, which they might if the price is cheaper or they’re feeling generous. You can demand any airline on any date/time.

      • Mr(s) Entitled says:
        10 Jun10 June 19:50

        Thanks all for the responses.

        We are expecting some compromises to the trip but on balance we are still keen to go. But potentially having to now get to STN to pick up a flight that lands at 2am is making the whole thing a lot less appealing.

        Think I’ll sleep on it for a few days but it’s looking like MAN or bust.

  • Jean Morgan says:
    10 Jun10 June 12:59

    Is there anyone here who has any expertise in charity funding? At this difficult time I am trying to raise funds for a tiny local charity. Things are not going well. We have a just giving page, we have publicised to local groups on facebook and applied for a lottery grant. So far £470 of our £20K target.

    • MattyS says:
      10 Jun10 June 13:18

      Hi Jean, the Small Charities Coalition have some good advice on their website if you register. Smallcharities dot org dot uk

      • Jean Morgan says:
        10 Jun10 June 14:29

        Thank You, I’ll take a look at that it sounds very useful.

        Jean

    • ChrisBCN says:
      10 Jun10 June 16:36

      Jean, you didn’t provide a link to your just giving page! There may be people here who would support you – don’t miss the opportunities to get the word out. And good luck.

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

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