The new HFP chat thread – Tuesday 30th June

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• Lost+confused says:

  30 Jun30 June 13:45

  Can anyone tell me about the current Gatwick experience? The family (1 adult and 4yo) are flying out tomorrow on a flight around 2pm from the north terminal with 1 case to check in. The website says that only Boots is open, but they don’t look like they are updating it much.
  I’d appreciate thoughts on how long we should allow for checking a bag, how long for security, and is anything other than Boots open?

  • Matty says:

    30 Jun30 June 16:33

    I went through Gatwick last Friday.

    Bag check was empty. I saw only two people in the terminal building before entering security.

    Just me and one other guy at security. It took him an age to get through – had packed the kitchen sink and it spewed everywhere when he opened his case to get the contents of his bathroom cabinet and desktop / monitor / modem / cuddly toy etc. He was still on his hands and knees, landslide, as I left the security area. All the tray positions were open along one machine. Plenty of staff.

    Just Boots open airside. No WH Smith or anywhere to get a coffee. Maybe around 30 people in the terminal. There are hand sanitiser points here and there. Only 14 flights scheduled that day.

    Flight called a little early. Boarded those sitting at the rear first. Nothing much moving around the airport when I looked out of the window.

    Your breath begins to stink after wearing a mask after a few hours even if you change the mask, so pack a few mints.

    You’ll be no more than 10 minutes at bag drop and another 10 minutes at security.

    • Lost+confused says:

      30 Jun30 June 17:40

      Thanks Matty. I guess it’s a happy meal for lunch (which will excite have the traveling party).

      • Lost+confused says:

        30 Jun30 June 20:30

        Half even

• Pete says:

  30 Jun30 June 13:58

  Has anyone had issues with Hotels.com vouchers for stays that have been cancelled? I received a voucher for an incorrect amount (although only pennies) and it won;t let me replicate the booking which I originally made, meaning in effect I am getting only 50% refund. I have contacted them numerous times only to be told each time that the issue is being ‘escalated’. Starting to lose patience and wondered if anyone had similar and got a satisfactory resolution>

  • EJH says:

    30 Jun30 June 14:09

    I’m in the same boat re a similar issue – just keep getting bounced between Hotels.com an the voucher issuing company – it’s a nightmare with no resolution in sight. Part of the problem stems from the fact that there is no email address for Hotels.

• James says:

  30 Jun30 June 13:59

  I have an Amex Platinum Card which currently has an offer for double value statement credit which makes each point 0.9p instead of 0.45. Does anyone have any ideas on a gift card or quasi-cash I can purchase online with my Amex card. I’m essentially looking to convert my statement credit to a cash equivalent..

  • Stanley says:

    30 Jun30 June 14:02

    Tesco, Waitrose, M and S, John Lewis, Amazon gift vouchers……..

    • James says:

      30 Jun30 June 14:06

      Thanks. I’m looking for something like Love2Shop vouchers which give me wide selection of shops. I can’t seem to find something like that which accept Amex..

      • Stanley says:

        30 Jun30 June 14:11

        Brent Cross and Westfield both sell vouchers.

      • Andrew says:

        30 Jun30 June 14:13

        Where are you looking?

        The Gift Card racks are usually quite prominent in the major retailers.

        • James says:

          30 Jun30 June 14:18

          I have over 70,000 points that I’m looking to convert. I don’t think a high street shop would let me buy £600 worth of gift cards, hence why I’m looking to buy them online

        • mark2 says:

          30 Jun30 June 14:38

          Morrisons sell gift vouchers e.g. One4All which are very similar to Love2Shop. £600 no problem (split) , you can even do it self service.
          I think that you will struggle to buy gift cards online.

• EJH says:

  30 Jun30 June 14:00

  Is there a way to retrieve the 28 Apr rules referenced in this article – they seem to have been superseded by later updates: https://headforpoints.com/2020/05/05/avios-flight-cancelled-by-ba-you-can-rebook-for-any-date-even-if-avios-seats-are-not-available/

  • Anna says:

    30 Jun30 June 14:34

    What are you trying to do?

• Doog1000 says:

  30 Jun30 June 14:50

  Hi there
  Booked a flight to italy last week with ryanair – clear as day that for bookings in July / August no change fees – however I now look to move it to a few weeks later and a £45 change fee appears
  Anyone else have experience of this?

  • eligold says:

    30 Jun30 June 17:28

    why do people still touch Ryanair, i’ll never understand

    • onlysuites says:

      30 Jun30 June 18:43

      If you don’t live in London there isn’t much choice if you want direct flights.

    • the_real_a says:

      30 Jun30 June 18:50

      Why not? Very cheap, more legroom than BA and go point to point to exactly where i need to be (which isn’t always a big city). I do treat myself to a priority pass so i get lounge access too…

  • Harry T says:

    30 Jun30 June 19:37

    I had to move my flights by a day and just had to pay a very small fare difference. This was for flights in late August.

• AJDT says:

  30 Jun30 June 15:06

  Has anyone had any experience with refunds from TAP Air Portugal? Just wondered how reliable they have been processing refunds? They’ve told me my refund for cancelled flights will take 30-60 days.

• rams1981 says:

  30 Jun30 June 15:10

  Tesco claim their gift cards cannot be used to buy other gift cards such as Amazon. Is this what other have found?

  Morrisons for example don’t seem to have an issue with it.

  • mark2 says:

    30 Jun30 June 15:22

    I have done it in the past during an Amex offer at Esso stations (one with Tesco Extra shop). But that was some time ago.
    Best to try a small amount, and buy a few groceries, and choose a dozy cashier!

    • Genghis says:

      30 Jun30 June 16:41

      +1. But not done it for quite a while.
      I can’t find the terms online but similar terms business gift cards and volunteer Carer gift cards don’t mention this). What do the terms say?
      Prob just jobsworth not taking it.
      If challenged, perhaps just say “put it through and see if it works” and it will.

  • Peter K says:

    30 Jun30 June 15:26

    I’m pretty sure that is the case at Tesco and has been for a long time.

    • Pat the Postie says:

      30 Jun30 June 18:06

      No I used to buy them often

  • Pat the Postie says:

    30 Jun30 June 18:06

    You can’t buy Tesco gift cards with the Tesco gift cards but third party used to be ok, I use Morrisons now and definitely not an issue there.

• Andrew says:

  30 Jun30 June 15:19

  EasyJet has announced that it has begun consultations on plans to close bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle.
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53239256

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