The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 2nd July

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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/2020/07/02/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-thursday-2nd-july/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.

Gtellez says:

2 Jul2 July 13:13

I recommended an Amex card from my Platinum Card yesterday and the referral points arrived today, so it seems that the problems are now fixed.
stevenhp1987 says:

2 Jul2 July 14:16

Are IHG hotels open from Saturday?

Got a one-night reward booking for a Holiday Inn on Saturday and the website still says “We are currently open for stays for critical workers, as defined by the UK Government and where the need for accommodation is related to their work, elite athletes, their coaches (and parents if under 18) and those who are required by law to self-isolate.”

The app says something different about being open in line with local travel restrictions.

Sent the hotel an email to no response.
- Rob says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 14:36
  
  Some will, some won’t. ‘Independently owned and operated’ remember.
  - stevenhp1987 says:
    
    2 Jul2 July 15:16
    
    Thanks. They’ve responded to my email that they’re open. I have another booking for the Peak District next weekend for a long weekend which is the same independent chain, so that should go ahead too!
    - Aston100 says:
      
      2 Jul2 July 23:47
      
      Ooh, I’m there in August at the CP in Harrogate.
      Which IHG property you looking at there?
JohnNI says:

2 Jul2 July 14:21

I have tried searching on here but cannot find what I am looking for.
What is the name off the company that I have seen on HFP that gives car hire full insurance protection?
Thanks in advance
- Luckyjim says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 14:26
  
  Insurance4CarHire
  - JohnNI says:
    
    2 Jul2 July 14:31
    
    Thanks, I should have guessed that
- Lady London says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 16:10
  
  also Bettersafe, Questor.
  Each company has slightly different rules about what they will cover – start with Rob’s link though.
Graeme says:

2 Jul2 July 14:51

Afternoon all.

Does anyone know how long before takeoff that bag drop opens for a medium haul business class Air France flight from CDG? It’s an 11pm flight so I’m trying to work out whether it’s worth having the day in Paris first. I can’t find that info on their site and they aren’t answering on Twitter.

Thanks!
- Graeme says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 15:21
  
  Thanks. That’s all I could find online, but we’d only go on the same day so wouldn’t apply.
  
  I’m talking about next March anyway, so hopefully everything will be normal by then.
  - Graeme2 says:
    
    2 Jul2 July 16:26
    
    I’ve used the left luggage lockers in the train station connected to CDG for this purpose in the past – quite convenient if you’re taking the train into Paris anyway. Probably also covided out at the moment though I would guess
    - Graeme says:
      
      3 Jul3 July 07:40
      
      Thanks Graeme – that will definitely work if I can’t get them to take my case. I’ll get booking a nice early flight!
JanH says:

2 Jul2 July 15:36

Bit of advice please……..I have 4 business class seats, which I booked last year, for September to USA. with BA. I used avios and 2 x 2-4-1 vouchers. Can I request a voucher and if so will it honour the 2 x 2-4-1s. Any insight appreciated. Thanks
- Rhys says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 15:48
  
  Not at the moment – only travel prior to 31st August is currently eligible for a voucher, unless BA have cancelled. That said, you have an Avios booking so extremely flexible if you do want to cancel. If you want to avoid the cancellation fee (£35pp) then you’ll need to wait until (if) BA cancels your flights.
  - JanH says:
    
    2 Jul2 July 15:58
    
    According to the BA website if I want to alter the dates/destination then it includes travel up to end of April next year so I should be covered. The only thing is it says for bookings made between 3rd March and 31st August this year which I find a bit odd……….what about people that booked before covid ? OR am I reading this completely wrong!
    - Rhys says:
      
      2 Jul2 July 16:03
      
      Yes, different policy if you booked before 3rd March. However, you may find that BA extend the flexible booking policy to September – they’ve been incrementally extending it.
    - Rob says:
      
      2 Jul2 July 16:19
      
      Your rights here are weaker. People who booked post-covid have more rights because they needed more persuasion to book.
      - memesweeper says:
        
        2 Jul2 July 16:55
        
        … and people who booked pre-covid should have insurance cover. OP, if you can, I’d wait until two weeks before the flight to see if it gets cancelled, at which point you can either get everything back, free, or a voucher for future travel, or rebooking to the same destination at a later date of your choice. Hold tight.
JanH says:

2 Jul2 July 16:16

Thanks Rhys, I’ll just hang on and see how things develop.
GRIMZ says:

2 Jul2 July 16:38

I am booked for Arizona and California in November on a BA 241. Looking at these places with Covid19 its not happening! What are readers thoughts on alternative places to go?
- Anna says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 19:11
  
  Depends what you want to do. Dubai or Abu Dhabi would have the weather and food but not road trips. Caribbean would probably be ok with the weather (if a bit rainy) and obviously great beaches. For landscapes the Canaries are a good option, especially the lesser known parts of Tenerife.
  - Lady London says:
    
    2 Jul2 July 20:29
    
    Oman?
- pauldb says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 19:43
  
  Book Singapore or Kuala Lumpar and decide later on where exactly to go?
  
  Or stick to Europe but then not much choice for good weather but the Canaries.
- Harry T says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 20:05
  
  Japan or Hong Kong. Australia would be excellent at that time (West and East Coast) but probably won’t be open then. Dubai would be excellent if you want a beach holiday.
- Darren says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 21:24
  
  There could be bigly celebrations in the US in November 2020
Wally1976 says:

2 Jul2 July 17:32

Has anyone who has had flights moved from LGW to LHR been able to ‘accept’ them online? I can click MMB which brings me to a page with 3 options but when I select the options I just get an error! I really don’t want to have to phone up…
- meta says:
  
  2 Jul2 July 22:16
  
  Yes, discussed yesterday. Will require a call to confirm!