The new HFP chat thread – Friday 3rd July

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• Lost+confused says:

  3 Jul3 July 11:49

  For anyone interested and thanks to Matty for replying the other day.
  Flying from Gatwick north on Wednesday with Belavia at 14:30, bag drop/checkin took 40 minutes as only 2 desks were open. Security was quick at about 5 minutes although nobody manning the family/accessible side gate.
  As expected no interesting shops open but due to the queues at bag drop it didn’t matter.
  We arrived in the terminal about 110 minutes before the flight which was just about enough.

  Oh, and golden arches at the south terminal were open for drive through but had closed off their carpark which was very unhelpful.

• Alan says:

  3 Jul3 July 12:52

  BA Amex Premium Plus question?

  Hi.

  Despite having already I had one largish refund applied earlier this year, I have just triggered my 2-4-1 companion voucher (with the 6 months extension) and reduced the negative Avios balance. However, I am likely to have further BA refunds which will result in another sizable negative Avios balance and a large credit balance in the next card year, meaning lots of extra spend required to get another companion voucher and no Avios hitting my BAEC account.

  So am I better to get the credit refunded and cancel the card, once all the refunds have gone through and then get my wife to refer me again after the embargo period, so basically dumping the negative Avios balance on the cancelled card account?

  • Harry T says:

    3 Jul3 July 13:06

    You can cancel the card immediately and just ask amex to transfer the credit balance to your bank account when they all land. I did the same with my BAPP after a collection of BA refunds made the balance of Avios go very negative. Haven’t had any trouble getting them to transfer money to me for refunds after the card was closed.

    • Alan says:

      3 Jul3 July 15:39

      Thanks Harry T.

• Harry T says:

  3 Jul3 July 13:08

  I’ve not had a single issue with their CS though, at home and abroad. No issues with lounge access anywhere either.

  • Harry T says:

    3 Jul3 July 15:24

    This was meant to be a reply to @LadyLondon!

• joe says:

  3 Jul3 July 13:32

  Does the amex card referal total of 90k reset at the card renewal date or the beginning of a new year?

  • BJ says:

    3 Jul3 July 13:50

    Year.

  • Rob says:

    3 Jul3 July 14:41

    Calendar

• Alex M says:

  3 Jul3 July 13:36

  What lounges are open at Heathrow, Terminal 5 and can you use them?

  Our lounges will open in phases, starting with our First and Arrivals lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 on 4 July. All eligible lounge customers will be able to use the First lounge irrespective of the cabin you are flying in.

• The Streets says:

  3 Jul3 July 14:15

  New Curve app interface looking good. Very smooth

• Nigel says:

  3 Jul3 July 16:27

  Quick question,

  Does anyone have any idea when Japan Airlines/JAL flights get uploaded onto BA website for Avios bookings?

  • Nick_C says:

    3 Jul3 July 19:37

    360 days in advance normally

    • BJ says:

      3 Jul3 July 19:47

      Yes, I’ve been monitoring KIX-BKK and it’s there. IIRC domestic used to be released only a few weeks in advance but I think that’s changed already too.

      • Vit says:

        3 Jul3 July 19:56

        BJ, just curious and save me a search. What tax and surcharge are we looking at per pax? Mine J from NRT-BKK via TPE is £56.

        • BJ says:

          3 Jul3 July 21:16

          £34 from KIX-BKK, which would normally be £93ish. In your case the extra will be your transit airport fees. I am not certain but I think I read that the Japanese government restricted carrier-imposed surcharges. If so then I hope it lasts a while longer as I’m already suffering from First getting scrapped and missing out on the excellent IHG dynamic pricing deals. Our trip akready feels much more expensive than it needed to be.

        • BJ says:

          3 Jul3 July 21:18

          I should add that they are the same regardless of class.

        • Vit says:

          3 Jul3 July 22:33

          Yes, I think so. Same miles required and only £45 tax for HKG – BKK via TPE but we thought HKG next year might already be in civil war. 😋So decided to go back to Japan again.

          We got 6ish hours transit in TPE. Might not be enough time for going out for a quick city trip but will make sure to eat worth that extra transit airport fee in the lounge. Haha.

        • BJ says:

          3 Jul3 July 22:44

          Don’t they have an option departing KIX that would give you a longer layover to play witth? Might also be worth checking if a stopover is allowed, or if their schedules allow for an overnight sub 24h layover at the sane price as either would certainly give you time to see the city.

        • Vit says:

          3 Jul3 July 23:23

          Been to Osaka and will have some reunion with friends in Tokyo so yeah NRT it is ☺️. Flight already booked, cannot change route now. Only time and date. EVA air doesn’t allow overnight transit with for award redemption ticket, at least not for one-way ticket.

    • Nigel says:

      3 Jul3 July 21:52

      Thanks Nick! Just thinking for next year’s Olympics. I would’ve normally gone via HKG (main issue of using the Lloyds voucher is it is impossible to get direct flights to Tokyo), however due to personal circumstances with the new laws, it looks like HKG might be a no go for me.

      • BJ says:

        3 Jul3 July 22:19

        Tokyo has always been relatively easy to find flights IME. However, should you struggle then consider going to ICN, enjoy a night or two there and then take a flight from GMP to HND. BA dropping KIX I believe so it will probably not be an option.

      • BJ says:

        3 Jul3 July 22:35

        If you want to use the Lloyds voucher then you’ll need to use BA so JAL release dates and availability will be irrelevant. Unless you meant you were planning to use it for 2xOW out and otherwise hoping to get back on JAL.

• Spk says:

  3 Jul3 July 16:45

  Oooh! Double points coupon from Tesco clubcard! Valid in-store and delivery on next two shops.
  Looks like the boost from Covid for grocery retail is over and the competition amongst food retailers restarts.

  • Anna says:

    3 Jul3 July 17:24

    Free ice lollies as well for me 🤣

    • BJ says:

      3 Jul3 July 19:44

      Sent us a free 500ml bottle of Go hand gel!

  • Baji Nahid says:

    3 Jul3 July 18:00

    where do you get the offer is it on your clubcard app?

    • Spk says:

      3 Jul3 July 18:47

      Yes, Clubcard app > offers & coupons > coupons

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