The new HFP chat thread – Monday 27th July

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• Anna says:

  27 Jul27 July 14:35

  It’s being reported that people are cancelling European holidays en masse after the announcement yesterday – I am really starting to wonder if the government has decided this could be a crafty bargaining chip in the current EU negotiations for a Brexit deal. Apparently 3 million Brits are booked to go Spain in August!

  • J says:

    27 Jul27 July 17:23

    What a way to treat our friends. Purely political – travel to most parts of Spain is perfectly safe. I would go on holiday as planned like Boris’ dad or Cummings and ignore the rules.

  • J says:

    27 Jul27 July 18:53

    Given the UK is 3rd (2018: 1st Spain 301m nights, 2nd Italy 216m nights, 3rd Joint UK/France 140m nights) on the list with EU countries as a tourism destination – it would seem a fairly daft point to make.

• The Lord says:

  27 Jul27 July 14:42

  Does anyone have any recommendations for last min luxury holidays?

  • The Lord says:

    27 Jul27 July 14:43

    Should have been clearer, that is places to book last min luxury holidays!

    • Lyn says:

      27 Jul27 July 21:33

      Via Emyr using Rob’s link to make contact with him?

• Ed says:

  27 Jul27 July 14:53

  Has anyone had any luck booking domestic journeys (i.e. EDI – LHR) with KLM using Virgin Atlantic miles? Nothing will load using the search function on the VS website.

  • Rhys says:

    27 Jul27 July 15:12

    Unlikely, given that KLM don’t fly domestically between Edinburgh and Heathrow!

    • Ed says:

      27 Jul27 July 15:33

      I know that Rhys – KLM don’t fly DUB – LHR direct either but Virgin Atlantic will still sell you a ticket for this two sector route (via AMS) for just 4000 miles.

      • Rhys says:

        27 Jul27 July 15:36

        That isn’t a domestic flight any more, however! But to answer your question, no reason it shouldn’t be possible although it wouldn’t be the first time IT issues have got in the way 🙂

• Kush says:

  27 Jul27 July 14:56

  Has anyone tried the Amex Plat upgrade from Gold here? https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/benefits/upgrade/platinum-charge/

  • Rob says:

    27 Jul27 July 15:04

    It seems to work, but ONLY from Gold Charge. If you have the Gold credit card, which is the only version offered for the last couple of years, you can’t do it.

    • Nick_C says:

      27 Jul27 July 15:50

      Should also work from the charge card with the £60 fee..

      As the link says, “If you hold The American Express Card or The American Express Gold Card, you can explore a world of benefits when you upgrade to The Platinum Card®.”

• Soloflyer1977 says:

  27 Jul27 July 14:59

  Random question on BA flexible booking policy. If I make a booking and want to change the inbound flight after I’ve flown the outbound leg (to potentially extend my stay)- do I still benefit from no change fee policy?

• Anna says:

  27 Jul27 July 15:55

  Data point – just at the Indigo Durham, booked 2 nights on points in the recent “sale” plus 2 nights on cash for the kids (bizarrely booking the 2 nights separately gave free breakfast on the 2nd morning!) We’ve been upgraded to Superior King and Superior Twin – the Twin is gigantic with a double shower and we are slightly jealous! The design is adorable with university memorabilia and old books everywhere.

  • Anna says:

    27 Jul27 July 16:02

    There’s a limited restaurant & room service menu, no info book in the room and nothing in the mini bar (which is fine as we’ve put our own snacks in it!). There is coffee/tea/biscuits.

• GRIMZ says:

  27 Jul27 July 16:25

  I have a flight from Phoenix – LA on AA booked with avios and £4 in November that I need to cancel. Do you have to phone BA to cancel this flight and would I get my 7500 Avios back?

  • Stu N says:

    27 Jul27 July 16:28

    You’ll lose £4 (cancelation is lower of £35 and cash actually paid on reward flights). The Avios will be refunded immediately. Should be able to do it online from Manage My Booking without any issue.

    • Andrew says:

      27 Jul27 July 17:10

      That has been changed – it’s £35 cancellation fee regardless of the cash element paid, if you want the Avios back. That is why it’s the end of the £1 cancellation fee on Reward bookings. Hopefully if they get the cancellation back running online then the £1 cancellation fee might return, but currently you have call up and they are charging £35 regardless if you want the Avios back.

      • Matt says:

        27 Jul27 July 21:10

        I don’t think this is correct. I’ve cancelled AA redemptions recently and only lost the £4 or so of taxes. Avios returned in full.

        • Grimz says:

          27 Jul27 July 21:59

          Matt, did you cancel online or over the phone? It only allows me a voucher if I cancel online.

      • Chris Heyes says:

        27 Jul27 July 21:35

        Andrew@ I canceled a AA booking from Denver to Phoenix for 12th Sept cost £12 for 3 of us plus Avios via BA lost £12 only Avios returned (flight still flying)
        flight London Denver and Phoenix London cancelled by BA so received full taxes and Avios back

  • Anna says:

    27 Jul27 July 18:15

    I cancelled Avios seats on an AA flight a couple of years ago and had to call to do it.

• Cuchlainn says:

  27 Jul27 July 17:09

  Afternoon all,
  Tried to log into Avios.com last 3 days – no go ( even using Apple iPad which remembers my password ). I have a legacy AerClub login to Avios.com and last flight used came home yesterday via DUB. Requested password reset 4 times – password email reset received – security question answered correctly but I keep on getting a “Invalid data.Please verify the data and resubmit. (400 )” error message – new password complies with website requirements….
  Have tried ringing but no answer to phone line.
  GrrrHH – any ideas, please ?

  • Isherwood says:

    27 Jul27 July 17:19

    I share your experience exactly. It appears to be another example of suboptimal IT from IAG. Really hoping the login glitch will be ‘ fixed’ in the next few days. I am keen to gain access to a collection of refunded Avios.

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