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The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 30th 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 de facto 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.

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General

Comments (212)

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

  • meta says:
    30 Jul30 July 08:28

    I know that I can select seats as Qatar Airways Silver member 7 days in advance. What happens if I change frequent flyer number to BA on my booking? Do I lose my seat selection?

    • meta says:
      30 Jul30 July 08:38

      Sorry should have mentioned it’s a BA flight.

      • Secret Squirrel says:
        30 Jul30 July 08:41

        NS&I declined using curve just now. Ihg behind, happened to anyone else?

        • Catman says:
          30 Jul30 July 11:27

          I can’t seem to get the Curve tap to authorise screen to come up. I get the notification OK but then when I sign in, it’s just my normal Curve screen…..

          It normally works but I did update the app 2 days ago….

        • Doug M says:
          30 Jul30 July 11:59

          SS, worked for me no more than 20 minutes ago. £2.5K.

    • Lady London says:
      30 Jul30 July 14:02

      you dont lose it but anytime BA needs to make a change your seat is vulnerablr if you no longer have the status card attached.

      • meta says:
        30 Jul30 July 14:29

        @Lady London thanks. I was thinking doing it an hour or two before check in opens up in order to bag Avios rather than QR points.

        • Andrew M says:
          30 Jul30 July 19:41

          It’s possible to change your FF number at the gate or on the lounge which would reduce your risk of being moved.

  • Ian M says:
    30 Jul30 July 08:40

    Update re Amex suspending my account for use of BillHop..

    Amex have lifted the suspension of my account. A manager from their credit review team called me and explained that the person who spoke to me last week, had mistakenly given me false information. The manager made clear that the use of BillHop is NOT against Amex terms & conditions.

    I had contacted BillHop about the issue and they contacted Amex from their end and made a bit of noise about it by the sound of things (the manager mentioned BillHop getting involved). All very strange but at least the outcome is good!

    • Anna says:
      30 Jul30 July 09:39

      It didn’t sound right at the time! I’m excited about the new proposed Amex service, it’s been a very slow few months for earning opportunities 😂

    • memesweeper says:
      30 Jul30 July 17:27

      Thanks for the follow-up post @Ian M

  • MD says:
    30 Jul30 July 08:43

    Could anyone who has flown BA to Italy recently please clarify the hand baggage situation? We’re flying Club to Venice next week and I’m getting conflicting information.

    The Italian government in their wisdom apparently banned the use of overhead lockers on all incoming flights at the end of June (i.e. they can’t be used at all). But the BA website makes no mention of this ban. Even the supposedly specific information for my flight takes me to a FAQ which states “Can you use the overhead lockers to store your hand baggage/items?” “Yes, however we ask you to remove any items that you may need during the flight to minimise your movement. We would ask you to stow your hand baggage underneath the seat in front of you, if you are able to.”

    If it’s just that they don’t want you getting up and down during the flight that’s absolutely fine, but if it’s no use of the lockers at all then that rather changes our packing strategy.

    Would appreciate any recent experiences. TYIA.

    • Rob says:
      30 Jul30 July 09:07

      My understanding is that BA is imposing the ban – indeed has no choice.

      • MD says:
        30 Jul30 July 10:02

        Hmm, OK thanks Rob. Strange (and indeed a bit rubbish) that I can find no mention of that on BA’s website then. Would have been a bit of a surprise at the airport.

        • Andrew says:
          30 Jul30 July 10:10

          Took me seconds to find this on the BA site:-

          What are the new rules for customers travelling into Italy?

          Italy has introduced additional measures for customers travelling into the country.

          Before you travel please be aware that you will have your temperature screened before your flight departs, and customers with a high temperature won’t be allowed to board the flight.

          You will need to complete a Health Declaration form at check-in, and check-in any large hand luggage. In order to comply with requirements set by the Italian Authorities, loose items of clothing will not be allowed in the overhead lockers on your flight. These items will need to be placed under the seat in front of you or in your hand baggage. There will be no additional charge for this, as long as it does not exceed the standard hand baggage allowance.

          Face masks should always be worn in the airport and onboard your flight. As a guide, masks can last up to four hours, so please bring enough for the duration of your trip. Please do not travel if you’ve experienced symptoms of Covid-19 within the last 8 days.

          If you’re unable to travel please call us on 0800 727 800 from within the UK, or +44 (0)203 250 0145 from abroad and we’ll talk you through your options.

          • MD says:
            30 Jul30 July 10:25

            Many thanks Andrew. Clearly my Google skills have failed me. But that information is NOT in my “So you’re flying to Venice” email, or anywhere in the links it takes me too. So a BA fail as well. Do you have the link?

            Also, that information contradicts the Italian policy! “Loose items of clothing.” So according to that you CAN use the overhead lockers, just not for clothing? Even more confused now.

          • MD says:
            30 Jul30 July 10:28

            Forget the link, just found that info, cheers. Not where the email takes me. Policy wording still rather unclear though.

          • Andrew says:
            30 Jul30 July 10:49

            It’s not that unclear.

            On a normal flight, large items are placed in the overhead lockers and personal items are placed under the seat in front of you. On this flight, all large items are to be checked, so there’s no need to open the overhead lockers.

            Some people do try and stick any old rubbish in the overhead locker though. It’s unreal the number of times I’ve heard squeels about “Careful my stuff is fragile!” when I or others have rammed my bag into the overhead.

          • Nick_C says:
            30 Jul30 July 11:59

            Awkward if you’re in an exit row then.

          • Lady London says:
            30 Jul30 July 14:15

            That would be me squealing then, @Andrew.

            If you’re carrying something fragile that it’s not safe to check, or for others, if they need to carry medical equipment near them, of course you may find people worrying about anyone heavily “ramming their stuff” into the overhead lockers. Even if fragile items are small enough to go under the seat in front, for some seats the passenger is forced to put everything overhead.

            Even laptops in bags in the overhead lockers are fragile.

      • Ja says:
        30 Jul30 July 15:36

        Didn’t enforce it on my flight

    • Anna says:
      30 Jul30 July 11:05

      Good job Americans can’t travel much, they are outraged if they can’t put something at least the size of a fridge into the overhead bins!

    • Ja says:
      30 Jul30 July 15:18

      I flew to Venice 2 weeks ago. Got an email about 2 days before saying luggage must go in hold. So I dutifully checked in my overnight case. Queuing at the gate loads of people had their cases and none were stopped. The exact same thing happened on the way back.

    • memesweeper says:
      30 Jul30 July 17:29

      Recent experience (to FCO):

      – you could check hand luggage for free
      – temperature screening at the airport
      – form to be completed and handed in at the gate
      – overheads could be used for anything *except* items of clothing, hats, etc, which needed to be put on before landing

  • Moon_day says:
    30 Jul30 July 09:41

    Have a BA DLM flight/holiday booked from Gatwick in late September. As reported here I also see that Gatwick BA flights seem to have disappeared, but so far no information from BA regarding our flight. Managed to contact the call center and I was informed that our flight is still going ahead. However, when I asked to add two friends on the same flight as us, the lady said she couldn’t see the flight and I needed to wait for an email to find out, if my flights and holiday are cancelled or offered with different dates. Anyone flying to DLM or Gatwick flights with accommodation included with similar experiences?

    • Peter K says:
      30 Jul30 July 10:26

      In same boat. I tried a dummy booking and it seems only LHR-DLM now, and it looks like only on Saturdays.

      • Moon_Day says:
        30 Jul30 July 16:02

        Just got the cancellation of flight email. Trying to get through to the call centre.

        • Paul says:
          30 Jul30 July 17:07

          I am going to DLM but using TK and their nonstop flight. It helped that their business class fare was several hundred pounds less than BA. The other benefit is superior service and better option for getting there and back should there be disruption.

  • Anna says:
    30 Jul30 July 09:43

    Is anyone taking IHG up on the sign up/renewal offer for IC Ambassador? It looks as though there are different terms for U.K. and US members.

    • Harry T says:
      30 Jul30 July 09:47

      Well, my renewal isn’t due until next August! Can I renew now for post August? I have a stay at an IC this weekend.

      • meta says:
        30 Jul30 July 09:52

        @Harry T Renewals only allowed 60 days before end.

        • Harry T says:
          30 Jul30 July 09:58

          Thanks! Very helpful. To be honest, I’d quite like another Ambassador Weekend Night certificate but will have to wait a long time!

          • meta says:
            30 Jul30 July 10:06

            My expiry is January, so I might just sneak in. I am also sure by next August there will be similar if not better offers. The only reason they are doing this is because membership renewals are low.

      • Anna says:
        30 Jul30 July 10:26

        Harry, could you sign your partner up? With the bogof night now being extended to Kimptons, and on any night, you could get 4 nights for the price of 2.

      • Lady London says:
        30 Jul30 July 14:41

        Sounds like your time to renewal is a bit long but others with sooner renewal times might want to run some numbers and make some decisions

    • meta says:
      30 Jul30 July 09:51

      I can only see one set of terms on IHG website.

    • Sina says:
      30 Jul30 July 10:09

      I’ve joined ambassador two days ago?! What’s this offer, could anyone elaborate please?

    • Anna says:
      30 Jul30 July 10:32

      Rob said he was going to run an article when this goes live, which is supposed to be today.

      • Rob says:
        30 Jul30 July 10:42

        I’m going to do Regent tomorrow and then the AMB offer the day after I think.

        • Anna says:
          30 Jul30 July 11:00

          Can you confirm if the Ts & Cs have changed or are they different for UK/US? I was going to sign up today as I have a hotel stay in a couple of weeks I could change to IHG, however I would struggle to use the free night certificate by April (I’m sure it was Dec 2021 in the link someone posted the other day).

          • Rob says:
            30 Jul30 July 11:32

            I don’t know – IHG hasn’t sent us anything. I am giving it 48 hours to settle down.

    • Lady London says:
      30 Jul30 July 13:38

      what’s the difference ?

      • Anna says:
        30 Jul30 July 15:27

        LL, I looked the other day and it said for signing up/renewing you needed to complete a qualifying stay by 30/4/21 (no brands specified) and you would get a free night certificate up to 40k points to be used by 31/12/21. Now it seems to be saying your qualifying stay has to be sooner (Dec?), has to be at Kimpton, Regent or IC, and the free night has to be used by 30/4/21. Obviously this 2nd option is a lot less attractive.

  • ChrisC says:
    30 Jul30 July 09:49

    Yesterday someone asked about Radisson status match and how long they gave you,

    I sent screen shots of my IHG Spire ‘card’ and activity yesterday and got a reply today.

    They have upgraded me to Radisson gold until 28th Feb 2021 so I have 8 months.

    They said that the most they would match to is Gold and Platinum has to be earned,

    • Harry T says:
      30 Jul30 July 09:59

      I think you can earn Radisson Gold through Amex Plat. I’ve never used my Gold status so I’ve no idea if it’s useful.

      • meta says:
        30 Jul30 July 10:13

        My partner and I used it twice and never received an upgrade. Status recognition low at some hotels. At Radisson Blu Madrid had to fight for late check out and complain to the manager who then said we’ll give you 10k points, but no late check out. The hotel wasn’t full either, so it was just them. My partner had similar experience in Belgrade, but they gave him late checkout, no upgrade. Both were paid stays.

        Have a booking in Reykjavik in September, so will see if third time lucky.

        • Crafty says:
          30 Jul30 July 11:21

          We’ve had a big suite out of it, (in a mediocre Malta property), so you win some you lose some I think.

        • Paul74 says:
          30 Jul30 July 17:28

          Yes, I’ve found Radisson to be quite good on upgrades but quite tight about late checkouts.

  • Darren says:
    30 Jul30 July 10:08

    Looking for a new current account as Lloyds are starting to charge me for the Gold account, I’ve had it fee free for many years and the travel insurance came in handy a couple of times.
    Any good fee free accounts with good benefits?

    Thanks

    • Anon says:
      30 Jul30 July 10:24

      HSBC / Barclays Premier are good if you meet the eligibility criteria

      You could drop down to Club Lloyds, can get a free magazine subscription or cinema tickets?

      • Darren says:
        30 Jul30 July 10:44

        I do meet the requirement

        • Darren says:
          30 Jul30 July 10:46

          I’ll check the Barclays acc. Thanks

          • h2d says:
            30 Jul30 July 12:39

            Could be worth waiting for Barclays Premier as they may use the long touted Avios tie-up to incentivise you to switch

          • Genghis says:
            30 Jul30 July 12:42

            Or for a HSBC Premier switching bonus, ie cash or free hotel night.

          • Lady London says:
            30 Jul30 July 13:42

            Im sure a new Barclays-avios-BA deal upcoming has been hinted at on here a couple of times. So there might be something launching but would not be in August.

          • Rob says:
            30 Jul30 July 14:08

            It is launching, it is not launching in August.

          • Darren says:
            30 Jul30 July 15:03

            So it’s launching tomorrow!?

            Wishful thinking 😉

          • Darren says:
            30 Jul30 July 15:05

            I think I can wait a while as I won’t need travel insurance any time soon and an Avios tie in would be more useful

    • DJ says:
      30 Jul30 July 10:26

      HSBC Premier, if meet the income or investment requirements. It comes with free travel insurance for the family and grandkids.

  • Andrew says:
    30 Jul30 July 10:15

    BA offering double Avios on flights until end of 2020 for new bookings.

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