The new HFP chat thread – Monday 17th August

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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.

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/2020/08/17/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-monday-17th-august/comment-page-1. The page will refresh with this article but the comments will now show the first page and not the last page.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HFP home page. If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here. This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Category

General

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

Oli says:

17 Aug17 August 15:33

Q miles validity is now 36 months? Not sure if that’s new
Anna says:

17 Aug17 August 15:38

Data point – Billhop. Apparently they are having IT issues and people are getting messages saying their accounts are not authorised. They say try again later!
T Gall says:

17 Aug17 August 16:14

I know this is crystal ball stuff but we want to rearrange our Canada/USA holiday to next August. We could book at -355 and use Avios to upgrade our outbound. Alternatively we could hold on and wait to see if there are any offers for summer 2021 like double Avios that would make a full cash booking the better choice. What is everyone else doing about 2021?
- Harry T says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 18:52
  
  Book the Avios seats you want. Cancel them for £35 each if a cash sale deal comes along that is better value.
Liam says:

17 Aug17 August 16:42

Anyone else having problems validating Curve payments? I tried to make a payment last night and got no notification in the app to allow me to confirm it. I tried again but asking for an email confirmation and that also never came. I know this process in the past has been a bit hit or miss but I haven’t used it for about six weeks.
- Bazza says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 20:22
  
  Curve is really making a comeback. Anyone able to make £15 per month for metal worthy?
  If we can get £500’000 curve limited and max out IHG, virgin, Miles and more. And the hilton.
  - The Urbanite says:
    
    17 Aug17 August 20:52
    
    I’ve been Metal for a while and have no plans to downgrade.
    
    Just watch out for the volumes – there comes a point where the underlying card issuers will start to notice if you do too much and put a spanner in the works!
  - Crafty says:
    
    17 Aug17 August 21:23
    
    I’ve justified it on the basis of £20k corporation tax that Tesco Bank won’t authorise.
you've insulted my wife damn you! says:

17 Aug17 August 17:56

Avoid angst and aggravation, what with Covid tests, Quarantine rules constantly changing, last minute cancellations, the fight to get refunds it’s not worth it IMHO.

Save your points and miles, take a staycation if you need really a break, crack open a beer and sit it out until Spring 2021

But then there would be nothing to talk about on this board!
Harry T says:

17 Aug17 August 18:01

Edinburgh airport lounges – does anyone know if the No. 1 and Aspire lounges are open and, if so, what their opening times are?
- Rhys says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 20:24
  
  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/08/11/virgin-atlantic-using-plaza-premium-lounge-heathrow-terminal-2/
Harry T says:

17 Aug17 August 18:17

I have an offer on my Platinum Card – spend £100 or more at Lulu Lemon and receive 2000 membership rewards points. Does anyone have this too?

Pretty nice because the gf and I are a fan of LLL.
- meta says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 18:19
  
  Same here. I also have spend £100 get 2000 Avios on my BAPP.
  - Harry T says:
    
    17 Aug17 August 18:53
    
    How many pairs of Align leggings are you ordering then?
    - mr_jetlag says:
      
      17 Aug17 August 19:05
      
      based on LL prices, one?
      - Harry T says:
        
        17 Aug17 August 19:28
        
        Well, maybe two because the offer is on two cards 😂. I was shocked to see how much lower the prices are in Australia. The UK is getting ripped off.
      - meta says:
        
        17 Aug17 August 20:17
        
        In our household we have an offer across 4 cards. It’s on our supplementaries too. I am think of selling stuff on ebay, though I haven’t worked out the pricing.
    - Bazza says:
      
      18 Aug18 August 18:02
      
      Not sure it’s the UK getting ripped off.. Seems it would be those who follow what they believe to be the latest trend?
- Wally1976 says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 19:20
  
  Saw that on my card this morning. Yet another Amex offer for a company I’ve never heard of/very very unlikely to ever use!
  - Rob says:
    
    18 Aug18 August 01:46
    
    Come on Wally, get with the cool kids!
- Reney says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 22:59
  
  🙁 I didn’t get it on any of the cards in household.
  
  Meta – I have been selling my old/newer lulus on ebay. You get a look of interest and a lot of cheeky offers too. And there are people selling new items at steep discount that I can’t work out how they get hold of the stock.. In my opinion this really depends on how much you value 2000 points. At 1p per point i.e. 20% discount, with the level of ebay fees I am not sure you will definately get back at least 80%. If you are going to try it, I suggest buying their most classic item – black align pants 25 inchs in UK size 8 or 10.
  - Louise K says:
    
    17 Aug17 August 23:46
    
    A couple of weeks ago I saw their fast & free and invigorate leggings on at £44, down from £108 and £88. All normal colours available. The price was only up for a day or so before reverting to full price.
    
    This might be why you’re seeing stuff on eBay.
    
    I stocked up!
Wally1976 says:

17 Aug17 August 19:18

Further to the thread higher up, I’d like recommendations for hotel near-ish a beach and with an outdoor pool in Italy at a lower price point if anyone has any please. Around £100 a night for a family of 4 would be good 👍. No preference on brand etc.

Many thanks
- J says:
  
  17 Aug17 August 22:33
  
  Would recommend Puglia – gallipoli has some decent smaller independent hotels although have always used Airbnb… But as a region it is good value and more Italian tourists which I’ve always thought is a good sign.
  - Wally1976 says:
    
    18 Aug18 August 08:03
    
    Thanks J, I’ll take a look