The new HFP chat thread – Thursday 20th 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/2020/08/20/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-thursday-20th-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.

A says:

20 Aug20 August 19:44

Regarding the Amex plat £100 waitrose/apple/harvey nichols etc offer that ends next week…does anyone know if a purchase of waitrose online gift card/e-gift card will trigger the statement credit?
Small matter of being in the US at the moment – as I have been since the start of covid – so not much chance of walking past a waitrose store..
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 20:28
  
  I doubt it but what about ordering a few bottles of your normal tipple to a family/friends house and they stash until you return to the UK?
  
  I think marks gift cards bought online worked from comments on the past online only offer.
  - A says:
    
    21 Aug21 August 21:04
    
    Thanks. No use for M&S….it was intended for some airpods when John Lewis have a sale on the pro model (because apple won’t).
    Guess I’ll be ordering some booze and snacks from Harvey Nichols then 😀
- Bigsi says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 22:59
  
  Yes, I just bought an M&S e-gift card and got the £100 credit. Don’t think it works for any other gift cards.
  - Sundar says:
    
    20 Aug20 August 23:38
    
    Got on the supp as well….Ssshhh
Jan M says:

20 Aug20 August 20:26

Quick rights question: I booked a one-way KLM flight using Virgin miles from Amsterdam to the UK as part of some wider travel plans. I obviously want to avoid the Netherlands now, so asked for a refund. Virgin is willing to refund the points but not the taxes as the flight is still going. Are they allowed to do this? Aren’t the quarantine rules a material change? Would be grateful for the advice!
- ChrisBCN says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 21:59
  
  When is the flight? If it’s in more than a few days you could sit tight and see if they cancel it, if they do you would be entitled to get everything back.
  - Lady London says:
    
    20 Aug20 August 22:14
    
    +1. Technically the airline has to refund you the true government part of what they call “taxes” (most of that being actually kept by Virgin, as it would be by British Airways). Sadly it might only be no more than £20 though.
    
    Hang on and see if they cancel as @ChrisBCN says.
    - Jan says:
      
      20 Aug20 August 23:25
      
      Thanks. That seems like the best option in the circumstances. I saw KLM already cancelling some other flights, so… I just thought it odd that the introduction of quarantine measures doesn’t count for anything. We’ll see! Just praying Germany will stay off the quarantine list.
- memesweeper says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 23:07
  
  Is it within seven days? In which case you have very limited cancellation options with Virgin
Travel Strong says:

20 Aug20 August 22:03

Wow it is hard to cancel that special ‘fully cancellable’ park plaza Amsterdam deal from a couple of months ago! Impossible online, impossible via radisson, not yet possible directly (call back tomorrow after 9am when someone else is on the desk). Tomorrow it is then! 🙂
Ben says:

20 Aug20 August 22:11

We’re looking to use our hotel points for a redemption in the UK but due to COVID-19, my wife is still unwilling to visit regular hotels. She wants a cottage of sort so that we don’t spend time in the lobby or corridors…

We have ton of points with Hilton, IHG and Radisson.

Do any of you is aware of a UK hotel/resort in one of these chains that has such detached family rooms?
- Andrew Mc says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 23:03
  
  Maybe Hilton Grand Vacations at Craigendarroch Suites. Not sure.
- memesweeper says:
  
  20 Aug20 August 23:10
  
  I’ve redeemed with IHG and Marriott in the UK lately and the hygiene standards have been superb. they have so few customers it’s easy to ensure distancing and rooms are left empty for *days* between guests. Reassure Mrs Ben that she should at least try it — if she hates it, bail and go home, nothing lost but points.