The HfP chat thread – Monday 7th September

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• Jon says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:41

  Just realised my deadline for BAPP annual spend is today and I’m £300 short of triggering my 2-4-1. Oops. Are there any transactions I can do which will clear in time to get the voucher?

  • Charlotte Dexter says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:10

    DO you have a Vodafone account?

    • Jon says:

      7 Sep7 September 10:11

      I do, actually. What can I do?

      • Charlotte Dexter says:

        7 Sep7 September 14:02

        From your mobile (vodafone) ring 56677 to reach the automated payment method. pay in the £300 as an advance on future invoices. Use your AMEX BA Premium Card for miles. Questions: ring me on 07767420943. This is a little-know ‘trick’ Vodafone usually does not take AmEx.

        • Sundar says:

          7 Sep7 September 16:04

          I tried this and it did not match the 2 numeric digits of the postcode correctly for some reason. Any workaround to that or the right way of doing it ?

  • Kai says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:22

    book a random refundable hotel reservation on hotels.com

    • Jon says:

      7 Sep7 September 10:25

      Thank you. Do their payments go through in time? I need one which going from pending to processed today?

      • Kai says:

        7 Sep7 September 13:59

        Yes, choose “pay now” and the payment is taken immediately.

  • Anna says:

    7 Sep7 September 11:05

    You’re not guaranteed the payment will go through today, however I find that if you top up Amazon credit they seem to process the payment very fast. Otherwise throw yourself on the mercy of Amex, but I think people have been refused leeway on this in the past.

  • memesweeper says:

    7 Sep7 September 14:15

    Pop to the supermarket and get some gift vouchers

    • Anna says:

      7 Sep7 September 14:20

      You’re not guaranteed that Amex will process the payment immediately, it can stay as “pending” for a couple of days or more.

    • Lady London says:

      7 Sep7 September 17:06

      +1, easiest and least risk

• Carol says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:47

  Jody – further to my questions about my trip to Monte Carlo in October and the fact that I was told I couldn’t have a refund if FCO advice was still in place but had to use the credit by January 9th, someone posted a link to ABTA and their guidelines. (can’t find yesterday’s chat to see who it was). I rang BA again this morning as I thought I might change destination and I was told that when the balance is due, if the FCO advice is still not to travel then we are definitely entitled to a refund. 3 weeks before the holiday is when the decision is made regarding refunds etc..
  I have had plenty of flight and hotel refunds but don’t book holidays so didn’t know what the rules were!

  • Stuart says:

    7 Sep7 September 09:49

    Used my partner’s email hence the name confusion!

  • Jody says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:08

    Awesome, that’s good news then. When are you due to go (I seem to remember it’s earlier than me!).

    • Stuart says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:37

      Mid October – the balance is due on 20th September

      • Jody says:

        7 Sep7 September 13:43

        If you could keep me posted I would really appreciate it.

        • Stuart says:

          7 Sep7 September 20:13

          Will do

• Darren says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:48

  Amex vilebrequin offer, £40 off £260, for all your travel essentials.

• Wollhouse says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:56

  I wanted to say thanks for all the helpful info posted on this site. And one non travel related post which has been a stellar help. The RBS business account switch… RBS sent paperwork mentioning the concept but with no mention of there being a paid offer behind it. The paperwork had gone into the bin for a few friends. I saw a post from someone about the funded switch and now have a few very grateful business owners! Times have not been easy for them, so this will be very much appreciated, so a huge thank you!

  • Colin MacKinnon says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:20

    We got a few thou on the first batch of RBS switch deals. And then £500 top-ups when the offer was improved! All for accounts we had meant to close!

    Wondering about the new deals: will we lose free access to FreeAgent accounts software if we move, or will FreeAgent not notice. Anyone had any experience?

    ps. Clydesdale/Virgin Money were pants. Starling good. Just in case you don’t know who to switch to.

    • Louise K says:

      7 Sep7 September 10:51

      I had a hissy fit a couple of months ago with RBS and opened a Starling account to use instead. My RBS account is still open and I am moving to TSB to get the offer, but as I already opened a Starling account I can’t use that to get the switch cash!

• Jimmy says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:57

  My £10k spend deadline on BAPP is today. Does anyone know of a transaction/merchant which will go through in time to trigger voucher?

  • mark2 says:

    7 Sep7 September 11:05

    IME the amount to spend is decremented when the points are awarded.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    7 Sep7 September 11:11

    You only need to make a transaction today. It’ll post with a date in the past and should qualify. I don’t think there’s a merchant in the land where the transaction actually completely processes on the day.

    Have to say leaving this late is a huge risk.

    • Jimmy says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:14

      Yeah, it was a total screw up on my part. Got back from a week-long holiday late last night and only just realised. Hopefully all works okay then! Thanks

    • meta says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:33

      It will process with the date in the past, but Amex specifically say in all their T&C that the spend must be fully processed by the deadline. No chance, but you might get lucky.

      • Paul74 says:

        7 Sep7 September 13:15

        Whilst on this kind of topic, does anyone know roughly how long after the deadline I should allow for the 10,000 mrp bonus to appear on my AMEX Gold after spending the £15k before chasing? I passed the spend target closer to the deadline than I’d have liked, albeit not as close as discussed here, so I’m beginning to wonder whether I’m going to need to need to contact them!

        • Anna says:

          7 Sep7 September 13:36

          I’ve a feeling it can be up to 6 weeks or so – it should say in the Ts and Cs. People generally get charged the 2nd year fee before they post and apply for a pro-rate refund if they then cancel the card.

        • Paul74 says:

          7 Sep7 September 14:26

          Thanks Anna

        • Genghis says:

          7 Sep7 September 14:09

          Exactly a month after anniversary date

        • Paul74 says:

          7 Sep7 September 14:27

          Thanks Genghis.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          7 Sep7 September 19:21

          It takes about 4-5 weeks to actually post the bonus. The spend tracker should show if you hit the target or not for last year

• Rob says:

  7 Sep7 September 09:58

  Unlikely because each hotel has its own exclusive merchant code. Amex will only be looking for transactions with those merchant codes.

  • Harry T says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:04

    Thanks, Rob. I won’t waste my time then. Shame they haven’t added the University Arms in Cambridge but at least Trump Turnberry is on there – we are staying this month. Wonder how they will feel when I ask to split the bill over three or four cards?

    • E says:

      7 Sep7 September 10:23

      Harry T, the University Arms is on the list.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        7 Sep7 September 10:49

        Found it strange it wasn’t so checked and yup on the list

      • Harry T says:

        7 Sep7 September 11:49

        Lol reading comprehension fail – thanks, everyone.

    • meta says:

      7 Sep7 September 10:57

      Book separate nights with different card or settle bill each night.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        7 Sep7 September 11:13

        Yet to find a Hotel that isn’t fine with splitting the bill between cards. If there’s 3/4 might want to settle half way though though lol

    • Anna says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:07

      I find hotel staff are very accommodating about using different cards or splitting bills as they understand the concept of earning points and taking advantage of credit card offers!

    • Lady London says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:20

      Why not book each alternate night in your then your partner’s name to make sure?

      • Harry T says:

        7 Sep7 September 11:51

        Unfortunately already booked! I need the nights under my account too.

    • BJ says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:31

      @Harry T, although unlikely it can happen as the situation is more complex. If two or more hotels have the same owner, a stay at one might be processed by another and if tbe other is on the list you will still get the caashie back. Check who billed your previous stay at University Arms before reaching a final decision.

      • Harry T says:

        7 Sep7 September 11:50

        Thanks!

    • Tony says:

      7 Sep7 September 12:42

      Is curve down? Unable to make payments or change underlying card

    • Nomad26 says:

      7 Sep7 September 13:02

      I split my Marriott bill over 3 cards to take advantage of the AMEX offer last November, with no issues at all. I told them the exact amount to put through each card and they didn’t even ask why. You should be fine to do the same.

• Lev441 says:

  7 Sep7 September 10:27

  Thanks HFP – blagged a bargain trip to the Park Lane Hotel in Cyprus for this week.

  £100 flights return with BA holidays & car rental (vs £275 for stand alone) – never would have known this little travel hack without the blog!

  The room rate of £190 a night after price match and 25% price match discount! Just hoping my status match request changes before I get there..

  Buzzing for a week in the sun.

  • Rhys says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:54

    Enjoy!

  • Rh says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:55

    I went 2 weeks ago to the 4 Seasons a few minutes away – we didn’t see a cloud all week. Remember to get you Covid test and flight pass sorted!

    • Lev441 says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:01

      Did the yesterday and got the all clear within 18 hours!

      What’s it like in Cyrus @RH? Is mask wearing mandatory everywhere public? Are things generally open?

      • Rh says:

        7 Sep7 September 15:11

        Everything was open. Had to wear a mask at the breakfast buffet, in shops and in taxis and that was about it. Everywhere open as per usual, but just nicer as less crowded.

      • Rh says:

        7 Sep7 September 15:12

        To add, we enjoyed it so much we are going back in October half term!

• Pal says:

  7 Sep7 September 10:28

  Could anyone please direct me to the latest position on requesting a refund on BA reward flight with 2-4-1 companion voucher. The flight is scheduled for December to India and we have called off the holiday, however I am not sure on whether ‘sitting it out’ on the tickets in the hope that the flights don’t go ahead are the best way forward. Online on ba.com I only have the option to request a voucher, but I would like to get the Avios and taxes refunded instead. Has anyone been able to get a refund, instead of a voucher, by calling BA?

  • Rhys says:

    7 Sep7 September 10:51

    Yes, you can get a refund if you call but you’ll obviously have to pay a £35pp fee if you cancel before BA do. Easiest just to wait it out – you can get the refund up to 24 hours before the flight.

    • Pal says:

      7 Sep7 September 11:18

      Thanks Rhys.

    • Linda says:

      8 Sep8 September 13:22

      Hi Rhys on this topic does anyone have experience on refund processing times. My firsts class 2 4 1 flights where cancelled and I called their first line and was refunded the Avios straight away but still no cash four weeks later any thoughts thanks

      • Rhys says:

        8 Sep8 September 14:21

        I requested a refund for flights two weeks ago nd got them back within the week. I would suggest calling up if it has taken 4 weeks – they can sometimes get lost if they are more complex than usual, and by all indications the phone lines are being answered quickly at the moment.

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