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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 9th September

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We have decided to run this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

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Comments (193)

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

  • BJ says:
    9 Sep9 September 06:02

    More coverage from the BBC on BA refunds and FTV. Obviously a vast pool of people out there who still need to discover HFP! I find it a bit odd in the web age that so many remain too lazy or too clueless to seek out the excellent information and support that is available to them, following the same old practices and mistakes.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54059004

    • Anna says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:16

      We were just discussing this – the couple featured didn’t seem to have the first idea about CEDR or MCOL, or redress through their credit card. They maintain they never agreed to, a received a voucher, so the first step would be to formally challenge BA on this, which all the above providers would do.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        9 Sep9 September 07:57

        What really happens in situation like this is that the person didn’t understand what they were requesting but will instead claim that they never asked for it.

        • Sarah says:
          9 Sep9 September 08:20

          I had a flight that was cancelled and requested a refund online. After being promised a refund during numerous phone calls over about 4 months, during another phone call I was then told that as I had requested a voucher I could not have a refund. I insisted that I had requested the cash whilst the agent insisted I had asked for the voucher. I told her I had the email in front of me confirming the refund and she finally relented.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            9 Sep9 September 11:47

            I may be incorrect but I thought the only only option for a “refund” was an FTV thn and still the case now?

          • Sarah says:
            9 Sep9 September 11:55

            I had the option of a cash refund as my flight for March 16 was cancelled on March 13 and this was still offered online. I had more than one email confirming the cash refund

          • Rob says:
            9 Sep9 September 12:30

            If BA cancels you are entitled to a cash refund but must call to ask for it.

          • Aston100 says:
            9 Sep9 September 11:55

            I don’t know where some of these agents get their information.
            The other day, I had an Easyjet agent telling me they hadn’t refunded me because I had asked for the option of alternative date & destination. I told them I even had an email from them confirming they had received my request for a refund.
            The agent persisted. So I asked, OK what date & destination did I choose in lieu of a refund? the agent was unable to obtain this information.
            Rage inducing.

            Don’t know why I didn’t just go straight for an s75 from the start.

          • Lady London says:
            9 Sep9 September 13:41

            See my other comments previously about Easyjet’s sneaky tricks being operated currently.

            I don’t blame them at all. Just again I hate to see innocent people exploited.
            HfP readers mostly not qualifying as all that “innocent” 🙂

        • Rob says:
          9 Sep9 September 09:17

          That’s generally the case in my experience 🙂

        • Lady London says:
          9 Sep9 September 13:39

          Well…. BA did railroad everyone into vouchers initially. They also tweaked their website – twice over – to stop people finding the page they’d hidden that would let people request refunds. All roads provided by BA led to a voucher. 99.9% of customers would have fallen it because of this level of coercion by BA.

          I am itching for BA to come up in court on this and be told they ahve to refund everyone who got a voucher between certain dates because it’s more than odds-on they were entrapped into this by BA.

          I am really not as against BA as I always sounds I just don’t like “little people” being bullied and lied to by big companies that take advantage of them… no matter how desperate the circumstances of the big company.

      • Charlieface says:
        9 Sep9 September 09:29

        The simple answer to that is that EC261 places string requirements on airlines to get confirmation from the pax that they will take a voucher or otherwise waive the cash. They need to make clear that pax are giving up their right to cash. None of the airlines have demonstrated that, BA the least.

    • Spursdebs says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:57

      I’m surprised your surprised at clueless lazy people BJ. You only have to look at this site the endless same questions which are easily answered by using the search button.

      • Aston100 says:
        9 Sep9 September 11:51

        Hang on there a sec, are you using some super duper limited access version of the site that gives you the ability to easily search and find anything you are looking for?

      • BJ says:
        9 Sep9 September 19:30

        I get your point Debs, must rush though, I want to post a question about what these avios things are…

  • BSI1978 says:
    9 Sep9 September 06:47

    Happy Wednesday chums!

    I’ve a trip with BA Holidays booked, 1st class flights included. If I need to make changes, is it BA Holidays, You First or either?!

    Ta

    • Andrew says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:03

      You First can’t help as such but call them first, clear security with them and they will put you through to Holidays, announcing your enquiry. It means you won’t have to wait in the Holidays queue as You First always answer very quickly and they will put you through to a Holidays agent by jumping the queue.

      • Reeferman says:
        9 Sep9 September 08:22

        I did exactly this 10 days ago – and was still waiting 75 minutes for BA Holidays to answer the phone (after being transferred there by You First). So jumping the queue isn’t a given!

  • The Lord says:
    9 Sep9 September 07:13

    I see that the Maldives now require a negative PCR test on arrival. Anyone know if an NHS test will suffice?

    • Andrew says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:37

      It won’t because it’s basically just a text which you could easily fake. A private clinic issued certificate would be required.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        9 Sep9 September 07:58

        Thought you can opt to receive an email if you go through gov.uk?

      • LB says:
        9 Sep9 September 08:28

        I received a text, email AND a letter with my results.

        • Jonathan says:
          9 Sep9 September 12:15

          You’ll get an e-mail if you provide one but it doesn’t specify date or time of test. Home tests are being rationed now & turnaround 4-5 days in last couple of weeks. Drive through slots also being rationed so you’d be incredibly selfish to use one for holiday purposes.

          Lots of private options such as The Doctors Laboratory in London.

    • Navara says:
      9 Sep9 September 17:59

      NHS tests aren’t there to enable holidays

  • Michael says:
    9 Sep9 September 07:14

    Does anyone have an experience with Rimowa luggage? Would you recommend? I’m close to purchasing a carry on and larger check in case.

    • Andrew says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:39

      Yes they are excellent and now they are part of LVMH the brand has become a lot more desirable due to the update to its branding and marketing. The “Classic” range in my opinion is the nicest with the leather handles and as the name suggests, the most classic – I’m less keen on the plastic ones.

      • Michael says:
        9 Sep9 September 09:03

        Thanks Andrew, that’s good to know. Yeah it would be their classic range I would be buying.

        • Pete says:
          9 Sep9 September 13:24

          Make sure you check prices on kofferworld.de and mymarstaller.com – I’ve found them very competitive, especially if they have a deal on. Shipping to the UK was quick and easy.

    • Pablo says:
      9 Sep9 September 08:01

      How about a Xiaomi? https://www.mi.com/uk/xiaomi-metal-carry-on-luggage-20/

      • memesweeper says:
        9 Sep9 September 14:37

        How about Away Travel’s alu case? They do it in black, which is 100% more stylish than the metalic finish cases. Worth the ludicrous price for the wheels alone.

  • Anna says:
    9 Sep9 September 07:21

    I used the Amex gold 2000 bonus MR point offer with Lululemon the other day – the bonus points posted before the payment even cleared!
    I don’t normally buy their stuff but they have some decent discounted luggage and accessories like microfibre towels and hot/cold drink bottles. I’m going to be very trendy and co-ordinated when travel re-starts!

    • Anna says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:23

      It also took me to the £15k spend threshold (I had £101 left to go), so the card can go in a drawer now until the anniversary in January.

    • Harry T says:
      9 Sep9 September 07:40

      Thanks for reminding me to use my offer! Hope you’re happy with your purchases.

    • Louise K says:
      9 Sep9 September 08:17

      Yes mine posted very quickly too.

      Lululemon stuff is very good. Look out for bargains under the We Madetoo Much section. Their On The Fly pants are the best travel trousers I have ever found.

    • Louise K says:
      9 Sep9 September 08:18

      Yes mine posted very quickly too.

      Lululemon stuff is very good. Look out for bargains under the We Made Too Much section. Their On The Fly pants are the best travel trousers I have ever found.

      • RussellH says:
        9 Sep9 September 15:25

        Just looked at “We Made Too Much” – prices still way too high for me. £12 for one pair of socks? It is not as if they were hand made silk.

  • Elaine J. says:
    9 Sep9 September 08:04

    Re the negative PCR test: I recently visited Barbados, who required a negative PCR test certificate. This I had obtained by travelling to London for a test, and paying £140 each. However, while queuing at Barbados airport, I could see several passengers holding NHS documents. Also, while on the beach, I was speaking with a family who had all had NHS tests. Not sure how they achieved this!

    • Charlieface says:
      9 Sep9 September 09:30

      Ask NHS for a test? How else would you get an NHS test

      • Rob says:
        9 Sep9 September 10:09

        How do you get a paper certificate though? It is usually just a text message which my 9-year old could fake. (To be fair, he could probably fake a paper cerfificate too although his IT skills don’t run to decent spelling …..)

    • Mawalt says:
      9 Sep9 September 10:37

      A number of countries have stated that they will accept a print out by email or even a text message.

    • Jonathan says:
      9 Sep9 September 12:18

      Exactly the sort of behaviour I’d expect from someone who holidays in the Caribbean in the Summer… 😉

  • ee says:
    9 Sep9 September 08:06

    Premier Inn called me yesterday to say my overnight stay in 10 days time is cancelled due to a boiler fault. Seems to me they have excess capacity and this is an excuse to keep this property shut (surely they can get the boiler fixed in that period!)

    They are offering a room about 15 mins drive away at another hotel which is less convenient for our plans. T&Cs allow this, but I was wondering if anyone has experience of getting a goodwill gesture in these circumstances? Was thinking free breakfast.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      9 Sep9 September 09:37

      Absolutely mention you are being inconvenienced and what they are offering as compensation, or if free breakfast works for you then wouldn’t worry about what you might’ve got.

      Worst they can do is say no

      • ee says:
        10 Sep10 September 19:34

        No automatic offer of compensation – in fact the inference was they were doing me a favour by honouring the original rate given the alternative property is more expensive to book (because of the short notice.) When escalated to a manager they agreed the breakfast – so definitely a case of don’t ask don’t get!

  • James says:
    9 Sep9 September 08:21

    Insurance advice (Covid) urgently sought (only if anyone might spare the time — thank you in advance!). It is on behalf of my wife, who is travelling to the USA TOMORROW in order to return to work — she has a high-end job at a well-known American company, you see, and her firm have asked her to fly back tomorrow (she has a special visa and waiver to enable this).

    Her company have admittedly dragged their heels with regard to private insurance vis-a-vis Covid, however, hence she’s been desperately trying to source an alternative insurance policy as back-up; she has an underlying health condition inasmuch as she is a chronic asthmatic.

    Her main concern with any policy is whether her return to work in the USA – given that the USA is, of course, on the FCO list of countries where only “essential” travel is advisable — is deemed just that: “essential”.

    Would readers on HFP generally feel that her going back to work in the Unites States constitutes “essential travel” for insurance purposes, i.e. would an insurance company likely be able to challenge whether her needing to return to work in America was actually “essential travel”.

    At the moment, my wife is considering the American insurer (“INF Elite”) and also Staysure UK as possible back-up insurers.

    Any advice at all would be sorely welcomed. And again, many thanks in advance.

    • Spursdebs says:
      9 Sep9 September 08:45

      I saw this in an article couple of weeks ago might be of use.

      My friend Michael, whose journey to the US last week was featured in this article, used https://www.infplans.com/diplomat-america.html for insurance which also covered COVID. It cost around $60 for the trip.

      There are a number of companies which specialise in high-risk coverage:

      Battleface
      High Risk Voyager
      First Allied Travel Insurance:

    • Rui N. says:
      9 Sep9 September 09:23

      If your wife has a job there how come she needs insurance from the UK? Depending on the type of visa, it is even mandatory for the sponsor of the visa (ie her employer) to make sure she has insurance. And if she is so important to the company that they make her fly there to work, they don’t provide her with health insurance? If it is “a well-known American company” they likely have more than 50 employees, so they are even required by law to provide her with health insurance

      • Rui N. says:
        9 Sep9 September 09:24

        If she works in the UK and is just going to the US on “business” the UK employer also has to cover her during her trip

    • Anna says:
      9 Sep9 September 09:26

      If she’s returning to the US to work, I don’t think a travel policy for visitors/tourists would cover her for any kind of medical treatment. This is something her employer should address, I would have thought, unless it’s possible for private individuals to get US health cover for periods of employment.

    • DV says:
      9 Sep9 September 19:35

      How long is she returning to the USA for?

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

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