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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 10th September

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

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

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 at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

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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.

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General

Comments (163)

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

  • Anna says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:49

    Many thanks for the post pointing out that next August bank holiday is available for avios flights (can’t see it now). This reminded me I had a soon to expire Lloyds upgrade voucher! I was dreading a long wait on the phone to avios.com but they answered straight away and booked 2 of us into CE on the direct MAN-NCE flight. Who knows what travel will be like by then but I was really hoping to get this option so I’m happy today!

  • AJA says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:58

    I got notification on Monday that TAP has approved my status match BA Silver to TAP Gold. I now need to sign up to the TAPClub. Was searching for the HfP page on the best deal but failing to find it. Please can someone confirm the €99 option is still the best deal? Also do you just need to apply within the 10 day deadline or does the payment and application have to be completed within the deadline? I ask as i want to delay to have payment appear on next month’s credit card statement. Next statement due out on Saturday which leaves me with 3 days and I’d rather not jeapordise chances over having it appear on this month’s bill.

    • Rob says:
      10 Sep10 September 12:11

      99 is the best option and what I did. You need to pay within the 10 days but payment is taken immediately so no problem waiting 3 days.

    • JA says:
      10 Sep10 September 14:21

      How long between you applying and being accepted please?. Thanks

      • AJA says:
        10 Sep10 September 16:08

        Hi I applied on the day the reminder article was published here – 17 August (just checked email). Got email of approved status match on Monday 7 September – so 21 days.

        • NGlen says:
          10 Sep10 September 20:27

          Out of interest, Is your status valid from when you were accepted or when you applied? Looking at doing this but no rush for the status as no star alliance planned til the new year so keen to maximise the time I’d have the status match.

          • AJA says:
            10 Sep10 September 21:45

            I don’t know. I need to pay the €99 to complete the status match so I am assuming it is for 12 months from the date that I pay my money meaning it will be to the end of Sep 2021, possibly end of Oct 2021 if I am lucky.

  • TGLoyalty says:
    10 Sep10 September 11:12

    Wondering if anyone had any recent visits / views on Hanbury Manor? Rates are about £170-200 a night or 35k points, is it worth it?

    I need to be in the area (I don’t mind being 30 or so mins from where I need to be) for a couple nights. I’d travel a little further out if there was somewhere else worth staying.

    • Nigel says:
      10 Sep10 September 11:22

      I live locally, it’s ok but nothing in particularly special.

      Depends where you need to be, otherwise there are some decent small independent hotels or pubs with boutique rooms across Hertfordshire.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        10 Sep10 September 11:47

        Sorry meant to say within 30 mins of Hertford itself.

        For once using my points and it just being “free” appeals to me. However, if you have any better suggestions I’m all ears.

    • Tariq says:
      10 Sep10 September 12:00

      Pool is nice, but is pretty standard Marriott otherwise. Not visited during Covid. I wouldn’t want to spend more than £100/night there personally – I am sure I was booking it for £70-80/night this time last year. No a/c in rooms IIRC.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        10 Sep10 September 12:46

        I think it’s safe to say A/C not going to be an issue in October 🙂

        Seem to be around £120 weekdays and 150-180 weekends in October. I recall £120ish (without a sale) whenever it popped up in the past. Really just wondering if it’s clean, staff are nice, breakfast is decent and if a Manor House room would be less cookie cutter 00’s Marriott.

        Isn’t the cheaper one Waltham Abbey? Which was/is always around £100 or less.

        I do feel like all the UK Marriotts were let down by some pretty shocking corporate refurb choices, the dark wood headboard/furniture the stripy wallpaper and dodgy carpets. The bathrooms have aged really badly too.

    • Chrisasaurus says:
      10 Sep10 September 22:48

      Hanbury Manor is lovely and the staff well above Average. Pool nice (environment it’s in) and if you get a room in the main house, you’ll be very happy.

  • J says:
    10 Sep10 September 11:27

    Does anyone know if BA require masks for newborns and infants? Most UK airlines seem to be 6+, but I couldn’t find a BA age. Thanks.

  • Simon says:
    10 Sep10 September 11:31

    Hi, I’m sure it’s been covered before but if I downgrade my BA ‘paid’ Amex to the free version once I obtain the voucher, will this still be valid for 2 years instead of the 1 year on the free card? Thanks!

  • Rob says:
    10 Sep10 September 11:43

    Quick question.
    Cancelling BA flights within 24 hours does that need to be done on the phone? There is a section within the my booking but doesn’t stipulate the amount and don’t want to click and cancel it and not get the refund

    Thanks in advance

    • AJA says:
      10 Sep10 September 12:55

      I think you’d best phone up if you want cash refund. You risk getting a FTV if you do it online.

  • Andrew says:
    10 Sep10 September 12:54

    BA cancelling more flights over the next 3 months – brace yourselves for the cancellation emails:
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54093222

  • JJ says:
    10 Sep10 September 13:46

    If I want to amend my return date with British Airways once I have flown the outbound, do you know if that is covered under COVID19 changes? i.e. will only have to pay the difference in fare (not change fees)

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

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