Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Saturday 3rd October

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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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Comments (87)

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

  • Munch says:

    Anyone had any luck extending Heathrow Reward Vouchers? Due to run out in the next couple of months and unlikely to be at Heathrow before the expiry date.

    • Mark says:

      All stores and other outlets at Heathrow are aware of the situation so all retail staff have been informed that expired vouchers will be accepted until the end of September next year. There is nothing extra that you need to do.

    • xcalx says:

      I phoned them and asked what could be done to stop the HR expiring. They dropped 1 HR into my account which extended the expiry date to 3 years.

  • Rma says:

    Avios cancellation question. We booked a trip for a Family and Friends member on a separate booking to our own. We want to cancel all the bookings. We will take FTVs on ours, as they were £1 RFS bookings. What happens to the Avios on the family and friends booking? If we pay the £35 cancellation do the Avios come back to our household account or are they credited to our son’s account? He doesn’t want a FTV. Any advice would be welcome. Thank you.

    • pauldb says:

      Yes the avios would come back to account(s) they were debited from.

  • James says:

    Is there any travel insurance that covers medical expenses in case you fall ill with COVID-19 while being away? Especially for countries like Argentina, Brazil where FCO has advised against all but essential travel?

  • VickyTM says:

    Has Virgin Atlantic removed the sign up bonus for their free credit card or am I missing something?

  • Wally1976 says:

    Is it currently possible to upgrade the free BA Amex to the BAPP by just applying for the BAPP online? I know a while back people were reporting that you had to phone up.

    Thanks.

  • James says:

    Is there any travel insurance that covers medical expenses in case you fall ill with COVID-19 while being away? Especially for countries like Argentina, Brazil where FCO has advised against all but essential travel?

    • Sukes says:

      I haven’t used it but Insurance startup Battleface (set up initially to insure people whose work takes them to dangerous places, such as journalists covering war zones) has cropped up in such online conversations, and I think is now working with HolidayExtras.

      Some insurers such as Avanti are selling ‘FCO-exemption add-ons’ but i) they won’t cover outside Europe, ii) won’t cover you for Coronavirus when you’re away just non-Coronavirus claims and iii) won’t cover you for FCO Covid related cancellation so iv) don’t bother buying it

    • Louise K says:

      Look at Staysure and Trailfinders.

    • Wally1976 says:

      I believe there’s a list on Money Saving Expert

  • Andy says:

    I have an offer on my Halifax clarity for 0.5% cash back from 23rd October until 23rd January 2021 on purchases.

  • Fiona says:

    Does anyone know if BA will give a refund on a credit travel voucher. My husband booked a flight to Chicago and a rental car for the Oshkosh Airshow in July. The air show was cancelled and then BA cancelled the flight. He accepted the credit travel voucher thinking it could all be used in 2021 for the Airshow visit. However it is possible this may be cancelled too so he would have no use for the ticket and car voucher. Just wonder if BA will provide a refund.

    • Rob says:

      No. However if your ticket was 100% cash it will soon be turned into an evoucher. This is more flexible and can be sold / transferred.

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