The HfP chat thread – Monday 5th October

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• Jody says:

  5 Oct5 October 15:29

  My Amex saga continues (and thanks to the poster, think it was Stuart, I did contact the executive office and am awaiting a reply).

  Just had a call back about my anniversary date (brand new card/account but they’d randomly linked it to my old account so anniversary date was showing as May 2021 instead of September 2021. This has now been changed, however they couldn’t backdate it to September (system apparently wouldn’t allow it) so it is now the 4th October 2021. None of my September spends are showing as contributing towards the £15000 spend though, and the person I spoke to didn’t think they would be able to do that. She also couldn’t tell me if I would be charged for the card on the year anniversary of taking out the card (8th September) or this new 4th October. Probably doesn’t matter anyway, as am unlikely to spend £15k on it and more likely to cancel after 6 months or so, but not really the point, as I would like to consider my options.

  No update about my husband’s supp card other than they activated it at their end and sent a pin through the post, so it can at least be used. He isn’t able to log it to any accounts online though, which is a bit annoying (in case there are any offers we want to save to it).

  I’m actually surprised to be having this many issues with Amex, have always rated them highly before.

• antoinette says:

  5 Oct5 October 16:27

  Car rental – need to rent a car for 4 days (21-25Oct) from FCO Rome. Any suggestions on how i can get a good deal? I usually just use Avis BA website as we get the additional free driver but i sometimes see some suggestions here on how to get a good deal. And sadly i forgot to save them

  • C says:

    5 Oct5 October 20:13

    If you have Amex Platinum, the Hertz rates tend to be good. Some have also referenced the IHG rates, if you have status, or codes available through other FFPs (eg, I have in the past seen good rates with Flying Blue or United elite status). Regardless, try booking through a non-UK site. I tend to use the US (as I have US credit cards and address, and am happy to pay in US$), but recently got similar pricing through Netherlands (perfect for using the Amex Plat IEC).

  • Lady London says:

    5 Oct5 October 21:31

    Check 5 day pricing as well. If you do even 1 hour into 5th day (assuming you’re not using the Amex 4-hour concession on Plat) then it’s a 5 day rental. Often these are priced better than 4-day or priced the same.

    Unless Thursday p.m. to Monday p.m. which may qualify you for a weekend rate (usually better) depending on the company, or other days that would qualify for a weekend rate – but looks like you are picking up midweek.

• Craig W says:

  5 Oct5 October 17:25

  Hey all

  If I upgrade my virgin Atlantic economy redemption to premium using my 241/upgrade voucher – do I pay the economy taxes or (as I suspect) do I pay the premium taxes?

  Hoping someone knows the answer so I can have a think before calling them

  Thanks!

  • Lev441 says:

    5 Oct5 October 17:32

    Yes premium taxes payable unfortunately…

  • stevenhp1987 says:

    5 Oct5 October 17:33

    Premium taxes and surcharges.

    Also needs premium redemption availability.

  • Craig W says:

    6 Oct6 October 12:31

    Thanks both

• Fred S says:

  5 Oct5 October 17:37

  BA Sale: the recent sale prices in Club Europe have been bettered substantially on some routes. Bookings made in Sept 2020 for next Summer. Can one cancel and get refund or would it have to be a FTV?

  • Sam says:

    5 Oct5 October 18:02

    Hi Fred, which routes?

    • Fred S says:

      5 Oct5 October 19:00

      Lis
      Dub
      Lux
      plus others but the above 3 are definitely lost less on like for like dates/times eg. Lis next summer was £246 now £182

  • AJA says:

    5 Oct5 October 18:18

    You can normally only get a refund if the ticket is fully flexible or cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. But why not just take a FTV and then use it to rebook?

• Fred S says:

  5 Oct5 October 17:49

  …and what happens to avios used for part payment if booking cancelled for FTV?

  • AJA says:

    5 Oct5 October 18:18

    The FTV is for the value of the cash and Avios used in your existing booking.

• Jack says:

  5 Oct5 October 17:49

  Very excited to hear more about the London – New York travel corridor plan under review. I have family I usually travel to visit for Thanksgiving in NY State, would love for it to work out.

  • Anna says:

    5 Oct5 October 17:54

    Have you seen something recently? Our government hasn’t seemed very interested. I would also love this to work out as NYC is a great destination in itself but also a very convenient staging point for onward travel.

    • Jack says:

      5 Oct5 October 18:04

      Not sure how legit the Daily Fail is but I’m reasonably confident they have good sources in the government.

      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8804655/Coronavirus-testing-airports-FINALLY-set-begin.html

      • Anna says:

        5 Oct5 October 18:12

        Ooh. I have F booked to JFK in April! Obviously I despise the DM but they do lift a lot of their stories from reputable publications!

      • AJA says:

        5 Oct5 October 18:16

        I suspect that story is linked to the article here on HfP about covid testing at Heathrow. As you say there is good links to the government not least because Michael Gove’s wife is a journalist at the DM. I am sure they are angling for him to take over from BoJo at some point.

• Manny says:

  5 Oct5 October 17:59

  Is upgrading my Curve basic to metal for 6 months (as this is the minimum term to hold the metal) the most cost effective way to pay my HMRC tax bill using my Virgin Atlantic Credit Card? Is there an alternative way to do this?

  • Rob says:

    5 Oct5 October 19:15

    Assuming the fee is less than the 1.5% charge for Curve Fronted if you don’t upgrade, yes.

• Mrs H says:

  5 Oct5 October 18:07

  I’ve got a balloon payment £11k due on a car soon. Any advice re getting points on Amex, Hilton Barclaycard , ihg or virgin cards?,. Or am I likely to get stung for a cash charge and better just transferring direct from savings?

  • Lady London says:

    5 Oct5 October 21:26

    Which company is it being paid to? I think @Anna managed to crack it for one company.

    It would depend which, what would work. Assuming it is just a standard UK bank account they want transferring into?

    • Mrs H says:

      5 Oct5 October 21:40

      It is Kia which I think is Santander. They will take a CC over the phone , but warned me I might be charged for a cash transaction. The last time I did this for a juniorH’s car, (also Kia) it worked, but can’t remember which card I used.

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