The HfP chat thread – Friday 9th October

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• Grimz says:

  9 Oct9 October 09:40

  I have a FTV to use for a 241 cancelled BA booking. I know you have to call to use the voucher which may be risky leaving the flights until 7.30Am 355 days out. If I booked them at 12am and called at 7.30 would BA change the booking and add in the voucher? I have enough Avios to do it this way.

• PY says:

  9 Oct9 October 09:48

  Morning Rob/Rhys, correct me if I am wrong here — basically I booked the the current 50% off avios offer for travelling in April 2021 using 2-4-1. This is not mainly based on the hope that my destination is open for tourists in April 2021 as it is very unlikely — but majorly based on the hope that if BA cancels the flight, I am able to change the flight to March / Early April 2022 WITHOUT any additional charge / avios as my 2-4-1 expires in April 2022 anyway. I guess only time can tell? Anyone else have anything to add to that?

  • Rob says:

    9 Oct9 October 11:39

    You can’t.

    If BA cancels, you can move it 355 days out from when you booked, so Sep 2021 at the latest. Good news is that no Avios availability is required.

    Any other change will end up with repricing.

    • PY says:

      9 Oct9 October 11:54

      Thanks Rob. I missed that one. Due to our limited avios, that’s probably the only way to fly F. 🙂

    • Charlieface says:

      9 Oct9 October 13:29

      Just because their systems won’t allow a >12 month ticket doesn’t mean you have to pay for repricing on a new ticket. They should fund the difference.
      That they won’t just means they’re breaking the law.

• Gavin says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:22

  Bulb did something similar to this a couple of years ago, I “sold” my referral on MSE for half the amount of the referral credit per person. Ended up with £1500 credit in my account! Got a lot of free energy, but it did tie me to Bulb for a couple of years (and if they went bust i’d have lost it all)

  • Rob says:

    9 Oct9 October 10:28

    It doesn’t. When we moved recently we closed our old Bulb account and opened a new one. Referral balance was paid out in cash.

• Spk says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:25

  Is it just me or the Brighton-bendy-creative alliance not working? Paid yesterday and looked all good, but today it has disappeared on Brighton portal.

  • Connor says:

    9 Oct9 October 16:40

    Seen this glitch a few times, paying with a normal debit card as well. Either comes back when you make another transaction or another payment or after a couple days.

• Aston100 says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:26

  I conclude there are no W class fares available at Christmas for the Teacher Promo code thingy.
  I’m also struggling with school holiday dates next year.
  Just reading on Flyer Talk and seems I’m not alone.
  I think only Nick from page 1 of this thread seems to have successfully booked flights and posted about it over there.
  I’m using ITA Matrix and have confirmed I’m doing it right by checking for odd non school holiday dates and am getting results with W class fares.
  So my conclusion is that this is a pretty poor attempt by Qatar to make themselves look good & generous by ‘helping teachers’ when in reality, there are probably not many dates/destinations available.

  • A270 says:

    9 Oct9 October 22:43

    I applied on Day 2 but haven’t heard back. What destinations have you tried so I don’t waste time trying those too IF I hear back from them. Someone who applied on Day 3 got their code last night so my chances are looking slim.

• John W says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:27

  Just sat in the BA south business Lounge – with a friend for his birthday so got on the lounge menu to find the Champagne has gone from the options !
  – informed sparkling wine only now !
  Got the BA food and beverage Manager out to be provided with Champagne – reason given was they need to “use up” sparking wine so we are offering that first! – but champagne is available always!

  • Ja says:

    9 Oct9 October 10:45

    I’m sat in the north lounge and it’s on the menu

    • John W says:

      9 Oct9 October 11:14

      It’s def not on the menu in the south lounge ! – thanks for confirming it is on the menu in the North !

• Linda says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:39

  I do not know what is going on with Avios.com their systems are still down now over a week and no idea when they will be fixed. Trying to rebook our cancelled flights with the Lloyds voucher. Very frustrating.

  • Barry says:

    9 Oct9 October 17:59

    I called just now and managed to cancel and rebook flights for next April originally booked for October half term (with Lloyds voucher). 15k Avios refunded for making use of the sale rate.

• fivebobbill says:

  9 Oct9 October 10:43

  Hi all, after having had the disappointment of cancelled trips to Dubai, Malta, Slovakia & Turkey over the last 3 months, I’m actually getting away somewhere! We have finally gotten past a Grant Shapps and FCO Thursday announcement and are heading to Hilton Athens tomorrow!!
  AND, we’ve been upgraded to a King Deluxe Suite – with Acropolis view no less 🙂
  Never been to this Hilton before, and been years since we were last in Athens, anybody any pointers for bars, restaurants nearby, or tourist stuff (other than the obvious) 🙂
  Many thanks as always

  • Ja says:

    9 Oct9 October 10:47

    I’m waiting for the flight now. Friday flight is a 787. Love Athens

    • fivebobbill says:

      9 Oct9 October 14:14

      Lucky you… Michael O’Leary from Dublin! 🙈

      • fivebobbill says:

        9 Oct9 October 14:15

        needs must…

  • Rob says:

    9 Oct9 October 11:33

    I feel your pain.

    Half term 1 – Dubai and Oman
    Half term 2 – Dubai only due to Oman closure
    Half term 3 – Barbados
    Half term 4 – Turkey
    Half term 5 – Dunno, my wife will decide next week!

    • Anna says:

      9 Oct9 October 12:22

      Bermuda? 7 hour flight, usually good J and F award availability and last time I looked you just needed a couple of covid tests before and during the holiday. Accommodation prices are pretty horrific though, and it can get stormy at this time of year. But exquisitely picturesque.

  • Heather says:

    9 Oct9 October 11:54

    Very near the hotel there’s a nice tapas bar Differente down that street. I wouldn’t bother with Aroma select on that street but if you keep going down the hill there’s another nice cocktail bar. Cross over the dual carriage way and go right and there’s some OK restaurants – the Pizza place is OK. Pita Pan (over the dual carriageway again) is cheap and OK.
    Down near Monastriki go to Sabbas – the gyros etc are excellent. Also down there Cinque wine bar is nice.
    Mavro Provato is excellent – and walkable from the Hilton – definitely need to book here.
    The Galaxy bar on top of the Hilton has stunning views at night but 40 euros for 2 indifferent cocktails 🙁

    • fivebobbill says:

      9 Oct9 October 12:47

      Thanks Heather, some great tips there, will defo try some of those! Had actually looked at that Aroma earlier, so thanks for the heads up on that one. The Galaxy bar we are going to do for dinner at least once to try it, I did read it was quite pricey, but given they’re putting us up in a £400 a night suite I think we should prob give it a go. Drinks sound ridiculous, but who knows, maybe they’ll throw a few in with the room given the Exec lounge is shut. You live in hope 😉

      • Heather says:

        9 Oct9 October 13:39

        hi
        we were there mid September – they were giving out two free drinks vouchers per day (1 per person) for the Pool Bar as the exec lounge benefit. All you could have was wine, beer or soft drink. – the wine was indescribably bad. and the bar shut at 7. Other people at reception were arguing for Galaxy bar vouchers and getting them. Obviously I never did that 🙂
        At that time they were giving out free bottles of water at reception whenever you asked as well.
        We also had a suite with acropolis view – very nice – never tried the steam room feature in the shower room.

        • fivebobbill says:

          9 Oct9 October 14:00

          Wow, that’s unbelievably mean with the drinks, given the prices they are charging for Exec lounge rooms, shall take your advice on the wine if offered and stick to the beer. Wasn’t aware of that steam function in the bathroom, if I can understand the instructions I’ll maybe give it a go for the novelty 🙂
          Thanks again for the info, just looking forward to finally getting away…

          however expensive the cocktails!

    • ankomonkey says:

      9 Oct9 October 13:43

      Pita Pan – genius 🙂

  • ankomonkey says:

    9 Oct9 October 13:42

    Hope you can get it done. I proposed Rhodes to replace our Hilton Dalaman half-term trip, but wife has vetoed it – wants to stay at home 🙁

    • fivebobbill says:

      9 Oct9 October 14:01

      Cancelled Hilton Dalaman last week myself!!

      • Heather says:

        9 Oct9 October 14:28

        Me too! Sounds like its shutting down early as well for the year.

    • Pid says:

      9 Oct9 October 22:29

      Cancelled yesterday for my trip on Sun. Was my back up for the first option to Portugal where we were supposed to have traveled this morning. Staycation now.

  • Peggers says:

    9 Oct9 October 14:05

    Galaxy Bar has fantastic views, but drinks prices are ridiculous.
    My kids really enjoyed the breakfast experience. If the outdoor pool is open, be a bit careful with your footing. The tiles near the pool seemed particularly slippery.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    9 Oct9 October 23:35

    fivebobbill if you manage to read this at Hilton Athens (nice Hilton we are always upgraded there) if you walk down towards were changing of the guard takes place (a must if you’ve never experienced it)
    just below Hilton is a Museum can’t miss it Helicopter, anti-tank guns, tank out-side worth a look very big inside from ancient to modern
    was free (Disabled badge, bus pass)

    • fivebobbill says:

      10 Oct10 October 10:24

      Thanks for this Chris, that sort of thing appeals to me, will defo take a look 👍

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