The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 3rd November

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• stevenhp1987 says:

  3 Nov3 November 11:17

  Our Stockholm trip departing Saturday has already been cancelled. Already received an email confirming the refund has been processed.

  Rather quick from BA.

  We’ve booked a replacement BA Holiday, flight plus hotel also in Stockholm, starting tomorrow instead! Already checked in for the flight 🙂

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    3 Nov3 November 11:25

    It has been quick recently. In your case, make sure you claim compensation as they cancelled without 14 days notice (EU261 I believe?)

    • Anna says:

      3 Nov3 November 11:28

      Compensation suspended at the moment due to extraordinary times!

      • Rui N. says:

        3 Nov3 November 11:50

        No, it is not! It’s suspended for Covid-related reasons (as this is likely to be the case), but they have to let you know that. If not related to Covid, EU261 applies in its entirety.
        I already have a case with CEDR because of this. BA cancelled 1 out of 5 flights in a week for a route I was flying (in August) and they claim it was for Covid restrictions, which of course it’s silly (they flew the route 2 days before my cancellation and the day after, there were only restrictions on the day of my flight? lol)

        • marcw says:

          3 Nov3 November 12:21

          But they can cancel flights if flight load is low as well. EC said it was understandable that airlines would be cancelling flights at short notice if loads are low.

        • Anna says:

          3 Nov3 November 12:24

          Pretty sure the upcoming lockdown is due to Covid …

        • Doug M says:

          3 Nov3 November 13:21

          Rui, the reason for all the cancellations is commercial, but the commercial need is related to the C19 situation. Cancelling the flight on some days and not others is entirely the result of C19. Being interesting to hear the outcome of the CEDR, but I don’t see you winning.

        • Lady London says:

          3 Nov3 November 15:31

          please let us know how it turns out. Unfortunately i think you will have been entitled to duty of care provisions only and no compo as I think BA can argue a general capacity reduction was needed due covid and you were just unlucky the flight in your date was chosen.

    • jil says:

      3 Nov3 November 11:39

      EU261 “extraordinary circumstances” clause kicked in when Boris announced the lockdown, hence no comp even for short cancel notice

• Anna says:

  3 Nov3 November 11:31

  Has anyone stayed at the CP Newcastle? Hoping to be able to visit in the New Year and wondering if it’s worth booking a club room. We’ve stayed at the Indigo (and the Indigo Durham) but CP prices are very good and it also has a pool.

  • stevenhp1987 says:

    3 Nov3 November 12:10

    Stayed there in August, in the club room.

    The lounge was closed and they offered no replacements (no free breakfast, nothing). Not even a welcome drink (spire elite).

    Standard CP rooms, comfy.

    • Anna says:

      3 Nov3 November 12:26

      Thanks – apparently the lounge is back open (and hopefully will be again after lockdown) but I would definitely confirm that before booking.

• Alex wentford says:

  3 Nov3 November 11:37

  Anyone tried ringing up and getting anything extra on BAPP? If so, is the best method to threaten to cancel or ask for an incentive to spend more?

  Thanks

  • Phil says:

    3 Nov3 November 14:19

    Cancelled mine three weeks ago and not a dicky bird.

• NC says:

  3 Nov3 November 11:40

  I’ve received notification that I’ve been downgraded by BA from F to J in an upcoming flight.

  1. Am I right in thinking this gives me the right to cancel the entire flight without any fee for a full refund?
  2. I don’t need to use the flight any more. I assume there’s no way I can get EU261 compensation for the downgrade unless I actually take the flight – is that right?
  3. Is there anything else that I’m missing…

  Many thanks in advance

  • Rob says:

    3 Nov3 November 11:53

    1. Yes
    2. Yes
    3. Don’t think so!

  • Andrew Mc says:

    3 Nov3 November 11:56

    2. At a time when airlines are already struggling, you want to take them to the cleaners?

    • NC says:

      3 Nov3 November 11:59

      Sure. I might feel differently if BA hadn’t reacted by cutting service levels on tickets which were already bought and removing the ability to request a refund online, etc etc.

      • Lady London says:

        3 Nov3 November 15:34

        +1. great sympathy with the airlines in current situation. But as soon as they dont play fair all sympathy must evaporate.

    • ChrisC says:

      3 Nov3 November 13:27

      Therer is a statutory scheme for reimbursement of part of the fare if a passenger is downgraded.

      There is also a maximum amout of the fare that can be reimbursed.

      Other than this reimbursement there is no compensation for a downgrade.

      Note that reimbursement is the term used in the applicable article for the regulation.

      Also is only applies if you actually fly in the downgraded cabin.

      Asking, once you have actually been rather than theoretically downgraded for your legal rights is not taking someone to the cleaners.

• Nigel W says:

  3 Nov3 November 12:13

  Regarding the Selfridges and Harvey Nichols offers on Amex now. Does anyone know if it has to be on one order or it is cumulative spend?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    3 Nov3 November 12:38

    One order

  • Harry T says:

    3 Nov3 November 13:30

    Single order

• Gary says:

  3 Nov3 November 13:04

  Just cancelled our holiday to Barbados this month with the lockdown in place, and didn’t want to take the risk of paying out large sums of money for the balance and find the flights were not cancelled.
  When I cancelled the system stated that I would get a voucher code to use towards future travel.
  Is this right – when I spoke to an agent last week he assured me I would get vocuher code that I could use as deposit for a new holiday.
  Just had email from BA stating that there is no voucher code and they will deduct the deposit off the balance of a future holiday or if used in full to pay for a flight they would refund the deposit money.

  Anyone else had similar instance.

  • ChrisC says:

    3 Nov3 November 13:33

    The voucher code is your original 6 character booking reference. This should be in the ‘voucher email’ you received. It certainly is in the one I have from BA Holidays.

    When you want to use it you can either call up and quote that to the agent or reply to the voucher email and give the booking reference for the new trip for them to apply the credit to

    Just say something like ‘please apply the credit from trip ref XXXXXX to trip ref ZZZZZZ.

    • Gary says:

      3 Nov3 November 13:43

      Chris thanks – this is the wording in my email – “If you pay a deposit on your new booking, we will reduce the balance due by the above amount. Alternatively, if your booking is paid in full, we will arrange a refund of the voucher value.”

      • AJA says:

        3 Nov3 November 14:23

        Gary I have that sentence too but below that it also says

        “Your voucher must be redeemed for travel up to 30 April 2022. You can find the full voucher Terms and Conditions, along with details of our Book with Confidence options here.”

        and then in the next sentence:
        “Please reply to this email with your new booking reference once made. Alternatively, please call our contact centre to make a booking by phone, contact details here”

    • AJA says:

      3 Nov3 November 14:19

      Thanks for this ChrisC. I have a voucher to utilise but I had forgotten that you can just reply to the email to apply it to a new booking. I have no idea when I am likely to use it but have the email permanently pinned in my reminders so that I don’t forget it.

• YB says:

  3 Nov3 November 13:53

  Anyone with insight into whether any of these (or similar) deals are expected to appear on the Plat Biz cards?

• Baji Nahid says:

  3 Nov3 November 13:58

  Rob! I read your recent linkedin post about ill will of targeted offers from Amex.

  Im on the fence with what you wrote, like, i get it that obviously it would be nice in everyone getting the offers etc, or “manipulating” them however what would be the point in having offers in the first place if Amex decide to think it will lose money this way? Or that retailers would think it would be a loss for them if they dished it out to everyone?

  At the same time, it would be nice to have some limited exclusivity to make the card you hold worth it for you?

  Interested in hearing other opinions on this.

  • Andrew says:

    3 Nov3 November 14:10

    Paste the article if you can, I don’t use linkedin

    • Sundar says:

      3 Nov3 November 14:28

      This one ?

      https://www.linkedin.com/posts/headforpoints_americanexpress-loyalty-theplatinumcard-activity-6729120045080854530-6Ayt

      • Andrew says:

        3 Nov3 November 17:54

        Very well written – and totally agree, Amex has created a lot of ill will by this fiasco.

      • Lady London says:

        3 Nov3 November 18:58

        Nice article.

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