The HfP chat thread – Sunday 8th November

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

• Benilyn says:

  8 Nov8 November 13:27

  First child due next year 😀
  If I redeem flights in J/F can I take the kid along for free on BA? (They would be under 2)
  I notice on Qatar site, “ Business or First Class award flight requests are not available for infants (children younger than two years).”
  I have mainly Avios for flights

  • ChrisC says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:06

    No kids aren’t free thought fares are very, very discounted – you can check by doing a dummy booking both the avios and cash discounts.

    If QR does not allow reward seats for infants then BA won’t be able to access them either.

  • Pid says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:10

    You can book your flights now and add an infant on your lap afterwards if they are yet to be born. It costs about 10% of adult fare if I remember correctly bit I am sure someone else can confirm.

  • BuildTheWall says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:50

    BA allowed paying 10% of avios for infants if the parent is on redemption ticket. Not sure if they still do. Most other airlines charge 10% of cash fare.

    • Nadeshka says:

      8 Nov8 November 15:52

      I booked such a fare in the avios sale (at 10% of sale fare) so definitely still available

  • Nadeshka says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:52

    Correct it’s 10% of the avios and about 10% of the cash. This is for BA redemptions though other airlines are similar for cash too. E.g. Ryanair it was a flat EUR25 each way.
    On a one way cash flight from France BA couldn’t figure out what the fare should be and just gave it to us for free!
    They won’t get a seat but they do get a baggage allowance on BA (though might not be the full adult). You can also check-in a pushchair and a car seat on BA, in fact most airlines allow this.
    If you book a trip across their second birthday you will get a seat for them on the return flight with no additional cost for BA, cash or redemption.

    • Charlieface says:

      8 Nov8 November 17:32

      It’s not 10% of the cash. That only applies to the YQ (fuel surcharge) component. The taxes and airport fees are inline with any rules in place for infants for that destination. Sometimes it’s free, sometimes discounted, sometimes full price. It will depend on destination.
      Best to price it up on BA to get an idea (don’t forget to go to the final payment page for accuracy!)

  • Benilyn says:

    8 Nov8 November 18:22

    Ok thanks all – 10% ain’t bad.
    Only flown J once (QR) – is there a baby bassinet available in Qr/BA J or F usually?

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      8 Nov8 November 22:43

      I believe QR won’t allow you in J or F with a baby, given how much some people pay for the seats they don’t want a screaming baby next to them. Not sure about BA

• KBuffett says:

  8 Nov8 November 14:04

  Interesting issue with my Amex/Harrods £100 offer. I purchased a GIft Card, it hasn’t qualified. But the subsequent smaller transactions I made on the same day have qualified. Looks like Gift Cards may indeed be excluded as per the terms.

  • G says:

    8 Nov8 November 14:20

    Does the merchant show as something other than Harrods for a gift card purchase online?

    • KBuffett says:

      8 Nov8 November 14:23

      I purchased it in store.
      It’s showing as the same merchant.
      Hopefully they will sort it out via live chat, otherwise I will need to spend more to get full credit.

      • Andrew says:

        8 Nov8 November 14:36

        That’s very unusual for an instore gift card purchase not to work, anywhere and certainly I’ve done it countless times at Harrods (although not this time, I actually bought some stuff).

        • KBuffett says:

          8 Nov8 November 14:43

          As have I. I have a lot of issues with Amex Offers, I will try and take it up with them on live chat.

  • Harry T says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:13

    Interesting anecdote. I’d recommend ringing, and speaking to Brighton.

• YH says:

  8 Nov8 November 14:55

  Just received a cancellation for flights to DXB in late November. Have been offered an alternative flight on A350 instead of 787 but downgraded from First to Club Suites.

  This is the second time this has happened (chose alternative dates with First availability last time). This was booked during the recent 50% Avios sale. When I asked for 75% Avios refund for the downgraded leg I was told because the flight was purchased during the sale, I would only get 9,000 Avios back.

  Has something similar happened to anyone else? What is my position?

  • ChrisC says:

    8 Nov8 November 15:11

    BA will offer you the fare difference before the flight.

    If you claim after the flight – the point where you have actually been downgraded – then the EU261 downgrade reimbursement formulae comes into play which is the 75% of the sector avios.

    • YH says:

      8 Nov8 November 15:20

      Ah that explains where the 9,000 comes from, makes sense now thanks.

      Unfortunately I need to change the flight date to a day earlier since I cannot make the one I’ve been rebooked onto so I will have to accept the 9k Avios. Unless there is a way around this?

      • meta says:

        8 Nov8 November 15:22

        You must no accept anything before the flight if you intend to take BA to court. This is really important to note as the moment you accept the difference BA is no longer liable!

        • meta says:

          8 Nov8 November 15:25

          @YH Is BA making you change the date of the flight? This is important as you are entitled to re-route under comparable transport conditions.

        • YH says:

          8 Nov8 November 15:27

          @meta BA have offered an alternative flight on the same day. I personally cannot make the new time so would want to move it back by a day.

          Considering I would be paying 59k Avios total for Club Suites outbound and First inbound it isn’t the end of the world. Especially as I haven’t tried the new Club Suites product yet. Will call up later to get this sorted. Thanks again.

        • Lady London says:

          8 Nov8 November 17:30

          @YH you would be due nearly 45,000 avios back from BA if you do fly in J plus nearly 75% of the cash paid to BA for the First ticket you booked.

          On no account accept anything back before you fly and makeit clear consistently your downgrade to J isnt voluntary.

          After the flight keep your boarding pass and contact BA by phone and a recordable means and request these things from BA. Give them 8 weeks to provide then do mcol simple form online low cost fee that is returned when you win. Add 8% pa pro rata statutory interest to your claim till paid. All under EC261 this one is open and shut even though BA has form for fobbing you off.

        • Lady London says:

          8 Nov8 November 17:33

          sorry about 24k avios back if that 59k was for the return

• meta says:

  8 Nov8 November 15:18

  At the time you purchased the flight during the sake F was 34k avios and CW was 25k. So 9k is just the difference. You would have to take BA to court and test downgrade under EU reg i.e. 75% of the 34k. However, it would have to be after you have taken the flight. Whether you want the hassle for the sake of extra 16.5k Avios is another question. I probably would out of principle as BA are systematically denying passengers EU rights and they are abusing covid situation.

• mark2 says:

  8 Nov8 November 15:39

  The Mail on Sunday report that this week Virgin Money will be announcing payment in wine to transfer a current account.

  • Andrew says:

    8 Nov8 November 22:15

    I searched out and read through the article. It’s not very inspiring. £180 of wine or for people who don’t drink £180 of non-alcoholic wine.

    Goodness knows how that works in Scotland with minimum pricing. Is it, “here’s your free wine”, but… “that’s 15 bottles at 10 units each, we’ve charged your account £75”?

• James. says:

  8 Nov8 November 15:55

  I have just received an email from Curve. MasterCard a has submitted an alert of a merchant (who’s name they do not disclose) has had a potential breach of card information on their platform.

  As a result I now need a new Curve card though have not had any fraudulent activity. I am pretty impressed to receive an alert like this proactive rather than reactive.

  I have asked for Curve to confirm from MasterCard who the merchant is.

  • Ali M says:

    8 Nov8 November 16:49

    check not a scam where they ask for details but good on them

    • James. says:

      8 Nov8 November 16:53

      This came straight from Curve customer services. Not a scam.

• Hilly says:

  8 Nov8 November 16:07

  Sorry if this has already been covered, but October Hilton honors credit card points haven’t posted. Anyone chased?

  • Ali M says:

    8 Nov8 November 16:48

    apparently 6-8 week delay.folks have asked

• Nate1309 says:

  8 Nov8 November 16:17

  Hilton question. If I book 2 rooms from my account do I get night credits for both rooms?

  • Harry T says:

    8 Nov8 November 16:42

    No but I think you get points for both.

  • Doc says:

    8 Nov8 November 17:07

    Previously I have had points credited for both rooms but status credit for only one room. As far as I know, this has not changed but no recent stays to confirm.

    • Rob says:

      8 Nov8 November 20:17

      Those are the rules.

  • Nate1309 says:

    8 Nov8 November 23:07

    Thanks all. No need for the extra points was just going to try and maximise a stay by booking 2 rooms.

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