Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Friday 13th November

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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 (293)

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

  • Kumar says:

    Silly question. I do have Amex Platinum, Nationwide Flexplus, HSBC Premier for travel insurance .How would I convince immigration authority in Dubai with travel insurance proof as it is not stand alone policy with start and end date.

    • Kumar says:

      Its like NHS Covid test results in SMS are not accepted but email or Email print is accepted depending on authority.

    • meta says:

      You can ask Amex Platinum (Axa) to issue you a letter confirming the cover details.

    • Maciek says:

      From my experience, they don’t check that. When I arrived in Dubai 3 weeks ago all they were interested in was the PCR test result (no longer required for UK arrivals).

    • Lost+Confused says:

      Call up Nationwide and they can send you a schedule valid for a yearish listing the people covered (ie you name the people in your family).

      Normally they can do this and send via email within a couple of hours , but I got a shock last week when they said only by post now as there is no-one in the office to email out due to Covid… took 5 days to arrive.

      Or use the amex online generator to have it in a few minutes (do it as many times as needed with your card number to include all the family)

  • CF Frost says:

    Just pulled Horizon out of the drawer (literally). Does anyone know if it presently sits under Curve ok for non-retail spending?

    • Matt says:

      Fine for cash withdrawals, fine for NS&I. Don’t know about others

    • James. says:

      No issues with Horizon using Curve for Ernie or paying of Beardy or IHG. If only BC could allow Bendy my life would be complete and could bounce between all my reward cards.

    • CF Frost says:

      Thanks both.

  • Ming The Merciless says:

    No offers on an amex. Remove card from online account and re add?

    • Doug M says:

      I think the suggestion on this is remove, and add back to a new online account. I don’t think there’s any absolute guarantees it resolves things.

      • babyg says:

        ive had the same issue – i tried add/remove to new account.. no dice.. had card 2months, supplemental platinum.. i raised a ticket with AMEX to see what they can do their end.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Which card (main or supp), how long has it been on the account and have you been actually using it?

  • Lucy says:

    I have successfully used my Horizon card linked to curve for cash withdrawals etc.

  • BrightonReader says:

    Re IHG / Kimpton rates

    Looks like it’s all back to normal with dynamic pricing back!

    • Anna says:

      They must have heard us! I did noice earlier that the IHG website wasn’t available for points enquiries so maybe a few other bargains have been added?

      • BrightonReader says:

        yeah there were no points or points +cash rooms available anywhere earlier this morning but then they came back.

        Not checked for any thing special yet. Will do after I;ve been to Sainbury’s to spend my double up voucher!

        • Anna says:

          The Clocktower offers parking for £20 on one of the multi-storeys but it’s £14.50 for 24 hours in the Euro car park directly behind the hotel (they will tell you this if you ask!).

  • mark says:

    Does anyone have any experience of using the Amazon voucher route through HSBC world elite rewards?
    Do u think its half-decent value per point? 1500=£5
    Thank you

    • Genghis says:

      I’ve been using it. Effectively selling “avios” for 0.66p assuming no bonus. I’m happy with that.

      Note the giftcards are physically posted to you and the £25 card option = 1 x £20 and £1 x 5. There’s lots of scratching and manual entry (the Amazon app reader is rubbish) in blocks of 10 (there’s captcha after the first 10, but it resets after 1 hour).

  • Amy says:

    HH: How do I get breakfast when booking Hilton rooms with points? Is the one way to pay (expensive) breakfast rates or can I redeem breakfast or lounge with points too?

  • Maciek says:

    Do I remember correctly reading that Hilton can be paid with Beardy without going bendy route? Does that apply to IHG too?

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