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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 18th 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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General

Comments (324)

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

  • Stanley says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:12

    PFIZER VACCINE 95% EFFECTIVE IN FINAL ANALYSIS OF BIG TRIAL – take that 94.5% Moderna !!!

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:41

      I mean the Pfizer one is also super frozen (-80 degrees c), so in my mind Moderna is still the best global solution.

  • Nav says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:21

    Rob and team, Beardy, Bendy, Ernie etc. are used instead of the actual names here. Are we not allowed to mention the actual names? Is it something that you discourage? Does it create a problem for HfP as a business?

    • Rob says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:26

      I’m totally fine with it!

    • Rhys says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:29

      This isn’t an HfP policy but just what some of you have decided to do 🙂

    • James says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:34

      I’d love for someone to explain the process for us beginners. I’m only just coming to terms with the code names but haven’t a clue what the process is or why it’s so secretive. Anyone care to divulge?

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        18 Nov18 November 12:49

        The reason behind it is certain methods are abusing loopholes and could easily become a major problem for a financial institution if it becomes too widely known. Some people from that company will read this site and know what we are on about. However, because it is a small sub set of the companies larger customer base the effort to fix it is not worth their time. If it was directly stated they would directly fix it before it ends up on the front page of The Mail or The Sun. It is all about risk tolerances and minimising the risks so that the opportunities stay open for longer.

        Another key reason is to avoid automated scans that large companies use to gather data. Makes it harder for them to figure out.

        A small reason is that for some reason certain words can’t be mentioned in the comments. Not sure if it is intentional but it happens.

      • Callum says:
        18 Nov18 November 12:58

        They have a very misguided belief that those companies have teams of people monitoring the internet for this discussion, yet they’re completely incapable of deciphering the incredibly obvious codenames.

        Some people also use it as a kind of in-club to share tips they don’t want the general readership knowing about in case it gets too popular and shut down (which actually does make more sense!).

        • Lady London says:
          18 Nov18 November 14:20

          No @Callum it’s not teams of people (except for the top few sites of which Hfp would be one) it’s the amazing social media web-scrapers that are totally automated that are commercially available and not spoken about, but widely used.

          Some sites nick off other sites but usually that would have to be automated to be done effectively and luckily there’s a cost barrier still that sites who would publish everything too widely cannot meet…. but the providing companies (very major airlines, medium-majoe fmcg) certainly can.

          It’s about containment and respect for a provider that discretion has become customary amongst highly focused groups like us (currently).

        • the_real_a says:
          18 Nov18 November 14:33

          Rob has done such a good job with Search Engine optimisation that if you search google for certain financial institutions – the loophole comments are the first items in google.

      • cinereus says:
        18 Nov18 November 18:04

        There’s very obvious reasons why people put in place methods that ensure critical mass doesn’t kill many methods. And they are quite effective too.

    • Gavin says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:42

      It seems a bit pointless to me because the code names are not exactly hard to crack, and the companies involved obviously know what’s going on anyway.

      • DT says:
        18 Nov18 November 12:47

        It is rather pointless given people seem to believe a company could add their company name to a data scraping algorithm but wouldn’t be able to add the word “Bendy” to one. Given this is the most popular UK points blog I really doubt these companies are not reading comments from time to time and cracking these highly complex codes to add new words to their databases

        • Nav says:
          18 Nov18 November 12:49

          People think the created the next Enigma machine.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          18 Nov18 November 12:55

          Thing is, use a data scraping tool with a common word and you could pick up an awful lot of irrelevant stuff. Personally, I only use the code words when talking about something that is a loophole or abusing the system.

          Yes the code words are easy-ish to crack. They don’t need to be impenetrable. They just need to limit the amount of people that can actually understand it. So say a Daily Mail journalist doesn’t use it as a headline article. By limiting the amount of people that can find out about it, you lower the risk levels for the companies. SO it isn’t a high priority and will cost more to fix than it is worth.

          • Harrier25 says:
            18 Nov18 November 13:26

            They have no need to crack any code names even if they wanted to because people on here are more than happy to decode on a daily basis 🙄

          • Lady London says:
            18 Nov18 November 14:29

            exactly. too much rubbish retrieved with simple scrapers so if we use codes and particularly if they vary and change, only scrapers that are likely expensive and require resource to continually set up and maintain are likely to be able to provide a meaningful distilled set. So that currently excludes a lot of danger of things easily and promptly becoming widespread.

        • the_real_a says:
          18 Nov18 November 14:39

          Yeah but if you have been in this game for 20 years (remember the Sony card?) you know that as soon as something hits the public domain – its pulled. Gone. Admittedly we are in a rare time that so many lucrative opportunities are hiding in plain sight but thats unlikely to be the case in the future. The “other” opportunities currently live but not in the public domain are unlikely to be shared or hinted about by those that know about them if they appear on the first page of a google search the moment they are mentioned.

          • Matty says:
            18 Nov18 November 15:08

            BA provided a link for 10% off when using the BMI MBNA credit card a few years ago. The link worked long after the card was withdrawn and for some time after BA said they had withdrawn it.

            I remember getting some excellent fares that would misprice on the final payment page, saving hundreds of pounds. Berlin in CE for £160 return. Rome was similar and Edinburgh could be had for £60 return in Economy at the last minute. These were substantial discounts over the published fares. One day, on flyertalk, Mr Shouty, started a thread – WOW, WHATS THE DEAL WITH THESE CHEAP FARES??? IS IT A MISTAKE???!!! That loophole had gone within a couple of days.

            Similarly, I remember a code for Avis, that provided a fully flexible booking, payable on return, that provided an amazing ‘saving’ compared to the regular price. A Group C vehicle was around £150 for 27 days (it shot up if you hired for 28 days). It would stack with Amex offers and c@shback (15% sometimes). One way fee was around £10 extra and usually upgraded a couple of classes. I was entitled to the code but this was still cheap compared to anything else.

            Mr Shouty telephones Avis because he wants to add his wife to the booking. Avis look at the booking and want proof that he’s entitled to use the code. When he can’t provide proof, he’s posting on flyertalk complaining. Rather than just do the driving himself or cancel and rebook with no penalty, he’s calling the company and posting full details on the internet. The distinct savings using this code disappeared within a week.

          • Harry T says:
            18 Nov18 November 19:41

            @Matty
            Amen, brother. Keep the secrets to yourself, and your most trusted friends. Never screw others over by blabbing!

          • Chris Heyes says:
            18 Nov18 November 22:34

            the very best loopholes aren’t mentioned at all even on here lol
            admittedly some are but not the easy ones to pull off
            eg Buy a large purchase say £2k or more return it get payment put back onto another Amex card various shops/business allow it others won’t it’s knowing which will lol those that do don’t really care if you slip them a sweetener and return it so it hasn’t really left their shop or factory

      • Reney says:
        18 Nov18 November 14:18

        I thought the button shaped chocolate code name used a few days back was quite difficult.

    • Travel Strong says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:54

      Personally I see all the nickname stuff as a bit of fun, and quite enjoy the amusement of the low quality code. Will sharing the real names cause the sky to fall? No. Will I roll my eyes when a fun sponge comes out from under the bridge, every day, to troll those having fun? Yes.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        18 Nov18 November 14:48

        I will happily say that

      • Optimus Prime says:
        18 Nov18 November 14:50

        “Will sharing the real names cause the sky to fall? ”

        Koto stopped taking credit card top ups 2 weeks after it was mentioned here. Maybe it was just a coincidence…

  • Nigel W says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:22

    FYI, today is the last day to get 10% at Morrisons for Airtime Rewards.

    • Pete says:
      18 Nov18 November 13:17

      Thank god, maybe we can stop talking about Morrisons 90% of the time! :))

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        18 Nov18 November 13:39

        But the amex offer is still valid! 😉

        • Pete says:
          18 Nov18 November 13:49

          FML 😛

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            18 Nov18 November 13:56

            Lol, too tempting sorry!

            Also, no code words people don’t like it. We need a certain someone to use their amazing deciphering skills to crack this one and make it accessible to all! FML some of the topics on here are quite tedious and repetitive. Why can’t people do some reading

  • Waddle says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:33

    Hi folks. I know this has been asked a lot in recent days so apologies in advance. Which hotel/resort in Dubai would be good for a few days for a couple. This will be a second visit for Mrs Waddle and a third for me so proximity to the main attractions are no longer a priority. This would be just a sunshine, beach & food getaway around Feb. Have Marriott Platinum and Hilton Diamond but also happy to book through Emyr Thomas etc. Would appreciate any input. Thanks

    • Nick says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:44

      I had a thing through from The Times traveller this morning with offers

    • dezbez says:
      18 Nov18 November 13:16

      We’ve booked the Anantara on the Palm for March (all being well). Booked on the basis of a strong recommendation from a family member who has been….

      • Carol says:
        18 Nov18 November 13:31

        I have stayed at the Anantara – I would certainly recommend it. The breakfast is incredible – so much choice and delicious!

    • Lady London says:
      18 Nov18 November 14:33

      did you see the excellent commentary on this from @blenz101 yesterday? in same thread

      • Polly says:
        18 Nov18 November 22:32

        LL, my point exactly back a few pages. People just don’t bother to check out last few pages or even the day before for info. Poor Blenz wrote his heart out about Dubai!

        Meridian also a lovely resort for a few days. We did a r day trip there from BAH a few hrs ago, and felt we had a really good break. Breakfast fab.

      • Waddle says:
        18 Nov18 November 22:48

        Thanks for pointing this out LL. Serves me right for not spendng some time looking through old pages. Top write up by @blenz101.

    • Sukes says:
      18 Nov18 November 16:55

      Ritz Carlton Dubai (the one with private beach near the marina, not the RC at the Dubai financial district) will tick all your boxes and then some. Wish I was there now….

  • Mco says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:36

    Had a flight cancellation on BA so rebooked it to a few days earlier via the call centre. I wasn’t advised of any difference in taxes but have been charged £25 extra per person so £100 between the 4 of us. Not that I am going to chase them up about it but was wondering for the future if the airline cancels the flight can they then charge the extra taxes which I guess is their own as no routings were altered.

  • meta says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:40

    I’d go to Ras then and/or combine with 1-2 days at Al Maha.

  • Lee says:
    18 Nov18 November 12:41

    Has anyone had issue combine the rewards balance? I combined my two account last week, one for Gold one for Platinum. Today the accounts seems combined but only the points from gold card were carried over, all the points from my platinum card disappeared. I will wait for a couple of days before calling.

    • Sam says:
      18 Nov18 November 13:24

      This happened to me, my platinum points were missing for 3-4 days then an ‘adjustment’ was made and the points added were manually added, perhaps the back office team are aware, just wait it out

  • Neil says:
    18 Nov18 November 13:00

    I’ve just gone to pay HMRC using Curve and HMRC added on a surcharge which works out at around 0.1%. I make monthly payments and this is the first time I’ve seen it.
    They did take my Miles & More (Cornercard) Mastercard without surcharge so I’ve just paid using that.

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

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