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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 19th 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 (319)

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

  • Jack says:
    19 Nov19 November 14:50

    Is it still possible to upgrade free BA card to premium one by filling in the online application and giving your free BA card number, please? I seem to remember some people saying you have to phone now, so I want to double check.

  • Optimus Prime says:
    19 Nov19 November 15:22

    60% bonus when buying Bonvoy points.

  • RI says:
    19 Nov19 November 15:35

    Hi everyone

    Would like to some advice I have business that allows me to spend close to 60k a month on credit cards 50k on visa/MasterCard and 10k on Amex as most places do not accept Amex where we do business

    Currently am using
    20k on virgin
    20k Hilton Barclay card
    10k on Tesco card
    And the other 10 on MBNA horizon
    Rest is on Amex

    Is this the best strategy in the past it would have mostly been on the emirates card MBNA

    Is this the best strategy is there anyway I can increase collecting points when paying all cards off end of the month etc

    Thanks in advance

    • Rob says:
      19 Nov19 November 15:47

      It’s more a case of where you want to go.

      Capital On Tap is the easy option for 1 Avios per £1 – this is also a proper business credit card so you won’t risk getting into trouble with your issuer. 0% FX fees too which no-one else offers. Details: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/11/09/capital-on-tap-business-rewards-visa/

      I’d be tempted to look at opening a HSBC Premier bank account and getting the HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard. 1 mile per £1, transferable to Avios, Singapore, Cathay or Etihad. You’d be laughing here – 600,000 miles per year with the option of spreading them across oneworld, Star Alliance (via Singapore Airlines) or Etihad.

  • pointsarb says:
    19 Nov19 November 16:01

    Hi all, some group wisdom needed please. BA have just cancelled our return flights back to LGW from CUN on 01/01. Outbound not yet cancelled. All flights in CW and booked using 241’s and avios in recent 50% off sale.

    Am I right in saying that:

    1) Since BA cancelled our return leg I can now rebook the return leg on any date of my choice even if there is no avios availability?

    2) If so, is this best done on the phone and will I need to accept a voucher first and then ask the operator to rebook desired return dates?

    3) Since BA cancelled the inbound leg, as well as changing the return date can I also now change the outbound date free of charge too? Or am I stuck with only being able to change the return leg since that’s the leg that BA cancelled?

    Many thanks in advance for any guidance on this one!

    Cheers

    • Jonathan says:
      19 Nov19 November 16:41

      You can rebook the entire trip on any date within 365 days of the date you bought your original ticket regardless of Avios availability.

      You need to do this on the phone, DO NOT accept a voucher or any date they move you to as that’s your 1 free change gone.

      You may well get some pushback depending on the agent you get, likely along the lines of new dates up to 3 days earlier or 14 days later than originally or that there needs to be Avios availability. This is false.

      Refer them to BA’s updated Standard Customer Guidelines;

      https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/traveltrade/bookings-policies/policies/askba?faqid=8166

      • Maria says:
        19 Nov19 November 17:41

        Hi Jonathan, you’re my favourite person today. It took me 3 agents and nearly one hour on the phone. But I got the tickets I wanted. Big thank you for this!!

    • Lady London says:
      19 Nov19 November 16:56

      yes if they cancel even 1 flight anywhere on your booking EU gives you the right to choose travel at another date that suits you applying to the whole booking. peak or offpeak does not matter.

      Theoretically flying all within 355 or so days of when you paid but IMV thats annafmin problem for BA to solve if you need to travel within a year of today but others here think it matters.

      To do this you are using strong EU261 rights no you absolutely must not take a voucher you have the right to be rebooked “rerouted’ to your convenient.date directly. Do not take a voucher.

      BA may try to limit you to say, 14 days of current date that’s rubbish and illegal. EU261 is a statute so it overrides any conditions BA would like to make even if BA tries to allow less in their contracts.

      Call near to 0830 or 7pm onwards if you can. If you get a refusal call again another day. 2 refusals come back here and tell us. Dont accept anything particularly not a voucher as it’s game over if you do, dont accept any refund as that’s game over too.

      Yoi have to phone mostly this cant be done online.

      Work out which replacement dates you want by searching as a new customer, then call BA.

      • pointsarb says:
        19 Nov19 November 18:19

        @jonathan & @ladylondon, thank you so much for the advice!

      • María says:
        19 Nov19 November 18:27

        The first agent quoted the 14 days only. The second agent said I could move anytime off peak , same as my booking, as long as there was avios availability so I did that but the flights and times were rubbish.
        I called a third time when I saw Jonathan’s post and she first said no and that I had done my first change already. I had to push her several times and said that I was misinformed for her to go away to ask someone else. Luckily it was all worth it but I can’t help to think how many people have been misinformed by BA agents.

      • memesweeper says:
        19 Nov19 November 19:25

        ” Theoretically flying all within 355 or so days of when you paid but IMV thats annafmin problem for BA to solve if you need to travel within a year of today but others here think it matters. ”

        I’ve rebooked two flights this week that violated that rule, one online and one with the call centre no problem. No sure why I was so lucky !

        • Charlieface says:
          19 Nov19 November 21:23

          I think there is a method to do endorse a PNR for more than 355 days (similar to how an FTV is valid for 2 years), but it requires manual intervention and not everyone know how.

  • Mo says:
    19 Nov19 November 16:54

    Just received an email from Virgin Atlantic advertising an “escape pass” for Caribbean Holidays. Seems interesting though I don’t know about the situation in the Caribbean regarding quarantine etc.

    You chose whether you want a 7/14 night holiday and whether you want to fly economy, premium or upper class.

    Hotel choice also changes depending on cabin you choose. Economy passengers get room only rates, premium and upper class passengers get all inclusive.

    2 weeks before they tell you where you’re going (will be an FCDO approved destination).
    They guarantee you will not have to quarantine.

    If that’s not possible they will refund you within 14 days.

    • Mo says:
      19 Nov19 November 16:55

      Oops was meant to be a new post, not a reply to Jack 😅

    • Anna says:
      19 Nov19 November 17:03

      We used to book holidays like that on Teletext!

      • Mo says:
        19 Nov19 November 17:20

        Haha Teletext is a bit before my time however I’ve always wanted to do one of those random Groupon holidays

    • Jonathan says:
      19 Nov19 November 18:50

      I remember a few weeks ago when I had an email from them advertising flights, one of those places was to India, which is one of the worst hit countries in the world from COVID-19, I literally laughed and deleted the email

  • meta says:
    19 Nov19 November 17:12

    Thinking about a few days in Bangkok next winter. What is the best Marriott property?

    • meta says:
      19 Nov19 November 17:15

      Should add it will be my first time in Bangkok. Marriott Platinum as well.

      • Michael C says:
        19 Nov19 November 17:25

        Meta, somewhere on the site you’ll find my review of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (under “My Fave Hotels”)! It’s v central, although that also means it’s not on the river, which some people like.
        Many gorgeous hotels, and the city is fabulous.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          19 Nov19 November 17:37

          TO be honest, you don’t want too close to the river, it can be a bit smelly sometimes

      • Darren says:
        19 Nov19 November 17:43

        I like the river but wouldn’t rate the Royal Orchid as my fave hotel, although it is a good few years since I stayed there. The W is right on a stop on the BTS (mrt) which can be useful.

    • UKNoobie says:
      19 Nov19 November 18:12

      I would second Sheraton Grande for the location, dining and old world charm. St. Regis and W are both lovely if you are looking for the brand-specific charm but slightly out of the way (though W is right by the subway so easy to get around, definitely easier than being stuck in traffic).

    • Lady London says:
      19 Nov19 November 21:43

      They should just issue a new ticket. There is a box where they can enter a reference back to the previous ticket if they want – it’s probably still there from the old days of ‘conjunction tickets’ (could only do 4 flights on old paper tickets and some itineraries had as many as 16 stops so the paper tickets were stapled to connect them and previous ticket number linked to entered o each ticket)..

      If someone booked a year ahead and then BA cancels their flight they may only be able to travrl same time each year or they may miss this year’s event date and have to travel for next year’s. In this case the person still has rights and to fulfill them BA should be ready to provide a fresh ticket if necessary.

  • Martha says:
    19 Nov19 November 17:32

    Hi. amex application advice please. I have Gold, recently cancelled Nectar, about to cancel Bonvoy, will wait until next month to apply for BA and receive bonus. Is there any card my OH can refer to me now?

    • Ali M says:
      19 Nov19 November 18:09

      Hi Martha
      As far as I know rules have changed and if you have held a card (amex) within last 24 months, you aren’t eligible for sign up bonuses. pls correct me someone if I am wrong

      • Martha says:
        19 Nov19 November 18:28

        TY. I am not after sign up bonus, rather referral bonus for the one who refers me. I would like to know which card I can sign up for

        • TGLoyalty says:
          19 Nov19 November 18:59

          Anything you want from the OH’s link other than the free BA if you want a BAPP sign up bonus next month.

  • Ali M says:
    19 Nov19 November 17:50

    yes received in recently.

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

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