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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 25th 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 (260)

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

  • The Original Nick says:
    25 Nov25 November 18:38

    Has anyone recently been given any bonus MR points for adding a supplementary card to their Amex Platinum card? Or is there a way of receiving the offer?

  • James says:
    25 Nov25 November 18:56

    Looking to spend a fair whack with Kuoni shortly who don’t take payment from Amex. What Credit Card would be my next best option to get some points in the bag? I frequent Hilton and IHG hotels and I know both have credit cards.

    • Anna says:
      25 Nov25 November 19:04

      I’m really surprised Kuoni don’t accept Amex. Have you asked them to double check and threatened to take your business elsewhere?!
      Unfortunately you can’t get the Hilton or IHG premium cards at the moment (unless you live in America for the Hilton one). IHG basic gets you 1 point per £1 (plus 10k sign up bonus for very low spend).
      Otherwise, negotiate a 3% discount and pay via Billhop? As an established company you wouldn’t have any issues paying directly into Kuoni’s bank account this way.

      • James says:
        25 Nov25 November 19:09

        I’ll double check with them tomorrow but it states online they don’t take American Express – annoying! Billhop is an excellent shout, I’ll be looking into that!

        • Polly says:
          25 Nov25 November 23:45

          Our energy supplier People’s Energy told me the same, no Amex, so was using our hsbc premier. Then was told one day, complaining why didn’t they take Amex, by one bright spark told me they have a payment page using spike? Or some platform who do take Amex.
          Wondering if KuoniI have an online payment system somewhere on their home page? Bill Hop worth it as a one off.
          You can always phone them too to see if they will give you a reduced % if you tell them you are planning a big spend. They did that for me a few years ago, refurb, lots of bills to pay.

      • The Savage Squirrel says:
        25 Nov25 November 20:43

        If you negotiate a 3% discount then (a) well done, and (b) why give it to Billhop? just pocket it – much more valuable than points!

        • Anna says:
          25 Nov25 November 22:43

          I meant in the event James is trying to hit a spend bonus or 2 4 1, obviously there are provisos attached to putting anything through Billhop!

    • M says:
      25 Nov25 November 20:45

      Suggest getting a quote from elsewhere too then!

      Fiancee works for Audley Travel – who do take Amex.

  • JohnT says:
    25 Nov25 November 19:26

    Just seen an advert for Samsung Pay now offering Curve! Unfortunately not available for anyone who already has a Curve.

  • martyn ford says:
    25 Nov25 November 19:43

    I have just made a QR booking at their cheapest business rate and was able to select seats without a charge. Have I missed something?

  • The Original Nick says:
    25 Nov25 November 19:51

    Whenever I made QR Business Class bookings I’d call and reserve seats for free with no fee and no problems. I haven’t flown them for 3 or 4 years now though.

    • martyn ford says:
      25 Nov25 November 20:00

      It`s a route that I fly quite a lot but I thought that seat selection had been removed at the cheapest level.

    • Andrew says:
      25 Nov25 November 20:03

      Yes, seat selection has always been free, but a couple of weeks ago they introduced what is basically an unbundled business class fare with no lounge access and no seat selection – what wasn’t clear was if BA status members (or other OW status members) could still get free seat selection – even BA the tightest of the tight let you do that on HBO fares. But what was clear is that status members on a basic business class fare would be treated like economy status members and be sent to a different lounge in Doha to the usual business class complex.

  • BuildTheWall says:
    25 Nov25 November 20:12

    Its a bit strange there isnt any real competition to Billhop in UK. In other countries, even with no cap on interchange fee, competition in similar payment methods has reduced fees to 2.5%.

  • Paul says:
    25 Nov25 November 20:28

    Just looking at staying at the Bankside Hotel, no availability to February. Anyone know if it’s closed or it’s just an error?

  • Tom1 says:
    25 Nov25 November 20:53

    Can anyone suggest something to buy from harrods? I realise I’m not going to get £100 value from it… but any suggestions before I buy some Christmas hampers!?

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

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