Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Thursday 3rd December

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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.

HFP-Wordmark-Black

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

By default, HfP shows the last page of comments under the article.  If you want to see the first page of comments and read them all from beginning to end in order, click here: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/12/03/the-hfp-chat-thread-thursday-3rd-december/comment-page-1.  The page will refresh with this article but the comments will now show the first page and not the last page.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Comments (362)

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

  • Robman says:

    Regarding the IHG credit card free night voucher, if it expires 31 Dec 2020, must you have booked and stayed before then or can you book before then for sometime in June 2021 for example?

  • 747_Brat says:

    Just got the invite for Virgin Red. They are giving 500 Virgin Points for downloading the app, which was good! But I found the whole Virgin Red thing quite underwhelming. Basically, they have combined the Virgin Shopping Portal and Flying Club into one app. You can shop and redeem on a single app. That’s pretty much about it.

    I hope they bring in more interesting earn/spend partners in future, which surely is their plan!

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Had the same email but had already downloaded the app. Turns out I could use the promo code for 500 points anyway.

      I’ve found my points earning history is in some very strange order too.

    • Rob says:

      Agreed.

  • Optimus Prime says:

    Damn I had Club Suite seats for Tokyo and looks like plane has been swapped on both legs – Chubb World it is now

    • BJ says:

      When are your flights, and what is it now, a 787-9?

      • Optimus Prime says:

        From late may to mid June.

        It’s a 787 now.

        • Alex says:

          It could always change again between now and then depending on other countries being open or closed to tourists etc

          • Sina says:

            And I’m hopeful that my trip in March goes ahead!! I live in lalaland!! 😂

        • BJ says:

          Thanks, will need to check. Looks like @Harry T will be disappointed too…the guy really jinxes everything these days!

          • Harry T says:

            @BJ yep, Seat map and aircraft have changed – CW not CS. Bit disappointed but I’m still hoping they add F again on that route.

          • BJ says:

            Me too, if they do I will change if I can.

      • meta says:

        Oh, I am glad I switched to JAL, but reading latest reports don’t think anyone will be allowed much before Olympics. Hope everyone who is planning to go till end of June has alternative plans.

        • BJ says:

          I used the 50% redemption sale to lock in three alternative plans so hopefully one will work.

    • TokyoFan says:

      Me too, was looking forward to the A350 but now back on the B787 😩

      • Optimus Prime says:

        Well at least I’ve managed to get direct aisle access without climbing neighbour to both of us on both legs.

        • BJ says:

          +1, just checked and we were similarly affected. Had to change to 7A, B though in front of the lavatory as 7K was already gone. Very disappointing as we were also looking forward to Suites for the first time and had the best suites booked. Still, thanks for the heads up, so glad I came online tonight.

          • Optimus Prime says:

            Looks like a few more routes have had aircraft changes today: IAD, MIA, HND, LAS, SFO and CPT.

    • Andrew says:

      Just had Singapore switched from A380 to 777 – same seat of course but the upper deck which I had booked are so nice by the windows with those lockers/extra table space and the massive loos at the front, plus much quiet plane. Never mind, trip most likely won’t go ahead anyway.

  • chef says:

    Good evening Team, My First class Avios redemption flights to Toronto on BA have been downgraded to Business.
    I’ll be wanting 75% of my Avios back if we fly, my question is do I accept the changes?
    I assume at some point they’ll need to know but I’d like to keep my options open with regards to free cancellation.
    Seat selection appears to be unavailable without accepting the change.
    Ta

    • Alex says:

      I believe a forced downgrade actually means you can claim 75% of the cash value on the ticket…others will know more than myself but I believe something was said a few pages back of a similar issue so perhaps look at that

      • Charlieface says:

        I think you would have a more legit claim to the value of the Avios as sold on ba.com (1.6p at full whack), that may be more or less than a cash ticket

        • Rob says:

          No, you get 75% of Avios x 1.6p

          • chef says:

            Thanks Rob

          • Charlieface says:

            I thought that’s what I said (as opposed to getting Avios). If I wasn’t clear enough I hang my head in shame, and promise to do better next time…
            🙂

          • Alex says:

            Ah okay, would this be of the total amount normally needed (no 50% discount and no 241) or is it 75% of amount used?

          • Charlieface says:

            Nobody really knows. @Triprep managed to get BA to settle for the full amount.
            Methinks 50% only, but including the 241. They will fight, go to CEDR, don’t concede, take it all the way to MCOL.

      • ChrisC says:

        for a flight of that distance it is 75% of the cost you paid of the downgraded sector.

        If you paid cash then it’s 75% of the base fare.

        It it was avios then it’s 75% of the avios that you will be reimbursed.

        Taxes and fees are excluded from the calculation

        • Sean says:

          I thought it was only unavoidable fees that were excluded. Presume for an avios booking the YQ is part of the calculation.

          • Sean says:

            Would be useful to get an answer from anyone who has actually claimed though.

          • TGLoyalty says:

            Only genuine taxes are excluded “fees” like YQ shouldn’t be.

            I believe triprep has but he’s been sworn to secrecy

  • chef says:

    Many thanks Gents, it looks like I’ll have to go to MCOL for he cash value of 75% of the Avios if we travel.
    I presume accepting the change of class won’t affect the future
    claim?

  • Charlieface says:

    According to a local salon owner I know, who uses SumUp to process payments, SumUp have told him he will be on Shop Small this year. I have verified this on the map, as well as seeing a lot of new businesses I’m pretty sure weren’t on last year.
    Oh sorry, it’s embargoed. Hello Mr. Shop Small Map already published, what are you doing here?

    • Tom1 says:

      Yep – I see merchants that are called “Sum up xxx hair”.

    • Tony says:

      Was on ITV tonight from M Lewis …. so “out now” no embargo

    • mark2 says:

      Our hairdresser has suddenly appeared on the list but does not use Sumup or take Amex as far as I know. But the list has always been inaccurate.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        Sometimes they don’t take it means they don’t like to buy the terminal accounts Amex just fine.

        I no longer ask.

        • Charlieface says:

          Me too. I’m trying to work out now how many Paypoint newsagents have been added in my area now. Looks like I’ll hit the limit very quickly even over 3 cards…

        • TGLoyalty says:

          I need to start proof reading before hitting submit.

          That should have said – Sometimes they don’t take it means they don’t like to but the terminal accepts Amex just fine.

  • John says:

    Issues with reward flight finder again – email saying first availability – just checked on ba – no first availability for Dubai – London for my date in September. Checked alternative – no first flights in September.
    Went back to check on reward flight finder and they are showing first reward availability fir every day in September !

  • jimc says:

    Paying HMRC with curve not working for me! I’ve read back through the recent chatter and Curve support haven’t been able to help so far!
    Payments simply wont go through. Tried Paye & SA using either COT or my MBNA card, £1 or £9000. never had a problem before. Any ideas?

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