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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 10th December

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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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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.

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.

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General

Comments (383)

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

  • Michael C says:
    10 Dec10 December 13:27

    So the Marriott Grosvenor Square is offering Club rooms for next week with the whole range of club advantages.
    Just received a “welcome” email from FOH manager with a PDF attached (not referred to in the email) which includes a tiny footnote saying lounge is closed, and nothing else. Isn’t that false advertising, bearing in mind a) they know it’ll already be closed, and b) they are charging extra for the room?!

    • Anna says:
      10 Dec10 December 13:42

      I’d call and ask what they are offering instead – some hotels are still offering the equivalent in F & B via room service. If there’s no satisfactory provision though, I would definitely have an issue with the hotel!

      • Michael C says:
        10 Dec10 December 14:21

        She was “busy” (said the operator immediately, without even asking where “she” was!!), so sent email then will follow up…then take my business where someone loves me!

        • TGLoyalty says:
          10 Dec10 December 14:45

          FYI just breakfast and nothing else was mentioned as alternative to lounge access for the one night I was there (I probably should have asked but I wasn’t really interested / bothered at the time)

          • Michael C says:
            10 Dec10 December 16:22

            Cheers, TG! Sheraton PL has a sort of main bar happy hour as a replacement.

          • Harry T says:
            11 Dec11 December 04:46

            Sheraton Grand Park Lane happy hour is quite fun if you’re a dog lover, as the bar seems popular with pooches!

    • Tariq says:
      10 Dec10 December 20:39

      I was there at the weekend. Executive lounge is open but soft drinks and biscuit/crisps/nuts type snacks only.

      Breakfast was provided in the Steakhouse, reasonable continental buffet.

      Tried the cheesecake from the Park Market, wasn’t overwhelmed.

      Upgraded at an Executive Suite using an SNA – room was nice.

  • gerry says:
    10 Dec10 December 13:54

    Hi, my outbound flights to San Jose in March have been cancelled, I booked via BA sale on 50% Avios offer using companion voucher.
    I spoke to them last night and options giving where, refund via a FTV which I don’t want to do as will then need to rebook at double the Avios or change to flight which is completed by end of June 2021, but she indicated I could change to another location with same zone. just contacted them are they are not budgeting, i have tried to reroute to Vancouver which is in band 5 also and they stated its not possible as it is more than 300 miles from Costa Rica (original destination), any suggestions on how to sort this, going round in circles on call centre. Help appreciated

  • Anuj says:
    10 Dec10 December 13:58

    Didn’t it used to be the case that you can get the platinum Amex bonus (once per 24months) even if you’ve held personal cards within the last 24 months ?

    • Rob says:
      10 Dec10 December 14:10

      You still can, as long as those personal cards do not include one which earns MR points.

  • meta says:
    10 Dec10 December 14:01

    If you still want to go to Costa Rica then see my post on the previous page. BA will deny you EC261 rerouting rights on any airline, so you’ll have to purchase a new ticket on your own. Make sure that you don’t do anything with your BA ticket. Absolutely nothing!

    Otherwise, yes 300 miles only allowed.

    • meta says:
      10 Dec10 December 14:02

      Above was reply to @gerry

      • gerry says:
        10 Dec10 December 14:31

        Just seen that thanks @meta. Did you try contacting customer relations ?

        I am ok with delaying till later in year but they are saying it needs to be completed by June which doesn’t seem right.

        • memesweeper says:
          10 Dec10 December 14:41

          It’s not right. Try another agent. We’ve been pushed back twice on our booking and we’re over a year from the original one now (Avios booking).

          • meta says:
            10 Dec10 December 15:09

            Yes, blank refusal from BA on two occassions. First agent told me that BA is abiding by EC261 and quoted me word for word from their training manual. He didn’t even offer a refund. Second agent told me something similar and pretended it’s not BA’s problem.

            It’s not right, it can be any time you want really.

  • mark2 says:
    10 Dec10 December 14:05

    Can anyone who received an invitation to upgrade from Amex Green to Platinum remember how it arrived please?

  • Anna says:
    10 Dec10 December 14:46

    Is RFF working again? I just had a look for the first time in ages and it’s gone all Seat Spy, showing all the different classes at once. Which will be very handy as long as it’s accurate!

  • memesweeper says:
    10 Dec10 December 14:49

    Sounds quite routine. For me, the Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft the invitation from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, memesweeper, was to carry a platinum card.

    • memesweeper says:
      10 Dec10 December 14:51

      … and the curse of the out of order reply now afflicts me too!

    • Stanley says:
      10 Dec10 December 14:54

      I heard this happens only for people who havent inadvertently turned off all marketing emails.

  • Voldemort says:
    10 Dec10 December 14:52

    Afternoon all. Do Amex FHR reservations earn Hilton points and nights as a regular reservation would?

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

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