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The HfP chat thread – Friday 15th January

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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 (259)

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

  • Owain says:
    15 Jan15 January 14:29

    Does anybody know if it’s possible to pay Capital Gains Tax with a Curve (or other) card? The notification from HMRC only mentions bank transfer (Faster Payments/BACS/CHAPS) or cheque.
    No problem if it’s not possible, but it’s a large enough amount to be worth seeing if I can get a few extra card rewards.

    • Alan says:
      15 Jan15 January 14:51

      Yes, I am half way through doing mine.
      Daily card limits are a pain though, I won’t be able to get it all done by the 31st.

      • Sam says:
        15 Jan15 January 15:26

        Got a partner?

        • Alan says:
          15 Jan15 January 15:51

          Yes, but with no useful cards and no interest in the points collection lark.

          Still, I will have enough Virgin miles for 2 returns to Antigua doing something I didn’t even know about before finding this site a few months ago.

          • Mo says:
            15 Jan15 January 17:44

            If she agrees, couldn’t you get her a supplementary card and a Curve card on her name and just do it all yourself?

          • Genghis says:
            15 Jan15 January 18:19

            Agreed. My wife has no interest in points collecting – apart from enjoying the spoils – but has all the gear.

  • Dave says:
    15 Jan15 January 14:59

    Looks like BA have cancelled another week of flights in March today, My KUL flight on the 25th has now gone

    • Alekun says:
      15 Jan15 January 15:10

      Same here.

      Was going to cancel and ask for full refund back. Hoping the 241 voucher reverts back to original expiry date which was early 2023.

      • Alex says:
        15 Jan15 January 16:47

        The expiry date of the voucher will be the same date as when you booked the flights. It might possibly be extended if earned and used when BA were giving 6 month extensions.

  • Wollhouse says:
    15 Jan15 January 15:51

    Re cancelled flights and rebooking- BA said yes they would rebook, but under EU261 only 3 days before or 14 days after at no charge. If I wanted to move from Feb to October, then I would have to pay the difference. And also that I would have to complete my journey by the date of my original booking. Im so fed up of spending my life on hold with BA that I just took a refund: I’ve already spent time today filing an official complaint for a different booking. We’ll see if that one has to go to MCOL. On a more positive note, before filing my official complaint, I spoke w Amex and the woman was very helpful explaining their sec 75 process and said I had time to file, and suggested a formal complaint with BA first as 1) they might take it seriously 2) I can add that into my Sec 75 complaint.

    • meta says:
      15 Jan15 January 15:54

      As expected, total BS from BA regarding EC261. Please also make a complain/report to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). If enough people do it, CAA might take action.

      • Wollhouse says:
        15 Jan15 January 17:29

        You’re right – it’s rubbish. It’s probably too late for this one, but I have now submitted a formal complaint. I took the refund because i felt so browbeaten but i have made that point in my formal complaint. I’ll look up how to complain to CAA as it’s clearly the “training” their agents are getting… So, that’s 2 formal complaints submitted today. And yet more hours of wasted time on the phone. At least the chap today was polite!

      • Wollhouse says:
        15 Jan15 January 17:35

        looked up the CAA complaint policy – you have to complain to the airline first. So, i’ll wait for BA’s response and then do so.

        • meta says:
          15 Jan15 January 18:00

          Yes, first airline then CAA, but you can complain to CAA even if BA doesn’t respond (might happen!). Just mention that they never responded.

          • kitten says:
            15 Jan15 January 20:41

            The joy of MCOL is that as we as adding 8%pa statutory interest pro rata to all amounts due, in extreme cases of BA obduracy and timewasting (which from accounts here seems to be most cases) you can also put in an amount at your professional rate for preparation time into your claim

        • WaynedP says:
          15 Jan15 January 18:45

          Whenever I lodge a complaint, I always specify that this constitutes a formal complaint, and request that they acknowledge it by return and simultaneously provide me with a full copy of their complaints procedure and their dispute resolution policy.

          This usually gets the attention of someone more senior than initial frontline staff, as it contains several red flag words that indicate they’re dealing with someone who is fully aware of the regulations governing complaints and responses in the UK.

          • yorkieflyer says:
            15 Jan15 January 18:57

            This is how we got our cancelled BA Avios 241 50% sale first flights from Cape Town moved to revenue C tickets on Qatar last week. Really had to up the ante and push the point but re ticketed auto cancelled till UK based You First staff intervened after several stressed phone calls.
            My takeaway is know your rights and HUACA, but without You First not sure we’d have got there?

          • Wollhouse says:
            15 Jan15 January 19:30

            Done now! And thanks

          • kitten says:
            15 Jan15 January 20:45

            The joy of MCOL is that as we as adding 8%pa statutory interest pro rata to all amounts due, in extreme cases of BA obduracy and timewasting (which from accounts here seems to be most cases) you can also put in an amount at your professional rate for preparation time into your claim

          • kitten says:
            15 Jan15 January 20:50

            yorkieflyer i hope you claimed your 75% compensation for that downgrade as well. Given it sounds like BA’s response was to wash their hands of responsibility to bring home the passengers they just left stranded in south africa

  • mutley says:
    15 Jan15 January 16:31

    Views please on whether the pound will hit $1.45 mark this year please. Preferably before end of September!

  • James. says:
    15 Jan15 January 16:47

    Has anyone ever used VA points towards a cost of a Virgin Holiday?

    I know the value per point is poor but am contemplating boosting my points, via MS, so that the wife can book a surprise trip away.

    I also have 7 vouchers on my account so can use some of them to boost our cabin.

    • dezbez says:
      15 Jan15 January 18:13

      Yes, I’ve used a few in the past for this. The value isn’t great as you say at 0.55p/point, but if you have a shed load of them and you’ve not really had to do a great deal for to earn them then it won’t be bad then you might feel it is an ok use of them.

      • dezbez says:
        15 Jan15 January 18:16

        Apologies, the last part of that last sentence doesn’t quite make sense…. 🤦🏻
        But hopefully you get my gist.

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:
    15 Jan15 January 16:50

    It’s not been there since Summer 2016. What will be the driver?

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:
      15 Jan15 January 16:51

      That was supposed to be in reply to Mutley.

    • WaynedP says:
      16 Jan16 January 08:54

      Isn’t it obvious ?

      UK unicorns will be in such high demand among the nations of the world falling over each other to sign up to lucrative trade deals that our balance of payments will rocket to record levels and sterling will rule currency markets and be great again.

    • kitten says:
      16 Jan16 January 18:44

      relativity of progress due to vaccination progress… if more nasties don’t turn up.

      And Brexit was be a brake that’s now been removed.

      Not out of the woods yet though.

      …

  • Tariq says:
    15 Jan15 January 17:05

    Chairman Boris, just announced that all travel corridors close from 04:00 hours Monday. All inbound travellers to quarantine upon arrival, as per previous arrangements.

    • Andrew says:
      15 Jan15 January 17:07

      Yes it was supposed to start today I think but put back to Monday. This is the announcement made earlier in the week.

      • marcw says:
        15 Jan15 January 17:13

        No. That was about test requirements. This is new.

      • Jonathan says:
        15 Jan15 January 17:13

        Was it not pre departure testing that was announced before? I think ending the travel corridors is new.

        • Andrew says:
          15 Jan15 January 17:16

          Ah yes I see. Well good news that we are finally closing our borders, hopefully that remains the case for a few months until things get under control.

    • Mike says:
      15 Jan15 January 17:10

      Why do you have to use such gendered language Tariq? Chairperson please.

    • Aston100 says:
      15 Jan15 January 17:35

      Tariq, you puzzle me.
      Many of your comments in recent times seem to indicate you are a Covid denier and possibly an anti vaxxer.
      Can you kindly confirm / deny?

      • Doug M says:
        15 Jan15 January 20:31

        Not enough already for you to argue about you’ve got to go trolling for it? Just post your thoughts on Social Media and I’m sure the baton will be picked up.

  • Peggerz says:
    15 Jan15 January 17:46

    The 5k bonus points for IHG CC (black) use has just shown in my account. Stay was 2nd week of December.

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

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