The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 26th January

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.

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.

Category

General

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

Andrew says:

26 Jan26 January 11:46

Britannia have a few hotels near Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airports don’t they?

I think they are one of the Government’s key partners for providing accommodation.

Just imagine arriving at Heathrow, then being put on a coach for the 5-6 hour drive to Scarborough for 10 night stay in The Grand?
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:25
  
  Britannia have got Pontins as well, what fun! I wonder if you could collect Grand Rewards points on your stay? I don’t remember the scheme being covered on HfP to date….
  - The Savage Squirrel says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 13:13
    
    Yes! Rob you should definitely do a review of Britannia rewards on a slow day. Worth it just for the comment section …
    
    …then, with international travel likely off the agenda, I want to see your review of Pontins Southport 😀 :D.
    - Pete M says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 13:15
      
      +1
    - Mikeact says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 14:26
      
      Or Butlins Bognor…..Gatwick 1hr by train…Heathrow, half a day.
- Stagger Lee says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:47
  
  Imagine being stuck in any Britannia hotel? The horror, the horror.
  - Phil says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 13:19
    
    I’m taking the fine and prison time instead of a Britannia Hotel.
    - Rob says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 14:01
      
      Your cell would be cleaner.
- Anna says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:09
  
  The Manchester one was voted Britain’s worst hotel quite recently, I think, so I’m sure the government will consider using it!
  - Anna says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 14:14
    
    Correction, it was worst hotel chain! I have stayed in the Manchester one though, and can confirm it lived up to the hype!
    - Stagger Lee says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 16:24
      
      I stayed there in early 2000s when I think it was under the previous ownership. It was a looking tired way back then and I doubt Britannia have done much too it since.
      
      It served it’s purpose though as a half decent place to crash before to going to see Rammstein at the Apollo. 🙂
- HAK says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:28
  
  That alone acts as a sufficient deterrent for any holiday plans I have/had. I suppose that is “job done” for the government!
Grimz says:

26 Jan26 January 12:00

I have seen some comments about the security of your Nectar and BA accounts. What is peoples thoughts on the best way to keep these secure?
- Stanley says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:14
  
  Change both accounts passwords contantly, but at random times. DON’T create a pattern of any sorts.
- Pete M says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:54
  
  Use a password manager like 1Password (that’s generally a good thing to do!).
- MinR says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:58
  
  Enable 2-Factor Authentication.
  
  Don’t think BA has the option but Nectar does.
- Andrew says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 13:55
  
  Always look after your receipts.
  
  Nectar card numbers are 19 digits long
  They all start 9826 3000
  Receipts print the last 7 digits and your balance.
  
  So just the middle 4 digits have to be “guessed” in order to empty an account.
  
  You might think that would be hard. I rather suspect it’s all in the luhns.
George says:

26 Jan26 January 12:20

Anyone who did the RBS bank account switching offer last year – have you received the £100 into your account yet? T&Cs stated 29th Jan as the date so they’ve still got a few days but I’ve got nothing yet.
- Jack says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 12:28
  
  I’ve got a text saying the following: “ Thanks again for switching to us. Good news, your £100 is on its way and should be in your account by 29th January.” I have not received the money yet though.
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 12:44
    
    Received the same text but no incentive yet. I guess they will wait until 29 Jan to process the incentive.
    - Nick says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 13:23
      
      I’m sure mine had a date in Feb in the switch T&C, hopefully as I haven’t had the text either!
  - KP says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 15:42
    
    I have also received the same text but no ££ yet
BuildBackBetter says:

26 Jan26 January 12:51

Some ex-eu Qatar deals coming in. BUD – BKK J return from £1150
- Rob says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:03
  
  Too risky though – you need to be 100% sure you can enter both Budapest and Doha.
  - Andrew says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 15:20
    
    I don’t think there have been any restrictions for transiting through Doha – entering Doha, yes, no one is allowed, but transit is fine.
- Lee says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:07
  
  UK – Seoul under £1000 for whole 2021
  - Aston100 says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 17:56
    
    Not seeing it.
    Have checked in J, from LHR, LGW, BHX and MAN for most months this year.
    
    Can you clarify?
    - Tom1 says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 23:39
      
      Yeah they have been around for a few days on LH.
      https://flights.app.goo.gl/A8t98K
- Aston100 says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 17:52
  
  I think you’d have to be very brave to be thinking of ex EU flights (with a connection somewhere too) if you are UK based.
747_Brat says:

26 Jan26 January 12:52

Does anyone know what’s the current turnaround time for FOS complaints?

I raised a complaint in August 2020 but haven’t heard back from them. Is there a way to check the status of a complaint? The automated email I received after submitting the complaint doesn’t have any unique identifier unfortunately!
Thanks.
- Gavin says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 13:03
  
  I made a complaint in May which was looked at by them and resolved in October (approx. 5 months)
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 13:41
    
    Thanks Gavin for replying. I have just crossed the 5 month timeline. So hopefully I will have a reply soon.
    Cheers.
- BS says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 13:33
  
  My timeline:
  complaint submitted 22/4/2020
  Generic confirmation: 22/4/2020
  Specific confirmation (with case ref and confirmation of company): 26/5/2020
  No further correspondence so far, complaint ongoing.
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 15:00
    
    If you have a case reference number, it is worth chasing by emailing the investigating officer.
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:11
  
  I still have an open case against BOS from January 2019…
  - 747_Brat says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 15:01
    
    Woah, that’s a long time! 🙄
  - Louie says:
    
    27 Jan27 January 00:03
    
    And me from September 2019. Had some correspondence in the last few days though.
Tom says:

26 Jan26 January 13:10

Is IHG down?
Cant login on app or web to view balance.
- Chrism20 says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 13:17
  
  Working fine here. I’ve just had flights cancelled so was on cancelling the hotel booking
Gavin says:

26 Jan26 January 13:23

Did my first Airbnb booking for work at the end of December. Used the BA link, 6x Avios on first booking – 8754 Avios credited today. Thanks Rob for the article a while ago. Worth flagging again for the future?
Sandra says:

26 Jan26 January 13:49

I would say naive rather than idiots to read that as a statement of fact, which is exactly what the likes of Johnson and Farage intended in order to get the vote to put us where we are now. However, Johnson has unfortunately got more than he bargained for which would be a kind of karma if it weren’t for the fact that it’s a serious pandemic that kills people. The hardened Brexiteers are keeping their heads well below the parapet now that the chaos with trade, transport and fishing has begun. They had 4 years to prepare but couldn’t manage a smooth transition and most of those with dual citizenship/unlimited wealth have buggered off to their overseas homes/tax havens now they’ve got their ‘sovereignty’ back. I read the other day the former Brexit MEP Robert Rowlands had died ‘near his home in the Bahamas’.
- Sandra says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 13:51
  
  Really not sure why the above has posted here, it was a reply to Chris on page 1, but I have issues with iPad and trying to post today!
  - Harrier25 says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 13:58
    
    I think you’d be better off on a Sky News forum than posting anywhere on this website!
- Ash says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:03
  
  Do you know any MS spend with HSBC? not revoult because I got banned and no NS&I.
- Anna says:
  
  26 Jan26 January 14:17
  
  Covid is a “kind of karma”? Wow.
  - Anna says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 14:18
    
    But yes the reply function has gone a bit weird.
  - Sandra says:
    
    26 Jan26 January 14:34
    
    Wow. Read what I said – ‘would be a kind of karma if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s a serious pandemic that kills people’.
    I accepted the result 4 years ago Anna although I thought it was the worst result for all our futures, particularly my late teenage, early twenties children. What I find difficult to accept is the fact that in 4 years those that pushed for this couldn’t manage to negotiate and plan a proper exit. When you have a passport for a EU country, as I believe you do, it’s also much simpler if things don’t work out, you can leave!
    - Anna says:
      
      26 Jan26 January 14:42
      
      I find it distasteful to wish any kind of misfortune on someone because you don’t agree with them.
      Nobody is being prevented from leaving due to Brexit, that’s another Remainer myth. There might be slightly more bureaucracy but no different than if you wanted to go to any country outside the EU.
      The inability to negotiate and plan was for the most part due to the disruption caused by the persistent efforts of those who disagreed with the result to derail the process. Without the level of vexatious disruption caused throughout the process, we may have been spared Boris Johnson as PM at this point.
      - Sandra says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 14:59
        
        I know I can leave whenever I want but, having met with the bureaucracy in the ME whilst living out there I know how bad it can be, it’s much easier if it’s not needed.
        I would say the disruption was caused by all sides and Johnson being elected PM was partly through that and partly through Labour being unable to get their act together but that’s a whole other discussion!
        Remainers and Brexiteers are never going to agree but we just have to get on with it now and make the best of it. It is younger people like my son who finishes his MEng degree this year I feel most sorry for, he’s already been told by several employers that unfortunately due to Brexit difficulties they won’t be recruiting graduates for the time being. If kids with degrees in shortage subjects aren’t being recruited heaven help those with less employable degrees!
      - Optimus Prime says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 15:16
        
        You may even use your brand new EU passport to get £2k to enjoy retirement in Costa del Sol 🙂
        
        https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/26/eu-citizens-offered-financial-incentives-to-leave-uk
      - Harrier25 says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 15:16
        
        The UK was always going to leave the EU at some stage as the UK and the EU was never a comfortable marriage and when the initial jockeying for positions finally comes to an end, I’m sure a much more happier and acceptable relationship will materialise for both sides.
        
        Adam Boulton – Sky News
      - Anna says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 15:17
        
        At least we can agree on Boris 🙄 (he was mainly an embarrassment to long-standing Leave voters, his jumping on the band – or bus -wagon was entirely opportunist).
        I totally sympathise with anyone with a child entering the job market at the moment for many reasons – and I would double check whether it is down to Brexit or whether that’s just a convenient excuse to give applicants the brush off. But with a MEng your son is qualified to work in an industry where there are real shortages of qualified applicants so fingers crossed he finds something soon.
        I know someone who sells Spanish holiday homes to British buyers and he is one of the people most affected by Brexit but he adjusted his strategy very early on and now also runs an additional service advising people how to maximise their time in Spain or obtain residency if they so require. He’s doing very well if the photos of him on the beach on social media are anything to go by!
      - ken says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 15:18
        
        “Its never our fault” might be the Brexiteers mantra.
        
        I agree, everyone has got to get on with making the best of a bad mess, but the twisting of brexiters is something to behold.
      - Anna says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 15:29
        
        Optimus Prime – I’m not they’d pay me to resettle in my “place of origin”, not that £2k would go very far in Cheshire!
        But it’s an interesting article. I spent a fair bit of time in my last job advocating for EU nationals who were being exploited by employers or landlords, so it’s definitely a long-standing issue. We also pushed for people to apply for settled status because in the long term it benefits community relations when people have a defined legal status. A lot of EU nationals have elected to remain in the UK though, so I can’t help thinking they must have decided it’s preferable to stay here than not!
      - Bojotheclown says:
        
        26 Jan26 January 16:34
        
        @Anna, ‘slightly more bureaucracy”, how about the new cash and language requirements in France for example , never mind the 90 days in 180 rule. That is a huge change in requirements not a retainer myth as you so charmingly put it.
        You only ever mention Spain as if it is the only EU country brits want to retire to. You have a Spanish passport so ‘im alright Jack’ you remind me of Farage and the German passports for his kids. Very much do as I say not as I do.