The HfP chat thread – Sunday 21st February

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General

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bitolux says:

21 Feb21 February 06:29

Has anyone had much luck obtaining Tesco ink cartridge recycling envelopes? I’ve tried the larger stores in and around my city (Leeds) recently, but to no avail.
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 06:35
  
  Not been inside a shop in two months sorry!
- TimM says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 07:57
  
  I had a stash of the old envelopes which I have just thrown away. I have two printers and neither have cartridges that are accepted for recycling anymore.
  - Sandgrounder says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 08:09
    
    I switched to a laser a couple of years ago. One of the best things I ever did.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 08:54
      
      I think my next will be.
    - kitten says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 14:17
      
      Does the cost of laser work for low volumes?
      - Magic Mike says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 18:15
        
        Yes, much better than an inkjet. An inkjet that is rarely used wastes a lot of ink cleaning the nozzles. A laser doesn’t need that, so a toner cartridge will last you for ever…
      - Lyn says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 18:52
        
        @kitten yes, it does. I finally bought a very neat small HP laser printer even though my ink jet printer was still working!
        It should be an easier decision for anyone who actually needs a new printer.
- Wally1976 says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 08:26
  
  I went into Tesco yesterday (Stourbridge) and found recycling envelopes by the cartridges they were selling. The box where you deposit the envelopes was near the exit and there were some envelopes there too.
  - Alex says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 10:36
    
    Was that a Tesco Metro or a Tesco Extra? I tried 2 local Metros in central London and got confused stairs. One employee directed me to the battery recycling box…
    - Wally1976 says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 11:02
      
      It was a Tesco Extra. Not sure the smaller Tescos are worth trying to be honest.
      - The cyclist says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 11:23
        
        I went to Watford they had none, Hemel Hempstead had loads , although finding the box to deposit them in was a mission.
Chrism20 says:

21 Feb21 February 07:51

Is anyone else getting asked for codes from texts for Nectar when running Award Wallet?
- Rich says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 08:19
  
  I get them occasionally from some of my accounts on AW.
  
  I tend to go through every couple of months and see which accounts have failed login and re-establish the link, solve captchas, enter codes etc.
  
  It’s not very elegant!
Andy says:

21 Feb21 February 08:31

I have 2x 241s due to expire 16/3/2022 & 22/3/2022. Am I best to change both to FTVs b4 BA change the rules or hope at least one is extended by 6 months to cover summer 2022 ?
- memesweeper says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 11:06
  
  If you’re certain of the party size and your +1/+3 then you can do this. The voucher is a little fiddly to spend (calls required) but otherwise a sound option.
BJ says:

21 Feb21 February 08:34

I decided to move some clubcard points to NowTV before that partnership ended so now have just over £100 balance. I received an email offer from NowTV for 6 months Sky Sports for £19.99/m. If I accept this offer will they charge my balance (not my card) automatically for the first 5 months and only part-charge my card in the sixth month after my balance runs out? I’ve never had a balance on my NowTV account so just wanted to double check that it can be used on offers like this and not just on standard priced passes?
- Genghis says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 08:38
  
  If it helps, Ive just signed up for entertainment £4.99 / month for 6 months. Only billed for first month then it’s cancel anytime.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 08:58
  
  You need to get back in the pub after lockdown and find the guy that does all the channels for £50 a year 🙂
- Harrier25 says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 09:07
  
  Yes, they will deduct from credit first, then part credit & part card when there isn’t enough credit to cover monthly cost.
- BJ says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 09:21
  
  OK thanks all, for dads benefit as I rarely watch TV but I will watch the golf majors. I wondered where the guy down the pub had gone 🙂
  - Tracey says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 10:10
    
    Onto Facebook local groups!
    - Benilyn says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 12:38
      
      Cheeky trick, sign up to trial, cancel saying too expensive and you will get some offers. Only tested for Movies and Entertainment. Am paying £3.99 on Entertainment
      - Benilyn says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 12:40
        
        Ah and just got this email last week, so have the offer for another 6 months.
        We wanted to remind you that your current offer will shortly be coming to an end. But as a thank you for choosing NOW TV, we’ve automatically extended your offer on your Entertainment Month Pass for the next 6 months, so you’ll pay just £3.99pm (instead of £9.99).
      - Harrier25 says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 15:01
        
        Doesn’t always work though and less often for Sky Sports
    - blenz101 says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 13:23
      
      Not hard to do yourself. If you Google around for ivi ew HD then you will turn up what the man in the local pub will charge you a premium for. Just need to get an Android TV box.
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 14:32
        
        If you’re paying those prices you’re paying for too much for a year!
Chrisasaurus says:

21 Feb21 February 10:16

Hertz question – So far as I understand it you can only redeem max 1 week rental at a time. Do you have to booked back to back rentals and hope for the best when you collect that they’ll link them and you won’t need to do a swap halfway?

The booking screen is useless – I’m looking at a 15 day rental, max you can pick for gold award points is 1 week but even when you select that, the price breakdown doesn’t change so there’s literally no way of knowing what the actual cash component will be without booking!
- Charlieface says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 10:40
  
  Yeah I did that, it’s the only way. Call the branch first, my local was nice and checked me in and out again without me even calling up on the day.
  
  Make sure if you change the dates on the final page, that you go back a page and forwards again or the price won’t update.
  
  Also, the breakdown is anyway garbage, as it doesn’t take VAT into account properly. Work it out yourself: take all the costs (when award is not selected) apart from the base rental cost and add VAT to that sum alone.
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 11:02
    
    Gracias – given its 2k euro for the fortnight its absolutely worth the risk even if I had to return and rehire I’d still be up!
    
    It’s a strange weakness in the program and does nothing to encourage people to build balances for longer than 3k points or whatever it is
    
    (That being side I have 5figure sum precisely because of the issue as haven’t been able to redeem so maybe I’m underestimating them)
    - Charlieface says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 13:04
      
      Well done, this is exactly what they are for: peak times, as I outlined in my article
      
      https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/11/29/review-hertz-gold-plus-rewards-points/
GVA says:

21 Feb21 February 10:22

I am moving to Geneva this year -any hints and tips on earning points with credit cards, and/or good value redemptions?

The one benefit I see is that starting my OW multi carrier redemption in GVA should at least reduce the taxes I think!
- HughM says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 11:24
  
  The pioneer of points-earning credit cards in Switzerland is Cornèr Banca of Lugano. You’ll find the Miles&More pack of Diners+Visa or Mastercard still running. Single points-earning cards also exist for British Airways and for Iberia. Then there’s the Cornèrcard Lady, interestingly displayed in the name of ‘Daniel Berger,’ offering special insurance cover for lost keys… Charitable foundations are strong in Switzerland, and you can pick a card that donates to the Knie Circus foundation, WWF, Swiss Transplant and carbon offsetting. Oh, and I seem to remember the card fees struck me as hefty, though that will be absorbed by your higher total spend.
  - GVA says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 13:14
    
    thanks, HughM. Not that familiar with M&M/LH so I’ll start digging.
    Any innovative ways to pay rent / cars etc using credit cards?
    - GVA says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 13:24
      
      Also looks like Amex plat offers half price first year (£400 I/o £800 approx), with 45,000 signup bonus (no spend target), plus £80 Swiss voucher and £160 Sixt voucher.
      Includes lounge access and insurance, but not sure about the same hotel/loyalty scheme benefits.
      - GVA says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 13:34
        
        Ah.. but Swiss MR rewards (amex switz, not Swiss airlines) convert at 3:2 in to Avios, but 2:1 to most other airline programs.
        So the 45k Swiss MR points = 30k UK MR points assuming Avios is end destination. It levels the benefit slightly although no spend target by the looks of things.
        And referrals are 30k Swiss MR
      - HughM says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 14:27
        
        Another thought: you are not limited to Swiss francs. They are more flexible on euro, and you can earn points on euro credit card spend. I had a Swiss euro card for many years (it was my answer to the question: what do you do when no-one else is paying the FX fees?)! But Starling Bank now offers a free, less restricted, alternative. Based in Geneva, you will surely do a bit of cross-border shopping.
Paul says:

21 Feb21 February 10:29

Question for Lady London..
You mentioned the other day that prior to lodging MCOL make sure I write to BA legal first. I was just wondering if you could explain why? Is it because that is the first thing that would be suggested during the MCOL case? Thanks again for all your help.
Paul
- Genghis says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 10:34
  
  You need to issue a letter before action and give BA the chance to resolve the issue before taking legal action.
  - Lady London says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 14:26
    
    And if you really want a resolution write to legal who hopefully will recognise when they will lose without question sooner than customer services or regular agents might.
- Charlieface says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 10:41
  
  That’s how MCOL works. You are expected to write and give them 14 days to resolve.
  
  Keep a copy and send by registered post to head office.
  - Paul says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 10:48
    
    Thanks guys. Looking forward to winning against ba in court.. first time going through this process.
    - Anna says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 10:56
      
      I don’t know if your case is suitable for the CEDR mediation service but that’s a much less formal process and you don’t have to write to BA legal first, just get an email or other communication stating they have reached their final position. I found it very user friendly and efficient.
      - Lady London says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 14:33
        
        The problem with CEDR is that the arbitrator can vary from the law if they feel like it. There have been reports of perverse decisions at CEDR.
        
        So if your case is clear according to the law – as most here against BA seem to be – why leave the door open for a perverse decision.
        
        If you’re looking for reasonableness where the law is not quite clearly supporting you then go CEDR route.
        
        A judge (MCOL) has to decide based on the law whether it gives a reasonable and fair result whether they like it or not. An arbitrator (CEDR) doesn’t have to.
    - ChrisC says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 11:13
      
      When you write keep it simple. Outline the issue and the dates you contacted customer services. Don’t have a rant about how awful BA are or your general unhappiness etc. You want resolution not revenge (even if revenge is tempting)
      
      Clearly state what you expect of them ‘refund of £ 1762.57 for flight yyy’ or “payment of £158.39 for duty of care expenses” etc.
      
      And also clearly state something like “I require resolution in 14 days otherwise I will commence MCOL action”. In fact it will be more than 14 days because the clock starts when they receive the letter not when you sent it to allow for postal delays etc. Plus Judges at MCOL like it when you are reasonable and give the other side one final time to sort the issue out.
      
      Keep it simple. You may not get your day in court because you want resolution of your issue and if they resolve it then you have no case to take to MCOL.
      
      The time I did that I got a call from someone senior in customer services apologising profusely and who arranged payment of a refund but it was clear it was legal that told them to sort it out. I think she was exasperated at why her colleagues simply hadn’t processed a simple refund on several occasions!
      - Steve says:
        
        21 Feb21 February 16:49
        
        ChrisC, if they refunded you did they also then pay your MCOL fee?
    - bazza says:
      
      21 Feb21 February 17:36
      
      That letter template is available on MSE website. Used it a couple of times as an employee of UCLH. Chief Exec ignored it both times but coughed up once the court order arrived so prepare to have that letter ignored…
Andi Hawes says:

21 Feb21 February 10:58

Virgin Money have removed any web based interactions from Virgin Atlantic card holders and moved it to an app. As a consequence you cannot integrate with any accounting software nor download transactions. The poor lady i phoned didnt understand why i couldnt upload my PDF statement to my accounting software so i had to explain.

This renders this card pretty much useless for me, or i have to go through a manual cut and paste from somewhere for all my transactions, although not sure where i can even do that yet.

Has this been talked about? Is there an alternative VA card?
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 11:04
  
  In depth, yes and no, sadly there is not
- Christina says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 11:09
  
  Totally agree. The app is crap. CSV function is required.
  You can convert your pdf bank statement to csv here:-
  https://pdftables.com/
  - Lady London says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 14:38
    
    Metro Bank used to offer .csv download on their business accounts on their website but then took it away. If they do one more thing wrong I will probably move somewhere else.
    
    Anyone have any idea why would Metro Bank have removed .csv download from their website when it was established and working?
  - Andi Hawes says:
    
    22 Feb22 February 09:23
    
    Thank you, will try this, but its not the integrated systems were supposed to be using in 2021 😀
- Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 11:17
  
  You have a GDPR right to data portability. The extent is a bit fuzzy around the edges but I’d expect card transactions to be in scope. Email their DPO using the address in the Virgin Money privacy policy and see what happens. With any luck, this was a missed requirement in the website decommissioning and the DPO has the sway to get it sorted.
- Ryan says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 12:45
  
  I’m in a similar boat, used to check my total spend via copy + paste to Excel from the website
  Asked the CS rep to tell me how much I spent… she ended up reading my transactions one by one and got 50% of them wrong…
  - Andi Hawes says:
    
    22 Feb22 February 09:28
    
    Reading them out :D. Thats not the seamlessly integrated future we were promised either…
- the_real_a says:
  
  21 Feb21 February 14:31
  
  Are there no “Open Banking” providers that allow a CSV or other integration? Something like Snoop which Rob was advertising a few weeks ago? Alternativly just use Curve for all Virgin money transactions and then use the CSV option from there.
  - Ryan says:
    
    21 Feb21 February 22:17
    
    My transactions are all….well they can’t go through Curve… if you know what I mean…!!