The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 24th February

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• Elaine J. says:

  24 Feb24 February 08:27

  I had an Email on Monday cancelling my flights to and from Barbados in April. I phoned them up Monday afternoon to ask for a cash refund. Money in my account this morning! Well done, B.A.!

• MadeUpName says:

  24 Feb24 February 08:27

  BA aren’t about to re-start european flights from Gatwick anytime soon are they?? As still selling flights to Thessaloniki for late May. Keen to book now as if travel doesn’t open up by then either BA will cancel (refund) or move to Heathrow (refund).

  • Sam G says:

    24 Feb24 February 12:47

    Very unlikely – they cut a lot of cabin crew and there is no A320 pilot base. Domestics have been adjusted to operated using Heathrow based frames on “W” patterns

    I’ve done the same !

    • MadeUpName says:

      24 Feb24 February 14:00

      Thanks – I’ve just completed the booking now. Fingers crossed we can actually go!

• Alex says:

  24 Feb24 February 08:35

  Could someone please recommend a good, comprehensive travel insurance, which covers Covid-19 disruptions, and comes with one of the premium current accounts or as a standalone policy? I was considering Amex Plat, but the GBP 600 quid annual fee is hard to justify.

  Until now, I used group travel insurance via my employer, which has been decent in the past, but the underwriter refuses to touch anything Covid-19 related, so the past year I’ve essentially been without coverage, while continuing to pay premiums.

  • Rob says:

    24 Feb24 February 08:43

    Look at moneysavingexpert, they do a LOT of work on this.

    • Alex says:

      24 Feb24 February 08:51

      Will do, thanks Rob!

  • BuildBackBetter says:

    24 Feb24 February 09:13

    Amex plat business insurance is better than personal plat

  • Louise K says:

    24 Feb24 February 09:59

    I used a Trailfinders policy last summer that had COVID cover.

  • EvilDoctorK says:

    24 Feb24 February 10:26

    The Nationwide ‘Flex Plus’ one seemed pretty decent to me … what you’ll struggle with I think is policies that will cover travel disruption/cancellation due to Covid restrictions etc., that seems more or less impossible .. but I take the view that most bookings are uber-flexible now so it’s less of an issue and the important stuff is coverage when you’re there .. for my Nationwide fit this bill, but Amex Platinum seemed a bit more ambiguous

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      24 Feb24 February 13:28

      I agree re Nationwide, cancellation cover clearly less important

      • Alex says:

        24 Feb24 February 14:41

        Fair point – I am looking at this from the perspective of the money I lost due to lack of cancellation/disruption coverage, but in reality travel arrangements are a lot more flexible today than they were when I was booking last year. Thanks for the helpful comments!

• James says:

  24 Feb24 February 08:41

  I booked flights with Qatar using the Amex £100 credit offer. If I claim a refund, will the £100 credit be taken back? Thanks.

  • Andrew says:

    24 Feb24 February 08:53

    Probably. Usually. Depends if the refund amount is identical to the charge amount – sometimes if it’s different then they don’t claw back because they don’t tie the transactions together.

    • meta says:

      24 Feb24 February 09:17

      If it is more than six months ago or if it is in different card anniversary years, then sometimes they won’t claw back either.

  • Harry T says:

    24 Feb24 February 09:57

    Maybe. I’ve had several refunds (legitimate returns or similar) that haven’t triggered a rebate of the Amex c@$hback when they should have.

• Benilyn says:

  24 Feb24 February 08:51

  Trying to burn my IHG Credit Card free night (x2), expires at the end of August. First kid due soon so I’m not sure about travelling abroad so early, so probably looking UK, and will be getting there from London. Lots of availability everywhere. Most likely will be spending more time in the hotel then out, so room is quite important. Should be Spire at the time. Any recommendations?

  Has anyone had any luck in getting reward night at Mr + Mrs Smith?

  PS. Saw a similar thread in FT, few years old and ends in hilarious stupid arguments 😂

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    24 Feb24 February 09:06

    For Mr + Mrs Smith, I seem to remember a comment from Rob a couple months ago to the effect of “hell will freeze over before IHG pay for someone to use a free night voucher with Mr + Mrs Smith properties”. Something to do with them having to pay full price

    • Rob says:

      24 Feb24 February 09:13

      Sounds about right 🙂

  • Anna says:

    24 Feb24 February 10:06

    I’ve had to cancel my planned Kimpton Blythswood stay but there looks to be a very nice spa there, which might suit new parents (you’ll get used to taking turns at doing stuff while the other one minds the baby!) Though of course it depends how far you want to travel and when Scotland re-opens to visitors. Otherwise, outside London I think the Indigo Bath is one of the best uses of a free night voucher as prices often top £300 pn.
    I’m trying to use 2 x Ambassador BOGOF nights by October 1st so in a similar position!

  • memesweeper says:

    24 Feb24 February 12:38

    I’ve enjoyed stays at the Park Lane IC; the O2 one in London is highly spoken of; Kimpton London has small rooms, you don’t want that with a newborn child in tow, but it’s got lovely communal areas; outside London maybe Indigo Bath or Kimpton or IC Edinburgh?

    The Crowne Plaza in Kensington has some very large rooms and will be more willing to upgrade than any IC. Internal communal areas not to IC/Kimpton standards but an unusual and pleasant garden and a good location.

    • Benilyn says:

      24 Feb24 February 14:07

      Thanks. I have emailed a bunch of the hotels re upgrades, but no replies. I wonder if I will get one, or staff all on furlough…

• Super Secret Stuff says:

  24 Feb24 February 09:13

  Rob, just an fyi the spam filters are playing up again I think. I can’t reply to @747

  • 747_Brat says:

    24 Feb24 February 12:40

    Curious to know about your insurance recommendation @SSS 🙂

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      24 Feb24 February 13:23

      The Avios online store. Has lots of options and slightly higher earning than others

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        24 Feb24 February 13:26

        Finally, had to rephrase so think about it. Nothing banned but kept disappearing after I submit, no idea what is going on

        • 747_Brat says:

          24 Feb24 February 15:24

          Cheers, thanks @SSS 🙂
          I will look at the options on Avios shopping portal.

• BA-Flyer says:

  24 Feb24 February 09:19

  I called Avios (the travel agency) yesterday to re-book my cancelled Thailand flights, where I used a Lloyds voucher. At first I was told I could only choose dates up to September, because that’s when the booking was originally made. Then I was told I could choose a date beyond September, but only if there was reward availability – and I would have to pay any difference in tax and Avios. I quoted the CAA website: ” It’s up to you whether to fly as soon as possible after the cancelled flight, or at a later date that suits you”. The agent insisted that wasn’t possible. Are they right or should I be kicking up a fuss?

  • Anna says:

    24 Feb24 February 10:09

    CAA is correct (though you can find a discussion on this site most days re this!), you are entitled to re-routing at a later date as BA has cancelled. Unfortunately, the avios team seems to have the same rights-denying script at BA CSAs so you may have to fight for it.

    • meta says:

      24 Feb24 February 10:15

      You could try changing it online yourself if the system allows you and also wait a day or two after cancellation.

      Yesterday, I tried changing a cancelled flight online (immediately after BA notification) and there was no availability. This morning, I am seeing several dates where I can move my flight to the end of schedule, not just 12 months from ticketing.

    • memesweeper says:

      24 Feb24 February 12:41

      They have a tougher script than BA in my experience. Get the denial to rebook in writing and start the fight now. People here often recommend ADR before MCOL. It’s an odd situation as the travel agency (Avios.com) is denying you a rebooking that’s a legal obligation of the airline, but the airline will refer you to the travel agent. Any complaint will have to be against both parties I would have thought. LL will be along shortly to correct me 🙂 Good luck!

• Rhys says:

  24 Feb24 February 09:27

  Try Alan Boswell: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/07/24/get-up-to-10000-avios-with-your-household-business-or-landlord-insurance/

  • Chas says:

    24 Feb24 February 11:09

    +1 on Alan Boswell. I tried them 18 months ago for my home and contents insurance, and as a broker they were able to offer me a few suitable quotes. I decided I wanted to stick with my current insurer, but by going through Alan Boswell I was still able to get my 10k avios. At the renewal point 12 months on, the same guy I had previously dealt with called me up to discuss my options. I continued to stay with the existing insurer, and got myself another 10k points in the process.

  • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

    24 Feb24 February 11:49

    Also look at Aviva via the BA shopping portal (2,000 Avios for buildings & 1,000 for contents)?

    • 747_Brat says:

      24 Feb24 February 12:38

      Thank you @Chas & @GG

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