The HfP chat thread – Thursday 4th March

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We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

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TM says:

4 Mar4 March 18:51

Downgraded from platinum to free gold charge last year as we weren’t travelling. Fee about to kick in for the gold, so assuming I don’t want to get platinum again (still not travelling) my best option is to get the gold credit card I think?

Do I apply for it fresh or ring them?
- Travel Strong says:
  
  4 Mar4 March 20:34
  
  Can you refer a partner for it instead? Some easy points there if so. Also consider the Nectar amex, if avios is your goal and spending less than £10k per annum – as the earning rate per £ will be higher than Gold. And finally, consider the BA cards if you will be spending more than 10k per annum.
  Refer to the HfP articles on all the card choices for the top info!
Benilyn says:

4 Mar4 March 19:47

Someone mentioned 20k points for opening a Virgin Money account, anyone have more details?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 Mar4 March 20:54
  
  15k? Check the virgin red app
  - Benilyn says:
    
    4 Mar4 March 23:54
    
    Thanks let me try
Eric says:

4 Mar4 March 20:23

Will HSBC Premier travel insurance cover me if I can’t fly / decide not to take up BA’s flight change?

Was originally booked to fly to Athens on BA CE 30/3, and now I’ve been moved to the 28/3 flight. No changes to the return leg yet.
- Eric says:
  
  4 Mar4 March 20:39
  
  …on top of getting the FTV from BA.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    4 Mar4 March 20:56
    
    If you have an FTV from BA what losses have you incurred? That’s called insurance fraud.
    
    Anyway your flight has been moved 2 days you can get a cash refund.
- ChrisC says:
  
  4 Mar4 March 20:41
  
  Insurance companies generally insist you try and ameliorate losses by persuing refunds (even if partial) from the airline first.
  
  A change in flight schedule by 2 days would qualify you for a full refund from BA on the basis that your original flight was cancelled.
MattB says:

4 Mar4 March 21:10

Will BA have a problem with me if I book 2 seperate reward bookings, where the dates overlap? I’ll only take one trip and will cancel the other asap (travel permitting of course by then). It’s difficult to say for certain when I will be able to book time off so wanted to hedge my bets.

E.g have booking 1 with flights 1st to 15th August, booking 2 is 14th to 28th. If I book will BA try and cancel one of them?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 Mar4 March 21:28
  
  Nope they won’t
Andrew says:

4 Mar4 March 22:25

Mr Porter offer just popped up on my Platinum – spend £450, save £125 which isn’t bad although I think the Christmas one was slightly better terms.
Kevin D says:

4 Mar4 March 22:49

Good news for those of us HfP’ers from Northern Ireland. – we will have the absolute pleasure of flying Ryanair from Belfast City airport again from July! Very surprised they’ve returned given the short runway and inability to have full loads on the 737-800, especially with them all being European routes. Ryanair must think they’ll make money all the same. Now time to hoke out the old maroon (Irish) passport!