The HfP chat thread – Friday 12th March

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meta says:

12 Mar12 March 11:22

Following from our discussions yesterday about Japan, two new Marriott properties are opening in Kyoto this summer. Moxy Kyoto and Tribute Portfolio. Not much about the latter, but Moxy will be near Nijo Castle so quite central. Also category 5, so a cheaper option.
- BJ says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:48
  
  Thanks, there are also quite a few new or nearly new Fairfield Inns around which come with breakfast so they are useful for those with insufficient status.
Martin Short says:

12 Mar12 March 11:31

50% 2-4-1 avois booking to SIN in May now cancelled by BA.
I want to try changing to a different destination (Santiago or Buenos Aires)?
Any chance of BA allowing that (ignoring the entry requirements)?
- ChrisC says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 11:37
  
  If you mean for the same 50% off rate then absolutly zilch.
  
  The most they will do is another destination within 300 miles.
- AJA says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 11:40
  
  Not without repricing, ie you lose the benefit of the 50% discount. If you want the cheap fare you paid I think you are limited to changes of destination withing 300 miles.
  
  Why not just try moving you SIN flights to later in the year? You should not need reward seat availability to do so as BA cancelled.
Andrew says:

12 Mar12 March 11:36

Even Etihad are saying that A380 unlikely to return to the fleet, which considering their very special first class apartment and the residence is a real shame.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/03/12/etihad-ceo-very-likely-a380s-wont-return-to-fleet/
- Rhys says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 11:38
  
  Etihad wasn’t in a great place before the pandemic so it’s not surprising!
- Secret Squirrel says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 17:41
  
  Noooo! I have enough miles for F & J 😩
Mr. AC says:

12 Mar12 March 11:38

Can someone knowledgeable explain to me what is going on with IAG’s stock price? If I’m interpreting e.g. this chart correctly https://ycharts.com/companies/ICAGY/market_cap, their market cap is almost pre-pandemic, and higher than during most of 2019! Is this some side effect of the rights issue last year that I’m not considering?
How is it possible that a company with a significantly shrunken fleet, smaller workforce, saddled with debt (both financial, but to consumers as well in the form of vouchers), unable to pay dividends for the foreseeable future before it repays the government, lost out on 1-2 years worth of revenue, etc etc is valued more than pre-pandemic?
- Backpacker says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 11:53
  
  Hello Mr AC.
  It’s because the market is mad at the moment, too many people are following “trends” and a lot of people not doing due dilligence. Investing in anything that is “turnaround” 🙂
  
  Some more examples
  
  1) Cineworld – all cinemas still shut, burning through cash like no-ones business, directors just voted in a bad deal to give themselves £200 million in bonuses if stock reaches a certain price = stock price up 200% in last 3 months.
  2) Tesla – On a price-earnings of over 1,000.
  3) Gamestop. It’s not the big boys losing any more.
  There will be a lot of tears soon in many secors of the market.
- Crumbs says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:52
  
  Because $1 today does not worth as much as $1 dollar pre covid. QE affects all pricing.
- Chris Heyes says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 13:02
  
  Mr AC Share price rises occur when people think the bad news is all there
  It’s difficult to explain, but when the “Bad News” is in the share price rises
  The “Market” looks ahead
  I’m sure Rob with his background could (if he wishes) could explain it a lot better than me.
  That’s why it has been a good time for buying shares “if you can pick the winners”
  Most Markets are looking over 3 years ahead of you (some 5 years)
  What goes down goes back up, then goes down and up again its a long standing trend (with casualties along the way of course)
  Casualties are very good (as long as you haven’t bought into one) as it pushes the share price of survivor’s to new peaks
  - Rob says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 13:35
    
    In the same way that people often enjoy planning a holiday more than the holiday itself, investors may find that their enthusiasm for the future is substantially more exciting than the future itself.
- Mark says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 13:26
  
  Mr AC .. I wouldn’t listen to anyone one here after reading the replies. 😂
  Harry hindsight and the market is MAD are the sort of explanations I would expect my 5 year old son to offer up.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 13:31
  
  A share issue also pumped a significant level of cash into the business.
  - Mr. AC says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 16:05
    
    That’s the only reasonable explanation I could come up with (debts look bad but actually are just a cushion and can be cleared from the books any time), maybe in combination with some non-public or non-obvious knowledge that large players have (competitors folding? Doesn’t seem likely by now…).
    - The real John says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 17:01
      
      It’s more or less following the general market trend.
      
      Some people think the FTSE100 is undervalued and with nowhere else to spend their money they dump it all into index trackers.
      
      YOLO types who made money on bitcoin and gamestop put their profits into “safer” investments.
Paul says:

12 Mar12 March 11:47

I am about to write BA letter before action pre MCOL.

Does anyone have a link to an article about procedure? Im looking for things like who to address to, if email ok or if needs to be signed for letter etc

Thanks for any help.
- ChrisC says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:10
  
  I just sent mine to BA legal in the normal post. BA Legal is based at Waterside so address on the web.
  
  No requirement to send vis registered post or to a named process.
  
  Remember to outline why you want to take them to MCOL – makes it easier for them to look at. Don’t rant. They want facts they can consider
  
  ‘re bookign ref ABCDE and my claim for (whatever) I contacted customer services on these dates …. I require XYZ in reimbursement based on BA T&Cs, EU261 etc etc’
  
  You just clearly need to state something like ‘unless I receive a satisfactory outcome within 14 days I will commence MCOL”
  - ChrisC says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 12:11
    
    Therer is a very goof guide on the MCOL website on what to do as well as on Citizens Advice etc.
    - RussellH says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 13:00
      
      https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/
  - MinR says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 12:20
    
    Page 5 of comments from yesterday’s chat thread – @Jonathan summarizes what you need to cover.
    
    I received a slightly different response as to why EC261 downgrade doesn’t apply for my booking:
    
    ‘We were planning to operate a four cabin aircraft, which is why you were able to book in our First cabin. Since you booked, the decision was made to change the aircraft and operate a three cabin aircraft. As there wasn’t a First cabin in operation, the 75% refund doesn’t apply. This only applies if you were downgraded to Club World and the First cabin was still in use. ‘
    
    They keep changing the reason why I’m not entitled to the reimbursement.
    - Lady London says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 12:51
      
      what a complete load of b*llox.
      
      BA’s inventiveness knows no bounds.
      
      Carry on as @Jonathan said.
      - MinR says:
        
        12 Mar12 March 14:05
        
        It’s laughable.
        
        This is a 5th different justification reason they’ve cited for me not being entitled.
        
        I have of course disputed that none of those reasons are factually correct or in line with EC261. I’ve sent them an email response covering @Jonathan’s points, and will wait 14 days before proceeding with MCOL.
        
        Thanks @LadyLondon @Jonathan and everyone else for your advice.
    - Anna says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 12:59
      
      Someone really needs to collate all these BA/BS pronouncements and pass them to the CAA, which has consistently failed to hold BA to account.
    - AJA says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 13:40
      
      “As there wasn’t a First cabin in operation, the 75% refund doesn’t apply. This only applies if you were downgraded to Club World and the First cabin was still in use”
      
      That is the most bizarre excuse. They admit there wasn’t a First cabin on your actual flight but attempt to use that to get out of paying the downgrade. It is totally irrelevant whether a First cabin is physically on the plane that you fly. The downgrade happened precisely because you could not sit in the seat in the First cabin that you booked and paid for.
- Paul says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:41
  
  Great advice, as always, thanks guys.
  - Lady London says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 17:23
    
    Please keep us informed.p
Backpacker says:

12 Mar12 March 11:57

Hello all,
Cancelling AMEX Starwood card, as I can’t justify the fee anymore after a couple of years with too little spend, and the AMEX Nectar card seems better.
Looking for other people’s experience
Do they points still post after you cancel?
Anyone had a retention offere for the starwood card?
Thanks for any advice!
- Genghis says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:26
  
  Specifically on the Starwood card – I’ve not had it since official transfer to Marriott – I’ve had both instances of accrued points transferring over and them not transferring over. I’d assess value of points accrued vs annual fee daily accrual until next sweep.
  - Backpacker says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 14:09
    
    Thanks Genghis, logical information as always.
DT says:

12 Mar12 March 11:59

Looking at hotels in Singapore, has anyone stayed at the IC and JW? Which one would you recommend? Have IHG Platinum & IC AMB and Bonvoy Platinum. Also have Hilton Diamond but they’re sold out for the week we are looking at.
- Michael C says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:14
  
  IC (in Bugis, not the new one) without a doubt. Gorgeous with fabulous lounge and b/fast options.
  I would also say that the Conrad has really large rooms, just in case you’re a family!
  - Genghis says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 12:27
    
    Last visit we stayed at the IC Bugis and the Conrad. IC Bugis excellent. Conrad a disappointment (lounge packed, no upgrade as Diamond).
  - DT says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 12:31
    
    Thanks Michael and Genghis, we will go with the IC, it does look like a very beautiful building!
    - DeB20 says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 12:51
      
      Stayed at the JW Marriott in July 2019 and I was very impressed by the room, the housekeeping service and also the concierge. My expectation was low, because I normally stay at the Four Seasons, the St. Regis or the Fullerton Bay.
      
      IC Bugis is also good but I vote for the JW Marriott. Not something I would usually say.
      - Mike says:
        
        12 Mar12 March 14:12
        
        JW is nicer overall. Not sure about benefits and how generous they are.
  - Guernsey Globetrotter says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 14:19
    
    +1 for IC Bugis – Fairly central location, beautiful hotel and great staff. I will add that as an Ambassador member I booked a grand deluxe room in the hopes of being upgraded to a Club room (next most expensive room) but this did not happen so if you want lounge access be prepared to pay for it!
- Craig says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 14:31
  
  +1 more for IC Bugis. Fairly responsive if booking using points on pre-arrival upgrade options.
GaryE says:

12 Mar12 March 12:05

Looking to book a BA Holiday (via Amex) – as Silver card holder if I book hand luggage only am I entitled to take the 2 cases per person allowance for free or does this only apply to flights only? I cannot see anywhere that states it one way or other, and would save us over £300 on the holiday. TIA
- Lula says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:11
  
  Don’t most holidays come with the inclusive luggage allowance anyway?
  - Anna says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 12:16
    
    Never known a BA holiday booking not include luggage allowance but I imagine it could fall victim to cost-cutting measures at some point!
- Lula says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:18
  
  But also, I think the answer to the question on whether silver luggage allowance overrides the HBO fare you’ve picked is no. If you pick an HBO fare, you don’t get to take luggage, regardless of status. Happy to be corrected if I’m wrong though!
- ChrisC says:
  
  12 Mar12 March 12:18
  
  If you book a hand bag only fare then you don’t get the status baggage allowances.
  
  Your fare needs to contain a checked baggage allowance in the first place for your status to add to.
  - Anna says:
    
    12 Mar12 March 13:04
    
    I still don’t think you can book a HBO flight as part of a BA holiday!
    - Anna says:
      
      12 Mar12 March 13:07
      
      GaryE – if you keep clicking through on the booking, it says near the end of the process that your flight includes checked luggage according to the cabin you’ve chosen.