Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Friday 19th March

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

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Comments (303)

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

  • Alex H says:

    Just checked Barclays App (5th time today 😂) and Avios now showing as a reward option. Opened account 4th March. Very easy to do now that it’s showing.

    • rams1981 says:

      I’ve had my account for a while and it is finally showing today. I may wait for a bit as already have BA 2 for 1 and Lloyds upgrade voucher to use.

    • Sarah says:

      Just checked again and it is now there for me too. Thanks for the info 😀

  • TomL says:

    Does anyone have an Airtime rewards code? thanks

  • The cyclist says:

    Notwithstanding the laudable aims of Comic Relief does anyone else on here think that Lenny Henry has become an irritating unfunny tw@t in his late middle age?

  • Secret Squirrel says:

    Hilton status Q: I believe all Gold members keep this status now until Mar 22. If I were to take out Amex platinum after Mar 31st this year, will my gold be extended until Mar 2023?

    • Genghis says:

      Best guess is 2033.

    • Rob says:

      No. At some point near March 2022 they will check if you still hold Plat and then extend it.

      • Genghis says:

        Well…

        • Rob says:

          Well indeed. But what is absolutely true is that applying now won’t get a guaranteed one-year extension to an existing membership.

      • Jay says:

        If you register via Platinum benefits with your existing number HH number, IME you will never (until you do) lose Gold. I still have Gold from over 10 years ago and never downgraded even though that particular Amex Plat card was cancelled 9 1/2 years ago.

  • Harry T says:

    Looking at using VS miles to book on KLM. For the cancellation charges, does Virgin charge the equivalent of 50 USD per person or just per booking? I’ve checked the terms but it isn’t clear to me.

    “4.2.1 Once Reward tickets are issued, you may amend your travel date, route or class of service prior to travel for an amendment fee of £30 for changes to international flights originating in the UK, US$50 for changes to international flights originating in the US or local currency equivalent of US$50 for changes to flights originating in any other region. Where the Reward is a Companion Reward and the person travelling on the paying ticket changes his or her flight or class of travel, the Companion Reward may be similarly amended for the same amendment fees, subject to availability of seats and the provisions of section 4.4 of these Flying Club Terms.

    Once tickets for a Rewards booking are issued, no name changes are allowed. If for any reason a flight Reward is cancelled by the Member outside 24 hours of departure, 100% of the Virgin Points will be re-credited to the Member’s account. A cancellation fee of £30 for changes to flights originating in the UK, US$50 for changes to flights originating in the US or local currency equivalent of US$50 for changes to flights originating in any other region will apply.”

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      I think you can assume per person, but many say, me included that you aren’t always charged by the lovely Virgin CSA’s

      • Harry T says:

        Excellent, that’s good to know. I’ve never booked a VS redemption or flight, so haven’t had the pleasure. FWIW BA haven’t charged me any upgrade or change fees recently on Avios flights either!

    • Sandgrounder says:

      I’ve been told on the text chat recently that you can change date and route on reward bookings for free at the moment, but cancellations attract the usual charges. I’d get that in writing yourself before relying on it though, I can’t find it on the site.

    • High Grade says:

      Never actually flown KLM using Virgin redemption but I have booked a few. Originally planned for May 20, then postponed to Sept 20, then postponed to April 21, finally hoping to fly Jul 21. So far no charges for the postponement. 2 of 3 times they made me pay the new taxes and charges upfront and wait for the refund of original, as apparently has to be done as a cancel and re-book. I think you also need to pay current rate for taxes if you postpone (charged in £ but based on € so fluctuates a bit). Never varied more than £2 for me based on 2 tickets one way AMS to LCY in business.

  • Kevin C says:

    Flash sale at The Cavendish, a very well situated London hotel. £129 for a classic room, £149 for a superior. Rate includes English breakfast. Cancel up to 72 hours before arrival.
    https://www.thecavendish-london.co.uk/offers/72-hour-flash-sale/51-45

  • MadeUpName says:

    Data point- I’ve just been able to sign up to barclays avios rewards this evening. I opened a new account when the new offer first went live (I wasn’t a barclays customer before).

    • patrick says:

      Me too, thank you.

    • Tariq says:

      Thanks, has appeared in mine too. Wasn’t there yesterday. You have to agree to paperless and you become ineligible if you switch back to paper statements, grr!

  • Secret Squirrel says:

    I’m on live chat with Amex CS, they are stating that if I currently hold the free BA card I will not get the Marriott bonus on the card- is this correct?

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