Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Saturday 17th April

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

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

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Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Comments (215)

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

  • Alex says:

    I recently switched to Virgin Money (M Plus) account and got my 15000 VA points. Can I switch further to Barclays Avios Rewards and is there any catch with switching accounts frequently?

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Credit check and a history of opening and closing accounts?

    • Anuj says:

      I’ve don’t it lots and tbh my credit history is fine. I think the fact I have do it separate to my main account has helped

      • Alex says:

        Yes I don’t touch my main account, switching another one just for points

  • @mkcol says:

    Is there any referral code/benefit for opening a Revolut account, or shall I just plough on regardless?

    • Harry T says:

      Join me and over 15 million users who love this digital banking app. Sign up with my link below and check out their disposable virtual cards for safe shopping: https://revolut.com/referral/harrygwv1!ASO

      • Yorkie Aid says:

        I’m interested in this too. In the interests of full disclosure what do you and I get out of your referral code. BTW I don’t mind if it’s one sided, would just like to know, that’s all 🙂

        • Harry T says:

          I’ve been trying to figure this out! Looks like I get £37. I was assuming they would also give something, but I can’t find anything to that effect. Feel free to ignore the link, as it is clearly one sided 😊

        • Harry T says:

          @YorkieAid my reply to you is being moderated for unknown reasons. I receive a certain amount if you use my referral. After looking into this further, I am not convinced you receive anything, so feel free to ignore my referral 😊

          • Yorkie Aid says:

            @HarryT I don’t mind it being one sided, I’m happy to use your code. If one of us gets something out of a bank then that’s still a bonus in my book! I’m just weighing up the options, but will probably pull the trigger in a day or two. Thanks for the reply.

      • CH says:

        Harry, until I reached “15 million”, I thought you were actually asking mkcol to join you!

        And a general comment: I think the £37 is one sided for the referrer. Reports on HUKD that it could go as high as £90 for some people, allegedly.

        • CH says:

          Well this is bizarre, I think your moderated comments have just appeared – even refreshed to check there hadn’t been a new comment before posting!

        • Froggee says:

          Yeah – mine is £60 which is quite handy (if I had any friends) but is one-sided i.e. £60 for me and nothing for my friends. Said non-existent friends also need to add money to their account, order a physical card and make three purchases.

      • Harry T says:

        @Yorkie Aid thank you for being so kind. I hope you get some benefit out of Revolut. I’ve found the card and app useful abroad.

      • @mkcol says:

        Thanks Harry T – I’ll give it a whirl.

        This is on the back of seeing I can use IHG to top it up.

    • HeadingForNoPoints says:

      Think we both get £37 for each referral?

      1. Sign up to a Revolut account using your unique referral link
      2. Add money by connecting their bank or debit card
      3. Order a physical Revolut card
      4. Complete 3 purchase transactions with their new Revolut card (can be through a virtual card while they wait for their physical one)
      5. All before 13-May-2021,11PM-GMT

      https://revolut.com/referral/henryma!ASO

      • TGLoyalty says:

        £37? Perhaps for a premium account sign up

        I thought it was just your friend gets a free card for the basic.

        • Sandgrounder says:

          Is this ok now? Come on guys sign up my Plat fee is next month and I just bought a new Brook and Wilde mattress 🙂
          Join me and over 15 million users who love this digital banking app. Sign up with my link below and check out their disposable virtual cards for safe shopping: https://revolut.com/referral/pauls26m!ASO

          • pillboy says:

            OK, you got it

            been following HFP for a while & I guess I’m a member

      • Kai says:

        No, only you

  • Secret Squirrel says:

    Anyone managed recently to get any decent retention offers from Amex when calling up to cancel Platinum in the first 2-3 months?

    • Dan says:

      A bit cheeky asking for a retention offer 2-3 months in!? They don’t really need to retain you if you’ve just signed up right…

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        Got to ask and at how much the annual fee is I don’t think it’s cheeky.

    • Harry T says:

      I received 40,000 MR for a similar stunt at the back end of last year. I was spending a decent amount on the card at the time due to the upgrade bonus incentive.

      • Secret Squirrel says:

        Thanks HarryT, how long had you taken out your Plat when you got that offer?

  • Boi says:

    Where can I buy Revolut shares? Looks more promising than curve

    • HeadingForNoPoints says:

      Go back in time (not a curve pun)

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      I’d be more interested in where I could sell them!

    • Anuj says:

      I wouldn’t touch their shares. Their top management is quite dodgy and the way they operate and treat their staff will eventually catch up with them

  • Duke says:

    Hiya, is anyone using bendy to top up their vanguard account? Which underlying card do you use?

    • Jay says:

      Not working recently. See comments from around 9th April. Transaction looks like it is going through. But then doesn’t show in bendy app or underlying card. Vanguard then show ‘Awaiting Payment’.

    • BLT says:

      Works for me if you are happy with C/B rather than points

  • Backpacker says:

    Hi All,
    Trying to book a mercy flight for someone on KLM to Mexico city with my virgin miles, but the website does not show any flight availability.

    Is this normal, has availability been removed due to the pandemic? Or do I have to call to book?
    Any help appreciated!

    • Andrew M says:

      You could check for availability on Seatspy and call Virgin to book.You have to search sector by sector but there seems to be plenty of availability from AMS to MEX.

      • Backpacker says:

        Thanks andrew appreciated. I see the issue now, nothing LON-AMS.

        • Andrew M says:

          Have you tried Air France via Paris? Virgin points can be used on that as well.

    • Alex says:

      KLM flights LON-AMS-MEX seem to be on sale now, I booked with cash £470 return with luggage and will save my Virgin points for future.

  • Tracy says:

    Anyone know any detail about Malta offering tourists € to visit? I have some hotel nights booked for August using points lol, might get lucky and get the € on a points stay…..

  • Benilyn says:

    New Amex card, trying to refer, getting this after I click on the invite friend: “Your Account is temporarily unable to access the Referral Programme, please read our full T&Cs here for more information.”
    Any idea how long this takes?

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