Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Saturday 24th April

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

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Comments (263)

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

  • luckyjim says:

    Question: If I set up a direct debit on my creation account, will it still take the full statement balance even if a make a manual payment before the due date?

    • Sandra says:

      Yes I think it probably would take the full statement balance. Personally I don’t trust Creation enough to give them DD access to my bank, most of the time they are incompetent, I prefer to pay it myself by bank transfer.

    • Harrier25 says:

      Yes. Best to set up the direct debit to take the minimum, then they will just take that.

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      @Luckyjim So long as you make the manual payment in time for it to clear before they process the direct debit then the DD will be reduced accordingly. I do this every month and have never had a problem.

  • The Original Nick. says:

    Amex referral points question: We capped at 90000/year. What happens if I have already had 75000 and I make another referral now under the boost of 24000 from my Plat? Will I just get 15000?

  • The Original Nick. says:

    Thanks Matt.

  • Connor says:

    Any suggestions for best seats for Upper Class with Virgin? A330-300

    • thehornets says:

      Traveling alone? ‘A’ row seats are more private and seem to recall that A1 gives you more space. That’s normally my choice, especially if an overnight flight.

      As a couple, you probably want a G and K combination, although it’s quite hard to communicate well across the aisle.

  • HeadingForNoPoints says:

    Can I get a supplementary card in my own name or not? (I’ve got platinum charge)

    Just spoke with amex on the phone and they said you can’t have one but I’ve seen a friend have a supp gold in his name and the various reports on here too….

    I’ve also applied in the past myself online (maybe a year ago) and the application was acknowledged but I never got a formal response, upon calling I was told you can’t have one thats why the application did not progress.

    • Andrew says:

      Yes you can – and it has A.C after your name (additional card). I’ve had one for years and not heard of them discontinuing that for new users – it’s also in addition to the usual supp card allowance as it’s not a supp member just a way for splitting your expenses (and getting more offers).

      • meta says:

        My partner and I just did it for the current supp bonus on our cards. You need to select Other under relationship status.

      • Sukes says:

        Agreed. I have one in my name with A.C. after, it’s platinum coloured and in addition to the gold supps. Strangely I don’t see offers for it when logged into my account on desktop but they do show on my Amex app in addition to the offers on my main card. I’ve had my plat charge with the supps consistently for multiple yrs so I don’t know whether there’s been a change for new applicants.

    • Memesweeper says:

      Can I get a supplementary card in my own name or not? (I’ve got platinum charge)

      I have one on my gold card and previously had one on plat

    • mark2 says:

      I always get one for every card for ShopSmall use and maybe other offers.

    • Andrew says:

      Most card companies will provide extra cards if you give a reasonable reason for needing one.

      Mrs Nicola Murrell – Nicola Sturgeon
      Mrs Lorraine Smith – Lorraine Kelly
      Lawrence BirthName – Lawrence Chaney
      Alexander Salmond – James T Kirk

  • Sal says:

    Amex referral. Apologies as I’m sure this had been asked lots already. I have a gold card, if i refer myself for a plat card will I be entitled to the 50k bonus?

    • Andrew says:

      Not advisable to refer yourself as Amex can shut you down.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      You are ineligible for all sign bonuses on any personal card except the BA premium card (need not to have had a personal BA card for 24 months)

      • Steve says:

        “need not to have had a personal BA card for 24 months” : I thought it was only 6 months?

        • Anna says:

          Changed to 24 months for personal cards a couple of years ago, sad times!

          • Steve says:

            Right you are, always knew the BAPP and Plat cards had different rules, for some reason thought they kept 6 months, but you’re right, it’s still 24 but only looking back to BA and MR cards respectively

        • TGLoyalty says:

          Business card is a 6 month gap

  • AviosNewbie says:

    For the Caribbean travellers, St Lucia or Bahamas for a week in the summer? We’re a couple with a 3yr old, and love good beaches. Don’t plan to do much exploring, and happy to stay put in a resort with activities and good food. Will appreciate any suggestions about the island and also a good hotel. Thanks!

    • Ed says:

      About 4 or 5 years ago we went to Sugar Beach on St Lucia, it was a package with BA Holidays. It’s a great hotel and certainly would work well for a week and being not fussed about exploring.

      About 25 years ago we had a week on Bahamas (I was living in the US at the time). Stayed in some biggish hotel I seem to remember it was South African owned and had a big aquarium thing you could walk through. That was OK, the kids were very young at the time.

      If I was you I’d probs go for St Lucia.

    • Anna says:

      It might not make a difference to you but the BA Bahamas flight (the only direct flight from the UK) is usually on a crappy old 3 class plane, and from LHR.
      Atlantis Bahamas is great for kids but very expensive. If you do go, pick somewhere on a decent beach like Cable Beach as there are some pretty grotty areas. The Colonial Hilton Nassau looks decent but is reported to hire out all its beach chairs to day visitors and is very near the cruise berth (if cruising has been re-started by then).
      The Bahamas have an astonishingly high violent crime rate for a place regarded as so idyllic! I haven’t been to St Lucia but would probably actually choose it for a family holiday.

    • AJA says:

      Another vote for St Lucia as a destination but not sure whether the beaches are nicer than the Bahamas as never been there.

  • Louise K says:

    I’m lost with all the new rules.

    Are voluntary changes on 241 bookings free? Or is it still £35?

    I know there is a redeposit fee if you cancel but I want to make changes. Can’t make the changes online as it has domestic connections so I need to call.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      If there is no difference in fees or Avios they will do it for free. Even if there was you could always take a FTV then phone back later to book your new flights.

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