The HfP chat thread – Thursday 6th May

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article. This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

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.

Category

General

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

Rim says:

6 May6 May 18:38

Virgin Atlantic+ Card. Last summer I cancelled VA+ card. 2 days ago I applied online again and was rejected. Today I received an email saying “I still hold VM MC”. Well, had a chat on the phone and was told, I still have an account open and I can close it, if I want. Then I can apply again, but if I want bonus – I need to wait 6 months to re-apply!? Hmm, is it normal practise?
- Travel Strong says:
  
  6 May6 May 18:58
  
  Ineffective systems is normal practice for virgin money – yes. There is an address to write to for appealing your rejection though, and I expect they will then accept your application so long as its been 6 months since they ballsed up the original cancellation.
  
  Thats how virgin money application goes for me – write a letter every time!
  - Rim says:
    
    6 May6 May 19:51
    
    Customerrelations at .. will be OK, or I need to write a letter to Jubilee House..? I travel to Europe for 2 months+ in s few weeks, so Mc+ can be very useful…
- Harry T says:
  
  6 May6 May 19:48
  
  They reject me every time I apply – I write to Virgin Money in Gosforth in Newcastle to appeal.
  - Rim says:
    
    6 May6 May 19:53
    
    Thanks Harry T and Travel Strong. Will write a letter.
  - Travel Strong says:
    
    6 May6 May 20:05
    
    My appeals in 2018 and 2019 were to Virgin Credit Cards, PO BOX 10234, Wigston, LE18 9FA. That’s a while ago now though.
Oli says:

6 May6 May 18:39

As BA Silver, do I get 2 checked bags on RFS economy tickets?
- Lady London says:
  
  6 May6 May 20:09
  
  You should. Some BA checkin agents have said they’d forgotten till reminded as I checked mine in, though
Keely says:

6 May6 May 19:08

Sad times . Thought I’d pay 2 lots of finance off to get bonus . Apparently you can’t pay off using any credit card, only debit cards. Racking my brains to get around this as otherwise we are unlike to hit bonus targets. Any clever workarounds…?
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  6 May6 May 19:16
  
  Billhop but it will cost you more
  - Keely says:
    
    6 May6 May 19:30
    
    Mmm I need to do my sums …
  - Keely says:
    
    6 May6 May 19:38
    
    Just checked this out…you can’t pay credit institutions via Billhop. Thanks anyway
    - Super Secret Stuff says:
      
      6 May6 May 22:41
      
      Depends how on it they are, for car leasing, probably will slip through the net
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  6 May6 May 19:20
  
  Curve?
  - Keely says:
    
    6 May6 May 19:32
    
    I do have curve but rarely use it .. I’ll give it a go backed by IHG so it’s not a wasted opportunity. But really wanted to pay by Amex ….☹️
    - Anna says:
      
      6 May6 May 19:52
      
      Depends which credit institution – there are definitely opportunities via Billhop, despite what they say. What are you trying to do?
      - Keely says:
        
        6 May6 May 23:29
        
        Trying to repay / overpay Barclays finance (essentially a loan but classed as a credit agreement I think? If there’s a difference ..?)
    - BJ says:
      
      6 May6 May 20:46
      
      If you can back it with something else instead of IHG it will likely be less troublesome. Can you pay your council tax via paypoint at co-op, esso or BP? If so then pay it in full, and should you need the cash later just tell the council you’ve fallen on hard times and need the advance payments refunded. They will do this via your direct debit provided you have not cancelled it, or by cheque.
      - Keely says:
        
        6 May6 May 23:28
        
        I’ve tried at the post office but will give the coop a go thanks
      - Lady London says:
        
        7 May7 May 11:12
        
        @Keely remember Post Offices vary as do Co-ops.
Red Flyer says:

6 May6 May 19:11

Opened an Iberia Avios account @6 months ago and now looking for flights to Buenos Aires using points. How do I check for availability on app as cannot see that option and assuming I see flights can I move Avios direct from BAEC or do I need to do this via an Avios direct account? Any help much appreciated!
- pauldb says:
  
  6 May6 May 20:00
  
  Not sure about app but on website just start a normal search and along the way the “pay with avios” option will appear. I believe that only if you have a household account do you need to go via avios.com.
  - Red Flyer says:
    
    6 May6 May 20:12
    
    Thanks will give that a go instead. 👍
- Lumma says:
  
  6 May6 May 23:27
  
  Remember you need to have earned 1 Avios direct into Iberia to move points across from BA
Travel Strong says:

6 May6 May 19:19

So who’s the first going to be the first hfp reader to be checking out the Hilton Snowdonia opening a week Monday?
Anyone booked in May?

Weekday rates still cheap at £84 (or 29k hiltons) but weekends £200+ per night and only accepting 2 night plus bookings!
- The Savage Squirrel says:
  
  6 May6 May 19:47
  
  We’re booked but not until August so looking forward to reports.
  I may be wrong but do fear it may be a bit stag-party heavy at weekends, and Sun-Thurs is likely to be the option to go for if looking for something a little less lager-fueled.
- Travel Strong says:
  
  6 May6 May 20:01
  
  I’m booked for June but keen to hear that it is all open and functioning before cancelling my backup bookings! Will report back in June if there’s no earlier feedback.
- BJ says:
  
  6 May6 May 20:49
  
  I thought we were supposed to refer to it only by its Welsh name now? Which is what?
  - Travel Strong says:
    
    6 May6 May 20:54
    
    Bryn
  - Chris K says:
    
    6 May6 May 21:52
    
    Uluru
  - Memesweeper says:
    
    6 May6 May 22:33
    
    Uumellmahaye
  - ChrisC says:
    
    6 May6 May 22:58
    
    The Welsh name for Mount Snowden is Yr Wyddfa
  - Chris K says:
    
    6 May6 May 23:46
    
    I’ve just emailed a Welsh translator, because I feel it’s very important we get this right. He replied remarkably quickly. Apparently it’s this:
    
    Nid wyf yn y swyddfa ar hyn o bryd. Afonwch unrhyw waith i’w gyfieithu
    - MKB says:
      
      7 May7 May 14:43
      
      Very droll
Lady London says:

6 May6 May 20:13

Really, really not worth it. There are so many other things you can do instead.

When Amex culled members that did it in the US it was apparently like the Night of the Long Knives – people who’d referred themselves 2/3 years ago got cut.
- Lady London says:
  
  6 May6 May 20:14
  
  *above for KBuffet….Wordpress again
  
  ..sigh!! such tacky software
  - John says:
    
    6 May6 May 20:40
    
    Hmm are you sure it isn’t your browser doing something like removing some identifiers, this seems to happen to you a lot, though you do post a lot too. I’ve had this problem as well but only once or twice
    - Danny says:
      
      7 May7 May 00:50
      
      It is because Lady London/kitten etc (or anyone else) is using different names on the same device when replying !
  - Aston100 says:
    
    6 May6 May 21:28
    
    I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a you problem.
    I’ve only had the issue twice AFAIK, but you seem to get it on every 4th post!
  - Sam says:
    
    6 May6 May 21:34
    
    I’m wondering if you’re using the comment box right at the end of the comments or whether you are actually clicking REPLY and then using that box?
    
    When using the REPLY box, above the box, it says for me LEAVE A COMMENT CANCEL REPLY
  - Memesweeper says:
    
    6 May6 May 22:35
    
    Wordpress is the worst blog software. Except for the alternatives, which are worse 🙂
- Travel Strong says:
  
  6 May6 May 21:00
  
  So on that logic, if you’ve self referred already in recent years… carry on and make hay while the sun shines! 😁
  - Lady London says:
    
    7 May7 May 11:15
    
    You are incorrigible, @Travel Strong 🙂 .
    
    Of course, you may turn out to be right.
Lol says:

6 May6 May 20:59

Like Sarah this morning who transferred Radisson points to BA I’ve just transferred a few Melia points, mine as a test, and although the Melia account immediately showed the transfer I’ve had nothing appearing yet on my BAEC one. Early days but does anyone know how long it usually takes? I know it’s poor value but I have a lot of Melia points and just want to see what is possible in case I suddenly need more Avios for a big redemption.
Jonny says:

6 May6 May 21:13

I have some Avios tickets I shortly need to cancel, as the flights themselves are still going ahead. Outbound WT, return Club for 5 of us.

If I convert to a FTV, will I subsequently be able to cancel and receive a refund of Avios/taxes (less £35pp)?

Also, if alternative flights later in the year have Avios available but in different classes, will I be able to apply the FTV, but either receive a rebate or pay the difference in Avios/taxes? Will such a change also cost £35pp?
- ChrisC says:
  
  6 May6 May 22:34
  
  1 – yes
  
  2 – yes you can pay any extra cash or avios needed. A rebate will depend on the amount – negligible amounts will be refunded. larger ones will go into a new FTV
  
  2 – no fee due as you aren’t changing an existing booking as the original booking in effect no longer exists. An FTV is basically a credit note
  
  Dependign on the destination are you sure the flights will still going ahead? You could wait until a couple of days before to see if they do cancel and then you would get a full refund of both avios and cash into your accounts
- AJA says:
  
  6 May6 May 22:45
  
  I don’t think you can cancel a FTV once you have it to get Avios and 2-4-1 back. If you want that flexibility go for a full refund in the normal way paying £35 per pax.
  
  If you do cancel in exchange for the FTV you can book again later using it, you will need Avios reward seat availability but will only be able to book by phone. If the new flights are different Avios total you can either pay more or get a refund. Bear in mind that the FTV will need to be for all the same passengers.
  - Louie says:
    
    7 May7 May 00:48
    
    C-W-S on FT says you can and I’d trust him….
    - Jonny says:
      
      7 May7 May 09:26
      
      Thank you all!