Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Friday 7th May

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Comments (320)

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

  • Harry T says:

    Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in the Algarve/Faro region? Now BA might fly there in July, I fancy a proper visit. I briefly stayed at Pine Cliffs last year and wasn’t impressed – the hotel was absolutely overrun and the hard product and service were middling for the price. Conrad Algarve is pricing up at 500 euros a night, which is a bit toppy.

    • Rob says:

      Euro 500 may look a bargain in a few hours – perhaps lock it in now just in case.

    • Cabal of rabid baboons says:

      Have a look at Penina.

  • MCO says:

    Was advised by BA that you can’t use a Avios travel voucher to book AA flights. Is that correct?

  • Lol says:

    Datapoint. Melia Rewards transfers to BAEC Avios take 15 to 20 days according to Melia CS, although they say it can be sooner. Probably not a lot of demand for this info but I’d posted this morning asking if anyone knew how long it took.

  • Dominic says:

    Data point: BA have just cancelled my June Tokyo flights.

    Result for the rebooking options!

    • Harry T says:

      Me too, for about the eighteenth time. Im going to need them to move the flights beyond ticket validity. Pray for me 😂

      • Steve says:

        Book fully flex via amex travel as far ahead as possible then MCOL it. It will pay for your entire holiday.

    • Optimus Prime says:

      My May flights have been cancelled too. They refuse to rebook past October 2021…

      • Harry T says:

        Thanks for the data point. I suspect I will be told the same. I’m not bothered enough to take legal action. I know some people stand on principle in these matters but I don’t think it’s worth the time and hassle.

    • BJ says:

      Got to rebook my 50% avios book way beyond 365 days from original ticket issue, seemed to work any day I tried too. All via MMB on tablet. I was pleasantly surprised as comments on this were mixed and increasingly less positive.

      • Harry T says:

        @BJ was it a direct flight? I’ve not been able to change our flights which connect via LHR (INV-LHR-TYO-LHR-NCL)

        • BJ says:

          @Harry T, no it was INV-LHR-TYO also and the added BKK-LHR-EDI. Just went to MMB and clicked through from the (red IIRC) change option at the top. I appeared to be able to select any dates however I tried two Saturdays and it said they were unavailable so I took a Friday out and a Wednesday back. Coming back decent connection options from LHR to EDI were limiting for some reason. This was on an android tablet using chrome on desktop view given that there have been some comments in past of apps etc possibly making a difference. .

  • Roostee123 says:

    Does the amex platinum offers work for harvey Nicholas gift cards either in store or online?

  • Youllnever says:

    I don’t think I’ve seen this mentioned before, but I’ve just found out that you can track the progress of an amex card in the account management page. It shows when the card has been requested, shipped, delivered as well as the expected delivery date. I suspect this would only be available for product changes or card replacements, since you won’t have the card associated with your account unless so.

  • James. says:

    Has anyone been able to book the IC o2? Opens on the 17 May but can’t book anything towards the end of the month

    • BJ says:

      I think somebody reported yesterday that reopening had been pushed back.

      • Andrew says:

        They were taking bookings for 17 May onwards but now the earliest date they seem to be taking bookings is 24th June. Assume the opening has been pushed back due to lack of demand.

  • mr_jetlag says:

    Evening folks. looking for suggestions for three nights in Corsica in August. A good friend has just got his jet pilots license and is taking four of us for a long weekend (travel rules permitting). TIA

    • PaulH says:

      Porto-Vecchio – lovely town and nice hotels… if money no option then Domaine Murtoli — has a 9 hole golf course.. stunning area! But big $$$$$

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