Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Sunday 9th May

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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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Comments (244)

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

  • Ben says:

    Any guesses as to when (or if) the HSBC Points conversion bonus to Amex will run?

    • Genghis says:

      Best guess: never

      • Memesweeper says:

        Slightly more chance of a conversion to Avios 😉

        But still I just transferred some, I’m not holding out for any bonus.

    • Red Flyer says:

      I have been sitting on 200k but needed Avios for a redemption to be booked this week so blinked first last Friday.

  • John says:

    Just used the spend £200+ at Harrods get £50 back offer.

    The email from Amex to say I’ve used it reached me before the Harrods order confirmation!

  • Ben says:

    Hi
    Can LoungeKey users use the BA lounge in AMS T2? I’m very surprised to see this lounge in the LoungeKey app

    • Lady London says:

      available to Priority Pass practically since it opened so that would make sense.

    • Memesweeper says:

      It’s got (or had) chocomel on demand — enjoy

  • FM says:

    Planning on joining IC Ambassador. The Ts&Cs suggest that the free night certificate is valid until the end of the calendar year it is issued. Is this correct? I had assumed it would be valid for 12 months…

    • Sandra says:

      12 months from date you join Ambassador although it’s 2 years since my last one was issued so T &Cs May have changed since – not renewing mine at the moment until more certain I will get some use of it.

  • Geoff says:

    My wife is planning to fly from London to Kuala Lumpur later this month and there are few options available. The obvious choice is via Qatar Air. I know they are not allowed to fly passengers to London now but I think they are flying passengers from London. Can anyone confirm please?

    • Andrew says:

      My understanding is that both QR and EK are flying passengers out of London, albeit on a very reduced schedule, and just brining cargo and crew on the flights into London.

      • Geoff says:

        Thanks. That’s what I think too. Just that airline booking systems are still showing flights that I know are not possible eh Doha to LHR so wanted to confirm

    • Jon says:

      MH has one or two flights a week, I think. QR is operating passenger flights, but not sure how often. BA still sends a 787 over three times a week but presumably it’s cargo only as officially they’ve cancelled the route.

      NB Malaysia’s borders are still closed – I take it you’ve got the entry requirements in-hand? 😉 Also, MCO3.0 has just started, with stricter lockdown requirements, although it still doesn’t really feel like a lockdown – but I think the main change that may affect your wife is that – I believe, but nothing seems terribly certain at the moment – the hotel quarantine requirement has been extended from 7 to 14 days.

      • Geoff says:

        MAS only flying direct 3 times/month now. Yes she is working there and has permit. We have done the 14 days there once and not looking forward to repeat

  • paul says:

    Trying to research Virgin Points one-way Reward flights from Amsterdam or Paris to Miami, flying KLM or Air France Business Class.

    It’s for late April 2022, which isn’t on sale yet, so I’m selecting various dates before then to see how it works (or not).

    No matter how I do it, they all divert via LHR and I can’t find any direct flights.

    Obviously trying to reduce Air Tax and its just as easy to get to Europe and fly as it is to LHR for me.

    Suggestions please?

    • IanM says:

      Availability is likely to be hit or miss – I’ve been looking for ATL-EDI business one way with Virgin points and there’s the occasional KLM via AMS for 55000 + $ 250 tax but very little, similar with the ATL-AMS with Delta, there’s some Delta One at 50k miles + $6 tax but they are few and far between. SO I don’t think you can count on general availability.

    • Memesweeper says:

      Try checking on SeatSpy

    • kitten says:

      Why not Delta?

  • Youllnever says:

    Has anyone else had their Avios points posted for the Disney+ annual subscription offer back in February? Mine still seems to be pending…

  • PK says:

    Has Santander pulled its Zero credit card? I can’t seem to find the card on their website.

    • MattB says:

      Possibly, it’s been pulled for new customers at least once in the 10 or so years I’ve had mine.

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