The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 18th May

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James says:

18 May18 May 15:14

Just got 50k retention bonus for my Amex Platinum. Literally got right up to the point where my card was about to be cancelled and I had to ask for the offer – the guy checked and was able to make the generous offer. I also got one this time last year too.
- meta says:
  
  18 May18 May 15:35
  
  Yes, discussed a few days ago here. It seems to range between 35k (mostly new cardmembers) and 50k (long-term cardholders).
  - James says:
    
    18 May18 May 15:38
    
    I called up on Friday and got no offer of a bonus at all, just some spiel about upcoming new offers.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    18 May18 May 15:49
    
    It’s nowhere near that simple. It appears to defy reasonable logic. A major factor is who you get through too and how politely pushy you are for an offer
    
    However this comment does reaffirm my belief that there’s a script that they follow and you have to push hard or direct the conversation so you can mention it
    - Mouse says:
      
      18 May18 May 16:25
      
      I wonder whether recent spend levels are part of the calculation. When I have been successful it’s been when I’ve been using the card consistently. When the card has been in the drawer, no luck.
      - Aston100 says:
        
        18 May18 May 17:30
        
        No. Some of us got a retention offer despite not holding the Platinum card long nor spending barely anything on it.
      - James says:
        
        18 May18 May 18:44
        
        I’ve hardly used my Platinum in 2021, mainly my BAPP, hence why I didn’t think they’d offer me anything.
- mutley says:
  
  18 May18 May 15:57
  
  Was this for Personal or Business? I have had 35k for personal, thinking about giving it a go on the Business card
  - James says:
    
    18 May18 May 18:46
    
    This was for Personal.
- Matthew says:
  
  18 May18 May 15:58
  
  Does everyone ‘clear’ the MR balance on the card out before threatening to cancel and hoping for a retention bonus?
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    18 May18 May 16:09
    
    Nope I just ring them and say I’m considering cancelling, I know all the benefits, is there anything you can do to help?
  - Andrew says:
    
    18 May18 May 16:27
    
    No and any threat to cancel would just be to downgrade to Gold so no need for the MR account to be empty.
    - Super Secret Stuff says:
      
      18 May18 May 17:29
      
      Disagree if you go with the tactic of saying I’m considering cancelling, I know what benefits the card has, is there anything you can do to help?
      
      100% has to be Brighton, overseas have no clue
      - Aston100 says:
        
        18 May18 May 17:32
        
        My players 1 & 2 received retention bonuses on a PRG and a Plat via a phone call to the over seas call centre.
      - meta says:
        
        18 May18 May 21:44
        
        My only advice is to be prepared to challenge them on every aspect of the benefits that card offers. In other words know the benefits and offers better than the agent…
  - Secret Squirrel says:
    
    18 May18 May 17:17
    
    I did & I was a newbie Platinum who got 50k. Definitely depends on agent as U.K. agent at the weekend wasn’t interested in retaining plat for my wife.
  - Matthew says:
    
    18 May18 May 17:27
    
    Ok thanks all. Didn’t want to do a panic withdrawal of MR!!
MW says:

18 May18 May 15:18

Quick question – has anyone used the “Travel Inconvenience” insurance on BAPP (not Platinum) card?

I have recently got myself a Business Platinum card (thanks Rob/HfP – although haven’t hit the £10k for 100k MR yet) and the only insurance benefit that I am unlikely to use on it is the “travel inconvenience” as it requires payment on that card.

For personal and especially BA travel, I am likely to be using my BAPP (black) card and I can see it has a similar “Travel Inconvenience” benefit – has anyone used it? What are your thoughts on it?
- Ste Cox says:
  
  18 May18 May 15:23
  
  In the past I have been told as long as I paid on an Amex (didnt need to be my Plat) then the insurance would cover me – that might have changed though.
  - MW says:
    
    18 May18 May 15:31
    
    The T&C for the Bus.Plat. card state that the inconvenience benefit is up to £300 (requires payment on that card) and bag delay benefit is £300 for 4h+ and additional £750 after 48h.
    
    BAPP however is up to £200 (requires payment on that card) and bag delay benefit is £750 for 4h+ and additional £750 after 48h.
    
    So actually even though “inconvenience” is £100 less, the “bag delay” benefit is actually greater on BAPP. I think this goes for only travel TO the destination, not from (on both cards).
    - meta says:
      
      18 May18 May 15:40
      
      In the past on the personal Platinum, I have been able to claim even when not paid on the card, even when not paid on an Amex (if the provider does not accept Amex). I have also been able to claim more than £300 when I missed a connecting flight and had to rebook another one. Amex insurance is very good even when you don’t follow the exact terms. However, this was all pre-pandemic, so not sure about now.
      - MW says:
        
        18 May18 May 15:46
        
        I thought Amex was also quite open to covering these purchases on non-Amex cards where the retailer doesn’t accept Amex. I can see some references to it in the T&Cs but I think the expectation is that you use the relevant Amex card for payment if possible.
        
        I understand that Amex is or used to be generous in exceeding its legal obligations though, but that is not something I would rely on.
  - MW says:
    
    18 May18 May 15:33
    
    The exclusion is this:
    
    Exclusions
    Purchases which are not made on the Card account
    
    I think the “Card account” refers to the relevant card account, not just any account, but who knows…
James says:

18 May18 May 15:18

Northern Lights Lounge back open at ABZ if anyone frequently flies out of there.
Josh says:

18 May18 May 15:41

Another question: What’s the latest on travel/health insurance coverage offerings?

Specifically for a 3 week US trip starting next week. Would Amex platinum provide coverage? If not, guess ill rebook the Patriot Platinum America again!
- Rory says:
  
  18 May18 May 18:09
  
  I phoned last week about this. Was told if my trip was for permitted reasons, I would be covered. So business etc… However would not be covered for leisure. This was before the 17th however, so might have changed.
Paul says:

18 May18 May 16:00

Just been offered 75000 points to retain platinum after calling to cancel.
- Anna says:
  
  18 May18 May 16:04
  
  Business or personal?! For 75k I would twist my OH’s arm behind his back to make that call …
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    18 May18 May 16:10
    
    Do it and see what happens lol.
    
    It is always worth a shot and use my advise above. Become a bit of a pro at this lol
    - Anna says:
      
      18 May18 May 16:29
      
      Well it’s good I didn’t cancel at the weekend as I was considering as the 2 IHG offers appeared this morning! I’ll use them at the end of this month then look at making the call.
      - The cyclist says:
        
        18 May18 May 16:54
        
        If its not close to your renewal date you will struggle.
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        18 May18 May 17:33
        
        See Anna the thing is, if you say you’re considering cancelling the card before you use the offers, you’re saying to them it’s not useful for you.
        
        Anyone at Brighton, if you ask them if there’s anything you can do to help me will then try a monthly payment to which you say that’s still the exact same cost. Is there any way to reduce it or be offered something to tip the balance.
        
        Done it quite a few times and never, ever got to the point of actually cancelling it but you do have to allude to the fact that they could stop you cancelling
      - Aston100 says:
        
        18 May18 May 17:35
        
        Sorry Super Sainsburys Stuff, but there is no set logic or pattern.
        See above for my examples.
      - Super Secret Stuff says:
        
        18 May18 May 20:17
        
        @Ashton100 Hahaha, thanks for the new nickname but I think I’ll pass.
        
        There is no set pattern to the amount they offer but generally leading them down the path of actually checking instead of just saying no, works best.
- Secret Squirrel says:
  
  18 May18 May 17:18
  
  Wow, is that an all time record retention bonus?
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    18 May18 May 17:35
    
    Others have reported the same
- Aston100 says:
  
  18 May18 May 17:34
  
  75k retention for a personal Platinum?
- HeadingForNoPoints says:
  
  18 May18 May 18:44
  
  I’m sorry but these data points are so unhelpful, no context whatsoever. Might as well not post it. Did OP get a bonus this time last year too? how long have they had the card
Ian M says:

18 May18 May 16:09

Hey, come someone help with a cancelling a BA redemption booking question please?

What is the cut off deadline to be able to cancel a booking and have the points returned? Is it 24hrs or before midnight the day before the booking?

Thanks in advance!
- roberto says:
  
  18 May18 May 16:14
  
  24hrs
  - Ian M says:
    
    18 May18 May 16:21
    
    Great, thanks roberto
- ChrisC says:
  
  18 May18 May 16:36
  
  Remember that’s to have the avios and cash returned to you less the admin fee.
  
  If you are happy with an FTV then it’s before check-in closes so an hour before departure.
  - Ian M says:
    
    18 May18 May 16:38
    
    Ah interesting, thanks for that. Very helpful. Can you cancel within the app/online or do you need to call?
    - Memesweeper says:
      
      18 May18 May 23:32
      
      For FTV you do it online (and you can’t on the phone, at least not last minute)
Chris says:

18 May18 May 16:12

I got offered the 35k
Jim says:

18 May18 May 16:18

Anyone here use transferwise (now wise) with credit card? Does it go through fine? Not as cash etc? Need to send some money and wondering which card to use
- Harry T says:
  
  18 May18 May 16:35
  
  I topped it up using Bendy backed by Solihull and ending up paying interest.
  - MinR says:
    
    18 May18 May 17:00
    
    +1 Bendy with Beardy and got charged interest.
- dragonfly says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:06
  
  Do not use credit card for wise. They charge a fee, BUT your credit card bank will charge you exorbitant interest rates as they treat the payment as a cash advance. I learned this huge mistake. So, now I just pay wise by direct bank transfer.