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The HfP chat thread – Monday 21st June

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Comments (470)

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

  • Ian_H says:
    21 Jun21 June 12:52

    Random Lloyds Voucher question – I’m trying to make a booking so its sorted by 31/10. Rob’s original article mentions booking 2 one way flights – I want to book UK – XYZ & then an separate UK – XYZ so no return leg both flights departing UK, does anyone know if this is possible please?

    • Anna says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:07

      You can use the Lloyds voucher for 2 one-way flights but this has to be for 2 people on the same booking – it’s not clear if this is what you mean though?

      • Ian_H says:
        21 Jun21 June 13:10

        Hi Anna, Thanks no its just for me the first leg of 2 ex-UK trips (returning on another carrier both times).

        • Anna says:
          21 Jun21 June 13:14

          I can’t see it being possible to effectively split the voucher into 2 like that, though the avios team can do a lot of stuff manually that BA don’t seem to be able to. They probably could make 2 bookings for you as they just manually adjust the amount of avios used but whether they would agree is doubtful!

        • BigSi says:
          21 Jun21 June 13:50

          I’ve tried to do this before and been told it is not possible. It only works for a one-way flight booking for 2 people or you can use it just for yourself and effectively lose the other half of the voucher.

  • Louisa says:
    21 Jun21 June 13:02

    Not travel related but you guys know what you are doing…. Can a shop record your telephone and put it up on YouTube without informing you or disguising the voice.

    A shop has done that which is resulting in me getting into trouble with another company. Just wondering what my rights were.

    • Anna says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:10

      There’s no law stopping private businesses from doing this, however I would be very annoyed if this happened to me and making a formal complaint about the lack of professionalism this shows by the company.
      It might also breach any policy that YouTube has about getting consent for recordings to be used, you might have grounds to get it removed.

    • Ian_H says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:13

      Surely this is your “data” and the business has a duty under GDPR to protect it. Have you spoken to The Information Commissioners Office for their take on it ?

      • Anna says:
        21 Jun21 June 13:15

        It depends whether there’s actually any “data” in the recording, it could just be comments about the other company.

        • Louisa says:
          21 Jun21 June 13:28

          I don’t like to disclose too much information online. But say if you buy a really hot selling item and you aren’t allowed to sell it for a profit. You call up another dealer and ask them what they would pay. They record that and put it on their blog. You then get banned from buying these items as you are no longer a good customer rather a customer looking to make a quick buck.

          Damage caused is not monetary but damage to reputation with that dealer.
          Can I ask them to remove the video.

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            21 Jun21 June 13:48

            GDPR is your best bet, swiftly followed by a formal complaint to the Information Commissioners Office if they don’t follow the law

          • berneslai says:
            21 Jun21 June 13:48

            How have you got into trouble? Is your name (or the company that you represent) mentioned on the call?

            If there is any personally identifiable information involved then you should approach the ICO about getting it removed. Failing that, determine if any vulnerability issues arise from this call being public and take that approach.

          • Anna says:
            21 Jun21 June 13:49

            I don’t understand why you would not be allowed to sell something for a profit? There’s no law against selling on something that legally belongs to you, which is would do if you have bought it yourself.
            Can you confirm if it’s a registered business or a private individual who has done this?

          • TGLoyalty says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:06

            Isn’t the damage with both dealers already done?

            Is requesting to remove it just about not losing any more “face”?

            You could politely ask the dealer to take it down but I’m not sure there would be any legal basis for demanding it is unless it’s been altered so it doesn’t actual reflect what was said?

          • TGLoyalty says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:08

            @Anna. Legally there’s nothing stopping you but dealer A can chose who they do business with and can decide that the OP selling to dealer B for a profit means the OP is no longer someone they want to do business with.

          • Anna says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:14

            TGLoyalty – of course but there’s still nothing stopping someone selling on an item they’ve previously bought, otherwise ebay etc would be out of business pretty damn quick!

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          21 Jun21 June 13:50

          Anna, data is considered any information that can be used to identify the individual. A phone number and a voice is fairly identifiable

          • Anna says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:04

            Louisa hasn’t said that her phone number was revealed. I don’t think a voice would count as it’s not a piece of information per se.

          • Louisa says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:04

            They called me and said they recognised my voice.

          • Louisa says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:07

            Anna it’s a registered business.

          • Anna says:
            21 Jun21 June 14:22

            Louisa – tell them you didn’t give your consent for the call to be recorded or for the contents of the call to be shared (I assume) and that you are considering taking action to claim damages for the effect on your professional reputation. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act specifies that you have to be told that the call will be recorded if it’s going to be used as a testimonial, which this might cover, though not in the usual sense!

          • ash says:
            21 Jun21 June 18:10

            No, a voice is not.

          • Chris Heyes says:
            21 Jun21 June 19:38

            Anna There are a few things/items that you cannot sell on for a profit
            From the silly these are a pkt may not be split and sold individually famous Crisps come to mind or Flights booked with Avios or Vouchers including 241
            there are lots if you think about it
            Although my twin Grand Daughters used to bulk buy trade boxes of sweets, crisps and drinks to sell in school playground 10/11 years ago ,their mum had to run them to trade store every week to stock up lol
            They carried on at a car-boot weekends
            they didn’t spend the money gained until they bought a car each last year
            They swear that’s how much they made, although I’m not to sure
            they are 21 this November

      • Aaron C says:
        21 Jun21 June 15:56

        Been a while since I’ve done this but whether GDPR is deployed depends on if the data can be identified or not. I’ve no idea if a voice alone counts as identifiable data but there may be something on it somewhere.

        • Blenz101 says:
          21 Jun21 June 18:37

          I can’t see there being any consumer type rights that could easily be enforced here. If not identifiable details are disclosed and it is just a recording of a voice GDPR type arguments will be very difficult and would likely need a judge to make a call.

          Any ‘shop’ that is routinely recording calls may well have an IVR system disclosing the call recording in any event.

          And there are certain goods which are expressly sold as not for resale e.g concert tickets, limited edition luxury goods, software etc.

          If the terms of sale expressly forbid a resale yet the OP did it anyway because they ‘changed their mind’ and also went on to make a profit then I would say they are lucky.

          No retailer is obliged to do business with a customer (protected characteristics aside). The OP has clearly caught the attention of the retailer in a significant way in this instance.

          Seems the damage is done and the video is pretty irrelevant now they have been caught.

    • MW says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:26

      If a recording is used by a business, they have to inform you. (there is no requirement on this for private individuals provided it’s for personal use)

      • Anna says:
        21 Jun21 June 13:58

        This isn’t correct – private individuals often make video or audio recordings and share them on social media, for example when witnessing a crime. There’s nothing whatsoever to stop them doing this – it’s often extremely helpful to agencies such as the police and councils who are more restricted about what they are allowed to share!

        • MW says:
          21 Jun21 June 15:32

          Sorry Anna, I thought they meant their call was recorded. Naturally, there are no restrictions about video recording in public.

    • Andrew says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:01

      Reading your content, my perception is that you weren’t acting as an individual in the transaction “you aren’t allowed to sell it for a profit”, but as trader or intermediary in a business to business transaction.

      It’s not uncommon for rogue traders to be recorded and their details circulated. My doorbell cam footage of a bloke wanting to “fix your roof” from last week was circulated to my local neighbourhood watch WhatsApp group before he walked off my drive.

      • Anna says:
        21 Jun21 June 14:05

        Exactly – this is the kind of thing I mentioned above. Little restriction on the public doing this.

      • Louisa says:
        21 Jun21 June 15:22

        I am not a rogue trader 😊

        Let me give you an example. A Birkin bag from Hermes retails for around £8,000. You can resell it for around £16,000 straightaway. Nothing legally wrong in this but it’s frowned upon by Hermes who will not sell you another bag.

        I bought something and a month later changed my mind so sold it. Now I am blacklisted by that company and they won’t give me another product.

        Mine wasn’t a Bag but you get the drift.

        I am extremely angry how this limited company used my phone call with them as a testimonial for them without my consent.

        • Richie says:
          21 Jun21 June 16:20

          Brands protect their brands against brand damage and unreasonable behaviour, they always have done, why are you surprised at this ?

          • MCO says:
            21 Jun21 June 17:58

            Catch on Ritche she isn’t mad at the brand. Rather the shop who used her recording to their benefit without informing her.

        • Anna says:
          21 Jun21 June 16:38

          See above re possible breach of RIPA. It’s very unlikely you’d get it enforced but it would probably make them remove the recording.

        • gareth says:
          21 Jun21 June 18:21

          My guess would be Rolex watch…

          • Chris Heyes says:
            21 Jun21 June 19:49

            gareth I’ve sold many a Rolex watch bought in Tenerife/Lanzarote sold in Auctions who knows if genuene I just asked how many can you sell me. maybe they was genuene and bargain’s or the buyers looked smart and impressive and didn’t care

        • Jackie says:
          21 Jun21 June 20:37

          Birkin ( with bags) and Rolex (with listed high end professional watches) will ban consumers who resell for profit if they can identify.
          You take your chances with certain brands/goods if you sell.
          Think this is reasonable

  • Laura says:
    21 Jun21 June 13:17

    Random off-topic-ish question.

    I’ve made an offer for a house today. Yay. I’ve previously been in rentals, most recently with bills included.

    Any tips/tricks for diverting spend to Amex or earning Avios?

    I see a few people on here asking for Octopus referral codes, is there a specific reason for this?

    Thanks!

    • Travel Strong says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:20

      Octopus allow top ups/overpayment with amex, and are well regarded in all other ways as a supplier. The referrals generate a saving for each party – but check all routes not just the referral, as I found that uswitch had an exclusive octopus offer that was better than the referral offers. If you do want a referral of course – mine is https://share.octopus.energy/amber-lord-676 !

    • Travel Strong says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:24

      Congratulations! Not opting to pay bills by direct debit is an easy win. Water / Council Tax / etc can all be points earning if paying off in chunks with a credit card. Depends on supplier though as to who takes amex, and who you will need to use a mastercard/visa with.

    • Toby says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:53

      Exciting! By shopping around a bit I found a surveyor who would take Amex, which pleased me. Lots of moving companies seem to too. The sweet spot is those who allow payment powered by stripe which seems to take Amex (and is what octopus use, I think).

      The big one people seem to talk about is council tax (via coop). But I’d also look at your home insurance as I can often do that on amex.

  • bafan says:
    21 Jun21 June 13:29

    Stupid question. I just signed up to the (U.S.) Hilton Amex Business Card that comes with 10 Priority Passes for the lounges. Does anyone know how I use them? Just download the app and go or do I buy them and get reimbursed? Never used Priority Pass before.

    • Rob says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:20

      You will be mailed a plastic card, although the majority (not all) of lounges will accept the app.

  • Mark says:
    21 Jun21 June 13:37

    Have tried many times across days / weeks but can never get my free Curve to work to pay off premium bonds, with IHG free / Virgin+ underlying.

    Doubt there are any solutions here as I understand it works for many others.

    • M says:
      21 Jun21 June 13:50

      Make sure your addresses are spelled exactly the same in all relevant accounts?

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:03

      Have u changed residence since getting the curve card? Your old address is buried deep in their systems and unless you request specifically, it won’t be removed.

  • Sina says:
    21 Jun21 June 13:44

    Has anyone heard of ASmallWorld? Just got an email from Lufty about it, it gives:
    – 275k M&M miles
    – Jumeirah Gold (1yr)
    – Discovery Black (1yr)
    – DragonPass unlimited (1yr)
    – Sixt Platinum (1yr)
    – membership to world finest clubs!?

    all for an eye-watering 4.68k EUR!!!! is there anyone crazy enough to pay for this???

    • TGLoyalty says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:10

      Yes don’t they own the tiny Seychelles resort that’s now part of Marriott? There a few HNW individuals that’s probably are willing to pay

      275k M&M are probably worth 50% of the fee.

      There are people willing to pay £2-2.5k for centurion for example.

  • Rory says:
    21 Jun21 June 14:08

    Need to isolate on return from amber country and need to get accommodation to do it. Do I need to book somewhere for the full 10 days even though I can test to release? Or can I book something for 5 nights? Anyone had any experience with this? Cheers!

    • TGLoyalty says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:12

      I don’t think anyone will check but could always Book 5+5 across two bookings? Then cancel the second closer to day 5?

    • Simon says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:22

      Where are you going to go after your isolation period? Why not just go straight there and put that address on your PLF ?

      • Rory says:
        21 Jun21 June 15:17

        I’ll be headed home. But I don’t want to isolate there.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          21 Jun21 June 17:00

          Btw only you have to isolate not everyone in your household.

          • Rory says:
            21 Jun21 June 19:54

            Oh now that I didn’t know. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll investigate!

  • Mark says:
    21 Jun21 June 14:24

    Hi, I have a booking for four of us to JFK in July using 2 amex companion vouchers and a GUF2 voucher (all originally booked in club world, then my wife and I upgraded to First). Booking was split into 2 separate bookings due to the 2 companion vouchers.
    We’re clearly not going to be going, so my options are cancelling everything for refunded avios/cash/vouchers or taking a future travel voucher.
    If I go for the refund, I may waste the vouchers due to them expiring.
    If I go for the FTV then as I understand it everything is valid until 2023 but we can’t change the passenger names. Issue is that my daughter can’t travel with us next year.
    Does anyone know how the voucher(s) would be issued in this scenario? Is it a single voucher? Could three of us use it and get a refund for my daughter?
    Of course I will need to call BA, but with anything complicated like this you get different answers depending on who answers the phone, so I want to understand my options before I call them. Many thanks for any enlightenment.

    • Anna says:
      21 Jun21 June 14:54

      If you’ve got 2 separate bookings it sounds like the best option would be to get a FTV for the passengers who can still travel together, thereby extending the 241 till April 2023, and just cancel the other booking with your daughter on it and get your avios, cash and 241 refunded. You might want to hang on a couple of weeks and see if BA cancels the flight first so you’re not on the hook for the £70 cancellation fee.

      • Anna says:
        21 Jun21 June 14:55

        Though I don’t know what exactly happens with the GUF2 voucher.

        • GaryC says:
          21 Jun21 June 17:35

          I’ve had GUF extended in this scenario. Hopefully using one for a JFK trip in November that I earned mid-2019, and subsequent bookings using it were cancelled.

      • Mark says:
        21 Jun21 June 15:06

        Thanks, makes sense.

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