The HfP chat thread – Monday 21st June

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

• Jody says:

  21 Jun21 June 14:33

  Just starting to put together my letter before action to BA. I have a query about booking references in relation to ticket validity.

  First made a booking in April 2020 for flights to Miami in January 2021 and was given booking reference ABC123.

  Some time in July 2020 (I can’t find that particular email, but it was ticketed in August and ticket gives a July date) I changed the destination to Sydney also for January 2021. Retained booking reference ABC123

  On the 7th October 2020 I asked for a ftv for this booking, then used that the same day to book return flights to Seattle in June 2021 (taking advantage of 50% off avios and amex companion voucher). Still retained booking reference ABC123

  These flights have subsequently been cancelled, and I want to move them to next April/May, but being told no, hence the letter before action.

  Does the fact that I first made a booking in April 2020 and have retained the same booking reference through several changes and reticketing mean anything at all in relation to their argument of me having to rebook flights that depart before 7th October 2021 in order to fall within the 12 month validity? Or does this not have any bearing on the matter?

  • marcw says:

    21 Jun21 June 14:51

    Flight ticket issue date is key, not whether you’ve retained same booking code since April 20.

    • Jody says:

      21 Jun21 June 15:06

      Thanks, you’ve probably saved me a chunk of time going through all that in the letter if it isn’t relevant. You know what it’s like when you’ve looked at something for too long and start to confuse yourself!

• Anonymously says:

  21 Jun21 June 14:53

  Hi all,

  Used to love the site but haven’t been on since the whole bonus points eligibility thing happened. Ive finally hit my 2 years and looking to get back into the game.

  I am planning on following the great guide below with my partner, but there is one quirk – they already have a BAPP. Is there any different route that I should take in terms of ordering cards given that, or should I just follow it myself, with her getting the platinum after the BAPP?

  One other thing – is it possible for my partner to refer cards that she does not currently have? E.g. the Nectar when she has the BAPP?

  Thanks for all the help, this website is such an invaluable resource and great to see it still going!

  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/01/22/how-a-couple-can-earn-186875-avios-from-american-express/

  • Rob says:

    21 Jun21 June 14:56

    Your partner can only do Platium.

    And, yes, BAPP can refer Nectar. You are sent a BAPP link but can navigate to other cards.

    • Anonymously says:

      21 Jun21 June 15:00

      Thank you! Especially for such a quick response.

• Jaime says:

  21 Jun21 June 16:06

  Hi all
  Planning a night stay somewhere outside London to be closer to Edenbridge next Saturday morning, any recommendations on IHG or Hilton brands? Appreciate your help.

  • Luke F says:

    21 Jun21 June 16:27

    There is the Marriott property nearby in Lingfield. Closest Hilton and IHG properties I can think of are all near Gatwick / Crawley. I wouldn’t recommend any of them in the current circumstances really.

    • Jaime says:

      21 Jun21 June 16:37

      Thanks Luke F.
      I can be further from Gatwick as will be coming from west M4. Any suggestions in West, south London?

      • Luke F says:

        21 Jun21 June 16:57

        Do you want somewhere nice to stay, or just somewhere with handy location that’s cheap?

        • Jaime says:

          21 Jun21 June 17:06

          Nice will be better not too bothered if it costs a bit.

• Luke F says:

  21 Jun21 June 16:10

  I’m planning to cancel my BAPP so that I can get a new anniversary date later in the year (so that I can have vouchers that expire in September, so optimised for summer holiday bookings).
  Do Amex offer retention offers on the BAPP I could get before cancelling? I’ve had this card for 2 years now.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    21 Jun21 June 16:19

    Generally it’s additional points per £ spend which won’t help with your quest to hit the spend after 1st September.

    How far are you for the £10k spend considering you only have 2 mo the between now and September 1st anyway?

    • Anna says:

      21 Jun21 June 16:23

      Also vouchers are still being issued with 30 months validity till the end of the year. You’re not guaranteed to be re-accepted for the card (though I’ve never known it happen yet).

    • Luke F says:

      21 Jun21 June 16:24

      I’ve just triggered a voucher in June and about to start a new year, hence I want to cancel the card. Not planning to trigger another voucher until September 2022.

      • AJA says:

        21 Jun21 June 16:32

        If you’re just about to start a new year why cancel? Providing your anniversary date is before 1 September you will pay the current £195 fee and still be eligible for the new availability on the 2-4-1 voucher. The only prerequisite, as far as I understand it, is that the new 2-4-1 voucher is earned after 1 September 2021.

        • Luke F says:

          21 Jun21 June 16:56

          Because i want my voucher to have a September expiry. If I start a year now I’ll probably reach £10k spend around March 2022, therefore I think it’s better to cancel and get the card again in Q4.
          I realise the fee will be higher then, but I will have saved the card fee for the next 3-4 months.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      21 Jun21 June 16:26

      *2 months.

      • C says:

        21 Jun21 June 20:38

        What about shifting the spend to another card for the interim period, to avoid triggering the BA voucher without losing the £195 fee? Picking are currently slim, but the PRG (first year), VS free MC or IHG card or any of the others reviewed on this site might work for you. Or call up and see if you get a retention offer. If you average £1,000/month, and extra 1 Avios/£1 for three months (which is a common offer) would offset much of the monthly fee, and boost your Avios balance.

• John says:

  21 Jun21 June 16:30

  Can anyone give me a UK tel no for transferring Marriot points to a friend
  Thanks

  • APB says:

    21 Jun21 June 16:34

    020 3564 6335

    • John says:

      21 Jun21 June 16:41

      Thanks

• Tarmohamed says:

  21 Jun21 June 17:15

  Few days ago someone recommended ActiPatch for my Sciatica, I must say, THANK YOU VERY MUCH – I feel so much better using it.

  • Mrs_Fussy says:

    21 Jun21 June 18:00

    So glad you reported ! I was wondering what about that. Did you get it off Amazon ?

    • Tarmohamed says:

      22 Jun22 June 01:14

      Yes I did get it from Amazon, seller was Chemist4u or something. It does work. I had it on my back last few days and this morning was wondering why I was having pain and wife pointed out it had turned off. Turned it back on and minutes later was feeling better. After initial use, takes 12 hours ish to feel the effects.

• Memesweeper says:

  21 Jun21 June 17:18

  Hot on the heels of Resident Advisor, another online “shock small” … Intuit, who run quickbooks. Bonus little £5 result!

• Sandgrounder says:

  21 Jun21 June 17:33

  Just had my MAN-KEF flight cancelled, looks like green status hasn’t provided the boost they needed to make bringing it back viable quite yet.

  • Anna says:

    21 Jun21 June 18:51

    When was that for? Wondering if my superfluous avios flights to AGP will be cancelled for late July.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    21 Jun21 June 18:52

    I imagine the confusion around eatery requirements and testing on return means it’s still very complicated.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      21 Jun21 June 18:54

      Entry for heavens sake.

    • Sandgrounder says:

      21 Jun21 June 20:08

      Iceland are dropping tests on arrival from 1 July if you are fully vaccinated, no test before you travel either. A lateral flow is available in reykjavik for about £23 for the way home, so it’s just a postal PCR for as cheap as possible to complete the formalities. It’s about as uncomplicated as things get at the moment!

  • Sandgrounder says:

    21 Jun21 June 20:02

    It was for the middle of July.

  • Aaron C says:

    21 Jun21 June 21:11

    We are looking at going for a week in July but the weather is still pretty pants and it’s a very expensive destination. Will probably go if nothing better goes green next week, but for your average bucket and spade punter it’s just not an option.

    • meta says:

      21 Jun21 June 21:40

      Yes, people want to go somewhere warm now and also most people like to go in winter because of northern lights…

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