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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 30th June

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Comments (436)

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

  • HeadingForNoPoints says:
    30 Jun30 June 13:01

    Some advice please with amex purchase protection?

    I paid for an item on eBay in May for an item due to be delivered in July, my concern is the seller not being honest and running off with the money, eBay money back guarantee has supposedly finished because 30 days has passed, will I have amex to fall back on If the item never materialises and/or the seller refuses to refund?

    I’ve been told 2 things by amex CS, 120 days for a chargeback and 180 days/no real limit to file…

    The item is currently pending despatch as per order history in my eBay.

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:07

      Which Amex, credit/charge have different protection? Also was via PayPal?

      • Anna says:
        30 Jun30 June 13:09

        Is the eBay money back guarantee not 30 days from receipt of item? Otherwise unscrupulous sellers could just not dispatch items with no comeback.

        • HeadingForNoPoints says:
          30 Jun30 June 13:14

          30 days from expected delivery date I think for eBay

          Used PayPal with ARCC underlying. Though PayPal it not in my name, it is my partners (hope this shouldn’t cause issues)

          • Anna says:
            30 Jun30 June 13:25

            You would need to check but I think using a 3rd party payment method like Paypal means you don’t get the usual consumer protections offered by credit cards.

        • HeadingForNoPoints says:
          30 Jun30 June 13:15

          Not entirely sure how it works on eBay, item remains not despatched but when I try open a case it says ebay money back guarantee has expired, however you can still talk to the seller to work something out

    • GavinK says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:14

      For a chargeback with Amex my understanding is 120 days from when you first became aware of an issue with your transaction.

    • the_real_a says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:26

      I have a business that includes a heavy eBay channel. You will get a refund upto 30 calendar days after the estimated delivery date has passed, provided the seller cannot prove delivery. Note this is the ebay calculated estimated delivery date, not any variation discussed in messages or offline.

      If you chargeback against ebay they will likely chase you for the “debt” by a collection agency. Plus you will likely have your ebay account suspended and any future ebay account linked to you closed within a couple of days. They take the view they are a third party marketplace not a direct transaction.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:31

      Try and ring Ebay, they should be able to sort it out

    • AndyGWP says:
      30 Jun30 June 16:49

      Paypal gives you 180 days to dispute a charge (from payment)

      https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/buyer-protection-resolution#:~:text=Be%20aware%20that%20disputes%20must,days%20to%20work%20things%20out.

  • Justin says:
    30 Jun30 June 13:12

    I have an ANA booking next year that I booked with M&M miles.
    I’ve recently collecting Virgin points. As it is much cheaper in Virgin points to book ANA I’m hoping that once I’ve built up enough I will be able to cancel my M&M booking and rebook with Virgin. Does this plan seem viable? If I cancel on M&M will the availability go back to all redemption partners immediately, or is there a chance that the seat will be grabbed back by ANA?

    • Rob says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:27

      Very possible the seat does not come back. Given the huge downside I would only rebook if you can book a fresh ticket via Virgin first.

      You also need to remember that your M&M miles have 3 year hard expiry so think about what else you will do with them.

  • Gothbe says:
    30 Jun30 June 13:20

    Just checked in to the Langley in Iver for a couple of nights. On the bed there was a full size Cowshed gift set but no mention of it being a gift or chargeable. Anyone else had this?

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 13:28

      No – was it an Emyr booking, they sometimes include gift amenities? Anyway, I would say that if it doesn’t appear on your bill you should be fine …
      (There is a price list for Langley items like bathrobes on top of the mini bar so could always check that to see if it’s listed!)

      • Gothbe says:
        30 Jun30 June 13:32

        Redemption booking. Although I think they have got themselves confused because they held over £700 on our card for a two night stay. We booked one night originally but then booked a second night under a separate redemption reservation number. This caused a bit of confusion at reception!

      • The cyclist says:
        30 Jun30 June 13:35

        I always take everything, I can from the room.

        • ankomonkey says:
          30 Jun30 June 13:57

          I especially like to go for the kettles as mine at home was less than a fiver 😉

        • Anna says:
          30 Jun30 June 14:36

          I assumed that this is why the Langley has a price list, so you can’t complain when they bill you for the missing stuff! We were careful not to take anything on the list 🤣

          Gothbe – hotels put a hold charge on your card in case you run up a hefty bill (like one meal at the Langley) and do a runner!

          • Doommonger says:
            30 Jun30 June 14:54

            My older brother is thinking of using the Langley for his early retirement bash as Stoke park is now closed covid restrictions permitting of course, thoughts on suitability for approx 50 persons.

            The Doomster
            Doomey

          • Rob says:
            30 Jun30 June 15:31

            Remind him to claim Bonvoy points!

          • Anna says:
            30 Jun30 June 15:02

            If the weather was good (better chance down south I hear), it would be absolutely delightful for an outdoor bash. 50 people in the pool would be a squeeze though.

          • Gothbe says:
            30 Jun30 June 15:48

            Re hold charge, just thought £720 was a bit high. However, I’ve just paid £8 for a small bottle of beer so it could run up quickly once the gin and wine starts flowing. Fantastic hotel

          • Magic Mike says:
            30 Jun30 June 20:24

            I had possibly most random hotel overcharge ever from The Langley: £20 for a pair of budgie smugglers. Refunded (eventually) when I protested I was more of a surf shorts kinda guy.

  • Lev441 says:
    30 Jun30 June 13:23

    Received a letter from creation offering 0.5% cash back on my IHG black card between 1/7 and 29/8…. Bring on free money!

  • Oleksandr Dudko says:
    30 Jun30 June 14:09

    Question about Portugal travel,

    I had my first jab of Pfizer on May 22 and the second one booked on July 17, exactly 8 weeks after the first. Today I went into my local walk-in Vaccination centre in Milton Keynes in the hope to get the second jab earlier but was turned away as they say no way I can do it earlier than 8 weeks, this is the nationwide rule now.

    I have flights booked to Faro, hotel in Lagos and car hire all from July 24th, a week after my second jab. Is it any way I could avoid quarantine in Portugal? perhaps I missed something? Or my only option to move it all a week later. I guess move is doable but a bit of hassle and cost involved.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:22

      The current rule is until July 11th so it’s possible it may become negative PCR test for non vaccinated people again.

      But I’d move it a week to be sure

    • Rich says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:26

      Some local areas and centres are defying the national guidelines and offering earlier second jabs, particularly if they have the supply and no demand/ or believe they are helping by surge vaccinating. You can keep trying, but I think there’s a limit to what’s reasonable for ‘i want to go on holiday’ when Pfizer is in short supply nationally – particularly if we begin to vaccinate kids.

      The only other options are change your departure or hope for a rule change.

      I think earlier jab is your best bet, but as above I do have reservations about being pushy to get one.

      • Oleksandr Dudko says:
        30 Jun30 June 15:28

        that was my hope exactly, it is more than 5 weeks since the first jab so I expected it would be alright. I ve been there perhaps 10-15 minutes and seen very few people going into Milton Keynes centre, they have a sign outside that only Pfizer vaccine available, I suspect that particular centre has a surplus of Pfizer.

    • Nick Burch says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:33

      Did you get turned away by someone clinical, or by one of the volunteer helpers outside?

      The volunteers can enforce stricter rules than the vaccinators, so it can be worth bluffing your way in to see what’s really possible…

      • Oleksandr Dudko says:
        30 Jun30 June 15:20

        by a volunteer outside the center. Not sure how I could bluff he asked me to show card with the date of the first jab or NHS app

        • Will says:
          30 Jun30 June 15:43

          Easy, I’ve lost my card.
          AFAIK viles of Pfizer are 5 or 6 vaccines to a vile, if at end of day there’s an open but not fully used vile then it goes in the bin so if you go late to a regular centre you can get one like that.

          It’s how I got my second dose.

          Also remember all testing of these vaccines was done on 2 week between doses, sure longer is better but even 2 weeks is excellent protection esp if not in vulnerable groups.

        • Nick Burch says:
          30 Jun30 June 15:46

          You left your card at home, you can’t remember your NHS password. However, you did bring your NHS number *flourish bit of a paper* and your first jab was more than 8 weeks ago! Can you please go into the building now, kind volunteer?

          Worked for me a couple of weeks ago when I went into London and got my AZ jab a week early 🙂

          • Rich says:
            30 Jun30 June 17:22

            I’m sure those will work, at a small enough scale, but pestering your local vaccination centre, lying to volunteers and trying to blag your way in sounds a bit unsporting, no?

            I saw some comment about someone ringing round 10 local vaccination centres to ask what vaccines were on offer – as if it was enquiring about today’s specials. I really don’t think that behaviour is good use of resources. Sit tight, and be ready to jump on early availability, sure, but please don’t make a nuisance out of yourself.

    • GJB says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:35

      “get the second jab earlier but was turned away as they say no way I can do it earlier than 8 weeks, this is the nationwide rule now”

      You are unlucky. I went to a pop-up centre last Thursday for a second PZ jab and was given one after less than a five week gap.

    • Lev441 says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:42

      I’ve got my one booked tonight and it’s been not even 6 weeks yet… booked the test via a text message from my surgery..

    • Sam G says:
      30 Jun30 June 15:01

      If you really want to get one I think a trip to London (maybe at the weekend) would yield more results than one of the local sites as you could hit up a few centres – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9732913/Pop-jab-centres-London-dishing-early-second-doses.html not sure if this helps or has caused things to get tightened . This might help too

      • Sanya says:
        30 Jun30 June 15:07

        We phoned up the 10 closest sites around us over the weekend, and the one in Melton said they can are doing second jabs if it has been more than 3 weeks since the first, it had been 6 weeks since ours so we went and got it on Sunday. Already updated on the NHS App

        • Pete M says:
          30 Jun30 June 15:28

          I’d keep trying – having been a volunteer it was entirely down to me if I let you in or not. My approach was that if you were already there, it wasn’t too busy and it had been a reasonable amount of time you were getting your second jab.

          • Oleksandr Dudko says:
            30 Jun30 June 15:45

            perhaps I try again next week when it would be 6+weeks after the first jab. to be fair it was not busy at all today just a strict volunteer on entrance.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      30 Jun30 June 15:51

      A jobs worth. And I do mean it because the more fully vaccinated the better and frankly if people haven’t come forward their first dose yet (England and Wales) it’s becoming less and less they’ll be coming forward. Just get jabs in the willing arms!

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        30 Jun30 June 16:23

        It isn’t too long until we will run out of Phizer’s because that is the only jab the vast majority of under 40’s are allowed to have. Try asking the mass center what day they give out to anyone to avoid them going in the bin

    • Tracey says:
      30 Jun30 June 16:14

      I’m 50 miles south, my local clinic would be happy with a 6 week gap. You need to find a gp led clinic rather than the mass vac centres.

    • Matthew says:
      30 Jun30 June 19:25

      I was 6weeks 2days btw Pfizer jabs. Got a text from my GP to book the 2nd and the first date it offered me was last Sat, so I took it. Drop in centres were insisting 8 weeks like you say.

  • Tazzy says:
    30 Jun30 June 14:25

    I had flights with Ryan air booked to faro for June. We then changed flight to Porto for july. Travel not going to be an option due to quarantine on return. I can not get through to Ryanair on chat- when I reach position 400ish I disconnect. If I try and change flights I’m being charged £90 change fee??? Any suggestions

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:49

      There’s no change fee up to 31/12, though you might have to pay a fare difference, though £90 isn’t too bad unless that’s per person for 4 of you or something?

      • Anna says:
        30 Jun30 June 14:50

        Also I think you get 2 “free” changes so if you’ve used both of them already Ryanair will no doubt start merrily slapping charges on after that.

  • Jody says:
    30 Jun30 June 14:25

    Does anyone know of any airlines that are doing a book with confidence type policy that goes on longer than April next year? Flights I need are going out at end of April and returning mid May, so wouldn’t be covered by BA’s policy.

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:59

      I don’t know if easyJet are still offering flexible (ish) bookings but you could move flights well into summer next year when I tested the system on one of my bookings. Fare difference will apply though …
      Ryanair ditto but they will charge a change fee if you move them into 2022.

      • Jody says:
        30 Jun30 June 15:41

        Sorry Anna, I should have specified long haul. Ideally I’m wanting something I can buy without having to buy fully flexible tickets for our Seattle trip next year prior to doing my CEDR/MCOL claim. It’s such a shame BA doesn’t run until the end of May, as that would have been ideal!

        • Anna says:
          30 Jun30 June 15:56

          I think it’s tricky with flight only – have you looked at booking a BA holiday so you only have to pay the deposit until 3 weeks before travel? I don’t know how this would fit with CEDR claims but you could show that you were being reasonable by booking a much cheaper option than a fully flex plus BA retains your custom!

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:59

      A friend also said her Jet2 flights were flexible but I’ve never booked with them so don’t know the details.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        30 Jun30 June 16:01

        Jet2 have been excellent since the start of the pandemic, out of all the airlines that is who I would put money on

    • Clive says:
      30 Jun30 June 16:46

      You could look at Singapore

  • Clive says:
    30 Jun30 June 14:31

    Another update by Malta

    https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/uk-tourists-must-show-paper-vaccine-cert-in-last-minute-travel-update.883168

    • Anna says:
      30 Jun30 June 14:47

      People waiting for paper certificates need to read this, not required from tomorrow, apparently …

      • roberto says:
        30 Jun30 June 14:50

        Arse and elbow comes to mind….

      • Keely says:
        30 Jun30 June 15:02

        I’ve ordered mine just in case they change it back again!

        • Anna says:
          30 Jun30 June 16:06

          I’m going to request them as well as there’s absolutely no way of knowing what requirements for anywhere there will be from one day to the next!

    • Chris says:
      30 Jun30 June 15:00

      This makes more sense than the reports from yesterday. Boarder-staff must be unable to validate the signature in the QR codes until tomorrows launch of the eu wide system. This then triggered a concern that people will just be showing any old QR code and that they wanted the postal letter rather than some app which boarder staff could be “tricked” with. More scrutiny as a result of the inconvenience means they have got their act together and confirmed everything fine from tomorrow … shame about those who fall though the cracks in the mean time. Maybe they should have just kept quiet and waved people though with the app without scanning and enforced it from Thursday.

    • Arran says:
      30 Jun30 June 15:09

      Where in god’s name in all that is holy and great in this world has common sense gone in all of this?

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