Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 11th August

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Category

General

Comments (395)

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

  • @mkcol says:
    11 Aug11 August 02:25

    Good morning!
    Final nightshift from the City of Dreams 😀

  • Alex M says:
    11 Aug11 August 05:55

    Morning everyone! I am abroad now and BA conveniently cancelled my return flight. Any advice on how to contact them for free from abroad to diacuss my options? Skype to 0800 number? What number would that be?Would I need to dial +44800?.. TIA!

    • Memesweeper says:
      11 Aug11 August 06:16

      Which country are you in? Skype to the US is the fallback if the time zones work for you.

    • K says:
      11 Aug11 August 06:18

      Twitter has been useful for me. I messaged all details, flight numbers i wanted to be moved on, etc. They got back to confirm details: passport number on profile, dob, last 5 digits of credit card etc, after which it was pretty quick.

  • Anne says:
    11 Aug11 August 06:46

    Morning all. Has anyone been able to move both legs of a cancelled BA flight exactly one year forward under the new and improved ticket validity rules?

    We should have been flying to San Francisco on the 27th Aug, returning from Los Angeles on the 12th Sept but clearly not happening and the SFO flight has been cancelled.

    In an ideal world I’d shift this to next year on comparable dates (out 26th Aug/back 11th Sept) but struggling to work out if this is possible or if both outbound and inbound legs would have to be completed by the 27th Aug 2022. Flights are on a 241 and we managed to grab First on the outbound so keen to roll this forward if possible rather than do a full cancel and rebook.

    • Sam G says:
      11 Aug11 August 07:46

      It’s the outbound leg within a year, so this will be possible. As your outbound leg has been cancelled you can actually just take no action and then call back when the inbound date you want is on sale. You may need the full 125- ticket numbers

      Attempting to do anything about it before then will probably end in frustration/ misinformation based on reports on Flyertalk but you might have some luck getting the outbound rebooked before the inbound is on sale

    • Jane says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:24

      I called about a similar scenario last week and what Sam G says is correct. The additional information was that there is a note on my file to confirm that I am going to do this, and that I will not be taking the inbound flight (not cancelled). They said that I need to call after the outbound once the flights are released and they’ll change that one and then again once the inbound are released (3.5 weeks apart in my situation) – this is apparently because if you leave it too long after the outbound (aprox 1 month), the flight will be ‘purged’ which means that you won’t be able to use ‘commercial availability’ if it were an Avois flight and would need Avios availability or to take a refund. No idea whether this is correct or not but the agent seemed quite knowledgeable so I think I will follow the instructions – just in case.

      • Sam G says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:33

        From what I know I believe it’s more complicated for them to rebook you once the reservation is “purged” , although nothing has happened to your underlying 125- ticket. So I think this is good advice to at least try once the outbound is available

      • Lady London says:
        11 Aug11 August 12:51

        Jane if airline cancelled your flight they are not allowed to insist an avios seat must be available forbypu to rebpok onto any seat up for sale will do. This under statute EU261 / UK261, which overrides any BA rules, practices, and system problems. That rubbish BA waa sharing with you about how their systems work has nothing to do with it.

        Note also that although BA has recently seen sense and now doing reroutes up to 1 year from original outbound willingly, strictly speaking EU261 puts no cap on the rebooking period and this would also override BA’s rules or practices. Obvs be reasonable and have good reasons if you do needva long way out.

        BA’s problems are not yours and you do have rights it looks like BA is giving complicated explanations for denying you and it really won’t hold up. Don’t let yourself be hoodwinked by BA

        • Jane says:
          11 Aug11 August 15:20

          Thanks LL, I’ll play along with them and jump through the hoops for now if it makes it easier to get next august booked. But if they don’t come up with the goods will consider the legal route.

    • Lottie says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:25

      I spoke to BA on live chat about this yesterday, as we want to do the same, move to exactly the same dates next year. They confirmed it is possible but to ring back before the return journey to sort, this still won’t work as the new return won’t be bookable, but after 30 mins of chat I gave up trying to get a firm answer on the return leg, I’ll try again next week when the new outbound is bookable.

    • Anne says:
      11 Aug11 August 10:55

      Thanks to everyone who’s replied – really helpful and makes me a lot more confident about leaving the cancellation alone for now and attempting to rebook once the outbound next year opens up.

      I know there’s an element of luck with the agent you get but hoping that being able to speak to You First in this scenario will be an advantage.

      Lottie – will be really interested to hear how you get on next week as you’ll be a couple of weeks in front of me!

      • Jane says:
        11 Aug11 August 11:27

        I should be doing mine Sunday if I can get through, outbound 4th August next year. Might leave it to Monday though so as not to get the ‘weekend’ staff plus out late on Saturday so may not make it for an 0800 call 🙂

  • Super Secret Stuff says:
    11 Aug11 August 07:18

    Shares: any tips? Obviously dyor and were not financial advisors.

    My tip is revolution bars group. I love them because there cool and fun. Over Covid they did a CVA to close unprofitable (in some cases closed for years) bars and reduce rents. Plus the rights issues has accelerated refurb which has a good in year ROI and reduced net debt from £21m to £5m. Market cap currently less than earnings

    • Brighton Belle says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:07

      I’ve emptied my savings ready to buy based on your trusted guidance. Hopefully Russian wives will be waiting for me too.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:26

        Hahaha, you’re welcome, ultimately I’ve got as much chance of picking a good stock as a big banker unless they get inside info

        • JDB says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:34

          I think the issue is the difference is between blind punting and investing, not that you have a problem picking good stocks. The latter may be a lot more boring, but significantly more profitable, less risky and less stressful.

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:00

            All except one of my shares is regularly beating the market (damn norwegian air bought in late December, learnt my lesson)

    • Grant says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:09

      HE1 and ZNWD have done very well for me in recent months. I think there are still plenty of recovery opportunities about too, like REV.

      • LS says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:20

        I probably wouldn’t look at HE1 this morning then…

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:49

          I’ve not been convinced on HE1 for a while. The renewable energy market is not heading towards Helium, a key driver for people is to do less damage. Plus I think hydrogen will win. Chemical engineering and technology advances are the drivers behind hydrogen growth. Plus I think their website is overly generous in how it describes its UK position, reference to hydrogen companies etc.

          ZNWD looks interesting but expensive. Thanks for the tips, will look at these further

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:26

            HE1 definitely doesn’t appeal to me. Much prefer powerhouse energy

            Zinnwald Lithium seems over priced and I can’t see anything about solid state lithium batteries which will be a big part of the future. Which design? No clue but scientifically it is possible and will be much better than lithium Ion batteries. I think Zinnwald needs to head into lithium recycling before it gets a buy from me

        • Genghis says:
          11 Aug11 August 09:26

          Seriously no schadenfreude but I found this rather funny.

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:29

            Yes not good. Seen a lot of hype around it but not substantive enough for me.

            Also “schadenfreude” what a word! Never knew it existed before/

          • Grant says:
            11 Aug11 August 10:08

            Commentator’s curse.

      • Grant says:
        11 Aug11 August 10:02

        Ha! Just goes to show you shouldn’t listen to people on the internet!

    • Yorkie Aid says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:23

      Just Eat Takeaway. Shares are crazily undervalued compared to competitors so could be vulnerable to a hostile takeover bid. Obvs DYOR.

      • BSI1978 says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:29

        Market cap exceeds all the other potential bidders though, and interesting how much common share ownership there is across the main players.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:52

          Yeh, doesn’t appeal that much to me. Wheres the growth potential? Plus with tightening laws around the gig economy and general ethics of the business I an steering clear of this one

    • LS says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:40

      My longer-term punt would be rolls royce: good efficiency savings from the pandemic, and hopefully good improvement when travel picks up. Obviously very pandemic-rule dependent!

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:54

        I’ve already got them in my portfolio at 100p ish, nuclear has a big role to play in the future and there recent focus on long range engines will likely be a benefit in the recovery. Plus with short range aircraft most likely to switch to electric or hydrogen first, they dont have as much of a conflict of interest when trying to bring out a new engine powered by that source

    • The Savage Squirrel says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:50

      I spend around 5 minutes a year on investment decisions, lobbing my annual wrapper allowances into buying more of a few different mundane but VERY low cost trackers (every September to take advantage of seasonality). Over longer timescales my performance has been and will be better than the vast majority of “pros”. I’ll admit it’s boring if you enjoy the hunt, though 😂😜

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:57

        I’m not opposed to trackers but I’m yet to find one that is appealing and unlikely to crash in the next few years.

        I have ORIT in my portfolio but not sure that counts as a tracker per say

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:57

          Plus the hunt is fun

          • Yuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:17

            Things like shares are best left to the professionals IMO…..
            I did the HE1 type punt many years ago and when you have a high risk portfolio jumping up and down many £000’s on a daily basis it is pretty exciting but over time the majority of private investors lose. My view now is it’s just gambling.
            Funds I’ve been invested in over the past 4 years have averaged10% pa medium risk.

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:31

            @Yuff I see trackers as a safe high risk option. Will never loose all your money but will also be backing some sub prime companies (the looser)

        • Yorkie Aid says:
          11 Aug11 August 09:27

          Agreed SSS. Trackers are great when the market is moving up but given how fully valued the overall markets are right now I fail to see too much growth left for a while. If you really want a punt but also buy something trading at around 50% discount to NAV have a look at CGEO (Georgia Capital). Not for the fainthearted though. Good luck all.

          • Genghis says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:35

            As I’ve posted before, the vast majority of people do not know and can’t predict what is going to happen. All you can do is buy regularly and hold for the long term. All that matters really is the price you buy it at and the price you sell at. What happens in the meanwhile is almost irrelevant. So if the market falls, keep buying – I’ll use a Buffet quote here: http://blog.roywalker-ifa.com/2018/01/warren-buffet-on-hamburgers.html

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:37

            Looks interesting but can clearly see the risks! If the price drops some more I will be tempted but other than that probably not

      • Genghis says:
        11 Aug11 August 09:29

        IMO investing is supposed to be boring.

    • Babyg says:
      11 Aug11 August 14:18

      shares are boring and slow… not much has out performed crypto over the past 10 years… and yes its high risk, but that risk is becoming lower with each year…. compare crypto returns vs anything else…

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        11 Aug11 August 14:45

        Crypto crashes a lot, particularly bitcoin which many believe is now imminent. So thanks for the input but no thank you

    • Dr C says:
      11 Aug11 August 16:59

      ABF Foods owner of Primark is one LSE i’d have a look at if I was investing in the UK markets, otherwise I’d focus on America especially tech (Yes I know its had huge gains recently) with the GBP strong at the moment there is good potential for long term gains

    • Clive says:
      11 Aug11 August 18:17

      STX is my golden nugget

  • Allan says:
    11 Aug11 August 07:23

    I’m looking to spend the final £40 at a Hilton to trigger the £50 off for £200 spend.
    Does anybody know if Galvin at Windows bar @ Park Lane Hilton will trigger it. Any other suggestions in London for similar?

  • Mco says:
    11 Aug11 August 07:32

    Jet2 have delayed my flight tomorrow night. It was meant to arrive at 0020 but now arriving at 0255. This is no good to me as I have a 3hr drive home after arriving. So thinking of just booking a earlier flight home on a different airline.

    I have no options right? It seems they have added a stopover on the outbound at Mykonos before our flight. So will probably be delayed further.

    If I don’t travel and it goes over 3hrs delay can I get delay compensation?

    • Mco says:
      11 Aug11 August 07:37

      By tomorrow night I mean Friday morning arrival. So more of a schedule change then a delay? But they are still selling the flight under the original times so I guess it’s delay.

      Can I ask jet2 for a refund on a 2hr 45min schedule change?

      • Lady London says:
        11 Aug11 August 11:49

        MCO if they’re still selling it at the original times test this through to final payment screen and take screenshots every screen.

        Either they will have to admit misrepresentation or let you call it a delay when they inevitably land much later. Watch for flight number change as SamG says as this would solve everything. But sadly it looks like any new flight number will go on the Mykonos departure.

        Collect evidence now of them lying to new purchasers now in case it gets worse as it may turn out to help.

        • Mco says:
          11 Aug11 August 22:34

          Yeah they are still selling the flight at the original times of 2210 but the flight now departing at 0045

    • Sam G says:
      11 Aug11 August 07:39

      Iirc no options until 5hrs. You can try for compo at 3hrs (if you take the flight) but they’ll probably blame covid !

    • Craig says:
      11 Aug11 August 07:44

      Low loads have required flights to be combined into double-drops unfortunately.

      • Sam G says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:11

        Flights are unbelievably cheap currently so if the loads are low the airlines must really be hurting. Various colleagues have been on their holidays over the past few weeks and none have been abroad. All have come back with tales of crowding and struggles to get tables etc from their UK destinations so I suspect the airlines will have a much better summer next year….

        • Mco says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:24

          Sam my outbound was 30-40% full. That’s a Saturday afternoon departure. Usually one of the busiest. I had prepaid for row 1 which was packed and we weren’t allowed to move. People in the back got to have 3 seats to themselves. If the flight load is quiet maybe don’t pay for exit rows. Rows 1-5 were packed due to easyJet’s handbag rule and rest of plane spaced out.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            11 Aug11 August 10:57

            My flight was “sold out” but flew with perhaps 50% onboard.

            We booked flights ourselves for Sunday incase it went Amber+ (As previous changes happened 4am Monday/Tuesday)

            Speaking to other this was common as prices are so cheap people can pick in “options” I imagine revenue management are going to love the next 6 months

    • Harry T says:
      11 Aug11 August 07:53

      You realistically have no recourse. You must either accept the new flight times or book something else out of your own pocket.

    • Sam G says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:12

      The only thing to keep an eye on is if it’s a double drop flight then one of the flight numbers might get cancelled. If that is yours then you could get a refund

      • Mco says:
        11 Aug11 August 08:21

        The outbound drop is double but my flight to back is direct. I had checked in and paid €200 for bags and exit rows but just can’t sit around waiting as I am sure it will be further delayed by a hour or so at least.

        • Sam G says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:53

          Yes so it just depends if the flight operates with the Mykonos-UK flight number or your flight number. But probably wouldn’t be able to tell until you can check flightradar24 after the flight.

          If Jet2 have another flight you could try getting them to change you FOC and carry your extras across. Then negotiate with your hotel front desk for another night if needed. Otherwise book a premier inn/travel lodge a short distance from the airport (so you can get one with a drive up free car park) and get some ZZZs before the drive.

          It’s a real pain, had a similar length delay with a Norwegian flight out of Santorini a few of years ago and it was miserable, especially as they wanted us all airside so they could close security

        • ChrisBCN says:
          11 Aug11 August 08:53

          It’s a 2 hour 35 minute time change – I’d suck it up, unless you want to buy a new flight. Sorry 😀

          • Mco says:
            11 Aug11 August 09:40

            Sucked it up and bought a new flight. Just wondered if a travel delay of 2hrs 55min 2 days out is a schedule change. Would have changed this flight to next year if they had allowed it.

  • Mikeact says:
    11 Aug11 August 07:56

    Interesting topic over on FT. Would this be a useful feature on HfP ?

    ‘Should FlyerTalk Automatically Notify You If What You Posted Has Been Edited By a Moderator?’

  • Secret Squirrel says:
    11 Aug11 August 08:00

    Avios to Nectar conversion – what’s the latest timeframe from anyone here at present?
    I’m on day 10 & still nothing..

    • BSI1978 says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:27

      Transfer via the app Jul 31st, finally landed yesterday evening…..

    • Crafty says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:28

      Same – rubbish isn’t it.

    • Dave says:
      11 Aug11 August 08:39

      Transferred on Friday 6th (so 5 days ago now) and still nothing.

      Rob mentioned the other day it seems to be some of manual Excel batch process.

      • Andrew says:
        11 Aug11 August 09:01

        Yes nothing has really changed since you had to ring up and ask them to transfer except you input the details and pass security yourself now. It’s certainly not the instant process that was available at launch and that for some reason they can’t reinstate in a secure way.

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

New to Head for Points?

Welcome!  We’re the UK’s most-read source of business travel, Avios, frequent flyer and hotel loyalty news. Let us improve how you travel. Learn more on our About page.

VAA

Latest comments

Latest Forum Posts

Get 30,000 points bonus with American Express Platinum

Amex Gold

Check reward flight availability instantly for free!

See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Booking a luxury hotel?

Our luxury hotel booking service offers you GUARANTEED extra benefits over booking direct. Works with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz Carlton, St Regis and more. We've booked £1.3 million of rooms to date. Click for details.

Get 20,000 bonus points and your first year free with American Express Gold

Amex Gold