The HfP chat thread – Friday 3rd September

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DAJ says:

3 Sep3 September 10:30

Can’t get through to BA to add return leg of a 2 4 1 booking. Is it possible to just pay for the return flights using Avios and then ring to add to the original booking with a difference in Avios returned? At least I can secure the flights before they go if possible!
- Alan T says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 10:37
  
  Yes, but see they plan B bit of this article about taxes.
  
  Although last time I did it they adjusted them as if I’d called!
  
  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/06/08/how-do-british-airways-2-4-1-american-express-companion-vouchers-work/
  - DAJ says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 10:40
    
    Great – thanks Alan
Paul Pogba says:

3 Sep3 September 10:37

Is the Virgin Money current account sign up bonus of 15,000 red points the best use of a Tesco current account transfer? The only other offer I can see is £100 for Nationwide.
- Peter K says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:00
  
  That depends upon whether you would find use for 15000 Virgin points.
- Charlieface says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:58
  
  Nationwide you could get £125 if your a member, for which all you need to do is open a savings account first
- Charlieface says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:59
  
  Also if you hang on for a bit then Halifax and HSBC should come back
Vit says:

3 Sep3 September 10:39

Hello all, need to turn my 50% avios flight into voucher as it seems to go ahead on Monday. So difficult to try get through BA. Anyone has their magic best contact number. I keeps getting cut off. Cheers, Vit.
- Vit says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 10:44
  
  Note — I have no problem calling other country’s customer contact number if “turning it into voucher” can be done with them as well. Cheers.
  - Pete M says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 10:56
    
    US freephone number via Skype during US waking hours, I repeat this every day. Connects to the same call centres.
  - John says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 15:05
    
    https://www.britishairways.com/travel/webforms/public/en_gb?eId=120001&wfpId=covidn
- ChrisC says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 10:58
  
  You should be able to do this in MMB
- Anna says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 12:21
  
  Front page of the BA website there is a link which should get you to the page where you can request a voucher.
- Vit says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 15:54
  
  Thanks everyone. Just made the request online via link above.
Andy says:

3 Sep3 September 10:41

have a new metal card that isn’t working with ernie, any ideas?
- Pete M says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 10:56
  
  Do the addresses match?
  - Andy says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 10:59
    
    thanks, the problem is sorted now!
Alex says:

3 Sep3 September 11:10

Quick question on Barclays Premier vs HSBC Premier

I’ve been with Barclays for many years now and been Premier for most of that. I’m now thinking of opening an HSBC Premier account as well. Is there an eligibility requirement for both account to deposit a monthly salary, which would preclude one from having both open at the same time? Or have people been able to open both simultaneously?
- Sina says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 13:35
  
  you can have both although they might ask you to deposit your salary with them, generally, there’s nothing stopping you from having both accounts.
  - Alex says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 14:06
    
    Thanks, Sina. Looks like both HSBC and Barclays explicitly require paying one’s salary into the respective accounts, and I wouldn’t qualify under the other options available. From the banks’ websites:
    1. HSBC Premier is available to you, if you pay your annual income into your HSBC Premier Bank Account.
    2. Barclays – An annual gross income of £75,000 or more paid into a current account with us
    
    I wonder whether the two are strict about this, or whether an internal transfer between the two accounts mid-month would suffice to satisfy the requirement.
    - Youllnever says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 14:16
      
      If your HSBC account is new, doing so will likely get your account frozen due to money laundering concerns, and from what I’ve heard is a hassle to get it unfrozen.
      - Jimbob says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 14:36
        
        I have both, and my salary is paid into neither account.
      - Alex says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 18:36
        
        I’d be upgrading from Advanced, so not really new.
      - Alex says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 18:37
        
        JimBob – do you qualify under some of the other criteria (investments of 100k+ held with the bank)?
    - Tariq says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 16:19
      
      I had HSBC first and have my salary paid there. Took out Barclays last year and only ever transfer across £800/month which was the old Blue Rewards requirement, despite having switched to Avios Rewards. Not had any hassle from either.
      - Alex says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 18:39
        
        Thanks, Tariq. Do you quality for both/either on the basis of some of the other qualifying factors (100k+ in investments with the bank, for example)?
Ed says:

3 Sep3 September 11:13

Nectar offer – 750 points for group travel on avanti rail. Min 3 people. Does anyone know the cheapest single tickets on the network?
- Ed says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 11:20
  
  Scrap this min spend is £5
- ChrisC says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 11:25
  
  When it was virgin Stocktport to Manchester was cheap – couple of quid. Had to make sure it was a virgin train and not another operator though.
  
  Would imagine it’s the same with Avanti but check the T&Cs
  
  How much os 750 avios worth?
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 11:34
    
    There are cheaper than that if you look in Scotland where they compete with LNER…
    - ChrisC says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 12:26
      
      Any examples?
      - Genghis says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 19:10
        
        Haymarket to Waverley was my go-to.
      - AndyGWP says:
        
        3 Sep3 September 19:39
        
        Haymarket to Waverley
  - Andrew says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 13:01
    
    It’s 750 nectar points – with a value of £3.75
SSR BAQ says:

3 Sep3 September 11:16

Anyone got an Airtime Rewards Code? Promo/Referral?
- PMG says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 11:19
  
  You can use mine: ERPMLKP9
  - SSR BAQ says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 11:21
    
    Thanks!
    - PMG says:
      
      3 Sep3 September 11:24
      
      Always 🙂 Thanks for using it!
Anna says:

3 Sep3 September 11:21

Currently at PMI. Both pre-departure tests – 1 Chronomics and 1 certificate filled in by hand by hotel doctor – okayed by Ryanair ground staff!
- WaynedP says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 14:43
  
  Buy a lottery ticket, quick !
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  3 Sep3 September 15:34
  
  Why did you need two?
  - Anna says:
    
    3 Sep3 September 17:12
    
    I didn’t – I went with a friend! I was more organised, she used the hotel doctor who only accepted cash and gave her a post-dated, hand-written certificate in case our return flight was delayed 🤦🏻‍♀️😂