The HfP chat thread – Saturday 4th September

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• Anna says:

  4 Sep4 September 19:13

  That does seem excessive to process a transaction, even with a bank holiday weekend in the mix. I’ve found Amex to usually err on the generous side when it comes to goodwill gestures though.

  • Sandra says:

    4 Sep4 September 22:14

    I’m keeping an eye on a couple of things at the moment that haven’t tracked although the offers don’t run out for a month or so. Queried by chat today & they checked & then gave me the usual ‘can be up to 90 days to credit’. Had no emails, which I know you don’t always, but one offer moved from saved to used several days ago but still no cash back showing. Their IT seems to be a law unto itself at the moment.

• SteveC says:

  4 Sep4 September 19:31

  Hi,

  It’s been some years since I added a supplementary card holder for a points bonus. From memory the bonus credited straight away on card activation but this time a supplementary platinum for my wife has not done this. How long does it normally take to trigger?

  Thank you

  • BJ says:

    4 Sep4 September 20:09

    Straightaway like you said remains the norm. However, I was recently added on one of my dad’s cards and it took 8 days.

  • Lawro says:

    4 Sep4 September 21:29

    Interesting, I also was surprised to find this week that the points are taking considerably longer to post. Sometimes it used to be an instant if you logged out and logged back in.

• Andy says:

  4 Sep4 September 19:54

  Is it possible to downgrade from a personal Plat to a gold card? That it would be a charge card makes no difference to me, but haven’t found anything online which says it’s possible. I assume the 1st year after the downgrade would also be fee free?

  • Aston100 says:

    4 Sep4 September 19:58

    I was offered that as an option when I cancelled player 2 platinum card.

  • BJ says:

    4 Sep4 September 20:12

    Yes, people get offered that downgrade frequently. Just ask for it if you want it but better play for a retention bonus first, do the downgrade later.

    • BJ says:

      4 Sep4 September 20:39

      Most commonly people keep MR account active these days by getting the ARCC. Not certain if they apply for it or just ask for it as a downgrade option like the Gold. ARCC has no fee but I think people usually avoid the fee on Gold for first year when downgrading to it too. If you get it free Gold is obviously better given tbe benefits.

      • Andy says:

        4 Sep4 September 21:30

        I suspect the ARCC requires a new application, so won’t be an option for me (unless a downgrade is indeed possible). Worst case scenario I transfer the points out, I’ll find a use for them pretty soon as I start making plans for next summer’s holidays

  • Andy says:

    4 Sep4 September 20:28

    Thanks both – not looking to cancel yet but doing some research as I don’t want to apply for a new card. Sounds like I can avoid transferring my MR points out if I decide Plat is not for me in the next couple of months

    • Harry T says:

      4 Sep4 September 22:51

      You can downgrade to the Gold charge from Platinum charge. I think the fee free first year is technically a retention offer and won’t always be offered. Your alternative is to downgrade to the £60 a year green charge card.

• BJ says:

  4 Sep4 September 20:19

  OT @Aston. A lot of discussion about your HK plans earlier. I’ve been many times and I’m in camp that you can easily spend 5 full days there. A day each in Kowloon/HK, New Territories, Island Hopping, Macao, and Big Buddha/360/Disney.

  • Aston100 says:

    4 Sep4 September 21:44

    Thanks BJ.
    Doubt I’ll be visiting Disney though. Doesn’t feel right going to HK for a few days and ending up there.
    I kind of regretted visiting Universal when I was in Singapore.

    Noted the other places though. Thanks.

    • meta says:

      4 Sep4 September 23:01

      Big Buddha is on the same island as Disney, so @BJ just said it for illustrative purposes. On my first visit, I also felt 5 nights, 4 full days wasn’t enough, but I also like to leave some things for next time and also take time to explore neighbourhoods.

      • BJ says:

        4 Sep4 September 23:43

        Correct, we never actually went to Disney and wouldn’t. Just included it as in same area. Would be hard pushed to do all in a day anyway. We did enjoy the airport views from the cable car. Always felt you get the best feel for HK by getting off the beaten track and into back streets.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    4 Sep4 September 22:56

    Interesting that you say easy to spend 5 days in Hk but then suggest going to a completely different SAR for Atleast a night of it …

    As with all of these things it depends what you enjoy for some sights include local restaurants / bars / theatre / events etc and everyone works at their own pace, I hate going on holiday and being “on the road” @ 9am everyday.

    • BJ says:

      4 Sep4 September 23:46

      Macao always seems to split opinions when mentioned here. Personally I thought it was worth a visit. I gather casinos have been transformed since I was last there so I’d be tempted now to stay a night.

      • r* says:

        5 Sep5 September 00:35

        I like old macau but thought the new cotai area is a souless hole. It was trying to be las vegas but without any of the things that make vegas fun.

        • BJ says:

          5 Sep5 September 07:51

          I get it, the old casinos were sort of fun though. Some gave me the impression of being submerged in a murky world in a deliciously delinquent sort of way, very different from the Vegas experience 🙂

        • Lady London says:

          5 Sep5 September 08:59

          +1 for old Macao. Wonder how much of it is genuine any more. I was there just when they started digging the big holes for the casino-hotels

• soundnomad says:

  4 Sep4 September 20:52

  Just discovered this in BA Chat bot. Might be of interest – sorry of already been posted.

  “We’re also lowering Tier Point thresholds by 25% for those aiming to reach a new tier up to June 2022. The new totals for renewals and upgrades in each Tier are:

  Bronze: 225 (or 18 eligible flights)
  Silver: 450 (or 37 eligible flights)
  Gold: 1,125”

  • Lady London says:

    5 Sep5 September 09:01

    ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooold news.

    The new news is we’re wondering if a further status extension will be offered uniformly for status for those expiring later next year

    • Polly says:

      5 Sep5 September 15:20

      Yes, that’s the biggie…

    • soundnomad says:

      6 Sep6 September 18:40

      lol. Quite – well I’d def be in that camp too. Just hadnt seen anything official from BA on the extension past July 2021 until that. Fingers crossed they just roll it onto Dec 22.

• George says:

  4 Sep4 September 20:53

  I’m flying from Heathrow Terminal 5 tomorrow (Sunday) mid afternoon, returning the following Sunday, similar time. What are my options for parking and leaving my car at/near the airport for the week? I’m looking for a cost effective place. I’ll have a child in tow but not too much luggage.

  • Andrew H says:

    4 Sep4 September 21:47

    I always use MBW chauffeur parking. About £65 or so for a week. Most of the parking companies are all the same company underneath (Purple Parking etc), but MBW are a separate company. Never had a problem. Drop off in short stay level 4 I think. They can be found through the usual airport parking websites

    • George says:

      4 Sep4 September 22:54

      It’s showing as £105 for me! But thanks for the recommendation

      • Andrew H says:

        4 Sep4 September 23:07

        Maybe because I book quite early.. yes you are right about tomorrow’s price. One called “Edward Lloyd Parking” is coming in at £72 for tomorrow. Never heard of that one.

        • Andrew H says:

          4 Sep4 September 23:10

          As is one called “Blue Circle Parking”. Again a new name to me…

        • George says:

          4 Sep4 September 23:44

          What comparison site do you use?

        • TGLoyalty says:

          5 Sep5 September 00:11

          I’ve used Blue Circle many times pre Covid and my experience was always positive. However, as with all things YMMV with these non official parking companies unfortunately buying this late means you’ll pay a premium.

          Check out Heathrow parking too Iong stay is only a short bus away.

      • Lady London says:

        5 Sep5 September 09:03

        Cheaper than that with a hotel night potentially

  • TGLoyalty says:

    5 Sep5 September 00:13

    Re comparison site check holiday extras … go though the link on MSE to see if that makes it any cheaper.

• TonyT says:

  4 Sep4 September 21:53

  Anyone else experienced this? You can say add a lon to Dubai with ba hols and get double tier points add in a domestic connection and it’s gone ? Also a raft of eu destination don’t offer double tier points

• Ls says:

  4 Sep4 September 22:47

  Travelling QR as a OWE (BA gold) I have been able to access the Al-Mourjan lounge when travelling in Y or an at-the-airport To J upgrade (which doesn’t include lounge access). Is this an undocumented benefit?

  • Polly says:

    5 Sep5 September 15:24

    Apparently OWE status is acknowledged, but not spoken about. Being fairly coy about it. But, as OWS, we might not get in.

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