The HfP chat thread – Monday 6th September

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• Mark says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:35

  Morning,
  I have the Amex Gold and BA premium my friend wants to get the 60k sign up bonus on e bussines Amex, assume there no way I can do the referral as I don’t have that card?

  • Lev441 says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:04

    Doesn’t look like it which is annoying…

  • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:40

    Your friend can chose from a list of all cards no matter which one you refer from – When I generate a referral code from my BAPP it shows as offering the 42k bonus for a BAPP but you can chose to view all other cards, scroll down and the 60k business card offer is there too…

• KZ says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:37

  Morning all,

  I booked a business short haul return ticket through Amex Travel. Had to cancel it today – the agent told me that the flights can be taken out, and the cash amount will be stored in what I assume is a future travel voucher, not an evoucher. However, two things surprised me:

  1. the voucher can only be used for a BA flight, not for a Oneworld-Partner flight ticketed by BA
  2. the voucher can only be used for another business class flight, not economy.

  This seems wrong to me from what I gathered here – is anyone able to confirm? Many thanks.

  • Andrew says:

    6 Sep6 September 08:40

    Amex travel issue their own vouchers – so this isn’t a BA FTV or eVoucher and can only be used with Amex with whatever restrictions they are putting in. Booking with Confidence only applies to direct bookings with BA, not travels agent bookings.

    • KZ says:

      6 Sep6 September 09:05

      BA BWC T&Cs state that the scheme includes tickets booked through trade outlets, which I believe includes Amex Travel.

      • Jonathan says:

        6 Sep6 September 12:29

        Your contract is with the travel agent. BA will allow them to essentially FTV a booking but it’s up to the agent if/how they pass that on.

        Amex will hold as credit for a future BA flight. My understanding is that a BA codeshare is ok & can change class/route/date but passenger name is fixed.

• Graeme says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:39

  BA, has anyone managed to move their flights over 1 year ahead? I’ve got an October holiday booked which I want to move but due to school holiday moving by a week next year our region of Scotland, would like to move it 1 year and 1 week.

  One of my nbound flights has had a cancellation. I believe the process would be to phone up and notify them I’m not travelling, they have to put ghost sectors.
  Then wait for the flights to become available at 355 days and request them to move?

  If they refuse, due to the >1 year, am I right in saying from reading through previous messages here that I have to get them to say in writing that is their final position and then go to MCOL or CEDR. What are the differences and which is best?

  • ChrisC says:

    6 Sep6 September 08:58

    My understanding of the policy is that the rebooked outbound has to be within a year of the original departure date of the cancelled flight so I don’t think BA will allow you to do what you want as it clearly isn’t within their policy (which used to be within a year of the original booking not flight departure date)

    MCOL is what was previously the small claims court, CEDR is the abritration service BA has subscribed to use.

    An MCOL ruling has the force of law behind it.

    • roberto says:

      6 Sep6 September 09:03

      The actual term and conditions are:-

      Art. 3b on the ticket validity period clearly stipulates the following:3b1) Unless it says differently on the ticket, in these conditions of carriage, or in any tariffs which apply, a ticket is valid for travel for:
      one year from the date it is issued or
      one year from the date you first travelled using the ticket, as long as your first flight took place within a year of the ticket being issued.
      3b2) If you are prevented from travelling within the validity period of a ticket because we could not confirm your reservation at the time you asked for it, we will:
      extend the validity period of the ticket or
      give you a voluntary fare refund.

      So moving it 53 week is outside the policy, your options moving it and hope to move it again if they subsequently cancel, take a FTV, take a refund if appropriate or travel within the terms you agreed to when you entered into the agreement.

      • Graeme says:

        6 Sep6 September 16:42

        Thanks both, I’ll have a think as we got a good deal WTP and then UuA for 4 people inbound so was hoping to lock in for next year at a usually busy school holiday period where the ABZ-LHR morning flights are often sold out in ET weeks in advance.

• Hotinnewcastle says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:53

  Traveling later this week to Tenerife, flying for first time in 18 months and wanted some reassurance with all the restrictions that I don’t need anything else. Me and my partner double vaccinated >14 days ago. Child is 2 year old so don’t believ an ytesting required for her. I have started to complete online plf on Spanish website and will compelet rest 48 hrs before as won’t let me otherwise. Have NHS covid passes downloaded for check in. Have ordered chronomics test for return a/w delivery. Have day 2 tests with codes for plf for our return. Anything else beyond passports do I need ? Face masks….are they mandatory and enforced or more like UK now?

  • Rob says:

    6 Sep6 September 08:56

    Sounds fine. Note that masks are required 100% of the time when indoors and you will not be allowed to get away with it. They may even try to make your child wear one – there is no exemption for children, at least older ones.

    After 2 weeks in Spain I found myself automatically putting a mask on every time I walked into a building back in London …. obviously stopped that nonsense now 🙂

    • Hotinnewcastle says:

      6 Sep6 September 08:59

      Cheers Rob, that’s very helpful.

    • Doug says:

      6 Sep6 September 09:31

      I don’t think you really need to include “obviously stopped that nonsense now” to be successful blogger or else you will be doing an article soon of which countries brits can go without masks and thinking covid is over.

      • The Lord says:

        6 Sep6 September 11:26

        It is over

        • Rob says:

          6 Sep6 September 11:33

          It’s certainly over in London, except on the tube. YMMV.

          You WILL catch it, even if vaccinated. You won’t get very ill and you certainly won’t be hospitalised, however, if vaccinated so London has made a collective agreement to get on with life.

          Here’s my diary:
          Tomorrow – big airline event (and I had to cancel a big affiliate conference in Brighton because this came up)
          Thursday – garden party at my daughter’s school
          Next Tuesday – Royal Academy Summer Exhibition launch party
          Next Thursday – Aviation Club lunch at the RAC with Finnair’s CEO

          Normal service is resumed – which is frustrating because I am trying to lose a couple of kg post holiday ….

        • Tracey says:

          6 Sep6 September 12:25

          Wait a week until numbers soar as a result of unvaccinated kids mixing in school. Then wait 2 weeks until their parents/ grandparents catch it. In fact you may not know when the kids catch it because people aren’t testing kids anymore.

      • Realist says:

        6 Sep6 September 11:40

        It’s over. The remaining ‘covid theatre’ will hopefully be binned in the coming months. Of course the FBPE lot won’t be happy.

        • John says:

          6 Sep6 September 12:09

          I hope the day 2 test is binned.

        • Tariq says:

          6 Sep6 September 13:41

          It’s the tests that are the problem. As Tracey says, there will undoubtedly by spread as a result of schools returning, and I simply don’t trust this Government not to wet the bed again.

        • Lady London says:

          6 Sep6 September 14:40

          Agree, John, 2 day test is looking increasingly useless now

        • Rob says:

          6 Sep6 September 15:07

          I’m less bothered about Day 2 tests – you can do them at the airport on your return and it adds 10 minutes to your day (plus £70 …). It is the Fit To Fly nonsense that causes real inconvenience.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        6 Sep6 September 11:48

        Some just don’t want “it” to be over

        It being the fear and restrictions on our lives

        • Doug says:

          6 Sep6 September 15:33

          Collectively moving on is different than it being over. I’m healthy fit vaccinated in my 30s so it doesn’t affect me, but wearing a mask in crowded spaces is a good measure to help it not to spread. I’m sure things will get much better over time, but enduring a bit longer will definitely help. Sadly brit snobbery take on masks is frustrating.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          6 Sep6 September 22:34

          You do you Doug.

          The “through the roof” is getting boring too people seem to forget it was about hospital admissions and the inevitable link to cases … vaccinations have severely broken that link. And the probability of those under 30 that are unvaccinated actually ending up in hospital is extremely low and are more Likely to be in hospital for less time.

          Please don’t post about your mate in his 20’s in hospital for 3 months as that’s not how probability works.

  • Anna says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:53

    We had a great fortnight in Tenerife recently. Masks are also required outside if social distancing isn’t possible, and social distancing is expected on the beaches, so don’t put your towel or lounger too near anyone! However, the island wasn’t that busy and the only time we wore masks for any length of time was in the airport and doing supermarket shops. All restaurants had plenty of outdoor seating.
    You will need separate PLFs for you and your partner, but the child can go on one of these.

    • Hotinnewcastle says:

      6 Sep6 September 10:06

      Ohh that’s helpful. Thanks Anna. I did it as one plf as it let me add all passengers as the “responsible traveller” but will update.

      • Anna says:

        6 Sep6 September 10:22

        That may be fine then – as far as I remember mine would only let me add under 18s but I might have missed something!

      • Simon says:

        6 Sep6 September 11:05

        The Spanish PLF for entry there – you can do as one for all of you…. The UK one on your way home makes the adults fill out separate PLFs with your child added to one or the other….

        • Hotinnewcastlesays says:

          6 Sep6 September 11:20

          Cheers, thats helpful to know.

• AS says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:55

  What happens to your ‘Avios to be transferred’ balance when you cancel a BA Amex card? Are they nice enough to transfer them over for you, or do you need to wait until they are moved over at the end of month before cancelling to avoid losing them?

  • AJA says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:08

    Wait until they have transferred and then cancel.

  • Benilyn says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:40

    They stay for around 30 days so it should be caught in the monthly sweep, but most people here wait for it to be swept than cancel, just less hassle.

• Pete M says:

  6 Sep6 September 08:56

  T5 Galleries South yesterday afternoon – I gave up 50mins after ordering food and drink via the app, which never arrived. Anyone experience this recently? It took about 20mins a couple of weeks back, but this is insane. No one around to ask or chase and lots of other people complaining. Seems an ideal time to invite Bronze members in to experience the delights of BA’s lounges…! And of course Plaza Premium shuts at 1730, so of no use to me.

  • LS says:

    6 Sep6 September 10:26

    Yes. BA F on Saturday at LHR. Drinks took 30 minutes. Food was a lot quicker.

  • Phil says:

    6 Sep6 September 10:37

    If you’ve travelled through the lounge before then make sure you hunt through the web pages and find the option to change your table. The web page caches your table number – even if you scan another table. I waited 35 minutes for breakfast recently and only realised my mistake when the people next to me got served in less than 10 minutes *duh*

    • Pete M says:

      6 Sep6 September 11:38

      Good reminder, Phil, but sadly not the situation in this case 🙁

• Hotinnewcastle says:

  6 Sep6 September 09:01

  How do u find them? Is there a separate website to register with like Barclaycard offers?

  • Rob says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:15

    In the app

• Anuj says:

  6 Sep6 September 09:20

  Anyone else wondering why Morrisons seem so eager to give discrete discounts over so many different apps and websites? I’m guessing it’s linked to their potential takeover. Can’t see any other reason why they would willingly give up 10%

  • Andrew says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:40

    No different to the current regular card based Co-op and Spar offers and the near permanent Waitrose in store offers in the past.

    Don’t forget, if you are a member of a Union, you always have between 2.5% and 5% at the major supermarkets through the Ode(Spree) card anway

    • KBuffett says:

      6 Sep6 September 10:04

      Morrison’s are different because the % is higher, and they stack many times. 30-40% off is materially different to 2.5%-5% off,

      • BuildBackBetter says:

        6 Sep6 September 10:23

        Stacking is not Morrison’s problem, or even their intention.

        • KBuffett says:

          6 Sep6 September 10:40

          So who foots the bill for:
          Airtime
          PAW
          Virgin
          NHS discount

        • Rob says:

          6 Sep6 September 10:44

          Morrison’s, but the payment comes from the marketing budget and the sales you make go into their top revenue line.

  • KBuffett says:

    6 Sep6 September 09:41

    I suspect they are pushing for turnover to achieve higher bids.
    Money in the bank today, rebates in 90, 120, 180 days?

  • Chris says:

    6 Sep6 September 10:12

    Clearly they have been trying to ramp up store sales and its a quick win.

    It however is addictive, they will have somewhat inflated turnover numbers from the same time last year. Without running something they risk like for like sales decreasing. As a result you will find they are likely to run the same discounts each year.

    It’s a risky route to go down as customers learn to hold back purchases until the discount is good enough. It was a problem that plagued Debenhams where people would browse, find something they liked and wait for the reduction or voucher. Of course Morrisons has the advantage of selling items that need to be purchased regularly and it’s more a case of switching spending from another competitor.

    I suspect they don’t take into account “stacking” the offers or assume it only occurs with a small % of transactions.

  • Rob says:

    6 Sep6 September 10:14

    Sweaty Betty was just taken over as well, remember.

    If we ever decide to run a huge competition every week for 2 months, you should assume we’re about to sell the site and want to show a positive page views trend.

    • Pete M says:

      6 Sep6 September 10:46

      When I used to work there, before the IPO, Merlin Entertainments dropped prices massively – London Eye for £10pp for instance. It became insanely busy, obviously profitability dived, but that only became apparent later. It’s so transparent you really wonder…

      • Chris says:

        6 Sep6 September 11:46

        Reminds me of Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, as the deadline approached you did whatever you could to ensure you hit the objective.

        • Pete M says:

          6 Sep6 September 13:20

          More salt on the chips so they buy all the drinks?! 🙂

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