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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 8th September

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Comments (509)

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

  • James says:
    8 Sep8 September 08:40

    Other than the 0344 493 0787 number, is there a better way of trying to get in touch with BA Holidays? Becoming a bit of a joke now.

    • Harry T says:
      8 Sep8 September 08:44

      You can try online chat but sometimes you can get someone from BAH. The one time I did get through to an alleged BAH agent on chat, they were useless and quoted completely incorrect, dated BA policy. If it’s something remotely complex, then you’ll likely have better luck actually fixing the problem with one of their great phone agents. It can be almost impossible to get through (my other half had to try constantly for three days) but people say your best chance is to ring just before 8am. The only issue with that is that sometimes BAH don’t start answering the phone until 10am…

      • Harry T says:
        8 Sep8 September 08:45

        But only*

      • James says:
        8 Sep8 September 08:47

        They need a complete overhaul of their call centres, this is shockingly bad at the moment.

        • KBuffett says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:10

          The sad thing is, I think it’s deliberate. They genuinely don’t care. It would be far easier all round if all options were available online.

        • Anna says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:10

          Correct, and they are losing business because of it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s booked avios flights for next year and separate accommodation simply because I couldn’t face calling BA to book a slightly complicated itinerary which can’t be done on line.

          • Reeferman says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:15

            You’re definitely not the only one – I did exactly the same for a USA trip next Spring!

    • Aston100 says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:24

      It is ridiculous.
      I have a Holiday I want to cancel for an evoucher, so I can use it as part payment for a more expensive flight elsewhere.
      I’ve tried twitter (thrice) and phoned multiple times over the past few weeks.

      Someone (One of the Chris?) kindly linked me to an FTV claim page, but I need an evoucher as the passengers may not be identical next time.
      No idea why this (simple?) functionality isn’t available through MMB online.

      • Anna says:
        8 Sep8 September 09:35

        Aston100 – the voucher for a cancelled BA holiday is just an email telling you how much money it’s for. It doesn’t have any connection with who was travelling originally. I just used £1500 worth to pay taxes on new avios bookings!

        • Aston100 says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:39

          Hi Anna, can you confirm how you obtained your voucher and how you applied it to a new booking please?
          Thanks.

          • ChrisC says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:02

            To get the voucher you use the link I posted the other day

            to use it you can to call but I’ve taken the path of least resistance and booked the new trip and then you email the voucher back to them saying please apply this voucher (previous bookign ref) worth £xx to this booking reference

          • Anna says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:03

            I can’t remember how I actually got the vouchers, it would have either been via the link on BA.com or MMB. However, after that I got emails from BA Holidays confirming that I had a voucher for £XXX and instructing me to reply to the email with a new booking ref once this had been made. I did this (you can use any number of vouchers to pay off a balance, but not a deposit) and the money was back on my credit in a week or so.

          • Anna says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:05

            *credit card!
            I think BA might have been telling people the vouchers can only be applied to cash bookings, but I don’t think they actually check what kind of booking you’ve made as long as you have a new reference number.

          • Aston100 says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:22

            Thanks both.
            Just so I’ve understood and don’t make a costly mistake: I can retrospectively apply the FTV from a BA Holidays booking (that I am disinclined to travel) to a cash booking where one of the passengers may have changed? i.e. go and make a cash booking; apply for an FTV for the BA Holiday I don’t want to go on; email BA and send them the FTV details; BA will retrospectively apply the FTV fully and send me a refund of the FTV amount to my Amex?

            Thanks.

      • Harry T says:
        8 Sep8 September 10:10

        I thought that you could only obtain an FTV for BAH bookings, not an evoucher…

        • Anna says:
          8 Sep8 September 12:00

          Whatever it’s called, it comes in the form of an email telling you how much credit you have. BA Holidays don’t check who was on your original booking – I know this because I had used the same voucher twice from 2 cancelled holidays for different people!
          It’s essentially a credit note seemingly with a lot of flexibility (unlike the FTV for an avios flight booking). They refund the amount back to the card you paid with originally.

    • Alexandra says:
      8 Sep8 September 11:31

      I was just trying this morning to 1) rectify some missing Avios that weren’t credited back after the flight was cancelled Exec Club line for that) and 2) upgrade our seats on our flight next Tuesday from WTP to CW (Holidays – cant do this online). Got cut off twice, call dropped once, and stuck in hold queue for one, but informed call times are taking more than a half hour.

      At this point, looking at the new food onboard CW, lack of lounge service, and likely that the flight will be old-style flat seats (to ORD) Im ready to give up trying to upgrade because I can’t be sitting on hold or listening to that damn recorded message all day long trying to achieve something that minor.

      We have trips to be booked next year and the thought of sorting out one of them with a 241 redemption is enough to put me off BA completely and go freelance with any other airline even if its cash. Whats the point of status if you can’t use it?

      • AP says:
        8 Sep8 September 12:13

        I cancelled a BAH using the link on the website. You get an email confirmation with the following text: We have received your voucher request and have cancelled your British Airways Holidays booking accordingly.
        You now have £XXX to use towards a future booking. This email is your voucher, no attachments or codes are required.When you are ready to redeem your voucher, you can choose to rebook on our website or by phone:
        · To book on ba.com, complete payment with a credit or debit card as usual. Then simply reply to this email with your new booking reference and we will apply your voucher as follows:
        o If you have paid a deposit towards your new booking, we will credit your voucher against the outstanding balance, reducing the amount left to pay; or
        o If you have paid for your booking in full, we will arrange a refund of the voucher value.

        · Alternatively, our contact centre can redeem your voucher as immediate payment for your new booking made by phone.

  • Hotinnewcastle says:
    8 Sep8 September 08:57

    Just completing the Spanish plf for tfs trip tomorrow. Under vaccination it asks for a eu covid digital certificate, assume that’s different to NHS one but can one download the EU app and make it accept NHS one to generate an qr code that is eu friendly?

    • Anna says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:11

      There should be an option to tick “other” or something similar, this applies to the NHS covid certificate.

      • bafan says:
        8 Sep8 September 11:31

        The Irish option worked great in Italy.

        • stevenhp1987 says:
          8 Sep8 September 11:44

          That’s because Italy Covid Verify app recognises the UK QR code. Works from the NHS app too.

          Adding your QR code into Irish/French/German etc. app doesn’t make it an EU Covid Passport. If the verification app of the country you’re in doesn’t recognise the UK QR codes then it won’t validate when scanned.

          • Anna says:
            8 Sep8 September 12:04

            For Spain you need the completed travel health form AND either your vaccination certificate from your NHS app or the letter from the NHS. At TFS last month they were also doing random checks on covid test certificates for unvaccinated pax.

  • Blindman says:
    8 Sep8 September 08:59

    Ok
    Have done a search-knew I should have bookmarked the answer.

    @Rob
    You gave a reply to how to generate £3K spend that is refundable using Hotels.com?
    Buying refundable rate, paying upfront??

    Can you re-iterate please?
    Think it was in Chat on Saturday

    I would like to hit a BAPP spend sooner rathere than later 🙂

    Thanks

    • Josh says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:01

      Would also love to hear the answer to this as I need to hit my BAPP spend.

    • John says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:06

      Yes, buy a refundable rate and pay immediately… It’s not that complicated!

    • Rob says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:42

      Play around on hotels.com, you’ll see how it works.

      • Josh says:
        8 Sep8 September 09:46

        But let’s say I buy a refundable rate, reach the spend amount…I’m eventually going to refund the booking which will then be credited back to my Amex causing me to go into negative points, no?

        • Andrew says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:59

          Is it possible to refund to a different payment method eg bank transfer?

          • KBuffett says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:04

            Very unlikely for online transactions as it’s against their merchant agreement and the refund is associated with the original transaction.

        • BP says:
          8 Sep8 September 10:03

          Correct. But whatever spending target will have been hit and they will not claw back the bonus/BA voucher.

          • Josh says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:15

            But I assume we wouldve needed to have already cancelled the card before going through with the refund? Then how would we retrieve the credit when it’s back in Amex?

          • Rob says:
            8 Sep8 September 11:34

            A card is never really ‘closed’. Ring Amex and they will see the refund and can move it to another card as a credit or arrange a BACS.

          • Mouse says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:21

            No need to cancel the card

          • Phil says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:21

            You ring Amex and they will bank transfer it you.

          • mike says:
            8 Sep8 September 11:03

            They will claw back the bonus – I have had negative AVIOS on my BAPP when I used this trick to trigger a BA 241 (241 not clawed back)

          • KBuffett says:
            8 Sep8 September 11:26

            Voucher wasn’t clawed back prior to 1st Sept changes. Who’s knows now?

            I believe points will go into negative

  • Tom1 says:
    8 Sep8 September 09:02

    Has anyone travelled to Portugal with a U.K. vaccine passport converted to a EU one? (To avoid testing). Saw some comments about converting to an Irish one I think but cannot find comments now

    • Pete M says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:44

      The issue you have is that when you convert the NHS QR code to the Irish or French app, it is only verifiable in those countries (i.e. an Irish or French bar using their app to check validity). That’s because the Irish and French systems talk to the NHS back office. So if a Portuguese bar owner (or border agent) scans your French/Irish pass, it will not validate it. This isn’t a problem in most places (bars, restaurants) as most don’t actually scan your QR code, but could be an issue at the border. I have had no issues showing my French app (based on the NHS QR code) across Europe, but it has also never been scanned.
      Particularly when flying from the UK, I would suggest you spend the £20 and get a test. A friend who flew FR from MAN to FAO on Monday said the only thing FR and Portuguese passport control wanted to see was the test result.

      • Tom1 says:
        8 Sep8 September 15:21

        Thanks Pete. I wasn’t planning to skip the test – was just curious!
        Actually I flew from Geneva – so the entry rules (for EU covid pass holders) mean you don’t have to test if fully vaccinated.
        Either way – rapid tests are free in Geneva so I took one at the airport and had the Cert as my backup!
        So my experience was that Swiss air looked at my French pass sanitaire (converted from NHS) and waived me through (along with my passport). After that I didn’t show either my passport or my French covid Cert or the test result. Not even sure where they would check it.

        Maybe the Schengen bit is the wildcard here, but strange for so few checks.

  • Bobri says:
    8 Sep8 September 09:07

    Did anyone have any recent experience with the HSBC Premier WE card? Is the fee still waived if you’re approved?

    • LS says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:19

      Yes. Not officially. Letter came through with £0 on. They still charged £195 on first statement. Quickly gave me a refund on calling. 40,000 bonus points posted on first statement after £2000 spend.

    • Reney says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:23

      it sounds like everyone so far has been charged and actively asked for it to be waived. I am still waiting to be charged.

    • Jonathan says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:03

      You get the fee waived if you’ve got over half a million saved or invested with HSBC

  • N says:
    8 Sep8 September 09:14

    thoughts on likelihood of fully vaccinated UK tourists being allowed into the US in time for Thanksgiving (mid-end of November)? i was hoping for some kind of opening up around September or October but not sure now

    • Andrew says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:00

      Anyone’s guess. It was said to be a strong likelihood of it being open for July 4th – obviously that came and went some time ago, then Labor day – came and went….. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not until the spring.

    • Oh! Matron! says:
      8 Sep8 September 11:38

      Sadly, cases are on the up, and with the little disease factories that are children back to school this week, I can’t see this getting any better. So, in a word, probably no.

      • Rhys says:
        8 Sep8 September 11:40

        Do we care about cases any more though?

        • Andrew says:
          8 Sep8 September 12:01

          The USA decision makers might.

          • John says:
            8 Sep8 September 12:30

            Then they should be restricting entry from South America.

            However someone on another forum suggested that the US is doing that unofficially by denying visas, while since British, Irish and Schengen citizens only need ESTAs it’s easier to have an outright ban

    • Jeff Greene says:
      8 Sep8 September 13:08

      Everyone is unrealistic on here when it comes to places opening up.

      People thought Japan would be open for the Olympics, they’d be allowed into Australia this year, there’d be no second lockdown in the U.K. etc.

      You’re wasting your time

      • Andrew says:
        8 Sep8 September 13:17

        Totally agree Jeff

        • Jeff Greene says:
          8 Sep8 September 14:07

          Just to be clear, I know nothing either which is why I don’t even bother making such predictions. Who knows what will happen in x months?

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        8 Sep8 September 14:46

        I agree. I seem to be the best guesser so far 😉

      • Babyg says:
        8 Sep8 September 23:32

        don’t agree, managed to get to bucket list trips done (Maldives/Seychelles), i did have many other trips cancelled, but its OK to expect the best but plan for the worse, and BAs book with confidence is a once in a lifetime chance to book almost risk free.. ps i have some LHR-SYD seats booked for early next year too.. thinks its a great use of time to book aspirational trips.

  • Youllnever says:
    8 Sep8 September 09:15

    Reney, the transaction looks to have posted sometime last night. I’ve paid it off now and it’s the same amount as the original. I’m assuming any charge will only appear on the statement, so will wait and see.

    • Reney says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:25

      Me too! Yes interest appears on the monthly statement 😰. I see the occasional charge as part of the game. I gain way more than I loose from this hobby.

  • mutley says:
    8 Sep8 September 09:25

    A fortnight ago I spent one night in the Marriott Regents Park to take advantage of the 5000 Avios promotion via Amex, and one night at the Hilton Bankside. I am Platinum with Marriott and Diamond with Hilton. Both had excellent breakfasts and recognised status and lounge access in both.

    The fire alarm went off in both hotels in the middle of the night for approximately 20-30 seconds. ( not me really!) Marriott offered 10000 points for the inconvenience. Zilch from Hilton. Alarming experience jokes gratefully received 🙂

    • Aston100 says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:33

      Interesting, fire alarms following you from hotel to hotel? hmmm…

      • Anna says:
        8 Sep8 September 09:37

        Indeed, I am wondering if mutley packs a tiny hammer 😂

        • Aston100 says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:41

          At 10k a pop (other than Hilton), it sounds profitable!
          For Hilton, I hear their bathrobes and towels are really thick, so just need to make sure you bring a larger suitcase.

          • mutley says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:52

            Unfortunately Hilton have cottoned on (geddit?) to that particular wheeze. 🙂

        • Michael C says:
          8 Sep8 September 11:19

          Mutley DOES sound a bit dastardly….

    • Andrew says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:56

      Perhaps the reason behind the activation affected the compensation response?

      Hotel alarms… Been outside at 2am too often. So always prepare to leave with glasses, keycard, passport, mobile and previous days clothes ready to put on. Boringly, I always check my fire escape routes. I once found myself in a confusing situation in an old UK hotel where the fire exit route meant you had to go upstairs to access an external fire escape instead of the automatic expectation to go downstairs.

      Jokes. Once found myself outside in the snow, with me quickly dressed in boots, jeans, jumper, berghaus waterproof and others just in various states of nightwear and a young couple with him in his boxers and her shivering in knickers and a loose tshirt. I offered her a hug, her standing barefoot on my boots, back to my chest with my berghaus open and wrapped around her front. Did I get evils from her Bf…

      • WaynedP says:
        8 Sep8 September 10:07

        😆

        If I were BF, I would have challenged the sincerity of your chivalry and insisted you offer up your Berghaus or get lost.

      • Anna says:
        8 Sep8 September 10:08

        Escape route is the first thing we check in hotels! Not sure if it’s because of our emergency services backgrounds or all those disaster movies we watched as kids in the 70s and 80s lol. (Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure etc).

        • Aston100 says:
          8 Sep8 September 10:32

          My priority is to rush to the fridge to find that elusive Kit Kat that everyone else seems to get 🙁

        • mike says:
          8 Sep8 September 11:07

          ditto escape route (plus alternative escape route) first thing to check once dumped bags in room – then wheres the bar / pool / lounge (as appropriate)

          • Anna says:
            8 Sep8 September 12:08

            You musn’t have kids then as your first priority would be to log onto the wifi before they mither you to death!

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        8 Sep8 September 14:57

        I once had a fire alarm in a tower block type Premier Inn for a work trip, fire alarm at about 11:30, right as entering deep sleep. The hotel staff knew my name and can visibly see I am visually impaired and need help (white cane). Was supposed to have a member of staff come and get me. After 5 mins a colleague walked past and helped me out. The staff got a piece of my mind after that, didn’t take it any further.

        Stopped using Premier Inn until I stayed in a brand new one in Plymouth this year for leisure where it was too good to say no. Fire alarm kept going off, with my GF in a wheelchair, no one came to get us. Apparently because they where stopping a drunk guy and his mate from punching the alarm. Had some other issues with noise from stag do’s and a leak above the door from day 3 onward. Got 7 out of 9 nights refunded.

    • KBuffett says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:06

      Escalate to Hilton’s Twitter team. I’ve always found it easy to get a load of points and a free night certificate from them. I think they call the certificate Be My Guest or something similar

      • Blindman says:
        8 Sep8 September 13:53

        Or ask the Hilton not to use fire alarms???

        Amazes me why everyone thinks they are entitled to compo when the tiniest thing “spoils” their hotel experience.

    • Nick Burch says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:18

      Had a fire alarm at a Holiday Inn Express a couple of months back. Initially got a shrug from the front desk staff, but after a discussion with the manager was offered a significant discount on the room rate. Only it was a work trip so I’d have got no benefit… Explained this and got some IHG points instead. Next stay at the same hotel, they sent a card and a bucket of beers to the room as well!

      • Sandgrounder says:
        8 Sep8 September 13:27

        Once stayed in a Travelodge on Keele on a £10 deal just to get a decent kip as the Mrs had friends staying and they were going out. Needless to say, fire alarm and I forgot my key so had to wait until the staff had finished with the fire brigade before I could get back in.
        The offender was confronted with an ashtray outside the hotel, he held up the towel he had placed around his neck and said ‘i was getting a shower, that’s not mine’.

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