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The HfP chat thread – Friday 10th September

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We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

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Category

General

Comments (617)

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

  • James says:
    10 Sep10 September 09:43

    I have an Avios flight on Monday which I need to cancel. The phone line hangs up on me saying they are too busy, I cannot get a response out of them on Twitter and cannot get beyond the “ChatBot” on the BA website.

    Any advice for what on earth I am supposed to do?!

    • Dave says:
      10 Sep10 September 09:58

      Keep a record of how you tried to contact them and take a FTV now online. Then get back in touch at a later date to convert the FTV back to avoid and cash. That’s what I would do anyway

    • Lady London says:
      10 Sep10 September 12:30

      Let it pass, kerp hold of your proof of your attempts to contact them, making sure that where it was possible you mentioned you needed to cancel flight on date/time.

      Personally I wouldn’t be forced by BA’s lack of contactibility into taking an FTV. Far too many incidences have been reported where people were forced into an FTV incorrectly and yet BA steadfastly refused to turn the FTV into the cash / avios the person should have been able to receive.

      Keep very good records of your attempts to contact them and deal with it when they respond. I think I’d email them as well as twitter too

      • Wollhouse says:
        10 Sep10 September 19:24

        Does anyone have an email that still works? All the ones I have on file (which definitely used to be read and responded to) are now saying they are not reading them.

  • YC says:
    10 Sep10 September 09:44

    Anyone tried using amex SLH offer on a cumulative basis?

  • KZ says:
    10 Sep10 September 09:58

    Bendy requires 1.5% fee or metal subscription, so why do it through Bendy in the first place? Che seems to be a better alternative…

    Also, still possible to use Che on Bendy, for those who want Apple Pay compatibility.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:01

      Because Che are a cowboy outfit and any money in your account at any one time is at risk of being frozen.

      There’s also the fact that most CC companies like to charge interest/fees for Che top ups.

  • Anna says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:07

    A bit niche, but has anyone stayed in the AC Palacio in Vigo? It looks like excellent value for 15k Bonvoy points per night but I may be missing something. I do know the city although haven’t visited for about 7 years.

    • Richie says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:21

      Anything comparable in Porto?

    • Richard says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:30

      Yep, stayed there for a few nights a couple of years ago and really liked it and thought it good value. Great town as well.

      • Anna says:
        10 Sep10 September 12:06

        Thanks, looking at 3 nights or so plus 7 in an apartment or villa for this leg of the trip. It is a lovely place, one of those best kept secrets!

  • Alan says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:17

    I want to buy around 10k of Premium Bonds in the next month or two.

    Has anyone got recent data on whether Beardy/Curve/Ernie is still working and a monthly statement showing whether charges are actually being applied.

    Thanks

  • Jamie says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:21

    I’m trying to book the return leg of a reward flight I booked online last week (on release day 355 days before flight) but the 0191 number to call is no longer in service and the replacement number just tells me to visit BA.com. I believe I need to speak to someone to book the return so it can be linked to my outbound and companion voucher. Does anyone have an alternative number or method? I’m in Belgium at the moment so using the outside UK number. Much obliged.

    • Anna says:
      10 Sep10 September 12:08

      If it doesn’t fleece you on the taxes, you can book online and call later to get your avios refunded. You’ll have 2 separate bookings but it’s not a huge issue.

    • AJA says:
      10 Sep10 September 16:01

      As you are currently in Belgium and it’s an Avios booking you could try calling
      Tel: 02 717 3215 (local)
      +32 2 71 732 15 (overseas)

  • Duncan says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:23

    Got car and home insurance due over the next couple of months. Obviously wouldn’t be more than a deciding factor, but any providers allow payment with Amex? Would like to make sure I at least get a quote and check out the policy.

    • JDB says:
      10 Sep10 September 10:27

      For car insurance Admiral takes Amex. Have found them very competitive, particularly with multi-car. Originally moved to them as easy to put teenagers/learners in weekly blocks, but have stayed as they have been fairly much the cheapest at each renewal.

      • Can says:
        10 Sep10 September 10:28

        I use Admiral, too. They have good deals online and even better deals if you call and bargain hard. I’ve always paid them with Amex.

        • Kipto says:
          10 Sep10 September 19:48

          Agreed. Price up each car’s insurance separately with whoever. Tell them you’ll leave if they can’t match it. They will match it and as mentioned, admiral take Amex

      • Duncan says:
        10 Sep10 September 10:33

        Interesting, I’ll give them a look for the car. I think I was with Admiral as a young driver because they were the cheapest at the time.

    • Simon says:
      10 Sep10 September 11:07

      Big fan of Admiral. Not only amex friendly, and cheap, but their customer service is excellent – they gave £25 refunds last year to all policyholders as driving collapsed. And also, when a relative passed away, they were superb and definitely the best/most efficient of the companies I had to deal with……

    • FatherOfFour says:
      10 Sep10 September 11:21

      I used Admiral for a year, until Aviva became cheaper. We then switched to their online sister company “quotemehappy” and we are indeed happy. Take Amex and we were able to make changes, such as adding a grandparent onto the policy online.

    • Rui N. says:
      10 Sep10 September 11:26

      Tesco Bank takes amex for home insurance.

      • Sandra says:
        10 Sep10 September 12:12

        Tesco also take Amex for car insurance & were cheapest for my OH. I tend to switch between Admiral & Aviva though, as they usually alternate as cheapest & Admiral gave the cash back in Covid voluntarily. Admiral also been good when kids were first driving. Used Quote Me Happy once about 8 years ago and, unfortunately, had to claim – they were awful!

    • Aston100 says:
      10 Sep10 September 13:05

      Aviva for sure.

    • Harry T says:
      10 Sep10 September 13:44

      Based on my recent experience of Aviva, they do not take Amex for payment (car insurance). Tesco bank do accept Amex.

  • ChrisA says:
    10 Sep10 September 10:23

    I have a large online payment to make and the company only accepts VISA or Mastercard, but I would like to charge it to my BA Amex. I previously used a Skrill Card loaded from my Amex (1% fee), but they stopped accepting Amex this summer. Are there any other card routes?
    I don’t think Billhop will work as they don’t give me an invoice and at nearly 3% it’s getting a bit expensive.

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

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