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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 16th September

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Comments (538)

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

  • Ant says:

    So our business class flight in November to Joburg has been cancelled and moved to another one within 2 hours. Different flight number.
    Am I right in thinking that we are entitled to move to any other Joburg flight within 1 year of the outbound flight? Nov 22?
    These were 5 tickets 4 using 2 companion vouchers and one with a Lloyds voucher. Can I call BA and change them all on the same call or does the Lloyds one work different?
    Is there any chance they would consider moving us to a flight to Cape Town instead?
    Appreciate all advice.

    • Jonathan says:

      You have EU261 rights but BA won’t let you move 1 year from departure at the moment as they’ve reverted to 1 year from ticketing.

      There’s rumours the policy may change again shortly so probably worth waiting to see how that pans out. You can’t book tickets till 355 days before departure either so you couldn’t secure your dates right now regardless of BA policy.

      Call in December & request the dates then if they refuse you will be heading down CEDR/MCOL route as discussed many times here recently.

      Zero chance of them swapping to Cape Town I’m afraid.

      • Lady London says:

        +1
        You will get what you want following Jonathan’s strategy it’s just a question of whether BA will still be trying illegally to restrict your rebooking dates by the time you get to around 11 months ahead and call to rebook.

        The 355 days is not such an issue because if BA cancelled your booked flight then EU261 / “UK261” specifically states airline is *not* allowed to insist on award (avios) seat availability on the flight you want to rebook to. Any seat being sold in same cabin you have a right to.

        You also can let the existing travel dates go by before you call them to rebook. Just, if your outbound wasn’t the cancelled flight call them beforehand as a courtesy to let them know you won’t be on the flight due to the cancellation and will need to replan and you will call them when you have done so. ie at some unspecified point after the outgoing 🙂

        Jonathan is right you won’t get CPT.
        Also change of flight number is a cancellation, whatever they say.

    • Richie says:

      I think they’ll ignore all of your requests, complying with reg 261 Art.8 is way down the priority list.

  • YC says:

    Anyone tried using chronomics/qured lft to enter Italy?

    • Save East Coast Rewards says:

      It’ll be fine as long as the date/time is within 48 hours. Is there any reason why you think it wouldn’t work? I’ve had numerous ones accepted from different providers (but not the ones you list) some are self administered tests and others done at a test centre. I’ve only been asked once to see my test certificate on arrival in Italy they usually just rely on the airline to check before departure.

      • YC says:

        I think some countries might not like self administered test but glad to hear Italy are not that picky

        • idrive says:

          honestly in my experience they just check name vs passport, date of certificate and the word “negative”

    • George says:

      Arrived in Italy last week using Chronomics (and using them to come back on Saturday). No issues at all. Did the test and the result arrives within 15 mins, uploaded to BA in the evening and they confirmed everything was okay by the morning

    • Tracy says:

      Yes, used Chronomics for Venice 2 weeks ago, no issues.

    • JDB says:

      Confirm Qured OK as of today for dep London arr in Bologna.

  • rosie keeper says:

    If you get the Amex bonvoy card how long does it take for the 15 elite credits to post to your bonvoy account

    • Degsy says:

      I’m not 100% sure Rosie, but IIRC it wasn’t overly long. Within 3-4 weeks i think

    • Kevin says:

      Could be few days after received the card based on my and others HFP feedbacks

  • TJ says:

    I’m looking to trigger the IHG Amex offer for a stay after the expiry date. If the hotel takes a deposit before the expiry date, will this definitely trigger the offer. I think the answer is “yes”, but want to double-check.

    • Aston100 says:

      I believe it is based on when the transaction hits your Amex account.

    • Ikaz says:

      You need them to take the payment (deposit is fine), not simply put a hold on your card though

  • FatherOfFour says:

    Looks like BA were very busy shuffling their winter schedule yesterday – consolidating flights I guess.
    Does anyone have any recent experience with rescheduling cancelled (redemption) flights within MMB? Can it still be done? Assuming it has the usual 355 day in advance limit?
    Can I book further in advance by phone?

    • Jonathan says:

      You can’t book a ticket by any route more than 355 days in advance on BA (& most other airlines).

      • FatherOfFour says:

        Thanks, thought that was the case, but saw people on FT referring to dummy PNRs in relation to ticket validity and rebookings.

  • MarkS says:

    How soon does the LHW credit usually come through from Amex? It’s been about a month since we should have triggered it.

  • Nick M says:

    I know there were 1000+ comments last week but I wasn’t able to read through these fully and can’t find the posts now… I had the email saying Creation can no longer work with Curve – is this a hard rule? Have there been any more explanations at all? Is it likely that other card providers will follow suit? Frustrating as all of my auto renew transactions went through Curve so I’d get the notifications etc

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Hard rule. Curve doesn’t work at all with creation

      No idea why it’s been blocked if it was MS then the biggest MS loopholes are still open.

      • JSemity says:

        biggest loopholes are still open?

        • Lady London says:

          If you pay attention you will easily identify them plus be able to work out others based on the principles you learn. Almost daily something is mentioned that will let you do that. Including today.

          Sorry, I am so surprised that someone that has been around enough to post here and there is apparently thinking everyone runs around with spoons ready to decant predigested pap into their mouth. You’re better than that.

        • Jonathan says:

          If you mean R then it is with limits for most. Also just been told they’re next on the chopping block by Solihull security team due to “multiple issues”.

      • Britbronco says:

        A loophole that doesn’t incur cash advance fees?

        • Harrier25 says:

          I just hope you were not stupid enough to discuss this route directly with Solihull staff, Jonathan, because that’s how your post comes across.

          • Jonathan says:

            I’ve been around here a lot longer than you so I’ll ignore your stupid comment. I called to remove a block on my card as anyone who uses said card will be very familiar. The conversation was different to normal, I believe some may appreciate knowing that.

          • Harrier25 says:

            Well maybe if you want to inform people best not to post something that generates more questions than answers. In all honesty, Jonathan, if you’re getting your card blocked then you’re clearly not that good at it if you’ve been here a lot longer!

          • Jonathan says:

            Those who know will know what I meant. I was issuing a warning not advice. Hardly spoon feeding. Most people with experience of certain card co will be familiar with random blocks. I chose to pass on the content of the conversation this time precisely as it was different to usual & tied in with recent events.

            I also don’t play games with this route as it’s not a reliable one (as most with experience would agree) so was merely using it for vanilla reasons ie. holiday.

    • Nick M says:

      Thanks everyone. I’m aware of the other thing but only do it when necessary to meet annual spending requirements etc… might need to start being a little more proactive again at some point soon!

  • Michael C says:

    I’m on Melia trying to keep my points from expiring next month so I was going to buy €5 worth. But I can’t for the life of me find anywhere to buy points anymore. Can anyone find it?

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