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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 23rd September

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

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Comments (529)

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

  • Dan says:

    How long should one wait for BA (priority) baggage at T5 before just leaving it to be delivered later?

    • Jill (Kinkell) says:

      Hah! Didn’t think BA paid any attention to baggage labelled Priority . The checkin staff might put on all the various labels, but I don’t think it cuts any ice once on the conveyor belt. Only airline I’ve been on to whizz out the priority bags is Emirates. Guess you’ll just have to wait for all the luggage to spew out….could be there for a while

      • meta says:

        Almost every non-OW airline pays for priority at Heathrow, but BA is something special in that regard. I can’t remember how many times my bag was one of the last ones even though I was in CE/CW/First. Then thinking that Etihad, actually have a person (maybe no longer) that collects your bag and puts in a separate corner for passengers in F and hands it over to you…

    • ChrisC says:

      If your bags don’t appear then do not just leave you must report it and you can only do that once all other bags are out.

    • John says:

      I’ve had my luggage flagged as “priority” with a bunch of One World and Star Alliance airlines based on tickets in business / First or status. I’m not convinced it’s ever made a blind bit of difference to when my bags came out.

      The one time my case did emerge first was when some beer inside leaked. I was paged at the departure airport (“Sir, your bag is leaking”) and then it was the very first on the conveyor, albeit shrouded in a huge plastic bag and a load of tape. Yes, that was a memorable trip.

  • Tw33ty says:

    Just had my ihg black card free night added right at the correct yearly anniversary time.
    Was worried it wouldn’t load correctly with so many saying they haven’t had theirs added and also with all that’s going on atm.

  • ankomonkey says:

    Today from Curve: “Get early access to Curve Flex”

    Yesterday from Curve: “We’re gonna shut you down for recycling”

    Dear Curve, does Curve Flex allow me to recycle unlimited amounts of money? If yes then sign me up. If no then you can bugger off.

    • Harley says:

      I got both emails too. Pretty hilarious

    • EwanG says:

      Do we call Curve Flex “bendy bendy”?

    • Char Char says:

      Curve has been a joke from the start, but went through a useful period now its gone back to being useless

    • Harrier25 says:

      No it costs 13% APR. There’s the door, use it Curve!!!!

    • Anna says:

      They’ve clearly got inspiration from HFP – apparently Curve Flex “lets you bend time”. We need a new code word 🤣

      • Anna says:

        I’ve just read the email properly and it sounds like a terrible idea which could suck vulnerable people into debt, tbh. Though I suppose that’s only like not paying off a credit card in full every month (just thinking about it fills me with horror).

      • J says:

        Well well well. HG Wells. I’m sure it won’t end well.

        Shall we call it HG? Or to be more trendy, how about iHG? Just for the lols.

        😉

  • Mr. AC says:

    I remember seeing a website that had seat maps for a small number of airlines that included window positions (unlike SeatGuru). Now I can’t find it. Have I dreamt it?

  • The Canuck says:

    I saw some chatter about Plat cards being let into the Plaza Premium at LHR T5 for free.

    Is this only at LHR T5 or does this work elsewhere, like for example YYZ?

    Thx

  • Anna says:

    I’ve just emptied most of my balance from Ovo energy, just in case. Hope they don’t now send me a nasty email about re-cycling!

    • Harrier25 says:

      Why Anna? Ovo is now one of the big 6 and is still paying 5% interest on up to £1,000. Plus even if they did go bust your money is safe. Top it back up using your IHG Black credit card, of course!

      • Harrier25 says:

        Email that I received from OVO this evening…
        “We’re here for you this winter.
        Hello, We’re getting in touch following all the recent news about the energy market. We just want to reassure you that OVO Energy is in a strong position, and your energy supply is perfectly safe.”

        • Froggee says:

          They are loss making and have a negative balance sheet. Without an injection of capital I can’t see them surviving.

    • ianM says:

      People emptying their balances doesn’t help the situation. Have you gone out for a panic buy of shopping and filled the car up on the way home as well?

      • Tom says:

        Totally agree. This weeks equivalent of emptying out the toilet roll aisle in Tesco!

    • David says:

      Why?! Your money is perfectly safe and ends up with your new supplier at the point they take on your account.

  • Toaster says:

    Reclaiming over payments (for any service) is hardly the same as panic buying toilet rolls.

    • Harrier25 says:

      PANIC!!!!!!!!! 😳
      All that’s happening is the world is waking up from an 18 month pandemic.

  • James says:

    Has anyone been successful with completing the Maldives Passenger Traveller Health Declaration Form without getting a 500 Error at the end? Failing this, can I complete a paper version en route?

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