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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 29th September

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Comments (539)

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

  • Stephen says:
    29 Sep29 September 12:43

    Virgin Atlantic – partner airline (ANA) reward booking

    Has anyone had any luck with a EU261 claim with Virgin when booking reward seats on their partner airline (All Nippon Airways)?

    I have tried their WhatsApp team and they can only find reward seats that ANA have released to be re-booked into

    • Richie says:
      29 Sep29 September 12:57

      If your flight is from UK to Japan, then art. 8 of reg 261 applies when your flight is cancelled, it is the operating air carrier’s responsibility to offer you the options in art. 8. Virgin is not the operating air carrier.

      • meta says:
        29 Sep29 September 15:06

        MCOL both Virgin and ANA. First send them both a letter before action, that might get them moving…

        • Richie says:
          29 Sep29 September 15:22

          You can’t take action against Virgin because they aren’t the operating air carrier, so no point threatening it, that’d be unreasonable.

          • Lady London says:
            29 Sep29 September 15:37

            The point is to sue them both and let the court sort out who’s liable.

            I had exactly that same finger-pointing game played by LH and BMI some years ago. They rely on this and taking all action against them jointly is likely the only way to get what needs to be provided, done.

        • Richie says:
          29 Sep29 September 15:48

          I don’t think knowingly taking/threatening action against an airline that is not liable is reasonable.

          • Lady London says:
            29 Sep29 September 15:55

            He’s a punter and mcol level of court is for those who don’t have legal representation and are not experts.

            As it’s sn award ticket the operating and ticketing carrier (not that as a punter he’s going to know the difference) are both going to point at each other and say it’s not them it’s the other one. Getting them to sort it out between them (or the court to formally identify which) is worth any steps.

            I know. I’ve been there.

          • Richie says:
            29 Sep29 September 16:02

            Lady London where you there when bmi was owned by LH?

  • Ed says:
    29 Sep29 September 12:49

    In case of use to anyone else player 2’s 1000 Avios came through today from the Qatar promo. Brand new Qatar, Accor and Iberia accounts.

  • Tiger says:
    29 Sep29 September 12:49

    Enjoying Dubai at the moment with the Tigress. Both of us want to stay a bit longer and travel after the new regulations come in place on 4th October.

    We used a companion voucher to book this trip. Obviously the outbound has been flown. There is no option to change the inbound trip under the MMB section. What’s the best way to move our inbound by a couple of weeks?

    • Rob says:
      29 Sep29 September 12:52

      If there is availability you can do it by calling BA – if you can get through. You could also change the return starting point but only, IIRC, if it is in the same pricing zone – so India should be OK but not somewhere in Europe or Asia.

    • Polly says:
      4 Oct4 October 22:34

      We were allowed to change our dates back from HKG after we had flown the 1st leg. If there’s avios seats available tho.

  • soundnomad says:
    29 Sep29 September 13:08

    Question. Anyone had experience of BA Hols switching out Qatar Business I class codeshare flights to R class flights. Mine have been moved leaving me with a onward R class from Doha and an 18 hour layover before hand. Not to mention they have switched the codeshare to QR from BA so this has affected my double points promo. On hold to BA Hols now – but if anyone has any tips for dealing with this? First time having to amend/confirm a booking change on telephone with BA Hols.

    • Lady London says:
      29 Sep29 September 14:29

      Defo dont accept either change. Was incompetent agent who did not recognise the significance I expect. Tell them you chose your holiday components very specifically and why and tell them you do not accept these things being changed as they are material to why you confirmed the original holiday components.

      • soundnomad says:
        29 Sep29 September 14:44

        Thanks LL. During the call they asked why I was flying MAN-LHR-DOH instead of MAN-DOH. The bits of the itineray that hadnt changed. Explained. double TP and FWing offer was reason. But these two flights they’ve changed will make the trip not garner enough TPs to get gold if they can’t be BA code shares. I am hoping an Original Routing Claim might be sufficient. But need to clarify that. Feels like a bait and switch at the moment.

        • Lady London says:
          29 Sep29 September 15:33

          Original routing claim might give you the avios, but not the double tier points without a long hard fight.

          I’d really really not accept lossvof fare class or codeshare. Keep on about the materiality and be utterly frank about the tier pts issue as well as the lounge having been essential to your having clicked to confirm.

          I’d actually demand a full no-deductions refund if they won’t fix it.

    • soundnomad says:
      29 Sep29 September 14:33

      Update. Got through after 45 mins. The selling class is BA I and R not QR I and R. Just as it was starting to sound like the changes were to flights without codeshares I got cut off, so still non the wiser. Building up to a second attempt. You would think they would call you back when that happens. They have the number.

      • SJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 19:01

        Were these Phuket flights? Same issue here. Looks like QR have changed flights and BA codeshare not available on new flight. Am pondering options

        • soundnomad says:
          30 Sep30 September 22:36

          Yes. Though QR 789 used to have BA70xx codeshare so not sure what the crack is yet. I am still building the zen-like state needed to go through the phone system again to sort it. will update when I know more tomorrow.. though it was sounding (before I got cutoff) that the rebooked flights were not codeshares. They have given me till 5th oct to accept or they will cancel the whole booking so will call tomorrow and see what’s what. If they honour the double TP offer (which is entirely in their gift to do so) then I am fine with the changes and losing a day of the holiday. The 17 hour layover without lounge access (it is not clear to me if these flights ever hadlounge access now as I have also not been able to book my QR seats) might be annoying but can always pay for access or just kip on the giant teddybear so not the end of the world. The improvement of selling class has also upped the avios so it will earn more aviosbut if can’t get enough TPs then it is debateable wether it is worth it. More to follow @SJ

          • SJ says:
            1 Oct1 October 12:14

            Thanks for the update. Interestingly, I was briefly able to select seats after the change of flight email came through – although window seats and all seats in the QSuite quad were blocked out. Now I can’t select anything. Will be interested to hear what BA say.

          • soundnomad says:
            3 Oct3 October 01:58

            @SJ You had better luck than me. I noticed the change of linking though to booking seats but it didnt connect to anything. If all window seats and quad seats are blocked out then I guess thats all seats blocked out? I am not sure they even know what’s happeneing to be honest. BA Holidays don’t work weekends either apparently, a detail that would have been useful on the website/email correspondance somewhere prominant. My rebooked flights have now also disapeard from my booking so I am starting to loose my patience with the process to be honest. 1st booking with BA hols will probably be my last – got better things to do with my time.

          • soundnomad says:
            4 Oct4 October 13:28

            @SJ. Ok I think im sorted – for now. Nothing can be done about the codeshare issue at the moment though they did say that should BA flight numbers become available for the rebooked DOH-HKT-DOH legs they will happily switch them to BA70** etc.

            Some better news (and the extremely helpful and patient CSA had it confirmed from a colleague,) Only the non BA coded flights don’t qualify for the Double Points offer. It doesnt break the offer for the whole Itinerary – which I think we were both concerned about. The Double TPs still apply to qualifying legs. (Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere but it was news to me!)

            So for now still a substantial points haul – but keeping fingers and toes crossed for the flight numbers. I geuss it depends on your circumstances and TP needs, Worst case, deposit becomes a FTV and no holiday but for now I remain optimistic and will need to do a return BA metal in addition to this to qualify so that will now be the focus and I can stop stressing about the main event.. Also need Thailand of the red list but one thing at a time. 😉

          • soundnomad says:
            4 Oct4 October 13:33

            Also had it confirmed – these are and always were the cheapest unbundled QR business class flights so No QR lounge at DOH and if no existing status, no lounge at phuket..
            This explains why the seats were blocked out. Seat selection at Check-in only. 🙁

          • SJ says:
            4 Oct4 October 20:43

            They’ve cancelled my DOH-HKT and HKT-DOH segments, replacing them with a return from DOH-LHR which is different to the one I originally had. I am BA silver, so thought I should have had free seat selection regardless, plus I think the booking page confirmed lounge access and free seat selection. Not managed to get through yet and have until Wednesday to decide. Not confident I’ll get trough to anyone tomorrow.

          • soundnomad says:
            4 Oct4 October 21:58

            Ah maybe you will have seat selection and secondary (non Al Mourjan Business Lounge) access due to silver status then. Main thing for me is TPs and a holiday – lounge is a bonus at this stage. You will get rebooked onto those QR flights again if you call. They did for me. The annoying thing is that the selling class has reverted to I which has reduced my avios earning by 10k. We looked at options dep manchester and Edinburgh too. maybe that could work but accoring to the extremely helpful person who got me sorted today – the doh hkt doh flights still won’t be code shares at this stage.

            I called EXEC CLUB line and got through after 40 mins. Turns out I was told porkies about the opening times for BA Hols team. They are open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week. Keep trying @SJ. good luck.

          • SJ says:
            5 Oct5 October 11:58

            Success!! Pushed flights back by 10 days, now whole booking on BA flight numbers, and no change in cost.

            CSA did warn though that flights are being cancelled chronologically and that these may well get cancelled again in the next couple of weeks.

  • Andyf says:
    29 Sep29 September 13:09

    I haven’t read the comments for at least a week after moving…I’m a bit behind. I’m wondering if cash advance fees have shown up on virgin cards… I know t&c recently changed? My test is still pending from two days ago so no fee is showing… yet?

  • Keely says:
    29 Sep29 September 13:47

    Collective hfp wisdom – what’s the chances of Jamaica being taken off fcdo do not travel list by end November …?
    I know it’s a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question but this was brought forward from Nov 2020 …maybe somebody can give me a tiny bit of hope ….

  • Nick Booker says:
    29 Sep29 September 13:53

    Hi all. I am flying Jet2 in a week or so but was hoping I could get a chronomics Antigen test via BA website. Does anyone know a code that might work on BA to order the kits?

  • BJ says:
    29 Sep29 September 13:54

    Are readers gritting their teeth and paying up for resort and amenity fees or refusing and staying elsewhere on a point of principle? Managed to avoid them in NYC and DC, but looks impossible in Vegas unless we stay off strip. Meanwhile in San Francisco I would like to book the Kimpton at the wharf but grudge the $35 fee despite the room rate being over $700/night. I know it seems nut picking but…

    • TGLoyalty says:
      29 Sep29 September 13:58

      I pay the fee because you know the deal when you book … if it’s a hidden fee at time of booking then Ofcourse not.

      You’re actually pay $700/night or on points?

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 14:12

        On points, most I ever paid for a hotel in cash was £480 something/night. Average rate for nights in question here are $680 plus tax.

    • davefl says:
      29 Sep29 September 14:01

      Stayed at the Hilton GV Strip and the Conv Ctr a few years back. Both were non-smoking/non casino/no resort fee. A little out of the action but I didnt mind walking.

      My wallet votes elsewhere if resort fees are charged.

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 14:17

        Looked at those, they currently have $25 resort fee. Considering Virgin Curio, no resort fees, free parking and reportedly $25 Diamond voucher plus room upgrade.

    • Anna says:
      29 Sep29 September 14:05

      I’ve so far managed to avoid these but have 2 rooms booked for 5 nights in GCM next year (on points!) at the Westin where the resort fee is $65 per room per night!! I’ve factored it in and intend to squeeze every ounce of value out of it. I suspect if I was paying the $600 per night cash price I might not bother and rent a condo instead (which might be a Vegas option).
      NB – this is not the most expensive resort fee in GCM – the Kimtpon is $85 and the RC $95!

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 14:23

        I have a problem reconciling them with the spirit of our hobby but sadly I’ll probably relent and pay up. It gets even more ludicrous when reading what they supposedly

        • Anna says:
          29 Sep29 September 14:26

          Totally! I was even considering only booking 1 room and having the teenager share with us, but on reflection $65 pn is worth not having to do that 🤣

    • Richie says:
      29 Sep29 September 14:46

      You just consider the total cost and what you are getting in your overall comparisons. If you do decide to stay at a place with amenity/ resort fees and they fall down on providing the amenities/ services you just argue for not paying in full and regard any non-charging as a bonus.

      • davefl says:
        29 Sep29 September 15:09

        My issue is that they want to charge for ammenities that I have no intention of using. Cabana/Spa/Pool/Fax/Photocopying/Newspaper/Robes/Whatever they can think of.

        All I want is a decent bed, somewhere my luggage is safe, and continental breakfast and a spot of wifi. Nothing else about a hotel interests me. The rest of my time I spend away from the property.

        I guess I’m in the minority

        • Rui N. says:
          29 Sep29 September 15:16

          If they didn’t list the fee separately, you would pay for these items nonetheless. If you don’t want to pay for services you don’t use, find a no-frills motel somewhere, otherwise, you’ll always be paying for stuff you won’t use in a hotel.

        • Richie says:
          29 Sep29 September 15:26

          Hampton Inn sounds like it may suit you.

          • davefl says:
            29 Sep29 September 15:29

            I’ll usually pick Hampton over a Hilton every time depending on location.

            Although in the US Hampton rates are typically higher now than HIX and there’s little to choose in quality between Hampton and HI Express& Suites. I stayed at one HIX&S that had 3 TVs… bedroom, lounge and bathroom. Not bad for a budget option.

            The breakfast quality is equally poor unless you’re making your own waffles and drowning them in syrup which I’m not

        • BJ says:
          29 Sep29 September 17:15

          Difficult to say, I feel likewise but I think a lot here enjoy making use of luxury hotel facilities. I generally only stay when price in points or cash makes a lot of sense relative to simpler options.

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 17:09

        Yes relative to the cash rate it’s only 5%.

    • Laura says:
      29 Sep29 September 15:29

      I paid them in Vegas, at Luxor, but factored it when comparing room rates

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 17:21

        Was contemplating Luxor, rates are very low Monday to Friday, just under $80 for rate and fee combined on our dates.

        • The Savage Squirrel says:
          29 Sep29 September 20:36

          It’s a slightly old tired property these days with not the best food offering, but that’s a decent price if a south end location works for you (I prefer North). Mandalay’s food options are the saving grace. That and the Pinball HOF across the way 🙂.

    • Wally1976 says:
      29 Sep29 September 17:33

      I thought Hilton didn’t charge resort fees on points bookings?

      • davefl says:
        29 Sep29 September 17:48

        Indeed, Hilton dont charge resort fees on points bookings, neither do they charge local sales tax on the room which is typically 20%.

        Rob doesn’t factor the sales tax saving into his “how much is a point worth” but it’s important in the US where taxes arent included in the headline rates.

        • Rob says:
          29 Sep29 September 20:54

          We do factor in taxes when doing points valuations. We don’t factor in resort fees because only a small percentage of hotels have them.

      • BJ says:
        29 Sep29 September 20:29

        Me too, but feel free to check out GV Vegas strip.

    • Jonathan says:
      29 Sep29 September 20:45

      For Vegas match your IHG Plat/Spire status to Wyndham which gets you Caesars Diamond – no resort fee, free Valet parking & queue jump/better tables in restaurants & bars.

    • r* says:
      29 Sep29 September 22:04

      I booked the hi wharf thats next door and not kimpton exactly because of the charge at kimpton. you get literally nothing for the $35.

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