The HfP chat thread – Saturday 2nd October

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Benilyn says:

2 Oct2 October 02:18

…and breathe… what a week it has been…
Boi says:

2 Oct2 October 03:19

ha haa! I just finished reading the breaking news of the creation saga-as it is friday october 1st here. doing my hfp evening read and laughing (and crying) alone
Tw33ty says:

2 Oct2 October 03:46

I wonder if you put through 10k spend between now and dec 3rd if they honour this years free night cert.
Knowing creation I doubt it, but I think I’ll call tomorrow and ask the question.
- Paul says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:42
  
  They should do, I think it’s been suggested to one caller that they would but that is just one data point
- Lady London says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 10:46
  
  They have to.
  Won’t stand in court if they try not to..
  There’s even a case for pro rata cash payment by Creatio , to you of the pro rata value you’d accrued by spend towards the free night.
  Ditto pro rata refund of annual fee.
  
  This could cost Creation a lot.
  
  (Obvs a slam dunk only if they can’t claim you’ve breached card conditions and any new or revised ts and cs after due notice of the 60 days? has been given.)
Ant says:

2 Oct2 October 06:10

Yesterday I tried to move a cancelled BA reward flight booked in the 50% off sale, they wouldn’t do it, citing the one year ticket validity rule, I quoted EU261 and wording from the CAA site, but still no luck, even with a supervisor, who claimed he couldn’t do it , All he could suggest was to complain to BA and sent me the link.

Has anyone managed to get them to relent? What’s the best process and how long will it take? Is it worth the hassle to save 60K Avios?

Thanks
- Thom says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:59
  
  Well I guess only you can decide if it’s worth it for 60k Avios but I would (and will as im in a similar situation but haven’t got in touch to change my flights yet)!
  
  Others will give a more thorough detail but the strategy broadly is to try and get refusal in writing, then book alternative equivalent flights (have a couple of quotes so you can justify the fee). Then take BA to CEDR/MCOL after the event.
  
  It’s hard to search but people have given detail on past chat threads.
- Phil W says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:54
  
  LadyLondon has often provided clear detailed instructions on how to do this. If you type the following into Google you might be able to locate the instructions:
  
  site:headforpoints.com LadyLondon “mcol”
  - Lady London says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 10:49
    
    Jonathan is the best on procedure for this. Meta also cheers us with MCOL successes in the face of obdurate stupidity by British Airways.
- r* says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:55
  
  I had about 5 ppl on chat and calls refuse to move a flight outside of 12 months from ticketing, eventually got it done via twitter. It seems to be a matter of keep trying until, you get a cs agent that understands.
  
  Alternatively mcol them if they keep refusing and imo it is worth it because otherwise they get away with not complying with the legal obligations
- Paul says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 09:26
  
  The policy is if BA cancel then travel must complete within 1 year of original outbound travel date.
  
  If BA cancel the law is very clear
  
  1. Refund if that’s what passenger want
  2. Reroute if that’s what passenger want ( same cabin etc)
  3 rebook at later date ( timescale not defined) if that’s what passenger wants
  
  It’s what the passenger wants not what the carrier can get away with!
  
  BA will lose any CEDR claim or MCOL and have done!
- SC says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 11:11
  
  Having the same problem with my flights to USA from August, BA are stating must book and travel before December as ticket only valid for a year from booking. Spoken to numerous people on you first but they won’t budge so I’ve raised a complaint and considering CEDR
WaynedP says:

2 Oct2 October 06:14

Good Morning All

Landing back in LHR later today after lovely Greek Island beach holiday.

Will quickly fill up the car at the Shell station on Bath Road yards from T5 Long Stay parking with my IHG card linked to Curve and leisurely drive home to tot up my holiday points earned.

What have I missed while away ?
- Spurs drive me mad says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:13
  
  You’ve missed nothing …it’s a lovely sunny day unicorns are frolicking and all is well with the world.
  - Lady London says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 10:52
    
    …and Spurs won again
    - Spurs drive me mad says:
      
      2 Oct2 October 12:31
      
      @LL only in my dream world lol
- AFKAE says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:36
  
  You could have asked about T5 immigration queues and best day 2 test 😉
- Keely says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 10:35
  
  May not be able to ‘quickly ‘ fill your car esp on Bath Road. The Shell one on the Southern Perimeter Road will be more likely to have smaller queues if that’s the case
  - Keely says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 10:36
    
    I just realised you were being sarcastic lol! Sorry it’s been a long week…(and was actually trying to be helpful 😀)…
- Polly says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 15:45
  
  Made me laugh out loud, loved the cheerful optimism! Seriously, go away for a week, always some hfp drama to return to. Bu that l mean under our hfp umbrella of everything we discuss on here… great entertainment!
Mark says:

2 Oct2 October 06:25

Anyone know how long BA take to refund you?
My half price avios sale ticket was cancelled by them so I took the refund option but that was about 2 weeks ago and I’ve not received my Avios or cash back yet?
Thank you
- AndyW says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:41
  
  Avios have been coming straight back for me, cash quicker than that now, much slower in the early COViD days. Sounds like something has gone wrong to me.
Anna says:

2 Oct2 October 06:48

So as it seems my creativity will be permanently stifled from December I am entering into a new relationship with 2 beardy gentlemen to console myself. It will be interesting to see how well Capitalist Beardy and Communist Beardy get on with each other …
- Andrew H says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:05
  
  Can you have two VA cards? Why would you have the free one as well (2000 points I guess?)
  - Andrew H says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 07:06
    
    I assume Beardy is what I think it is and why. I am new here!
  - Anna says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 07:06
    
    Nope …
    - Andrew H says:
      
      2 Oct2 October 07:24
      
      Surely Branson has a beard?
      - Froggee says:
        
        2 Oct2 October 08:03
        
        He does. That’s one of them. But also Che Guevara leading a rebellion/uprising/insurrection/insurgency. Darn it I just can’t think of the right word and even if I did it would probably be an ion too long.
    - Reney says:
      
      2 Oct2 October 08:08
      
      I thought beardy charges fee on che. It was a massive thread day when it happened. Never tested it to see if it had been changed. Seen quite a few comments recently which surprises me.
      - Guernsey Globetrotter says:
        
        2 Oct2 October 08:32
        
        It certainly did trigger the 5% cash advance fee when I last tested in January. Still, if other routes are closing no harm in doing a small test to check now. Post your result please Anna!
      - Harrier25 says:
        
        2 Oct2 October 08:35
        
        I am currently in the market for a replacement card that doesn’t charge a cash advance fee for Che top-ups.
      - Harrier25 says:
        
        2 Oct2 October 08:40
        
        Anyone tried the supermarket direct card, where good food costs less, with Che?
      - Reney says:
        
        2 Oct2 October 13:48
        
        @GG was the fee instant. In the later pages someone suggests cash fee was on statement, pretty sure that didn’t used to be the case.
- Andrew says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:13
  
  I thought Curve was out of business now and that all this silly code wording could end. Guess it’ll continue for a short while with Virgin are still operating with them – not for long though I’m sure.
  - Anna says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 07:20
    
    What’s silly is to think the code words just referred to Curve, but you’re free to pass over anything you don’t want to spend time reading!
- r* says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:59
  
  I thought the capitalists charged 5pc when playing with the communists? Is that wrong or am i misunderstanding? 🙂
Anna says:

2 Oct2 October 07:06

Do German ATMs charge for cash withdrawals? We will be in Berlin in December and may need some.
- Michael C says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:27
  
  Buenos días, Anita!
  Santander don’t, if that’s any use?!
  - Anna says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 09:07
    
    Buenos dias Miguelito (though not for IHG points collectors lol). Thanks, will look out for Santander. I may be drawing out my currency needs for the next 12 months given the significance of my month of travel!
- AndyW says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 07:43
  
  Last time I was in Berlin, probably 5 years ago now, so many restaurants and bars didn’t take card at all, it was really odd.
  - Lady London says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 10:59
    
    Wait till it happens to you at a petrol station.
    
    That used to be fun, although I think it’s stopped now
    - melonfarmer says:
      
      2 Oct2 October 12:05
      
      Happened near Area 51 too (they want your zip code). Thank God gas is cheap over there.
      - mradey says:
        
        3 Oct3 October 07:36
        
        Late news but just enter a valid zip code. Many of the companies do not verify, at least when using Amex. That Sinclair on US93 (Nevada SR7) in Alamo being one (assuming you are heading for Rachel from the Las Vegas direction).
        
        One soon learns which “chains” to use and avoid. Avoid any am/pm. Phillips is fine. 76 is fine.
        
        I use 90210 for my zip.
  - PerkyPat says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 12:28
    
    Germany is still very much a cash society, even after Covid.
- John says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 08:29
  
  Never been charged
- Phil W says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 09:01
  
  Over the last couple of years more and more ATMs are charging fees for cash withdrawals €2 – €3 in Germany and Austria. However, card acceptance in businesses is increasing. You will still get grumpy looks from waiters and waitresses if you ask to use one and some will try to ask for cash, I just reduce my tip accordingly.
  - Anna says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 09:08
    
    7 euros at some cash points in Spain now!!
    - Laura says:
      
      2 Oct2 October 12:46
      
      I saw an ATM charging $20 in Vegas. Not quite the same thing but still outrageous.
- J says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 09:05
  
  Many have a list of different charges that apply to various cards, and I always hesistate, but I’ve never been charged for a withdrawl.
- Anuj says:
  
  2 Oct2 October 17:01
  
  Absolute nightmare to use cards in Germany. a lot of places don’t take card (relative to other European countries) . Many atms charge very high (€5) fees. The main banks tend to be free however in tourist places many atms are the scammy Euronet etc that charge. Cash is needed. I’d say make sure you have a few notes on you and your card should suffice for the rest.
  - Anuj says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 17:01
    
    https://community.monzo.com/t/monzo-in-germany-wiki/9428/14 for more advice
  - Rob says:
    
    2 Oct2 October 17:17
    
    I think Amazon still lets you pay by bank transfer in Germany, sitting on your order until the cash turns up, because they wouldn’t do any business otherwise.