Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 12th October

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

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Comments (585)

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

  • Waddle says:

    HSBC Premier travel insurance question. I understand coverage extends to family members. Is the family membered covered for a trip if the account holder is not on the trip?

    • JDB says:

      Re partner: “Yes, partners who are not named account holders can travel without the account holder at any time provided they are eligible and the account holder is aged under 70.” For children, in general they need to be travelling with the account holder or partner, but there are some limited exceptions – see your policy document.

    • Blenz101 says:

      Not sure why you would check here first rather than the policy wording as the risk of getting the wrong advice could be pretty unfortunate if random people on the internet make assumptions about your ages, trip length, if this is a UK Premier account, any medical conditions etc. The kind of things the policy really wants you to know before you set off so would be worth looking over yourself.

      Anyway, in answer to your question ….

      Page 4 of the policy “Can my partner travel independently? Yes, partners who are not named account holders can travel without the account holder at any time provided they are eligible and the account holder is aged under 70.”

      • Luke says:

        It’s a thing though. Seek an answer from social media “experts” rather than spend five minutes educating oneself and learning to do it.

        • Mikeact says:

          It’s just amazing….why on earth don’t these people call their insurance company. If not they deserve to get stuck in Timbuktu and rely on crowd funding…no sympathy whatsoever.

        • Blenz101 says:

          Yes, I think this site is great for clearing up grey areas or first hand experiences etc. but anybody setting off to the airport based upon crowd sourced information on PCR test requirements, travel insurance restrictions, entry restrictions is sooner or later going to come unstuck!

  • Can says:

    Hi, I am looking for veggie friendly restaurant recommendations for the Platinum credit that could work with a 3y old in London. Any suggestions?

  • Lev441 says:

    I have a avios redemption with BA in premium economy. If I wanted to change it to CW now availability has come up, can I avoid the fee by cancelling the flight and getting a travel voucher from BA? Would I then need to call up to use it? Is it instant or do I have to wait? Don’t really want to miss out on the CW seat

    • Sarah says:

      I did all this over the phone – my original flight was cancelled for a FTV and then used instantly for the new booking.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Voucher instant but have to call to book the new Cw flight. They should be able to hold the new seats while your or they sort out the FTV.

    • Peter Taysum says:

      (Miss) Piggy backing (controversial) on this. I’ve got Premium Economy to Seattle booked as a holiday with car over New Year for double TP etc. I’ve been looking to see if CE or First comes up as they “told me” you can change this just paying for any changes in prices.

      I’m thinking that if anything “comes up” in Avios I’m most interested in upgrading the return for CW or First to sleep; outbound (though never travelled premium economy) given times I’m less fussed.

      I guess my options are keep looking for Avios availability and upgrade, as more likely nearer the time, if that doesn’t work ask at airport if I can pay (more TP) to upgrade or possible Avios upgrade.

      Any other thoughts? Also can FTV holiday, and/or rebook in whether I need more TP or just use Avios.

      They also told me as Gold I’m only entitled to 3 bags at 23kg. I tried to correct them, but they stuck firm; I checked T&Cs and I was right.

      Thanks

      “It’s not easy being green”! 🤦‍♂️

      • Jonathan says:

        32kg per bag for Silver/Gold but yes it’s 3 bags for Gold & 2 for Silver in WTP.

  • Dave says:

    Now I’ve cancelled my Amex platinum card I’m looking for an annual travel insurance policy. Clearly the world is slightly different than it was before! I’ve got Thailand and Japan coming up in the next 12 months as wondered if anyone could recommend a good policy? Obviously can use momeysupermarket searcher as well but there’s a lot of travel knowledge and experience on this forum! Thanks in advance.

    • mark2 says:

      It is worth checking the policies available with current accounts e.g. Lloyds Platinum which covers a list of existing conditions and can be extended to cover others.

    • Louise K says:

      Have a look at Staysure.

    • Spurs drive me mad says:

      Taco Bell … the brain cell kicked in finally.

      • Dave says:

        Thanks, all good suggestions!

        • Pete M says:

          Think it really depends on what sort of cover you are after – I have had Liverpool Victoria Premier for many years and it is extremely comprehensive, if not cheap.

      • Michael C says:

        God, I love Taco Bell.
        PS please beat N’castle, Debs!

        • Spurs drive me mad says:

          @michael bit of a bogey team I wouldn’t bet on us beating them.

    • Spurs drive me mad says:

      I think stay sure we’re doing 15 months for 12 as well. Yep was best cover for me re cruise cover and pre existing conditions.

    • HBommie says:

      Bank acc? HSBC premier is the way I went. But if a hassle if you don’t want to switch.

  • Reney says:

    Is anyone else finding their creation payments not posting? My spend has posted but not my payments from the last few days…

    • Rich says:

      I have found payments can take a couple of days to post, yes. Unlike Amex which can take just minutes to post.

    • Mick S says:

      Yes, me too. I paid some money off my balance yesterday, it’s not showing today and it usually shows the day after. I have the email with reference, so I’ll be making sure that doesnt get lost !!

    • Matthew says:

      I have spend from Oct 8 that posted but my two payments from the same day haven’t posted yet. My payments also usually post within 2 days max. I also have my payment email reference available just in case.

    • The Savage Squirrel says:

      Payment from 7th still not posted here.

    • Lady London says:

      Perhaps Creation’s staff has been posting them manually but is now dealing with an avalanche of Subject Access Requests and complaints caused by Creation’s ill-advised actions?

  • GaryE says:

    FYI – Just noticed on BA website (might have been there for some time) but you can check entry requirements for every country and it shows you all the documentation you need to have to enter that country. Found it very useful and completely up to date.

  • SSR BAQ says:

    If I book a Hyatt property that is on the Amex offer, but don’t pay at check out (pre-pay – or 3 nights deposit to be taken in advance) does this trigger the offer or does it ‘go through’ as the specific hotel? Or do I need to physically chip-and-pin on site and not prepay?

    • TGLoyalty says:

      As long as the hotel processes it before the offer ends it doesn’t matter. Pre pap or pay at checkout makes 0 difference in Europe.

      • SSR BAQ says:

        Thanks, sorry I usually use hotels.com and pre-pay for most stuff, so I’m surprisingly a bit of a newbie with this stuff. So I assume if I book prepay Hyatt (the generic organisation) will take the three nights deposit? and then at checkout (before the offer triggers) that will be refunded and charged by the hotel directly?

    • Rob says:

      It SHOULD work. These rules on online payment only seem to be there to stop people booking prepaid rates at Expedia, Hotels.com etc and then being surprised when the money doesn’t turn up. At your own risk etc though.

  • Isobel Brown says:

    Does the shut down of household accounts till November mean I can’t add someone to family & friends list?

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