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The HfP chat thread – Monday 18th October

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Comments (472)

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

  • Britbronco says:
    18 Oct18 October 11:38

    Debit card payment from Che to SB not going through this morning, anyone else have issues?
    I approved the payment in the Che app and it said approved, but the on the SB page it said payment unsuccessful.
    Debit Card Payment to Seagulls went through ok, and also managed to pay SB from another account by debit card.

    • Babyg says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:27

      Note sure, but if you keep talking about it (and the other things that are against the T&Cs), it will eventually be shut down permanently …

  • Michael C says:
    18 Oct18 October 11:47

    OK, so been through the whole 1-hour wait/please hang up shenanigans..
    -I’m booking an Avios GRU-LHR-GRU for MIL (family/friends) BUT want to apply a Voucher that’s in her name. Could I just get the avios flight through my account now (only 1 seat left), then keep trying to contact BA and get the voucher applied retroactively?

    • Tazzy says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:10

      I’ve been on 74 minutes and just got cut off! BA are a nightmare. I won’t be taking FTVs again !

    • Anna says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:18

      It would be good to know if anyone has managed this (assume it’s an FTV). I have 2 companion vouchers tied up so don’t want to have to ask for them to be refunded really. I don’t know how BA think they are going to retain any sort of customer good will after this complete fiasco.

      • Michael C says:
        18 Oct18 October 12:23

        Well, I’m halfway through my next 59-minute phone cut-off and also 96 in chat queue…will update if no heart attack in the meantime!

        • Amy C says:
          18 Oct18 October 13:13

          They don’t even seem to answer on twitter anymore. Still awaiting a response from Friday,

        • Michael C says:
          18 Oct18 October 14:13

          Soooo…
          -this will just be me not knowing, but you can’t use an FTV from a previous cash booking to pay taxes and charges from a new Avios booking
          -no, they can’t turn it into an evoucher or send an email telling me the value
          -the new expiry date is Sep 23. I didn’t receive anything saying this, and can’t see it anywhere. No, they can’t send me an email sending this
          -no, you can’t redeem an FTV in any way except over the phone.

          *Heavy sigh* !!

          • Rob says:
            18 Oct18 October 14:30

            We could have told you all that 🙂

          • Michael C says:
            18 Oct18 October 15:10

            Quite right, Rob, although I did do a bit homework, trawling through past articles and comments!
            One said they were converting “some” FTVs into E-vouchers starting with single-passenger cash tickets, which ours was, but they didn’t do this and refused to when asked. Also, “some” were being extended, but of course I couldn’t guarantee ours was. Still, at least I know have a BA transcript with cash value and extended expiry deadline!

          • Anna says:
            18 Oct18 October 15:52

            This behaviour on the part of BA is verging on deliberately obstructive and making it as difficult as possible for people to use the vouchers. I don’t know why they’re being allowed to get away with it when other airlines have had their knuckles rapped (and subsequently got their acts together).

  • Tom says:
    18 Oct18 October 11:57

    I know this will have been asked before so apologies! I have the Wine Flyer offer on my BA Amex, will this trigger if i use it on the normal Laithwaites site as well?

    • Will_ says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:01

      Not sure about the site, but it should’ve triggered in Laithwaites stores but mine didn’t and had to get Amex to manually trigger it.

    • Greg says:
      18 Oct18 October 13:31

      Laithwaites and WineFlyer (and Averys) are almost identical.

      • Tom says:
        18 Oct18 October 13:56

        Except i get 20% off Laithwaites through BLC and not Wine Flyer.

        Thanks all.

  • Mr. AC says:
    18 Oct18 October 12:00

    I’m planning to book a quite pricey 7 day say at a Swiss hotel from the Preferred Hotels program to take advantage of the Amex 100 off 400 offer. I’m wondering if there’s any way to get anything extra? Any way to status match into their loyalty program? Any discount for booking via a special mechanism?
    I already tried Emyr and he couldn’t help.

  • xcalx says:
    18 Oct18 October 12:27

    Is the Expert Medical £28 day 2 test still the one folk here are using. Sons family returning from Portugal 27th Oct.
    Or other options.
    Thanks

    • Travel Strong says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:39

      From the 24th the rules change to Day 2 (or earlier) lateral flow, and you’d really hope they will be less than the £28.99 EXMED kits. There is no need at all to buy anything before the 24th for travel on the 27th, so I’d wait it out.

      https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2021/10/16/day-2-lateral-flow-tests/

      • xcalx says:
        18 Oct18 October 12:52

        Thanks. I will try talk him into waiting. They fly out on Wednsday and he wanted all the ducks lined up.

    • Tim says:
      18 Oct18 October 12:39

      Lateral flow tests can be used from 24th, Chronomics and Qured seem to be £22-25. Sure there’ll be many more options

    • Jody says:
      18 Oct18 October 13:19

      I bought a Day 2 lateral flow test yesterday from testing for all. It cost £19. Good reviews of the company on trust pilot. Had a drop down box for date you’re arriving into the UK.

      A few others are selling them now (but not posting until 22nd Oct) but seemed a bit more expensive. Others are taking expressions of interest ready for 22nd. Randox says theirs will be ‘from £20’.

      • Rich says:
        18 Oct18 October 13:36

        Make sure that it is valid. I don’t know why the government has announced that they won’t go on sale until 22nd, but you might find there’s some admin or regulatory hurdle to get across. Double check with your supplier after then.

        I’d be surprised if the going rate was over a tenner.

        • Sandgrounder says:
          18 Oct18 October 13:54

          https://www.simplytestme.co.uk/

          These guys said 9 the other day, now it’s 10, hopefully this and other similar deals will abound.
          Glad I’m not travelling back from my next trip until a couple of weeks after the rule change, will be nice to get a bit of feedback before ordering from someone…

        • Jody says:
          18 Oct18 October 14:50

          I’m pretty sure it will be. Company currently has good reviews for it’s existing tests. I got a PLF number when ordering, and have already done my form.

          I decided to go for it as I need my form for the 22nd – am going on a cruise and the cruise line are insisting on seeing completed PLFs before you board. Not back in the UK until 5th November, so if something does go wrong I’ve got time to sort it out (got internet on board). I’m pretty sure it won’t though.

          I wish I could have waited to see what cheaper deals there going to be, but didn’t have a lot of choice, and seeing as I was going to fork out £28 for Expert Medicals, then £19 seemed like a good deal to me, and also in line with what some of the better known providers have advertised they’re going to be charging.

          Anyway, like everything, it’s buy at your own risk.

    • Ryan says:
      18 Oct18 October 13:56

      01 Harley Street for £20 if you’re not too bothered about taking the test (or are actually in Bristol…)

  • Bill says:
    18 Oct18 October 12:59

    I’ve reached the £3,000 threshold for the BAPP SUB within a couple of weeks of having the card. I have not yet had
    the first statement generated. How soon can I cancel the card to maximise the pro rata refund without risking losing the Avios?

  • Benilyn says:
    18 Oct18 October 13:02

    Any recent experience on transit times in Dubai with Emirates to catch connecting flights? EK just moved my connecting flight 15min earlier so 1h 40min vs 1h 55min previously.

    • Blenz101 says:
      18 Oct18 October 14:24

      You will be fine with that length of time. If things look tight you will be met at the top of the jet bridge.

      T3 at DXB is however large and people seem incapable of walking on travelator preferring to block it whilst playing with their phones. Any mobility issues you may wish to book assistance so you are taken by buggy.

  • Josh says:
    18 Oct18 October 13:25

    Has anyone been able to purchase a giftcard at an Ivy restaurant for the £200 Amex Plat offer? Or anyone know of any restaurants where you can purchase a giftcard? Thanks

    • Andrew says:
      18 Oct18 October 13:27

      The daily question on this subject. No.

    • Josh says:
      18 Oct18 October 13:37

      Anyway. My experience at the Ivy in Leeds – They sell giftcards at the front desk but their machine isn’t capable of taking Amex Cards and it looked like she would be ordering them herself through a website unconnected to the restaurant.

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

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