Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 20th October

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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.

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.

Category

General

Comments (468)

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

  • Andrew says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:30

    I’m still not seeing any clarity on what type of test will be required to enter the USA from 8 Nov and also if a day 3 to 5 test is required on arrival. Anyone got a clearer idea?

    • roberto says:
      20 Oct20 October 07:44

      It’s not been announced as yet.

    • A says:
      20 Oct20 October 13:42

      Currently even a simple rapid viral antigen test is sufficient. These can be done at expresstest on site at LHR terminals for 30 odd quid.
      Will this change? Who knows, but that is the current situation and has been for some time.

  • John Bancroft says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:35

    Please can you confirm that if we book a BA holiday, and have to cancel, can this be done online for an FTV voucher.?
    .

  • Andrew H says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:44

    Monese – I guess VACC+ behind Curve doesn’t work as a top up?

    Have opened a free account – are there any real benefits at that level (or any level)?

    Thanks

  • Sammy says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:50

    If the PCR teet needs to be done 48 hours before travel can we send it via post like 72 hours before. I think doing it 48 hours before and sending it by post (Randox) seems very risky.

    Also, are Hilton non refundable rates refundable if covid is the reason as in if someone tests positive on the day of the flight for example.

    • Andrew says:
      20 Oct20 October 07:53

      No. The test itself on you needs to be carried out 48 hours before – not the lab analysis, which is what you are suggesting could be done I think.

    • Blenz101 says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:03

      Hilton non-refundable rates are just what they say they are. If you want protection in the event you are unable to travel/stay due to illness then you need to have suitable travel insurance in place or book a flexible rate.

      For 48 hours PCR test countries I would be looking to do something in person where the results are generally back in 24 hours in the UK. There are also 3-hour PCR tests available at major airports.

    • Rob says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:45

      Non refundable means what it says. This is why you have travel insurance.

      • Sam G says:
        20 Oct20 October 10:47

        Yes – seems a misconception that insurance won’t cover this scenario but there are plenty of policies that will cover (and COVID medical expenses / quarantine abroad). What isn’t getting covered is travel disruption due to lockdowns etc

        One tricky bit is if the vendor is offering credit/reschedule then insurance might not want to pay but for a hotel this is less of an issue as you can ask a human to pocket the money and send you a letter saying they did so!

    • John says:
      20 Oct20 October 10:34

      Negotiate with the hotel at booking time. They won’t refund you but may agree to move dates, or keep your money as a credit against a rescheduled booking.

      • Sammy says:
        20 Oct20 October 10:49

        Thanks everyone. Would Amex Platinum cover the hotel/flight issue if we are the ones who are unable to fly due to a positive covid test as opposed to flight getting cancelled by airline?

        • GeorgeJ says:
          20 Oct20 October 15:16

          Depends on the exact circumstances and only you and Amex can determine this. Call them and ask, they are normally helpful.

  • Anna says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:50

    Virgin cards have arrived (2 weeks after applying). Can I assume a) spend on supp counts for SUB and b) it’s fine with bendy for normal spending, e.g. hairdresser only takes debit cards?

    • Harry T says:
      20 Oct20 October 07:55

      Yes and yes. No idea how you’ll struggle to hit the SUB either way 😜

      • BJ says:
        20 Oct20 October 08:06

        Hope you’re enjoying your effective net win of 5k Virgin Red points Harry 😀

      • Anna says:
        20 Oct20 October 08:09

        That’s what I was thinking, Harry T! OH mainly uses his for parking and as we don’t live in a major city that’s unlikely to hit the target.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:
          20 Oct20 October 08:29

          Have I missed something? What’s the play here?

          • Harrier25 says:
            20 Oct20 October 09:33

            Hitting the £3,000 bonus points target I think.

          • Anna says:
            20 Oct20 October 09:59

            Actually not that easy without Che, I don’t really want to move any spend from Amex so it’s fill the freezer from Iceland, pay the hairdresser, top up Ovo etc. Not sure if car finance payments will count either!

          • Harrier25 says:
            20 Oct20 October 10:07

            I’ve got the wife using Amex PRG supp card, so we continue edgeing closer to the £15,000 annual target, and the Virgin Atlantic supp card for non Amex spend, while I am solely using Virgin Atlantic until the magical £3k has been hit.

          • BJ says:
            20 Oct20 October 10:29

            @Anna, telecoms and budget hotels are your new friends.

  • bafan says:
    20 Oct20 October 07:52

    So I want to stay at Hilton Atlanta. 2 nights is $218 including taxes or 52000 points. Worth it or pay cash?

    • Harry T says:
      20 Oct20 October 07:56

      What are the taxes? Is it 26000 points a night?

      • bafan says:
        20 Oct20 October 08:48

        Yes. 26k a night. It’s $218 inc taxes…consensus seems to be to pay cash. I always forget how to work out if I’m getting good value or not 😂.

    • Anna says:
      20 Oct20 October 07:57

      Unless you’re very points-rich I would pay cash and as you’re not getting a great deal on points there and also not staying 5 nights which would give better value.

    • Mattb says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:02

      Depends if you are flush with HH points IMO, cash is slightly better value and you also earn.

      • Harrier25 says:
        20 Oct20 October 09:12

        @bafan, at that rate each point equates to just under $0.42 per point.

        • Mike says:
          20 Oct20 October 17:34

          $0.42 would be fantastic, however it’s 0.42¢ which is a hundred times smaller.

  • Matthew Peat says:
    20 Oct20 October 08:03

    How long after cancellation of a BA Avios flight do you get a refund of the payment for taxes and points re-credited? I cancelled a week ago and got my FTV voucher immediately but no sign of refund or miles back.

    • Andrew H says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:08

      They are in your FTV.

      • Andrew H says:
        20 Oct20 October 08:16

        If you cancelled online you will have an FTV with the avios and cash (and any 2-4-1 voucher if used in it).

        If you rung/chatted and asked for a refund you wouldn’t have an FTV and refunding avios and cash (less £35 per person) is just about immediate

    • Anna says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:11

      You requested a FTV so it’s not clear why you are also expecting a refund?

    • VerdantBacon says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:37

      What do you think the FTV is?

  • Mark says:
    20 Oct20 October 08:16

    Amex Hyatt offer. I’m looking to book on behalf of a family member. T&C says check-out spend only but I understand Hyatt allows people to call/email ahead to pre-authorize and pre-charge the room ahead of arrival. Would that work for the Amex offer?

    • Rob says:
      20 Oct20 October 08:42

      Even a prepaid room will work with 90% certainty as hotel processes it. The clause on not paying online is to stop people booking on Expedia and expecting the cash.

    • MKB says:
      20 Oct20 October 12:19

      Worked for me at Great Scotland Yard on the previous Amex/Hyatt money back offer. My cancellable, pay-at-checkout, stay was after the offer finished, but they sent me a link so that I could credit my account in advance of the stay, and that triggered the offer.

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

New to Head for Points?

Welcome!  We’re the UK’s most-read source of business travel, Avios, frequent flyer and hotel loyalty news. Let us improve how you travel. Learn more on our About page.

VAA

Latest comments

Latest Forum Posts

Get 30,000 points bonus with American Express Platinum

Amex Gold

Check reward flight availability instantly for free!

See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Booking a luxury hotel?

Our luxury hotel booking service offers you GUARANTEED extra benefits over booking direct. Works with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz Carlton, St Regis and more. We've booked £1.3 million of rooms to date. Click for details.

Get 20,000 bonus points and your first year free with American Express Gold

Amex Gold