The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 2nd November

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Nick_M says:

2 Nov2 November 09:26

Points Expiry… please can I check my understanding of the expiry rules:

BA – needs activity every 36 months (12 months to be eligible for RFS)
Virgin – never expire
Hilton – needs activity every 12 months
IHG – needs activity every 12 months
Marriott – needs activity every 24 months
Radisson – needs activity every 24 months

As a result of Covid-related travel restrictions:
– Radisson and IHG stopped all expiry until 31/12/21
– Marriott stopped all expiry until 31/3/22
– Hilton stopped all expiry until 31/12/22
- JPa says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 09:29
  
  IHG don’t expire if gold or better.
  - Nick_M says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:19
    
    True, but with the credit card being cancelled I will need to keep a closer eye on this – and imagine this may be the case for others too
    - Ben says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 13:30
      
      Re IHG I guess the obvious solution is to eventually apply for Intercontinental Ambassador status (40k points) which gives Platinum. Rob has written a few times about this. Or pay and stay 10 nights in a year and get Club tier.
      - Ben says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 13:33
        
        Sorry I mean Gold tier.
- Fazzy Bear says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 09:38
  
  Does transferring Amex MR to points count as activity?
  - Nick_M says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:21
    
    I believe so
- Lyn says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 19:01
  
  Marriott recently extended points expiry to 31/12/22
DI says:

2 Nov2 November 09:29

Tesco clubcard to Virgin

Hi All,
My brother has got some Tesco clubcard vouchers he doesn’t need in his account. I have already converted some vouchers from my account to Virgin points in the past. Is it OK if I use his vouchers for my Virgin account? I.e. there would be two Tesco accounts connected to a single Virgin account. Is that possible? And even if possible, will that get me into trouble somehow?
Thanks.
- blenz101 says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 12:20
  
  The accounts don’t actually link with Tesco but there is typically some kind of verification such as name and postcode matching. Assuming you have the same name then I would just try it, you won’t get into trouble, at worst the transaction will just fail overnight and you will be asked to contact Tesco.
- LewisB says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 14:00
  
  You should be able to just add the voucher in your basket. Worked fine for me in the past.
His Holyness says:

2 Nov2 November 09:39

An update on my Curve/NS&I saga, my Card is blocked. They asked for 16 months of credit card, NS&I and bank account statements to show I wasn’t cash recycling (which apparently was allowed but now isn’t). I told them to get stuffed. I’ve been asking them to refund my annual fee but they’re just ignoring my emails and chats.

If they think I’ve breached the T&C’s then they should prove it, otherwise pay up. At this rate I’ll have to do a chargeback on my Curve fee LOL.
- Katie says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 09:51
  
  Do you have a fronted card (metal) or normal?
  I thought Curve allow these transaction to go through, they literally advertise it on their homepage.
  - His Holyness says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:06
    
    Metal. We are talking bit more than 20k over the period. My mistake was answering the warning email to say I’ve never cash recycled, then I got blocked and they wanted all this private stuff. I should have kept my mouth shut.
    - @mkcol says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 19:03
      
      An in exactly same boat 😡
- davefl says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:18
  
  I opened a new Curve blue card last month after ditching them in Feb because nothing worked after I tried to upg to metal.
  
  Made a dozen transations in Croatia on holiday totalling less than £500 (hotels, food, tolls etc) and then the card was blocked and they’re now demanding a photo of my passport and a ‘selfie’ to prove my identity.
  
  They can stuff it.
  - His Holyness says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:39
    
    They’re clearly really spooked. I reckon they know the ship is sinking. I think a lot of Fintech know it. Look at Monzo. Does that monthly fee line up excite anyone? They’re a bit like all the gas firms that cropped up on the bandwagon. Aren’t Starling the only real success to emerge?
    
    Were the card firms to zap FX fees, Curve may as well shut by 5PM the same day.
    - Track says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 12:25
      
      Luckily for Curve, the established UK banks will never wave that 2.99% FX fee.
      - Andrew says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 14:38
        
        You mean like the MBNA, Halifax, Virgin Money, Barclaycard and NatWest customers who all hold 0.00% FX fee credit cards from their own established UK bank?
        
        FX fees are a lifestyle choice and you don’t have to use a Fintech to enjoy FX free.
      - His Holyness says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 14:42
        
        KYC isn’t 18 months credit card, bank statements and NS&I statements.
        
        Curve sounds like the kind of girlfriend who wants to know your passwords for all your social media, PIN for your phone, plus she checks your credit card bills to make sure you weren’t out on a date or in a hotel with someone.
        
        Curve is a mentalist and their USP is slowly caving in around them.
        
        I want Curve to publish a list of credit card companies who think its fine to pay off a credit card with a credit card. Because they’re all about how they need to make sure we are compliant with the underlying card, so which providers think this is OK?
  - Track says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 12:09
    
    On one hand, asking for proof of ID is reasonable. On the other hand, it is good strategy to avoid that, particularly with providers not responsible (or making a mockery of FOS).
    
    I recently discovered that a company kept copies of my ID and statements submitted for long-closed accounts 10-12 years go.
- blenz101 says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 11:57
  
  What update are you hoping for. They are asking you to complete a KYC check which is a risk based approach. After you made contact with them they have looked at your account and decided your transactions need further verification. Cash recycling / MS has never been allowed. Whilst you could top up an NS&I account using a credit card and curve they never suggested you could empty it again and print points, you have always had to comply with the terms of your underlying card as well.
  
  When an account is in this frozen state regular customer services are not able to assist you. You will have to deal with the AML team who it sounds like you have already told that you won’t comply.
  
  Not sure I would want Curve defending a charge back to another credit card with details of a refusal to comply with KYC checks following a suspected breach of the card terms / potential money laundering.
  - Track says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 12:16
    
    But it is not for Curve to make these claims of ‘a suspected breach’ and potential ML to the other institutions.
    
    Otherwise, and very shortly we end up with banks and financial services providers ratting out on clients “out of an abundance of caution”.
    
    There are incentives to block accounts, there are no incentives to guarantee access to own funds and basic financial services. AML/KYC is flawed in this way.
    - blenz101 says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 12:47
      
      Well they are entitled to defend a chargeback claim and it is a fact that the client has refused to comply with a KYC/AML check following an account review which Curve believed to contain transactions which warrented this.
      
      20k of credit card points I am sure was a welcome bonus for NS&I top ups which should have earned nothing. The OP got his fingers burned once by drawing attention to his Curve account. I am simply suggesting when the game is up walking away with the gain can be a sensible option as well rather than getting into a dispute.
      - Ben says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 13:35
        
        Good point. Gotta know when to hold them , know when to fold them.
      - His Holyness says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 14:43
        
        All I want is the fee from when they blocked the card. I’m in breach, fine, so refund my fee and say goodbye to me. They’re entitled to say FU to any customer, just like Creation have done to so many here. I am in my 2nd or 3rd year of Metal, I can’t remember exactly, hence no £50 fee either.
      - Track says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 22:04
        
        This will not hold in courts of law.
        
        If the requirements from a bank/e-money companies are as onerous as literally 100s of pages of statements from the last 12-18 months.
        
        Banking details alone should not be asked by other firms, I remember Revolut’s ridiculous suggestion to put pieces of paper to cover account numbers and make images of those pages with phone.
        
        Let alone the Revolut/Curve own app will not handle all those PNG files if submitted by page.
Aston100 says:

2 Nov2 November 09:41

Wrote to Solihull over a week ago to enquire about points not transferring (their phone team were unable to advise and told me to use email).
Got a reply from them stating that in order to take a look, they require my full name; full address; full card number; date of birth.
All by email reply. That’s right, insecure email. Not just a few characters, but the entire card number and other details.

This is their admin team, who you think would be slightly better at knowing about security.
- Roy says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 09:45
  
  That’s a PCI breach right there…
  - stevenhp1987 says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:15
    
    +1
    
    Card numbers should never be sent plain text in an email, ever.
    - JohnT says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 11:40
      
      Apart from to Emyr – although can also phone details through..!
    - Andrew says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 15:35
      
      It’s utterly shocking. Indeed my old banking employer had the policy of scanning internal and external emails for card details and starring them out from around 2005 onwards.
      
      It’s almost as if Creation systems aren’t up to basic PCI compliance and their staff have given up caring.
- Froggee says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:31
  
  They’re bonkers. I just had an email from them acknowledging my complaint. It is clearly pro forma as it said:
  
  You are unhappy with the following:
  · The closure of your IHG Premium Credit Card
  · Your annual fee not being refunded
  · Your free night certificate
  
  My complaint is only about the free night certificate. My guess is they are trying to deal with them all as one standard complaint as there was no mention of the first two points when I called.
  - Anna says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 12:05
    
    That’s the exact response I got to 2 separate complaints, I think you are right about the standard approach. It only makes them look more incompetent though. I’m just waiting for the 8 weeks to be up so I can go to the FOS.
TJ says:

2 Nov2 November 10:03

There are upgrades and the there are UPGRADES! Checked into the Grosvenor House Dubai which is almost full. They had already upgraded us from a basic room to a 1 bed suite, which as a platinum elite member I thought was pretty good. On arrival, our room wasn’t quite ready so they upgraded us to a 1600sq ft 3-bed apartment. Happy days.
- Katie says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:04
  
  Plot twist – they dished out the 1 bed suite as an upgrade to someone else.
- Anna says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:16
  
  Sob – we were supposed to be staying in one of their suites last Easter. Not only did that get cancelled, I also had to give up our 50% avios CW seats as wouldn’t be able to do that route for a couple of years.
  
  But it sounds fabulous – enjoy!
- Joints&Piles says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:41
  
  Nice. I got upgraded to the royal suite, which was amazing. It’s a very good hotel. Great food in the exec lounge.
- JohnT says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 11:41
  
  We had that too – washing machine and 5 toilets!
N says:

2 Nov2 November 10:10

anyone been to Dubai recently? do places like restaurants etc actually check this DXB Smart App before entering?
anything else to be wary of before setting off from the UK?
- chris1922 says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:17
  
  Can’t comment on smart app.
  Apparently, the PCR test required for UAE entry needs to be lab administered, i.e. not a home based self test. Not sure if this is enforced or not.
  - N says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:29
    
    thanks, yes i saw that on here a couple of days ago luckily! i was debating between the postal or clinic tests so i’m glad i saw that. went with Concepto in the end. also apparently the test certificate needs to have a QR code on it and a few providers don’t have that
    - blenz101 says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 12:50
      
      You will be fine without a QR code, that is certainly not enforced on flights from the UK. The UAE links to a lot of countries where the forging of documents is commonplace or are not provided in English/Arabic and in those instances the QR is used to verify the authenticity.
- TJ says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:42
  
  In Dubai at the moment – so far haven’t been asked about the DXB Smart App at all. Border control didn’t check anything on arrival although if you have dual citizenship it’s best to use the same passport you used the last time you were in Dubai (we didn’t and had a bit of extra admin to go through). Use the fast track lane passport lane if flying F or J. Masks are obligatory everywhere except when sat at a restaurant or at the beach/pool.
  - KP says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:50
    
    Had the same issue with dual passport !
- Sarah says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:45
  
  I was there a couple of weeks ago and did not have the app and nor did anyone ever ask to see it. Masks are required more than in the UK but other than that there’s nothing really to be wary of although if you plan to go to Abu Dhabi at all then they have their own app, which is used. I would suggest having print outs of your negative test as you’ll be asked to show this on arrival at the airport, although it only gets a cursory check.
- Katie says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 11:23
  
  What about if transitioning in DXB – will a randox home test be enough?
  - blenz101 says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 12:53
    
    Same rules as entering. Your check in agent is going to be the one verifying your test result, it may not even be looked at in DXB.
    
    You are reliant on them looking at the date of sample and result only. If your certificate is clearly marked ‘home test kit / unsupervised’ or similar there is a risk if they strictly follow the rules it won’t be valid. Most people seem to have got away with it though.
- blenz101 says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 12:03
  
  The DXB smart app is not in use in Dubai. Only app you may require is AlHosn if you plan to vist Expo2020 in Dubai which will display vaccination status / PCR test results.
  
  Abu Dhabi also uses the same AlHosn app which also has a green pass system for entry to public spaces, basically to be green you need a clear PCR test within the previous 14 days (if vaccinated).
Oli says:

2 Nov2 November 10:32

What is the NHS number to call when Day 2 test kits are not received through the post? I came back to England on Sunday and have not yet received them
- HH says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:47
  
  Just take an NHS LFT – I think you can still pick up a pack from pharmacies.
  - JohnT says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 11:43
    
    Need to apply first for a “pickup” code now
- Tracey says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:52
  
  119, assuming you are in England.
  - Oli says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:57
    
    Thanks I just called the NHS – they are saying I can’t take an NHS LTF but should request a new LFT from my private provider and do the test whenever I receive it.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 11:57
      
      like anyone is going to check. just do an NHS LFT and be done with it
    - Anna says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 12:10
      
      You could request a PCR test online if you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
      
      TBH I think I would take a free LFT and keep the result in case anyone does check. That fulfills the requirement, and I don’t think you would even be in technical breach of the regulations.
- Ryan says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 13:12
  
  Why on earth would NHS have the capacity to take those types of calls? Just do a chargeback on the cost (as they broke contract) and carry on as usual – if you’re still overly concerned with life, take a lat flow from NHS but there’s no logical reason to
ianM says:

2 Nov2 November 10:50

What’s the best number to get through to book a flight with a FTV – just tried 0344 493 0787 and it won’t even ring through after the menu.
0844 493 0787 is the suggested number on the email but that is a premium line.

Thanks
- ianM says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 10:56
  
  Sorry – I should have said BA, I’m bronze
  - Whisper says:
    
    2 Nov2 November 10:58
    
    I have used the “Bronze Line” number 0800 597 7580
    - ianM says:
      
      2 Nov2 November 11:13
      
      Thanks …on it right now, for 25 minutes, but at least it hasn;t kicked me out yet!!
      - ianM says:
        
        2 Nov2 November 12:01
        
        Hour and ten minutes later I got kicked off the line
- Sam G says:
  
  2 Nov2 November 13:47
  
  I’ve had success with 02079493086 towards the evening time recently. It’s the overseas number so may need to put 141 in front (not sure if they block it still in the UK or not!)