The HfP chat thread – Sunday 7th November

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FloriGuy says:

7 Nov7 November 12:12

Does anyone know if HSBC is processing requests to upgrade Advance accounts to Premier?

Also, I have a credit card with HSBC. Do I need to cancel that before I upgrade to Premier banking in order to ensure that I get the sign up offer on the World Elite Card?
- John says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:13
  
  Yes
MarkS says:

7 Nov7 November 12:37

Do you need to complete an ICA form to enter dubai? I see you have to for AD but I’m surprised the rules are different
- Blair says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 17:43
  
  I didn’t in August. And the Dubai-specific declaration forms were waved away when I tried to pass them to border control.
- Blenz101 says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 19:00
  
  ICA / GDRFA forms apply to those on specific visas / residents. Assuming you are tourist visa on arrival from the UK then you won’t need either form to enter into any emirate.
Marie says:

7 Nov7 November 12:37

Why doesn’t BA fly direct to Havana? Changing in Madrid makes the journey very long indeed . Considering paying full price ( gulp) with no status for virgin flights .Thanks
- Sam G says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:56
  
  BA doesn’t really have the right config aircraft for thin leisure / family visit routes. They either have big eco-heavy 777s or premium heavy 787s. Virgin is more suited to the route. + IAG is happy to let the traffic flow via Madrid
  - FatherOfFour says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 17:34
    
    They could tag it on to another caribbean route a’la the Bahamas/GCM, Antigua/Providenciales/, St Lucia/Grenada/Port of Spain etc. etc. One of the Jamaica routes might suit perfectly.
  - Richie says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 20:54
    
    B788 doesn’t look premium heavy https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/07/23/best-seats-british-airways-boeing-787-8
- Anna says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:58
  
  I’ve always assumed it’s because Cuba, and especially Havana, is relatively new to large-scale tourism and the demand just isn’t there. Europeans who are mainly on AI packages tend to fly to resort airports like Varadero.
  Spain having a long history of immigration to and from Cuba has more incentive to put on flights.
- Yorkie Aid says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 16:13
  
  Things have obviously changed… I flew with BA direct to Havana in 2000.
  - Anna says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 16:45
    
    Sounds like it was culled after 9/11 with numerous other routes.
    - Yorkie Aid says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 18:20
      
      Ah yes, makes sense.
Pauline says:

7 Nov7 November 12:40

Hi I want to buy a really nice day spa present for my sister in law. Any recommendations quite close to london? Thanks
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 14:47
  
  I like Hanbury Manor (Ware, nr Stevenage)
- Tracey says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 15:58
  
  The Grove.
  - mutley says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 17:01
    
    Sopwell House St Albans,
J says:

7 Nov7 November 13:09

Hi All,

I need to cancel a booking and the BA MMB won’t allow me to online (I presume because I booked it during the 25% off last year?)

Last few times ive had to phone BA, I’ve ended up being disconnected after an hour.

Is there a best number to call to get through to someone asap?

Thanks!
- Harry T says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 13:19
  
  You can only cancel voluntarily online in exchange for a voucher. For anything else, you’ll need to call.
  - J says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 13:46
    
    I cant, it gives me an error saying I am unable to cancel online. That’s why I need to call, but I dont want to sit for hours again so hoping someone knows a quicker number.
    - Harry T says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 13:58
      
      You can try using Skype to call the American call centre. If you want a voucher for your cancellation, you can just use the generic voucher request form and input your details and booking reference online. https://www.britishairways.com/travel/webforms/public/en_gb?eId=120001&wfpId=covidn
a270 says:

7 Nov7 November 13:13

Just as a rough estimate, how many Hilton points should I be earning if I paid 500usd for 2 nights in total and spent about 150 usd on food in the hotel? I am a Hilton Diamond so I get a bonus (100% I think) and also registered for their extra points promo. Also, usually I get 1,000 points welcome bonus too. In total I have been awarded about 7,000 Hilton points which doesn’t seem right to me. I booked directly with Hilton.
- a270 says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 13:14
  
  Also, paid via Hilton credit card but it was linked to bendy. Will I still get additional points on my credit card account or is that from Hilton Honors?
  - John says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 15:28
    
    You won’t get any extra points when paying via curve. Should be about 20000 points total though. It was a fully paid stay right? Not partially paid with points?
- davef says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 13:49
  
  Use thepointcalculator dot com. That’ll allow you to calc the answer inc your credit card bonus
  - a270 says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 18:44
    
    Thank you, I have written back to them. Let’s see what they say. Yes, it was a fully paid stay.
AngryOctopus says:

7 Nov7 November 13:27

Amex travel offer – is it cumulative spend this time round? i.e can I book 2 hotels in 2 transactions in 2 transactions?

Also the hotel collection ($100 credit on amenities if you stay over 2 nights) – I booked via my platinum card but I plan to close the card before staying in hotel next year in march, should that be an issue? I might have another platinum open then but it would be a new card/account
mart says:

7 Nov7 November 13:36

Hi all. I am a plat holder, as are my parents who are coming with me. I am booking a ski holiday for Jan – flights booked with Avios (taxes paid with an Amex card (but not plat). The chalet we are staying at does not accept Amex. Will we still be covered by the Platinum travel insurance/winter holiday cover?

Thanks
- Jen T says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 16:26
  
  I have had no problems claiming on items not paid with Amex, but I had to prove it wasn’t accepted.
  - Mart says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 19:51
    
    Thanks. How did you document this?