Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Monday 8th November

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.

Comments (419)

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

  • Thywillbedone says:

    Hi all.

    Do direct messages (i.e. not tweets) on Twitter to BA still work? I am getting automated responses by a ChatBot to my DMs …just want to make sure a real person will eventually read them. (regards to cancelling an Avios booking, not urgent so don’t want to waste more time on the phones having already lost several minutes listening to the long BS template message you get before being unceremoniously booted from the queue before you can even join)

    Thanks.

  • Hulk says:

    Can anyone recommend a good employment solicitor that can review settlement agreements for a company director and shareholder? Needs to be someone experienced, thorough and sharp.
    TIA

    • Axel says:

      in scotland or englandshire?

      • Hulk says:

        England

        • Taxomics says:

          Paul Maynard from Gabby Hardwick is the best I have ever come across in this area. My firm has used a few employment/covenant solicitors over the years but no other since we started to use Paul.

  • Elizabeth Wright says:

    Flying out of Heathrow T5 on Boxing Day, then flying back in to Heathrow T2 on 2nd January 2022. Want to drive from my parents house in Surrey, due to not wanting to rely on taxis to get me to the airport on time. They’re hardly the most reliable at the moment! Where would you recommend I park? Flight from T5 is not until late afternoon, and return flight in to T2 arrives at 22.40, so would prefer to be nearer T2 than T5. Don’t mind travelling to T5, but would prefer less travel when I get back…

    • Paul says:

      Purple Parking Meet & Greet showing around £115, can drop off at T5 and pick up at T2 to save any connection issues….
      Alternately park & ride from just over £100, or the Thistle for around £75, make your own way….

  • Toby says:

    Does anyone know why IHG would think I’m a platinum elite when one only just opened an account with them and haven’t yet stayed? Is there a promotion going on that I have somehow signed up for, or qualified for?

    • elguiri says:

      OH once applied for their white card but cancelled when they messed up application process. Since then she’s stayed plat. elite despite no stays or points activity.

      • Toby says:

        Ha! That could explain it. But, I don’t have any of the cards. I suppose it does show their IT is … weird!

  • BuildBackBetter says:

    No name match.

  • Richie says:

    It seems Vueling are adjusting their baggage policy.

    • Blair says:

      Has it been problematic? IIRC Vueling is the one that gets complained about for legroom

      • ChrisBCN says:

        They appear to be going all easyJet with the hand baggage – although whether that was before or after the latest easyJet changes I’mm still confused. It’s underseat bags only now, unless you’re premium, have added it, jumped through this or that hoop.

        Never an issue with legroom though – rows 2-5 make them better for legroom, more room than other LCC’s and CE on BA…

        • Richie says:

          Yes, they’re making it clearer and avoiding the 2nd small bag that had to be checked in.

  • Secret Squirrel says:

    Best way to contact Curve CS? I messaged them via my account two days ago but no reply as yet?

  • Dave says:

    Finally got to book our first ever reward seats using our 241 voucher last night. Stayed up until midnight, called the US and also had online ready to go… didn’t get the seats! They had gone before we could get them.

    We’re on hold to US for 15 mins before 12. We decided to take two tickets for two days earlier and will change our hotel accordingly…

    So my question is, any tips or anything I’m missing on how to get the return flights in 14 days time? I’m worried we will end up stranded or having to pay for tickets rather than be able to add them to our 241.

    Thanks all!

    • Jonathan says:

      It’s a bit of a gamble, I called at 23:20 last night and got through and 23:55 to add return flights and 241 vouchers to an existing booking. Explained the flights I wanted and crossed everything that when she came back off hold it was good news. And it was, although it’s not been ticketed yet.

      I’d say book the outbound online bang on midnight, do a dummy run of the booking 10 minutes before. Make sure all your passenger and credit card info is stored online and you should be able to complete the booking inside 2 minutes start to finish.

      • Bobby says:

        thank you, did two dummy runs and did it in less than two minutes and still didn’t get the outbound! was amazed… going to try calling even earlier than we did and fingers crossed! don’t mind if we end up being economy plus just more concerned that we won’t get to book a reward flight back!

    • Anna says:

      Where are you going? If it’s the US or somewhere else with plenty of options I’d advise offering flexibility with airports. Otherwise, you may have to settle for returning in PE or Y.

      • Dave says:

        Barbados so only one flight a day- got the outbound one booked, its the coming home I’m worried we won’t get.

        • Anna says:

          Hmm, you never know but possibly be prepared to accept a lower cabin or come home via the US – which is a very viable option, BTW, we often combine a Caribbean beach holiday with a US city break. Flights between the US and Caribbean are plentiful and well-priced.

          • Anna says:

            Done this with NYC, MIA, IAD and BOS and had amazing holidays every time.

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