Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Sunday 28th 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.

Category

General

Comments (233)

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

  • Kevin says:
    28 Nov28 November 12:37

    VS status match is back!

    • Matty says:
      28 Nov28 November 12:53

      I had my status matched back in February if I took a flight in October. That flight didn’t happen and I’ve put the booking back to next May. I wonder if that will be honoured in May. Flight is later in the month but status was supposed to be awarded at month start.

    • Andrew says:
      28 Nov28 November 12:59

      It never went away. It was just easier for BA members than other airlines for a period at the start of the year – in particular being able to match BA gold to VS gold with an economy booking.

  • GaryE says:
    28 Nov28 November 12:43

    FYI – Just spoken to BAH on chat and if you are travelling within the next 3 weeks they are offering a FTV or change of dates as long as you action before 4th December

  • Ikaz says:
    28 Nov28 November 12:44

    Plenty of London events on Accorhotels experiences right now, mainly eventim appolo and British Summer time (some cool packages including a stay in the Savoy!)

  • xcalx says:
    28 Nov28 November 12:52

    I think someone, maybe Rob mentioned a Fast track immigration service at BGI . I have been searching online but the one I have found has no availability until Jan. Is it really needed if arriving in Club. I’ll keep searching but if anyone knows of any, that would be great. Thanks.

    • BJ says:
      28 Nov28 November 13:04

      OT @xcalx, did you get your amex pro rata refund sorted in the end?

      • xcalx says:
        28 Nov28 November 13:13

        I phoned again and was promised that the refund would hit the account on the next billing cycle 19th Nov, that came and went. Amex phoned on Friday night to say It had been escalated to “executive back office” and would appear on the next billing cycle 19th Dec.

        • BJ says:
          28 Nov28 November 13:44

          Seems weird, I wonder if anyone else has had this problem. Also weird that amex are taking so long to fix it.

    • Rob says:
      28 Nov28 November 13:19

      Most posh hotels offer this service anyway as part of the service – you may already have indirectly paid for it. Look at Carib who offer it for a charge (there are 2-3 other companies too). Whether you need it or not depends on whether another jumbo has landed 15 minutes before you.

      • xcalx says:
        28 Nov28 November 13:36

        Thanks Rob. Seems I have left it too late to book the service. No posh hotel, have used an expiring Marriott 7 night TP voucher for 4 nights at Marriott Courtyard before the cruise. I will check this Tuesdays arrivals to see what arrives before the 1530 BA arrival.

        • Rob says:
          28 Nov28 November 15:14

          Look at Viator (Expedia’s experiences booking company) – they offer this.

          • xcalx says:
            28 Nov28 November 16:01

            Thanks again Rob. I had tried that one. “Sorry, This Date is Sold Out for 2 Travelers”

    • Peter K says:
      28 Nov28 November 14:00

      I travelled club to BGI in 2017. Another plane arrived just before us (Virgin I think) and the wait was *long* to get through immigration. Probably 60-90 minutes.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        28 Nov28 November 14:34

        Sounds like LHR these days

      • xcalx says:
        28 Nov28 November 16:19

        Looking like it’s still the same Virgin from LHR 1 hour before and EDI 40 mins after the BA arrival.

      • xcalx says:
        28 Nov28 November 16:31

        Is there a lot of walking from the plane to immigration. Asking as not a great walker nowadays and thinking if I ask for assistance will have to wait for that and be right at the back of the queue.

  • Matty says:
    28 Nov28 November 13:20

    How long before the USA bans flights from the UK?

  • Chris H says:
    28 Nov28 November 13:38

    Recommendations for decent hotels in Birmingham City Centre close to the O2?

    Have gig tickets booked for April 2022 with my wife – have no particular status/brand loyalty.

    • Ikaz says:
      28 Nov28 November 15:01

      Plenty of places within walking distance. I had a pleasant stay at the ibis budget for a concert a couple of years ago, quite close and an easy walk to/from the venue. The Radisson blu looks good. It depends on your budget really

    • TGLoyalty says:
      28 Nov28 November 16:00

      Not sure of budget but The Grand is very nice and will take 10-15 mins to walk I reckon. Hotel du Vin pretty much in this location too.

      Malmaison and Indigo at the mailbox which are under 10 mins away. There’s an AC too which is nice enough inside but suffers from lots of outside noise at all hours.

      Hyatt Regency on broad street Maybe 10-15 mins.

      • Chris H says:
        28 Nov28 November 16:22

        Ah sorry should have mentioned – budget isn’t too much of an issue as it’s just a single night, definitely open to luxury options.

        I will have a look at them all, thanks.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          28 Nov28 November 16:39

          Then personally first 4 are the ones to pick from

          I’ve heard Park Regis is pleasant too again 15-20 min walk but not really “in the action” when it comes to dinner / drinks etc (Uber is cheap and quick enough though)

          • Chris H says:
            28 Nov28 November 16:44

            Thanks – definitely like the look of Malmaison and Indigo due to walking distance & location.

            Shame to hear about the noise issues at the AC which also looked nice – thanks for the tip!

          • Christopher says:
            28 Nov28 November 17:32

            We stayed at Park Regis in October and i’d describe it as average for the money. Malmaison next week so will be good to compare.

      • Degsy says:
        28 Nov28 November 16:37

        Brum isn’t overly spoilt when it comes to top-end hotels but +1 for The Grand (it’s where Tom Cruise stayed while filming Mission Impossible). HIX on Holliday street is a decent cheaper option as well

        • TGLoyalty says:
          28 Nov28 November 16:41

          It’s a shame The grand wasn’t part of the IHG deal in the end. Seems very much like a Kimpton vibe to me.

      • Tariq says:
        28 Nov28 November 22:18

        I’ve never been disturbed by noise at the AC and usually get upgraded to canal view room, high floor though.

        TBH I find the refrigerators in their rooms noisy than anything outside…!

      • CH says:
        29 Nov29 November 00:25

        I stayed for two nights at the Indigo in August. It was rather unexciting, with no recognition of Spire status. The room was fine – not great, but it got the job done. The location is very convenient, and I loved the parking arrangement. Breakfast was good, as were the views from the MPW restaurant.

  • jimc says:
    28 Nov28 November 13:51

    Quick question: I’ve probably read the answer to this dozens of times but what ere the most effective ways to put £3.5k on my amex before the 30th? (Other than buying a flex ticket with BA -with refunds a PITA right now i’d rather take a different route)

  • Gavin says:
    28 Nov28 November 13:53

    Just posting to confirm that I had 3 offers stack for Esso – 500 points for using App first time, 200 points for 25 litres, and 10x base points for standard unleaded. 1120 nectar = 700 Avios.

    Esso is quite pricey in my area Would have been £3 cheaper getting the petrol at Sainsbury’s 200m away but on this occasion it was worth it. I also have a save 8p / litre voucher from Sainsbury’s but want to use that for a full tank in a few weeks time.

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