REGISTER NOW: British Airways launches new ‘double Avios’ points promotion

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• Will says:

  22 Mar22 March 08:28

  Was contemplating planning a TP run, this may just tip me over into doing it!

• Big Ernie McCracken says:

  22 Mar22 March 08:55

  O/T but there has been no Bits for a couple of days. You would think some bad news for HfP readers had come out! I am sitting on reasonable amounts of both Avios (250k) and Virgin miles (120k) but have no plans to travel over next couple of years at the moment. I obviously want to keep accounts active. Like others will be cancelling AMEX soon and not sure I want to pay £160 for another year of rewards + card as renewal is coming up. Would a small transfer to each from Clubcard points every six month do this or does active mean using some points?

  • Marcw says:

    22 Mar22 March 09:20

    Yes. But remember, Avios expire after 3 yrs of inactivity. Not sure about Virgin Atlantic FC expiration

    • RussellH says:

      22 Mar22 March 10:50

      Virgin appears to be the same. I transferred 10 000 Virgin miles to Hilton on 28 Oct 2016, leaving 2 miles in my a/c. These will apparently expire on 28 Oct this year.

      Easiest way to credit some miles to Virgin would be to buy a cheap Virgin West Coast train ticket. When they had a lucrative miles promotion on rail tickets there was no need to actually travel, as there is no way of confirming that you have taken the train journey.

  • Nigel says:

    22 Mar22 March 09:40

    You could hold on to the free version of the Virgin card to make a purchase and earn a few miles from time to time.

• Michael C says:

  22 Mar22 March 09:05

  OT Flybe: I know this is disappearing, but just fyi, in my most recent Avios redemption, it said “hand baggage only”, which it never has done before. Rang Flybe, and they said no, Aviod redemptions always include checked backage, and added it on to my reservation.

  • Lady London says:

    22 Mar22 March 12:30

    Flybe always had that in their info and it was never correct. There’s always luggage included and it has historically been confirmed and re re re re confirmed. Having luggage included made using flybe for redemptions actually worth it.

• Chris Horsfall says:

  22 Mar22 March 09:12

  These offers always annoy me. I book up flights well in advance, and would need to cancel and rebook to take advantage of this offer. LHR – BWI. would it be worth the cancellation fee for double miles???? Assuming the price is the same.

  • BJ says:

    22 Mar22 March 09:18

    +1, but not quite as infuriating as the Marriott starting with your second stay nonsense. Unlessbyou have a fully flexible ticket there is no way avios earned will be worth rebooking for.

    • Lady London says:

      22 Mar22 March 12:36

      Yes I was poised to make Marriott my second-string choice I’ve pretty much dumped Accor for Hilton as my first choice now). But 2 promotions now from Marriott where stays don’t start counting till the second one and the overall incentive is not much have given the impression that Marriott is mean so I’ve held back. This means IHG may still get a few reluctant stays where Hilton footprint does not stretch.

      Accor could have worked out better but after a few bad experiences with their customer un-service I really really try to avoid them now.

  • David says:

    22 Mar22 March 14:08

    Well yes, but the whole point of the offer is to motivate you to book some new flights! BA isn’t just throwing avios out for fun!

• Liz says:

  22 Mar22 March 09:22

  OT Sorry for OT question but no bits today. Daughters boyfriend has requested a refund from Norweigan due to recent cancellation of the Boeing Max flights. He is getting a refund on original booking and 2nd Norweigan flight he made as his flight was cancelled twice. Is this kind of grounding of planes not covered under compensation rules. Norweigan did not offer to re route him – when he called them to rebook again – they told him to book something himself but now won’t compensate for that flight giving an immediate decline so he is £350 out of pocket. Any advice would be appreciated. He did not take out insurance either so suspect he may lose out here. CEDR site does not list Norweigan as one of the airlines.

  • Anna says:

    22 Mar22 March 10:21

    He has the right to be re-routed or refunded – does he have any proof that Norwegian told him to book his own alternative flight? I think it would hinge on this as you don’t get anything if you are offered re-routing but then choose to pay for a different flight, however in this case Norwegian presumably said they would reimburse him for the flight they told him to book? I would think he has a case here (as long as Norwegian doesn’t go under in the meantime, and it’s a European registered carrier) but it might take a while to resolve if they dig their heels in.

  • Lady London says:

    22 Mar22 March 12:40

    Do a credit card chargeback. He did not receive the item paid for. End of.

  • Mikeact says:

    22 Mar22 March 14:11

    Sounds a bit odd to me…no refund? No re routing ? Maybe need more detail as it doesn’t stack up to me, having followed your story for the past few days. Ultimately, and assuming there’s no more to the story, the Small Claims Court would definitely be my fall back position.

    • Liz says:

      22 Mar22 March 16:52

      He told me he received an email from Norwegian cancelling his return flight. He went online and rebooked another Norwegian flight and the following day received an email cancelling that flight. He then rang Norweigan and was told to rebook himself so only his word against theirs – assume all the planes being grounded as both flights booked were the Boeing max planes – he was told to try and claim which they have immediately rejected. He’s just a young guy who paid with his debit card – no credit card – and no insurance as money is tight.

      • Liz says:

        22 Mar22 March 16:59

        He was told he would receive a refund for the 2 norweigan flights but he will still be out of pocket at the 3rd flight which was more expensive than the original return booking!

      • Polly says:

        22 Mar22 March 17:51

        Liz,
        He can still claim money back with his debit card. It’s just a slightly different system. Calls are recorded too.

      • Liz says:

        22 Mar22 March 17:54

        Ok Polly thanks for your help. Will see how he goes with CEDR first then tell him about the chargeback on his debit card.

      • Mikeact says:

        22 Mar22 March 19:02

        That’s a pretty sad and an expensive lesson to learn , but, going to the US (?) and no insurance? That really is daft in my opinion …..could have been far worse than the cost of getting home.
        Usually , my grown up kids always call me for overseas travel/flight advice and we/they have back up plans in place….just in case.
        It always helps of course, to have a ton of Avios as back up, or in my case, KLM miles as well…….. managed to get my daughter back a few years ago……long story…….from SE Asia where she was touring around.
        However, I wish him well for future travels and I am sure you will have a quiet word with him, and your daughter !

      • RIccatti says:

        23 Mar23 March 02:07

        First of all, when speaking to Norwegian he should have taken all the particulars of person who gave him advice to re-book at own cost, name/department, ask that person to issue an email confirmation — as much as possible to support the company’s promise.

        These days you have to do it even with BA.

        Second, if he really wants any result — should file with Small Claims Court immediately, citing the circumstance that there is a risk of business not being able to meet obligations (eg, bankruptcy) if he follows CEDR arbitration and longer process of complaining.

• N says:

  22 Mar22 March 09:42

  OT: Question about Amex and bills and refunds.

  If, let’s say, my bill on my SPG Amex (so it’s a Credit card) is £1k this month. After receiving the bill I’ve had a refund for £500 come through to the card. Can I pay £500 to Amex and not be charged interest? Or do I need to pay the full £1k?

  • sayling says:

    22 Mar22 March 10:01

    Give AmEx a call – I’ve always found their customer services provide exemplary services.

  • Anna says:

    22 Mar22 March 10:23

    You only need to clear the outstanding balance to avoid interest charges, the refund should count towards this.

  • John says:

    22 Mar22 March 12:50

    I’ve found Amex always issue an updated bill if any credits are posted between the original bill and the payment due date (though this may not work if you are still on paper statements)

    Simplest is to login and check the current balance due

• BJ says:

  22 Mar22 March 10:11

  I got the sims from a store, bought top up vouchers at same time. Activated the sim by puting in phone and making an unanswered call (20p credit comes on sim), received three welcone texts, called 282 to link clubcard number, received text confirming that was done, called 4444 and topped up using £20 voucher from store, received a text confirming top up and stating points would be added, 9 days later they were in my clubcard account. First time something went wrong, had to call CS to sort out but still got the points. Second time it worked like clockwork. Strongly suggest you avoid their web and app, they are a total PITA.

  • N says:

    22 Mar22 March 10:52

    online system is archaic – and that’s being generous!

  • Neil says:

    22 Mar22 March 11:22

    Cheers BJ – Spot on

• Graham Walsh says:

  22 Mar22 March 10:37

  Typical. Booked 2 x Long Hauls last week for later this year.

  • VK says:

    22 Mar22 March 14:14

    Yes. Pissed off to say the least. Esp with amex churning restrictions, double would be very useful. I have also booked 2 long haul return in CW for 3pax!!! Lots of free avios lost. @Rob, any way around this?

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