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This is today’s chat thread.
If you have specific questions about Avios, hotels or credit cards, please ask them in the appropriate forum and not here. This thread is a good place to post interesting deals you have spotted or your general thoughts on travel and all things miles and points. Thank you for contributing.
Another data breach!
Qantas data breach exposes up to six million customer profiles https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6gnyl9923o
Good morning from the BA first lounge T3 LHR. Decided to give it a try rather than the usual CX lounge. It’s an oasis of calm this morning…a far cry from the T5 first lounge at this time in the morning.
Good morning,
I’d appreciate some guidance regarding a duty of care question following a recent flight disruption.
Last week, I was affected by the Qatar airspace closure. I was originally scheduled to fly on QR16 on Tuesday but, given the uncertainty in the region at the time, I decided to head to LHR early. This turned out to be a good decision, as I was informed at check-in that my flight was cancelled. However, I was offered an earlier flight to Doha, with the understanding that I would need to arrange the onward connection to Southeast Asia once I arrived in Doha– which I accepted.
I landed in Doha around 5am local time, along with many other passengers in a similar situation. After several hours at the transfer desk, I was able to secure the only available J seat on a flight departing the following day. Unfortunately, the staff member assisting me was unable to issue a hotel voucher due to a system limitation. As there were many frustrated passengers – some of whom had been there since the day before – I chose not to press the issue and instead booked a hotel myself.
My question is: should I request a duty of care reimbursement from Qatar Airways for these expenses (hotel, taxi, meals), or is this something I need to claim through my travel insurance? If it is appropriate to claim directly from QR, could someone kindly point me to the relevant section on their website? I’ve searched extensively but haven’t had any luck finding the right page.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
BA “you may not be able to book reward flights due to maintenance”
Good morning from the BA first lounge T3 LHR. Decided to give it a try rather than the usual CX lounge. It’s an oasis of calm this morning…a far cry from the T5 first lounge at this time in the morning.
It quite often is, because most people go elsewhere 🙂 I view it as a similar level to the other T3 lounges for a breakfast session, the latter are a better proposition later on.
@ABA – if you google EC261 + Qatar, it will take you to the relevant page. You would need to claim from QR first before any insurance claim. QR isn’t very good at paying after the event claims.
It’s questionable whether QR does have any ‘right to care’ obligation, notwithstanding the original cancellation as you ultimately decided, voluntarily to set off without any final destination booking, thus removing QR’s strict liability, although they might pay as a matter of goodwill. An insurer might take a similar view.
Morning all.
Back from Greenland where rivers were forded, bogs navigated, hares harassed, mosquitos swatted and, fortunately, polar bears avoided.
Managed to *Finally* fly on Air Greenland’s A330 NEO. My previous flights have been a mix of HiFly A330 and a couple of weeks ago, a 737 MAX from some other company. Pairing was not enabled, meaning I had to shell out for the “socks, eye mask and headphones” baggie, but it was a lovely flight. The AC was good enough to carry to whiff of 10 days of arctic tundra bog funk from my boots away without anyone noticing too
Flights are often changed, though. Our Sisimiut -> Nuuk -> CPH flight was changed to Sisimiut -> Kangerlusuaq -> CPH flight overnight. You really do have to keep watch of the AG app for changes
However, it’s fair to say that, even on summer, I think Air Greenland has one of the toughest operations of any airline… We managed to avoid the current bad weather by a day, but given that Sisimiut, Kangerlusuaq and Nuuk are not inundated with hotels (and both Kangerlusuaq and Nuuk and served by international flights), the ability to house passengers when the weather is bad is extraordinary!
Do NOT let the above put you off though. It’s an incredible place, and should really be visited before it gets any more popular!
Morning all.
Back from Greenland where rivers were forded, bogs navigated, hares harassed, mosquitos swatted and, fortunately, polar bears avoided.
Managed to *Finally* fly on Air Greenland’s A330 NEO. My previous flights have been a mix of HiFly A330 and a couple of weeks ago, a 737 MAX from some other company. Pairing was not enabled, meaning I had to shell out for the “socks, eye mask and headphones” baggie, but it was a lovely flight. The AC was good enough to carry to whiff of 10 days of arctic tundra bog funk from my boots away without anyone noticing too
Flights are often changed, though. Our Sisimiut -> Nuuk -> CPH flight was changed to Sisimiut -> Kangerlusuaq -> CPH flight overnight. You really do have to keep watch of the AG app for changes
However, it’s fair to say that, even on summer, I think Air Greenland has one of the toughest operations of any airline… We managed to avoid the current bad weather by a day, but given that Sisimiut, Kangerlusuaq and Nuuk are not inundated with hotels (and both Kangerlusuaq and Nuuk and served by international flights), the ability to house passengers when the weather is bad is extraordinary!
Do NOT let the above put you off though. It’s an incredible place, and should really be visited before it gets any more popular!
That sounds amazing – my appetite is well and truly whetted.
These are a brilliant solution to the air travel and bluetoth issue: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-South-TS-2259-Transmitter-Noise-Cancelling-White/dp/B07Z13G1P5/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=19BG1BAYCP6NH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HifT2UFSqaP31ZpynLLWnLMRDLwYaXVttWTRydkyeeNW2VFpRtB3lgie7I3ZT0TMwlBfSi4JkcqEhYkDlmWfFNu7RvQ3wNhXYJc3XEa_IUvlHsQTR7K6B4nDezJB3EUAp_kOPpZa90ILh3ONjLKWPM2bYg_-7qOJAFIOih7todJHZRcuctRmMNUBtJ5o5K1xrnB7uEAMucSgSGqejJ_DvmmZRpxrKXJxqYRq4KuTmjg.o1h6NnZ3KmwZgMxBvz48GozLC5letE8rM3UcyMPoQn4&dib_tag=se&keywords=airfly%2Bpro&qid=1751448846&sprefix=airfly%2Bpro%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Simply pair them with your headphones once (and once only), then headphone socket on the aircraft and away you go.I posted this last week on the Bonvoy part of the forum, but got no response, so I am trying again here.
I have a points booking in August at Delta Nottingham Belfry Hotel & Spa.
This afternoon an e-mail has arrived from QHotels saying:-We are delighted to announce that the Delta by Marriott Nottingham Belfry will return to its original name Nottingham Belfry Hotel & Spa from 1 July. The hotel will therefore no longer be part of the Delta by Marriott brand.
We see from our records that you have an upcoming stay with us. We can’t wait to welcome you and if we can be of any assistance in advance of your arrival, please phone us.
No mention of it being a points booking. It appears that they are hoping we shall just turn up and accept that we suddenly have to pay cash?
Or will Bonvoy contact me in the next day or two? [There has been no contact so far from Marriott, and the reservation is still showing as valid.]
Given that quite a number of Deltas are run by QHotels {see https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/08/22/uk-marriott-hotels-rebranding-as-delta/), anyone had a similar e-mail, either in respect of the same hotel, or another Delta?
Has anyone also having trouble using Hilton’s “Points Explorer”? https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/points-explorer/
I use this to see when award nights become available, usually it was just inputing the name of the city in question, slidding the points to the max (now at 650k!) and it would show every hotel. Now, for lots of place it just tells me “We couldn’t find any hotels for you in this area. Adjust your filters or try zooming out for more results.”, despite me knowing that there are hotels there, than can be searched and booked for specific dates (for some cities, like New York, tool is still working).@ABA – if you google EC261 + Qatar, it will take you to the relevant page. You would need to claim from QR first before any insurance claim. QR isn’t very good at paying after the event claims.
It’s questionable whether QR does have any ‘right to care’ obligation, notwithstanding the original cancellation as you ultimately decided, voluntarily to set off without any final destination booking, thus removing QR’s strict liability, although they might pay as a matter of goodwill. An insurer might take a similar view.
@JDB Thank you very much for your reply, I will try claiming from QR first before trying Travel Insurance if unsuccessful. It was a 4 day trip so I had to take a chance and travel even though the second leg was not confirmed as that was also cancelled. Thanks againBA “you may not be able to book reward flights due to maintenance”
Yep, banner across BA home page:
“Reward Flight bookings
We’re currently making some planned changes behind the scenes so you may not be able to book Reward Flights online or via the contact centres. We’ll finish this activity as quickly as possible.”I have half a million Avios. I’ll assume the position now…
(I can log in to my account and see correct personal details and Avios balance, but if I go to the “Book with Avios” start screen, it doesn’t remember my 2-4-1 voucher, so something is definitely up)
(I can log in to my account and see correct personal details and Avios balance, but if I go to the “Book with Avios” start screen, it doesn’t remember my 2-4-1 voucher, so something is definitely up)
I don’t have a 241 voucher at the moment as card (like many others) is sitting in drawer waiting for end of BAPP year which sadly is December. However I have just booked an Avios ticket on BA website flying Iberia with no issues.
OWE here checking in for EI-operated BA-marketed flight from LHR to DUB. BA website says I can use “business or club check in” yet officious teal-clad master of the queues reckons somewhat otherwise when I used the equivalent “priority” desk, which has no signage about eligibility. Which is right?
OWE here checking in for EI-operated BA-marketed flight from LHR to DUB. BA website says I can use “business or club check in” yet officious teal-clad master of the queues reckons somewhat otherwise when I used the equivalent “priority” desk, which has no signage about eligibility. Which is right?
Aer Lingus isn’t a member of OneWorld so it’s EI that sets the rules for access to its benefits. There are some reciprocal benefit arrangements with BA and AA, but they aren’t exactly ‘rules’ and BA can’t impose anything on EI.
OWE here checking in for EI-operated BA-marketed flight from LHR to DUB. BA website says I can use “business or club check in” yet officious teal-clad master of the queues reckons somewhat otherwise when I used the equivalent “priority” desk, which has no signage about eligibility. Which is right?
Aer Lingus isn’t a member of OneWorld so it’s EI that sets the rules for access to its benefits. There are some reciprocal benefit arrangements with BA and AA, but they aren’t exactly ‘rules’ and BA can’t impose anything on EI.
Yes – and that’s fair enough, but – in practical terms – what is the expectation here? That decides where my problem lies – it’s either with BA for marketing something on their website which is wrong, or on EI for not following whatever process they have agreed.
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/11/22/british-airways-elite-benefits-flying-aer-lingus/
There was an agreement on limited benefits last year but it doesn’t seem to have been completely communicated. As Rob often says about hotel status benefits, they’re not much use unless they’re guaranteed!
That’s for BA status, does it roll over for OW?
I thought it did but maybe each airline has its own agreement or not – AA seems to have something in place. Also quite a lot of people tend to revert to using the term OWE instead of BA gold when not flying on BA metal, so I kind of assumed that’s what the OP was referring to. But I guess EI may well not recognise Platinum Hawks and those types!
@AL – I think the realistic expectation is that sometimes you may get some benefits and other times you won’t as the arrangement isn’t a very formal one, the airlines aren’t in the same alliance and aren’t especially friendly! In reality people sometimes get refused status benefits even within OW airlines, so BA’s website shows the best case scenario but EI can and will interpret things as they wish. They are rather protective of their own elites!
Good morning from the Harmony lounge at MDE which is going for the IG crowd with its fake blossom tree, purple bean bags, and this white pleather lounger which I might struggle to get out of again. Same easy listening soundtrack of bizarre songs as I have encountered across a number of places in Peru/Colombia. “Highlights” so far have been Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, and Radiohead Creep…
Am off to CTG, staying at the IC for a little splurge for the last leg of my trip. It’s my first stay at an IC – my room rate has lounge access but doesn’t specify anything about breakfast. In general (or specifically if anyone has stayed at the IC Cartagena), what should I expect from an IC lounge breakfast? Just coffee and pastries or a little more than that?
That’s for BA status, does it roll over for OW?
No it’s specific to BA (and I think AA as well who also have a side deal with EIwith its own terms) and not a general OW benefit.
For all you Gold Sparrows out there 🐥 I see that RJ’s Royal Club (https://www.rj.com/en/royal-club) is now promoting the option to purchase Tier Miles.
Given there has been quite a bit of chat about the routes to renewing status acquired in matches recently it may be of interest, although I cannot see any further details as I don’t have the requisite minimum of at least 5,000 TMs in my account…
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