[Stephen]

Stephen wrote:

Flying from Wick to Aberdeen (Eastern Airways) and then Aberdeen to Birmingham (Loganair) – seperate tickets, left 7 hours to allow for transit.

Flight from Wick keeps getting pushed back due to fog.

There is another flight this evening from Wick to Aberdeen, but it’ll get in after my connecting flight (and is also likely to be cancelled based on the weather).

Taxi will take 5/6 hours, and they are offering this evening.

As both flights are on separate tickets, does Eastern Airways have any responsibility to get me to Birmingham?

Thanks

Thanks everyone, unfortunately the next flight eight hours later has now also been cancelled

Will try and see if any luck with travel insurance

No offer of any food vouchers etc, what would be seen as reasonable food/drink for two cancelled flights (10:45 and 18:15)?

[Stephen]

Flying from Wick to Aberdeen (Eastern Airways) and then Aberdeen to Birmingham (Loganair) – seperate tickets, left 7 hours to allow for transit.

Flight from Wick keeps getting pushed back due to fog.

There is another flight this evening from Wick to Aberdeen, but it’ll get in after my connecting flight (and is also likely to be cancelled based on the weather).

Taxi will take 5/6 hours, and they are offering this evening.

As both flights are on separate tickets, does Eastern Airways have any responsibility to get me to Birmingham?

Thanks

[Stephen]

It was pretty bad this morning at 7am. They had staff pro-actively going up and down the queues to try and ensure anyone departing within an hour or so got brought towards the front of the queue

[Stephen]

tjob81 wrote:

I’m waiting on them to price up LHR-MAN-HKG-SIN-SYD-PER-DOH-LHR

I called on Tuesday, not done this kind of booking before. How long does it usually take?

I’ve always found it pretty quick (within 24-48 hours)

They do say they will send email notification asking you to call when it’s been processed, but I on a few occasions I haven’t received the email but the quote is available if you call them back

[Stephen]

Previously booked an 8 segment trip two years ago

Ireland->Qatar->Sri Lanka->Singapore->Malaysia->Thailand->Finland->England->Greece

England to Greece was a few months after the other flights too.

Recently tried to book a 7 segment trip (Dublin – Doha – Bali – Singapore – Malaysia – Sri Lanka – London – USA). It was initially ticketed until added on the London to USA segment.

British Airways agent said they have taken a disliking to people trying to “game” the system and mentioned about HFP. They couldn’t give specific rules but said they do apply.

If looking to book this type of ticket, try to do it all at once to have as few BA staff look at, as you risk them cancellating it for unclear reasons

[Stephen]

John wrote:

How does pricing work if the longest sector is in Premium econ?

1.5x AVIOS from this chart

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/multi-carrier-avios-costs-zone/public/en_gb

[Stephen]

For those with US MR cards, American Express USA and Chase USA are featuring a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

[Stephen]

paul-uk wrote:

IF you are in the travel trade, are retired from (many jobs) in the travel trade or have a relative in (most jobs) in the travel trade then sign up for Interline Rates at VacationsToGo.

They are an American company but have a UK phone number if you need to speak with them (they only take payment by phone). I have found them to be excellent.

In many instances VTG are better than Touchdown – and unlike Touchdown who hold your funds in a client account, VTG send it straight to the cruise line.

The benefit here is many options (like dining reservations) are only available after final payment – so if VTG send that money faster than Touchdown, you will have better access to onboard bookings.

Anyone managed to sign up with VacationsToGo and get interline rates for working within travel industry but not airline crew?

[Stephen]

We got upgraded from standard room (which we booked on points for 16,000) to a corner suite last August – was such a good stay, would highly recommend

[Stephen]

If you call them, they can get it sorted and ticketed on the same call

I’ve found that taxes are significantly cheaper when booking partner airlines via Qatar than British Airways. I recently saved £150 with same AVIOS amount charged

[Stephen]

PeteM wrote:

Email Sean Doyle directly – hopefully the executive complaints team (who will pick it up) will be able to help.

Do you have an email address for Sean?

I’ve tried seanl.doyle@ba.com with no luck

[Stephen]

Hi,

Does American Express Platinum insurance cover for missed connections? Looking at the T&C it seems to be limited to £350?

I’m flying CMB to BLR using AVIOS (Sri Lankan Airlines) that arrives in at 02:20.

Virgin Atlantic (also booked with points) departs at 04:35 (2 hour 15 minute connection). Unfortunately, only one flight per day so it’s my only option other than staying 24 hours.

Thanks

[Stephen]

Booked with Touchdown today

ADRIATIC SEA & GREEK Gems – June 16th – 7 nights

Sea Terrace room

£1168.00 (payable direct to Virgin Voyages)+ £89.00 (payable to Touchdown)

They put your details into Virgin Voyages and you get an email where you can log into and make payment. Need to make payment within 24 hours

It has automatically linked to my Virgin Voyages status account, so showing up as 100 USD bar tab and the usual status benefits

We went for it as wasn’t sure if they’ll be bringing back the Virgin Points offer this year

[Stephen]

Thanks @marcolau

They are allowing an additional flight at the end from London to somewhere in Europe (same IATA zone)

[Stephen]

Just to add a data point for everyone.

Taxes came out to be £568.50 per person.

Dublin -> Doha (2 nights) -> Bali (5 nights)

Cash flight – Bali to Singapore

Singapore (2 nights) -> Kuala Lumpar -> Colombo (5 nights) -> Bangalore -> London

As you mentioned, they wouldn’t add on another segment from LHR to JFK at the end, they will only add on another European flight

[Stephen]

Yep, Rob mentioned that Virgin Red were likely to pull it at the end of June

Virgin Red USA had it running for a few months prior to Virgin Red UK (but it was 100,000 points) so worth keeping an eye on there too.

@Rob – please keep us posted if you hear anything from Virgin Red, would love to go for a third time!

[Stephen]

Status benefits take a while to show in the Virgin Voyages app. Technically, the T&Cs exclude access key bookings, so likely to be tightened up if lots of people get in touch

[Stephen]

samgwaters11 wrote:

Peeps wrote:

Hi Everyone, Absolutely delighted that I’ve been able to book for second Virgin Voyages cruise – Greek Island Glow 30th July to 6th August.
If anyone would like to share: https://virg.in/UTkb
Thanks!

Hey, I’m on the same cruise, do you know how we can link our bookings for any referral bonus? I posted a referral link earlier if you know how to do it.

Need to call or Live Chat them with both booking details (room numbers/name) and they’ll link them for you

[Stephen]

Would definitely recommend, by far my best redemption

A bit tricky to make the reservation, and had a few scheduled changes which meant missed connections, but to be fair to British Airways they resolved everything in the end. Also the England to a Greece segment was months later, but they didn’t mind

Ireland->Qatar->Sri Lanka->Singapore->Malaysia->Thailand->Finland->England->Greece

Qatar Airways
Sri Lankan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Finnair
British Airways

I can’t remember the exact cost, but think it was 200,000 AVIOS plus around £500 tax (all business class segments)

[Stephen]

cercwc76 wrote:

Am I right that the dining credit is based on calendar year rather than card anniversary.

Stephen,
Presumed your went to 8 different restaurants to use the 4 cards’ credit, by early booking in 2002 and then 2003 to trigger the credit during your trip. Otherwise would be happy to hear about the tactics. TIA

Yep, calendar year. We picked restaurants that cost around £75/person, and as there was 3 of us, it was a bit more tricky than just being 2. Booked end of 2022 and then early 2023. If you wanted you to, you could book 1 person/meal per card (so could go upto £150 meal per person), they are pretty flexible with joining up the bookings after

[Stephen]

RO8926 wrote:

Has anyone been successful recently? I’m visiting Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima) in June and would like to use the dining credit.

Also, does anyone have restaurant recommendations?

Just got back from Japan (such a great place to visit). We used four different Platinum cards (and as you pay when you book, managed to trigger credit for 2022 and 2023) so managed to get around £1,200 worth of credit

I’d really recommend the following two restaurants

RAMA – Tokyo
https://pocket-concierge.jp/en/restaurants/245067

Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji – Kyoto (booked lunch menu)
https://pocket-concierge.jp/en/restaurants/244380

Couple of tips to share, if you want to book for 3 people but it only let’s you book for 1 or 2, you can make two bookings (even if different times) and message on the app for them to link the booking and make it at the same time/table. Also, if no availability, you can email the restaurant and we found they are usually happy to add some availability

Hope this helps!

[Stephen]

Harrods wrote:

Stephen wrote:

PeteM wrote:

marcolau wrote:

Yes, it’s fixed now, but the credit only applies to pre-paid bookings via Pocket Concierge.

The offering was suspended briefly earlier as it appears that there were problems at Pocket Concierge, with some restaurants don’t do pre-paid bookings whilst some do, causing confusion and issues on whether the charges were eligible for the credits.

Sorry, I am probably being stupid, but how can you tell if a restaurant on Pocket Concierge works this way, please?

Hey Pete,

Did you have any luck with this?

I’m going to Japan in March so was hoping to use £150 this year and another £150 in 2023.

How quickly do they charge the card?

Thanks, Stephen

Had the same idea – pre booked a resto for Feb in Tokyo via PC, payment is immediate and have been credited…

Perfect, thank you!

How do you know if the restaurant takes payment immediately or at a later date?

[Stephen]

PeteM wrote:

marcolau wrote:

Yes, it’s fixed now, but the credit only applies to pre-paid bookings via Pocket Concierge.

The offering was suspended briefly earlier as it appears that there were problems at Pocket Concierge, with some restaurants don’t do pre-paid bookings whilst some do, causing confusion and issues on whether the charges were eligible for the credits.

Sorry, I am probably being stupid, but how can you tell if a restaurant on Pocket Concierge works this way, please?

Hey Pete,

Did you have any luck with this?

I’m going to Japan in March so was hoping to use £150 this year and another £150 in 2023.

How quickly do they charge the card?

Thanks, Stephen

[Stephen]

Did anyone manage to clarify whether AMEX Platinum insurance covers cruises?

Thanks

[Stephen]

Hello, what’s the current cashback offer on Virgin Atlantic credit card for Virgin Voyages? Is it online only or includes payment on the cruise? Unfortunately, my cashback section isn’t working on the app (just blank white screen)