The Fugitive

I was bumped off (due to overbooking) a TAM flight from Asuncion to Sao Paulo together with 2 other passengers. They booked us into a decent hotel, meal provided together with taxi transport. We were rebooked onto a flight later same day and were able to make the original onward connection from Sao Paulo. Gave us a $200 discount voucher for future use too.

Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to post this valuable information. I have Mastercard credit cards with both Santander and Halifax Bank. Very recently (in the last week) I was told by Customer Services of both banks that there is no problem with having a Thailand address or of sending renewed/replacement cards to Thailand. Makes life more interesting I suppose!

Belgian chocolate isn't too bad either!

Totally unacceptable in that case. Thanks for the clarification.

Didn't think of that. Head scratching time now!

I expect so because the setting refers to all notifications. Will observe what happens from now onwards!

Good advice and instructions in the newspaper article about why and how to change your notification settings for iPhones and Android. Must admit, both my main 'phone and back-up were set to always show notifications whether locked or not. Another lesson learned thank you!

Very good points! The airline have discontinued flying that route. Passengers who have already booked but not yet flown (outwards) will be disappointed but have options. This guy is actually half way through his booking so the airline should be responsible for arranging an alternative return flight at no extra cost.

Agree. I've done it myself several times in the last few weeks.

Could it be a genuine 'staffing issue' and they've not got enough staff to process quickly enough? Possibly your refund will appear on the next but one 'billing cycle'. Agreed it's very poor customer service but maybe the employee is acting under instruction to put people off as long as possible to 'buy time'?

Just tried my SurfShark VPN setting it to Manchester U.K. Both ITVIPlayer (Hub) and BBCIplayer are working well.

Received 1 X Sinovac and 2 X AZ in Thailand. Last (the booster) was in February 2022. Taken one self test after a bout of coughing and sneezing which indicated negative. All family except mother-in-law were vaccinated and all subsequently contracted Covid (except for mother-in-law!).

Just tested 'SurfShark' and all OK. Never had any problem connecting or unblocking geo-blocked websites in two years with them.

Very good suggestion! It's Virgin Money who are objecting, let them tell you the solution. Then they need to tell HMPO too.

Worth knowing, thank you.

They did that to me at my local amphur. Must be a Thai female thing in wanting to know where you've been?

Don't worry Sir, all info appreciated thank you. Looks as if our banks are tightening up everyway they can!

May be a good idea in view of what I was told!

As you should. None of the COD nonsense! It was my own fault. Mesmerised by my shiny new Chase and Zopa cards I neglected my faithful Halifax Clarity.

Many thanks and top notch suggestion! I spoke to Elizabeth and Pamela at Halifax Customer Services. As you rightly advised, the reason for reduction was lack of recent use. It is their standard practice to reduce to £500 in case I had decided to 'abandon' the card and it fell into the wrong hands. I had to 'apply' for an increase in credit limit there and then over the 'phone by answering several questions. Unfortunately, my application was instantly rejected because my limit had only just been reduced. Apparently, there is a six months waiting period before you can apply for an increase following a reduction. I do have a right of appeal but I would have to do so in writing.

That could still happen in the future of course. However, at the moment, Halifax Bank permit you to have an abroad address and will send renewed/replacement debit and credit cards abroad.

A VOIP (Voice Over The Internet Protocol) service. I subscribe to 'VYKE'. For £12 GBP per annum you can rent a virtual mobile telephone number with a choice of several Countries. Enables you to receive/make texts and voice calls using your mobile data or your Wifi connection. So no more roaming charges or having to change your 'phone number. Some people use them to make others believe they are physically in that Country. However, technology exists to reveal whether your number is real or virtual.

That could be it! I took out a Chase current and savings account in June and have been using their current account exclusively because it presently gives 1% cash back.

I did previously, but switched back to U.K. address in June and already had a U.K. virtual mobile phone number upon my account.

Today received SMS from Halifax Bank that they have, with immediate effect, reduced my credit limit to £500. It had previously been £10,000 for several years. I've done nothing to offend them! Anyone else received similar?