So unfortunately I had to cancel my honeymoon because of the Covid situation, and because my wife is an NHS doctor (so rather busy ATM!). All of the airlines and hotels offered me no-quibble refunds, even though most of the bookings were originally non-refundable. The only exception has been my BA Amex card. Amex are refusing to refund the non-sterling transaction fees on BOTH the original payments AND the refunds. This was the most expensive holiday I'd ever booked - once in a lifetime - and the fees are not negligible. I knew about the FX fees when I made the booking of course, but figured the Avios made it worthwhile. Now though, I'm paying double the fees I thought I'd be paying, and Amex is still clawing back the Avios from my account.

I know that there's nothing in the credit agreement that says they have to refund the fees, but there's nothing that says they are non-refundable either. According to the call centre agent, it's "policy".

My broader point, I suppose, is that you would have to be absolutely barking mad to book any future travel on these points cards with big FX fees at present, tempting as some of the offers and flexibility conditions may be. My personal view is that Covid restrictions will ebb and flow for a very prolonged period of time. Lockdowns will stop and start and stop and start. It's unlikely there'll be a mass vaccination program before the next two 'flu seasons. And, even if what you booked is flexible, Amex will still be around to shaft you 3% on the the original payment and another 3% on the refund, while clawing back the Avios in double-quick time.

Is this what we pay the annual card fees for? My card will be going in the bin.