The new HFP chat thread – Saturday 25th July

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We have decided to run this new daily chat thread on Head for Points.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions. It is unlikely that the news flow will be so big over the next few weeks that we will need many ‘Bits’ articles, however.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind. At this tricky time, and given that many of you are stuck at home self-isolating, we want the HFP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article. This has long-term benefits as its keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

By default, HFP shows the last page of comments under the article. If you want to see the first page of comments and read them all from beginning to end in order, click here: https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/07/25/the-new-hfp-chat-thread-saturday-25th-july/comment-page-1. The page will refresh with this article but the comments will now show the first page and not the last page.

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Category

General

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Harry T says:

25 Jul25 July 16:32

Hong Kong SAR has extended its mandatory 14 day quarantine for international visitors until the end of 2020.
- Annabel says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 19:47
  
  Oh no! Where did you see this?
  - Harry T says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 22:38
    
    Loyalty Lobby has an article.
Wes says:

25 Jul25 July 16:40

Has anyone had any luck with Covid insurance claims for non-refundable but ‘voucher given’ bookings?

Virgin (my policy doesn’t exclude Covid claims) have rejected my claim for two expenses ( a hotel and a flight) claiming that as I’ve been offered a voucher it’s technically a refundable booking.

To me there’s a big difference between getting your money back and a piece of paper which you may or may not be able to use, and all have different terms (eg would Virgin say this if my voucher was valid for a day??)

Any insights much appreciated!
- ao40 says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 20:21
  
  Yes, Halifax Clarity have credited me for a flight that the (foreign) airline refused to refund and only offered to rebook within 12 months, even though it was cancelled.
  - ao40 says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 20:22
    
    Should have said that was a credit card s75 rather than insurance, in case it was not obvious.
- Charlieface says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 22:59
  
  Open and shut in your favour, I feel. Tell the you’ll take them to the ombudsman if they don’t play ball
Colin says:

25 Jul25 July 17:54

“ BREAKING: Govt to announce shortly that tourists in Spain will have to quarantine for two weeks when they return (unless they’re back by midnight tonight). Second wave of Covid-19 there has prompted decision to kick Spain off the safe country list”

From Tim Shipman of the Sunday Times.

Could be nonsense of course.
- Kipto says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 18:12
  
  Saw that. Will be cancelling our flights to Ibiza a week after next.
- Anna says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 18:38
  
  Reported on a few websites now. I cancelled my trip to Andalusia anyway but I’m wondering if this will extend to the Balearics & Canaries given they seem to have had lower infection rates all along. You are closer to the Spanish mainland in several other countries than the Canaries!
  - Hugh Jardon says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 19:33
    
    Ah, the Balearics, someone after my own heart, Carthusian Ibiza an unparalleled experience,
    - Anna says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 20:30
      
      Carthaginian 🙄. And I don’t believe you 😂
- Craig says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 19:40
  
  Grant Shapps is on holiday in Spain!
  - Colin says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 19:45
    
    I’m sure he’ll quarantine 😂
    - Anna says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 20:31
      
      Obviously that was why there was an air bridge for 2 weeks, so he could get to his villa safely 😤
  - old bob says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 20:05
    
    I had a helluva night last night at the Langley, fabulous spread, I can’t remember much after about 10.30 but nevertheless I would recommend it to anyone. I was chatting in the bar waiting for Mrs Bob to appear, got talking to a chap with awful breath who turned out to be an estate agent, and terrible bore, I can never understand how they think that selling houses is interesting.
    - Genghis says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 20:13
      
      But you kept your wallet? 🙂
      - old bob says:
        
        25 Jul25 July 22:05
        
        @Genghis Fortunately yes, on the odd occasion I venture out with Mrs Bob, I’m kept on the straight(ish) and Narrow.
    - Anna says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 20:23
      
      Do you mean the Langley Arms?
      - old bob says:
        
        25 Jul25 July 22:01
        
        @ Anna, The Langley in Watford High street http://www.langleybanqueting.co.uk
        Its got a rooftop terrace!!
- Lady London says:
  
  26 Jul26 July 02:48
  
  is Rhys still in Ibiza? so this one wasnt cancelled but now he gets yo quarantine for 2 weeks?
  - Rhys says:
    
    26 Jul26 July 08:55
    
    It was a two night trip!
Kevin says:

25 Jul25 July 18:19

May I know if Amex shop small offer can be redeem multiple for one shop or just one off per shop?
- mark2 says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 18:30
  
  Once per card per merchant, so you can use supplementaries if you have saved the offer for them.
Alan says:

25 Jul25 July 18:54

IHG “Earn up to 4x Bonus Points”
Have I misread things?
First stay after registering: paid £65 and got 760 Base points and 1520 bonus points = 2280 total
However, as long-term Spire, always get 100% bonus points anyway.
I thought I would get 760 Base + 760 Spire + 1520 Bonus = 3040 points total.
Anyone else got same IE bonus but not status?
Any thoughts?
- Rob says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 20:50
  
  Sounds right … 2x base points on your first stay (ie standard points plus another lot) plus Spire bonus.
MinR says:

25 Jul25 July 19:34

If Spain is on the quarantine list now, but flights aren’t refundable, would I be able to claim against my Platinum Amex Travel insurance? The flight hasn’t been cancelled.
- Harry T says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 20:20
  
  Probably but I would check the terms and conditions of your policy.
- Anna says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 20:22
  
  All but essential travel now advised against to the Spanish (mainland only for now) so that may have an impact.
  - pauldb says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 21:07
    
    The FCO advice only covers the mainland, but the quarantine-on-return requirement covers the whole of Spain inc islands.
    - Rob says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 21:50
      
      Yes, work of genius. If you’re off to the islands you can’t claim on your travel insurance as the F&CO still says it is safe.
      - Charlieface says:
        
        25 Jul25 July 23:01
        
        Quarantine is a dog’s breakfast anyway and isn’t being enforced
      - Cat says:
        
        26 Jul26 July 01:33
        
        It may not be being enforced, but do it anyway.
        
        If you’re unwilling, phone up every relative over 70, every friend with asthma, diabetes, a heart condition, a relative over 70, or who is pregnant, immunocompromised, or a bit chubby and explain to them why.
        
        Or just be an adult.
      - Colin says:
        
        26 Jul26 July 04:59
        
        “ Quarantine is a dog’s breakfast anyway and isn’t being enforced”
        
        Good luck trying to explain to your employer why you’ve not complied if they find out for some reason and you’ve turned up to work.
Anna says:

25 Jul25 July 20:34

It’s now being reported that government is now advising against all but essential travel to the Spanish mainland. I haven’t worked out what this means for people travelling in the next couple of weeks!
- Colin says:
  
  25 Jul25 July 21:25
  
  It’s obviously a pain in the bottom but unfortunately it’s a known risk at the moment. There’s always some risk of something happening which could end or disrupt a holiday but these days “buyer beware” is a lot more relevant.
  - Patrycja says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 21:43
    
    We are in Mallorca at the moment and due to come back tomorrow. Balearics and Canary Islands are exempt from FCO travel advice. Shame we will have to self-isolate on return but it was worth it as we had a great week away.
    - Colin says:
      
      25 Jul25 July 23:14
      
      This is an important point. Quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t go to Spain. If you’re able to work from home then it’s no big deal.
      - JustinJ says:
        
        25 Jul25 July 23:59
        
        True, but as we have just seen with Tui, airlines will start to cancel their flights.
      - Crafty says:
        
        26 Jul26 July 09:26
        
        And not leave to exercise, walk the dog, go shopping, or for any other reason.
  - Paul74 says:
    
    25 Jul25 July 22:38
    
    +1
- Lady London says:
  
  26 Jul26 July 02:31
  
  Has covid resurged there then?
Vit says:

25 Jul25 July 20:44

RE: Elaine J. Looking for covid-19 test 72 hours before departure.

Not sure if it is any help as you base down in Wales but if you can maybe contact TAC Healthcare Group. I’ve got tested last Sunday in ABZ and the result came back less than 24 hours before I had to leave th UK.

Country such as Thailand does require these covid test results within 72 hours of departure date so I’m sure this can be done in the UK.

Sorry I could not provide more info as it has been all arranged by my employer but maybe if you give TAC a call they might be able to help out.