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The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 8th September

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Comments (192)

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

  • Tomli says:
    8 Sep8 September 02:56

    Is £860 a good fare for Inverness to New York via Heathrow on BA business class return for next Easter? (Or £1000 technically as I have to position myself to Inverness from London)

    • Rob says:
      8 Sep8 September 07:42

      Very good fare BUT even in the New York flight goes, you are taking a risk that the Inverness flights are still timed suitably. You may even need to stay overnight in Inverness.

    • Grant H says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:06

      Don’t forget BA price guarantee- I was able to get a price difference of £63 which equates to a £126 BA voucher if you are a BAEC member (enough to cover the flight to Inverness). Recommend flying up to Inverness the day before and checking any luggage you have for the long haul segment at LHR the day before you fly (if you are beginning your journey from here).

      • Jonathan says:
        8 Sep8 September 11:58

        Can’t check your luggage in the day before unless it’s after 5PM I think. In the absence of night stops I think the Inv flights leave earlier than this. Having said that, if you’re going day before taking luggage with you is fine.

        A back to back is always safer than going day before though as you’re protected from weather or ATC delays.

    • Doug M says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:09

      It’s a fabulous fare, but there are risks, positioning being one as Rob said. Worth mentioning that travel agents can actually book it cheaper, but having said that I wouldn’t consider booking other than direct at the moment.
      Look also at pricing for returning to London and not INV, that simplifies it a little. If you B2B at INV you can check luggage for the long haul before you fly to INV.

      • jamesj says:
        8 Sep8 September 09:44

        Yes I’m looking at an outbound with BA from INV and then a one way back on Delta One with FC miles, the tax back is a laughable $22

        Any potential downside to 2 x one-ways?

        • Rob says:
          8 Sep8 September 09:55

          No, except that you may need to show US immigration your return flight booking as they will see you entering on a one-way. They automatically assume that potential illegal immigrants are too stupid to book a return to fool immigration and just book a one-way.

        • Nick_C says:
          8 Sep8 September 10:36

          I’ve booked single tickets to the US a couple of times when I’ve been sailing back to Europe. BA questioned me at the gate before boarding as to how I was getting back home. EI never asked (although I cleared the border at Shannon, so not an issue for them). Never had a problem at border control. But it’s always a good idea to have a printed itinerary and confirmed exit arrangements to show CBP.

          The most intensive scrutiny I got was driving in from Canada. The CBP Officer loved my color coded itinerary, showing miles being driven each day and places to stop to change drivers.

          • Nick_C says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:38

            ETA of you have a history of entering the US regularly and leaving when you are meant to, you are unlikely to be questioned closely. Although not so regularly that they might think you are there on business.

          • eligold says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:41

            sounds like a road trip i’d like to hear more about

          • Nick_C says:
            8 Sep8 September 13:00

            When we drove into the US, it was quite a short road trip from Calgary to Vancouver via Emerald Lake, Osoyoos, and Seattle. Our first time in the Rockies, and we fell in love with the area. (We’ve been back twice since to explore the area between Banff and Jasper properly.) We were cruising out of Vancouver to Seward, and because we had entered the US by land a few days earlier, we skipped the US Immigration process at Vancouver. After the cruise, we rented a car out of Anchorage (train from Seward to Anchorage), and drove up to Denali National Park. We flew back from Anchorage via Chicago, and surrendered the I94 there.

            Our big road trip in the US was LA – Lake Havasu – Grand Canyon – Monument Valley – Moad – Ogden (no, I had never heard of it either, but cheaper than spending the night in SLC and untouristy small town America) – Moab – Yellowstone – (Elko) – Lake Tahoe (via Reno) – Yosemite – SF – San Simeon (Highway One, near Hurst Castle) – Santa Barbara – LA. Took 26 nights and drove nearly 3000 miles. If I was to do it again, I would recommend starting and finishing in SF, as the car was simply parked up for three days. while we there there.

          • Anna says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:52

            +1, several times we’ve flown into the US and out of the Caribbean. Never even been asked about our travel plans.

          • Doug M says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:57

            The most scrutiny I’ve had was train from Canada, but that’s perhaps because there is no ESTA with a land arrival, it’s like the old fashioned visa waiver, and pay $7 at the border.
            At airport I’ve been questioned about the frequency of visits, never more than 3 or 4 a year, but that seemed to spark interest. Since GE I’ve hardly interacted with anyone at the border.

          • Nick_C says:
            8 Sep8 September 12:11

            When I got to Seattle and told my cousin about the hassle we got at the border, he said its just as bad for Americans driving in from Canada!

            One important thing about driving in from Canada and flying out from the US – make sure you surrender your I94 to the airline. The airlines no longer expect people to have them.

            I see you can now apply (and pay for) for an I94 online up to 7 days before entering the US. The fee is only $6, and they take CCs and PayPal. I presume you still get a paper receipt which needs to be surrendered on exiting.

            You should also be able to check you entry and exit records online, although this no longer works for me 🙁

            https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home#section

  • Lev441 says:
    8 Sep8 September 02:59

    Anyone know of the situation re the aspire/plaza premium lounges at Heathrow t5? I have a flight departing tomorrow lunch time and wondering if they are open and if so the better option?

    • Anne says:
      8 Sep8 September 06:39

      Plaza Premium is definitely open – we were there on Saturday morning. Opens at 6am, which we had thought was too late for us to try the breakfast due to a 7.15 flight but as it turns out we could have done as we were delayed by an hour due to crew.calling in sick. So ended up in the lounge anyway for somewhere quiet to hang out for the short delay. Seemed reasonably normal operations to me (no newspapers aside) and food offering looked ok at 7am. Not been in Aspire so can’t comment but understand PP is much the better option.

      • Lev441 says:
        8 Sep8 September 08:22

        Thanks – and is PP a better shout to go to than the BA lounges? Just realised my travelling companion is a BA Silver!

        • Rhys says:
          8 Sep8 September 08:24

          I’d imagine that the food offering in the BA lounges (with table service) is probably better! At least in my opinion given my experience with PP T2 on Thursday.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          8 Sep8 September 10:03

          BA lounge is actually better with table service.

          Though crisps and cake aren’t on the menu but I believe still available if you ask.

        • Lady London says:
          8 Sep8 September 10:52

          Not sure Silver gets a guest in BA lounges? Gold does, pretty sure Silver is just the one entry.

          A pity as it sounds like the BA Lounge is currently better than Plaza P

          • Pete says:
            8 Sep8 September 11:38

            BA Silver gets one guest in as well. The Plaza Premium is a decent product at the moment, definitely better than Aspire.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            8 Sep8 September 14:52

            Silvers get a guest but those just travelling Club don’t.

  • DJ says:
    8 Sep8 September 06:27

    HSBC World Elite – Spend £2000 in the first three months to get 40,000 HSBC Points:

    Just received my first statement since upgraded from the normal premier card to world elite, and I have spent more than £2000. But the bonus point is not posted in the statement.

    I was wondering if anyone know when the points should post? As I know the points are only generated on each statement dates.

    Thanks

  • FlightDoctor says:
    8 Sep8 September 06:49

    Question around FTVs and companion vouchers. I have a 2-4-1 that expires early next month that I haven’t been able to use and has already had the 6 month extension applied. I read somewhere that I could make a booking with it, then cancel and the FTV would effectively extend it to Apr22? Would I then need to redeem it back to the original destination or could I use it for somewhere else? Clearly it would be cheaper to book a cheap UK/EU destination but in the future would prefer to use it long haul.

    • Rob says:
      8 Sep8 September 07:40

      You can use it for any destination. I will end up doing this myself, I think, as my wife has a January voucher expiring. Quick LON-MAN redemption coming up I think.

  • BJ says:
    8 Sep8 September 07:34

    If it helps anybody I just called BA few minutes ago on the general 0800 787 800 number, selected avios option and got through in under 2 minutes.

    • Jane says:
      8 Sep8 September 08:16

      Same here, called at 0700 got through in a couple of minutes. 4 x club world returns from MIA added to my original outbound for late next summer. No e-mail confirmation through yet though – is this normal when you add the return later ?.

      • Genghis says:
        8 Sep8 September 08:18

        I occasionally don’t receive an email whatsoever. Is the booking in your BAEC?

        • Jane says:
          8 Sep8 September 08:19

          It is there…… looks a bit strange though as seats bookable outbound but seat selection not available for the return (not that I want to but just seemed strange)

          • BJ says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:02

            The return has not been ticketed yet and the payment remains unprocessed. In the currently circumstances it could take months for that to happen for bookings that are far in advance. Your reservation will be fine though, don’t worry about that. It seems a little odd that BA are not wanting the payments processed rapidly at this time.

          • Jane says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:03

            Thank you, thought it might be something like this. will keep an eye on it as we have plenty of time.

          • BJ says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:48

            @all you together. Yes, seems so. Payment has still not been processed for a booking I made 1 August but flight isn’t until next July. Getting rid of staff in some areas shouldn’t be stopping them hiring in others.

          • meta says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:27

            @BJ They have to do it manually one by one and they don’t have enough staff so a huge backlog.

          • Colin MacKinnon says:
            8 Sep8 September 09:37

            And BA are short of money and they can’t be bothered training more staff?

            YouFirst tell me my ticket to San Diego in December, booked in June, may not be ticketed – and card charged – until December!

            And I thought cash was king!

          • Lady London says:
            8 Sep8 September 10:16

            ..by December the authorisation code they got to charge your card will have expired and I have seen problems reported with this with last minute ticketing.

            So if you intend to fly it might be a good idea to ring up proactively nearer the time and ask them to take the money.

          • meta says:
            8 Sep8 September 13:05

            Yes, that’s what happened with my partner’s ticket to Amsterdam recently. They had to redo the payment authorisation, basically take all the card details again. You also have to give them original card details for security purposes. They ask for 4 digits plus expiry date of the card. You have to make sure to note that down when you book as you won’t have received booking email, so won’t know. I can see major problems there as people won’t remember the card they used after several months or will have cancelled it.

            After that experience of not having a ticket until 2 days before the flight, we will avoid FTV vouchers at all costs or anything that involves reticketing. Even extending 241 voucher with FTV doesn’t look attractive as I know I would have to call BA several times before the ticket is issued. Rant over! 😀

  • Wollhouse says:
    8 Sep8 September 07:53

    So, this is a general question. For those of us not based near London….. all the sale offers seem to be from London. And I can’t see that there’s an option to alter the originating airport? What’s the “best” way to try to get these sometimes well priced offers? Find an offer you like and then book a separate connecting flight (with BA or another carrier?) call to use Avios for the connecting flight? Or is there a way to cost effectively tack on the connection if you call? If you just go in and price a holiday, not via the sales page, coming from say Edinburgh or Newcastle the pricing is many multiples higher than the sales offers. I’m sure I’m missing something or is it just book a separate ticket with another airline to connect?? I’ve tried looking at booking with Avios and selecting rfs starred flights (and reviewing all the price/Avios options) but coming from anywhere but London pushes everything up dramatically. What am I missing?. TIA

    • Stu N says:
      8 Sep8 September 09:43

      The BA Holiday Fare Finder only works for London.

      – Some holiday fares are ex-London only. Booking separate tickets is the only way around that but carries risks as domestic and long haul flights are on separate tickets and BA won’t check bags through and aren’t obliged to help you if your first flight is late. Best protection is to book a very long gap between the two flights, which isn’t terribly convenient.
      – If you price something up from London then use the “book flights plus hotel” or “book flights plus car hire” engine and then replicate the London holiday plus domestics, that can often work.
      – Otherwise, you could try calling and see if they can price up with connections on the same ticket on the phone. BA HOlidays call wait times seem to be quite long at the moment but when you get through, the agents are almost without exception extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

      • Wollhouse says:
        8 Sep8 September 17:31

        Thanks- I appreciate it. And I’m sure there are loads of us outside London that would book if we could only avail ourselves of the offers;)!

  • Reney says:
    8 Sep8 September 08:20

    Hi Rob, I think you mentioned Sinead is back this week and might have an update on Barclays current account deal? I need to find a new place for my current account. Thx

  • John cheese says:
    8 Sep8 September 08:46

    I have a flight this week and a cough I’m hoping will pass. Assuming I get a negative test between now and the flight, and the severity of the cough, I may make a decision closer to the time. Are check in staff or flight crew denying people boarding with coughs/other symptoms?

    • Lady London says:
      8 Sep8 September 10:27

      Hopefully, Yes.

      If I saw you on my plane – even not sat particularly near to me – I’d offload myself immediately and demand to be transported when the airline can provide safe transport.

      They’d have to retrieve any luggage I might have checked before the plane would be allowed to take off and that would p.. them off so I’d hope they offload you instead.

      Sorry. With even slight symptoms you shouldnt even think of turning up and my understanding is that regardless of the conditions of your ticket airlines are likely to help if you call up and explain.

      • BrightonReader says:
        8 Sep8 September 14:44

        Good grief. People have coughts for all sorts of reasons.

        By all means offload yourself but don’t expect to be rebooked for a decion YOU make.

        And definitly don’t expect them to offload the coughing passenger instead.

        And if they did I hope they too have luggage and it’s the last one they find so you get peed off!

      • TGLoyalty says:
        8 Sep8 September 14:54

        A bit over the top if they have a recent negative covid test!

        • Lady London says:
          8 Sep8 September 21:29

          Tests are not fully accurate. There may also be a lag between contracting an illness (which with Covid sounds as though you would be immediately infectious) and it being provable.

          I’m not into taking obvious risks i can avoid. I think most of the plane with any sense of caution would prefer someone with any symptom stays where they are and doea not trav with others in a closed metal tube.

          I was in my local pharmacy when someone brought in their partner for advice with continuous dry cough they
          couldnt control. They came to the pharmacy because he’d just started on some new medication (I think he was a heart patient). Perfectly sensible to check was the cough a side effect of the medication. But not in these days of Covid.

          I heard the beginning of this, heard the cough thought ‘this is classic Covid” and went straight outside on the pavement. The pharmacist wasnt taking any chances either he ordered everyone else out of the pharmacy immediately. Selfish and stupid not to stay at home with any type of Covid symptom and phone for advice if necessary.

          • Lady London says:
            8 Sep8 September 21:35

            PS that’s the same instructions that have been sent out by 2 airlines I’m travelling on : if yoj have any symptoms dont come to the airport.

          • Polly says:
            8 Sep8 September 22:33

            Absolutely. Totally irresponsible to travel with any symptoms. People just have to cop on. Other pax will not want to be in a small enclosed plane near a Dougherty etc. LL don’t blame you for asking for pax to be removed. Wonder how airlines are handling these situations.

        • Lady London says:
          9 Sep9 September 15:52

          @ChrisC just posted this on same thread 9th September timed 14:48 said by a government minister as to why we’re not doing airport testing at this time “due to the incubation period of this disease, and even using highly accurate tests, the capture rate of those carrying covid-19 may be as low as 7%, leaving 93% of people who are infected free to go about their business, more likely—most likely, under those circumstances—in the misguided belief that they do not carry coronavirus.”

          This is my point.
          Sadly, having symptoms that could be Covid, trumps any test results whatsoever.

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