The HfP chat thread – Sunday 27th September

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• SteveD says:

  27 Sep27 September 13:02

  Just wanted to say thanks to whoever posted the advice about refunds of BA Hols deposits, if outside Book with Confidence rules. Worked like a charm. Straight through to Newcastle at 8am on Balance Due day. No quibble about deposit refund, all done in 5 mins.

  • Jody says:

    27 Sep27 September 16:34

    That’s great. I phoned BA Hols the other day just to check and was told exactly the same – phone up on the day the balance is due and if the country is still on the FCO essential travel only list they will refund. I’ll be phoning on the 16th October as I highly doubt anything will change by then (or only for the worse!).

  • Matthew says:

    27 Sep27 September 23:04

    I did at some point and yes works on day I’d deposit due (3 weeks before). If FCO advice still in place then full refund given. I called on the Fri and refund back on card on the Tues. Impressive!

    • Matthew says:

      27 Sep27 September 23:04

      *of. (Sorry typing too quick!)

• Andrew MS says:

  27 Sep27 September 13:04

  Just had my Qatar flights to Hanoi cancelled for November- no surprise there but BE careful what you click on when the advisory comes through from Qatar !!!
  One of the options was “ keep your ticket “ which i clicked on expecting to see more details but instead I received the “ Thank you , we will be in touch” message !!! I now read ticket on hold for 2 years so might just stick with it .
  Qatar would have allowed me to change destination FOC to Zanzibar , Seychelles , Maldives or Cebu

  • Polly says:

    27 Sep27 September 13:22

    Yes same here. We were offered hkt for kul but they offered a full refund anyway as they moved our outgoing flt by 24hrs. Good result as wasn’t sure about prices next year.
    Will take 30 days at least. We were due to fly Nov 3rd.
    Was hoping for that hkt visa.

• Nick_C says:

  27 Sep27 September 14:23

  Used the Amex/Selfridges offer on Friday to stock up on Clinique. Ordered 3pm Friday, delivered 12:30 today. 20% off. Free delivery. Return label provided if you change your mind. Had not bought on line from Selfridges before, but very impressed.

  • BJ says:

    27 Sep27 September 14:44

    I was disappointed to miss out on that offer. Would have been good for Xmas gifts. One for the ladies here: are all those cosmetics advent calendars that start to appear on sale about now any good? I’m thinking about sending out a few along with chocolate and wine advent calendars as Christmas gifts this year instead of the more traditional gift for Xmas day.

    • Louise K says:

      27 Sep27 September 14:58

      They are nice, but there are so many products in them that just don’t get used. The make up tends not to be the colours I would choose and lots of face mask products that again only get used occasionally. But, if someone bought me one, I would be delighted with it.

      • BJ says:

        27 Sep27 September 17:28

        Thanks Louise, good point on wastage.

    • Anna says:

      27 Sep27 September 15:31

      Depending on your budget, the M & S one is always a best seller, and at the top end the Elemis one would make you very popular indeed (I’ve treated myself to it this year but hidden it under the bed and hope the men won’t have a clue it was slightly more expensive than their chocolate ones 🤦‍♀️). L’Occitane is also very nice. The last 2 are e store partners (12 avios per £ currently for Elemis), but you’d need to check that the advent calendars aren’t excluded products.

      • BJ says:

        27 Sep27 September 17:38

        Elemis and L’occitane were the two I was actually considering 🙂 I got my sister an Elemis gift set a few years ago and it was well-received. For other people I was thinking of the L’Occitane offering as I only recall hearing positive comments on the brand. I believe it is mostly bath and body stuff too so less of an issue with the wastage that Louise pointed out. Enjoy your Christmas to yourself but I doubt your OH and son will be fooled, Elemis doesn’t look remotely bargain-store 🙂

        • Lyn says:

          27 Sep27 September 19:20

          BJ, L’Occitane is a lovely brand, especially for those who are nostalgic for France or the Mediterranean or just prefer natural ingredients.

          I’ve just taken a look at their advent calendar and I don’t think there would be much wastage. And if your gift recipient discovers something new in the advent calendar that they particularly like it should be more affordable to stock up than with Elemis.

    • Lyn says:

      27 Sep27 September 19:27

      The White Company might be an alternative also at the expensive end, especially for someone who likes their candles.

    • Lyn says:

      27 Sep27 September 19:50

      I’ve just noticed that l’Occitaine are offering two advent calendars, with a different selection of products, at different price points, which could be useful.

      • BJ says:

        27 Sep27 September 22:10

        Thanks Lyn, I am going to go with the less expensive of the L’Occitane calendars for a few gifts.

• BJ says:

  27 Sep27 September 14:46

  Free movement between Switzerland and the EU set to continue:
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54316316

  • Anna says:

    27 Sep27 September 15:39

    Makes sense in a nation completely landlocked by other EU countries. The cost of living discourages a lot of inward movement as well.

    • Genghis says:

      27 Sep27 September 18:40

      Not if you can get a job.

  • RussellH says:

    27 Sep27 September 15:45

    Many thanks for the pointer. I had momentarily forgotten that the referendum is officially today. (There are actually five referendums today, the others being about changes to the hunting laws, changes to the tax deductions allowed for having children, effective introduction of paternity leave rights and the purchase of new jet fighters for the air force.)
    Always nice to see the reactionary SVP dumped on from a great height.
    🙂

    • BJ says:

      27 Sep27 September 22:21

      I imagine quite a few ‘residents’ of Switzerland will be quite relieved tonight.

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