The HfP chat thread – Friday 11th December

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• johnny_c-l says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:05

  Has anyone had one of the latest “£X off when you spend £YY” Tesco vouchers this week?

  Normally they work on branded gift cards but I see they have changed the coupon barcodes this time round so wondered if anyone has recent experience of trying to use them with a GC.

  • Genghis says:

    11 Dec11 December 12:28

    I can’t answer your specific question I’m afraid but changes in how “coupons” work have happened.

    Specifically, the mechanics of how the xmas saver vouchers works has changed.
    Last year you didn’t earn clubcard points on buying the voucher but you did on spending.
    This year you earned clubcard points on buying the voucher but the voucher is effectively treated as a coupon so you don’t earn on spending. This means that in my shopping I’m actually paying cash to benefit from the double points coupon instead of paying using the xmas saver vouchers.

  • Anna says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:25

    I’m planning to use mine at the weekend on a very rare trip to a real shop to buy some stuff for our local foodbank, which has a collection bin in our local Tesco. Apparently they desperately need donations of Xmas cake and Xmas pudding which I didn’t think anyone actually ate any more!

    • Andrew says:

      11 Dec11 December 13:54

      Be careful which foodbank.

      Our local Council charges £18 by Direct Debit a month for access to the one closest to me.

      I only donate to the ones that don’t charge.

      • Bazza says:

        12 Dec12 December 06:58

        The one I am involved in has so much rice and pasta we have had to hire some long term storage! And no booze or toiletries it seems… Tons of it there but all stashed away not allowed to be given out. I don’t know why exactly, I’ve only just started. No one pays as far as I’ve seen.

    • Anna says:

      11 Dec11 December 15:02

      Charges £18 per month for what exactly? I’m pretty sure this isn’t the case with ours, it’s one of the Trussell Trust’s and operates via a referral system.

      • ken says:

        11 Dec11 December 15:48

        Indeed – I have never heard of a mainstream foodbank that doesn’t operate on a referral basis.
        The client has to be referred by a GP, social services,citizens advice etc.
        Some are limited to 2 or 3 referrals per month per person.

        The idea of paying £18 a month is ludicrous,

        • Anna says:

          11 Dec11 December 16:29

          I’ve heard about co-operative type shops where you can pay a small fee and choose from a range of groceries which would quite a bit cost more, but these aren’t food banks as the term is generally understood.

• Backpacker says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:11

  For those planning on travel during the next 4 months…

  You REALLY want to make sure that holiday is neccessary/worth the possible price.
  Having a partner as a doctor, and number of doctor friends around the world, we get a lot of information that does not make the press, and is very frightening.
  Intensive care hospital beds have run out in a number of cities/locations around the world again, which means people with Covid who can’t breathe are being turned away from hospitals again, as they were in Italy/Spain in March. That’s when the deaths spiral.

  Having just witnessed a 3-day full-time effort to get someone an intensive care bed when they are sick in a city (with medical insurance), and the effect that has had on the people involved, don’t delude yourself that money or travel insurance will get you a bed should you become ill, if the local hospital facilities are overwhelmed – You won’t have a chance.

  Not trying to be a drama queen here – but so many people are still in denial about this whole situation. Vaccine news has been positive, but it will be years before even the rich nations get vaccinated, let alone the poorer ones.
  Waiting for the usual negative replies and people telling me it’s just like the flu…

  • Chris says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:15

    Why would frightening information not make it into the press? The press make money from frightening news.

    The reality is that if it’s not in the press, it’s not that frightening.

    • Anna says:

      11 Dec11 December 13:31

      Not true, plenty of really awful stuff going on in other countries never makes it into the British press.

      • Backpacker says:

        11 Dec11 December 16:40

        That’s right anna. Hard to get information on what’s going on in most places at the moment, as there is plenty enough bad news in the UK at the moment.
        Countries also don’t want to advertise just how bad things are, and cause mass panic, or discourage those precious tourist dollars..

        • Lady London says:

          11 Dec11 December 19:56

          what geographical areas are we talking about ?

    • James E says:

      11 Dec11 December 22:27

      Yawn

  • TGLoyalty says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:26

    Every single day you need to make decisions if that trip or outing is worth the potential harm/trouble.

    While you’re not trying to be a drama queen you are doing exactly that.

  • Anna says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:29

    Hi Backpacker. We and a lot of people we know have no foreign travel planned for some months to come! We have long-standing bookings for Easter but unless we have been vaccinated by then (OH and I are both 50), we will be re-considering.

  • Chris Heyes says:

    11 Dec11 December 14:03

    Backpacker You just need to remember (and not lose it) that as in life itself some people will just do whatever they want, regardless of the consequences (and that could be as it should be depending on a individuals view)
    After all some people actually smoke knowing they probably will get cancer or some other underlining condition.
    Some people will drink to much regardless of risk to health, or drink drive regardless of lives of others.
    Some people will take drugs regardless of harm to them or others
    some people will even take up arms in the name of religion and imaginary gods or god lol
    So why not some people ignore Covid especially if unlikely to affect them directly, that is life fortunately or unfortunately depending on your view lol

  • Harry T says:

    11 Dec11 December 14:28

    Yeah, but I’m 29 and athletic, so I’m not going to need an ICU bed anywhere unless I’m hit by a car!

    • Anna says:

      11 Dec11 December 15:04

      I think the point was that all the ICU beds might be filled with COVID patients!

      • memesweeper says:

        11 Dec11 December 15:29

        Correct. Travelling the world during a pandemic has medical risks not associated with actually contracting the illness.

    • Chris Heyes says:

      11 Dec11 December 15:13

      Harry T i used to be 29 and athletic “honest” (i think to long ago to remember)

      • Freddy says:

        11 Dec11 December 15:29

        Or involved in a car crash, drowned swimming in the sea, beat up by some thug, stabbed for your nice Rolex, sudden stroke, DVT – yeah no risk of being put in an ICU bed whilst on holiday

        • TGLoyalty says:

          11 Dec11 December 15:33

          Or they could all kill you instantly and you’ll never need an icu bed.

          How about we all just stay home forever.

  • Gormlesstraveller says:

    11 Dec11 December 15:33

    Which locations are the worst please

  • mutley says:

    11 Dec11 December 16:01

    I guess until Covid effects your immediate family it doesn’t really hit home, Points/miles etc are rendered completely irrelevant. My wife’s elderly parents both have contracted Covid. Her mother is in hospital, her father who has cancer and Parkinson’s was released from hospital as there were other more needy cases! This is in Croatia, Furthermore I have two friends who are doctors in Italy, where the crisis is close to, in their words “to be being out of control” I really think that by curtailing our leisure travel for the first 6/8 months of 2021 we will be helping all contain, supress and hopefully defeat this awful disease , and then we can continue this hobby.

    • Backpacker says:

      11 Dec11 December 16:37

      Hi Mutley,
      I hear you, and I am in a similiar situation to what you have just described. ICU bed space is a dwindling resource in a lot of countries, and when it runs out doctors have to practice triage and decide who lives/dies.
      So Crotia is another place where this is happening now, and plenty of others.
      It’s happening in a lot more countries at the moment – I hope your wife’s father is being looked after by someone in some capacity – did they send him home with Covid?

      In the situation I described, the ambulance was being driven between different hospitals with the oxygen supply running out and the patient very much alive and scared, as they tried to find a hospital with beds and an oxygen supply, with other people also trying to get treatment.
      With under 30 mins oxygen left in the ambulance, there was a running argument with the exhausted doctors on duty as to whether they would take him, over and above the other people who were asking for help at the same time.

      We had an incredibly courageous friend who volunteered to go in the back of the ambulance for several hours on this trip, and negotiate with the doctors in an hospital heaving with Covid patients, wearing only a surgical mask. We owe him so much. Very hard to find friends like that in life…
      Good luck to you all.

    • Nick says:

      11 Dec11 December 22:48

      Mutley that is what I have said 100 times to people, dont chance the sorry and undoubted bitter recriminations that will no doubt come from the serious illness/death of a loved one

• Matty says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:15

  How do I add a promo code in the Addison Lee app? It doesn’t seem very obvious.

  • Matty says:

    11 Dec11 December 12:17

    Found it. Apply it at the time of booking.

• Andy says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:27

  I’ve got 3 nights remaining to hit platinum Marriott status. Are there any other ways to get night credits beyond booking an overnight rate which might be cheaper than the 70£ or so airports at Heathrow will cost me? I’m not sure I’ll be spending more than 20 nights in Marriott hotels next year, although it might prove useful if I travel somewhere with my parents for Xmas 2021. At current prices it will probably cost me about 200-250£, so wondering if it will be worth it

  • Rob says:

    11 Dec11 December 12:33

    Not if you don’t want to get the credit card, no.

    Day rooms seem not to generate elite night credits although this was never fully clarified.

    Do you have Marriott Amex credits to use up?

    • Andy says:

      11 Dec11 December 12:40

      I should have mentioned it, I already have the credit card, so my 47 nights currently include 15 from that and 13 of carryover for being a gold member in 2019. ~70£/night is not too bad considering it includes breakfast. More generally I’m wondering whether the additional benefits vs gold I’d get next year would be worth the 200£ spend

      • TGLoyalty says:

        11 Dec11 December 13:30

        search around a little further than Heathrow as you might save £20 a night for £10 diesel and an hour or so of time.

        I say this so often but only you can decide if its worth it. 5 suite night awards, higher earning rate if you use cash, better chance of upgrades.

        However if you 20 nights are going to be at Courtyards and Moxys what are you going to get? If its going to be at St Regis/JWM/Marriott/Luxury collection it probably would be.

        • Andy says:

          11 Dec11 December 14:08

          Thanks for the feedback – next year my use of Marriott hotels will be quite selective and most high end properties (Prince Gallery Tokyo, and the like), and when you factor in the free breakfast, it’s probably worth it for 200£. Without having a car it’s tricky to look further…I’ll probably go for the ones in East London as it’s a short daily commute and around 70£. I’ll go for Heathrow only the night prior to my flight back for Xmas

        • TGLoyalty says:

          11 Dec11 December 19:12

          @Andy when you say daily trip you’re booking over night not day rate as those aren’t eligible for nights with Marriott.

          You could check in for 2-3 nights and request no house keeping without issue due to Covid.

      • Scott says:

        11 Dec11 December 13:44

        As TG has said look further afield for a cheaper rate. Or if you are points-rich then the Courtyard Oxford South is 10k points per night with free parking.

        • Andy says:

          11 Dec11 December 14:09

          Thanks I’ll have a look, could be worth a last minute weekend in Oxford if it’s not too far from the town, as I don’t have a car

        • TGLoyalty says:

          11 Dec11 December 14:14

          The one in the centre is also 10k a night (8k some nights) and as you wont need parking its perfect

        • memesweeper says:

          11 Dec11 December 15:31

          It’s nowhere near Oxford. Walkable from Didcot station I think, if that helps.

      • Kevin says:

        11 Dec11 December 22:13

        Gatwick £52 per night

• meta says:

  11 Dec11 December 12:53

  Do you have any Amex with Marriott offer? For £200, you could reduce it to £150 with the offer. If you factor in 3.5k or so points you’d get, it could be a bit less.

  • Andy says:

    11 Dec11 December 14:16

    Used it in early Nov at Turnberry unfortunately – both on the BA Amex and Marriot one

• Anna says:

  11 Dec11 December 13:00

  More BA IT nonsense. I had a flight cancelled and moved to the following day – this wasn’t a problem, however the domestic leg on the same PNR had been left as departing on the original date! I managed to get through to You First straight away and got the usual fantastic service, domestic leg amended to the new date and instant confirmation, however, the CSA said that this is an IT issue which isn’t going to be resolved any time soon! So if you get a change/cancellation on a booking with a connecting flight you may well have to call to get the domestic leg amended. It’s ludicrous that they have incurred this extra work for themselves!!

  • Anna says:

    11 Dec11 December 13:03

    I did ask what would happen if I didn’t pro-actively call about this and she said we’d be treated as no-shows – thanks BA!

  • ChrisC says:

    11 Dec11 December 15:10

    It’s not getting fixed because in the scheme of things it doesn’t affect a lot of people

    When a flight gets cancelled – especially an international where rebooking options may be limited – the rebooking algorithm looks to immediatly rebook the cancelled flight.

    It does not immediatly look at how that rebooking is affected by or if it affects other flights – such as it departing before a connection arrives or failing to meet MCT.

    These sort of issues usually get sorted out – automatically – a couple of days later.

    Earlier this year I had a booking DUB-LCY-JFK-ORD. The BA1 got cancelled and I was rebooked ex LHR. The DUB-LCY flight was left (at that point) as was even though there was a clear mismatch of airports and also the LCY-LHR MCT. A couple of days later I was auto rebooked onto an appropriate DUB-LHR flight which made the trip whole again.

    Sometimes it pays not to immediatly jump to the phones but to let things sort themselves out.

    • Anna says:

      11 Dec11 December 16:33

      As I said, the CSA was quite clear that the system would not right the error without manual intervention. I’ve had 3 such notifications now for separate bookings, the first one almost a week ago and it was still showing the same details.

      • Nick says:

        12 Dec12 December 00:52

        CSAs haven’t got a clue how systems are built, but often believe they know everything and/or don’t want to admit that they don’t.

        BA has an internal system called Transview that seeks out and either corrects or flags ‘illegal’ connections. It does this weekly for far-out bookings and daily for close-in ones. But because of this, the ‘rebooking in cancellation’ systems neither need nor want to rebook with MCT adherence – doing that is system-inefficient and unnecessary.

        Now you can choose to believe an untrained CSA in a regional office or someone who actually knows how it really works… your choice.

• mr_jetlag says:

  11 Dec11 December 13:31

  Starting to be glad our IST trip over Christmas was cancelled, sounds like an absolute faff to travel before New year. Afterwards… who knows?

  Keeping the faith for Easter… even though our twice delayed Japan trip is no longer Club Suites it is, so far, uncancelled.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    11 Dec11 December 14:18

    Quarantine reduced to 10 days from Monday.

• Mco says:

  11 Dec11 December 13:44

  Anyone know if the Harrods £50 of £300 is cumulative?

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