The HfP chat thread – Thursday 24th December

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General

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Pete says:

24 Dec24 December 10:23

Not sure if it’s been brought up before, but EU national living in the UK after 1 January 2021 will still be able to get an EHIC: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-ehic-european-health-insurance-card/
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 10:36
  
  This has been mentioned before. I had presumed that Mrs S would not be eligible as she also holds UK nationality. However, checking the online tool it would appear she is eligible, and by extension so am I. Result.
  - Pete says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 10:42
    
    Fair – hopefully a few more ‘new’ people will see it, though! Dual nationals are fine too. The form appears almost too easy – you just check to confirm you have EU nationality. But they do then ask you for evidence over email (I’ve had to provide a marriage certificate, EU passport and proof of UK address, which doesn’t seem super secure, but hey ho…).
    - Sandgrounder says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 13:45
      
      Good to see they are doing some checks, but yes, definatley agree a more secure method would be preferred. Hopefully we do stay in the scheme, most people of working age will have the option of insurance at a reasonable price, but it is prohibitive for some older people, or those with complex pre existing conditions, who are on a low income.
- Anna says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 10:43
  
  It’s been reported that the much-vaunted deal due to be announced today will include continued EHIC rights for UK nationals!
  - Pete says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 10:46
    
    Oohhh interesting!
    - Anna says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 11:05
      
      Before anyone asks, no I can’t remember where I saw it! I was trawling through media reports when I couldn’t sleep in the small hours.
      - Pete says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 11:09
        
        I definitely remember it coming up in the summer, but haven’t heard anything since. Would certainly be great for a lot of people, although I do worry when some seem to rely on it as insurance!
      - Anna says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 11:13
        
        Yes, I don’t even know why it bothers me because we have worldwide annual travel insurance in any case!
      - RussellH says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 14:26
        
        Up till now, most travel insurance works on the assumption that you will use an EHIC where it is valid and calculates premiums and excesses on that basis.
  - mvcvz says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:17
    
    If so, then the reciprocation will need to be funded via UK taxation. Not a positive development at all in my view.
  - RussellH says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 14:23
    
    That would be excellent news.
    
    I have just gone through the set of questions (twice) on gov.uk and it states “Based on the information you have given us, we cannot confirm your eligibility for a UK EHIC”.
    I hold both UK and CH nationality.
Craig says:

24 Dec24 December 10:34

Hilton Gold gift; Roger was asking a few days ago, all yours if you still need it?
BJ says:

24 Dec24 December 10:42

Well, just booked BA for Christmas 2021 so here’s hoping. Suspect BA will be renationalised by then and a shadow of its former self. Suspect Virgin will be gone. Just cannot see either of them surviving latest problems in any reasonable shape. Seems sort of ironic but it now looks like there is a good place for an airline with a good UK regional network … just like Flybe.
- Johnny Tabasco says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 10:54
  
  I’d be wary of predicting anything for 2021!
  
  If forced I’d prob bet on VS still being around. In 2023 though….hmmmm
  
  Trip For Christmas? Ooohh… fingers crossed for you. we simply don’t know anything.
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:30
    
    Yeah, hoping, prefer to be an optimist. If all goes well, by then most of us should be vaccinsted and that will hopefully mean a change for the better.
- Craig says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 10:57
  
  2021 Options:
  
  1. Zombie apocalypse.
  2. Meteor strike.
  3. Alien invasion.
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:27
    
    Apparently my young nephew experiences all three every night.
    - Anna says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 11:43
      
      My teenage son also, from what I gather when I venture into his room. He reports a new version of the Zombie Apocalypse apparently coming tomorrow morning!
  - Bam says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:42
    
    Absolutely Zombie apocalypse. Every Zombie Movie starts with a pandemic / vaccine.
  - Alex M says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 13:06
    
    well, zombie apocalypse (and probably meteorism strike) could be a side-effect of the vaccine, according to some.
- Vit says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 11:10
  
  @BJ, of course, there is always hope. 🙂 Is that for Thailand? We are thinking of taking a (financial) hit and go back for a few months doing the 15 days quarantine and then WFH from our garden-home located ~2 hours drive north of BKK and at the same travelling within. Though wary of the local lockdown due to recent outbreak.
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:36
    
    Yes, we visit my partners family every new year. Well he does, and more years than not for me. Hope your plans work out. Is that up in tge direction of Khao Yai?
    - Vit says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 22:12
      
      More like north north so in the direction through Ayutthaya. Would love a garden-home in Khao Yai though. 😉 It will be two years this April since we last saw the family. Will be a while till I see mine in Cambodia as well.
- Harry T says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 11:23
  
  The UK government will bail out the airlines in the end. After all, there’s a magic money tree for organised crime and Tory donors’ PPE companies, so why not add some more cash to the bonfire?
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:41
    
    Oh, Harry has returned to his roots just in time for Xmas … I was beginning to think all your 5* stays and some HfP contributors had gotten to you 😀
    - Harry T says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 12:07
      
      Ha I’m doing my best to retain the liberal portion of my personality whilst experiencing the bourgeoisie life. How are you, anyway?
      - BJ says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 13:20
        
        Fine here thanks, no covid or other adverse health effects so that in itself is enough to be thankful for these days. Hope you are well too.
      - Harry T says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 15:18
        
        Glad to hear you are well. I am also in good health, thanks.
      - bill says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 16:29
        
        haha love it. me too
- Charlieface says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 14:35
  
  I’d say a gigantic solar flare, permanently killing all electronics, is probably more likely than any of the above.
The Original Nick says:

24 Dec24 December 11:00

I’ve got 500 Shangri-la points expiring on 30th December. Can I do anything to stop them expiring? Thanks.
- Danny says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 11:22
  
  You should have received an email in October to say all point expiry is being extended to end of 2021.
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:46
    
    Yep, meant to add that to my comment below. All points expiring this year were extended to end of 21.
- BJ says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 11:43
  
  Anybody know if we can use them to access the spa in the Shard for a day?
  - Benilyn says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 12:35
    
    You can for restaurant (what I burnt mine on) so maybe call/email and see what they say.
    - BJ says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 13:24
      
      Yeah, dining is normal. Just thought it might be a good idea to enjoy their pool on a good hot bright sunny summer day.
      - The Original Nick says:
        
        24 Dec24 December 16:51
        
        Thanks to BJ, Benilyn and Danny.
Sam says:

24 Dec24 December 11:02

My current ihg free night voucher dec 31st 2020 ( extended from april 2020) is definitely a stay by expiry (not book by)- not sure why as years gone by has been use by. I have got the 2nd additional voucher so am happy. Previously on chat (us csa?) have been told stay by is correct. Should i phone ihg uk customer services or is use by not a written rule.
K123 says:

24 Dec24 December 11:26

It’s on FT & TA that BA are suspending Maldives route from 8 Jan – 1 Feb.

We have a 241 redemption booking in this period.

I have seen mentioned previously on here that I can get BA to rebook me on any future date even with no Avios availability? Is this correct, is it straight forward/are there any regs I need to quote or will BA want to give me a FTV. As using an FTV is going to be a pain on that route with low redemption seats available? Thanks
Sundar says:

24 Dec24 December 11:28

Any BA sale expected for Boxing day ? I was looking at tickets from India for my in-laws and the dates I am looking for have shot up double. Prefer Direct flights for them.
- MattB says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 11:32
  
  The sale is already on, can’t see there being further reductions at this time.
  - BJ says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 11:50
    
    I can, after developments during the past week with both route cancellations and restrictions they will need cash.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 11:58
      
      They’ll also need bookings to appease the markets/shareholders etc.
    - BuildTheWall says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 12:08
      
      They have plenty of cash. But yes, they’ll still accept bookings as half the customers will accept vouchers, thereby BA locking them in for future flights.
- Harry T says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 12:08
  
  Probably but the best BA fares are often not found during official sale periods, in my experience.
- DB2020 says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 12:57
  
  Sundar,
  
  Have you tried to switch country to India on the BA website? I’m visiting at the moment, my return flight has been cancelled by the airline due to the Indian Government’s reaction to an ‘out of control’ virus and subsequent ban of all flights to and from the UK (no political comment intended).
  
  So I have been looking at buying a new ticket from here for round trip flights for the first half of 2021. Depending on the dates one chooses, the fares for BOM-LHR-BOM are:
  – Club World £970 return
  – First £2200 return (limited dates as they are not offering First on every planned flight)
  
  Also worth noting, if it makes a difference, that BA uses its newest B777-300ERs on this route once or twice a week. These have Club Suites and the new First cabin.
  
  Good luck with hunting down the fares!
  - Sundar says:
    
    24 Dec24 December 18:26
    
    Thanks switched over to India site and booked for a later date, decent prices. Now hoping, flights do not get cancelled 🙂
    - DB2020 says:
      
      24 Dec24 December 20:23
      
      Glad to hear!
Jill ( Kinkell) says:

24 Dec24 December 12:01

For those wondering about passport turnaround, hubby emailed application and posted off old pp on 17 th and the new ( it’s black, not any shade of blue!)just been delivered. A week…..Pretty impressive.
- Harry T says:
  
  24 Dec24 December 13:42
  
  Similar for me in October!