The HfP chat thread – Saturday 26th December

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We have decided to run this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

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General

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Anna says:

26 Dec26 December 16:34

https://www.pressreader.com/

EHIC to be replaced by “GHIC” which will give the same cover, apparently. Still not the same as proper travel insurance, obviously!
- Anna says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 16:35
  
  Those I suppose it might reassure anyone travelling to Europe whose insurance doesn’t cover Covid.
  - John says:
    
    26 Dec26 December 17:45
    
    EHIC still valid until expiry date (in my case end of 2023) thankfully. Don’t think they’ve decided what the replacement card will cover/where it will be accepted yet.
Venturelog says:

26 Dec26 December 17:01

For those that utilised the Morrison’s & Virgin shopping points, have they been posted on to your Virgin Flying account? It’s been over 45 days and although they show as pending on Virgin shopping, they haven’t posted on to the Virgin app.
Thank you
- Anuj says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 17:26
  
  Nope I’m still waiting for the points to post but mine say pending too.
- Chef says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 18:45
  
  45 days last exactly last time, maybe the festivities have delayed things a day or two ?
  - Jonathan says:
    
    26 Dec26 December 21:43
    
    I’d advise not chasing yet in case they ask for the receipts…
chabuddy geezy says:

26 Dec26 December 17:35

Has anyone used the Boots PCR testing to enter the Maldives? Any issues?
David says:

26 Dec26 December 18:56

How have people got asking hotels to process charges in advance for the Marriott 400 offer?

E.g. Grosvenor House?
- Kai says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 19:22
  
  JW and W were both happy to do so.
  - David says:
    
    26 Dec26 December 19:59
    
    Thanks
    - David says:
      
      26 Dec26 December 20:01
      
      Just curious if we have multiple reports of success or not.
      - MarkH says:
        
        27 Dec27 December 01:31
        
        Yes I’ve done this with Grosvenor House.
        Called up and asked to move the stay I already had booked and to pre-pay. Was emailed back with a payment link as apparently had to be processed by a manager.
- Lev441 says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 20:30
  
  Langley did it for me on 2 x cards with no issues.
aDifferentSimon says:

26 Dec26 December 21:28

When do finnair flights get added to the reward bucket? Is it the same +355 days as BA? thanks
- Nick says:
  
  26 Dec26 December 22:27
  
  No, it’s whenever Finnair choose to release them. Very few FFPs are as generous as BA in this regard (believe it or not!) and release entirely at their own discretion, not with any formal guarantee, allowance or timing. I believe AY releases space based on expected and realised demand, so it’s unlikely to be when flights open for sale.
  - aDifferentSimon says:
    
    26 Dec26 December 23:19
    
    Thanks for the comprehensive answer!
  - Rob says:
    
    27 Dec27 December 05:05
    
    Finnair had also moved to restrict Business Class redemptions, if you do a search under Finnair.
    - Michael C says:
      
      27 Dec27 December 05:32
      
      Yep, couldn`t find ANYthing in business for my cancelled Dec. flights to Rovaniemi, and I looked a lot throughout the year! Loads of economy, though.