The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 5th January

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• Anna says:

  5 Jan5 January 09:28

  Rip Off Britain reporting on people who’ve had to cancel holidays at the last minute due to not receiving covid test results within the promised time!

  • TGLoyalty says:

    5 Jan5 January 09:44

    Sooner pre departure testing moves to the much quicker LAMP test the better c90 mins for a result.

    While it may only catch 70-95% of cases it can be taken on the day of departure rather than 3-4 days before (leaving you 4 days to catch it and/or develop C19)

  • Dick Steele says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:07

    These chats sometimes seem a spin off of Rip off Britain these days 😂

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:31

    LAMP tests are very accurate. They catch all covid cases but have a higher false positive rate

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      5 Jan5 January 10:31

      Meant to be a reply to TG

    • TGLoyalty says:

      5 Jan5 January 10:41

      Gov.uk official publication doesn’t agree

      RNA RT-LAMP on swabs: sensitivity 95%; specificity 99%
      RNA RT-LAMP on saliva: sensitivity 80%; specificity 100%
      Direct RT-LAMP on swabs: sensitivity 70%; specificity 100%
      Direct RT-LAMP on saliva: sensitivity 79%; specificity 100%

  • BJ says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:54

    They should do a piece on LNER which we are all heavily subsidising.

    • Rhys says:

      5 Jan5 January 11:06

      We’re subsidising ALL the train lines right now. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/18/rail-subsidies-costing-uk-taxpayer-100-per-journey-in-lockdown

    • John says:

      5 Jan5 January 13:41

      Halifax has given me another card offer for LNER… Not going to be of much use, while the people who do need to travel would likely just pay whatever is asked

• David says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:00

  I booked one of the cheap Virgin Upper tickets to CPT for Feb. They have changed my departure by a full 24 hours- presumably I am entitled to a full refund? If so, anyone know the easiest way to get hold of them? I seem to recall there being a Whatsapp channel but can’t see numbers anywhere. Thanks

  • Umba says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:12

    You could try +44 3448747747.

  • James Vickers says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:13

    They’re really responsive on WhatsApp whether that’s changed again with the latest lockdown is anyone’s guess but I’d opt for using that

  • babyg says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:13

    +44 344 874 7747 – virgin whatsapp.. they take a few days but are pretty good…

    • David says:

      5 Jan5 January 10:21

      Great- thanks!

• Mco says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:09

  Will BA still run flights in the next few weeks for destinations that are primarily holiday destinations like the Maldives, Cancun and Caribbean? I can’t see many business travellers on these sort of routes to fill a daily 777.

  • babyg says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:12

    It depends on how many follow the rules – or how many people will work from the maldives because they are travel bloggers or whatever…. the Maldives flights are practically sold out in Club for the next few months.. BA are probably making money on those flights.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      5 Jan5 January 10:17

      Therefore following the rules.

      Contrary to popular belief on here but People do actually connect in Heathrow from outside the UK too.

      The frequency may drop but I doubt they’ll stop completely.

      • babyg says:

        5 Jan5 January 10:25

        Its amazing how many people have become travel bloggers during these lockdowns/tiers etc. The only way to make the rules work is for the government to control the borders etc.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          5 Jan5 January 10:34

          Genuine question what’s the risk to UK public health from these people LEAVING the country with negative C19 tests?

          Worry about the things that matter, like those mixing in homes here in the UK, Lockdown parties and the like. The overwhelming majority of cases in the UK are the new Kent the strain which is spreading within community.

        • Optimus Prime says:

          5 Jan5 January 10:42

          @TGLoyalty ‘Genuine question what’s the risk to UK public health from these people LEAVING the country with negative C19 tests?’

          But we’re not testing them upon their return. Wasn’t there an outbreak in summer in Wales caused by people who had come back infected from Greece?

        • TGLoyalty says:

          5 Jan5 January 10:45

          So that’s an issue for all inward travellers and the government should do something about that. Like Pre departure testing.

        • John says:

          5 Jan5 January 13:46

          Too late for that, real lockdown (China style) or herd immunity (with or without vaccines) are the only way out. Travel bloggers are probably not infected

• Michael says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:12

  BA Shopping Portal – I know it gets lots of negative press on here due to transactions not being tracked or Avios being grabbed back but until recently I almost always had a painless experience using it. I don’t know what’s changed recently but I’m having to chase up almost every purchase I’m making through it. Nothing is being tracked as it should. Sonos and Mr Porter the two most recent transactions but there have been several others over the past couple of months including John Lewis. Each time I’ve eventually received the correct amount of Avios but what an unnecessary faff.

  • Jonathan says:

    5 Jan5 January 12:06

    Are you using a browser that has enhanced privacy settings? Safari & many others now default to blocking cookies etc which would cause issues for sites where you want to be tracked.

    • John says:

      5 Jan5 January 13:43

      You basically need a completely open browser for shopping and a private one for general use

      • Nick says:

        5 Jan5 January 14:13

        I use my work laptop for the shopping portal rather than my (significantly more private) iPad or own computer. Tracks every time.

• Optimus Prime says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:21

  Travellers arriving in the UK ‘will be asked for negative Covid test’

  https://bt24news.com/world-news/travellers-arriving-in-the-uk-will-be-asked-for-negative-covid-test/

  • TGLoyalty says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:43

    Finally some risk management.

    • Pete says:

      5 Jan5 January 11:11

      Or creating some noise for the Daily Mail readers to feel like “something is being done”.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        5 Jan5 January 11:45

        perhaps but if you can find even a few cases with a cheap and quick antigen test its better than nothing.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:

      5 Jan5 January 12:53

      +1

  • ankomonkey says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:08

    Would this include UK residents returning from overseas? If we finally get to take holidays again, how easy will it be to get a test locally at our holiday hotspot? Obviously, a city break in a developed country would have better options than trekking through a swamp in Suriname…

    • Optimus Prime says:

      5 Jan5 January 11:21

      I guess so otherwise everyone would say ‘oh I actually live here’.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      5 Jan5 January 11:52

      It looks like they will be exempt from PCR tests but perhaps have to take another.

      Will have to wait for the legislation to be published. 10 day quarantine will continue.

    • John says:

      5 Jan5 January 13:47

      Not sure why UK residents should be exempt. It should be based on the risk of infection in that locality.

      • Nick says:

        5 Jan5 January 14:15

        I think it should be a test for everyone, but with the option of taking one on arrival (mandated and before leaving the airport controlled zone) for those unable/unwilling to do so before they fly.

• Anna says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:33

  What are people’s thoughts on Florida in August? (Apart from hot and humid, of course). Looking at somewhere we can take 2 teenagers for a fortnight with plenty of activities but also nice beaches. We have plenty of avios and companion vouchers now. It will be my nephew’s first trip outside Europe and I’m desperate to give both boys a holiday to remember as nephew is going off to military college in the autumn and probably won’t have a lot of time for fun travel from then on!

  • Anna says:

    5 Jan5 January 10:59

    Though cash prices to both MIA and LAX in the summer are fairly decent, circa £1400 in J from MAN. Think that would give us Bronze as well.

  • BJ says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:02

    Great any time of year, multicentre flydrive way to go. But California is so much better still.

    • Louise K says:

      5 Jan5 January 11:32

      I agree with California.

      August in Florida could bring storms / hurricanes. Very muggy.

  • Craig says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:24

    If you do go Anna, have a look at staying a couple of nights at one of the top 3 Universal hotels. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. You can arrive first thing in the morning, pick up your unlimited fast passes, drop your bags and head straight to the park. You’d effectively get 3 days for the price of 2, still need regular park tickets as well.

  • Zoe says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:58

    Try to go late in the month as there will be less American families, they go back to school earlier than us.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    5 Jan5 January 12:05

    Personally, I’d go San Fransico then LA. Both different in there own ways but relatively close together so could drive or fly

  • dezbez says:

    5 Jan5 January 13:02

    Personally I don’t think you can really go wrong with Florida, it’s a great holiday for all the family. So much to do, so many options. We’ve now done it three times with our two kids (both now teenagers) most recently in Aug’18. Weather is great all year round, very hot & humid in Aug – there’ll likely be a short thunderstorm mid afternoon (which actually is a nice bit of relief) but other than that, guaranteed sunshine. You should be before hurricane season as well.
    It’ll certainly be memorable, Anna. Highly recommended. (As is a California holiday, tbf.)

    • Anna says:

      5 Jan5 January 13:16

      Thanks all – do we think we’ll be allowed in by then?!

      • Anna says:

        5 Jan5 January 13:19

        Sheesh, BA’s cash grab on CW redemptions is now £688 pp for this route. Going to do 2 x avios and 2 x BA holiday.

        • Jane says:

          5 Jan5 January 15:43

          I’m keeping everything crossed for Florida in August. 4 x CW Avios into Orlando and out of Miami is not something that is usually easy to book so I don’t want to have to postpone.

      • Darren says:

        5 Jan5 January 13:48

        My March speculative MIA trip is toast barring a miracle, I’ll be switching to November as I guess the US will be behind others for vaccinations due to population numbers. August???

      • The Savage Squirrel says:

        5 Jan5 January 17:20

        As a general point for Florida holidays, especially Orlando, higher end hotel rooms are usually very expensive relative to villas …. you will be able to get a beautifully furnished villa (that would be comsidered mansion-sized in the UK), with 4+ ensuites, private pool and gated community hotel-level resort facilities (big pool, gym, etc etc) for less than two hotel rooms.

    • mr_jetlag says:

      5 Jan5 January 13:36

      We went to MIA in August and stayed in town for 4d then drove down to the keys 4d, felt like a double holiday. Humidity not too bad and some things (swamp tours) cheaper as a result.

• Aston100 says:

  5 Jan5 January 10:43

  I have a week in Malaysia booked for May/June half-term through that Qatar Airways Teacher promo thing.
  I need a backup destination in case this gets cancelled (Would pay the fare difference if applicable).
  Would appreciate some suggestions on alternative destinations (serviced by QR) that may be more likely to accept tourists by end of May, and which are no further than KUL.
  Would need to discount Thailand and Singapore as these are very unlikely to accept tourists if Malaysia isn’t at the time.
  Was thinking perhaps somewhere down the east side of Africa like Tanzania or Kenya?
  It is only for 6 or 7 nights so would probably be a city break rather than a full blown Safari or Trekking.

  Thanks.

  • BJ says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:07

    If one of the respondents could please tell me the winning numbers for Euromillions on Friday…

    • Aston100 says:

      5 Jan5 January 12:20

      I’m just looking for a shortlist of possible alternative destinations so I can do some research on them in case they are open and Malaysia is not.
      So please do put your crystal ball away. Thanks.

  • John says:

    5 Jan5 January 13:50

    I think Tanzania has barely ever had any restrictions.

  • WaynedP says:

    5 Jan5 January 14:33

    Read the hotel review article of 1 Jan from Minhaal on Park Hyatt Zanzibar (under HfP “My Favourite Hotel” category) and consider that as a possible destination. It is served by Qatar Airways.

    • Aston100 says:

      5 Jan5 January 16:00

      Thanks; good call.

• Tri87 says:

  5 Jan5 January 11:09

  Hi – I have a random question regarding an IHG non-UK credit card I’m eligible for, as I know this forum particularly favors IHG points for MS…

  Context: I almost exclusively prefer Marriott/SPG for loyalty/redemptions (mostly South East Asia, US) but I must admit it’s more out of custom (started early with work travel) than thorough research. I’ve lost status this year (back down to Gold) and I’ve looked at IHG/Hilton but their redemption rates look crazy and although you can gain seemingly large amounts of points it doesn’t matter if the costs are high too.

  Question: Is 140k IHG points for $3k worth of spend with an annual fee of $89 a good deal? The card also gives Platinum status which I cannot tell from IHG tiers whether this provides lounge access or not. Clearly the pandemic has impacted travel plans, so I’ve kept on accruing Marriott points, but am wondering whether it’s worth branching out and what I’d do with these IHG points.

  There are some pretty tempting offers from both Amex and other providers in US as well (incl. a Marriott card for $500 which gives Platinum elite status + 100k points) but I highly doubt I’ll be raking many hotel nights this year.

  Thanks in advance.

  T

  • Rob says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:14

    No IHG status gives lounge access by right. If you are looking for guaranteed benefits you are in the wrong scheme. Even Spire Elite top tier do not get lounge access or breakfast (or late check out, or, or …)

    140k IHG is worth about £550 of free nights, so the maths works from that point of view.

    • Tri87 says:

      5 Jan5 January 19:18

      Thanks. Will most likely take a punt on the 140k points.

      Why are people on this board so fixated on IHG and the IHG card if the scheme doesn’t look all that great then?

      Seems to be a lot of discussion surrounding it, I presume because it’s so easy to link to Curve (I refuse to say Bendy or Beardy or Seagulls or [insert silly word]) to MS, but that begs the question of the ultimate aim? Am assuming to convert to Avios though the rate doesn’t look great.

  • Lev441 says:

    5 Jan5 January 11:26

    Make the most of the insane US sign up bonuses. For $89 you can’t really go wrong with 140k IHG points which will get you a few nights in the better IHG properties…

  • Lyn says:

    5 Jan5 January 15:41

    If this is the US card it should also give you an annual free night at a 40K point IHG hotel. Also if you use points to book a hotel for a 4 night stay the 4th night is free.

    No lounge access or breakfast, so IHG is no competitive from a status viewpoint. However IHG platinum can still be useful, especially in countries that don’t offer an IHG credit card. So less useful in the UK and US, more useful in the rest of Europe, Asia, Australia etc.

    If you are looking at Amex cards in the US, remember that sign-up bonuses are once per lifetime, not per 2 years like in the UK. And other companies, like Chase which offers the IHG card, have 2 or 4 year restrictions for some of their cards. So it would be wise to plan carefully.

    • Lyn says:

      5 Jan5 January 15:48

      I’ve just noticed your comment about IHG and why you are interested in using it. Note that the IHG cards in the UK and the US are totally unrelated to each other. And I suspect attitudes to MS, as well as how it works, are very different in the two markets.

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