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The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 12th January

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

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

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General

Comments (333)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • Andrew says:
    12 Jan12 January 08:29

    Does Virgin Flyingclub do a soft landing to silver from gold, like BA do?

  • Mikeact says:
    12 Jan12 January 08:56

    I am showing double Avios on my BA account this morning, from this quarter’s Tesco conversion. I guess as I’m still on….was….Grandfather rates.

  • Bazza says:
    12 Jan12 January 09:16

    I have made my vaccine appointment. Was surprised to find out that North & East Herts NHS trust are not allowing staff to make appointments during working hours… and our data is being passed on to various companies eg Worldpay.

    Add this to the forced Pathology test for the virus(forget human rights as an NHS employee) you can see why people don’t want to work here!

    • BS says:
      12 Jan12 January 09:42

      Vaccine is optional. As are the tests. But wouldn’t want to let the truth get in the way of your anger against measures to protect both you and the patient get in the way, no?

      • bazza says:
        12 Jan12 January 12:33

        The test are NOT optional in the East & North NHS trust. Check your facts please

        • Bazza says:
          12 Jan12 January 12:35

          Send me your email address and I’ll forward you the emails or you wouldn’t want the facts to get in the way of your accusations and apology?

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:33

      They’re optional but you might not be able to work without it. The choice is yours, you just don’t like the options…

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:35

      Arent NHS staff supposed to be working during ‘working hours’? Am not sure how someone can get worked up on such things!
      Also, shouldnt NHS be testing their employees more often? The last thing we need is an infected NHS staff spreading diseases to others.

      • Bazza says:
        12 Jan12 January 12:38

        Its more the Human Rights I was concerned about. I get it – not everyone is concerned about Human Rights but I do think they are quiet important.

        • The Savage Squirrel says:
          12 Jan12 January 13:07

          Lots of jobs and professions have requirements, including medical requirements, in order that you do them. This is not a violation of your human rights as you are not compelled to take or remain working within any specific job. It would be a violation of employment law if they were unreasonable. Good luck proving that a measure designed to slow the spread of COVID through healthcare settings and reduce the rates of people being infected within hospitals (some of which have not exactly covered themselves in glory in terms of their cross infection control) etc is in any way unreasonable at the current time….

          • Bazza says:
            12 Jan12 January 13:36

            That’s your opinion. Others I have spoken to believe this is a Human Rights issue, after the test is complete that material is being held for 20 years and shared with a private company – totally out of my control.

      • bazza says:
        12 Jan12 January 12:41

        Yes, I have been here everyday throughout this. Thanks for your support. Give me a good clap Thursday, won’t you!

        • Igloo says:
          12 Jan12 January 16:02

          Which of your Human Rights do you think is being breached exactly?

          There could potentially be a data protection issue based on what you are saying, but Human Rights doesn’t seem to fit your description of what has happened to you.

          • Bazza says:
            12 Jan12 January 16:31

            This one “The right of sole dominion and jurisdiction over one’s own body”

    • Nick_C says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:42

      I envy you Bazza. Wish I could get vaccinated now. I’m 63 so I will probably not get my first shot until the end of March and second until the end of June. So my life is on hold for another six months and I’m having to turn down offers of work.

      • Bazza says:
        12 Jan12 January 13:20

        It’s not that we don’t want it. We are looking at 3 hour round trip from NW London to The Lister Hospital. So, it’s more an issue of not being able to attend this week or next for some of us.
        Not sure you envy the job we do at the moment though?

        • kitten says:
          12 Jan12 January 14:07

          because of the freezing requirements there will be relatively few sites vaccinating currently compared to availability in future so people may have to travel.

        • Nick_C says:
          12 Jan12 January 14:23

          I don’t envy you the three hour round trip. Can’t you get vaccinated at the Excel or nearer home? If you are a clinician, can’t you get vaccinated at your own hospital?

          When you say The Lister, do you mean Stevenage? Why are they sending you to The Lister instead of the regional vaccination centre at Robertson House? Robertson House is 800 metres from the train station, and you can get to Stevenage by train from King’s Cross in about 20 minutes.

          I’m grateful to all key workers who have been keeping essential services going throughout the last 10 months; bus drivers, shop assistants, police officers, school dinner ladies and many many more. And of course front line health care professionals. I think clapping outside your front door on a Thursday night is a bit silly. The best way for the rest of us to show our appreciation for key workers, who have been literally putting their lives on the line, is to avoid all unneccessary contact with others.

          But I’m still envious of those people getting vaccinated now when I’m in group 7. I’ve not met with friends or family for nearly a year now, and am facing abother six months of living like this. I’m looking forward to driving to Stevenage when my time comes. I’m lucky its only a 20/30 minute drive for me if I avoid peak hours.

        • Nick_C says:
          12 Jan12 January 14:42

          Actually Bazza if you work at Mount Vernon, then public transport would be a nightmare.
          So would getting to the Excel. But if you can avoid rush hour, you can drive to The Lister in about 45 minutes.

          • bazza says:
            12 Jan12 January 16:35

            It does not take 45 mins from my home or MVH to the education centre @ The Lister

          • Nick_C says:
            12 Jan12 January 16:53

            “It does not take 45 mins from my home or MVH to the education centre @ The Lister”

            According to Google Maps, it can be done in less than 45 minutes. Depends on traffic and how you drive of course.

    • Andrew says:
      12 Jan12 January 11:39

      I don’t have a problem with being PCR tested every two weeks for Covid.
      I don’t have a problem with performing lateral flow tests twice a week at home for Covid using the kit supplied.
      None of my immediate colleagues, who have been vaccinated, have expressed a problem with being vaccinated outside their regular contracted hours.
      My boss was half way home when she got the call to ask if she could attend “now” for the end of day spares, and she was driving straight back to the unit for a jag,

      Could you explain the “Worldpay” element? You haven’t been taken in by the scam texts requiring payment have you?

      • Bazza says:
        12 Jan12 January 12:45

        Its in the recommended information provided before you book the vaciine. You didn’t read it the information they tell you to?

        • Andrew says:
          12 Jan12 January 13:05

          I don’t work for your trust.

          Tell me more about how Worldpay’s relationship with your trust has resulted in you joining the anti-vaxx commnity.

          • Bazza says:
            12 Jan12 January 13:06

            As part of the Trust’s response to COVID-19, the Trust may share your name, phone number and email address with Addaptive Group, SalesForce, WorldPay and associated partners, our provider and Data Processor of the NHS Help for Heroes Services. You are under no obligation to use these services.

          • Bazza says:
            12 Jan12 January 13:40

            Thanks for telling me I joined this “anti-vaxx commnity”

  • TGLoyalty says:
    12 Jan12 January 09:30

    In ass it’s of interest. Bought a digital a gift card from PayPal on Sunday and charge+credit has landed this morning.

  • Chrism20 says:
    12 Jan12 January 09:37

    Looking at making a few spec bookings for April/May and by the look of it all mention of lounge has been removed from the rates at IC Edinburgh.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      12 Jan12 January 09:41

      It never had a lounge

      They were offering an Experience which was breakfast, afternoon tea in the restaurant and evening cocktails in the bar.

      • Chrism20 says:
        12 Jan12 January 09:46

        Well that experience that they marketed as a lounge seems to be no longer.

        • Anna says:
          12 Jan12 January 10:03

          It seemed to come and go for a few months and prices reflected it as well! I don’t think it actually ever got off the ground though, due to the hotel being closed. They may well re-introduce it or something similar if it fits their business model moving forward, from what I gleaned when moving bookings last year.

          • Axel says:
            12 Jan12 January 19:54

            When was it closed? I stay every 3 months and don’t remember a closure, maybe a week at most when they switched from IC to Kimpton

            They are currently delivering some drinks to your room from 5-6pm i.e wine, to compensate for the Kimpton club at the bar. There never was a “lounge” at this hotel.

  • James says:
    12 Jan12 January 10:07

    Is it possible to change my payment details for an upcoming BA flight? Thanks

    • ChrisC says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:24

      Yes. Via MMB and also via your personal details in your BA account,

      The latter will only feed through to future bookings though not existing ones.

    • ChrisC says:
      12 Jan12 January 11:18

      Sorry I read it as PASSPORT details and my answer were based on that misreading!

      But.no you can’t change the payment method for a booking that’s already been made and paid for.

  • Gavin says:
    12 Jan12 January 10:16

    A few days ago someone was concerned about having to pay the £35 fee to cancel their Avios flight which had less taxes than the fee. I phoned to cancel a £4 tax JAL flight today and didn’t have to pay anything extra to get my Avios back.

    • Andrew M says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:56

      Good to know, thanks.

    • BP says:
      12 Jan12 January 11:02

      Good to know. I have a 50p + avios domestic flight booked later in the year to return from watching Scotland vs England at Wembley. I couldn’t face a 9 hour bus journey while hungover so booked a club europe flight to get home in comfort.

  • Lewis Beecham says:
    12 Jan12 January 10:19

    How long is BA now taking to issue refunds? Requested 28th December and still nothing…

    • Pete M says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:24

      How did you request it? By phone or web form? Were there any changes to the booking (or was it a complex one) or just simple flights?

      • Lewis Beecham says:
        12 Jan12 January 10:28

        Webform. No upgrades, booked in the 50% off avios sale for the US in April which I’ve now accepted is not happening.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          12 Jan12 January 10:34

          I would have waited for the last moment as it could have been cancelled and had them moved for free to a later date that will happen!

        • Pete M says:
          12 Jan12 January 11:37

          So the web form is very slow – definitely not going to do that again. Requested a refund on a RFS redemption on 22/Dec – money came back 5/Jan, but still no Avios. Which is weird, as it’s generally the other way round when you call.

    • ChrisC says:
      12 Jan12 January 10:26

      A simple booking comes through in a couple of days but if there have been any changes to it – bought or used avios for an upgrade for example – can take some time as they need more manual checks

    • u old git says:
      12 Jan12 January 11:05

      I had two recent “Covid cancellation” experiences with BA. In the first instance the refund was in my account the next day, the second took 35 days and two follow up phone calls. By the way I found that ringing very early Sunday am got me through quickly on each occasion.

    • Paul says:
      12 Jan12 January 17:51

      Very variable – mine was just shy of 9 months. Yes, really. Others have reported within a few days.

    • dezbez says:
      12 Jan12 January 20:22

      Took me about 6 weeks (& numerous phone calls). Worth waiting for though as they got it wrong in my favour by about £60…. 🤫
      It was a reward booking and the Avios were refunded immediately.

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