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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 10th April

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Comments (337)

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

  • roberto says:
    10 Apr10 April 06:15

    Greetings from Rangali..
    Sure pretty here..

    • Colin says:
      10 Apr10 April 07:14

      Greetings from Kilkeel..
      Sure ain`t pretty here..

      • fivebobbill says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:22

        Nice and sunny in Newcastle Colin 😋

        • Colin says:
          10 Apr10 April 09:55

          Ah … God`s own country there but as you well know fivebob, the sun rarely shines beyond Glassdrumman! Just hope it stays sunny there for my usual Saturday afternoon Piccolo Pizza.

        • Harry T says:
          10 Apr10 April 11:21

          It really is nice and sunny in Newcastle! But about five degrees 😂

    • Pablo says:
      10 Apr10 April 07:17

      Go on, share your IG with us

    • Secret Squirrel says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:03

      On work purposes Roberto?

      • roberto says:
        10 Apr10 April 08:22

        Nope, 100% leisure – flew from Malaga (where I live currently) to Male via Frankfurt on Luftansa. No issues, hoop jumping or restrictive protocols to abide too, just a PCR test. He rest of Europe is open to Europeans and the rest of the world.

        Here on points (thanks Rob, TripReport and others) , ten days on doing not too much.

        • Secret Squirrel says:
          10 Apr10 April 09:02

          I’ll be there for next Feb, all on Points. 👍

        • Yuff says:
          10 Apr10 April 09:07

          Was there 5 years ago, iPad memories just reminded me of photos in the jacuzzi.
          Cant say I particularly enjoyed the Maldives, although watch the Kardashians with their camera crew was very entertaining.
          Not so sure about Europe being open to Europeans though, a lot of Spaniards not happy about being restricted from travelling over Easter

    • ankomonkey says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:29

      Sounds dope…

  • Andrew says:
    10 Apr10 April 07:40

    Looks as if BA have taken the plunge and begun moving to their summer LGW flights to operate to/from LHR. Our flights to the Canaries have just been changed.

    If we can still go (and if the flights still operate) it’ll actually be more convenient but we’ll see…

    • Rhys says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:49

      They’ve pulled Gatwick shorthaul until the end of October

      • Anna says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:09

        How long can we reasonably leave before accepting or cancelling? We’ve been moved to LHR for the end of July but I’m thinking the flight might be in high demand if Spain ends up as green or amber and surely BA won’t want to keep 4 seats effectively on hold for us?

        • Rhys says:
          10 Apr10 April 09:11

          I believe you can leave it until 24 hours before departure, or thereabouts

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 09:32

            Thanks Rhys, hopefully we’ll know sooner than that, hopefully if Plan A (the US) goes on the green list and starts letting Brits in!

      • kitten says:
        10 Apr10 April 12:20

        ….which will surely mean it’s pulled till last week of March as short haul much less busy in winter season, surely?

  • Robert says:
    10 Apr10 April 07:53

    Hey all. Barclays Premier question – where can you check that the account is correctly enrolled to the Avios Rewards programme? I don’t want to initiate the banking switch too early and miss out on the 25,000 bonus?

    • Iain says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:27

      I’d you click on the rewards tab it should be really obvious. It tells you you have chosen it and you can click through and ensure accounts linked by showing Avios balance.

    • Mark says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:28

      On the app homepage there is a section called rewards. If I click on ‘see more’ it shows me enrolled on the avios scheme

      • Robert says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:10

        Thank you all. Found it. On the App in the tab it does now say “Your Chosen Reward is BARCLAYS AVIOS REWARDS”. Can’t see any mention of Avios anywhere on the desktop log-in… but I’ll take a time-stamped screenshot before doing the switch in case there’s any come-back!

  • Joe says:
    10 Apr10 April 08:10

    Hi all, Does anyone know if you need to be a new Barclays customer to take advantage of the Barclays Premier Avios offer? I closed my account with them a couple months ago, not sure if I need to wait a while before switching an account to them?

  • Nick says:
    10 Apr10 April 08:12

    Was expecting to see one of Rhys’ well written articles this morning covering the death of of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. What an extraordinary life of duty and service. As a keen aviator, there was a great story to be covered here but as there is, sadly, no article marking his death and honouring his life, readers may be interested to read the following published in 2018 https://aviationoiloutlet.com/blog/5404-2/

    • IanM says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:32

      +1

    • IanM says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:33

      He was a good lad Phil the Greek, very sad. Wonder if Meghan and Harry will be held in quarantine, then deported !

      • Tracey says:
        10 Apr10 April 08:47

        The rules allow you to leave isolation to attend a funeral of a close family member, that includes a grandparent, but not a grandparent-in-law. Funerals restricted to 30 people.

      • Number9 says:
        10 Apr10 April 08:52

        Me again must be gutted to be ousted from the front pages. They didn’t appear to have much respect for the Queen or Philip when he was alive so shouldn’t bother with their crocodile tears now.

        • Jayne says:
          10 Apr10 April 12:44

          I’m embarrassed for you, number 9

        • Matty says:
          10 Apr10 April 18:27

          Saw this on the Guardian website: ‘By late Friday afternoon there was one death dominating the most-read stories on the BBC website: that of the rapper DMX.’ Puts Philip’s death into perspective.

          • BSI1978 says:
            10 Apr10 April 21:15

            I wasn’t there, obviously, but his set at the more recent Woodstock has achieved legendary status for many. May not be to everyone’s taste, but his mix of hardcore rap/rock really moved the dial.

            Unclear to what extent his inability to marry a princess hindered his career….

    • Oh! Matron! says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:33

      Thanks for posting this. I was in the ATC for 9 years and the DofE was a massive part of my time there. The DofE awards has had a staggeringly positive impact on a sizeable chunk of the commonwealth (yes, it is run abroad too). Did not know this about the DofE though, so, once again, thanks….

    • Harry T says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:33

      I’d rather read about the IHG dynamic points pricing though. I’m not trying to be a nob – the Duke of Edinburgh’s death is a sad occasion and my heart goes out to the Queen, who must be very lonely without her lifelong companion, especially at a time like this. It’s just I wouldn’t expect this blog to write an obituary or talk about the Royal Family. I come here for points analysis and discussion. Other websites and papers will be far superior at writing in depth commentary and obituaries on HRH’s life.

      • Russ says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:59

        I believe Princess Anne saves points and was an avid collector of the Times eat out for free vouchers.

      • Chris Heyes says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:59

        Harry T Well said, Really don’t give a dam about any of them, can’t switch the TV on without a load of nutters going on about him.
        If it’s like this for him. What’s it going to be like when she pops off
        If it’s not one lot of the Royal Family in the news it’s another.
        Also if you read History you would know they are not even the Royal Family
        A 13 Month Pregnancy for the Queen because the King was fighting Abroad when she supposedly conceived

        • Anna says:
          10 Apr10 April 10:39

          Which King and Queen was that Chris?!

          • Chris Heyes says:
            10 Apr10 April 13:09

            Anna The Queen was Elinor (not sure spelling) King was Edward, (longshanks i think) and no didn’t get it from any film.
            I Think the disputed son was called Edward 1V, its over 50 years ago when i was studying the disputed History

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:31

            Ah – well our royals are ultimately descended from the Tudors and the Stewarts (particularly the Stewarts which makes it very odd to hear Scots disassociating themselves from the royals this weekend!) – Edward I or Longshanks was a Plantagenet so the legitimacy of his son (who was Edward II, logically) is irrelevant to the claim of the Winsors to the throne.
            I’m not a monarchist but I am a history geek 🤣

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:44

            Edwards IV’s legitimacy has been questioned (his parents were Richard, Duke of York and Cecily Neville), but again this wouldn’t have had any bearing on the Tudor and Stewart lines. Henry Tudor claimed the throne through his descent from Edward III, but even this shaky claim wouldn’t cancel out the Stewart/Hannover descent which the claim of the current monarchy rests on.

          • Sandra says:
            10 Apr10 April 15:12

            Queen Elizabeth is also descended from both William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson who was the last English Saxon king so I think it’s best to just agree that they are all, and most of the royal houses of Europe too including Prince Philip with his Danish & Greek lineage, distantly related and interbred!

          • Sandra says:
            10 Apr10 April 15:22

            Have just remembered Danny Dyer is also a direct descendent of William the Conqueror (Who Do You Think You Are?), perhaps he’ll be making his claim to be the next King in due course 🥴 !

          • Chris Heyes says:
            10 Apr10 April 16:06

            Anna But you must realise if Edward didn’t become king someone else would have which also could have made history different to what it is now.
            That was my argument 50 years ago, which still stands
            Therefor it’s totally possible. That the Winsors would have never been able to come to power if a different king was on the throne in an earlier year.
            As a history geek you will know every change would alter todays history.
            That again was my argument 50 years ago, to them that said it wouldn’t have mattered. I said how can anyone know for certain.
            If Alfred had lost we might not be here

        • TGLoyalty says:
          10 Apr10 April 12:22

          While I think there’s been far too much coverage I’ve watched a few shows and frankly seen him a different light.

          Shame it takes a death to find that out these days

          • AJA says:
            10 Apr10 April 13:00

            Sky One had a really interesting documentary on him last night. He was an avid aviation fan and actually considered going into the Royal Air Force before doing the Mountbatten family thing and going into the Royal Navy. He had a really strange upbringing. There was an interesting side-note about him writing his address in a guest book as “of no fixed abode”.

            Interesting to think if he had gone into the air force he may not have been at Dartmouth Naval College in 1939 and may not have met the princess as she was at that time.

            I feel very sorry for the Queen, to have lost her life partner after 73 years together must be awfully hard to cope with, her comment that he was her ‘strength and stay’ says a lot.

        • Sandra says:
          10 Apr10 April 13:16

          Late to this, but George II was the last British king to fight in battle and that was in the 18th century so not really sure who you mean Chris? George II was followed by George III who was his grandson as George II’s son and heir pre – deceased him.
          Anyway Harry is correct, whilst the news is sad, It’s not really relevant here.

          • Chris Heyes says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:04

            Sandra Replied which King it was above It was Edward,
            The disputed son was Edward 1V

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:45

            Nope – see above!

          • Sandra says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:47

            Yes saw it later Chris. Edward 1 (Longshanks/Hammer of the Scots) was married to Eleanor of Castile & because his son, later Edward II, was a homosexual he is supposed to have accused his wife on occasion of infidelity although it’s never been thought to be true. By the time you get to Edward IV there had been a few kings in between and the royal line of succession had (due to death without heir) been argued over & you then get into House of York & House of Lancaster territory & the War of the Roses which is never a good place to go especially as I believe you are from one side of the Pennines and I’m from Gods own county on the other side! Hoping this will post in correct place!!

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 14:55

            The Winsors are ultimately our royal family due to their descent from James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots. Elizabeth I had no children and nominated James as her successor as one of closest (and Protestant) relatives.

          • Chris Heyes says:
            10 Apr10 April 16:38

            Sandra Yes I’m from the wrong side of the Pennines except it doesn’t really matter to me.
            I have no loyalty to either side (in fact no loyalty at all)
            My view is I’m British, because that’s where i was dropped
            Defiantly no loyalty to the Royals don’t get me wrong don’t dislike them, just ignore them, not worth my time
            But would I bow lol wont even call anyone sir, used to get caned every day at Junior School because refused (well it was a ruler actually)
            until they realised I wouldn’t.
            The Queen came to Blackburn once where i worked, I refused to line up in the group (went toilet instead)
            Management asked if I’D been in special forces because i refused to have my photo taken, now that did give me a laugh

      • Gruntfuttock says:
        10 Apr10 April 10:39

        +1

      • Lady London says:
        10 Apr10 April 12:28

        +1 Harry T

        Until the fall of Harry he was my favourite with Prince Philip just behind. I loved the times when Philip was accidentally lip-read by the press saying something politically incorrect and his occasional blunt remarks. Amazing sustenance for the Queen. He “did the job”.

        • Ernest says:
          10 Apr10 April 15:06

          I dont comment on these pages at all really but you’ve got to love the standards of people in Britain.

          “occasional blunt remarks” or as the BBC etc call them “gaffes”

          It’s no wonder hate crime is on the rise when people are more insulted by those who call out racism than those who are racist. I see it a lot on this website to be honest..

          RIP to Philip and my condolences to his family, but let’s not tread around, he said some very offensive things and really should have been educated more on those to ensure he didn’t continue to do so, but nobody is going to tell the Queen’s husband anything like that.

          As for your comment about Prince Harry, that shows where your priorities are…

          • kitten says:
            10 Apr10 April 23:27

            Well with Harry I think everyone remembers those two boys walking at their mother Princess Diana’s funeral. Harry was the littler one and everyone’s heart went out to them. I think that’s why a lot of us had a soft spot for Harry.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Apr10 April 12:21

      Since when is this an aviation website?

      It’s a points website.

      • Chris Heyes says:
        10 Apr10 April 13:18

        TGLoyalty To quote many on here lol
        This is a Chat were anybody can post about whatever they feel like (as long as Rob allows lol) and it doesn’t really matter how stupid the posts are

        • TGLoyalty says:
          10 Apr10 April 15:30

          I know post what you like in here. It’s robs site so he can do what he wants too

          just the call for an article on The Dukes weak link to aviation.

          @might want to update the about page it doesn’t mention aviation once 🙂

      • Rob says:
        10 Apr10 April 15:12

        Despite the name, we treat it as a mix of points, business travel, high-end leisure travel and aviation.

    • bafan says:
      10 Apr10 April 14:32

      I’m happy there isn’t. One place on the internet not filled with sycophantic coverage of a 99 year old racist. RIP for his family etc etc but the sooner we become a republic the better! The terrible viewing figures for the networks last night bear out most peoples unwillingness for the mandatory grieving IMHO.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        10 Apr10 April 15:31

        Who in there 80+ Isn’t racist?

        Also he did it with jest rather than calling for the heads of anyone that wasn’t white etc.

        • Ernest says:
          10 Apr10 April 16:31

          Not everybody born in that era was/is racist. Some of the great revolutionaries come from around that time (MLK to name a prominent example)

          Jane Elliott is another one who is still active, and is Irish-American so the skin colour argument doesn’t come into it.

          Regardless, just because something was acceptable 50+ years ago doesn’t mean older people can get away with it. Saying that “he did it with jest” just disregards the feelings of those it affects.
          It’s a slippery slope from racist comments to people who resort to crazy actions (such as in America recently with anti asian crimes).

          Guess its okay though cos it likely doesn’t affect you.

          • Anna says:
            10 Apr10 April 17:43

            Hmm, so harassment and exploitation of women is ok as long as the perpetrator isn’t a racist?

          • Ernest says:
            10 Apr10 April 18:21

            I did not say that, I noted he was a revolutionary (which he was) and was one of the most notable people who weren’t racist despite being born in the same period.

            Now on the point of MLK’s “harassment and exploitation of women” – if proven I would condemn 100% but as far as I am aware, since the FBI files are sealed until 2027 we as the general public do not know for sure whether he is guilty. On top of this, the same FBI has been implicated in his assassination so you also have to question whether what they do say can be taken at face value.

            If when these files come out in 2027 there is evidence that is trustworthy then I for one will definitely think of MLK differently. However currently, with the sketchy evidence that out in the public domain, pushing this issue makes me think you might also be prejudiced.

            I wonder if you would act the same when discussing Winston Churchill and bring up his role in the death of millions in the Bengal Famine.

          • Ernest says:
            10 Apr10 April 18:27

            I have assumed you are talking about the alleged incidence that occurred with Pastor Logan Kearse.

            If you’re talking about the consensual activities that occurred then to me, while I disagree with affairs etc, if an act is done consensually then I don’t have too much of an issue with it as its between those people.

          • Lady London says:
            10 Apr10 April 23:32

            Actually, Ernest, @TGLoyalty might surprise you there.

    • Aston100 says:
      10 Apr10 April 14:34

      I say, are you fellows still throwing referrals at each other?

  • Wally1976 says:
    10 Apr10 April 08:20

    The Amex cap of 90k MR for referrals – is that per calendar year or per card year?

    Also, is it per card or per MR account?

    Thanks

    • Wally1976 says:
      10 Apr10 April 08:32

      To answer my first question, I’ve checked the terms and it’s per calendar year.

      Still not sure on the second question though!

    • Kay says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:07

      calendar year, per card

      • TGLoyalty says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:28

        It’s per account. So

        90k across your MR cards
        90k across your BA
        90k across bonvoy etc

    • Andrew says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:11

      I’d never concerned myself with the 90k limit before but with the 24k referrals, that’s fewer than 4. Presumably for the fourth, you would just get 18k credited rather than 24k or do you get 0 if the bonus would take you over the limit?

      • Harry T says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:21

        You get the remaining number of points – you’d get 18k in your example.

      • Chris Heyes says:
        10 Apr10 April 10:06

        Andrew happened to us 3 times (three of us) You just get 90k so depends how your referrals pan out.
        but as far as I know they are spot on with it, was with us anyhow.
        Of course if you have a partner that’s another possible 90k

  • Francesca says:
    10 Apr10 April 08:25

    Does anyone know what the policy is re. the 2 & 8 day test package if you are only transiting through the UK (land side or not)? I can’t see any reference to this scenario anywhere in gov guidelines. You would hope that in this scenario the pre departure test is all you need and proof of onwards travel – but does anyone know?

    • Adam says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:04

      Yep the pre-departure test, onward travel proof and passenger locator form is all you need, as long as you’re leaving the UK before you’ll hit day 2. They get a bit grumpy at the border, only because they’ expect everyone coming in to be staying, but once they work it out it’s fine. Just give yourself plenty of time if transiting landslide, the queues can be very long in my experience.

      • Yuff says:
        10 Apr10 April 09:17

        I had an issue with this as I needed to stay overnight before a connecting flight and I could not add the hotel details on my passenger locator form. It only seems to allow you to add an address if you are isolating for the full 10 days.
        The agent waived me through but then another agent called me back as he had overheard I not booked my tests and said he was issuing me with a fixed penalty notice for not booking the tests.
        He was very apologetic when I said but I won’t be here to do the tests

        • Lady London says:
          10 Apr10 April 12:40

          Do not worry Yuff your phone will still be full of texts almost daily for 8 days reminding you to isolate and do each test. You’ll also get 1-3 calls from a number in Earls Court to enforce the rules. Even if you had a transit stop on the way to Khazakhstan and said so on your Passenger Locator Form and declaration do not worry you will still get all these.

          Some of the calls might be typical telesales “heavy breather” calls ie if you answer immediately there’s no one speak-to-able at the other end of the line just silence.

          Cr3tins whoever they subcontracted for this

  • Niall says:
    10 Apr10 April 09:16

    Has anyone who has been referred to Amex platinum (personal) since the higher referral/sign up bonuses got their card yet? Wondering if the new platinum card holders can also refer others and get the increased referral bonus? Would like to recommend a few people but will hit that 90k annual referral limit too fast…

    • Benilyn says:
      10 Apr10 April 09:23

      Lucky you to have many f+f willing to pay the platinum fee!

      • Niall says:
        10 Apr10 April 10:11

        It’s probably only 2 willing to pay the platinum fee, but the 24k enchanted referral bonus applies even if they don’t choose platinum. And that 90k annual limit is used up with less than 4 referrals sadly.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Apr10 April 12:32

      New Plat holders can refer people straight away

    • Aston100 says:
      10 Apr10 April 14:40

      Referred wife for a Plat this week.
      Points landed in my account 2 days ago.
      Card arrived yesterday and activated right away.
      No ability to refer yet.
      When attempting to signup for hotel status, get a message advising the card doesn’t have any benefits that require enrolling at this time.

      Dunno if this is normal and we need to wait a while?

      • Rob says:
        10 Apr10 April 15:00

        The benefit enrolment form on personal cards has been broken for weeks. You need to call. Works fine on Business Platinum oddly.

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