The HfP chat thread – Saturday 8th May

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• The Savage Squirrel says:

  8 May8 May 07:56

  Radisson Rewards booking. Emailed the hotel to slightly alter a booking (no. of people/extra bed in room). Following this, points have been returned to me and booking no longer on Radisson website. Contacted hotel again and they insist booking is still live in their system. What on earth is going on??

  • meta says:

    8 May8 May 08:09

    Are you using the correct website? There are now the US and the rest of the world versions.

    • The Savage Squirrel says:

      8 May8 May 10:17

      Yes, definitely!

  • Lady London says:

    8 May8 May 13:16

    give it overnight/end of weekend to refresh

• VJ says:

  8 May8 May 08:02

  What is the best way to pay a bill of 2000 Euro.

  I see curve blue is 500 a month limit.

  Other than I got Halifax Clarity, Revolut and Starling.

  I do prefer curve for obvious reasons. Any recommendations?

  • ChrisBCN says:

    8 May8 May 08:43

    I would suggest that revolut will give you a far better rate than the others, exceeding the value of any points you will get. Second best option is Wise.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      8 May8 May 09:43

      I very much doubt it’s far better than either curve or clarity.

  • ChrisBCN says:

    8 May8 May 08:51

    Sorry I missed the fact that this was a bill, and not a bank transfer! Ignore my advice 😉

• Nick G says:

  8 May8 May 08:39

  I would be quite happy with a trip to Ireland but can’t even get there without the 14 day quarantine at the moment. Don’t know about anyone else but I’m planning on next may/June as my first decent European holiday. Anytime before then is just planned to be in England maybe jersey at a push

  • Ed says:

    8 May8 May 09:07

    Ireland is ‘green’ list isn’t it? As part of common travel area?

    • John says:

      8 May8 May 09:19

      Ireland is outside the scope of the lists, you don’t need any tests or forms when travelling to England.

    • Ian says:

      8 May8 May 09:22

      Ireland requires a 14 day quarantine for GB arrivals, regardless of the CTA.

      • Joe says:

        8 May8 May 09:37

        You can end the Irish quarantine early if you get a negative PCR test result after 5 days, but that’s a long 5 days if you’re only looking to go on holiday.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    8 May8 May 10:15

    Or you could wait a few more weeks until the rules are relaxed in Ireland.

    • Jonathan says:

      8 May8 May 13:10

      Or spend two weeks in Northern Ireland then travel to Rep. Ireland.
      Rather spend two weeks free to explore Northern Ireland rather than two weeks in quarantine.

      • John says:

        8 May8 May 13:20

        Careful though. Unless you’re exempt (eg students) CTA not currently operating, and PSNI have been enforcing a bit:

        https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-within-common-travel-area

        In fact, NI government would like to continue restricting cross-border travel, which the Garda have been enforcing a bit more:

        https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0508/1217646-ireland-covid-19/

    • Harry T says:

      8 May8 May 13:34

      Or just fly into Belfast and drive down to Ireland lol.

• James. says:

  8 May8 May 09:04

  If anyone if interested in the IC o2. Reached out to them yesterday. Management are currently reviewing their availability in May and June and therefore not taking reservations for that period at the moment. They are waiting future instructions from management on how to proceed. They will have an answer by next week.

  Looks like it could be a delayed opening

  • DJ says:

    8 May8 May 10:22

    Thanks for sharing this.

    I hope they will open on the 17th May as per the original opening date.

• A270 says:

  8 May8 May 09:11

  1. I have applied for exemption to travel to see my ill parents in USA. If approved, I’d like to take a direct flight and Virgin Atlantic seems to be the only option. It will be around 22nd May. I didn’t buy any miles in the recent bonus offer so would like to know what would be the quickest way to get some? Cash tickets are about £850 whereas miles are working out at about 35,000 and £300. After my Tesco and Amex points hit my account, I will have about 18,000.

  2. Do we need to go through the government’s website for the test to release option or can we do it privately? I will need one before, after arriving and then another on Day 5 so want to be ready to book the cheapest option. I will be travelling from Heathrow. My employer has approved my unpaid leave but how quickly do people get their results through this option. If I test on Saturday morning, will I receive it by Sunday to resume work on Monday?

  3. Lastly, since USA did not go on the green list yesterday, if it does go on it after 3 weeks and I wish to extend my ticket, is it easier to amend a miles ticket (if seats are available)?

  • Travel Strong says:

    8 May8 May 09:41

    1) You have a couple of days to get an amex referral in and get bonus points. (12th may deadline but better off applying today and having a few days buffer). Given your short timescale, Amex transfers or buying points directly from virgin are the only instant earners AFAIK. Buying from virgin = £270 for the 17k you are short. You can’t afford to wait for anything that takes time to sweep across.
    I would not buy anything until you know you can actually travel.

    3) traditionally miles tix are more flexible, and yes you can amend a miles tix if theres availability (£30 fee) – but the cash booking policies are also flexible right now – check out the latest policy on the virgin site.

    • AnotherUser says:

      8 May8 May 14:23

      Sorry to hear that your parents are ill. I’ve been having referrals come through within a day or so on amex, so you may find all goes through on time for you to get the extra Virgin points. Time is tight, though. If you value MRs at 1p you’ll just be saving about £200 – which isn’t peanuts, but as you’ll have a lot going on anyway you might want to just pick whatever the easier option is.

• MadeUpName says:

  8 May8 May 09:25

  Portugal haven’t confirmed when they’ll let UK visitors in yet have they? And with what test / vaccination requirements? I know they’ve been making positive noises but not sure if anything is known / confirmed yet?

  • meta says:

    8 May8 May 09:51

    17th May is target date. Fully vaccinated or immunity (had covid in the last 6 months), PCR test not required, all others with PCR test. I suspect we’ll know more next week.

    • MadeUpName says:

      8 May8 May 10:07

      Cool, thanks. Will go ahead and book our tests now!

• Matty says:

  8 May8 May 09:29

  I was Preferred Plus with Avis last year. This appears to have dropped to Preferred this week. I think their loyalty year runs 1st of May to the end of April the following year. I thought Avis was honouring existing status levels given the pandemic. Have I missed something?

  • Richster says:

    8 May8 May 09:33

    My Avis Status was extended. My loyalty year is beginning of March and I only did one tiny rental last year, but I have my status still, which I was surprised it.

• Saiz says:

  8 May8 May 09:46

  I have done two Amex referrals for my partner in the last month to get the higher referral bonus. Would it be okay to do one more? He doesn’t hold any other Amex cards. Is there a time duration to be left in between. I know he won’t get any sign up bonuses.

  • Benilyn says:

    8 May8 May 09:49

    No time duration
    If you think they are in good credit standing should be ok

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