The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 18th May

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General

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James Pleasant says:

18 May18 May 18:49

Given all the money already spent on the pandemic, I can’t see why there isn’t a big govt advertising campaign explaining why the vacc hesitants should get the vaccine.

They (vacc refuseniks) are bloody selfish but some may have legitimate (albeit false) fears that need countering by argument & persuasion. And ffs write it in Urdu if that helps (apparently they haven’t done that so far). Too many people worried about offending somebody, somewhere.
- David says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:02
  
  Legitimate but false. Good luck squaring that circle.
- Tracey says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:04
  
  They need more outreach – community leaders telling people that they should get vaccinated, for the religious preaching that the obligation to save lives / doing good deeds / serving your god commands you to get vaccinated. Couple that with outreach clinics – taking the vaccine into community centres and pray halls staffed by medics and volunteers from within the communities concerned.
- Not an anti vax says:
  
  18 May18 May 22:39
  
  What, the same selfishness of people that try and get around quarantine the past year, some on this site given the questions asked on a daily basis (legitimate but morally questionable). Argument runs both ways. If everyone stuck to the rules in the first place we wouldn’t be in this position but hey ho we are where we are.
a270 says:

18 May18 May 18:53

Is the red by Dufry registration not working? Need to register so I can get a 10% discount at Duty Free. Somehow gave an error when I tried using a refferal link on an article here.
- kitten says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:49
  
  website used to work better than app for most stuff. app was truly terrible.
Tracy says:

18 May18 May 19:18

I’m having an issue with my trip to Madeira on Friday. TUI are saying (I have phoned, tweeted & messenger) I need a PCR test to fly, same answer from all 3. However, they have also said they will be following FCDO advice, which as far as I can see will accept a medical certicate if had covid in last 90 days with no need for PCR test. I’m just worried if I arrive for checkin on Friday with no PCR test done I will be denied boarding. Advice?
- John says:
  
  18 May18 May 19:50
  
  Go to the airport tomorrow and see what happens on the ground?
  
  Stick to your guns, end up having to postpone your trip and sue TUI?
  - James Pleasant says:
    
    18 May18 May 19:57
    
    Maybe. vs losing 2 weeks in paradise for knowing she’s right but still not getting on board?
    - Tracy says:
      
      18 May18 May 22:42
      
      I don’t want to argue the toss at checkin. I just get conflicting advice from TUI. I’ve been told they follow FCDO as to what is required (no PCR test) but then get told I need a PCR test……
      - bafan says:
        
        19 May19 May 00:05
        
        I’d go with tons of time and ask them to check Timatic etc and be prepared to be polite but firm. You don’t need a PCR for Madeira. They are wrong.
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:10
  
  FCO advice is about how to get back into the country. TUI are probably on about. Medical actually letting you into the country
  - Tracy says:
    
    18 May18 May 22:42
    
    I think this too
- Anna says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:11
  
  As per paasan69’s comment below, FCDO advice and an individual country’s requirements aren’t necessarily the same thing – recent media reports also say you need a PCR test so I wouldn’t risk it!
  - Tracy says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:20
    
    Thanks Anna, I have replied to paasan69, not sure if I’m missing something….
- MW says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:11
  
  If you do a requirements search by the country (I do it through EF), it seems clear that the Covid-19 positivity in the last 90 provides an exemption:
  
  – Passengers entering or transiting through Portugal must have
  a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. The test must have
  been taken at most 72 hours before departure of the last
  direct flight to Portugal.
  – This does not apply to passengers younger than 2 years.
  – This does not apply to passengers traveling on a direct
  flight to Azores or Madeira.
  – Passengers traveling on a direct flight to Azores must have
  a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. The test must be
  taken at most 72 hours before departure.
  – This does not apply to passengers younger than 12 years.
  – Passengers traveling on a direct flight to Madeira without a
  negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result of a test taken at most
  72 hours before departure are subject to an RT-PCR test upon
  arrival and quarantine until test results are ready.
  – This does not apply to passengers younger than 12 years.
  – This does not apply to passengers with a COVID-19 recovery
  certificate issued at most 90 days before arrival.
  – This does not apply to passengers with a COVID-19
  vaccination certificate.
  – Passengers traveling to Azores must:
  – complete a “Health Form upon arrival at the Azores” and a
  “Draft statement for inter-island travel” upon arrival; or
  – submit a Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early
  Detection before departure at
  https://mysafeazores.com/
  .
  – Passengers traveling to Madeira must complete an
  epidemiological survey before departure at
  
  https://madeirasafe.com
  . This will generate a QR code which
  must be presented upon arrival.
  – Passengers could be subject to quarantine for 14 days.
  – Passengers are subject to medical screening.
  – Passports and/or passport replacing documents issued more
  than 10 years prior to date of travel are not accepted.
  – Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused
  entry.
  - Tracy says:
    
    18 May18 May 22:39
    
    Sorry, what is EF?
    - MW says:
      
      18 May18 May 22:48
      
      ExpertFlyer – it uses the Timatic data feed for this. I think you need to have premium to use it, though
      - Tracy says:
        
        19 May19 May 00:50
        
        Ok, thanks
- Craig says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:36
  
  Most airlines actually use Timatic. Have a look here, looks like you are correct with regards to the 90 day rule. Asking the check in agent to check Timatic usually solves the problem, if necessary ask for a supervisor.
  
  https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
Keely says:

18 May18 May 19:59

Barclays have sent me a message saying they want to discuss my premier account …..I’m hoping that it’s because they haven’t realised I’ve already signed up for the Avios rewards and they want to sell it to me – rather than they’ve reviewed my account and worked out I’m not eligible any more 😳😬. Either way I’m ignoring the message for now…!
- Yorkie Aid says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:02
  
  I would get back to them one way or another if I were you. IME banks don’t like it if you ignore them and they might even put a temporary block on your account.
  - Keely says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:14
    
    You could be right – but it didn’t have an urgent tone to it – seemed more like a marketing text …but I’ll pop in next time I’m off ….I haven’t done anything wrong so I’m not that worried !
    - The Savage Squirrel says:
      
      18 May18 May 20:41
      
      That’s some pretty advanced paranoia. I’ve ignored my bank’s requests for meetings between me and my “personal account manager” for at least 15 years; with no ill effects, and I’m sure 90% of customers do the same.
      - Yorkie Aid says:
        
        18 May18 May 22:48
        
        Not paranoia but personal experience. However I don’t bank with the black vulture so don’t know their MO.
      - Andrew Mc says:
        
        18 May18 May 23:56
        
        +1
- The cyclist says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:16
  
  Get back to them, firstly feign ignorance, then mollify, placate and continue to do nothing, a tactic I’ve used for over two decades when dealing with senior management. It’s a winning formula. you know you want to.
  - Keely says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:30
    
    Lol thanks for the advice …I’ll report back how successful it is …!
- Alex says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:19
  
  Don’t worry about it too much. Been Premier for years now and they do this once a quarter – basically a call to try and sell you additional cr*p.
  - Keely says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:29
    
    That’s what I think it is 🤞🤞
  - Steve-B says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:43
    
    I had one of those marketing type texts from Barclays last week and plan to ignore. Quite clear that its generic and not an urgent account issue.
Paasan69 says:

18 May18 May 20:01

Most airlines follow the guide on gov.uk (which isn’t always current). The following advice is given for Portugal, Madeira and The Azores: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements There is no mention on this page that if you’ve had Covid-19 in the past are exempted from providing a negative PCR test during check-in.
- Tracy says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:19
  
  This is copied directly from that page – states further down about exclusion if recovered from covid…..or am I reading it wrong?
  
  “Entry to Madeira and Porto Santo
  Before you arrive in Madeira and Porto Santo:
  
  Complete and submit a traveller questionnaire
  Take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your test result. Make sure you have a test that uses the RT-PCR methodology.
  Screening on arrival
  If you have not uploaded your RT-PCR COVID-19 test result, you will be asked to show it on arrival.
  
  If your airline has allowed you to travel without a RT-PCR COVID-19 test, you will have to take a test on arrival and remain in government provided accommodation until the results are known. This will take about 12 hours.
  
  If your test is positive or inconclusive, you will have to repeat the test until the result is negative.
  
  Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status
  
  If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or have had both doses of the vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel, you will be exempt from showing a RT-PCR COVID-19 test on entry. If you live in England, Madeira will accept your NHS letter to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status. Other travellers will need to show a medical report as evidence of your status. You cannot use a handwritten NHS COVID card as proof of vaccination for travel purposes.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:40
    
    The FCO can be a bit slow updating pages for all 200 countries when things change every week. Which is why they link you to the portougies immigration page….
  - Paasan69 says:
    
    18 May18 May 21:24
    
    Please accept my apologies, I didn’t read that far down the page. You are absolutely right. Being able to provide recovery from Covid-19 or having had both jabs 15 days prior to travel should do it. However, some of the CSA’s at the airport can be quite tricky to convince. Speaking from experience. Should you take the chance without a negative test? That will be your call.
VickyTM says:

18 May18 May 20:08

If you were a betting person, what odds would you put on USA opening their borders to UK prior to Sept?
- Harry T says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:09
  
  I would bet on them doing it by end of July.
  - Anna says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:13
    
    Finger x’d – booked to fly to MIA on the 30th!
  - Doommonger says:
    
    18 May18 May 20:18
    
    How much would you bet?
    
    Regards,
    
    Doomey
    - Anna says:
      
      18 May18 May 21:28
      
      Dear Doomey, I wouldn’t bet anything, that’s why I have Plans B & C lined up.
  - David says:
    
    18 May18 May 21:04
    
    Love how peeps are shifting their guesses into the future!
- Travel Strong says:
  
  18 May18 May 20:16
  
  I’d be willing to put a £30pp bet on, and book a refundable flight with miles!
- Craig says:
  
  18 May18 May 21:19
  
  I know one of the Directors of VA. He assured me that travel to USA in September will not be a problem for the fully vaccinated.
  - Rob says:
    
    18 May18 May 21:25
    
    Won’t disagree but I promise you that the directors of VA don’t know any more than you.
    - Harry T says:
      
      18 May18 May 21:45
      
      I reckon the Directors of Virgin Australia have no idea about the future of transatlantic travel 😊
- Louise K says:
  
  18 May18 May 22:39
  
  Goodness knows. Tomorrow’s papers are full of gloom for summer travel.
Degsy says:

18 May18 May 22:04

Is anyone else still waiting for their 1,500 Virgin points to land from a Disney+ subscription? Mine posted as pending quite quickly back in February but then nothing since. In fact, they are now showing as 1,430….
Query raised with Virgin but not hopeful
- Youllnever says:
  
  19 May19 May 01:01
  
  Yup, it’s still stuck in pending for me as well.
lev441 says:

18 May18 May 22:56

anyone have a referral code for Utility point energy?
- Harley says:
  
  19 May19 May 00:58
  
  Violet2298015
  - Lev441 says:
    
    19 May19 May 09:57
    
    Thanks- will use!