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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 20th May

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We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

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Comments (399)

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

  • Eppleby Green says:
    20 May20 May 09:27

    Does anyone know why there is an expiry date, June 21st. in my case, on the NHS vaccination confirmation form?

    • meta says:
      20 May20 May 09:36

      Nothing has been said about that. I presume this is intended to reduce forgeries, but still allow travellers enough time to use it. However, it can be something more sinister!

    • Nick S says:
      20 May20 May 10:27

      “The expiry date relates only to the QR code, which may need to be updated as international standards are agreed. The QR codes will automatically update when they expire, and anyone using the PDF option via the NHS website will be able to retrieve the new QR Code for use after the expiry date.
      The UK Government is contributing to the emerging international standards and the expiry date is only for the QR code, which will be refreshed automatically in the NHS App and on the NHS website when these standards are agreed.”

      • meta says:
        20 May20 May 10:34

        Thanks Nick S!

      • Eppleby Green says:
        20 May20 May 10:39

        Thanks for the info! I was worried that if it expired then we would have to apply(?) for a new round of vaccinations.

  • Relaxo says:
    20 May20 May 09:30

    Hi all. Does anyone have a number for BA that actually gets picked up? I’ve been trying to get a refund for a cancelled flight for weeks now !

    • Louise K says:
      20 May20 May 09:33

      Just been through to BA on 0800 727800. Had a wait of 20 mins.

      Could also try a DM to the Twitter team. They are normally very good.

      • Relaxo says:
        20 May20 May 09:37

        Thanks Louise. Just tried & says unable to take call right now after the intro sob story. Will try again later.

        • Louise K says:
          20 May20 May 09:40

          Just keep redialling until you get into the queue. When I’ve done this I seem to get answered quickly!

    • Tom H says:
      20 May20 May 11:21

      I phoned this morning, 08:00 and through in 5-10 mins max

  • Lee says:
    20 May20 May 09:32

    Could anyone remind me the number that you can transfer points to another Member for Marriott? Thanks!

    • Secret Squirrel says:
      20 May20 May 09:34

      Are there any restrictions on sending Marriott points to another person i.e: 100’s / 500’s or any amount of points?

      • meta says:
        20 May20 May 09:39

        Yes, you can transfer a maximum of 100k from your account and receive a maximum of 500k from other accounts.

        • Lee says:
          20 May20 May 10:09

          I couldn’t find the local contact number on their website

    • Louie says:
      20 May20 May 10:39

      Either 020 3564 6335 or 020 7012 7312. Be handy if you could let me know which as I know one is out of date but not which one!

      • Lee says:
        20 May20 May 10:53

        020 3564 6335 worked for me, thanks Louie

        • fivebobbill says:
          20 May20 May 12:38

          This is the one, moved points across a few weeks ago. Be sure to have your “preferred airline” membership number at hand (the one linked to your Marriott account), it was one of the security questions I was asked and completely threw me!

  • meta says:
    20 May20 May 09:33

    Looks like some EU countries will be allowing (or are already allowing) entry with only one dose of AZ vaccine, 21 days after vaccination. I’ve seen Austria and Slovenia already allowing entry from all countries with only one dose of AZ.

    • Yorkieflyer says:
      20 May20 May 09:58

      Austria still not allowing UK residents in though except for essential travel

      • meta says:
        20 May20 May 10:10

        They are actually allowing those with EU passports, some of us here are dual nationals.

        • Phil says:
          20 May20 May 11:28

          I read Austria was allowing EU passport holders and their partners. Does anybody know if that is the case? We’re hoping to go to Austria in late July via MUC (cheaper car hire than SZG).

  • Andrew says:
    20 May20 May 09:34

    Check the current Covid levels in the area.

    Whilst Paisley International Airport is in Renfrewshire and (only just staying in) level 2, Glasgow City is a toxic hotspot for Covid with rolling 7-day average of around 105 per 100K and still in Level 3.

    Seems a fair reason to keep the lounges closed for now. Do you really want to be sat near braying weegies getting utterly sloshed on free bevvy?

    • Andrew says:
      20 May20 May 09:36

      (That was a reply to Graeme on Page 1)

    • BP says:
      20 May20 May 09:43

      In my 100+ visits to the Glasgow BA lounge, it has never been full of people getting utterly sloshed. In fact the only BA lounge where I’ve observed people getting utterly sloshed is in the Concord Room.

    • Graeme says:
      21 May21 May 14:17

      Sorry, I didn’t see this yesterday. I see your point, but I’ll just be in the terminal with them instead then. My partner and I are fully-jabbed and are keen observers of social distancing, so I’m sure it’d be ok. Plus we’ll have been in the city with them for the previous couple of days.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:
    20 May20 May 09:37

    This could end in carnage but… Shall we play a game? Fortunately, unfortunately? Made up, not literal

    I’ll go first, Fortunately the Marriott Intern was working again

  • Olivia says:
    20 May20 May 09:58

    Was interested to know about Qured’s Amber testing PCR home test prices as advised on BA’s website for pre-departure, day 2 and day 8. Planning a trip in September so just getting together any potential additional costs.

    BA claim they have a discount code for 50% off however when trying to apply, says the code is invalid for that product. Didn’t realise the promo was for certain tests as opposed to any type of testing (BA don’t allude to that either!) – anybody used Qured recently and experienced long waiting times on the virtual doctor call?

    • Olivia says:
      20 May20 May 10:00

      Apologies – talking about Randox. I’ve looked at alot of tests today….

      • Alan says:
        20 May20 May 14:19

        I had the same problem, the discount only applied when booking the individual home PCR tests. I wanted the “Algarve” package and tried to call Randox but gave up when I was informed I was number 60 in the queue with a 1hr20m wait time.

        In the end I just booked the home PCR tests and will have to source the LT test separately.

    • Rob says:
      20 May20 May 10:04

      Had a reader email today who has been told by Qured that they have no video slots available for the 2 potential days he is allowed to take his test ….

      • meta says:
        20 May20 May 10:13

        As we suspected this will become an issue when travel opens up. I better book one then now for my July trip home.

        • James Vickers says:
          20 May20 May 10:17

          Is anyone prepared for what happens should their test from such as Qured shows as inconclusive? I do these tests weekly for work and it’s only happened 1 or 2 times but it would be typical if it was when you most needed it.

          • Super Secret Stuff says:
            20 May20 May 10:19

            If it comes back inconclusive, chances are you haven’t stuck it up your noose far enough

          • meta says:
            20 May20 May 10:25

            I’d either buy more packs as they have an expiry date of 2 years, so you can reuse for another trip later or you can find out what facilities are in place for rapid test in the country of departure. I’d also not book the test for the day before departure. This is what any smart traveller would do these days.

      • The Lord says:
        20 May20 May 10:55

        Thanks for that Rob, scared me into booking our slots for early June. Fortunately still available!

  • bafan says:
    20 May20 May 10:18

    “Double-booking your holiday is utterly selfish”

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/double-booking-your-holiday-is-utterly-selfish-9v7xdmw63

    Oops lol. I have 3 booked for the same week in July…

    • meta says:
      20 May20 May 10:27

      Oh wow! The audacity of double booking. Move on travel shaming, now it’s double booking shaming😂

    • Chris Heyes says:
      20 May20 May 11:02

      bafan Its not the double-booking that’s selfish it’s the expecting to get your money back that’s the selfish bit

      • Rob says:
        20 May20 May 11:08

        A business is within its rights to ask for a deposit or impose cancellation restrictions. If it fails to do so, whose fault is that? We have CenterParcs booked for half-term (long story, blame my wife) but if the weather forecast is another 5 days of sodom and gomorrah then I will have little qualms in asking for my £2,500 back, given that I have free cancellation. If someone else wants to jump in and spend 5 days dodging lightning in the middle of a forest – probably not good for health and safety – they are welcome.

        • Ja says:
          20 May20 May 11:43

          What’s a bit of rain when you can have fun on the rapids. Go for a sauna. Go 10 pin bowling. And lots more things. You could go quadbiking what’s a bit of mud.

          From she who is going to Jersey towards end of June when we are due to have some warmer weather

        • Chris Heyes says:
          20 May20 May 12:56

          Rob CenterParcs Long while since I heard that ? been there long while ago kids loved them was only two CenterParks then been both, oldest was 11 then (41 now)
          They loved it You’d have liked the price, was part of Matthew Brown (brewery)
          them days, because I’d a lot of shares a perk was a week for £100 6/8 Cabin
          Quite enjoyed it myself as well

        • Chris Heyes says:
          20 May20 May 13:31

          Rob I’ve no problem with people cancelling because of a “reason”
          Done it myself even with none-refundable rates
          Either got money back or date changed never had a problem
          But if people don’t act responsibly ie booking when they know they have “NO” intention of going (because they have booked same dates)
          People with genuine reasons will soon not be able to cancel/change ?
          I’ve never had a problem with any non-refundable booking for 50 years so will continue to do that.
          I always pay before we go never had a problem “Up to Now”

          • Aliks says:
            20 May20 May 16:10

            Over centuries of experience, businesses have worked out that charging a deposit is a good solution to the problem of “irresponsible” cancellations.

            Businesses that don’t charge a deposit don’t care why or when a client cancels – its a simple as that.

            Checkout booking.com – in most cases they allow cancellation right up to 24 hours before checkin

        • The Savage Squirrel says:
          20 May20 May 13:43

          I’ve been in the heated inside/outside pool at a Centerparcs in quite heavy rain. As the pool is still nice and warm, and you’re wet anyway, it’s actually pretty cool.

          • Rob says:
            20 May20 May 14:00

            Pool access is now highly restricted. 1 x 2-hour slot per Fri-Sun stay, 2 x 2-hours slots Mon-Fri stays. One of our allocated slots is 6.45pm.

          • The Savage Squirrel says:
            20 May20 May 18:03

            OK yeah that sucks :D.

      • Yorkieflyer says:
        20 May20 May 11:23

        If you book within the T & Cs what is the problem? Having said that, with small businesses I would try and give as much notice as possible

        • xcalx says:
          20 May20 May 12:37

          At our AirBNB we soon learnt that offering free cancellation prior to arrival was costing us money due to fairweather time wasters. We now use AirBNBs strict cancellation policy.

      • Yorkieflyer says:
        20 May20 May 11:27

        I recall that BA Golds could at one time cancel avios seats without charge and that’s annoying as some selfish individuals made multiple booking of scarce reward seats only intending to use one

    • SteveJ says:
      20 May20 May 11:04

      Wow, VERY guilty here then! Following on from yesterday’s conversation, kind of have to do this in the UK. One corner of the country may have great weather whereas another may not.

      TBH I do this only with big chain hotels and not small boutiques, feel less guilty with that approach.

      PS – I’m adding an extra initial to my username as noticed another Steve on Page 3.

    • Anna says:
      20 May20 May 11:55

      Tripling your prices because it’s the school holidays and the only time people can go away with their kids is hardly the most ethical behaviour either! I can’t say I have masses of sympathy for travel firms.

      • Rob says:
        20 May20 May 12:12

        Yet, strangely, if I told you that a holiday had decided to reduce its prices by 2/3rd outside school holidays, you would think it was a great idea.

        Even though the two things are the same ….

        • Anna says:
          20 May20 May 19:20

          No I wouldn’t, because I’ve been on both ends of it and it’s inequitable. It’s the same as if supermarkets started charging more at weekends because that’s the only time a lot of people can shop.

          Aston100 – if and when you have kids, you’ll see it differently!

          • Crafty says:
            27 May27 May 07:42

            They do. Delivery slots cost more at times of higher demand.

      • Aston100 says:
        20 May20 May 13:00

        Exactly this Anna.
        School holiday travellers subsidise the cheap seats at other times of the year.

      • Chris Heyes says:
        20 May20 May 13:05

        Anna I’ve booked Hilton Blackburn for 28th May 1st June not my usual type no lounge Gr
        But needed to see kids/grandkids plus loose ends at house
        Was wondering if you’ve stayed ?

        • Anna says:
          20 May20 May 19:23

          No reason to stay as it’s very close to home but I’ve driven past many times and it looks very shiny and new! Definitely not the type of place with a lounge though. Are you not tempted to stay at one of the more “country house” type premises in the area, or are you collecting nights/points for HH status?!

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