The HfP chat thread – Monday 31st May

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N says:

31 May31 May 10:26

Looking for recommendations for 1 night in a Marriott in Dubai on points. Looking for a touch of ridiculous while feeling like you’re bang in the middle of it all (first time in Dubai), I’ve whittled it down to JW Marquis or the St Regis.

This is a stop over between arrival and driving up to the R-C in RAK in the desert!
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  31 May31 May 10:50
  
  I’m not sure either of those are bang in the middle of it all but JWM is probably closer to the Dubai mall, la mer, al seef and city walk (not like you could get all that in on a one night stay to Dubai but you have options) It’s also closer to Rak.
  
  I find the marina/the walk area is the place to stay if you like beach walks.
  
  City walk is a pretty nice outdoor/indoor mall
  - Blenz101 says:
    
    31 May31 May 12:43
    
    It depends what you want to be in the middle of really. Personally if I was heading to a desert resort I would want my one night in Dubai to at least be near the beach/sea and in an area geared up for tourists.
    
    If you are talking about the new St. Regis on Palm Jumeriah may will tick these boxes. Very quick and easy to get to JBR, Maria or Madinat areas.
    
    If you want to just be central with quick access to Sheik Zayed Road to access downtown in minutes but spend 15/20 mins in a cab/car to the beach the JWM will be equally fine.
    
    Cash prices for hotels have been cheap throughout the pandemic so don’t feel you have to make it a points stay.
    - N says:
      
      31 May31 May 19:52
      
      Thanks both – will do some more homework off the back of your posts!
Backpacker says:

31 May31 May 10:41

Marriott Mastercard for those that still have it – I just got an email saying 3x the points for all spend until the end of July. It is badly worded so not sure if everything counts, but it specifically says restaurants do.
That’s more points than the AMEX Marriott give!
- NC says:
  
  31 May31 May 13:40
  
  So jealous right now.
- KJT says:
  
  31 May31 May 15:08
  
  Thanks for the heads up
  Looks like 6 points per £ for UK hotels and 12 points abroad .
Dan says:

31 May31 May 10:49

Is the AMex Gold Deliveroo benefit a perm benefit. It says on the offer that it is valid until 2023 but from the Amex website and HfP coverage – there is no mention of an end date…
- Tom1 says:
  
  31 May31 May 12:20
  
  Permanent until they stop it!
Neil says:

31 May31 May 11:12

I have a question I can’t find an answer to online. Do I need a covid test to get on a plane at Heathrow, or is it just the rules of the country I land in? I’m going to Greece and they say you can just have had 2 vaccines.
- Rhys says:
  
  31 May31 May 11:38
  
  There are no restrictions to getting on aircraft: just restrictions set by destinations.
  - Neil says:
    
    31 May31 May 12:16
    
    Thanks Rhys
Aliks says:

31 May31 May 11:24

The Dominican Republic just updated their entry requirements, to add COVID testing within 72 hours of departure from the UK.

However, they state that viral antigen tests are acceptable. So my question is whether a lateral flow test at Gatwick will be enough to get us on the plane.

Clearly this test needs to be acceptable to Dominican border control AND to the BA checkin desk.

Anyone offer guidance?
Will says:

31 May31 May 11:39

Are you able to use 2 BA Amex vouchers on same flights from same account, but due to availability have 2 pax in one class and the other 2 pax in another cabin? Basically trying to do the family trip!
- Sam G says:
  
  31 May31 May 11:58
  
  I don’t think so – can’t mix cabins on one booking and the voucher holder needs to be travelling on each booking. Change one of you kids names temporarily to Will?
- Sandra says:
  
  31 May31 May 16:51
  
  I Think you can but not online, will need to call to book it
- Nadeshka says:
  
  31 May31 May 20:30
  
  No when doing 442 with both vouchers from the one person you all need to be in the same class on the same flight.
  Can call up to do it or do online if you have both vouchers in your account showing (so not FTV etc)
  The increased business availability should make this easier now.
RTS says:

31 May31 May 11:44

Anyone else having trouble with curve to nsandi?
- Memesweeper says:
  
  31 May31 May 13:33
  
  Failed yesterday worked today.
Ian M says:

31 May31 May 12:10

Every time I visit the headforpoints website I have to prove I’m a human and select different images. Is anyone else having this issue or is it just because I’m in Moscow and the site thinks I’m an evil Russian hacker? 😅
- Harry T says:
  
  31 May31 May 12:17
  
  It’s because you’re a dirty Soviet spy 😁
  - Michael C says:
    
    31 May31 May 13:03
    
    Hey, not ALL Soviet spies are dirty!!!
  - Ian M says:
    
    31 May31 May 14:11
    
    It’s true but I like collecting points!
- marcw says:
  
  31 May31 May 12:27
  
  I think Rob mentioned this some time ago – that he’s restricted the site in some countries to avoid bot spamming.
  - Rob says:
    
    31 May31 May 14:16
    
    Under 1% of HFP visits from Russia are from real people. The other 99.5% are trying to hack us.
    - Ian M says:
      
      31 May31 May 17:18
      
      I’m sure with me here for a few days I can get that above 1% with the amount of times I visit the website everyday
      - Rob says:
        
        31 May31 May 18:09
        
        It is actually above 2% for the last 24 hours so that’s your influence – out of 1,200 attempts to get to the site.
        
        Even China is up to 1.47% ‘real’ people so there must be a couple of readers out there too.
- John says:
  
  31 May31 May 13:38
  
  Is Aeroflot getting you to London or are you having to do something more creative?
  - Ian M says:
    
    31 May31 May 13:56
    
    I’ve given up on the idea of flying to London for now, just enjoying a few days in Moscow. But it looks like flights will resume between Moscow and London tomorrow which is good
    - Nick says:
      
      31 May31 May 14:57
      
      Have you been kicked out of Minsk then?
      - Ian M says:
        
        31 May31 May 15:34
        
        Haha no, I live there. Flying back in a few days
- ChrisC says:
  
  31 May31 May 19:48
  
  If you are looking for Russian Spies (of varying standard of cleanliness) then Mr Greorge Smiley is currently investigating on BBC4 and iPlayer