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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 16th June

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

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Category

General

Comments (435)

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

  • Clive says:
    16 Jun16 June 18:08

    Anyone have a suggestion for a RT – PCR test provider charging reasonable rates near Stansted?

    • TGLoyalty says:
      16 Jun16 June 18:57

      Collinson are at standsted or are expresstest?

      Both charge about £80 and results within 24hrs.

      • Rob says:
        16 Jun16 June 20:52

        Collinson PCR is £66 with most of the codes floating around eg LCYTEST (which I think works at other places apart from City).

  • Mark says:
    16 Jun16 June 19:23

    Am I actually able to claim VAT refund on shopping from Paris etc if I fly back to the UK?

    • Blenz101 says:
      16 Jun16 June 19:57

      Yes, but it’s not really claiming the VAT back at 20%. There is a refund rate for certain goods bought in tax free stores over a certain spend threshold. Google will tell you what you need to know.

    • Lyn says:
      16 Jun16 June 21:59

      It could be worth asking the individual shops if they offer visitor discounts.

      For example, Galleries Lafayette have usually offered a temporary 10% discount card for visitors from non-European countries. Perhaps they have extended this for UK passport holders?

  • idontfly says:
    16 Jun16 June 19:23

    I am trying to book through the IHG website a Hertz Car rental, to get the IHG points. If I change the country of residence drop down from UK to US the price of the cars 30% less. Any idea why this is, is there anything stopping me saying my residency is the US? Thanks

    • Yorkie Aid says:
      16 Jun16 June 19:28

      Are you trying to book a car for the USA? If so the rates will be cheaper for residents because rental cars are usually covered by your own personal car insurance there.

      • idontfly says:
        16 Jun16 June 19:49

        sorry no, i am looking to book a car in Portugal! It seems cheaper to book if I say my residence is the US and not the UK!

        • Yorkie Aid says:
          16 Jun16 June 20:21

          I’m sure it will be fine so long as you show them your US driver’s licence!

    • Rob says:
      16 Jun16 June 20:51

      Might be some difference in the included insurance, or it may just be national pricing differences.

      • idontfly says:
        16 Jun16 June 21:06

        Thank you, the difference is considerable, 240 Euro for UK resident, versus 140 Euro for US resident! I am tempted to run the risk.

        • Rob says:
          16 Jun16 June 21:36

          Try Australia as country – is usually the cheapest with Hertz, especially if got the Amex Plat discount code.

      • Sam G says:
        16 Jun16 June 21:25

        It’s usually insurance, I can’t remember exactly but Americans usually have some from their own car insurance or their credit cards whereas we don’t. So proceed with caution !

  • H says:
    16 Jun16 June 19:48

    If my flight lands at 11:55pm on 30 June but I don’t go through border control until 00:05 on 1 July. Will 1 July be day 0 or day 1 for the purposes of tests / quarantine? Thanks

    • Tracey says:
      16 Jun16 June 20:15

      If you land on 30 June, that is day 0. Whether you run through border control or amble isn’t measured.

  • Tracey says:
    16 Jun16 June 20:21

    Anyone 18 by 1/7 in England seeking their first covid jab should be trying out the national booking website regularly between now and Friday. Ignore the words, the system is updated before the words are changed.

    • Keely says:
      16 Jun16 June 20:54

      Just tried for my 19 yo. Site is down now- reckon they’re updating the ages..?!

  • Anna says:
    16 Jun16 June 21:16

    Telegraph also reporting that easyJet is to launch 13 new domestic routes, including MAN-EDI.

  • Bill says:
    16 Jun16 June 21:42

    Isle of Man opening confirmed from 28 June if you’ve had 2 jabs more than 2 weeks before travel. Full details on IOM government website in the next day or so

  • Bill says:
    16 Jun16 June 21:45

    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57505736.amp

    Ryanair and MAG launch legal action against government over traffic light system

    • Mrs_Fussy says:
      16 Jun16 June 22:09

      That’s great to hear

    • Andrew says:
      16 Jun16 June 22:11

      Given the ownership structure, isn’t this basically Labour’s Andy Burnham versus Boris?

      • meta says:
        16 Jun16 June 22:23

        Maybe that’s why Telegraph just published a report saying that double jabbed will be allowed to go to amber countries without quarantine on return according to leaked document?

      • ChrisC says:
        16 Jun16 June 22:42

        No

        Manchester Airport Group is owned by a consortium of the Greater Manchester Local Councils plus a private shareholder and isn’t part of Burnaham’s remit

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

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