Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

The HfP chat thread – Friday 25th June

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

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 (363)

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

  • Aliks says:
    25 Jun25 June 03:07

    If you are in an Amber country which is about to go red on 30th June, what happens if you fly to different Amber country before the 4am deadline?

    Presumably you just have to quarantine for 10 days when you get back home?

    • TimM says:
      25 Jun25 June 05:12

      This should be made into a board game.

    • Aaron C says:
      25 Jun25 June 06:31

      Then I think you just do the amber 10 (5) day home isolation. It wording is something like “been in any red list country in the past 10 days”.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:32

      What matters is the colour when you land.

      Not sure why you wouldn’t just come to the U.K. before Wednesday 4am. Otherwise you’ll have to spend 11 days in said amber country before flying to U.K. or face hotel quarantine.

    • Mike says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:38

      Aliks did you follow the Govt policy – You should not travel to amber list countries or territories.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:54

        They advice against it. The rules ie the law says you can go wherever you want.

      • meta says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:11

        It’s not only about holidays even though the media and government will think you believe that. Many people travel abroad to see their families and that does includes Brits whose families are abroad, not just foreigners…

  • Nick G says:
    25 Jun25 June 06:37

    I genuinely haven’t got a clue what the hell you can and can’t do, what you have to do and what you can’t do, what tests you need to take or don’t, how long you can stay or not without quarantining. So for that reason I’m out

    • Andrew says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:05

      Details are all here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

    • Sarah says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:07

      And me!

      • Pete M says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:24

        I do get why you’d feel that way. But making the effort has paid off for me numerous times in the past year – an empty Uffizi, hiking pretty much alone in Cinque Terre, castles in the Czech Republic or Germany you normally have to book a year in advance having availability the day before, Lisbon museums that are so empty it’s almost creepy, no English overheard in Mallorca… And everywhere has been super welcoming!

        • Ash says:
          25 Jun25 June 19:42

          Please tell me you are not English? And you only speak the language of each of those countries you visited while you were there?

    • Harry T says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:08

      If you can work from home, you just need some covid tests and a well stocked fridge. It’s really not that complicated.

  • Craig says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:09

    I asked yesterday but late in the day, I am still hopefully heading off on the cruise in a couple of weeks, just 4 nights at sea but really looking forward to it. Royal Caribbean have a deal with Eurofins and a PCR test is included in the package, I did have the option of booking my own but I decided not to risk my money when things could change. When I went to the booking site it offered various locations around the UK, including several travel agents. I’m assuming staff here have been trained to take a swab, the test is 51 hours before we board.

    Does anyone have experience of these type of testing locations and how long they take to return the results?

    • Anna says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:17

      It’s a bit confusing, Craig, where are you based and wouldn’t it just be easier to use the test offered by the cruise company?

      • Craig says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:39

        That’s what I’ve gone for Anna, just wondering anyone has any experience of the Eurofins remote testing sites? The TrustPilot reviews aren’t good!!

        • Anna says:
          25 Jun25 June 09:01

          Hopefully you would have some recourse to the cruise company if it went wrong?

          • Roger W says:
            25 Jun25 June 10:25

            A lot of talk about this on the Cruise Critic website. I have only read the UK staycations thread on the Celebrity Forum. There are many stressed folk. Enjoy the cruise.

        • Princess says:
          25 Jun25 June 10:41

          we had several issues with Eurofins, but tbh it was soon after the travel restarted. We went to Portugal on the 1st of June. We had pre-departure test with Eurofins.
          – first issue: if you need to do the test on Saturday and Sunday you need to be aware that you need to bring it to a drop box, as if you post it they don’t guarantee results in time. (luckily we had one not too too far)
          -second issue: result should arrive after 24h they receive the test. We didn’t get them until we chased them through the app (no phone line over the week end).
          They clearly forgot to do it, but after chasing them we got the result in a couple of hours. (we should have chase them earlier probably)
          -third issue: the send one of the result (we had 4) with the wrong name. One of my child basically got 2 results and my husband none. People on the chat couldnt do anything just keeping telling us they escalated the issue

          We had to go to the airport without knowing we would have board the plane. we packed small, so we went through the gate and when phone line opened (1h before the flight) they manage to correct and send it back in 10 minutes.

          Sooooo, it was stressful, but I think they are catching up now and I’m sure you will not have issues. Just start chasing them after 24h

    • Craig says:
      25 Jun25 June 10:48

      Thanks all, I rang the Travel Agent who has been trained to take the swabs. They have two collections a day and results are usually back within 24 hours. By using the cruise lines service and allowing 48 hours then the risk is with them and not me. I’ll update in a couple of weeks with how it goes.

      • Jody says:
        25 Jun25 June 11:45

        I’m assuming that enough people moved so that you were able to keep your original cruise date Craig?

        • Craig says:
          25 Jun25 June 11:50

          Hope so Jody, I don’t think they’d be forking out for PCR tests if they haven’t. Only risk now is if there are Covid cases onboard for the 4th July sailing.

  • Mart says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:12

    Our aadvantage 40th anniversary points have posted 20k for nothing

  • Jenny says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:15

    Whats the rule about being double jabbed and isolation on returning from abroad?

    • Craig says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:17

      The same as being unvaccinated!

    • Jonathan says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:21

      Nothing yet, but watch this space…

    • Andrew says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:28

      It has been confirmed that “later in the summer” things will change and further details will come next month.

      • Mike says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:39

        likely 1 Sep on wards following end of school holidays

        • Abdy says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:15

          September isn’t summer though is it?

        • Anna says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:19

          Hopefully pressure from the travel industry and ministers who want to visit amber countries will mean it’s late July or early August! The current green/watch list won’t save the summer.

  • Graham says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:15

    Morning.

    We have a BA Holiday booked to Poland which departs July 22. The balance is due July 1.

    Poland have brought in quarantine for those who are not double dosed. My second dose is not due until July 21 roughly so it’s a no go for us.

    Will BA cancel it? FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Will BA cancel the holiday or will I need to contact them?

    Many thanks.

    • Tim says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:24

      I don’t know how frequently the Polish destinations are served at the moment, or their load factors, but a change in Polish gov rules for other country’s citizens is unlikely to lead to BA cancellation unless it’s a complete ban of foreign airlines. BA will likely still fly Polish/EU/US/UK citizens through LHR and so will keep the flight scheduled.

      You can get an FTV for your deposit amount from BA but unless flight number, times change (by 5hrs I think?), or cancellation happens you won’t get your deposit back as cash.

      • Graham says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:53

        Thanks Tim. I suspected as much. I’m thinking of taking advantage of the GLA/BHD flights so will just cancel for the FTV and use it for that.

    • Pete M says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:25

      Couldn’t you bring your 2nd dose forward? See Wembley post from yesterday for example.

      • Graham says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:52

        The date on July 21 will be at 8 weeks. Already brought forward (I’m 33).

        • TGLoyalty says:
          25 Jun25 June 07:56

          If you had Pfizer You can get it after 4 towards the end of the day at a walk in centre.

        • Oh! Matron! says:
          25 Jun25 June 09:50

          It’s 2nd dose + 14 days. Not just 2nd dose. Be careful on that point

    • Chris Heyes says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:13

      Graham Don’t be an idiot 4/5 weeks after your 1st dose get yourself down to a vaccine site an hour before they close, and get asking any chance of left overs
      Okay you may have to wait around but surely it’s worth it
      Not meaning to be insulting, but if my 2 twin Grand-Daughters aged 20
      Can think for themselves people on here should be able to ?
      they are 20 bytheway both doses done

      • Pete M says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:15

        That really made me chuckle, Chris – thank you! 🙂

      • Anna says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:20

        Hi Chris, are you still holding out hope for the USA in August?!

        • Chris Heyes says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:40

          Anna Morning, faintly hoping Sofitel booked for 13th Aug Flight Sat 14th
          14th flight changed to peak now but we have it booked off-peak
          Will start cancelling end July if we must Gr
          Lots of Hotels booked two in Boulder, one in Sedona, one in Lake Powell
          plus external flights one Denver to Phoenix, Phoenix to Page return
          Plus Shuttles booked.
          Nightmare so bit of luck required again

          • Jill ( Kinkell) says:
            25 Jun25 June 09:27

            I’m still holding out for our USA trip early sept.. like Chris H, Sofitel night before, Denver, road trip round several states, hotels all booked ( points) ending up Phx. Internal flight ORD. then home 5 days later. OH becoming less keen on going and shelling out for all the various tests. The joy of planning a trip , booking and anticipation has somewhat soured.

          • Eppleby Green says:
            25 Jun25 June 09:38

            Sofitel T5 is a quarantine hotel and will be until late October. I recommend that you check your reservation! I am currently in discussions with BA hotels re alternative hotel!

          • Jill ( Kinkell) says:
            25 Jun25 June 11:38

            Thanks @ Eppleyby Green below…. Phoned Sofitel. They are suggesting booking into HGI at T2/3. Definitely a quarantine hotel until end August and ‘might’ be in September./ October. Stated they would let folk know during August! ( not much good when HGI might be fully booked by then!) increasingly can’t be bothered with the hassle of it all…which is exactly what our political masters want., and I am so loathe to fall in line!

      • Graham says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:21

        Haha this made me laugh, thanks. I’m based in Scotland so didn’t pay any attention to the Wembley advice. Good to know though.

        Will give it a bash, thanks for the tips.

        • Tracey says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:24

          One slight word of warning. If your first dose was in Scotland and your second in England, you may struggle getting a vaccine certificate showing both doses.

          • Graham says:
            25 Jun25 June 08:27

            I wouldn’t get my second dose in England, that would cause carnage. I’ll try my luck at a drop in clinic. Second dose isn’t scheduled – we have to wait for it to be to then change it. That’s the issue up in Scotland, we don’t get our second date straight away hence my questions!

    • Tracey says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:23

      Bring forward your second dose.

      • Rob says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:47

        Rhus got his 2nd on the dot of the 4 week minimum gap. Just turn up and ask.

        • Anna says:
          25 Jun25 June 09:04

          When people first started getting the Pfizer jab the gap was 3 weeks. I remember it distinctly as 2 friends of mine who work for the NHS had their 2nd jabs cancelled when it moved to 12 weeks and we never heard the end of it!

          • Pete M says:
            25 Jun25 June 09:18

            3 weeks is the manufacturer recommended time and what is being done in the US, for instance.

          • Davef says:
            25 Jun25 June 11:45

            I was getting daily texts telling me to book my 2nd Pfizer jab from 12 weeks. It ended up being nearly 14 weeks by the time I got it due to zero availability in north manchester.

          • The Savage Squirrel says:
            25 Jun25 June 13:47

            The original 3-4 week gap to 2nd dose is not because it is optimum; it was based on the studies available at the time … which were done with the absolute minimum feasible gap in order to get them done faster; and on which licencing decisions must be made. The subsequent 12-week gap was a bit of a punt based on expediency and data from previous vaccines but has since been proved to be a very sensible step. A bigger gap is, theoretically, almost certainly better in terms of protection (and subsequent real-world data seems to have confirmed this for the main Covid vaxes). Is it a huge protective difference between 4 and 12 weeks gap? Not really. Enough to move the needle in terms of case numbers at the population level but probably not enough to worry about too much at the individual level.

  • Mark says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:20

    Slimeball Hancock caught with his mask around his ankles this morning then?
    It’s always the one’s you least expect!

    • Craig says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:24

      What time do we think he will go?

      • TGLoyalty says:
        25 Jun25 June 07:56

        Might be the excuse Boris needs.

        Was never going to happen after Cummings started telling the world how incompetent Boris thought he was.

        • Sandgrounder says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:07

          I think Boris sacking someone for having an affair would be a bit rich, but he might quit I suppose. Covid regulations may have been breeched, which may cook his goose. I’m not surprised he has had an affair, but I am pretty shocked at his lack of discretion. Always know where the cameras are!

      • Freddy says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:00

        He’ll stay, the government will throw a ‘protective shield’ around him. Shame he couldn’t do the same for the care homes

    • WaynedP says:
      25 Jun25 June 07:27

      Poor, poor man. He used to be so full of beans …

    • Rantallion says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:19

      From the photos, it just looks like he’s trying to obtain a Covid test sample …

      • Anna says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:22

        Wonder what his nickname is 😬, and if she also thinks he’s usless?!

        • Anna says:
          25 Jun25 June 08:23

          *useless, like my typing this morning.

          • Pete M says:
            25 Jun25 June 08:35

            So if he goes, will we get a new minister less/more keen on travel? Him and Priti seem to be the biggest hawks in this respect?

        • swifty says:
          25 Jun25 June 10:58

          hahaha, *that* made me laugh out loud

      • Heathrow Flyer says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:35

        Anal swab?

      • JDB says:
        25 Jun25 June 08:50

        Indeed! A “friend” was quoted as saying they just hugged (also against Hancock advice to the public) so looks like they need a visit to Specsavers.

    • Travel Strong says:
      25 Jun25 June 09:11

      How did the Department of Health get “Hands Face Space” so wrong?

      As a COVID SECURE workplace did they assess this to be an essential activity where it is not possible to maintain “1 meter plus”?!
      If so, the associated risk assessments would be quite a read!

      Not sure Schnapps statement that this is an ‘entirely personal’ issue is really correct when the activity occurred in the workplace – and when your workplace is simultaneously imposing social restrictions the general public.

    • Mikeact says:
      25 Jun25 June 09:27

      Not that Boris is/was whiter than white.

    • Oh! Matron! says:
      25 Jun25 June 09:53

      “ The role comes with a £15,000 salary and involves 15-to-20 days of work per year.”

      Bleeding hell.

    • WaynedP says:
      25 Jun25 June 11:41

      Trouble is, it’s all good and well pretending it doesn’t really matter because politicians’ private lives are their private lives and it doesn’t affect their public roles.

      But the fact of the matter is that a cabinet minister who has been labelled useless by his philandering boss has just protected himself from being sacked by becoming a philanderer himself.

      #theresalwaysapricetopay

  • Jane says:
    25 Jun25 June 07:58

    Morning all, I have USA flights booked for 3.5 weeks in august, I don’t think these will happen but not cancelling yet just in case (also not sure if we want to go even if we can). if I book back up flights in the middle of these 3 weeks elsewhere (Europe) will BA realise that they are back up and cancel one / both ? or do they not care about these things ?? I read something about nested flights but don’t think this is the same. thanks.

    • Sam G says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:23

      They don’t care. Think of a busy business traveller, they’ll have lots of impossible plans and flights booked until things firm up and for all BA know you might be flying Virgin home from the US in between etc

    • Anna says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:24

      You can have multiple flights booked for the same people spanning the same dates and they will just show as normal in your account, it won’t be a problem.

    • Jonathan says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:33

      You’ll be absolutely fine. Nesting (which they don’t like) is making multiple bookings to get round minimum length of stay/Saturday night restrictions. I think a lot of NA airlines prohibit it in their Terms of Carriage whereas BA just don’t like it.

      Overlapping bookings to different destinations is fairly standard for business travellers.

    • Jane says:
      25 Jun25 June 08:54

      That’s what I figures but just needed to check, thanks all 🙂

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

New to Head for Points?

Welcome!  We’re the UK’s most-read source of business travel, Avios, frequent flyer and hotel loyalty news. Let us improve how you travel. Learn more on our About page.

VAA

Latest comments

Latest Forum Posts

Get 30,000 points bonus with American Express Platinum

Amex Gold

Check reward flight availability instantly for free!

See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Booking a luxury hotel?

Our luxury hotel booking service offers you GUARANTEED extra benefits over booking direct. Works with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz Carlton, St Regis and more. We've booked £1.3 million of rooms to date. Click for details.

Get 20,000 bonus points and your first year free with American Express Gold

Amex Gold