The HfP chat thread – Monday 28th June

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Andrew says:

28 Jun28 June 10:19

Was great to see St Andrews busy at the start of the school holidays this weekend.

For anyone interested, just had an updated Pfizer antibodies checked. So 12 weeks after Vax2, I’m now sitting at 5,500. They peaked at just under 12,000 4 weeks after the 2nd jag. Very reassuring.
- Andrew says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:44
  
  That’s quite a drop off though? What figure should we be hoping for?
  - meta says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 10:56
    
    The maximum you can have which is considered within reason is 80k. So on that scale, it’s pretty low. However, anything above 50 is considered a response. My mum had 32000 4 weeks after second Moderna jab, but my dad had only 200 after his first AZ jab.
- Margaret says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:51
  
  Remember there will a longer lasting T-cell response which isn’t tested.
  
  My daughter had the Kent variant of covid (and gave the whole family it!) last December. Two weeks ago she had a picnic with a couple of friends as one just turned 18. The next day one of them contacted her to say that they tested positive, presumably for the new Delta variant. He had what he called a ‘bad hangover’ for 5 days and her other friend was really ill until 2 days ago, bedridden for a week. My daughter said she had a bit of a sore throat 12 days ago, tested every day and quarantined, but she never tested positive or became ill. She’s only had her vax on Saturday as she’s 18, so must have had enough immunity after 6 months to throw it off.
  - meta says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 12:00
    
    You can now also take a relatively new T-cell response test.
    
    https://aestheticmed.co.uk/site/industrynewsdetails/private-harley-street-clinic-t-cell-testing
    - JDB says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 12:05
      
      That’s interesting. The antibody tests people are talking about seem quite pointless unless you are participating in a trial measuring them regularly to understand how antibody levels change in different people and with different vaccines over time. If I understand it correctly from my doctor, it is possible to show no antibodies in a test today, but still have good protection against covid tomorrow and the T-cell response is your first line of defence anyway.
    - Jonathan says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 14:25
      
      Don’t pay for things like this, it’s a means of lightening your pockets for no benefit. Classic Harley Street exploitation. Serial antibody levels are essentially meaningless in otherwise immune competent individuals & won’t reflect strength of your “protection” at all.
- Sandra says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 12:06
  
  Sky news reporting that research by Oxford AZ shows that a 3rd AZ jab at least 6 months after the 2nd boosts immunity levels back up to their peak.
  - MW says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 12:19
    
    My somewhat elderly (80+) relatives had a letter from their GP advising them of the booster shot to be scheduled for this autumn, so clearly they are already planning for this drop-off.
    
    Of course, antibody levels tail off after a few months anyway, so will not be detectable by these tests – does not mean you’ve lost immunity.
Anna says:

28 Jun28 June 10:23

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/spain-tightens-covid-rules-on-access-to-balearic-islands-for-britons/ar-AALwrJz?ocid=msedgntp

Latest entry situation for Balearics. IMO it makes complete sense to require vaccination or testing (or proof of recovery) as then in theory everyone on a flight should present a relatively low risk to other passengers.
- Patrycja says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:32
  
  This is good news as it makes travel safer for all of us who have flights booked with enough notice to get the tests sorted. Do the tests have to be from any specific provided (I know I am probably overthinking it but want to get it right).
- Pete M says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:32
  
  It did feel rather bizarre that pretty much everyone flying to the Balearics from Europe needed a test or jab, whilst Brits didn’t…
  - Lady London says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 10:41
    
    Hum. Another greater requirement just after Rhys lands in the destination 🙂
    - Anna says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 10:54
      
      Rhys and Rob need to stop booking trips, they have now jinxed Portugal, Gibraltar and the Balearics!
      - Lord Doncaster says:
        
        28 Jun28 June 11:02
        
        I’m surprised Rhys didn’t book himself an Exit Row if only flying economy. Seat 16F?!
      - Rhys says:
        
        29 Jun29 June 18:22
        
        16F was an exit row!
      - Tracey says:
        
        28 Jun28 June 11:10
        
        I thought GIB was ok if vaxxed?
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        28 Jun28 June 11:32
        
        Rhys and Rob are fully vaccinated
      - Anna says:
        
        28 Jun28 June 11:54
        
        GIB brought the pre-departure test in the week Rob visited!
  - Yuff says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 10:51
    
    Our cases where very low when they originally announced that though.
    The Germans did the same at Easter when their cases were going sky high though, plus they had they helpful German doctor when they had to provide negative tests to get back into Germany
    - Pete M says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 11:01
      
      Sure, but it’s taken a long time to change the policy!
    - roberto says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 13:41
      
      16F is extra legroom on some of the newer a320’s.
- Harry T says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:09
  
  That is disappointing for my own travel plans (will have to get gf tested) but it’s not a surprise.
  - marie says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:25
    
    i hope this means we are really heading to Mallorca on Sunday. Enough time to get PCRs for teens and we are vaccinated . Will Angela interfere though ?
    - Simon says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 11:35
      
      We are going on Friday without the kids, and are both double jabbed. Fingers crossed nothing else changes !
  - Anna says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:59
    
    Won’t you feel safer though, if you know that everyone on the flight is vaxxed or tested? I’m hearing of more & more cases of vaccinated people catching covid, including 4 former colleagues in the past week!
    - Marie says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 12:04
      
      Yes I will feel safer. It’s a good move
      - Anna says:
        
        28 Jun28 June 12:45
        
        Sorry Marie, was asking Harry T as a medic but glad you’ll feel safer as well!
    - Harry T says:
      
      28 Jun28 June 13:46
      
      I consider my personal risk to be completely trivial as a healthy, fit, 30 year old with two Pfizer jabs and a previous covid infection. I don’t think it’s likely I could be infected again, and I’d fancy my chances of once again having a very benign disease course if I was.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:36
  
  What’s happened to the LAMP test? Why are difficult to process PCRs being requested?
  
  I can understand dismissing an LFD as they are pretty hit and miss but LAMP are very good and take about 2 hours.
  - Anna says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:56
    
    We need to find the full text. Lots of reports saying PCR test required to various places and when you check antigen and others are also fine.
Flamingpenguin says:

28 Jun28 June 10:35

Is Curve metal combined with IHG Black still the most cost effective way to pay HMRC corporation tax and earn some points? Any idea how long it takes to upgrade from Free to Metal and what my spending limit is likely to be?
- Reney says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:25
  
  What points do you want to collect the most should be part of your consideration, and depends on how big your HMRC bill is to whether metal is worth it.
- Memesweeper says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:49
  
  It’s the route I take.
- lumma says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 13:43
  
  You should be able to use the metal benefits as soon as you upgrade, even using the plastic card until the metal arrives.
MJ says:

28 Jun28 June 10:37

Currently staying at The Langley on points. Upgraded to junior suite. Breakfast amenity is now £25 pp credit. Great efficient service in Cedar and delicious food. Staff professional and friendly. Spa – amazing !
- meta says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 12:09
  
  What’s your status with Bonvoy? I can’t remember how much is breakfast, but amenity should be your choice of continental breakfast or points full stop. If it doesn’t cover it, it’s against T&C.
  - MJ says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 13:46
    
    Platinum Elite so I got free breakfast which is spend up to £25 pp. Their continental breakfast is £25 and cooked is £30. No buffet all ordered from a menu which was fairly comprehensive
- AndyW says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 16:44
  
  I stayed at the weekend. Just a Gold but small upgrade to Deluxe room. Really liked the place too, and fantastic when the sun is shining with the grounds and outdoor Pool. We were the only people in the spa when we went given they were limiting numbers, so that was a very nice result.
Josh says:

28 Jun28 June 10:38

Anyone struggling to use curve with creation atm?
- JP says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:45
  
  Ok yesterday.
- mark2 says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:10
  
  Have used twice today.
- Reney says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:25
  
  no problem here
Dan Early says:

28 Jun28 June 10:40

Hi All, looking for some recommendations for a UK spa hotel for the weekend for our upcoming 10 yr anniversary.

Points earning a bonus but more interested in nice facilities, decent food and nice area to go for walks etc.

Any ideas?
- Tracey says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:42
  
  Royal crescent Bath, sopwell house St Albans, the grove Watford.
  - Dan Early says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 10:46
    
    Thanks. I live 30 secs from the Grove and ten mins from Sopwell so was hoping for some a little further away! Will check out the Royal Crescent!
- kitten says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:55
  
  Coombe Manor?
  Four Seasons Hampshire?
  Chewton Glen?
  Turnberry?
  - Rob says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:43
    
    Middle two your best bet, throw in Whatley Manor if no kids. FSH best avoided at weekends if you don’t have kids.
- JRC says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:44
  
  Hi Dan, I posted the same thing a while back. If you have lots of hotel points then am sure quite a few folks will have recommendations for 5 star around South East, we ended up paying cash for Rudding Park for 3 nights, think its DB+B including 2/3 spa treatments. Came to about £1000 for 3 nights in mid-August which was about the price some places around South East were charging for one night due to limited availability.
DK says:

28 Jun28 June 10:44

What’s people take on probability of BA cancelling flights to Denver in early August?
- Colin MacKinnon says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 10:57
  
  Got to be high!
  Have got family in Colorado and flights booked for September. Not really thinking they will happen. They are the sixth lot of flights we’ve had booked!
  The US doesn’t really need EU tourism dollars, and if I was their Covid boss I would probably think: let’s see what happens in Europe after the summer “freedoms”.
  - DK says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:24
    
    BA cancelled all July flights so far but not August. At this point we are definitely not going but I’d rather BA cancel so I can have a refund. I already have enough FTV
- Andrew says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:03
  
  We aren’t going to the US this year.
- Rob says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:44
  
  Low because, as the US is now open to Americans, there will be a lot of traffic going US – Heathrow – somewhere in Europe without direct US flights.
  - Sam G says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 13:07
    
    Weirdly BA don’t seem to be that focused on this , lots of cancelling of EU flights and such limited schedules making connections very poor in one or both directions. I’m quite surprised, if they put their minds to it and did some creative nightstopping in places like Mykonos, Santorini, Dubrovnik etc (the flights usually arrive back too late to connect well to UK-US flights) they could put together a very nice schedule.
    
    The snag for some destinations is potentially having to quarantine if you’ve passed through UK soil e.g. Germany
- AndyW says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 16:50
  
  Due to be at a wedding in Denver mid August, not hopeful. As DK mentions, they recently cancelled everything in July to Denver, didn’t even keep a flight a week for those who would be eligible to travel. Unless we get some major announcement those flights won’t be running.
Jonny says:

28 Jun28 June 10:50

I’ve just received an email from Virgin Atlantic credit card outlining changes to T&Cs.

Included in definition of cash advances: “adding money to a prepaid card, virtual card or e-money account.”

Does that mean that paying (for example) HMRC using Curve will now count as a cash advance? Anyone tested it?

(sorry if this has already been discussed)
- mark2 says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 11:11
  
  Difficult to test since it does not take effect until 5th August!
  - Jonny says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 11:18
    
    That’s a good point, mark2…
- Jonathan says:
  
  28 Jun28 June 14:48
  
  I’d imagine it’s the end of using Virgin as the end of the MS waterfall some people here advocate. MCC pass through will make this easy.
  
  HMRC etc should be ok based on MCC but it’s an unknown if the use of Curvre, even for benign day to day spending like supermarkets, will be caught up in the e-money bit. I’d argue that Curve is essentially the same as Apple Pay etc but who knows?
  - Jonny says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 15:02
    
    Thanks for info, Jonathan.
    
    Let’s see what happens…
  - blenz101 says:
    
    28 Jun28 June 15:40
    
    Not the same I am afraid. Apple Pay does not involve the issue of e-money it only facilitates the processing of payments by sending secure payment. It is of course tightly intergrated and talks directly with your bank.