The HfP chat thread – Thursday 1st July

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

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Category

General

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

TimM says:

1 Jul1 July 06:00

What are the current best options for booking the two post-return tests coming from an amber country to the UK? We are flying BA so should have access to their ‘special deal’.
- Flying Misfit says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 06:32
  
  I am currently using Randox for Day2/8 which cost 86 squid after using code BritishAirways43. However, I would check if Randox has a drop of location that suits you. I think testingforall comes out at 99 a pop for both and from other accounts they seem to be okay but do not have any personal experience. Not sure of I have come across cheaper options for the Day 2/8 tests.
  - TimM says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 09:10
    
    Have done the same Misfit – £86 pp for the Randox with BA code, many thanks. Now I just have to organise a pre-flight test in Greece – easier than it sounds if you didn’t know where I am staying! Hopefully this over-reaction to lack of testing last year will end soon.
    - Pete M says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 10:24
      
      Why not just bring the Prenetics ones with you at £26pp? https://www.projectscreen.co.uk/virgindelta/
- Flyoff says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:08
  
  I have been impressed with Randox. Day 2 and day 8 tests arrived the next day after my online order. They use their own drop boxes which you can see the locations on their website. You can also use DX too but this is a Mkn-Fri service. Their own are Mon-Sun. We placed the Day 2 in our local Randox drop box on Sunday afternoon. Email confirmed receipt at their lab the next morning and the results were emailed at 1PM.
  - Pete M says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 09:08
    
    Same positive experience with Randox – cheapest company that actually turn results around quickly.
    - David S says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 10:49
      
      We used Xpresstest as we had a local drive through testing facility at Reading FC. It was £129 using click through from the BA site. Didn’t see any facility to input a code though so unsure if we were ripped off. However service was good and results same day and no need to worry about postal or delivery delays
      - Ben W says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 15:29
        
        Plus as Express Test is in person you get a legitimate reason to leave the house during quarantine to ease any post holiday boredom.
KBuffett says:

1 Jul1 July 06:28

Quite a few new offers on AmEx. Mostly usual rubbish like £20 off David Clulow (after already being marked up 6000%, you’d have to be an idiot to buy from them!!)

£200 off £1000 at Four Seasons is interesting.
- YC says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 06:45
  
  Limited FS properties. i.e. none of the ‘cheaper’ ones in europe
- Andrew says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 06:56
  
  And some Estée Lauder brands (Aveda, Origins, MAC) with 15% back.
- Mike says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:28
  
  Sweaty Betty Spend £100 or more, get 12% back every time – er yippee !
  - Michael C says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 08:02
    
    Añways top of my list, whereas only saw Marriott offer cos of comments here!!
    - Andrew says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 08:36
      
      Betty really must pay Amex for the privilege to be at the top of all our lists! Beyond irritating.
      - Lady London says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 08:46
        
        Think how much the markup on product must be, for that
- Andrew says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:56
  
  David Clulow often has other stackers, 10% at Virgin Credit Card and 10% at Paw – so better if the sale is over £100.
  
  But like all opticians, nobody (sensible) actually pays the shelf price.
  - Norm says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 09:25
    
    It looks like I’ll have to get my first pair soon – what’s the sensible strategy?
    - Mike says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 12:05
      
      Specsavers
    - Andrew says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 13:29
      
      Shop around!
    - Yvo says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 19:47
      
      Glasses Direct. Never High St stores with their overheads.
Paul says:

1 Jul1 July 06:48

Not sure I like all the articles being sponsored. Appreciate the current environment must be making life really tough but the unique selling point of HfP was its independence. One sponsored article a day would be reasonable.
- Andrew says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 06:53
  
  At least we have the chat page – that’s the real value of HfP these days.
  - Mike says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 07:30
    
    +1 Love the daily chat article (long may it continue er perhaps until a forum is introduced)
- YC says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:05
  
  The 2 Amex ones today are genuine new changes to Amex cards. Relevant to some
- KBuffett says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:14
  
  I can’t see how the contents of either article would be any different if they weren’t sponsored.
  
  They are both relevant to points collecting.
- Rob says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 09:21
  
  Paul, I agree and it was not planned this way. Billhop was meant to be Tuesday and Gold was meant to be yesterday – both were moved for different reasons. I did the Heathrow Rewards article deliberately for this reason.
Toppcat says:

1 Jul1 July 07:14

Does anyone on here have views on Wotton House, the unbranded IHG hotel near Dorking? I had never heard of it until it popped up on a search yesterday. A quick perusal of HfP tells me that it used to be the De Vere.

It still has availability for some weekends in July, and isn’t stupidly expensive, which would suggest it isn’t very good… But the website and reviews look okay…
- Gavin says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 08:14
  
  I don’t know about the hotel, but the area is nice. Lots of pretty villages, nice pubs and walking/cycling. Wotton Hatch is/was quite a nice pub, although not been for years!
- Njb says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 08:19
  
  I stayed there once on a work trip. Was happy. Didnt explore the grounds but inside was nice. Decent breakfast.
- Jek says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 08:43
  
  We just have been there to explore the area. It’s a great location and the pool was open, but breakfast was bad and the room stuffy and too hot as they don’t have AC.
- Benilyn says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 10:26
  
  I stayed few weeks ago, 32k for Saturday, 25k for Sunday. I think decent value at those levels. I was in the base room which was a bit small, no upgrade given as Spire Elite. I enjoyed it, it has very nice grounds, friendly staff, decent restaurant (also do afternoon tea). Breakfast was a bit meh. No A/C.
- Toppcat says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 21:51
  
  Thanks all – appreciate the input. We’re going to give it a go. I will report back!
Tracey says:

1 Jul1 July 07:18

The BA i360 in Brighton could well be the only “flight” we take this Summer. Any discounts anywhere?
Kurt Kraut says:

1 Jul1 July 07:18

In case people were not aware: Eurostar lounge is open. Very quiet this morning. Obviously access for 1 person with Amex Platinum. Limited choice of food ( croissants, pain au chocolat, cereal).
- Andrew says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 08:37
  
  That was always the standard food offering, was never much.
  - Dave says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 09:03
    
    Not true, pre-COVID there was sliced ham, cheese, organic yoghurts, bananas, smoothies, etc.
    - Pete M says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 09:09
      
      I just wish they weren’t so zealous over where the Platinum is issued, my hit rate getting in with a US one is very low…! 🙁
meta says:

1 Jul1 July 07:24

Sky News reporting quarantine-free travel for double-jabbed Britons planned for 26 July.
- Anna says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 07:26
  
  That will be excellent news as long as it’s children as well!
  Now just to work out how to do the PCR test within 48 hours of arrival, at the moment the only option seems to be very expensive same day services!
  - meta says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 07:30
    
    I need to figure out how to move my BA return by a few days as to avoid quarantine, but also not pay significantly much extra.
  - Harry T says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 08:19
    
    Children are a large reservoir of infection currently, so that complicates matters.
    - Anna says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 08:41
      
      Well they should be allowed the vaccination then like in the US and other countries!
      - Pete M says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 09:12
        
        I really do hope they also address the issue of letting people vaccinated outside of the NHS in – at the moment it is very much BRITAN FURST on that front… The EU should be pretty simple, the US not so much perhaps.
      - meta says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 09:21
        
        The report also stated they are working with EU on mutual recognition. I am converting my NHS to EU digitial passport next week. Just been given access to an online portal to submit all the documents from my country, but it still requires a visit in person to finalise it as they need my signature.
      - Jonathan says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 09:34
        
        Pretty much all the available vaccine & vaccinators are being fully utilised at the moment though so you would be reducing availability for others. It seems like booster jabs for over 50’s will also pick up the slack after over 18’s are double jabbed as well so wouldn’t bank on younger teenagers getting it for a while yet.
        
        I know there’s lots of anecdotes about low uptake/I walked in & got 2nd jab with no queue etc but that’s a tiny proportion of the 2.4million jabs being done weekly.
      - Yuff says:
        
        1 Jul1 July 10:14
        
        My 15 year son has just been offered a vaccine here in Mallorca this morning.
        Under 16s need parent approval.
- The Lord says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 09:38
  
  Great timing, booked in for jab 2 on the 26th!
- MKB says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 11:28
  
  If fully vaxed Brits are safe on 26 July, why aren’t they safe today? Surely the Civil Service is not so inept that they need a full 25 days to update the relevant Statutory Instrument and webpages?
  - Cats are best says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 11:57
    
    It’s due to the difference between politics and science.
  - Optimus Prime says:
    
    1 Jul1 July 12:02
    
    Because the restrictions are being relaxed so that MP’s can enjoy their not so deserved holidays.
    - meta says:
      
      1 Jul1 July 17:30
      
      I think also because they are at the moment agreeing with EU on mutual recognition. Because EU digitial certificate will allow EU tourists to come into UK as well.
Jimbob says:

1 Jul1 July 07:27

Anyway of earning air miles of Halifax mortgage overpayments? I see that they’ve blocked MasterCard debit cards starting with a 5, so rules out Curve card
- Andrew says:
  
  1 Jul1 July 08:16
  
  Don’t most MasterCards start with a 5?
  
  The general rule was Amex/Diners/JCB 3, Visa 4, MasterCard 5, China/Discover and (the now defunct) Switch was 6.