The HfP chat thread – Sunday 4th July

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Richard T says:

4 Jul4 July 10:18

We have been in Cyprus for 10 months and are looking for some help with day2&8 testing providers and day 5 test to release. We are arriving at LHR on Tuesday evening and live in Worcester.
Ideally we would do the day2 test at LHR on arrival and then day5 test to release at home.
The Gov website does not filter the geographic areas properly and the prices on the site are complete fiction when you click onto the test providers websites (upto 5 times the quoted price on the gov website)
Any thoughts would be much appreciated
- Nick Burch says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 12:29
  
  If you want a speedy Test to Release you probably need to go to an airport. From Worcester that probably means Birmingham if you have a car, ExpressTest are pretty good there. Otherwise train to Reading and railair bus to Heathrow for Collinson in T5 isn’t too bad.
  
  Randox will likely get you an answer by late day 6 if you use their tests for TTR and can get to one of their dropboxes, which might end up being Birmingham anyway
- Ikaz says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 13:07
  
  My plan is to land in LHR and book the day 2 test as soon as we land with Collinson (£66 with BA discount), then day 5 TTR with Collinson also for same day results (around £73 with BA discount) and Randox test at home for day 8 (£43 with BA discount)
Toby says:

4 Jul4 July 10:18

Anyone else getting a flood of nectar offers? I haven’t shopped at Sainsbury’s for 2 weeks and today have 34 offers. Most of 10-20 nectar but one or two of 90 nectar.
- John says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 11:16
  
  No but maybe this is your weekly refresh date so you have last week’s and this week’s
Mr. AC says:

4 Jul4 July 10:45

Back when it was briefly available, I (like many) managed to snag a suite on points at Six Senses Douro Valley. It’s for the weekend of July 16th, so the reservation cancellation cut off is July 6th. Does anyone know if there’s clarity about non-double jabbed folks being allowed into mainland Portugal after July 11th? Alternatively, has anyone had success moving the reservation or extending the cut off date by e-mailing the hotel?
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 10:47
  
  I think a couple of people mentioned that they managed to cancel when it was technically past the date for doing so.
  Portugal now allowing children with a test if that’s the problem, but it does seem to change regularly!
- Rob says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 10:56
  
  I am in same boat but for a week later, so my cut-off is 11th …
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 11:24
  
  I seriously doubt there will be any clarity before July 6th aren’t they due to talk about lockdown easing and rules post July 19th on July 12th?
  
  Next big travel restrictions review is due July 31st (not the list review)
  - Anna says:
    
    4 Jul4 July 11:34
    
    If they’re not reviewing the travel restrictions until the 31st, why have there been so many reports about announcements being made on the 15th and changes possibly taking effect from the 26th? They are so desperate to save the summer holiday season but this won’t be possible if they’re not making any changes until well into August?
    - Tariq says:
      
      4 Jul4 July 11:42
      
      The government aren’t desperate to save anything except their own skins and egos.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      4 Jul4 July 12:15
      
      @Anna as per page 1 15th is for the green/amber/red list (will be implemented from 21st July) exactly 3 weeks after 24th when the last changes were announced and implemented from 4am 30th June.
      
      In the actual travel restrictions SI there were 3 dates set out 4 weeks or so apart and June 28th and late July were two of them.
- YC says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 11:33
  
  I went past the deadline but I wouldn’t take it as granted. Mine coincided with covid entry vaccine changes so they were quite understanding. Having said that I was asked to cancel on the app and if any charges, contact them. But points immediately returned so infer what you will
- r* says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 17:15
  
  I emailed them asking if I can cancel/resched closer than 10 days out should covid restrictions mean I cant go. Am waiting for a reply.
  
  Do we know if ambassador benefits apply there?
@mkcol says:

4 Jul4 July 10:47

Are there any Staybridge Suites type hotels in London which offer 2 bedroom apartments?
- @mkcol says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 12:24
  
  Excellent thanks Rob!
Anna says:

4 Jul4 July 10:51

Re Lloyds voucher booking – would avios.com be willing to change a booking which is currently a one way for 2 people to a return for one? Currently have a trip to Nice booked for my son & me but he’s not vaccinated so I’m considering going on my own. Voucher is well past its expiry date!
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 10:52
  
  Or would they change the name if I want to take another vaccinated adult?!
Aliks says:

4 Jul4 July 10:51

If I cancel the return flights for a BA 241 redemption, and take a Future Travel Voucher, does this preserve the remainder of the 241 option, along with half the avios and half the cash spent?
- Anna says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 10:54
  
  I would guess no, because you would presumably have used the outbound portion plus 241 bookings have to start in the UK, but let us know if you manage this!
- pauldb says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 12:47
  
  I thought avios.com were basically letting you cancel for free and renewing the Lloyds voucher for 3 months – their version of Book with Confidence. So you should be able to rebook whatever you like.
  - pauldb says:
    
    4 Jul4 July 12:48
    
    Sorry – an answer to Anna up higher.
Craig says:

4 Jul4 July 11:02

Odd question, does anyone know of any hotels or chains that allow 16-year olds to checkin without an adult. Premier Inn used to be 16+ but has changed. Specifically looking in London?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 13:02
  
  How would they know they are 16?
  - Craig says:
    
    4 Jul4 July 13:03
    
    It’s my nephew and his girlfriend, he’s clearly not 18!
    - AJA says:
      
      4 Jul4 July 13:09
      
      Does the GF look 18? Maybe she could check in alone for both of them?
      - Craig says:
        
        4 Jul4 July 14:02
        
        Not a chance.
Mco says:

4 Jul4 July 11:03

Anyway to get a discount on the London Eye? Is Clubcard the best way?
- Heathrow Flyer says:
  
  4 Jul4 July 11:47
  
  2for1 if you ‘arrive’ by rail..(Charing Cross to Waterloo East should do it)
  
  https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/london-eye
  - Aston100 says:
    
    4 Jul4 July 13:05
    
    Not that I would encourage any unethical behaviour, but not a single place checked our eligibility for the 2 for 1 rail offer.
    We did of course have our rail tickets with us and took them to the half dozen places we had booked, but need not have bothered.
    - Nick says:
      
      4 Jul4 July 14:28
      
      Kew Gardens have always checked for me – asked every time. They do accept a (paper) travelcard though.
  - Mco says:
    
    4 Jul4 July 16:51
    
    Thank you