The HfP chat thread – Friday 9th July

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Chris Heyes says:

9 Jul9 July 09:34

Anyone got up-to date info of when the 10k points post from Amex Gold
We are sitting on two Gold Amex waiting to cancel
Anniversary was 6th June, 9th July now not showing yet ?
Last time we did it it took 4 weeks 2 days ?
Got Amex Premium Cards end of May for additional bonus
- Anna says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 09:41
  
  I’ve a feeling it’s usually around 6 weeks after you 12 month anniversary but Amex might say it can take 90 days, as is their general response!
  - Chris Heyes says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 13:47
    
    Hi, Anna Ta, looks like Labor Day is when US opens up,
    So looks like trip is off
    Pamula from Surriento Suites has said she has 6 days available in Aug if we want to book in (instead of next May or as well as lol)
    What’s your thoughts about Italy ? They seem very slow with info ?
    Wouldn’t like to commit unless sure, has Pamula always looks after us, cheap weeks when she gets a cancelation nod, nod, lol
- Chas says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 09:54
  
  My recollection from when I had the card is that it was a few days after the following months bill has been generated i.e. you are forced to pay a month of your new card fee (although you technically pay it all, and then get c11/12ths refunded).
- JP says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 09:57
  
  It was about a week after the statement was produced, I had mine a few weeks ago.
Manny_D says:

9 Jul9 July 09:53

Parents flying to Cyprus on the 20th both double vaxxed.

Does anyone know the entry requirements now that Cyrpus has classed the UK as a red category? Looking around it seems they do not require any tests as they’ve had both jabs, but I could be looking at this wrong.
- Harry T says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 09:55
  
  They require lots of tests as far as I can see.
  
  https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/uploads/9d5a61f53d.pdf
  - Harry T says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 09:59
    
    Actually, you may be right – the advice appears conflicting.
    - Manny_D says:
      
      9 Jul9 July 10:05
      
      Yep, can’t quite figure out what is actually required.
- ian_h says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 10:22
  
  As long as they are double jabbed they are fine – they just need to be able to evidence this.
  
  https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/vaccinated-passengers
- TJ says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 16:15
  
  If double-jabbed then no entry requirement. This said, you do need to have either a paper certificate as proof or the standard vaccination card. I was there last week. They checked all passengers as they disembarked from the plane which was a bit chaotic.
r* says:

9 Jul9 July 10:09

Does anyone check if people actually take the day 2 tests?

Its starting to feel like a total scam.. some of these testing companies are selling day 2 in-person unsupervised tests for 99p.
- fivebobbill says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 10:23
  
  Is that the sound of a large penny finally dropping lol
  Finally someone wakes up and smells the coffee…
  
  chi-ching, chi-ching £££££££
- Rob says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 10:24
  
  The question is whether the Govt compares the reference number you give with a) a real test order and b) whether the test was returned for analysis. Assuming you have paid for the test, it would seem a stupid risk to take by not actually sending it back.
  - fivebobbill says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 11:05
    
    “Assuming you have paid for the test, it would seem a stupid risk to take by not actually sending it back.”
    
    What happens if you have a day 2 test booked but decide not to go?
    What happens if you book day 2&8 tests but the country changes from Amber to Green while you are away?
    What happens if you book day 2 tests but the country changes from Green to Amber while you are away?
    What if you just want to keep said tests for a future trip?
    
    Having witnessed all of the above in practice, I’ll tell you what happens Rob – nothing, nothing at all. Low profile and stay off the radar.
    
    Each to their own Rob, but I know people who have used the same test reference number for 3 trips in the last 5 weeks.
    
    Testing to travel is the biggest con of the century.
    - Mr. AC says:
      
      9 Jul9 July 11:29
      
      Re: not doing day 2 – we’re on day 7 of isolation after returning from Amber, and yesterday a Track and Trace person showed up at our doorstep asking why we haven’t taken the day 2 test (we have, but we did it on Day 4 because that’s when Randox tests turned up, 6 days after booking them…) So there’s some reporting happening.
      Of course the bigger question in my mind was why didn’t they just call instead of physically travelling! That must be not cheap…
      - Paul says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 11:43
        
        But then the cronies wouldn’t be making money. Those door to door visits are probably costsing hundreds of £ each
      - andyT says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 12:02
        
        AC, Perhaps they phoned but you missed the call, so they decided to visit.
        When I returned from Amber list country I was phoned on seven days out of the ten, so they do check up on people, as you say.
      - fivebobbill says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 12:52
        
        No, they call you up (if you have given them permission to) and, from script, remind you of your obligations, if you tell them you have done the required test they have absolutely no idea whether you did or not.
      - fivebobbill says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 13:06
        
        AC, if “there’s some reporting happening”, how come they turned up at your house on day 6 and didn’t know you’d done it 2 days before? Because they have no idea, it’s a con, it’s all about the answers you give when they call…
      - fivebobbill says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 13:29
        
        Don’t tell them your name Pike! 😄
  - Aaron says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 15:11
    
    I don’t think the do compare the numbers. There appears to be no dynamic check between the reference number entered on the PLF and any one generated by a test order. I suspect you could use any number and the PLF would be accepted.
    
    It certainly doesn’t seem clear that there is any check between test results and the government. For example my wife kept receiving calls from the quarantine people after she had her TTR results.
    
    While it is clearly a risk I suspect it is more than possible to get away without booking these tests. If the government was really interested I think they’d use the NHS labs and not these shoddy private ones which aren’t even UKAS inspected.
    - Moishe Zeech Mech says:
      
      9 Jul9 July 18:09
      
      You absolutely CAN make up the test booking reference. I know for a fact… Talking for a friend
      - fivebobbill says:
        
        9 Jul9 July 19:47
        
        A Believer!! 😎
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 10:34
  
  Where do you see a Day 2 test for 99p? I’d take that…
  - Tim says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 12:42
    
    Just seen Day 2 in-person test for £9.99 in Bradford, £13.99 for Day 2+8 in person, and £28 for Day 2 at home test. Race to the bottom!
  - r* says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 12:46
    
    Ive been going thru some of the in person cheap ones and they have no slots bookable, theyre always in like bradford or newcastle.
    
    The bradford ones address appears to be a discount jeans shop lol
- Sam G says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 11:25
  
  The only way you’d get caught that I can see is someone at the border or govt manually spot checks with the provider. Therefore you are highly likely to get away with it especially as travel increases. just depends how you feel personally about a process that is a) supposed to be keeping us safe from variants and b) risking a potential fine for failure to comply.
  
  Personally for the sake of a relatively small amount in the scheme of a holiday I’ll be taking the “legit” route, costs seem to be dropping (to couple of quid if you happen to live near a cheapo site)
  - Alan says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 15:14
    
    Are there any cheapo sites in London. At the moment it is looking like we will be spending almost £500 on tests over the next couple of months
Christophe says:

9 Jul9 July 10:11

Is cumulative spend counted on the Amex – Hilton statement credit offers?
- Rob says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 10:22
  
  Almost certainly – it has done in the past.
- PMG says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 12:20
  
  Can confirm it did for me – had two stays of £130 each (1x Hilton, 1x DoubleTree).
  Did take a few days after the second stay to post though…
- Aston100 says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 14:11
  
  Yeah 100%.
Andreas says:

9 Jul9 July 11:00

Do I need to take any PCR tests when flying domestically within England?
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 11:01
  
  No.
- Rob says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 11:40
  
  You don’t even need to take PCR test – or indeed any test – when flying overseas, unless your arrival country demands it.
Reney says:

9 Jul9 July 11:15

Some advice pls, has anyone ever brought a kitchen and had it installed by wicks? I would like to know what is the payment schedule, % before the installation and after. Also best points earning way to pay? Looks like they accept paypal but I am not sure if they do for the kitchen and how comfortable I am re not having the usual credit card protection. I was thinking of taking out the HSBC WE card because would meet the bonus with the purchase. Thx
- Travel Strong says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 11:25
  
  You can pay with Amex instore instead of Paypal online. Wickes trade card holders can also get you 10% off. That’s where my experience ends. Took my own wickes kitchen quote to b&q and they beat it (… and then also ran a b+q trade card through for 10% off there too). Most of it is flat pack like Ikea style kit – so I opted to save £1.5k and fit 90% myself and get a professional in to fit the worktops.
  - Reney says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 11:42
    
    thx very much Travel Strong, if amex is allowed that would be amazing. One more question, did you buy your appliance via in your case b&q or got them separately?
    - Andrew says:
      
      9 Jul9 July 12:11
      
      Depends on what brand you are after for your appliances.
      
      Amex are doing a Miele offer at the moment.
    - Travel Strong says:
      
      9 Jul9 July 13:53
      
      Mostly I bought them seperately via AO dot com, with a good chunk of rebate via voldemort portal too if I remember correctly. First I decided on appliance though, then I shopped for best price. The only thing I did get from b&q was the integrated fridge/freezer, as it checked out as a good buy (good reviews, good price).
mike says:

9 Jul9 July 11:21

any fix on how to pay hmrc with bendy? not working for many others today too…..
- Chas says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 14:07
  
  They’ve responded to the ticket I raised with them to say that they are working on it…
  - Chas says:
    
    9 Jul9 July 14:08
    
    By “them”, I mean HMRC. There’s no way bendy would respond that quickly. Although frankly I’m surprised that HMRC did too.
- Chas says:
  
  9 Jul9 July 14:51
  
  See QwertyKnowsBest’s response at 13:54 (p6) – it worked for me.
John says:

9 Jul9 July 11:44

3 is against the Hilton T&Cs *unless* it is a redemption, in which case you need to book on the phone and change the name of the lead guest to your uncle’s name.

Gold benefits are for you, not for any random person in the world who knows your Hilton number.