The HfP chat thread – Thursday 15th July

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• Bob says:

  15 Jul15 July 15:11

  For non brits arriving in the UK, can they put a landline number on a PLF? As otherwise no UK number and would be subject to roaming charges if contacted on their mobile. No idea how often you get called currently during amber quarantine. Thanks

  • Pete M says:

    15 Jul15 July 15:20

    Can’t see why you couldn’t. They’ve been calling my BF every day for 5-10mins so far…

    • James says:

      15 Jul15 July 15:56

      Been calling us every day for no more than 3 minutes at a time, so I have no idea what they’re saying to your BF for 10 minutes? Also, they called my girlfriend twice yesterday and when she went to answer both times, they hung up on her both times. Today, she got a visit:

      “Hello, can I check that “xxx xxx” is at home?”
      “Yes, she is stood next to me”
      “Thanks, goodbye”

      They didn’t even come to the door to check for themselves, just a 10 second trusting chat via the Intercom.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        15 Jul15 July 16:13

        You can’t really have guests if you are isolating

        • James says:

          15 Jul15 July 18:06

          Erm, we live together…?

        • Rui N. says:

          15 Jul15 July 18:51

          You can’t? Is that in law?

        • TGLoyalty says:

          15 Jul15 July 20:47

          Obviously but letting the person knocking in your home would be a guest …

          My point is tell them to FO because you’re self isolating.

• Mel TS says:

  15 Jul15 July 15:28

  Would anyone have any tips for flights to Nairobi? Anyone have preferred airlines? We’re doing an anniversary trip in June 2022 so will be looking to fly business ( or first if there is a sale 😂) . We don’t have enough miles for redemptions at that level. Was looking at BA, but wondering if we go indirect we might get a better product/experience? Where to credit miles is in the back of my mind but the overall trip experience is more important! I’m wanting to book now, but also wondering when the sales might make their appearance…..

  • Aslan says:

    15 Jul15 July 15:51

    Qatar is always a good shout. Think Swiss/Lufthansa have some “241” deals atm – might be worth looking at those (I haven’t so can’t tell you if Nairobi is on the list)

    • Mel TS says:

      15 Jul15 July 16:03

      i got excited then as forgot about 241, sadly not for next year at the mo…… I’ll keep an eye out for those. Still yet to persuade the other half that he can fly indirect!

  • Aston100 says:

    15 Jul15 July 16:02

    I’m pretty sure you’ll have a better experience at a cheaper price in most other airlines business class when compared to club world.

    • Mel TS says:

      15 Jul15 July 16:19

      Hmm, I shall use this as fuel for my argument…..

  • KP says:

    15 Jul15 July 16:14

    Hello from a Kenyan living in UK! I think one of the best points redemption is on Ethiopian via SQ Krisflyer. If paying cash, there’s not that many ‘cheap’ options in business to be fair. BA timings are great but they used old aircrafts on the route (pre pandemic). Otherwise QR is a good option and so is Turkish

    • Mel TS says:

      15 Jul15 July 16:19

      Oh thank you I hadn’t even thought of that one! We roughly budgeted for the business fares, so at the mo they aren’t out of reach. First maybe a little bit too far of a stretch.

    • Guernsey Globetrotter says:

      15 Jul15 July 17:21

      Business class returns to Nairobi via KrisFlyer’s Star Alliance partners like Ethiopian cost 104k miles per person, which is a bit steep if you ask me considering you can fly to Dubai business class return for 58k and it’s only another 20% or so by distance. Mind you, BA want 125k to go LHR to NBO (AND £1.14k in taxes) so it’s all relative! In the Lufty sale you can get 2 business class returns for c. £2.3k cash which strikes me as value versus the points options as you say you’ve budgeted for it – thing is it seems to cover flights to 13 June 2022 only – take a look here and good luck 🙂 : https://www.lufthansa.com/gb/en/gb-companion-special

      • KP says:

        15 Jul15 July 17:27

        But you havent considered the taxes. On Ethiopian it’s around £100-£150 in taxes. I dont think you can bear that. Start in Europe
        And taxes are £50

        • KP says:

          15 Jul15 July 17:28

          Beat*

      • Mel TS says:

        15 Jul15 July 17:31

        Thats what I was thinking – We’ve saved intensively and have round £2ishK for flights each. Inevitably we fly just 22nd June 2022 and come back 2nd July – just out of sale range of course!!!

  • Igloo says:

    15 Jul15 July 18:41

    I would not bother with BA business class to Nairobi… they find the oldest, least functioning aircraft they possibly can for the route (I appreciate that this will have improved since I last flew there with the aircraft selection BA have available at present). Sadly Kenya Airways (other direct option) is probably worse!

    KLM via Amsterdam was decent, but you have to make sure it is a KLM aircraft from Amsterdam to Nairobi as they often codeshare with Kenya Airways using the Kenya Airways planes.

    Money no object and timings work out then I Emirates and Qatar are superior options.

    • KP says:

      15 Jul15 July 18:55

      Kenya Airways is ‘probably worse’? How have you made that conclusion – you flew KQ or you think so because its an african airline? Youll be surprised with how good the hard product is and relatively decent soft product as well. I would take it over BA.

      • Mel TS says:

        15 Jul15 July 19:41

        The first time we felt was Kenya Airways in economy – was a good flight and wouldnt hesitate to fly with them again.

        • Mel TS says:

          15 Jul15 July 19:42

          *Flew

      • Igloo says:

        15 Jul15 July 22:17

        Umm… I’m from Kenya, so my views are based on years of experience flying back and forth from the UK to Kenya, and specifically as a comment on the business class product of each. Either is a good enough option in Economy.

• trader363 says:

  15 Jul15 July 16:15

  Am I right in thinking that Jamaica requires UK travellers to quarantine upon landing? Looking to book the Hilton Rose Hall for later this month.

  If that fails, then maybe Barbados. Can’t see any other amber/green list long haul beach destinations on VS/BA points in early august

• Anna says:

  15 Jul15 July 16:30

  Independent reporting that pre-arrival test for Spain has been extended to 72 hours before arrival, though it doesn’t say if this includes Balearics & Canaries.

  • Harry T says:

    15 Jul15 July 16:56

    We’ve just paid for a next day turn around on a covid test, so that’s pissed me off a bit! 😂 48 hours prior to arrival isn’t long enough when most labs aim to get you a result by 48 hours…

    • Anna says:

      15 Jul15 July 17:31

      I’ve paid £95 each for the teenagers to get a 3 hour result at MAN, I am so stressed about something going wrong! But it’s all a bit trial and error just now and things will no doubt change again several times before the summer is out!

  • Colin MacKinnon says:

    15 Jul15 July 17:21

    Spanish government web page says 72 hrs for PCR, 48 hrs for antigen.

    https://www.spth.gob.es/faq?tab=2

    What COVID-19 diagnostic tests are accepted for entry into Spain?
    2 types of tests are allowed, with negative result:

    Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), which detect the genetic material of the virus (RT-PCR, TMA and RT-LAMP).
    Rapid antigen detection tests (RATs), which detect the presence of virus antigens. The tests accepted are those authorised by the European Commission, which can be consulted at the following link.
    These tests must have been carried out (sampling) 72h (NAAT) or 48h (RATs) before arrival in Spain.

• Lady London says:

  15 Jul15 July 18:00

  Recurring issue with them.

  They can be extremely difficult to contact to sort out when this happens. have never known their service to be anything other than Dalek-like.

  I use them only when I must and each time for very small amounts that I could afford to lose till this lot get their $hit together.

  Wise (ex-Transferwise) is much more recommended on here and has other useful features.

  Rob do you think Wise could be interested in running a promotion with HfP?

  • Rob says:

    15 Jul15 July 18:16

    I think they are a bit big now to bother doing a dedicated offer. For people like Midpoint we move the needle, not with Wise.

• Tracey says:

  15 Jul15 July 18:14

  Is there a definitive list of European countries that will accept the Indian AZ batch number? Trying to help a family member book a holiday and she has had this batch number for her first jab.

• Andrew says:

  15 Jul15 July 18:23

  Not sure if it would work or not, but currently on Nectar I have:-

  20pts per £1 at Costa Coffee, expires 23/7/21
  20pts per £1 at Costa Coffee, expires 28/7/21

  If both trigger, that’s 40pts per £1.

  Obviously there are also 10% offers on LGB cards too, although (for now) there is some debate whether they would stack with the Nectar Open Banking offers.

  • Yorkie Aid says:

    15 Jul15 July 22:06

    Or you could just go to Nero and get a decent coffee.

• JanM says:

  15 Jul15 July 18:46

  So any comments on my plan to move back to the UK:
  * It looks like the options are Madeira, Croatia, or Bulgaria.
  * The next review should be around 4/5 August with changes coming into effect on 8/9 August.
  * I need to have been in a Green List country for 10 days (presumably the day of arrival is day 0).
  * So I’m thinking Croatia from 22 July to 1 August? (I’ve never been.)

  Any constructive thoughts or comments? And just to avoid the obvious: 1) I have not been vaccinated in the UK, so I can’t travel from Germany (where I am), and 2) I live in Wales, so getting a test at Day 5 is not an option and 10 days is a really long time…

  • kitten says:

    15 Jul15 July 19:40

    not Croatia as of past day or two it seems potential flag for downgrade on the UK gov list linked to by Rob in current article

  • Tracey says:

    15 Jul15 July 19:53

    Gibraltar? Though that may be a long time to spend 10 days.

    Another curve ball option would be to complete your PLF with your Welsh address for the first 5 days, followed by an address in England for the next 5. Stay 5 days in isolation in Wales, then travel to England, do a test to release with one of the quick result places and spend 5 days enjoying England before return back to Wales.

  • JDB says:

    15 Jul15 July 20:42

    I think it is rash to assume that the review dates are fixed; things are moving fast in the UK and in other countries that might scupper your carefully laid plan. A lot may change in a week. @Tracey plan for Wales/England sounds a less risky/costly plan and at least you are then already in the right country!

    • TGLoyalty says:

      15 Jul15 July 20:58

      They are fixed. Every 3 weeks. This one was pulled forward 24 hrs so they could bring in the Change from Monday (in line with the other Covid law changes)

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