The HfP chat thread – Friday 16th July

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Anna says:

16 Jul16 July 09:35

I know it can change but does anyone know which NYC flights are most likely to have Club Suite next year? Planning a trip for next summer starting and ending there and in the absence of F award availability to use the 241 on, we’d appreciate the best J experience! Planning on driving to Cape Cod for 5/6 days then flying down to the Caribbean for 2 weeks then having 2/3 days in NYC at the end for culture and shopping.
- Aston100 says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 09:54
  
  My flight, BA0172 on a 777 from JFK to LHR is currently showing a club suite layout on ba.com seat selection screen.
  I presume therefore that BA0171 to JFK will be the same aircraft?
  - Stu N says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 09:57
    
    It’s a total lottery and given the proximity of evening departures from JFK, there’s no clear matching of flight pairs.
- MattB says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:16
  
  If going to cape cod consider Boston at least for outbound, plenty of F availability when I looked a few days ago, easily the most out of any US city.
  - Anna says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:23
    
    Thanks – I’d thought about this but not sure if I can face the call to BA to book an open jaw at the moment! Got F to BOS booked for next March though, hoping it stays that way …
    - Lyn says:
      
      16 Jul16 July 10:49
      
      Anna, I was thinking the same thing. Boston is so much closer to Cape Cod and if you could book F on the way over and J coming back it might mitigate your disappointment if the Club Suites don’t actually happen.
      - Anna says:
        
        16 Jul16 July 11:14
        
        If only there was a way to book open jaw online with the 241!
      - David says:
        
        16 Jul16 July 18:17
        
        Agree. I’d fly in/out of Boston, few days there, collect car and do Cape etc, return car and then Amtrack (or fly if inclined) to NY and back… or in reverse. Done it a number of times, quite painless really. Amtrack a bit of a novelty too if your into that, and so much more space than cramped UK trains.
    - MattB says:
      
      16 Jul16 July 11:13
      
      True but ive rung F line twice this week and got through in seconds.
      - Anna says:
        
        16 Jul16 July 11:15
        
        That’s an idea – I had fallen out with them since the debacle when they refused to re-price the taxes on my last 241 booking but they are generally excellent.
- Andrew says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:39
  
  Hopefully in a year’s time when you go most JFK would be CS – but as others say, there’s no way to tell for sure now, even if showing as CS now it could change by then and even on the day, a last minute equipment change is possible.
- Harry T says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 11:00
  
  Complete lottery and could change again any time!
- Chris Heyes says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 16:19
  
  Anna If I was you I’d just ask ? both of our flights London-Denver and Phoenix-London have Club Suite at Easter
Stephen says:

16 Jul16 July 09:55

Unfortunately, the taxes for Virgin (ANA) bookings has increased, the carrier surcharge has been added back on again. Still very good value, especially from EU
- Jimmy says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:09
  
  There’s basically zero availability right, unless I’m using the United site wrong?
  - meta says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:23
    
    There isn’t zero availability, but it’s hard to get more than 1 ticket. You need to have access to Star Alliance miles to book as soon as they are released (355 days) then cancel those and book with Virgin miles when they open up 330 days before. It’s also a bit of a risk as it doesn’t necessarily go back into the inventory.
- H says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 11:30
  
  What’s the total taxes now please and what routing?
Bill says:

16 Jul16 July 09:56

Any guesses on when BA holidays, or Virgin holidays might have a sale on anytime soon?

Looking to book a holiday to Vegas next year. Want to gamble away what I saved over lockdown.
- Louise K says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 12:17
  
  I think there is normally one at the end of August.
David says:

16 Jul16 July 10:07

Biden just announced hoping to update in the next few days on when European travel into US will be allowed again; courtesy of visit from Merkel.
Wonder where Plague Island will fit into this (if anywhere).
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:12
  
  See page 1 …
- Andrew says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:45
  
  Who knows when the mice plague will settle down in Australia.
  
  I’m rather hoping Canada will be able to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from the UK if as, Justin Trueau said “the current positive path of vaccination rate and public health conditions continue,”
Sina says:

16 Jul16 July 10:09

I’m flying to Tenerife tomorrow, my understanding is that I don’t need to do any tests as I’m double vaxed, right?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:12
  
  Correct as long as it’s been 14 days
  - Sina says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:12
    
    Thanks!
- Anna says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:27
  
  Let us know how you get on, @Sina, we are hoping to fly out there in 2 weeks! No idea what’s going to be open in terms of restaurants etc but we’re old enough not to be bothered about night time curfews these days!
AndyF says:

16 Jul16 July 10:24

Any quick light suggestions on nice honeymoon places/hotels within Europe for a couple of weeks. We feel going further afield currently feels like it will get far too complicated. We are willing to spend but not ridiculous amounts as it’s still within Europe.
- Anna says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:30
  
  Are you able to travel to amber destinations (vaccinated or able to self-isolate)? Obviously that would give much more choice. I’d say Italy but there’s a quarantine arrival on arrival atm. Do you want culture/weather/beaches/activities?
  - Andyf says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:45
    
    Yes, I’m so sorry I left out the most important part. We are both double vaccinated.
  - JDB says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:57
    
    I would second @Anna suggestion of Italy if it weren’t for the current quarantine. Particularly Sicily for a great combination of beaches, culture, traditional villages and of course great food.
- Ian_H says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 10:35
  
  Cyprus is Aphrodite’s Island and so very popular for weddings and honeymoons – no quarantine if double vax’d and some nice properties at very reasonable rates – good mix of chains and quality Independents
  - Anna says:
    
    16 Jul16 July 10:51
    
    Cyprus currently requires negative tests before and after arriving, so it depends how much of this you want to include in the holiday!
    - Anna says:
      
      16 Jul16 July 10:54
      
      Again, it depends what kind of honeymoon you’re looking at!
      - AndyF says:
        
        16 Jul16 July 13:18
        
        Thanks Anna for the help. we are looking to relax so a beach destination if it has some places to visit nearby afterwards all the better. I will look at Cyprus. We will stay away from Italy due to self isolation. Greece is another option in halkidiki region. I looked at the Dome Hotel as well in Crete. I can’t believe the prices with summer holidays etc. I’m not used to that! I’m tempted to use points but 600k Marriott points when I can use the same points for the Maldives etc just doesn’t make sense to me.
      - Anna says:
        
        16 Jul16 July 16:02
        
        Consider Lanzarote – it’s relatively cheap to get to the Canaries just now, it’s very peaceful away from the main tourist resorts and the landscapes and beaches are stunning – take this from a regular visitor to the Caribbean!
MKB says:

16 Jul16 July 10:51

Do Marriott Rewards Platinum/Titanium members get the option of a free breakfast on an awards stay at The Langley, or is it like the London Edition, where it’s not an option?
- Harry T says:
  
  16 Jul16 July 11:02
  
  You technically get a £25 credit towards breakfast that covers the cost of the continental breakfast – cooked costs an extra £5pp. Free breakfast is an elite benefit at Luxury Collection but not EDITION. I got my breakfast for free at the Langley the other weekend because of poor service one morning and incorrect billing on another.
Anna says:

16 Jul16 July 11:18

Apparently FCDO advice has now been updated for Croatia and Bulgaria if anyone was holding off booking because of this.