The HfP chat thread – Friday 16th July

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• Scott says:

  16 Jul16 July 13:01

  2 quick questions regarding testing after someone was asking me about things.

  If you’re double vaccinated, and require a PCR test to enter a country, are NHS PCR tests no use?
  Day 2 test after returning from Iceland (assuming its Green). I assume no NHS tests?

  • JP says:

    16 Jul16 July 13:05

    Can’t use NHS tests for travel.

    • Pete M says:

      16 Jul16 July 13:21

      There is nothing stopping you (apart from, arguably, some moral issues because it’s specifically forbidden) from using an NHS PCR test to enter a third country, as long as that third country accepts it. The problem may be the return times on that PCR test and whether it contains the required information the third country may want to see. An NHS lateral flow test result will not be accepted by airlines and Border Force to re-enter the UK, though.

    • Aaron C says:

      17 Jul17 July 00:17

      There’s nothing stopping you using them, however, if the destination accepts them. I did it to the Caribbean in January with no issues.

• Gary says:

  16 Jul16 July 13:24

  Which day 2 PCR provider does quick turnaround for home tests (preferably next day as don’t think same day possible for home tests?). London based here.

  • Simon says:

    16 Jul16 July 13:39

    you dont have to isolate before or after a day 2 test from a green country. just send it off and forget about it.

    • Rob says:

      16 Jul16 July 13:53

      And it’s NOT a Day 2 test, it is a Day 0/1/2 test. You can do it at the airport 5 minutes after you land if you want, as I did from Gibraltar.

      • Gary says:

        16 Jul16 July 17:45

        Thanks! Certainly failed reading comprehension myself… “You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive.”

• Luke says:

  16 Jul16 July 13:27

  Looks like Biden is set to announce the opening date for US travel to the EU in the next few days….

• Pete M says:

  16 Jul16 July 13:58

  It would be highly amusing if he let the EU in, but not Special Relationship Brits 🙂

  • Anna says:

    16 Jul16 July 15:52

    He’d struggle with only extending it to them Schengen zone as that would exclude his beloved ROI. And if he included ROI then it becomes CTA and completely pointless to exclude the U.K.

    • Lord Doncaster says:

      16 Jul16 July 18:29

      He’ll struggle to get to 2024 at the current rate

• Stuart says:

  16 Jul16 July 13:59

  Hi can anyone confirm if the US Exec Club line is still available to make Avios bookings at midnight GMT/1am BST? I’m sure I read somewhere that during the pandemic they weren’t taking non-US calls. TIA

• Rash says:

  16 Jul16 July 14:03

  For all those regular Hertz renters using the Amex CDP code 211762. I have been emailed by a Hertz area manager that they will no longer honour these bookings as it is a retired CDP code (even though we can still use it on the website)

  • Travel Strong says:

    16 Jul16 July 14:07

    Thats the old amex platinum code I believe. I’ve been using the amex platinum code 633306 for years and always got the same prices as the old code whenever i’ve run both to check.

    • Rash says:

      16 Jul16 July 16:21

      Thanks, there is also the Amex Benefits code 705500 for others. This does not have the 4 hour grace period

• Red Flyer says:

  16 Jul16 July 14:06

  Just booked MAD-EZE and GIG-MAD in biz with Iberia for 2 people next April and only cost £500 in taxes and 187,000 Avios in total. We have to fly from MAN anyway, so even factoring in the cost of return position flights for an additional £360, that is a cracking deal – especially as cash price for Iberia flights was £7.25k alone.
  Thanks to Rob and team for all the points earning tips I will now be able to tick S America off my bucket list for my 50th birthday next year – assuming Covid is not a party pooper of course! 😎

  • Jody says:

    16 Jul16 July 15:00

    That sounds fab! And very cheap taxes compared to BA.

  • Sam G says:

    16 Jul16 July 15:07

    One tip I picked up on the chats previously is you can book your return ticket home as one ticket without the taxes going much higher. This is much more preferable for me – happy to position out the day before etc but a nice protected connection with my bags straight through on the way home is preferable.

    • Red Flyer says:

      16 Jul16 July 16:48

      Had not considered that so thanks for the tip as return flight from MAD- MAN was on my list to sort tomorrow so will see if IB will amend and tag on that to the existing booking. 👍

  • Anna says:

    16 Jul16 July 15:54

    I’d love to do this – did you book your MAN connections separately and are you doing a stopover in Madrid or are the connection times sufficient to cover any delays?

    • Red Flyer says:

      16 Jul16 July 16:45

      Doing IB express from MAN same day out as lands 14:30 and flight to EZE is 23:55. We then plan to drop bags and have a bite to eat and couple of drinks in town before heading back to airport later in the evening to enjoy the lounge. On way back is Mrs birthday so we tagged a 3 night weekend in Madrid – again using points at Indigo thanks to tips on here!

      • Bagoly says:

        16 Jul16 July 19:52

        MAD has one of the better selections of restaurants in airports – especially if like us, the first priority in Spain is Jamon Iberico.
        So we would stay at the airport to avoid any stress about getting back in time.
        But I recognise that some people would find that claustrophobic.

• Taylor says:

  16 Jul16 July 14:12

  I have a 241 booked LHR -MIA 11/09 rtn 25/09. I have been emailed today – downgraded from F to J. Looks like a change of equipment with no F. There are other flights on both dates with F availability for cash. What are my options here? Can I insist I am moved to a cash seat on the other flights? Am I due any compensation this far out?

  • Reeferman says:

    16 Jul16 July 14:34

    Here’s the link to HfP’s article on the F to J downgrade:

    https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/08/13/british-airways-first-class-downgrade/

  • Nicky says:

    16 Jul16 July 15:26

    I travel on the same day as you…I was on a 2-4-1 in F and I too was downgraded. Rang up and apparently they have changed the plane and there was no first in the plane returning. I was lucky enough to change my flight times and got lucky with F on Avios again – but my return date is 6 days earlier than you. Try ringing and see what they can do

    • Nicky says:

      16 Jul16 July 15:35

      @Taylor, further to the above comment as mine was an Avios booking I went through Exec Club, then pressed one for change of flights, followed by Avios booking and got through within 2 minutes and the nice chap on the phone made the change straight away. Don’t bother with the 0203 number they have in their e-Mail, I waited for 35 minutes to get through and was told to ring back later as the system had just gone down. Being an impatient witch I just went via Avios (BA) instead. Good luck

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