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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 17th July

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We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

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Comments (342)

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

  • JohnT says:

    Talking about critical issues.., anyone get their 99 Nectar points from Esso competition? Or even won the Race day?

    • AJA says:

      Yes re 99 points, got it after live chat with Nectar posting the link to the competition from Rob’s article. Instantly given them as Goodwill gesture. You may have to HUACA as some agents try to fob you off.

    • Claire says:

      Nope not had mine, from any of the 10 email addresses I entered with 🙁

    • Steve S says:

      I’ve given up on them. At least my prize arrived

  • Mycity says:

    Advice please, I have the BA Premium Amex but as I have three 241 am thinking of either downgrading to the free BA Amex or cancelling completely. Generally how easy is it to upgrade from the free to the paid BA Amex? Thanks

    • D a carter says:

      Really easy, I do it every year, spend 10k on blue, upgrade for a few days to trigger the voucher then downgrade again. And then the same with my wife’s card. I was told if you cancel you lose all vouchers but never tried it!

      • Paul says:

        Do you call Amex to downgrade to the free BA card and does the account number stay the same? Have some upcoming refunds due and don’t want any hassles

        • d a carter says:

          I do it online, which works well. You can access all cards on your account so that’s no issue. For refunds, you tend to get an annoying credit balances on your card (the same with the pro rata annual fee). I’ve always needed to phone to get it transferred back. If you forget, they write to you to tell you there’s a balance

  • Simon says:

    I used a Qured video Covid test for a flight back to the UK and was impressed. I’ve read a few people having problems with some airlines / officials not accepting them, does anyone know how widespread those reports are?

    • Patrycja says:

      I used them 10 days and was very impressed. The test arrived the next working day from my order date, there were a lot of appointments available on the required day. It was also simple to do the test from our hotel room. They did managed to issue incorrect documents to my husband but after raising it with them, they re-issued them in less then 5 mins. I will definitely be using them again

  • Tracey says:

    For the UK double vaxxed, the old amber becomes green and the new amber plus becomes the old amber.
    For the non UK double faxed, the green stays green and the amber plus and the amber are identical.
    Talk about an unnecessary complication!

    • Paul says:

      So much complication now!

      • Dave1985 says:

        Not so much complication if you’re holidaying in the U.K. like me this summer (there’s still some good deals available if you do your research, I found one myself).

        I’m going to have a great time and won’t have to bother faffing around with testing and changing rules (I’ve found somewhere reasonably quiet too so won’t be surrounded by the sort of scumbags who were prominent last Sunday)

        🇬🇧

        • Mike says:

          Dave 1985 – enjoy your holiday. UK can be really lovely and sometimes seems like a hidden secret

          • Dave1985 says:

            We’re in the top 10 most visited countries in the world so I’m not sure how much of a secret it is. People clearly love visiting this great country.

            🇬🇧

          • Mikeact says:

            Having a great 10 days or so ,down here in Cornwall…non Hotels.com or any ‘chain’…just good old fashioned decent properly run,slightly so called,up market establishments. And the weather….mind you, it is pretty busy, traffic and people…I wouldn’t want to be here come school holidays !

          • Rob says:

            It is the school holidays, for private schools – they finished 2 weeks ago – which probably accounts for the bulk of the Cornwall traffic this Summer.

            Just had a look at the Premier Inn Scarborough for a potential trip to my Mum’s and it is £250 per night – more than the 5-star in Porto we are at next week …. at of course we’d need two rooms.

        • Alex says:

          UK is great for many things but… not for summer holidays.

    • Rhys says:

      Just another day at the circus….

      • Alex M says:

        That’s one. What about other two?

        • Dave1985 says:

          “UK is great for many things but… not for summer holidays.”

          Well I’m going to have a great time as I have done every time I’ve had a holistay 😎

          🇬🇧

          • Andy says:

            @Dave1985 I suspect if you drive it’s a great country to travel but if not (like me) you’re stuck with overpriced in frequent bus and train travel which can make a holiday in the UK an expensive nightmare

    • David says:

      If you think that is complicated, you are on the wrong site!
      It’s logical, this is still a pandemic.
      The illogical bit is continuing with opening up at this speed.

  • Danny says:

    If you are going to delete comments then you need to delete the majority on this thread.

  • KBuffett says:

    OT – I was searching for the best price on a product I’m looking to purchase, and noticed it’s cheapest at Comet (I’m surprised they are still trading). Does anyone know of any discount codes etc for this site?

  • Richard B says:

    The travel traffic light system is rapidly going the way of the ‘tiers’ system from last Autumn!

    I managed to get out to Majorca last week for 4 nights spend in Cala d’Or – lovely little town and beach but feel sorry for anyone who can’t/won’t book a whole holiday a week in advance as being late & decisive seems the only way this summer.

  • Dominic says:

    Anyone know for certain as to whether the Regents Street offer is cumulative across stores, or requires a £120 spend in an individual store?

    • TGLoyalty says:

      I’ve read other comments that it is but Apple store didn’t seem to work but YMMV

      • Rob says:

        The Amex PDF document explains the Apple Store situation.

        • Youllnever says:

          Do you mean the “ Offer is not valid on any orders made on the shop floor via staff merchant iPads/tablets.” line in the T&C?

          What does that mean though? Aren’t all purchases made in Apple done through those? Didn’t think they had a fixed terminal in the store.

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