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The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 18th August

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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 (376)

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

  • Paul says:

    Been saving virgin points for last 2 years. Aim was to have enough for 2 rooms on necker. Finally got to 3 million and called up to book to be told that it’s closed to virgin points bookings indefinitely.

  • Marie says:

    Following on from my earlier post -many thanks for comments – where do British Airways fly First Class?
    I have 2 for 1 vouchers and 2 years of points to use !

    • Pete M says:

      When are you looking to fly? Because the further it is in the future, the more uncertain it is. Not that there’s not last minute equipment swaps all the time even now.

    • Mark says:

      Seat spy is a good place to start if you have ideas of dates you can do a search and refine it to first class

    • Harry T says:

      A lot of routes that usually have first class don’t currently have that service, due to covid cutbacks and reduced demand etc. Your best bet is probably the States, as there’s plenty of planes with F (relatively).

    • Anna says:

      Boston is about the only route with F being released a year in advance, though I did spot a single F seat to MIA in December – not that that would be any use for a 241 booking, of course!

      • MisterE says:

        I have recently secured a F redemption to MEX for late January. But of course there is still massive uncertainty 🙁

      • Joe says:

        SCL seems to have regular availability being released too.

        • Bearing up says:

          Yup, we’re on that flight in Oct, back in Nov. Can’t see it happening.

    • Rob says:

      Post covid, no one knows. Nothing guaranteed beyond LA and New York.

  • AnotherUser says:

    Data point: CTM testing seem fairly flexible on what flight you get back to Scotland. May change our flight next week – they said on the phone we just need to update our PLF form using the same test reference number (though the whole system is such a mess, I’d not be 100% confident in anything!)

    • SteveKicks says:

      Don’t bother with CTM next time, the cheaper tests from providers like Randox/Expert Medicals also work in Scotland

      • AnotherUser says:

        I’m cautious enough for it to be worth an extra £20 or £30 not to have to worry that Scottish government will get their IT together to check the provider used 🙂

  • Mco says:

    Have a CDG-MIA flight on AA brought through BA. They have cancelled my return on BA metal and moved me onto a later flight on AA with new flight numbers. I can ask for a date change right? It’s a revenue ticket. Would it be cheeky to ask to start in London since that’s under 300 miles?

    • Mco says:

      Anyone?

    • Jonathan says:

      What’s the routing. Presumably on return leg it’s via LHR if BA metal?

      If original flight running I think it unlikely they’d shift origin to LHR. This will cost them £180 APD so it’s more than just a fare difference on paper. You could probably drop the LHR-CDG leg on way back though. No harm in asking though (if you can get through to them…)

  • Anna says:

    Is there an IC in Prague? When I search for next Easter IHG just shows me 2 Holiday Inns!

    • Pete M says:

      Yes, but under complete refurbishment which is not going so well!

      • Anna says:

        Thanks – Hilton it is then …

        • Anna says:

          I’ve just read that it’s been taken over and will reopen as the Fairmont Golden Prague!

          • Pete M says:

            Ah there you go, that’s a big loss to IHG then! But the IC was, frankly, a disaster before it shut…

    • Harry T says:

      There used to be (I stayed there in Jan 2020) but I believe it’s reflagged.

  • Aston100 says:

    Got an email from QR about a business class deal for 2.
    Not checked it yet so no idea if any good.
    https://www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/offers/travel-together.html

    • LessCleverAndrew says:

      25% off fare, not taxes, but …

      Campaign Period: 17 August 2021 until 21 August 2021.
      Travel Period: 17 August 2021 until 30 September 2021.
      Teeeeeny bit limiting.

      • Aston100 says:

        Indeed, and upon checking some destinations from MAN and LHR, not getting the promo prices either.

        • Sam G says:

          There is a list in the T&C e.g. From London Heathrow to: Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Bangkok, Johannesburg, Karachi, Maldives, Seychelles, Sharjah, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Teheran, Zanzibar.

          Not sure how many of us are planning a last minute trip to Iraq… & why restrict Phuket which is about one of the only places you might be going to only Manchester departures?!

  • Jon says:

    The sworn declaration required for France – do you have to print that off or can I just keep a filled-in word doc on my phone?

  • Reney says:

    Has anyone stays at Kimpton St Honroe yet? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

    • Harry T says:

      There is a recent review in the thread about the hotel on flyertalk, which someone kindly provided in response to my asking for recent anecdotes.

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