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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 21st 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.

Please only comment under the main articles on the site if your comment is directly related to the topic of the article.  This has long-term benefits as it keeps the commentary relevant for people who read those articles in the future.

Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

Comments (240)

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

  • Nick says:

    After weeks of procrastination I’m finally about to hit the button for a week at the Radisson Blu Mogan Grand Canaria. 4th September with BA holidays. Just so im correct. As both myself and my wife are double vaccinated and two kids are 2 and Will turn 5 when out there. Will require 2 x departure test & 3 x day 2 tests for the adults and eldest. Also, is the general consensus that Amex plat insurance is sufficient if we end up with Covid. And given its within 3 weeks of departure I can’t get a FTV unless one of us gets it before we go.

    • Anna says:

      If you haven’t booked accommodation yet just bear in mind that there are still very strict mask rules in Spain – we found it much more convenient to be in a self-contained apartment with no shared areas in Tenerife this month, otherwise the masks would have been on and off a lot more! As it was we only needed them for the supermarket shop and if we needed to go inside a restaurant to use the bathroom or whatever.
      You can all go on one Spanish health form on the way out – for the PLFs on the way back you and your wife will need separate ones but the kids can go on one of the adult ones.

      • Nick says:

        Cheers. I’ve seen the mask rules which to be fair don’t bother me too much. I have to wear one all day currently as work in a customer facing job and employer requests it so kind of got used to it over the last however many months. Deffo a consideration though so thanks v much.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        The rules in mainland Spain were anything but strict a couple weeks ago

    • Harry T says:

      Don’t have to wear a mask outside in mainland Spain unless in crowded areas, as per official guidance. I visited Tenerife last year and didn’t wear a mask outside when we were clearly more than adequately socially distanced – this rarely caused an issue.

      • Rob says:

        Very strict on masks indoors , inc for kids of all ages. Far tougher on kids than in the U.K.

      • Anna says:

        Hence my comment re avoiding being indoors if possible!
        It was being strictly enforced at TFS when we arrived, but not so much when we were waiting to leave.
        We had to wear masks for a 3 hour whale watching trip, which wasn’t a whole lot of fun, apart from when we were having refreshments and swimming. The boat was only about half full so this seemed excessive, and they don’t mention it until you’re in the queue to board!

  • Kevin says:

    I did recall someone commented that buy gift cards from Apple store will trigger the £50 cash back over £500. Please kindly comment.
    If so whether the Covert garden offer would also serve as double stacks?

    • KBuffett says:

      The AmEx offer of spend £500 get £50 back is online only. Gift cards will trigger it. However, it won’t stack at Covent Garden as that would be instore spend.

    • Rjn21 says:

      Just be careful to buy “Apple Store” gift card(s) and not “App Store” gift cards if you intend to purchase a phone / other device.

    • Tw33ty says:

      Just go to boots and buy apple card there with the 10% Amex offer.

      They just don’t sell amazon gift cards like most would be after.

      • Jonathan says:

        Don’t think you can buy Apple hardware gift cards anywhere except Apple stores/website. Supermarkets etc sell App Store/iTunes vouchers.

  • Katie says:

    Has anyone experienced any chasers if sending the day 8 test late or say if it gets lost it the post?

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      Very interesting question, I would be stunned if anyone says yes

    • Will says:

      No proof of post was available for the randox I sent back so “I put it in the drop box, assumed it was all ok” would be fine as long as you have it all booked with the ref number issued.

  • Thomas Shelby says:

    Airtime £3 bonus for £10 spend this weekend using promo – AUGTREAT

    Morrisons doing 10% on there too, bought a tonne of gift cards today

    NWM87QEG if you haven’t signed up get an extra £1.50

    • Phil W says:

      Can’t see Morrison’s at all. How odd. Thanks for the code

    • Yorkie Aid says:

      Thank you for the code! Wish I had Morrisons on mine, it would be very useful.

  • NSL says:

    Newbie question here. I’m about to switch away stays from Hilton to Marriott. Do Marriott have the same differentiation between stays/nights that Hilton has? Or is it just nights? There is no mention of stays on my Marriott account.

  • Manny_D says:

    So gave Amex a call earlier and have been told there was no option available to upgrade from the Gold Charge to the Platinum. Wonder if they’re clamping down on this? Or just that there is no option at the moment.

  • jek says:

    A couple of days before in the Vault Suite are coming up for us. Anybody has restaurant recommendations?

  • s879 says:

    Having some issue with ordering Expert Medicals Day 2 PCR arrival test from Amber country. Each time I fill the form and submit, it just refreshes. What is the next best, economical option as need to order urgently. Thanks.

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