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The HfP chat thread – Sunday 22nd August

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General

Comments (343)

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

  • Alan says:
    22 Aug22 August 14:37

    Hi
    Having just converted a lot of Avios into e vouchers, any suggestions for the best value European Tier runs I could do in Sept/Oct.

  • Ian says:
    22 Aug22 August 14:52

    I’m going to come to London from Edinburgh for the weekend, then fly to Barbados. I’ll return back to London then, the next day, will travel back to Edinburgh.

    Testing wise I think I’ve got my head around getting a PCR before I go and having another for free at the airport when I arrive.

    I’m confused about the return side of things. Testing and Passenger Locator Form.

    I know I have to take an antigen test (which I can buy before I go and take with me). How do I report the result of that? Do I need to show evidence of it at the airport before I travel back?

    In terms of the PLF I have to list a UK address. Do I put the name of the hotel I will be at in London on the day of arrival, or of my house in Edinburgh where I will be on ‘day 2’.

    Am I allowed to use one of these private day 2 testing kits for that or does it need to be one of these £68 ones linked on the Scot Gov website.

    I’ve been at this all day, any clarity much appreciated.

    • SteveKicks says:
      22 Aug22 August 15:09

      Not sure about the address, but you can use the private tests as you’re arriving into England so fall under their rules.

      Anecdotally I’ve had no issues using the private tests when flying direct into Edinburgh

    • Andy D says:
      22 Aug22 August 16:35

      The antigen test before your return flight – if you take one from home it has to be from a provider that will observe you taking the test and showing them the result. They will email you a certificate that you may have to show the UK border agent on entry. The airline will indeed likely check that you have it before you fly.

      Hopefully someone will be along shortly who’s done your hotel vs home question on a previous trip. My guess is you’d use your home address as that’s where you’d quarantine if mandated. Noting your subtle lifestyle choice quirks like living in Scotland might change the implementation in practice 😉

      • Anna says:
        22 Aug22 August 17:35

        Chronomics pre-departure antigen test isn’t observed as far as I can tell? People have said on here that they have not had a problem travelling with this. Can you post a link stating otherwise as I am hoping to use one of these next week before returning from Mallorca. The only requirement I have seen on the UK gov website is for the specificity and type of test.

        • ankomonkey says:
          22 Aug22 August 20:10

          Used Prenetics unsupervised twice to return to the UK. I believe unsupervised tests are allowed in this case and I was not questioned about this at the non-UK departure airports or upon arrival at UK airports.

          • Ian says:
            22 Aug22 August 21:05

            Thanks everyone. The specific question on the PLF is ‘Do you have an address for where you will stay during your first 10 days in the UK?’ So I think it will be okay for me to put the Edinburgh address as I will be there ‘during’ the first 10 days in the UK, even though, owing to first night in the London hotel it won’t be ‘for the duration’ of those 10 days.

  • Ben says:
    22 Aug22 August 15:19

    Hi!
    I’ve got two BA-cancelled redemption flights from April which I’ve done nothing with yet. The booking has fallen out of my account but I have the ticket numbers:
    Club from LHR to KUL and First SIN to LHR
    I was waiting to see if things changed with covid or BA started flying again to KUL, but it hasn’t so I’d better do something with them as it’s coming up to a year since making the booking.

    Questions please
    1. Is it true that for BA cancelled flights I can opt to exchange the cash part for avios with 100% bonus?
    2. I read on this chat today that you can now move the flights to within a year of departure, not a year of booking. Is this true?

    Im not sure but I might get a voucher just to extend my 241 voucher anyway, or I might get a refund then buy a new ticket (with a new Amex 😉) and voucher that, but good to know the options

    Thanks in advance!

    • Jody says:
      22 Aug22 August 15:32

      No idea of the answer to 1, but the answer to 2 is yes! BA changed their policy on early July. If you get an agent that isn’t aware of the new policy, you need to get them to read the memo dated 8th July on their internal system.

    • ChrisC says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:23

      1 – yes you can. Rob has written about it previously and there is info on the covid BA pages.

      But before doign that I’d check the maths carefully to see if you are getting good value for the cash element you paid.

  • Wally1976 says:
    22 Aug22 August 15:53

    Hi all, I have some questions about Aer Lingus Avios redemptions that I’m hoping someone will be able to answer. I’m looking at maybe booking a one way redemption from Orlando.

    1. Is there still a difference in cost and availability booking via Avios.com vs BA.com?

    2. Is it possible to book a one way redemption MCO-DUB-LHR or would I need to book MCO-DUB and then book separate DUB-LHR?

    3. If I can book MCO-DUB-LHR, is it possible to have the final leg a day or two after the first leg?

    TIA

    • ChrisBCN says:
      22 Aug22 August 18:14

      1. Why not look at both sites and see what you are offered

      2/3. Why don’t you try and make a dummy booking.

      I know these are not helpful answers but it’s beyond me why you didn’t just check yourself – there’s no secrets here!

  • ComeFlyWithMe says:
    22 Aug22 August 16:33

    Travelling back from Portugal to London on Wednesday, and then flying out to Spain from London on Friday. Does anyone know if I need to actually do the Day 2 test, and if not, could I reuse the code on return from the second trip where I will need to do it? Any advice helpful – trying to avoid wasting money on tests that won’t need to be done!

    • Yorkieflyer says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:06

      Technically no but I have done this and if you read press reports it would be apparent that there is no follow up. Also seems that there is no verification of the order number other than a format check in the PLF

    • Tomgold says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:43

      there’s no reason you can’t reuse the code as many times as you want. You do not need to use the test if you depart on day 2

  • John says:
    22 Aug22 August 17:27

    Hi

    Some time ago saw a post re how to view your ba profile. I did this and obtained a listing of all flights flown/booked.

    Cannot find the post telling me how to find this. Anyone know where to find it?

    Thanks

  • Olivia says:
    22 Aug22 August 17:29

    Anybody have any recommendations for IHG ski in and out hotels in Europe? Not super fussed about resort but looking to use points – just unable to really find any hotels suitable for peak season. Pretty beginner skiers so nothing too crazy!

    • Memesweeper says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:37

      There are none AFAIK. When I last checked there were a few HIs and HIXs in the valleys in the Alps but you’d be driving to the slopes each morning. If you do find anything please share here!

    • Paul says:
      22 Aug22 August 18:09

      Not sure if IHG have any, in Europe I know Marriott have a few and Hilton have at least one. Interested to hear otherwise

  • Anna says:
    22 Aug22 August 17:31

    Has anyone ever had any issues taking liquid prescribed medication in hand luggage (which won’t fit in the zip lock bag)? The prescription shows in my NHS app.
    Mind you, this is MAN where they have their own rules depending on the day of the week …

    • Harry T says:
      22 Aug22 August 17:40

      I have done this and not been required to show a prescription. They will probably have to do their little tests on the medication though, so it may take you longer to get through security.

    • Sukes says:
      22 Aug22 August 19:15

      If you encounter problems direct them to https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/essential-medicines-and-medical-equipment

    • Number9 says:
      22 Aug22 August 20:13

      I take oral morph in hand luggage. Just make sure it’s in original packaging with your name on label. I believe oral liquid meds are exempt form 100 ml rule. Only time it’s ever tested is at LHR.

      • Anna says:
        22 Aug22 August 21:31

        Thanks all. It’s only 75ml but in a large pump dispenser which won’t go in the permitted size of lip lock bag.

        • Bill says:
          22 Aug22 August 22:29

          We had 2 big bottles of ibuprofen for my son’s broken arm on the way home from Tenerife. TFS were ok. So was the UK domestic flight we took immediately afterwards on a separate ticket

    • Tony1 says:
      22 Aug22 August 22:38

      Never had a problem. Also taken a few syringes for injecting and EpiPen as well. ( Drs letter )

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

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