The HfP chat thread – Friday 27th August

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

• Lady London says:

  27 Aug27 August 15:09

  Iberia offering “25% bonus” on avios bookings to IB members till 5th September. I think this works out to 20% as it’s on the avios you are paying not the total.

  Remember the gotcha that only bookings on IB and BA can be changed. Plus the excitement of dealing with IB if anything goes wrong

• Super Secret Stuff says:

  27 Aug27 August 15:43

  Question: If I got a BA floght number for a flight to Australia but was operated by Qatar, credited to exec club. Would I earn the Avios at the BA rate or the Qatar partner rate?

  • Daniel says:

    27 Aug27 August 15:53

    Flight number determines this so BA.

    • Andrew says:

      27 Aug27 August 16:15

      Likewise I’ve flown on BA with a AA flight number and didn’t get my tier bonus as it’s not a BA flight number.

      • Super Secret Stuff says:

        27 Aug27 August 16:37

        Thank you both

• Ross Parker says:

  27 Aug27 August 15:54

  Niche request, but this is a niche site. I am a double-jabbed Brit heading to Italy (Pisa) for a business meeting on Monday. Out Sunday, back Tuesday. I have all the tests sorted, but am hoping to use the “under 120 hours business travel exemption” to quarantine. Has anyone done this? I have printed a copy of the Prime Minister’s decree listing the exemption in Italian, and I have an invitation letter and agenda of the Board meeting that I am attending. I will complete the EU/Italian passenger locator form. Is there anything else I could take to smooth passage?

  (and yes, I am missing the bank holiday, unfortunately)

  • WaynedP says:

    27 Aug27 August 18:22

    In the absence of any other responses, I’m going to stick my neck out and offer a niche suggestion you might not have expected, despite asking for one.

    I often research the patron Saint of my destination, and sometimes mention it in conversation.

    Pisa’s patron Saint (St Ranieri) conveniently doubles up as another patron Saint of travellers, so an ice-breaking remark like “not sure which has more power/influence to get me to Pisa without quarantine, this Prime Minister’s letter or the prayers of St Ranieri” might raise a smile especially if the person you’re dealing with is a native of Pisa or knows it well.

    I’ll have a word on your behalf myself, and trust that all will be well and that your lost bank holiday will be more productive than disappointing.

    • Ross Parker says:

      28 Aug28 August 12:51

      I like it, I’ll bank that one, thanks!

  • SimonP says:

    27 Aug27 August 23:07

    I drove to Italy recently on the 120 hours “rule”. There was no checking at the border (no doubt different if flying in) and I stayed more than 120 hours. I then drove back to CH and then a few days later into Italy with no border checks anywhere. On my return to Italy I had been out of the UK long enough for the quarantine regs to not apply. At no time was I ever checked UNTIL after 5 weeks away the French asked to see my double vax certificate at the Mont Blanc tunnel. What I would advise is to take a printout of your NHS double vax certificate, as the QR code on the phone did not appear to be scannable in Italy.

    • Ross Parker says:

      28 Aug28 August 12:53

      Thanks. Yes, I “travel heavy” with all documentation, and even have the Italian C19 vax verification app too. In fact I also have the Belgian one, and the Irish one… it’s quite ridiculous.

• FatherOfFour says:

  27 Aug27 August 16:07

  Amex Platinum insurance – firstly, neither COVID nor Coronavirus are mentioned in the terms and conditions. Is there any cover for having to “quarantine” if arrival test failed (effectively having to abandon holiday), or for having to stay longer if pre-departure (to UK) test failed? I think that BA Holidays covers the other “covid” scenario if having to cancel due to becoming infected BEFORE check-in. Assume that any medical costs associated to becoming infected whilst away would be covered.

  Additionally, car hire insurance. I’m assuming this doesn’t extend to additional cover for driving your own vehicle to Europe?

  • Mark J says:

    27 Aug27 August 17:19

    So I just gave them a call (answered within a minute) and asked them a set of questions.

    My understanding was:

    – cover for quarantine if sick abroad
    – cover for Covid care abroad
    – cover to get you back ASAP if the red list changed + cover for unused costs
    – no cover for quarantine in government hotel back in U.K.

    But 100% call them, ask the questions and the call is recorded so no issues if you do have to claim. I agree that not having answers to these basic questions online is v frustrating.

    • FatherOfFour says:

      27 Aug27 August 17:40

      Thanks, don’t have the card yet, but considering it. Even more so, given your answers above. Thanks for sharing.

    • JDB says:

      27 Aug27 August 18:32

      But this only applies if you travel to countries that are not on the FCDO ‘all but essential list’ and the pre-travel aspects eg cancellation only apply if OK at time of booking.

      • Mark J says:

        27 Aug27 August 21:20

        Correct – hence speaking to them about your specific destination etc is crucial!

• Alex says:

  27 Aug27 August 16:09

  New BAPP AMEX signup bonus question – Thinking of applying for a new BA PP AMEX as my 2 year churn period for the card has just finished. Is there any higher-than-normal signup bonus floating around similar to what’s available for the Platinum, or is the signup the same no matter who refers?

  • FatherOfFour says:

    27 Aug27 August 16:18

    I’ve got a feeling it might be worth waiting a few days for when the card relaunches.

    • Alex says:

      27 Aug27 August 17:39

      Fair point. Start of Sept?

  • BJ says:

    27 Aug27 August 19:05

    Somebody in the know said it is too sunny to bother with credit card applications this week!

• Dr Tom says:

  27 Aug27 August 16:17

  PAW is giving 1% points for a prepaid virtual MC. This stacks with points from your regular card for buying through PAW. You can then use the prepaid card on PAW to buy other gift cards, essentially giving an extra 1% reward on the published rates (or just on any other online shopping).

  Has anyone found any other valid routes to use this card? It is (in theory) a prepaid debit card and I’ve tried using it with NS&I and to pay Solihull etc, but those options all get declined.

  • StevieKicks says:

    27 Aug27 August 16:28

    Try adding to PayPal and sending money to ‘friends and family’

  • JSemity says:

    27 Aug27 August 17:30

    can it be used via bendy?

  • S says:

    27 Aug27 August 21:26

    Those cards are notoriously illiquid and PaW checkout is notorious for getting locked when you buy those cards in any volume. You’re playing with fire with this route unless you’re not bothered about losing the other benefits of PaW

    • Dr Tom says:

      27 Aug27 August 23:26

      Thanks, noted. Nothing high volume at this end, but I’ll close down thoughts of that route.

• Tom says:

  27 Aug27 August 16:21

  Alex, it has been hinted here that there is an enhanced bonus on the way after 1st September so hold off applying (as long as you are OK with the bump in fee).

  • Alex says:

    27 Aug27 August 17:40

    Thanks! Will do. Good call – hadn’t had much time to go through the comments lately so had missed this. Thanks again!

• Andy says:

  27 Aug27 August 16:25

  Hong Kong WE card – do you incur any charges withdrawing cash with Bendy or using Bendy to purchase premium bonds?

  • Nigel W says:

    27 Aug27 August 16:39

    Not that I know of, but it has been a while. The main thing might be you won’t earn any points for those transactions.

  • Harry T says:

    27 Aug27 August 17:05

    Best to do a small test transaction and see what happens. Different accounts and people have different experiences, sometimes. What works or doesn’t work for others may not be the same for you.

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