The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 31st August

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aviosnewbie says:

31 Aug31 August 10:39

is there any chance of getting a flatbed club seat to Lanzarote? I’m asking given some recent discussions about long haul aircraft being flown on European routes….Is it worth getting a Club Europe ticket in BA’s current holidays sale for october half-term?
- BJ says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 10:45
  
  If the price is right it is worth it even in the usual CE given it’s av5h flight. Your guess on flat beds is as good as every other.
- Paul says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 10:45
  
  I’d say very unlikely I’m afraid, but you never know!
- Andy says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 17:25
  
  They use widebodies on routes where there is strong cargo demand, Lanzarote doesn’t seem to be one of them!
BJ says:

31 Aug31 August 10:41

The £30 ebooker credit that @Ikaz mentioned at the weekend must be getting done in batches, that’s mine just through this morning 🙂
- Ikaz says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 12:48
  
  Good to hear!
Paul says:

31 Aug31 August 10:49

Still have the Marriott Amex offer on my BA Card, any idea for a last minute use? How open are properties to taking payment today if politely requested for a flexible stay in the future?
- Degsy says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:02
  
  Paul give them a ring and ask – they can only say no. In my experience the big chains are generally pretty flexible with this sort of request.
- WaynedP says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 21:23
  
  Spent exactly £200 on a Member pre-pay rate incl b/fast for two at Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel on Sunday night and treated Mrs dP to a dinner at the Miller & Carter on-site.
  
  £200 pre-pay amount through BA Amex Premium (triggering 5,000 Avios, plus also 100 Avios on the pend £1 anywhere). Dinner, gratuity and parking went on the Marriott Bonvoy Amex – slug of points already posted.
  
  Gold MB status acknowledged at check-in (but no upgrade as I think we were already in one of the top rooms on the top floor in the quiet “Royal Wing”, but we did have a lovely view over College Green). 2pm check-out offered, but not needed.
  
  Charming hotel, lovely room, staff couldn’t do enough, nice breakfast, nice break, just a pity no pool, otherwise perfect stay. Delicious steak dinner @ M&C incl their must-have onion bread and wedge salads, chargeable to room acct for points – bonus.
  
  Would recommend for a nice couples’ night (or two) away. I think it would pass the HfP test given robes, slippers, nickable hangers, fast boiling kettle, nespresso machine & Acca Kappa toiletries.
Andrew says:

31 Aug31 August 10:54

If I trigger a 2for1 on BAPP after tomorrow and then downgrade to blue before I use it – does the voucher have the attributes of the new BAPP voucher or the new blue voucher do we think?
- JDB says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 10:57
  
  Sounds like you will be the helpful guinea pig; let us know. I am not sure if what happens tomorrow necessarily means the same is guaranteed to remain the position.
- Paul says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 10:59
  
  A slightly related question, my BAPP card anniversary date is 18th Aug, however my statement with the fee won’t be produced until 10th Sept, should I expect an annual fee of £195 or £250?
  - JDB says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:04
    
    I believe the membership fee will be charged on your statement date, so at the new price.
    - Paul says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 11:09
      
      Damn! I thought I had just missed it, when in reality I’ve just caught it.
      - JDB says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 11:20
        
        Maybe you will be lucky with some transitional generosity!
      - BJ says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 11:50
        
        If you call to cancel they will want to know what’s hurting…
- BJ says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 11:08
  
  One of the key questions, I’m still half expecting a shock on upgrades and downgrades. On the ither hand … might we see a formal bonus for upgrading?
  - JDB says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:17
    
    If they do that, which I wouldn’t oppose, it would surely have to be on the basis you can’t downgrade right away? They should offer the option of some bonus, fixed year fee and carry over spend from free card or otherwise not carry over the spend.
    - BJ says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 11:27
      
      Time will tell, tomorrow most likely only that which has been announced already, who knows down the road.
    - BJ says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 11:54
      
      Amex does not prevent customers downgrading ir cancelling Platinum soon after receiving large retention bonuses, or following upgrades from green or gold.
      - JDB says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 11:56
        
        Yes, that is the current position!
- JDB says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 11:12
  
  To clarify, while I know I am a slightly, but not entirely, lone voice on this, my view is that since the terms that effectively relate to cancellation or downgrade are still within the new ones and have actually been slightly reworded (so someone has thought about them) the risk is now elevated. For the lawyers to have left otiose T&Cs would also be very sloppy. Finally, I think increasing the fee to £250 and widening the gap between the two vouchers puts some pressure on BA/Amex to protect those paying the full whack. From a regulatory perspective, effectively giving the voucher to some for £250 and others for say £25 is very dodgy territory. It might therefore be an idea to tread with caution until things settle down.
  
  There are lots of people on here who say they would complain to the Ombudsman if there voucher were removed or downgraded on the basis that it might then cost £500/£750, that argument is hopelessly misconceived and would have zero prospect of success for multiple reasons.
  - JDB says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:13
    
    Sorry “their” voucher of course.
- roberto says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 11:20
  
  Gonna trigger mine in the morning. Currently £38 short but already have 2 x 241 in my account and 2 others booked including a trip to Vegas in December which is not looking likely so might be getting that one back too.
  
  In two minds whether to hang onto the card or not as I have never paid for it it in twenty years or so. The free gold card pays 2 Avios for every BA pound spent so leaning that way currently.
  - TheInsiderFly says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 13:28
    
    I triggered mine today by accident. 😏
    - WaynedP says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 21:33
      
      Nearly had a heart attack this morning when checked to find £9.99 Ebay charge put through on Mrs dP’s BAPP Supp card.
      
      Apparently “don’t spend anything on the BAPP until 1st September, then spend everything on my main card (not supp card) until 30 November” was somehow unclear 🙄
      
      After spending £200 at Bristol Marriott on Sunday night in time to trigger 5,000 Avios before that offer expired, I was left with a wafer thin buffer of £25 between triggering a companion voucher on old terms versus one on new past 1 September terms.
      
      Now that’s down to £15 but balance on BA Holiday due before this weekend will trigger next companion voucher plus make a chunky dent on the £5,000 target to trigger 10,000 Avios by 30 Nov.
      
      What’s so difficult to understand ? Or have I just passed from casual points collecting hobbyist to unhealthy obsessive ?
John says:

31 Aug31 August 10:56

Has anyone read up on whether fully vaccinated British citizens can now visit Norway without any restrictions?
- Andrew says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 10:59
  
  “For those with an English, Welsh or Northern Irish NHS COVID Pass
  Those with an English, Welsh and from 18 August, Northern Irish NHS COVID Pass with a verifiable QR code will be allowed to travel to Norway. This applies only to those fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency or those who can prove they have recovered from COVID-19 during the past six months”
  
  So – beware Covidshield AZ – doesn’t seem to qualify
  
  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway/entry-requirements
  - Andrew says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:02
    
    Yup – seems Covidshield not yet approved, though this is 6 week old info.
    
    “Countries in Europe That Recognise Covishield Vaccine For Travel
    Other than France, the India-made Covishield vaccine is already approved by Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Slovenia. In addition, Iceland and Switzerland have also given a nod to visitors vaccinated with Covishield vaccine. However, a number of countries, including Italy, Croatia and ****Norway**** have still not approved Covishield”
    - StevieKicks says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 12:42
      
      Croatia is accepting Covishield according to this (Dated 11 Aug 2021)
      
      https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/eu-travel-covishield-sinopharm-sinovac-vaccines-are-most-widely-accepted-by-eu-countries-after-those-authorised-by-ema/
  - John says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:08
    
    OK thanks, so no tests and no quarantines (except return to UK test)?
  - BJ says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 11:14
    
    I guess still a problem for Scotland, very ironic that we were early with the paper but still waiting on the app. The 6 months rule is increasingly problematic.
- John says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 11:54
  
  Pen of the pets didn’t appear to have any trouble getting into Norway… and he came from Kabul 🤷‍♂️
- Alex says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 12:16
  
  You need to be exempt.
  
  People who come from orange, red or dark red areas/countries in the EU/EEA/Schengen and the United Kingdom must fall under one of the exemptions to travel to Norway now.
  
  Check here: https://www.udi.no/en/about-the-corona-situation/i-am-abroad/residing-in-the-eu-eea-schengen-or-the-uk/#link-24945
  
  NHS Pass was scanned and worked fine at the border.
  - Andy says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:37
    
    Don’t think you need to be exempt if you’re double vaccinated – a friend of mine is currently there on holiday having travelled from Germany (which is currently in their Red category) for tourism and he certainly didn’t quarantine
    - Alex says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 17:26
      
      I’m in Norway at the moment. Traveled on 18 Aug, I was asked for the purpose of my visit along with proof. No need to quarantine if vaccinated though.
Travel Strong says:

31 Aug31 August 11:06

Expert Medicals is momentarily working, 2 x Day 2 bookings completed successfully.
- Polly says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 11:13
  
  Yep, clain]med website maintenance until just a few mins ago. Got our x 2 day 2 tests just now also..
- Will says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 12:54
  
  Thank you for this, have been waiting for it to work again ☺️
The Original Nick. says:

31 Aug31 August 11:10

TAP GOLD. My Digital card is still showing as GOLD today even though Valid Thru 08/2021.
The Original Nick. says:

31 Aug31 August 11:10

Forget that one…. I thought it was 1st September today.