The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 31st August

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• TedL says:

  31 Aug31 August 11:17

  Off to Portugal on the 14th September, from the gov.uk info seems I need a test before flying to Portugal plus one to return and day 2 tests.

  Following a comment on here a few days ago I downloaded the Covid Tracker Ireland App and scanned my NHS Covid vaccination QR code into it. It now shows me an EU Digital COVID Certificate, would this be OK to travel on or should I bite the bullet and have the Fit-to-Fly test before travelling. Has anyone used an EU Digital COVID Certificate such as this?

  Dont want to try and then fall back on Airport test if problems as an early flight to start with.

  • meta says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:27

    Doesn’t work. It’s still essentially UK QR code. Try scanning it with Portuguese app and it won’t be recognised.

    You need to do antigen test 48hr before the trip. Collinson does £32 with Amex20 code or BA20 code.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:37

    Isn’t the requirement to test prior to heading off from Portugal related to where you start your trip or have been in the past 14 days?

    • TGLoyalty says:

      31 Aug31 August 12:37

      That was meant to say TO Portugal!

  • Blair says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:09

    I uploaded my UK QR code to the Irish app and restaurants accepted it as valid this weekend when they scanned it. I wouldn’t risk relying on it for flight/border entry purposes though.

    • meta says:

      31 Aug31 August 13:27

      I never had to show anywhere the QR code in Porto! You only need it if you want to sit inside on weekends and that’s Friday from 7pm till Monday 12:30am. But why would you sit inside unless it’s raining…

      @TG Loyalty – it’s related only to the type of pass you have. EU Digitial Pass – no tests for everyone else test is needed.

      • Rui N. says:

        31 Aug31 August 13:41

        It’s more complicated than that. Everyone without and EU certificate do need testing, that much is true.
        But furthermore, people coming from South Africa, UK, Brazil and Nepal have to quarantine, except if having an EU or UK vaccine certificate. People coming from other countries do not have to quarantine, even if not vaccinated (e.g. from the US).
        There are some countries that you cannot travel to Portugal from. Unless if you have an EU certificate as well (if you have one of those you can come and go as you please from anywhere).
        Rules are here (couldn’t find English version): https://portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt/images/GADG/50._Viajar_para_Portugal__Vers%C3%A3o_50_30.08.2021.pdf

      • TGLoyalty says:

        31 Aug31 August 14:17

        Is that because having the EU pass proper ie not U.K. QR imply you’re an EU citizen / resident as that’s where you were jabbed?

        • TedL says:

          31 Aug31 August 15:21

          Thanks to all for their input, will test before I go and keep the EU digital Certificate for restaurants if necessary.

• Tony1 says:

  31 Aug31 August 11:19

  OH has just had tax return done by accountants. Simple 2 P60’s and no other “income” one work and one pension.
  Been charged £260 plus vat
  Excessive or cheap ? or should I just pay and forget ?

  • Doug M says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:21

    Would you do anything for less than that as a professional?
    If it’s so straight forward why an accountant anyway?

  • Simon says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:23

    Doesn’t sound excessive – Make sure they put the £260 bill on your tax return though. It’s an allowable expense….

    • Rob says:

      31 Aug31 August 11:25

      You’re not paying for the time, as they say, you’re paying for the umpteen years training needed to become an accountant.

      If it’s that simple surely you can do it yourself? If not this time, you can copy the format next year so you know which boxes to complete and simply change the numbers.

    • Louie says:

      31 Aug31 August 12:40

      No, tax return preparation costs for someone with only employment/pension income are not deductible.

  • JDB says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:30

    I think that price is probably about OK for a standalone return. I pay less for a more complex return, but that’s because my wife and I pay the accountant for quite a few other things as well. What you should get within that price is obviously the accountant’s professional insurance if he has made a mistake and they should really offer to deal with any enquiry on that return at no additional cost. One can probably get all these things more cheaply, but bad professional advice of all sorts can also be very costly.

    • Lady London says:

      31 Aug31 August 11:41

      Agreed. You’re paying for the assurance and knowledge that it’s done right and you could easily have paid more for the same.

      I’d pay it quickly if I were you, before the accountant changes his mind. Yes Rob’s advice is good you could consider doing it yourself next year. However having a good accountant on side just in case there is a query or something in your circumstances changes is not a bad idea if you can afford it as a ‘retainer’. Anytime you have to retain a new accountant or come back after a break it will cost you more.

      • Tony1 says:

        31 Aug31 August 13:08

        Been with them for over 30 years. Shame that the level of service has diminished from partner level to new recruit. However will not do it myself as did that 31 years ago and still have nightmares over an investigation ( 3 days to look at 12 invoices from self employment ). I will buy piece of mind. ( Paid now – advice taken LL )

  • Thom says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:41

    Well if it’s simple enough to question a fee of a couple of hundred then it should be easy enough to do it yourself for free. But otherwise that’s not the cheapest but not excessive either.

  • Mjshort says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:27

    That’s about what I would charge.

  • Degsy says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:03

    Ted. Worth enquiring with HMRC whether your OH actually needs to do a return in future years. Generally these days returns are not needed for straightforward cases (not sure, though, if three sources of income would fit this definition).

    • Degsy says:

      31 Aug31 August 13:51

      Tony1 – apologies, not sure why I called you Ted just then! 😳

  • Tony1 says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:03

    Thanks for the comments. I will pay and forget.
    Just need to get HMRC NOT to send the requirement to file a return for next year …. again !

  • Char Char says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:04

    Ask for price before agreeing to work, then decide if it is suitable for you.

    It’s not that it is expensive but if its simple either do it yourself or find a cheaper provider.

  • BP says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:37

    Just do it online if your tax is simple like you suggest. HMRC have a simple wizard that asks you questions and you put in the answers. It’s impressively simple.

• PinPerl says:

  31 Aug31 August 11:21

  Hi everyone,
  I had a flight from Tel Aviv to London on the 9th of Sep for around 17:00 with Virgin Atlantic, they have since cancelled it for no apparent reason and put me on the 06:15 flight.
  They let me know less than 14 days before the flight.
  Besides for asking for full refund if I’m not happy with the timing, can I also claim 600 euros compensation?

  Would appreciate any help. Thank you!

  • N says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:26

    No compo. Covid.

  • ChrisC says:

    31 Aug31 August 11:28

    You have to actually to claim compensation.

    That the original flight is cancelled is enough to ask for a refund.

    • ChrisC says:

      31 Aug31 August 11:29

      (Need edit button!!!)

      But they will claim Covid and deny anyway the compensation

      • PinPerl says:

        31 Aug31 August 11:30

        Is it worth fighting it in small claims court? any experience from this blog here?

        • ChrisC says:

          31 Aug31 August 11:36

          Gah forgot to put this as well

          You actually have to take the flight to be able to claim.

          But TBH I still think you’d get turned down by MCOL.

        • Lady London says:

          31 Aug31 August 12:15

          No chance EU261 does exempt airlines from paying the compo part in case of exceptional circumstances. Airlines have tried to call everything possible an exceptional circumstance but have mostly failed. Surviving exceptions airlines can claim are very few but do currently include Act of God and Covid.

          A case Rob reported was won at CEDR when the adjudicator decided Covid circumstances hadn’t actually worsened in the 2 week period before the flight and the airline should have planned but had cancelled less than 14 days before. CEDR though is relatively inconsistent compared to court judgments. You could try but I think airlines will be able to get away with avoiding compo part of eu261 for a while yet.

          However duty of care no exceptions.

          If flight number different you can demand full refund no deductions. If bargain flight you can force them to transport you on any later date convenient to you at no extra fee or cost. If you cant take earlier flight you could try fo be rerouted on another carrier leaving very very close to same time of that day if you can find one and they are required to do so but likely you’ll have to mcol them and not quite an open and shut case.

          If same flight number look at your terms and conditions from when you bought – any active now don’t count. See how many hours they can reschedule and you stuck with it. Good chance they are outside that.

          Call them and ask for what you want but if it was me unless I’d got an unrepeatable exceptional deal I’d be looking to get my money back.

        • Babyg says:

          31 Aug31 August 12:28

          There is a thread on flyer talk virgin thread of somebody successfully taking virgin to task and getting compensation. That said if youre not going to fly and want a refund then what compensation are you after?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:40

    If you don’t fly no compo as there is nothing to compensate for.

• Chelseafi says:

  31 Aug31 August 11:40

  Is BA holidays working? I keep getting Error 403 – You don’t have enough permissions to proceed further

• Lyn says:

  31 Aug31 August 11:58

  Is the Concorde Room open at Heathrow at the moment? Or is it likely to be open by October?

  I am looking at alternatives in case a flight booked in last year’s 50% avios sale is cancelled again.

  • Graham says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:05

    Reopens from tomorrow until the afternoon I believe.

    • Rob says:

      31 Aug31 August 12:38

      Correct. Shuts at 3pm.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        31 Aug31 August 12:41

        Will the CCT revert to first space or will CCT operate after 3pm?

        • TGLoyalty says:

          31 Aug31 August 12:42

          *first lounge space for gold card holders etc.

        • Mike P says:

          31 Aug31 August 13:24

          They were using the actual CCR terrace when I was there on Friday rather than the bit off the Flounge. You had to walk back through to the Flounge to use the washrooms though.

          Welcome news to hear that that CCR is finally reopening, I might yet get some value out of this year’s CCR card!

  • Lyn says:

    31 Aug31 August 13:41

    Thanks everyone. Morning is all we’d need.

    This might make the difference between choosing an alternative route with First versus another which only has Club.

• Andrew H says:

  31 Aug31 August 12:01

  I’m trying to find a CC that I can use behind Curve. Just tried my VA+ at Premium Bonds and it declines – also doesn’t work for debit card payments to ii.co.uk I have Investor level at Curve which should be the same as Metal.

  Does the IHG card work for premium bonds (and so also tax payments)?

  • StevieKicks says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:39

    Not sure about tax, but does work for premium bonds (doesn’t even need Fronted/Metal)

• George K says:

  31 Aug31 August 12:36

  Remind me, if I cancel a family booking with BA now for a voucher, do I get an FTV slaved to the people’s names, or an evoucher? I’m trying to see whether it’d be profitable to cancel a 5-day trip for a voucher and use it to book a BA Holiday for double TPs.

  Added twist is that the rebooked holiday would be for two, rather than the original three, people

  • Andrew H says:

    31 Aug31 August 12:39

    Cash booking – get an evoucher – not linked to names

    Avios booking – either get an FTV (keep avios, cash and voucher, but tied to names), or get a refund but lose £35 per person

• Reney says:

  31 Aug31 August 12:59

  For me the day after the transaction stop being pending.

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