The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 31st August

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@mkcol says:

31 Aug31 August 14:11

Good news for future Jet2 customers

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/08/jet2com-orders-36-a321neos-becoming-a-new-airbus-customer.html
Guernsey Globetrotter says:

31 Aug31 August 14:17

Recommendations please for lunch / dinner spots in and around Sloane Square / Chelsea vicinity – we are at the Flower Show next month and staying at the Draycott Mantis Hotel on a great Accor deal thanks to HfP!
- Sina says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:19
  
  Gaucho!
  - Rob says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 15:37
    
    I really wouldn’t bother – it’s in a dodgy apartment block on Sloane Avenue. Too far to walk for an average steak.
- Simon says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:31
  
  Wild Tavern – Chelsea Green – same owners as Goodman etc, but a more Mediterranean menu. It is superb.
  - Rob says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 15:37
    
    Should be – walked past yesterday and the board outside said £36 for Crab Linguine as a ‘special’ 🙂
    - Simon says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 15:41
      
      I assume it was very very special!! It is the perfect place for a man of your caliber Rob…
      - Rob says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 16:37
        
        The site is a dog – I’ve lost track of how many restaurants have opened and gone bust on that corner. It’s either cursed or there are some weird fundamentals at play. Pedestrianising the little bit of road outside for seating may help this time.
      - Simon says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 18:27
        
        They are doing very well so far. They’ve just taken a small half shop around the corner to the left to open a tapas/wine bar.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:37
  
  Depends what you deem as close and what you like to eat
  
  Had good lunches at Bluebird and Aubaine
  
  Oka or Ivy Asia were both decent
- Electrofun says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:38
  
  https://theivychelseagarden.com
  - Rob says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 15:35
    
    +1 – cannot recommend this too highly on a quality vs price vs ambience ratio.
    
    Ivy Asia just opened next door too.
    
    For something nearer the show, Colbert is Sloane Square is reliable. For backstreet stuff even nearer, The Surprise pub (which was my local for years and has just been done up) is meant to be decent for food now. There is a family run Italian called Ziani very close too, on a residential street.
    
    Gordon Ramsay (the 3 Michelin star one, with prices to match) is also very close, as is Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill, admittedly not very flash and surprisingly small.
    
    If you walk far enough down Kings Road the restaurants start to become independents and more interesting.
    - Simon says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 15:43
      
      +1 for Ivy Asia too.
- Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:46
  
  Phat Phuc is a nice spot if you are down that end of KR. The Antelope is my boozer of choice in the neighbourhood; no idea about the food there. At the risk of being very basic, I tend to end up at Cote whenever I’m going out for dinner round Sloane Square; fans of Colbert will justifiably argue that Cote isn’t even the best French joint on the square!
  - BP says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 17:46
    
    Can’t go wrong with Cote really. The food is always good and the price is right.
- Toppcat says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:28
  
  If you want to go upmarket, Bibendum in the Michelin Building is 2*, and is in a beautiful space. I’ve only eaten there once, but was very impressed. Otherwise agree with recommendations above for Bluebird and The Antelope.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:14
    
    I was going to mention this but I thought it’s probably already booked.
    
    Though the oyster bar looked like a decent spot for a drink / small bite.
- Guernsey Globetrotter says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 16:07
  
  Thanks everyone for taking the time to give what look to be a great range of options! I know we can jump in a cab and explore further afield but I do like to take the opportunity to get to know the area I’m staying in (as much as you can in a couple of days) and to soak up the ambience. Haven’t really mooched around Chelsea before and am looking forward to doing so even more now thanks to you all 🙂
  - chabuddy geezy says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 19:23
    
    The Ivy group do not pay the service charge to the front of house staff. Lots of former staff complain it has a toxic work environment. I avoid them on that basis
    - AndyW says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 20:30
      
      Never heard that. If that’s true I will avoid too. You have a link or is that word of mouth?
      - chabuddy geezy says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 20:43
        
        https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/tips-at-the-ivy-restaurant-following-the-money-1.3714844?mode=amp
        
        There was a Telegraph article this month on the same subject.
Anna says:

31 Aug31 August 14:19

I’ve read that 16 & 17 years old are only being offered the first Pfizer jab – will this not leave them with reduced protection? Does anyone know the rationale behind this?
- Chris says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:13
  
  Can’t get an early 2nd jab if you ain’t due for two can you. Suspect they want to re standardise the dosage interval with the younger population and/or are awaiting mix and match study results before deciding what 2nd jab to give.
- Bradley says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:22
  
  My son is 17 but within 3 months of being 18(which makes a difference i understand), he has had his first jab and booked in for his second in October
  - Tracey says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 17:55
    
    The advice we have received (at my vaccine centre) is that we can give a second Pfizer to anyone over 17 and 9 months. I think the logic is that once 18 people “need” to be able to get their vaccine certificate for travel, alternative logic is to ensure vaccination before going off to university and want people to get their second in the same devolved nation as their first where possible.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 16:08
  
  Thought you would have done your research … Increased risk of myocarditis after second jab more so in males than females.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:38
    
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-statement-august-2021-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-people-aged-12-to-17-years/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-people-aged-12-to-17-years-4-august-2021
    
    Under the “current advice” heading 1 dose Pending further evidence on effectiveness and safety in this age group,
  - Anna says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:43
    
    In which case they shouldn’t be doing it at all – the vaccination is 2 jabs, not 1. They will be in medical limbo and not considered to be fully vaccinated.
    - Ben W says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 17:03
      
      One jab provides some protection. While they may be in travel/vaccine passport limbo, it’s not really medical limbo.
      - Anna says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 17:14
        
        Some protection for a while but there haven’t been any trials of what happens if you only get one jab, or wait longer than 12 weeks between doses.
        Personally I’m inclined to say my son’s not getting it unless he can have the full course.
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 17:25
        
        Whose already decided what the “full course is” just because they trialled a method doesn’t mean that’s the optimum for all people in all age groups.
        
        JVCI has made its recommendation based upon risk and reward to the child. This is about health not going on holiday and dodging silly quarantine rules.
      - Crafty says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 18:04
        
        Luckily, Anna, your son gets to make his own choices.
      - Anna says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 19:30
        
        Crafty – he’s not interested one way or the other, he certainly won’t go and get jabbed on his own initiative so if the government wants him vaccinating to protect others it will be entirely dependent on whether I take him to get it done.
      - Anna says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 19:47
        
        TG – that’s a completely ridiculous comment, not to mention malicious. He doesn’t need to quarantine until he’s 18, at which point he can have both jabs if he so chooses.
        It’s my child’s health that’s the priority – why should he be exposed to an experiential dosage of a vaccine for other people’s sake? I wouldn’t let him take just half a course of antibiotics or any other medication.
- Kevin C says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 18:47
  
  It’s the current medical advice. Would it surprise me if it suddenly changed and they had the second one? No. Our daughter has had the single jab which hopefully will give some protection.
Oh! Matron! says:

31 Aug31 August 14:35

Apologies if already spoken about: Just got an email from Virgin: 15K miles for opening a Virgin M Plus current account.

T&Cs:

To qualify for 15,000 Virgin Points, make sure you follow the below steps:
1 Select the M Plus Account offer in the Virgin Red app or website, click the link to the Virgin Money website, apply online for the M Plus Account and follow these steps within 45 days of your account opening.
2 Fully switch to the M Plus Account using the Current Account Switch Service with at least two Direct Debits. If you don’t have two Direct Debits, you can set these up when your account is open.
3 Download and log in to the Virgin Money mobile banking app and pay in at least £1,000 into your linked M Plus Saver and keep this in your account until you receive your Virgin Red promo code.
4 Wait for your Virgin Red promo code so you can claim your 15,000 Virgin Points and get spending on everything from Everyday Treats to Extraordinary Experiences.

The account itself looks a bit “Meh” but 15K FC points isn’t bad for little effort
- Babyg says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:44
  
  i think ive signed up to too many bank account and/or credit cards, my credit scored has been dinged (15% drop) due to a combination of credit card checks and account stability… going to call it quits on moving banks for a while i think…
- Andrew H says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 14:51
  
  Account seems fine – switched 3 or 4 months ago and got credited the 15,000 points. It even offers…. 2% interest on £1000 in the main account part. The M Plus Saver is only 0.3%, but that is still better than most main bank instant access accounts
  
  I also got the email, even though I had already switched…
- Dominic says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:12
  
  Guess that’s why they wanted us all to sign up to Virgin Points the other week!
- BJ says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:23
  
  The offer has been ever-present on the app, only the email is new.
Reney says:

31 Aug31 August 14:56

Airtime help, Just switched over to o2 , changed my provider on airtime app, waited a day and redeemed some airtime credit. Airtime app says redeemed, can’t see anything in my o2 account suggesting I have redeemed anything. It has been several days.

How do you redeem airtime credit on o2 and am I supposed to see something happened? No guidance on airtime and the help function just point me to where i should see it and I see nothing. I may not like the faff with redeeming on giffgaff but at least i receive plenty of text to explain what is going on.
- Char Char says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:41
  
  Sometimes it goes missing and airtime support are useless only a threat of legal action will get you anywhere, prob best to wait a few weeks though
Bearing up says:

31 Aug31 August 14:57

Hi all, would like some advice on holidaying in Tenerife.
We are due to fly to Chile in late Oct but can’t see it happening.
I’m looking for somewhere reasonably warm at that time for our birthdays and see T is around mid 20’s, which should suit just fine. Never been though- any thoughts on hotels?
I’ve found Las Terrazas Abama and the Ritz-Carlton but the latter looks huge-prefer smaller hotels. We’re not members of any hotel programme but could conceivably join if it would help.
Open to suggestions. Thank you in advance for taking the trouble.
- Bradley says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:21
  
  Just returned from Lanzarote, the staff there were saying that max 2 at a table at restaurants in Tenerife(higher Covid level)and only sitting outside. Be sure the weather will be warm enough in the evenings or wear another layer
  - Anna says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:46
    
    There was no such restriction when we were there this month! But temperatures should be in the mid to high 20s well into November. I’ve sunbathed there in December & January.
    - Crafty says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 18:06
      
      That thing about 2 at a table is either utter nonsense, or entirely unenforced.
      - Jan M says:
        
        31 Aug31 August 18:52
        
        Not sure. Been there twice in Covid times and they take their rules quite seriously. But yes, Lanzarote is in a lower risk category than Tenerife at the moment. It yo-yos a lot between the islands. Only the smallest (El Hierro esp.) seems to be always fine.
- Dave B says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 16:58
  
  Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort on Duque beach , golden sand up market area with other 5 star hotels.
  - Anna says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 17:16
    
    +1, the beach is lovely & should be quieter after half term.
- Crafty says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 18:06
  
  I am leaving the GF Victoria tomorrow and very much don’t want to. Already booked again for October. Highly recommended for a quality family stay.
- Jan M says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 18:49
  
  The further west of Los Cristianos you go the posher the hotels get. Look out for Costa Adeje. Also if it is good weather you want, go for the South side of the island. I much prefer the North. It’s lusher, prettier, fewer tourists, but also a few degrees cooler.
  - Bearing up says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 22:04
    
    Thank you all for your suggestions and comments, I’ll look into them.
Allan says:

31 Aug31 August 15:28

Have just been told by Amex CS there is a new platinum offer coming tomorrow – £200 credit across various resturaunts for Sept – Dec.
- Matty says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 16:26
  
  Deliveroo then?
  - Allan says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 16:50
    
    No, sounded more like dining out.
- Andrew says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 17:22
  
  Oh that’s good news. We need a pick-me-up on the lacklustre Platinum card of late.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    31 Aug31 August 17:27
    
    100%
    
    Let’s see if it’s for all or some certain members though.
    - Allan says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 18:07
      
      She said all cardholders , like the Waitrose / Deliveroo offer last time round.
    - Andrew says:
      
      31 Aug31 August 18:12
      
      Yes! Better not be another Marriott £400 debacle!
- Andy says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 18:50
  
  Really?! I phoned to cancel today and they didn’t offer me a retention bonus…or let me know that there was the restaurant offer!
  
  Oh well, if so you win some you lose some..
Tim says:

31 Aug31 August 15:31

Not sure if mentioned already but logging into IHG black credit card on the web I have a pop-up saying 0% FX fees during September. Useful if the extra points post and no reason why they shouldn’t.
- Char Char says:
  
  31 Aug31 August 15:40
  
  Every day haha!