The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 8th September

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WaynedP says:

8 Sep8 September 09:25

Booked ex-EU QS business class flight, with a surprise.

Selected “Classic” option (lowest cost vs “Comfort” or “Elite” options), and ticket shows R Class as expected (see https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/11/10/qatar-airways-introduces-basic-business-class-with-no-lounge-access/)

But on screen list of benefits for “Comfort” INCLUDED Lounge Access (probably not Al Mourjan, but a lounge is a lounge for me and I was happy for it to be excluded and use Amex Plat to access something modest anyway).

190Euro difference between “Classic” and “Comfort”, latter included free seat selection (not fussed being a solo traveller) and higher QMiles (crediting to BA Avios anyway).

Interesting. I wonder which lounge my R class ticket will allow me to access, and how staff there will know I’m different from other R class ticket purchasers who had “No Lounge Access” listed under their “Classic” purchase price.

And why ? Only for ex-EU, or is this a roll-back (temporary or permanent) by QS on all it’s “Classic” R class business fares ?

(Of course I have screenshots)
- Aston100 says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 09:36
  
  Not trying to be pedantic or a VS/VA aggressor, but isn’t QS Smartwings?
  Qatar are QR as far as I know?
  - ChrisC says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 09:55
    
    Yes QS = Smartwings and QR = Qatar
    
    perhaps QS = Suites? but it’s not helpful when people use the wrong abbreviations.
- WaynedP says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:00
  
  Quite right, apologies – I meant QR
- WaynedP says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:45
  
  OK, discussed on FlyerTalk. Apparently a recent (5 Sept) long-term change by QR to remedy criticism that calling a business class fare “Classic” without lounge access is nonsense.
  
  Apparently going forward all R class tickets (including those previously booked) WILL receive Lounge Access.
  
  QR have introduced a new business class “Lite” booking into P class that excludes lounge access but is only shown as a booking option >90 out from departure date.
  - WaynedP says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 10:46
    
    *>90 days*
- WaynedP says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:48
  
  *on screen list of benefits for “Classic” INCLUDED Lounge Access* – sorry
  - Lady London says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 12:24
    
    …to the inferior lounge that’s not worth a trip. So for me pretty much same as no lounge.
    - WaynedP says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 14:32
      
      Doesn’t take much to please me generally.
      
      Last December I paid £20 to use one of the few open lounges in JNB airport.
      
      It was basic but quiet until half a dozen half-inebriated Russian business-types rolled in. After that, it was just basic 😆 but I managed to zone out and stayed on until departure call.
TedL says:

8 Sep8 September 09:29

Purchased two Expert Medicals Day 2 tests on 1st September (before removed from list), tests arrived yesterday and will be returning from Portugal on the 29th. Anyone had any issues using the EM reference number to return since removal from the list?
- Pete M says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:50
  
  No
- JC says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:59
  
  Nope. Same issue returning from France. No checks or cares. Hopefully we’ll be in line for a refund as well, once the watchdog has finished their investigation.
- Yorkieflyer says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:32
  
  No
- BP says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:56
  
  I’m sure someone said the PLF accepts any combination of 4-5 letters followed numbers.
  - StevieKicks says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 14:20
    
    Definitely does, the code Everything Genetic provided for me didn’t work. I then added in a couple of random extra letters at the start and the PLF accepted.
Rahaney says:

8 Sep8 September 09:34

Amex Morrison’s offer is valid in store correct? Even saved to my BAPP it didn’t trigger in store. Querying it now on the chat they have said it should be online?? Even though it says valid in participating stores and online in the t&cs
- KBuffett says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 09:36
  
  Yes, it’s valid instore. Can take a while to trigger. When did you purchase? Personally, I wouldn’t panic. AmEx are reliable, although the live chat is hit and miss.
  - Rahaney says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 11:01
    
    Purchase date – 1/9/21
    Have others triggered an email or has it been moved to redeemed in their app?
    Ta
    - KBuffett says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 11:05
      
      Emails are hit and miss. I genuinely wouldn’t be worried.
- Sean says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 11:03
  
  never get the email that it has triggered. Will appear in “savings tab” shortly after spend goes from pending, then a day or so later credit appears on statement.
  - Reney says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 11:16
    
    I seem to have stopped getting any of those emails anymore. Not had any in ages across several different offers.
    - KBuffett says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 11:22
      
      +1
    - Alex says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 12:05
      
      +1
    - Youllnever says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 12:21
      
      I casually asked them about this last week when I called in on a separate issue, and CS said that this was a change they’ve made and that they’ve received feedback from others asking to re-enable this. I asked them to add my support as well.
Jane says:

8 Sep8 September 09:36

It’s a miracle :-). My flights to the USA that I finally changed from August ’21 to August ’22 via online chat yesterday needed to be send to the ‘back office’ to be ticketed. The last time I was in a similar situation it took the best part of a year and multiple attempts at chasing to happen – this time, approximately 14 hours from ending the online chat to tickets received by e-mail.
- Aston100 says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 09:38
  
  So thats why those buggers aren’t answering their phones. Busy dealing with your requirements!
  - Jane says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 10:02
    
    I’ve been on that side of it too , I’m hoping to not have to contact them again until they get their act together.
r* says:

8 Sep8 September 09:43

Is there a number for BAEC which actually gets answered or even goes to a queue? Everything just gets disconnected.
- Aston100 says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 09:47
  
  The only number I had no trouble with this year was for You First.
  Merely a 5 minute wait.
KBuffett says:

8 Sep8 September 10:03

What are BA’s 787 planes like?

Someone expressed disappointment that the extra Dubai flight was a 787, I was wondering why?
- mr_jetlag says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:07
  
  narrower, noisier, less comfortable than an a350. no nostalgia factor vs a 747.
  - mr_jetlag says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 10:08
    
    Although if you really want a subpar BA experience in any class, the crown goes to the 777s.
    - Aston100 says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 10:16
      
      Aren’t all the b777 getting refurbished with club suites?
      I wonder how that is progressing.
  - KBuffett says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 10:22
    
    Thanks. I assumed that as they are new the cabins would be quite nice.
    But as someone who is not a plane nerd, I’ve always preferred the newer Airbuses compared with old Boeing planes. I don’t think I’ve flown on the newer Boeings.
- Jonathan says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 12:54
  
  They’re fine. A350 better but still a much nicer experience than 90+% of the other planes in the sky. Big windows, higher cabin pressure (lower altitude) & less polluting so your conscience can be a little bit clearer.
  - Jonathan says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 12:55
    
    Definitely avoid in Economy though as very cramped.
GERARD CREAMER says:

8 Sep8 September 10:10

Has anyone stayed in Preveza, looking at marbella-elix but appears little remote, any feedback appreciated
- Peggerz says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 16:52
  
  Not visited however the hotel is between Sivota and Parga, two towns frequented by tourists, particularly yachties (I crew, therefore I am one too). I think it was Neilsons that had a hotel near to there at one time too. Parga is a prettier town to visit. Also you have access to Corfu via Igounenitsa ferry and Paxos.
  - Peggerz says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 16:53
    
    Sorry, meant to add that Preveza is the airport of choice for yachting types, particularly the flotilla crowd. I’ve not stayed in the town.
Can says:

8 Sep8 September 10:12

Apologies already if this has been asked before:
I am flying back to London from Eastern Europe, and don’t want to pay a fortune for PCR tests.
Can I use a “rapid antigen test” for flying back to the UK?
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 10:15
  
  Antigen test is fine for the Fit To Fly.
  
  Only tests that need to be PCR are the Day 2 & 8 (if required) tests.