The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 8th September

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s says:

8 Sep8 September 12:49

I’ve got upcoming trips to Denmark, Spain and Portugal. I gather from colleagues that getting free lateral flow tests is super easy in Copenhagen so I don’t plan to take one with me to Denmark. What’s the ease/cost of LFT in Spain and Portugal? It seems from the comments that most people are taking a test with them so I assume there’s a good reason for this
- Stairali says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:04
  
  20 Euros in Porto for a Fit to Fly test or 2 Euros (not Fit to Fly) in the supermarket.
- Toppcat says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:07
  
  EUR 30 for a fit to fly antigen test at Porto airport. Results in under an hour.
- Anna says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:07
  
  The tests people are taking are the obligatory pre-departure ones, you need to show the negative result at the airport to be able to board your flight home. A LFT you buy from a pharmacy in Spain won’t be accepted, you need a certificate from the testing company or clinic. You can get a test for about 30 euros from various places. You will also need to buy a day 2 test and put the invoice codes on your PLFs before travelling back to the UK.
  - Anna says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 13:09
    
    But we packed our own free NHS LFTs for mid-holiday testing, couldn’t be bothered to make an extra trip to a pharmacy!
- Andrew says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:22
  
  The Collinson unsupervised one is £23 with the Amex20 code – to take with you and get a certificate for returning.
  - Pete M says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 13:32
    
    The important thing to note is that if you test positive abroad, you are at the mercy of their system (e.g. Mallorca will lock you up in a quararantine hotel until you test negative). Doing your own tests allows you to manage your isolation yourself, get an Airbnb, etc.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 13:42
      
      Hence take a box of NHS tests …
- Alan says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 14:32
  
  20 Euros in Lisbon city centre chemists.
  - Alan says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 14:35
    
    Comes with a test certificate, available 90 mins after you take the test.
roberto says:

8 Sep8 September 13:03

LFT in Spain are fixed at €6.50 from a pharmacy. Can’t imagine that Portugal will be a million miles from that..
Jonathan says:

8 Sep8 September 13:22

With the two free lounge passes with Amex Gold can one of the passes be used by a partner / friend at the same time as the card holder? I.e. both get into the lounge for free?
- Andrew says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:22
  
  Yes
Chris says:

8 Sep8 September 13:31

With the Esso/Nectar promotion giving bonus points per transaction with minimum spend of 1 litre, I foresee quite long queues at my local Esso!!
- KBuffett says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:41
  
  Is that the promotion that is only valid if you purchase their premium fuel?
  - Toby says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 14:27
    
    No, well, not the one I see in the nectar app. You just need to buy 1 litre of any fuel they sell.
    
    So, I may go at a quiet time and fill up the tank in one litre increments. You can pay from the app, and appear to still be eligible.
    
    I may need to get out more…
    - KBuffett says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 16:17
      
      Sounds like a good offer, make the most of it!! I checked my Nectar app, and I don’t have this offer. Just as well, I’m heavily invested in Morrison’s Gift Cards, so it’s best if I continue to use those up!
    - Reney says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 17:01
      
      My offer was 10* points not per transaction.
Gary says:

8 Sep8 September 13:54

Octopus energy- Is there a limit on amount one is permissible to overpay w Amex? Thinking maybe 4k or so
- Tracey says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 13:56
  
  OVO energy pay you interest on the first £1000 of credit on your account, up to 5% depending how long you have been with them.
  - Anna says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 16:09
    
    OVO don’t take Amex, but they are very handy for front loading from Creation!
- John says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 15:52
  
  Try it and see! They will only refund what you paid by DD to your bank though
- WaynedP says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 17:27
  
  I predict that this time next year, you will struggle to find any UK energy provider that will let you overpay by more than £50 at any point throughout the year using any payment means.
  
  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-reforms-could-see-credit-balances-around-ps14-bn-automatically-returned
Pete M says:

8 Sep8 September 14:03

So I know we all got very excited about Expert Medicals disappearing from the gov.uk list, but on closer inspection it says:

The providers listed on this page have declared they meet minimum standards for day 2 and day 8 tests (opens in new tab) Some providers may choose not to appear in this list. You can choose a different provider but you must check they meet minimum standards.
The government does not recommend any particular test provider. Do your own research (for example, read reviews) about available providers, the tests they supply and their terms and conditions.
https://www.find-travel-test-provider.service.gov.uk/test-type/green

Having done my research, I declare ET meet the minimum standards. That presumably ticks the box? 🙂
- Anna says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 14:11
  
  The problem is knowing whether the code will be accepted on your PLF!
  My last EM test never arrived so I called 119 and they’ve sent a free home kit which I did and posted off this morning. I suppose EM should refund my £28 to the NHS for that!
  Hopefully people will keep posting about their test experiences to give us some idea of how this will go. It was reported that people would be allowed to buy tests “bought in good faith” so from what you’ve posted that means absolutely any test from any outfit which is selling them!
  - Pete M says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 14:17
    
    Given that the PLF is only looking for five letters and seven numbers, I cannot see this being a problem.
- Ali m says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 14:12
  
  I am interested to know this too so will watch this space.whats the cheapest on return for PLF?I have booked Randox after recommendation by Harry T this am. I have a few PCR kits at home(was in the trial and some left over…) So I really just need the cheapest possible legit code for PLF as will do the test which I have at home any way (if the kit I have ordered for PLF doesnt deliver that is)
- Keely says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 14:43
  
  Can confirm that EM PLF ref numbers were accepted today to fly from Tenerife to LGW. These were purchased a day or so before they were in the press.
  The tests also arrived and will be used .
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 15:05
    
    Ofcourse they were because there is no validation.
    - Ali M says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 15:28
      
      so they can be used then…
    - Keely says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 15:36
      
      Of course there isn’t . It’s just an extra hoop designed to put us all off travelling ……which has worked for a lot of people I know .
      - Pete M says:
        
        8 Sep8 September 16:08
        
        And put people off coming here…!
      - Aston100 says:
        
        8 Sep8 September 16:22
        
        weev got are countree bak.
Nomid says:

8 Sep8 September 14:28

Looking to plan a long weekend in June next year. Thoughts on Dubrovnik vs Split?
Family (not a couple) break
- Joe says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 16:11
  
  Dubrovnik every time.
- Darko says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 21:14
  
  Zadar or Istria region. Dubrovnik is a tourist trap. Split is meh.
Rob says:

8 Sep8 September 14:30

Question about using VS miles on SQ metal.

WHilst the website doesn’t specify that redemptions can’t be made on 787-10 I assume this is actually the case?

Interested in using it between SIN – DPS.

Thanks
- Sam G says:
  
  8 Sep8 September 14:38
  
  Should usually be OK on a regional flight (though I believe Virgin doesnt see all the available seats *A partners see) but currently nothing being released to any partners at all
  - manilabay says:
    
    8 Sep8 September 15:06
    
    Note I still think SQ don’t allow partners to redeem due to Covid…hopefully that changes soon
    - Rob says:
      
      8 Sep8 September 16:27
      
      Thanks for the answers. Wasn;t aware they aren;t making redemptions available.
      
      I probably doesn’t matter as Winter holiday plans are going to go to the wire.