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The HfP chat thread – Friday 17th September

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General

Comments (588)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • J says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:35

    Yesterday, @Mco asked: “Anyone had a cancellation of BA flights through Cathay miles? Was just wondering how easy it was dealing with Cathay for rebooking?”

    I take it you mean a BA flight paid for with Cathay miles, and cancelled by BA?

    Not a direct answer to your question, but I have a similar situation – not Cathay, but another OneWorld partner airline. I don’t want to say too much here as it’s the subject of an ongoing CEDR claim (which I’ve won, but BA has so far failed to comply with the ruling).

    But what I will say is that if the flight is on BA metal, then BA is the operating carrier, and regardless of who you booked through or how you paid, BA is responsible for providing you with your EU261 statutory rights.

    By all means contact Cathay first, and with any luck they might sort it out for you (which will save you a LOT of pain), but if your experience goes anything like mine, they’ll just refer you back to BA, who will then do everything in their power to avoid the issue and generally do “computer says no” for as long as they can string it out, and even after months of going back and forward between the two airlines trying to resolve it yourself, and when you eventually get a ‘final response’ from BA, then spend six months going through the CEDR process and having CEDR rule in your favour and tell BA exactly what to do, BA still won’t do it, and you’ll have to spend yet more time and frustration trying to get them to comply…

    You may find it easier and quicker going direct to MCOL. I’m starting to wish I had 😉

    I find myself thinking that a nice big multi-billion-pound fine from whichever agency or government department has such power (if any do) might be the only way to cause BA enough pain to change its ways, while having the added bonus of also making a minor contribution to repairing the country’s public finances 😉

    Anyway, good luck with your rebooking, MCO – hope it goes a LOT more smoothly than mine has! 😉

    • lumma says:
      17 Sep17 September 10:59

      Putting LOT in capital letters a couple of times really confused me there…

    • Sam G says:
      17 Sep17 September 14:42

      If it’s a simple rebooking within 12 months of the original booking date it shouldn’t be too bad, if there are Avios seats they’ll just rebook but otherwise you can ask them to contact the “oneworld liaison desk” to ask BA to open up the seats. I’ve had AA do this before and it was done – might take a while to find someone at Cathay who can do it.

      Trying to do anything complex like go past standard ticket validity for sure will be painful as above!

  • Nathan says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:39

    Anyone cancelled a BA PP card after unlocking a companion voucher post September 1st – and if so, all ok? I have a separate Amex to pay the 241 taxes..

  • Voltron says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:40

    Is there such a thing as a Virgin household account like Avios, and has anyone managed to use there points for booking a ticket for another family member?

    • ChrisC says:
      17 Sep17 September 09:51

      Yes but only for golds.

      But you don’t need such an account to book a flight for someone else. During the bookign process in your account you just put their name etc etc in the booking.

  • Andy says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:46

    On the energy topic, looking at switching to a new fixed 1 year tariff. Any experiences (and referral codes) for Neon Reef, which seems to be the cheapest in my area?

    Would also appreciate any referral codes for eon Next, which is my next best alternative. With the 50£ referral credit it would end up costing me about the same as Neon Reef

  • Wheezer says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:52

    I have also posted this on the recent Mauritius post but wanted to make sure this gets more visibility.

    Just be aware Mauritius changed the rules last night. Previously from the 1st of October, all you needed to do to enter Mauritius if you were vaccinated was pass a PCR test 72 hours before your departure and then you were free to do what you wanted. The announcement last night stated vaccinated travellers now need to have a PCR test when they arrive, isolate for 5 days and then have an antigen test on day 5. Prices of tests and exact logistics of isolation and testing are unclear at the moment so I would hold off booking until more details come out

    • KBuffett says:
      17 Sep17 September 09:56

      Thank you very much for highligting this.

      • Wheezer says:
        17 Sep17 September 13:45

        They have just updated the rules again to they are not as strict. Latest guidance is

        As for those already fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their arrival on the island, they will still have to produce a negative PCR test before boarding the plane. Upon their arrival, they will be able to explore the island freely. On fifth day of their visit, they will have to do a Rapid antigen test.

        so no PCR test on arrival or 5 day isolation.

        • GoodExperience says:
          17 Sep17 September 16:35

          All the rules and regs are so fluid at the moment – it could change several times in the next couple of months. Thanks for the update though on current status, hopefully will be fine by the time I travel there at end of November. Its such a good deal on a 2-4-1 (equivalent cash price for 2 people was £12,000!!), a few quid and hassle on getting all the tests is no real burden.

  • Josh says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:53

    Hey All,

    Just filling in the Spain Travel health form which asks the following Q:

    Select the type of Certificate you have
    EU COVID Digital Certificate
    Other Certificate

    Which would I select for the NHS QR code? First time travelling using this so unsure.

    Thanks!

    • Aliks says:
      17 Sep17 September 10:06

      Other Certificate – they will accept your NHS QR code if you upload it

    • Jek says:
      17 Sep17 September 11:33

      Other certificate. They will check your entry form QR and your vaccination details after passport control. Make sure you have both saved on your mobile readily accessible – we ran into trouble as the NHS app had problems connecting at the checkpoint.

  • KBuffett says:
    17 Sep17 September 09:57

    Adidas gift cards are being sold at a discount at Morrisons. A £25 card will cost you £21.25, which woudl stack well with the other recent discounts.

  • Den says:
    17 Sep17 September 10:19

    Antigua! We have a trip planned in late October. Currently beaches are open between 5am and 7pm for exercise or relaxation only. However as from Monday September 20, and for the next two weeks thereafter, beaches will be closed from 12pm to 5am each day. This is a tighter restriction so I assume 12pm is correct (Noon) so not sure if my beachfront room is a good idea!

    • Anna says:
      17 Sep17 September 10:30

      That sounds very restrictive, however you’ll have a lovely view of the deserted beach in the afternoons!

    • Rich says:
      17 Sep17 September 10:41

      I struggle to think what you’d do on a beach that isn’t exercise or relaxation.

    • OP says:
      17 Sep17 September 11:26

      What on earth?! And I thought we’d seen it all in terms of COVID restrictions…

      Totally understand a night curfew as such if they’re worried about beach parties etc. but seriously? I hope you still manage to have a great trip, it’s a lovely island.

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

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