The HfP chat thread – Friday 17th September

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Jody says:

17 Sep17 September 16:10

Having not flown since March 2020, can anyone tell me what the general deal is – bonus points if you can tell me specifically for what it’s like for easyjet from Luton!

Just got home from back to back cruises (Princess followed by Disney) so am a bit all over the place, and flying feels but a distant memory!

We do have hold luggage for this which obviously needs checking in. Is everyone’s documents checked? My husband has got a work thing going on, so we’re actually getting to the airport separately. I was planning on taking the suitcase and checking it in, but do both our documents need to be checked at that point, or will his be checked at the gate as he would essentially have no luggage?

I’ve ordered the required tests, and I’ve seen I need to do something for Spain a couple of days before we go (off to Ibiza).

I know these are basic questions, sorry. Between cruises and a poorly cat (who is now much better thankfully) it’s just been a completely mad couple of weeks.
- Amy C says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 16:33
  
  Flew (and returned to) luton 6-13th of September. Used Easyjet’s “Hands Free” service to check my luggage in and all went well barring the large queue you have to suffer. They need to check docs but as I travelled alone I’m not sure in your particular circumstances.
  - Jody says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 17:45
    
    Thank you. I’ve got the added complication of having booked before they changed the hand luggage rules. So, we should be able to do hands free for no cost except that I actually need my hand luggage case with me on the plane due to medical equipment (what I need won’t fit in the hands free bag).
    
    It’s sods law that my husband has a thing on at work (only happens once every two years and this holiday was moved from last year before he even started working there).
    
    I’m sure it will all be fine, just curious as to the actual airport experience these days at the ‘lovely’ Luton!!
  - Reney says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 18:03
    
    does Luton still need you to take your liquids out of your bag into a small baggie? Packing for my trip tomorrow.
    
    Did you use the lounge Amy? was it Busy?
Allan says:

17 Sep17 September 16:15

Checked in at Hotel de Rome, Berlin via Amex FHR booking. Denied early checkin at 12 and in the end was 3:45 (standard checkin 3) before we got the room. I know it isn’t guaranteed but is this usual?
- Harry T says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 16:28
  
  It’s subject to availability so it will be subject to availability…
  - Rob says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 16:30
    
    Yes, you’re not due anything for not getting 12 BUT you should get something for being sat around to 3.45.
    
    In an, admittedly, extreme case the Burj Al Arab comped my night entirely in December when it couldn’t give me a room until 6pm.
- Blair says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 20:21
  
  Was the room nice tho in the end?
  - Allan says:
    
    20 Sep20 September 17:41
    
    Sorry, late reply but yes, everythgin otherwise good.
Paul says:

17 Sep17 September 16:25

Has anyone been able to get retention bonus on plat business? I am told nothing available.
- Tony1 says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 16:51
  
  Nothing given for me – well just a long sepal of forthcoming offers – still waiting as did not get any – just some Betty Action … ugg
- Simon says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 17:33
  
  I tried a few weeks ago, got nothing.
- The Savage Squirrel says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 20:29
  
  Nothing for me so went ahead and cancelled. With only a 6 month clock….
Will says:

17 Sep17 September 16:29

anyone get the Monese SHOP50/SHOP100 promo to work?
- The Accountant says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 16:46
  
  Worked for me
  - Bill says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 16:48
    
    Only the 50 worked for me
    - The Accountant says:
      
      17 Sep17 September 22:12
      
      Make sure you have £40 or £80 in the account before trying the code. Both worked for me
Aso40 says:

17 Sep17 September 16:35

I just received an email with the £10 amazon voucher from that dodgy Malaysia airlines group booking thing. Had forgotten all about it!
- AndyW says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 17:07
  
  Me too. Seemed to be a pain for some but for me it took 1min to fill in the form and then forgot about it, so nice result.
Richie says:

17 Sep17 September 16:48

Oman is no longer a red country, any good hotel redemption opportunities for winter?
- Rob says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 17:22
  
  Alila in the mountains via Hyatt
  
  Al Bustan via Bonvoy (we have reviewed)
  - NC says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 18:11
    
    Would be nice if BA resumed flights to Muscat
  - Sandra says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 18:12
    
    There’s also the Shang Ri La out near the Al Bustan. It is effectively 3 hotels one of which is adult only. Both these hotels are a long way from anything though although location lovely. Personally I like the Crowne Plaza in the Qurum Heights area of Muscat although probably needs a bit of a refresh by now!
- Rory says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 20:56
  
  Six Senses Zighy Bay is outstanding. You might be able to book it with IHG points now.
WearyTraveller says:

17 Sep17 September 16:50

Turkey is no longer in the red list!
- Aston100 says:
  
  17 Sep17 September 16:52
  
  Still need to do a PCR 72 hours before travel to Turkey though, right?
  - Andrew says:
    
    17 Sep17 September 16:55
    
    And from 4 October? Or off the red list with immediate effect?
    - Aston100 says:
      
      17 Sep17 September 17:02
      
      “Fully vaccinated people returning to England from non-red list countries will no longer need to take PCR tests from 4 October”
      - Rob says:
        
        17 Sep17 September 17:19
        
        It’s NOT 4th October. It is a date TBC.
Aliks says:

17 Sep17 September 16:51

Red Amber Green country lists – announcement is coming through now:
/www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/amber-list-covid-travel-rules-england-traffic-light-system