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The HfP chat thread – Saturday 18th September

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We are running this daily chat thread on Head for Points during the coronavirus outbreak.

Historically, the daily ‘Bits’ articles were the de facto repository for random comments and questions.  With the news flow being lighter, we are running fewer ‘Bits’ articles.

The comments under this article are where you should post questions about travel and, indeed, anything else on your mind.  At this tricky time, and given that many of you are at home, we want the HfP community to have a place to chat.

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Old chat threads are hidden from the HfP home page.  If you want to look for something in an old thread, click here.  This brings up all the articles in our ‘General’ category which includes the chat threads.

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General

Comments (303)

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

  • ash says:
    18 Sep18 September 09:52

    Anyone know if I can get my partner to take out a virgin credit card and the points post in my virgin account? (she doesn’t have an account and we are short on mine) I know you can’t do this with Amex but Ihg card does work.
    Cheers ash

    • ChasP says:
      18 Sep18 September 10:13

      Dont think so but historically Virgin have been very helpful in booking flights for couples using both persons balance ie taking 80k from A and 20 from B for 2 x50k seats

      • John says:
        18 Sep18 September 10:16

        Refused this last week but stated could take points for 1 segment from partner and 3 segments from me

      • ash says:
        18 Sep18 September 16:41

        Okay shame need a new card for her but won’t earn enough to make it worth while, hoped that like the ihg card the points would just drop in on my account

    • AL says:
      18 Sep18 September 17:56

      If you’re VS Gold, you can pool your points.

  • manilabay says:
    18 Sep18 September 09:53

    Flight booked from LHR-MNL via HKG for next summer. LHR-HKG is operated by Virgin Atlantic (VS) in Upper Class (using Virgin Point upgrade from Eco) and still running. HKG-MNL operated by Philippine Airlines (PAL) in Economy has been cancelled.

    Ticket booked directly with VS.

    What are my options here?

    Could I request rebooking to another airline like Singapore Airlines?

    The next flight on PAL is 14h+ connection. CX connection is 12h (which I’ve seen on ITA matrix but not bookable via VS).

    • Pablo says:
      18 Sep18 September 11:22

      If it’s all on one ticket you have the right for a full refund or rerouting to your destination under comparable conditions. I would leave it until closer to departure though as you are now basically holding a flexible refundable ticket and can adjust your travel plan based on covid restriction at your destination.

  • MrIO says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:00

    Hi, can anyone help, I want to draw out some cash on my curve card using my Hilton Honors card. Do you know if a. I will be charged and b. If there is a limit I can withdraw?

  • Travel Strong says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:11

    Does anyone have experience entering Hungary by air since they opened up to allow travellers with a negative PCR test?

    @ukgeorge if you are still around – how did your planned trip there work out?

    • Ukgeorge says:
      18 Sep18 September 13:28

      I entered with a negative PCR test a couple of weeks ago with no problem. BA checkin agent asked when I departed Heathrow but there was no check on arriving in Budapest. Very few people wearing a mask at the airport or anywhere in Hungary.

  • LM says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:33

    Flight booked Heathrow to Istanbul on the 21st via BA, given it’ll still be red list at the time is there risk they’ll cancel the flight? It’s BA0680 and they don’t seem to have operated it since January.

    Thanks all.

    • Louie says:
      18 Sep18 September 11:27

      I don’t know – but I doubt it. Loads to IST will be much higher than would have been the case if we didn’t have yesterday’s news because everyone who will eventually be returning to the UK will be returning after Turkey comes off the red list.

  • Jalpo says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:35

    We’re returning to LHR from Barcelona on 2 October (BA). I’ve already bought antigen pre-departure tests but have noticed that gov.uk advises PCR for the pre-departure test when returning from Spain. Are the antigen tests likely to cause us any problems checking in at BCN? Thanks.

  • Den says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:39

    Antigua Beach Curfew!! This is the reply I have received back from the Resort (BeachFront Room Booked for late Oct!) – “We don’t know yet if the beach curfew will apply to beachfront resorts hopefully we will have more information on this shortly. Please feel free to check back in the next few days if you’d more info on the beach curfew. No official government notice yet however, this is what our understanding is at the moment…
    Local/Tourist:
    WEEKDAYS – Beaches open 5am close 5pm
    WEEKENDS:- Beaches open 5am close 12noon”

    We are there over a weekend!

    • John says:
      18 Sep18 September 10:44

      Stick to UK time, 9am to 4pm

    • Anna says:
      18 Sep18 September 10:49

      It does seem a bit extreme unless people suddenly descend into orgiastic revelry on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. But if you have a stubborn body clock like me you’ll be awake and ready to put your towel down at 5 am anyway!

      • Magic Mike says:
        18 Sep18 September 16:28

        The locals like to party on the beach, and like everything in the Caribbean, nothing starts early… Hence the curfew.

        When we were there last November the beach curfews applied to all, tourists and locals.

    • Crafty says:
      19 Sep19 September 09:17

      Why would a beach curfew not apply to beach resorts??

  • Junior says:
    18 Sep18 September 10:58

    Flying LHR to YYZ in a couple of weeks from T5. What are my best options loungewise? I have Amex Gold MR, but I understand PP only gets into Club Aspire.

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

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