The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 21st September

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• TGLoyalty says:

  21 Sep21 September 21:39

  The Justice Department filed an antitrust suit on Tuesday against American Airlines and JetBlue, saying a growing alliance between the two carriers had created a “de facto merger” in the New York and Boston markets, reducing competition and hurting consumers.

  • Richie says:

    21 Sep21 September 22:16

    Not really surprising, the agreements were extremely cosy.

  • Aston100 says:

    21 Sep21 September 22:48

    Have they got nothing to say about AA & BA?

    • Ianmac says:

      22 Sep22 September 01:58

      Erm, no, because BA and AA have a rubber stamped Joint Venture and Anti-Trust Immunity. AA and B6 do not yet they proceed very much as if they do.

• Aston100 says:

  21 Sep21 September 21:39

  Well behind everyone else, I’ve finally decided to look at day 2 tests. Went on the government site and filtered for swab at home kit providers.
  The first six or seven are misleading and do not provide the tests for the advertised low price, or have got silly caveats such as only X amount available per month, and try and sell you one for over sixty quid instead.

  I’m shocked. These are linked from the government site. I guess there must be some technicality that allows them to stay on the government list despite their bait & switch nature.

  Probably old news to those who have been traveling but I’ve not been on a plane for nearly two years hence haven’t kept up to date with all the testing shenanigans.

  So, are Randox the recommended provider around here based on their £43 day 2 test?
  I’m traveling in a couple of weeks to an amber list country for a few days.

  Thanks

  • TGLoyalty says:

    21 Sep21 September 21:42

    https://nationwidepathology.co.uk/ £40 and you can use Royal Mail priority postboxes.

  • AFKAE says:

    21 Sep21 September 21:43

    Randox not the out and out cheapest, but probably the most reliable.

    • Aston100 says:

      21 Sep21 September 21:59

      Thanks.
      Can you guys remind me what all the talk was about not needing to do the test, but only needing the ref number so that you can fill the PLF before catching your inbound to the UK?
      I skipped most of that talk but seem to recall expert medicals were mentioned a few times.

      • Tracey says:

        21 Sep21 September 22:17

        Expert medicals sell at one of the cheaper price points -£28. Their customer service is so bad and their website so flaky that the government has taken them off their recommended list, but you can still use them if you wish.
        The nonsense of buying the test but not doing it, is because you need the code from the test purchase to complete your plf, but no one is standing over your head with a gun to ensure you actually do the test. If you want to risk a fine if caught, however unlikely and want to evade the rules in the middle of a pandemic that’s your choice. This goes hand in hand with choosing a supplier like expert medical as you wouldn’t be bothered if the test turns up or not!

        • Aston100 says:

          21 Sep21 September 22:24

          Indeed.
          Think I’ll pay the extra twelve pounds for the one tgloyalty linked.
          I’m fairly confident the switch to LFT for day 2 will come well after I’m back, so no harm in ordering the kit tomorrow, despite being less than three weeks till we fly back.
          Or have I missed something?

          Thanks again

        • Tracey says:

          21 Sep21 September 22:50

          Switch to LFT instead of PCR will be sometime in October, hasn’t been announced when.

        • Ikaz says:

          21 Sep21 September 22:52

          If you think that it is worth booking now and not have to worry about it, book it now. If you think that there might be changes and it could become cheaper or some providers might be removed, then forget about it for a couple of weeks and review it a few days before you return to the uk

• Adam says:

  21 Sep21 September 22:30

  Hello,

  Any suggestions on good luggage brands for check-in and hand luggage?
  Also suggestions on other accessories and things you carry while travelling?

  Thanks in advance!

  • Aston100 says:

    21 Sep21 September 22:47

    American Tourister.
    Anyone who suggests expensive luggage has clearly never experienced Istanbul luggage handlers (or is rich enough to buy new cases every trip).

    • Can says:

      22 Sep22 September 00:00

      I use AmT too, a sister brand of samsonite iirc

    • Rachel Robinson says:

      22 Sep22 September 00:32

      American Tourister are the worst bags I’ve ever had. Briggs and Riley all the way.

  • JDB says:

    21 Sep21 September 22:58

    Kipling, good value, very tough, long lasting luggage with a broad range of sizes, shapes etc. The online outlet shop has some real bargains as well.

  • Andrew says:

    21 Sep21 September 23:06

    Focus on getting the right size of hand luggage in the first instance. There’s so much stuff out there that says “Cabin size”, but it’s probably not cabin size for your airline.

    My recommendations are Tripp (Former Debenhams concession who are still operating online and through some stores), or TK Maxx.

    If you want to impress and for it to last a lifetime, go for Rimowa.

    As to accessories. I’ve a set of extension sockets that I put together myself. US-Twin UK with one metre of cable, and matching EU – Twin UK. I always bring a travel kettle.

    • Will says:

      22 Sep22 September 01:51

      Another recommendation for Tripp here too.

      Very reasonable and mine have taken a right bashing and are still going strong.

  • Tarmohamed says:

    21 Sep21 September 23:15

    Samsonite. Keep the receipts. Take a picture of the bags at check in. If they’re in worse condition at baggage claim, put in baggage claim.

  • Louise K says:

    21 Sep21 September 23:29

    I buy Samsonite from the outlet at Cheshire Oaks. Very reasonable and good quality.

  • J says:

    22 Sep22 September 03:08

    Whichever one has the lightest weight when empty 😉 Especially for hand luggage. For me, that’s always been Samsonite (who also have a very good repair/replace policy if something breaks). Maybe there are lighter ones on the market now, not sure. But I’ve had my Samsonite cabin bag for about 8 years and it’s still in very good condition despite god-knows how many long and short-haul trips. I forget the exact model but it’s one of the solid-frame / cloth cover, four-wheel types, weighs about 1.5kg or so, cost about £100. If you don’t want cloth and are happy to spend more, their ultra-lightweight plastic (carbon-fibre?) cases are excellent – had one for almost ten years now for my hold luggage and aside from a few scuff marks it’s still in full working order.

  • Memesweeper says:

    22 Sep22 September 08:08

    Away Travel

  • HH says:

    22 Sep22 September 12:36

    Antler has the best price:performance ratio I’ve found. Still kicking myself for not buying a Rimowa carry-on though with the Amex offer this summer…

• Rory says:

  21 Sep21 September 22:47

  So apparently my employer has booked BA and Saudia on a single booking, and are saying my luggage will go direct through, connections valid etc. Is this possible? I’ve never heard of BA doing this with non partner airlines. Thanks!

  • JDB says:

    21 Sep21 September 23:00

    Yes, as long as it is one one PNR, that is standard IATA protocol.

  • ChrisC says:

    21 Sep21 September 23:06

    Interlining bags is not related to being in the same alliance.

    for example BA and VS will interline to each other as long as the flights are under the same booking.

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