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The HfP chat thread – Thursday 30th September

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Comments (587)

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

  • Mco says:
    30 Sep30 September 16:12

    Anyone know which test could be wrong in this situation?

    Day 0 – Cough started (only symptom)
    Day 1 – Negative lateral flow
    Day 2 – Negative lateral flow
    Day 3 – Positive PCR + Negative lateral flow
    Day 4 – Negative lateral flow
    Day 5 – Symptom finished.

    Did the person have covid? Or could was it a dodgy PCR test?

    • Bob says:
      30 Sep30 September 16:16

      My suspicion would be very low levels of covid infection, undetectable by a Lateral Flow, but picked up by a PCR (which are much more sensitive). It’s possible in this situation that the viral load could increase over the following days resulting in a positive LF, but also the body may have cleared the virus by then.

    • Richie says:
      30 Sep30 September 16:16

      Wet or dry cough?

    • Rich says:
      30 Sep30 September 16:20

      Any or none of them. Person had a short, mild illness, maybe with a low viral load. Lateral flow only detects higher loads.

      In any case, I think the protocol is to trust the PCR and disregard the rest. Lateral flow isn’t supposed to be used for symptomatic people anyway.

      A man who has a watch knows the time. A man with two is never sure.

      • meta says:
        30 Sep30 September 16:27

        PCR tests are only about 70% accurate. So it could be nothing. Coughing also means nothing. Some people cough due to allergy, due to change of weather, etc. I’d do another PCR test to be sure.

        • Richie says:
          30 Sep30 September 16:32

          So I’ve spent more than £40 each on PCR tests that are only 70% accurate. What a rip-off.

        • Mco says:
          30 Sep30 September 16:32

          PCR at day 9 is clear. Will an antibody test give the answer?

          • meta says:
            30 Sep30 September 16:38

            If the person has been vaccinated, then no. I think there is a specific antibody test that looks for prior infection.

          • meta says:
            30 Sep30 September 16:40

            But then again it also means nothing. They could have had covid in February. I’d say, don’t worry about it. If PCR test is now coming negative, there is nothing to worry about travel-wise.

          • Peter K says:
            30 Sep30 September 16:41

            I wouldn’t trust a LFT. Someone on here a few months ago said a family member had 4 or 5 LFT because of symptoms (as well know should have had PCR) and only one correctly showed positive.
            BTW. PCR 70% accurate for picking up covid.
            False positives on PCR only between 0.8-4.3% according to office of national statistics.

          • Rob says:
            30 Sep30 September 17:15

            LFT are rubbish. My wife and I both tested negative multiple times before we had a PCR which came back positive.

          • Peter K says:
            30 Sep30 September 16:43

            In other words. If the PCR said you had covid, plus you had some symptoms, then almost certainly you had covid.

            If you have symptoms and your PCR says you are okay, there’s still a 30% chance you might actually have a Covid.

          • Rich says:
            30 Sep30 September 17:57

            It’s not that you shouldn’t trust a LFT. It’s that you should use them for the right reasons – which is catching cases that wouldn’t otherwise be caught.

            They’re only really there to *stop* you from going out and about, not to clear you for partying. Even if they miss a lot, they catch more than zero.

        • Rich says:
          30 Sep30 September 16:43

          70% accurate compared to what? Are you talking about sensitivity or specificity?

          PCR tests can give a false negative, but are very unlikely to give a false positive.

          You can’t start making up your own testing protocols. There is no ‘just do another PCR test to be sure’.

        • Jonathan says:
          30 Sep30 September 20:21

          BS. Specificity of PCR is well over 90%. Sensitivity is between 65 & 90% depending on what criteria you use & patient cohorts tested.

          • Jonathan says:
            30 Sep30 September 20:23

            Symptoms (& a cough is one of the key 3) plus positive PCR is Covid full stop.

    • Barnaby100 says:
      30 Sep30 September 16:42

      For lots of people symptoms don’t come in until 8-10 days. So maybe time will tell

    • Tracey says:
      30 Sep30 September 17:30

      I’d say you had covid, correctly diagnosed by the PCR test. The LFTs are just a distraction, you aren’t meant to use them if you have symptoms. So you had a cough, did a PCR, it was positive = chances are you had covid. Nobody disproves the results of a PCR test by a LFT. I would say your viral load was low, so the LFTs didn’t pick it up (or you didn’t do them properly) and the PCR was correct.

    • J says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:24

      I know a fair few people who have had Delta, not one of them had a single positive lateral flow test. But then had positive PCR/Symptoms/Long Covid.

  • Neil says:
    30 Sep30 September 16:30

    For any Igloo customers I was able to log on no problem this afternoon and I see they have put estimated readings in for 1st October already

    • DJ says:
      30 Sep30 September 16:45

      I switched away from them to Sainsbury’s energy. Still waiting for them to produce the final statement and refund me the credit balance on the account.

      Since they are already bust, does that mean I can claim with whoever is taking Igloo’s customers?

      • Neil says:
        30 Sep30 September 16:53

        Did you switch before they folded or after as the email I got from ML Energy saving club has this :

        Don’t switch to a new provider (yet). While it is possible, Ofgem says you should wait until you’ve been contacted by the new supplier and your new account has been set up, so you avoid the risk of getting stuck between databases and left in the cracks

      • davefl says:
        30 Sep30 September 17:53

        If you read the FAQ on igloos site they say that final statements and refunds will be issued and your funds are safe. Just have to be patient I guess. I’m in the same boat.

  • Ron says:
    30 Sep30 September 16:59

    Longshot , does anyone have any experience in getting a refund for an Accor voucher? I have a hotel specific Accor voucher from a cancelled Mercure Hotel booking which expires before I can pay them a visit!

    • Guernsey Globetrotter says:
      30 Sep30 September 17:22

      Ron, I recently tried to get them to refund a voucher bought last December specifically to use in the GTW or LHR Sofitels. These were on the list of participating hotels at the time of purchase and travelling from Guernsey nearly always involves an overnight at the airport for international connections. Accor have since closed both hotels to business, preferring to use them for quarantine customers for most of 2021. When I pointed out to the Accor rep that I considered this a breach of the terms of the agreement that I entered into and therefore I was entitled to a refund I was totally ignored and just told to refer to the T&Cs where it says non-refundable after 14 days from purchase. By all means contact them to give it a go but I would do so more in hope than expectation…

      • Lady London says:
        30 Sep30 September 20:59

        I think you’d win on an mcol on that.
        send them a letter before action demanding a refund – the hotel if it’s hotel-specific and voucher was issued by the hotel.
        you could also ask Accor to arrange for the voucher to be replaced by a crediting of the equivalent number of Accor points (useable for most Accor hotels) to your Accor account. not much hope but worth a go as you wouldn’t be asking them for cash.

        otherwise defo sue as hotel has put themselves in a position of not being able to honour the voucher even if you are able to turn up now or turn up on your chosen date within its validity .

  • Magarathea says:
    30 Sep30 September 17:01

    Sorry about the long post below. I have spent the last year not reading much about Covid testing for international travel on HFPs as I haven’t been abroad since 2019. However, I am venturing over to UAE in November and therefore need to get Covid tests in order to enter the country. Have started to read various things on the web I could do with some assistance from more experienced people. I am flying with BA from London to Dubai, although there is a slight possibility they may reroute me to Abu Dhabi, my original destination on another carrier, which is where I have my hotel booked. I know I need a PCR test less than 72 hours prior to travel for Dubai and 48 hours for Abu Dhabi. I live near Leeds and will be driving to LHR the day before my flight and staying overnight. So that’s 24 hours of my 72 / 48 hours gone! Add to this the time from testing until the result is available and it is all looking very tight. I am guessing I will need to get same day test results for this to work. How are people dealing with this? Are people getting the test done at the airport or what? Can anyone recommend a Covid testing company in the Leeds area who can reliably turn around same day test results? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

    • Rob says:
      30 Sep30 September 17:14

      Your test result is ALWAYS emailed to you, and you show it on your phone in the airport. No problem doing it in Leeds and getting the result after you’ve set off for London.

    • barnaby100 says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:27

      You can do a Collinson 3 hour PCR at LHR when you arrive the day before. There is a BA code that tales 20% off (dont need to be on BA). We found that cheaper and easier than doing a testing Leeds before we left. We stayed at Doubletree at cheapest- 10 minute drive to test then back to the hotel to wait for results. Checked in then. You can also do an overnight bag drop with BA from 4pm which we did when staying at the Sofitel.

      • Magarathea says:
        30 Sep30 September 19:28

        Thanks for the replies. I sort of assumed I would want the negative test result before setting off!

    • Yorkieflyer says:
      1 Oct1 October 00:38

      Try express test for a reliable rapid turn around walk-in Leeds city centre at £80

  • FatherOfFour says:
    30 Sep30 September 17:07

    Does anyone have any experience of booking with Avios hotels? Thinking of booking the Absalon in Copenhagen. I am guessing there is less flexibility than booking through BA Holidays? The cancellation terms on Avios site didn’t appear clear last time i checked.

    • jj says:
      30 Sep30 September 19:37

      Works well for me with no problems. The 15 Avios per £ is a great return if the price is competitive, which it often is.

      Cancellation terms vary by hotel but are normally very clear.

  • Bigmaggot says:
    30 Sep30 September 17:19

    New HSBC WE card, just had my first statement which is set to pay in full by direct debit. If I pay the bill in full early will HSBC still take the direct debit? Thanks

    Any other tips for the card 😉

    • Guernsey Globetrotter says:
      30 Sep30 September 17:53

      No tips from me as I’m still waiting for mine to arrive but can I ask have you been charged the £195 fee or not please?

      • Bigmaggot says:
        30 Sep30 September 18:33

        Yes charged but refunded after I pointed out I thought it was £0 annual fee from my letter, had to email over a copy of the letter

    • Toby says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:27

      I was warned that they would not adjust the DD, so the best bet is to make any such payments before they issue the bill, because that is what sets the DD amount. My main tip would be: don’t play games with HSBC. It will not end well.

    • Genghis says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:47

      The DD is adjusted. Been doing it for ages.

    • Bigmaggot says:
      30 Sep30 September 19:23

      Is the only way to view the elite points via HSBC website?

  • Andy says:
    30 Sep30 September 17:29

    If I book a flight with cash and upgrade with Avios on BA does the whole trip become a an Avios booking that can be canceled without penalty?

  • Neil says:
    30 Sep30 September 17:44

    Reward Flight Cancellation Query:

    I’m sure this is a simple query but just wanted to check. With the opening of the US Boarders, I’ve booked a Rewards Flight from LHR-JFK in UC over NYE (29/12 – 04/01). I have just been informed my Return flight has been Cancelled.

    The email states that…

    “At this time, we’re unable to rebook you on to an alternative service on the same date, however, our latest rebooking policies offer as much flexibility as possible, helping you to reschedule.”

    I have just looked at the VA website and is seems there are numerous VA/DL flights still available on that date with most showing UC/BC cash availability (although the website also still shows my now cancelled flight).

    Even thought they have cancelled over 3 months in advance, am i still able demand they put me on one of the other flights still available on that date in the same class? just want to check before calling them up…

    Thanks in advance…
    Neil

    • Anna says:
      30 Sep30 September 17:59

      If the borders do actually open to ordinary Europeans and you make the journey you will be entitled to re-routing but you have to give BA the option to choose which airline you go on as they will always prefer to send you with one of their partners. If they carry on refusing to acknowledge their legal obligations (as suggested by their email to you!), you would be within your rights to book your own ticket then take them to MCOL or CEDR, which is what a lot of people seem to have to do in this scenario.
      Typical shameless garbage from them that they are “unable to rebook you”!!

      • AJA says:
        30 Sep30 September 18:02

        I think Neil is travelling on Virgin Atlantic and not BA but essentially the same info you gave applies

    • AJA says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:01

      Hi Neil in a word yes. A cancellation gives you rights under article 5 of EC/UK261.

      1. In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers
      concerned shall:
      (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8; and
      (b) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 9(1)(a) and 9(2), as well as, in event of rerouting when the reasonably expected time of departure of
      the new flight is at least the day after the departure as it
      was planned for the cancelled flight, the assistance specified
      in Article 9(1)(b) and 9(1)(c); and
      (c) have the right to compensation by the operating air carrier
      in accordance with Article 7, unless:
      (i) they are informed of the cancellation at least two
      weeks before the scheduled time of departure

      Article 8 states
      Right to reimbursement or re-routing
      1. Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall
      be offered the choice between:
      (a) — reimbursement within seven days, by the means
      provided for in Article 7(3), of the full cost of the ticket
      at the price at which it was bought, for the part or
      parts of the journey not made, and for the part or parts
      already made if the flight is no longer serving any
      purpose in relation to the passenger’s original travel
      plan, together with, when relevant,
      — a return flight to the first point of departure, at the
      earliest opportunity;
      (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their
      final destination at the earliest opportunity; or
      c) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their
      final destination at a later date at the passenger’s convenience, subject to availability of seats.
      2. Paragraph 1(a) shall also apply to passengers whose
      flights form part of a package, except for the right to reimbursement where such right arises under Directive 90/314/EEC.
      3. When, in the case where a town, city or region is served
      by several airports, an operating air carrier offers a passenger a
      flight to an airport alternative to that for which the booking
      was made, the operating air carrier shall bear the cost of transferring the passenger from that alternative airport either to that for which the booking was made, or to another close-by destination agreed with the passenger.

      https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:439cd3a7-fd3c-4da7-8bf4-b0f60600c1d6.0004.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

    • AndyGWP says:
      30 Sep30 September 18:39

      They’ve also just cancelled VS6 from MIA to LHR on 1st Jan 🤔

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