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The HfP chat thread – Friday 8th October

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Comments (669)

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

  • Simon says:
    8 Oct8 October 12:30

    Would any HFPers kindly be able to advise me about the possibility of being able to get an NHS Covid pass for someone who is double-jabbed, but where the vaccination was administered in the USA?

    Long story short: I’m British and, whilst my wife is an Aussie, she has a British passport (familial). She did, though, have to work in the USA for almost a year during ’20/’21 and was double-jabbed with the Pfizer jab whilst in the States.

    Consequently, would anyone know if it’s possible now to:

    (a) Somehow upload her vaccination details to the NHS app given the above circumstances?

    (b) To obtain a paper version of an NHS Covid pass if “(a)” (above) is possible?

    Any advice/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks in advance,

    Simon

    • ChrisC says:
      8 Oct8 October 12:37

      I’d phone the people on the NHS Covid line – 119

    • Simon says:
      8 Oct8 October 12:46

      I would try the sandwich trick with a friendly GP. Some of them will be very helpful for the price of a decent Chablis.

    • Rich says:
      8 Oct8 October 12:47

      I think her GP can do it. Not sure how much info/ proof is needed, nor how keen they would be to help!

      • Tracey says:
        8 Oct8 October 15:41

        GPs can put it on the medical record, they can’t add it to the immunisation database, which is required to generate a covid pass.

      • Simon says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:17

        Cheers, Rich.

    • Jaime says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:35

      Don’t get your hopes up.
      I had my first dose in the EU as I was on warmer weather during lockdown, 2nd dose was here and although they do update your records and recognise you as vaccinated, the system until recently was not able to generate a certificate with a vaccine received abroad. This might have changed but not sure.
      Luckily I was able to get my EU certificate as they have recorded my 2nd dose here and generated the certificate.

    • Gary says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:39

      It’s frustrating but NHS Covid pass is not possible. NHS Covid pass only works for patients vaccinated on the NHS (which requires input of a location code and no such code exists for USA, or any other non-NHS locations). The GP can update the medical records to reflect her vaccinations at the GP surgery level but this would not transfer to NHS app (sadly even after many bottles of Chablis)

    • Leigh says:
      8 Oct8 October 14:15

      I gave up as the UK Gov seem to have no interest in allowing it to happen, and got re-jabbed in the UK.

      You can also apply for a French/EU DCC here as well which might be an easier option:

      https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/passe-sanitaire-etrangers?locale=en

      • idrive says:
        8 Oct8 October 15:35

        someone posted that you can download an app (civica, civitica??) that is valid in Italy after scanning NHS pass? What was the name?

        • JDB says:
          8 Oct8 October 16:59

          You can just use the NHS app in Italy. Residents have a Green Pass app which isn’t really possible for tourists to get. The app I think you mean VerificaC19 is what places use to check your pass. You can download it before you go to check your pass is OK. Obviously only scan the second jab and make sure it is in date for your trip.

          • idrive says:
            8 Oct8 October 17:12

            great, yes i meant that so i can check again maybe with some updates!
            The NHS app did not work for me in Italy last month, thanks!

      • Simon says:
        8 Oct8 October 18:19

        Many thanks, Leigh.

    • Tracey says:
      8 Oct8 October 15:40

      Phone 119 and ask that the NHS digital team be contacted, you won’t be allowed to speak directly to them.
      This isn’t something that is possible at the moment, it may happen in the future. They are still struggling between Scottish and English jabs on a combined record, so this won’t be a priority.

    • Darko says:
      8 Oct8 October 16:16

      I don’t understand why NHS is making it so difficult. I am a dual national, double jabbed in UK and I “transcribed” my vaccinations into Croatian/EU Covid pass. It took me one email to Croatian covid center to receive EU covid pass.

      • TGLoyalty says:
        8 Oct8 October 17:09

        Guess the EU wide pass system wasnt coded by clowns.

        • meta says:
          8 Oct8 October 18:18

          There is actually a provision in EU legislation that EU covid pass must be made available to EU citizens regardless of where they were vaccinated.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      8 Oct8 October 17:10

      If it’s been 6 months since her 2nd dose in USA and she hasn’t told her GP yet I’d just go get some NHS ones and save the hassle.

  • GaryE says:
    8 Oct8 October 12:54

    Looking for opinions on Barbados for this Dec. Have two week holiday booked via BA carried over from last year and the balance is due in the next 3-4 weeks. Have spoken to the hotel and friend who runs a restaurant, and whilst we are happy with flight etc the protocol on the island is not easing up, and with the increased infection rates, I doubt if it will ease up in short term.
    The USA have moved Barbados to highest level, level 4, so there must be some concerns.
    So, COVID test on arrival – can go to hotel and wait for result which currently comes back within 24-48 hours, during which time you are restricted to your room and balcony/terrace. Food will be brought to outside room. If all clear then you can continue with holiday as normal.
    If positive, OR if contacted during your stay that someone near you on flight has tested positive, then ministry of health get involved and more than likely you are taken to Harrison Point for up to 5 days.
    Curfew in place between 9pm and 5am – seven days a week. Need to be back on hotel property by 9pm, and bars and restaurants are closing upto 1 hour prior to curfew so staff can get home. (including hotel restaurants and bars).
    As much as we want to go – we feel we could be waiting for a knock on the hotel door any day, and having to be back in hotel by 9pm is not great. Just thinking we might cancel and go to Canary Islands as it would be less hassle. Views?

    • Anna says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:08

      Definitely less hassle – fairly minimal restrictions in Spain now, no testing at all as long as you’re fully vaxxed.

      • GaryE says:
        8 Oct8 October 14:24

        Thank you – if I understand it correctly there is no need for any testing before for Canary Islands to enter or to leave – we are both double vaxxed (hopefully booster jab before December) and would only require a Day 2 PCR/LFT depending when UK government change rules.

        • Anna says:
          8 Oct8 October 15:03

          You need to fill in the Spanish health from (like our PLFs) within 48 hours of travel and show proof of vaccination on arrival but that’s it unless things change in the next few weeks.
          Another thing which just occurred to me is that 4 hours on a plane in a mask is infinitely preferable to 8!

          • GaryE says:
            8 Oct8 October 15:22

            Thank you – agree with flight times and will do CE so more space – just trying to pluck up the courage to phone BA to change the booking!

    • FatherOfFour says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:47

      I was in a similar position with another Caribbean destination and decided we would probably postpone. As it happens, flights got “changed” and hence we have some rebooking options 🙂
      Whilst we were staying AI, it was important to us for us to get out and about and not have to stress about potentially testing + and not getting back home to the kids.

    • Tracey says:
      8 Oct8 October 15:43

      Friends, got their freedom after 24 hours in Barbados. 2 hours later they were contacted to say someone on their flight had tested positive and they had to isolate in their room for 14 days!

    • Taxomics says:
      8 Oct8 October 15:56

      Just back from Barbados – covid results came back to us within 12 hours and during that time we were free to roam the hotel and use the pool, just could not leave the grounds. Hotel bars can stay open longer and ours shut at 11pm, just depends on the hotel. Amazing place overall and it was getting noticeably busier as the days went on over the 10 days we were there. A lot of full Virgin Manchester flights came in. Only downsides to me were going back to having to wearing masks all the time and restaurants being booked up as they could only really do one sitting and everyone wanted the prime 7pm table slot. I would have no issues going back.

  • Colin MacKinnon says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:01

    Looking at French Polynesia in August.

    Flight from LAX arrived in Tahitii at 05:05, with cruise departing next day with boarding from 14:00.

    Departing flight to LAX leaves at 23:55 on the day the cruise ends, being chucked off boat at 9am.

    I have four IHG award nights. And there is availability at the IC Tahiti.

    Do I use one for the first night, and ask for a very early check-in – or offer to pay, or offer to book the pervious night?

    Do I use one for the return day – we might like a siesta – by asking for a 10am check-in and a c7pm check-out (ie shower before dinner and then to airport)?

    Any advice, please?

    (I also have flights from Japan to Tahiti, but they arrive at 09:45 – so a trip to hotel and some lunch and then check-in would be OK)

    • Ikaz says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:24

      The issue with booking the night before when you intend to arrive after midnight is that they might cancel your stay due to no show, well worth reaching out to the hotel and asking them how to best manage the situation. For the return not sure how to proceed

      • Super Secret Stuff says:
        8 Oct8 October 13:30

        For the return I would find somewhere safe to store the luggage (maybe check in the luggage super early? ) then have a nice day in Tahiti. Go to the airport at 7 and get pissed in the lounge whilst you wait, Problem solved!

      • Sam G says:
        8 Oct8 October 14:13

        Worth asking them but a ~7am arrival at the hotel is likely into book for the previous night territory (as housekeeping won’t have had a check out and be on site to turn the room for you to occupy by then – it needs to be empty the night before) . Make sure you contact the hotel directly and tell them of your plan as they’ll need to pre-check you in or the system will cancel your booking during night audit.

        I can’t imagine you’ll be able to use a voucher for a day stay but check online using the same check in/out date – may offer a day rate or otherwise contact the hotel directly to see if they can offer it

        • CH says:
          8 Oct8 October 15:06

          In these circumstances (ie, very early check in) I have had some hotels not charge me fir the preceding night.

        • John says:
          8 Oct8 October 17:46

          I’ve checked in at 0630 many times and never been charged. If no room was available then I’d have had to wait, obviously, but those hotels had lounges where I could have breakfast and a shower

    • Froggee says:
      8 Oct8 October 20:11

      Do you definitely want to stay on Tahiti? Bora Bora is a pain to get to but Moorea is easy on a short ferry journey and Moorea is much lusher than Tahiti from memory.

  • mr_jetlag says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:06

    Does Bradley Walsh play nice with Bendy and Ernie?

  • Triath5 says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:07

    Purchase protection/extended warranty question:

    I’m about to buy a ~£200 dehumidifier on Amazon (sold & dispatched by a 3rd party). Want to protect myself from the possibility it stops working after a while…what’s the best way to do this? Which cards offer the best/longest extended warranty/purchase protection?

    I have several AMEX (including Plat, but that’s a charge card so I’m guessing S75 doesn’t apply) + HSBC Premier debit card + my own bank’s Mastercard.

    Anyone have any tips on this? Thinking I’d be a bit upset if it breaks after 12 months or so…

    • Youllnever says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:19

      The American Express Green Charge Card and HSBC World Elite Credit Card both provides extended warranty insurance, but you’ll need to double-check that the policy covers your purchase.

      • Youllnever says:
        8 Oct8 October 13:20

        Correction: the free HSBC Premier Credit Card (not WE)

      • Harrier25 says:
        8 Oct8 October 13:24

        The advantage with the Amex Green Card is that you need to call Brighton to register the product for the additional year’s warranty, so you’ll immediately discover whether the product in question qualifies for the cover or not.

    • Andrew says:
      8 Oct8 October 14:59

      Maybe buy an Ebac model that’s made in the UK direct from the manufacturer? Their £200ish models seem to come with a 2 year warranty.

      Their UK build washing machines come with a 7 year warranty (and are rather good).

    • Distichon says:
      8 Oct8 October 23:28

      While it’s correct that S75 doesn’t apply to Amex plat,I was under the impression that Amex voluntarily applies the same rules to it to match the coverage on more “mundane” cards in the market. But Rob would probably know best.

    • Jerry says:
      8 Oct8 October 23:42

      I have this one from Screwfix £129 with 3 year warranty. Further 10% off with code SF10 on homepage. Mine is 12 months old works well https://www.screwfix.com/p/blyss-wdh-316db-16ltr-dehumidifier/368gy

  • Ian M says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:23

    Hi all, Heathrow Terminal 2.. Any idea what lounges are currently open for Priority Pass or LoungeKey?

  • BP says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:55

    Creation have responded to my coming about the account closures – pro-rata refund & free night. I now have a complaint reference number and apparently if they can’t resolve my complaint within 5 days then I’ll receive a further communication.

    • BP says:
      8 Oct8 October 13:56

      My complaint

      • Anna says:
        8 Oct8 October 14:00

        How did you contact them? I emailed last Friday but haven’t had any response.

        • BP says:
          8 Oct8 October 14:04

          I filled out the complaints form on the website last Friday.

        • Lula says:
          8 Oct8 October 14:41

          I emailed them on Monday, and just had an acknowledegment today, as follows:

          A thorough investigation into your concerns will be conducted and once this has been completed we will contact you to confirm the outcome. Please find below the complaints procedure for your information; please take time to read this as it explains how we will deal with your complaint and when we will contact you again.

          Customer Complaints Procedure

          All complaints will be dealt with fairly and impartially. If we are unable to resolve your complaint within 5 working days of receipt, we will acknowledge your complaint by email or letter.

          We aim to resolve all complaints within 8 weeks of receipt and will send you a final response providing an explanation of our decision. Please note that we will strive to resolve your complaint before 26 November 2021.

          If for any reason we are unable to resolve your complaint within this time, we will tell you why and explain when we think we will be able to respond.

          After 8 weeks from the receipt of your complaint, or when we send our final response if earlier, we will confirm that you may refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service and provide you with a copy of their leaflet explaining how you can complain to them.

          If we need any information from you in relation to your complaint we will contact you to discuss this. If you would like to contact us or have any information that you think may be helpful to your complaint, please email customercare@creation.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 012 1173. Our lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays.

  • KBuffett says:
    8 Oct8 October 13:55

    Totally off topic:
    I was hoping to get a reduced price Apple Watch Series 6 as the S7 is available for preorder today.
    There were some good reductions at Amazon and Apple Refurbished Shop over the last couple of weeks.
    Today prices seem to have increased!

    Any pointers as to how to get a great deal would be much appreciated!

    • Mick S says:
      8 Oct8 October 14:01

      if you got the John Lewis credit card then a bit of MS to get some vouchers. failing that, go through the BA shopping website and hit the apple site from there, you’ll get a few avios. After that, cant see many other options I’m afraid. Unless you want to buy my Series 6 Cellular, about 10 months old 🙂

    • Wollhouse says:
      8 Oct8 October 14:34

      If you are also considering private healthcare, vitality allows you to get one for under £100. Then if you do your steps/exercise, they pay for it. If you don’t, you do. If you do, you also get free Amazon prime, coffee, cinema tickets so might be an option

      • Doogie says:
        8 Oct8 October 16:53

        Currently suspended till they launch the program for the 7

        “Apple Watch update
        Apple Watch Series 6 is no longer available to order. Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE will be available to order soon.”

        I’m waiting for that and will ebay it – I earn enough points a week but have no interest in the Apple ecosystem

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