The HfP chat thread – Saturday 9th October

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General

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Ant says:

9 Oct9 October 10:59

Hi do stores in the U.K. still offer tax free shopping to overseas visitors? Where you then show your goods at the airport snd get the VAT back less and admin fee?
- KBuffett says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 11:02
  
  No, this has been scrapped.
  - Sukes says:
    
    9 Oct9 October 17:37
    
    The scheme has NOT been scrapped in the UK; it has been scrapped in England, Wales and Scotland. There is a gov.uk page entitled ‘Claim VAT back on tax-free shopping in Northern Ireland’ that provides all the details.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 11:06
  
  As of 1 January 2021 the UK no longer operates Tax Free Shopping. Since 1 January 2021, visitors are no longer be able to purchase items in store in Great Britain under the VAT Retail Export Scheme. For goods purchased before this date, you can still make a claim under the scheme on departure from the UK or EU.
Ash says:

9 Oct9 October 11:14

Please advise re Abu Dhabi. I have read that you have to do a PCR test on Day 4 but no quarantine for fully vaccinated. What about unvaccinated kids (12 years and 15 years)? We want to be out and about a bit such as visit the expo in Dubai. However, we can only go for 5 days during half term so not sure if it’s best to stay away from Abu Dhabi. Also, I want to use my Hilton points to keep costs low. Which is a better choice for kids – Hilton on Yas island or the Conrad Abu Dhabi? I’m a Diamond member.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 11:21
  
  Stick to Dubai.
- Dominic says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 12:03
  
  Hilton Yas Island better for kids. Rooms include tickets to the theme parks on Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner etc). Conrad service is the best I have ever experienced, though.
  
  Can’t speak for unvaxxed children rules. Day 4 test is correct – available for £12 from shopping malls (inc the one on Yas Island).
  - Dominic says:
    
    9 Oct9 October 12:03
    
    Oh, and data point on a points and money booking… Diamond got me upgraded to a 1 bed deluxe suite at Hilton Yas.
    
    Conrad upgraded to a junior suite (cash booking).
- Sandra says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 12:41
  
  Currently you also need a PCR test taken within 48 hours of flight departure and a fit to fly certificate in order to board the flight from the UK, you will also be tested before you leave the airport in AUH (free). Not sure about children – Etihad usually have up to date info. on their site.
  Yas better with children, especially if you are only there for a few days but Dubai is probably the better option at the moment.
  - Sandra says:
    
    9 Oct9 October 12:51
    
    Gulf news also reporting sea snakes have been seen in the water off the Corniche and Saadiyat Island beaches recently as the weather cools and the breeding season starts (seen signs warning about them on the Corniche beach in the past but never seen any!) so you may prefer to keep to the pools 😂 They can give you a nasty bite if disturbed!
    - Dominic says:
      
      9 Oct9 October 12:57
      
      In which case, Hilton Yas with no beach will be nice and safe!
      - Ash says:
        
        9 Oct9 October 13:16
        
        Thanks all.
      - Ash says:
        
        9 Oct9 October 13:19
        
        Do we still need to show a PCR if landing at Abu Dhabi but staying in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah?
      - Ash says:
        
        9 Oct9 October 13:21
        
        Lastly, am I considered to be ‘transiting’ if I land at Abu Dhabi but staying in another Emirate.
    - Sandra says:
      
      9 Oct9 October 13:22
      
      You can’t board the aircraft to AUH without the PCR & fit to fly certificate!
- Olivia says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 20:19
  
  Similar thoughts around our trip to the Abu Dhabi GP. Race requires PCR Test 48hrs before (so have to have two if you want to go all weekend Fri-Sun). We’ve booked Crowne Plaza on Yas Island on IHG points and apparently houses the Ferrari team over race weekend so very exciting.
  
  I am slightly worried about availability of PCR tests in Yas Island – I wonder if it is the case people have to test twice to go for the full weekend, whether they’ll set up a temporary testing facility around the track. Currently have in my mind I’ll be having 5 tests for a 7 day trip to AUH!
Tarmohamed says:

9 Oct9 October 11:19

Anyone plan their visit to world travel market yet?
- Rob says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 13:57
  
  We’ll be around at some point.
Colin JE says:

9 Oct9 October 11:29

Hotels.com and earning Avios?
Rob once published a link to Hotels.com that earned Avios AND reward nights, but this no longer seems to work. Although the booking page appears, there is no reference to Avios/BA and nowhere to add your Exec Club number on the booking page.
BA’s Shopping site is offering 7 Avios per £ but says: “You will earn a lower reward if you chose to receive Hotels.com Reward Nights.”
Any idea if this is equivalent to the old rate using the special link?
- Colin JE says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 11:31
  
  Oops just found the smallprint “Collect 3 Avios / £1 if you collect Reward Nights unless otherwise stated.”
Dunious says:

9 Oct9 October 11:30

Looks like a new Vaccinated Traveller Lane is opening up between Singapore and the UK (as well as Canada, French, Spain and Italy).
- Dunious says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 11:31
  
  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-extend-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme-eight-more-countries-including-us-uk-spain-2232501
  ^
  From Oct 19, fully vaccinated travellers from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States will be able to enter Singapore under this arrangement
  ^
  - Dubious says:
    
    9 Oct9 October 11:32
    
    *Dubious
    - Memesweeper says:
      
      9 Oct9 October 14:31
      
      I have a flight on SQ317 and have a potentially non-compliant for SIN fellow traveller. This is a transit (for us) I’m now wondering if we’ll get caught up in some unfit to fly nonsense… good luck for those who actually want to travel to/from Singapore though!
Rma says:

9 Oct9 October 11:35

Looks like Portugal no longer requires a PCR test, provided you have been double vaccinated.
- Jonathan says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 12:09
  
  If you’re basing that on “a valid Vaccination or recovery certificate issued by a third country, under reciprocal conditions.” then I wouldn’t chance that.
  
  U.K. is not mentioned in list of applicable countries on Timatic & people denied boarding on my flight to Portugal yesterday for only having proof of vaccination & not a negative test.
  - Joe says:
    
    9 Oct9 October 13:33
    
    The FCO advice changed yesterday for this confirming NHS vaccination was sufficient.
    - ankomonkey says:
      
      9 Oct9 October 19:31
      
      Did Shapps/Schapps say on Thursday that vaccination in an additional 37 countries was now accepted for UK entry and this opens up some reciprocal relationships? Maybe Portugal was covered by this…
Craig says:

9 Oct9 October 11:42

Very generous response from NCP after they cancelled my T5 booking at short notice, they’ve emailed me a 70% discount code. Just need the Heathrow car parks to reopen for booking now, Singapore in February is looking slightly more likely now.
elguiri says:

9 Oct9 October 11:56

Going into BA’s Flight&Hotel, when searching for economy tickets I get an offer listed for double status points.
When I change for Club Europe for same dates, times, hotel, it doesn’t list this offer for it.
Is it just website bug or is there a reason I wouldn’t get double the status points on a business class flight&hotel booking?
- Darko says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 21:22
  
  If I remember well, T&C state that it doesn’t have to bee booked as a holiday, it can be flight + car or flight + hotel booking for at least 5 days and for the duration of tge booking.