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The HfP chat thread – Sunday 10th October

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Comments (363)

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

  • Save East Coast Rewards says:
    10 Oct10 October 07:39

    The current Alitalia (the third airline that’s being called Alitalia) ceases trading on 15 October. The replacement airline (currently known as ITA) starts up after that using Alitalia crews and aircraft. The EU have insisted this time that the Alitalia brand is put out for competitive tender so it’s not known if the new airline will be allowed to call itself Alitalia.

    It appears the unions have prepared a send off for Alitalia with some strikes planned over the next few days so beware of that if you wanted to fly then before they cease to be in their current form.

    It’s all rather odd, the EU have allowed most of the assets of Alitalia to be purchased by the new company without a competitive tender but the brand had to be by competitive tender and Alitalia Loyalty the company that runs the MilleMiglia programme was not allowed to be sold to the new company at all.

  • ChrisC says:
    10 Oct10 October 07:55

    My IHG account is still locked.

    For those that have called IHG what have they said is the reason?

    For me any funny business with credit card is NOT the reason for it being locked because I just use a plain and simple MBNA card.

    If this is a system wide issue then why on earth can’t they put an advisory on the website and let people know.

    • Michael says:
      10 Oct10 October 07:58

      Finally got through to IHG on the phone this morning, account unlocked after verifying usual personal info (name, DOB, address etc.). They said it was a random security thing being triggered by the system and they didn’t really know why. Weird but happy to have it resolved! 

    • BJ says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:00

      Your account is likely under review. All those in my family are working fine.

      • Save East Coast Rewards says:
        10 Oct10 October 11:43

        There’s no reason for mine to be under review but I still had problems yesterday (not checked today). I don’t have a Creation card and haven’t stayed in an IHG hotel at all since 2019. I do have a booking to make soon so I might have to call them later if there’s still problems.

    • Andrew says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:18

      Was just an IT issue. They rang me back yesterday evening to apologise and confirm it’s now working again.

    • Anna says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:45

      Both of ours are still fine – both had the closure letters. IHG IT is frequently glitchy.

    • ChrisC says:
      10 Oct10 October 09:26

      Called the AMB line.

      Agent said that apparenrly I had 2 accounts and they needed to veryify my addresses to merge them. I’ve only ever had one.

      Made the point that they need to email people.

      Anyway I gave her my current address, then the last one but for some reason they wanted the address before that one (somewhere I’ve not lived for 4 years).

      In my account now and my current address is listed in there

      In my case – to reiterate – it has NOTHING to do with creation as I don’t have a creation card.

  • Memesweeper says:
    10 Oct10 October 07:57

    BA have moved a return flight of ours back one day in January. I understand duty of care still applies and I claim after arrival. It’s a family of five (parents + kids 19, 17, 15). Two PNRs. I’ve heard to keep hotel costs under £200/night. Is that per person? Per room? Per booking? We would normally have at least two or three rooms.

    • BJ says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:09

      Wouldn’t that be 3 adults and 2 kids? Just be seen to be reasonable, three rooms are very likely fine but don’t go for four or five and avoid pushing the £200/room to the limit if you reasonably can.

    • ChrisC says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:32

      The £200 is BAs internal policy but there is no limit stated in the regulation. It’s obviously location dependent as well.

      There is a general expectation that you should behave reasonably.

      It’s accepted that you can stay in your existing hotel for example and with your existing room arrangements.

    • Save East Coast Rewards says:
      10 Oct10 October 17:35

      When BA cancelled FLR-LCY due to a strike in Italy (so outside their control) they paid €175 for my room, plus the costs of my dinner at the hotel and the tram to the airport. The hotel was close to the tram so I didn’t bother with a taxi but I’m sure a taxi would be fine too.

      • Tom says:
        10 Oct10 October 19:49

        I extended our stay in a £600 per night Maldives hotel room by three additional nights after BA cancelled our inbound flight last November.
        They limited their payment to £200 per night ‘to be fair to everyone’. My protests fell on deaf ears but as soon as I CEDR’d them they paid up the reminder prior to the case reaching an adjudicator.

  • Nick G says:
    10 Oct10 October 07:58

    Caught covid last month. I’m fine now. Wife and son also positive a week behind me. Again all fine. Myself and wife tested via and a result via PCR. NHS app now updated that shows we tested positive. Questions I now have of peoples experiences are;

    1. If we want to travel again in the next few weeks I’ve read any PCR test may still show positive. How do people get round this?

    2. Since it shows on my on my nhs app now will the dates of infection be taken into account by countries? How long will that be taken into account?

    3. Is there such a thing as a covid recovery certificate? I can hardly find any info at all.

    We’re both double jabbed and have been for months. Our son is 7. Just not sure where it leaves us in terms of travelling from now on at all

    Thanks

    • John says:
      10 Oct10 October 09:01

      Get a free PCR test to test the waters before paying for one

      Don’t go to places where testing is required

      Depends on the country

      Not in the UK

    • CovidTester says:
      10 Oct10 October 09:14

      Back in early December 2020 I tested positive when I was about to travel to Dubai (private PCR). I moved my travel dates by less than 2 weeks and re-tested and was negative then. I think after a month it would be near impossible to still test positive.

      • Rob says:
        10 Oct10 October 10:30

        Same with us, and indeed with Rhys. You’ll be fine.

        • BP says:
          10 Oct10 October 13:27

          Good to hear as just out of self-isolation and was worried about still testing positive for my December Dubai trip.

          I’m part of the ONS COVID survey so will find out in 3 weeks if I show negative after my next PCR test.

      • Alan says:
        10 Oct10 October 16:50

        I’m not sure I’d be as definitive as that – I know of a colleague who’s wife was still PCR positive a couple of months afterwards, despite being completely symptom free.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:18

      Some countries accept recovery from recent infection.

      The nhs travel pass would show that

    • Darko says:
      10 Oct10 October 11:22

      HI, if you have an option to use antigen test instead of PCR test for your outbound travel, those are less sensitive and will show you negative result sooner than PCR test.

    • Nick G says:
      10 Oct10 October 13:26

      Thanks for all the replies.

      OT currently in the Sheraton Park Lane in the grand suite ‘deal of the year’. Fantastic hotel and great service. Wished we had booked more dates now!!!!

      • APB says:
        10 Oct10 October 16:12

        We also had a great time and I certainly wish I’d booked at least one more date before they all disappeared

  • Dave says:
    10 Oct10 October 08:12

    BA.com rejected our travel docs at traveldocs.ba.com to Portugal – I think they are expecting a negative test result, despite the FCO website clearly stating that NHS COVID pass holders do not need a negative test to enter Portugal – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements

    Any ideas? Keep resubmitting or just get to the T5 early and go to a desk?

    • Craig says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:22

      Fairly certain mainland Portugal doesn’t accept the NHS pass? I wouldn’t always trust the FCO website.

    • WaynedP says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:23

      I presume you’ve inserted “Double vaccinated” as your reason for not submitting a negative PCR test ?

      I had to do this for our recent Greece trip as otherwise the negative test section flags as “Required” even when it’s not.

      • AJ says:
        10 Oct10 October 08:32

        We are travelling to Greece during half term. Can I just clarify whether we will need to submit anything via the BA link above as nothing has shown us on MMB etc?

        I was under the impression that we just needed to submit details on the Greek website re travel locator form.

        Any info would be appreciated!

        • WaynedP says:
          10 Oct10 October 08:55

          About 72 hours before departure BA calls for docs submission on MMB.

          3 sections.

          Greek plf by pdf or png

          Own NHS proof of double vaccination by scanning NHS Covid certificate QR code (twice)

          Insert “Double vaccinated” as reason for not submitting third doc which is a negative Covid test result.

          • AJ says:
            10 Oct10 October 09:30

            That’s great. Thanks for the clarification/info – it’s appreciated 👍🏻

      • Dave says:
        10 Oct10 October 08:58

        Yes I did thanks – I think BA.com is using oudated rules that expect a negative for NHS (non-EU) double-vacc’d.

        NHS double-vacc’d no longer need a negative test to enter (as per recent FCO website update), but I think BA.com’s traveldocs check still expects this.

        Hoping there won’t be any issue at a physical check-in desk later!

    • Joe says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:50

      Let us know how you get on – we are flying to Portugal next Friday!

      • Hannah says:
        10 Oct10 October 11:18

        Also keen to hear how you get on as we’re supposed to be flying out with BA next Saturday!

  • Ryanfozzie says:
    10 Oct10 October 08:25

    Good morning,

    The first of many (no doubt) PCR test questions. Flying to Dubai on Friday and need to book a test. Want to do an in person one to mitigate any postage issues. Anyway, I understand I need a test that will give me a certificate that has a QR code to check authenticity. Does anyone have any suggestions??

    • Andrew says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:27

      Boots?

    • DubaiTravel says:
      10 Oct10 October 09:19

      Random is your best bet. I took Randox when I travelled to Dubai in July (when it was still on the red list).

      And a few comments
      – you do not need a QR code on your PCR test. Not sure where you got that information from.
      – the test HAS TO be an in person PCR test administered by a professional. This is not a mater of mitigating any issues, it’s actually a legal requirement if you want to travel to any UAE Emirate. They will not accept self administered or posted tests.

      • Ryanfozzie says:
        10 Oct10 October 13:19

        From VisitDubai…..

        3. Negative COVID-19 certificates must be printed in English or Arabic; PCR certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating station (the date and time of the test must be detailed). The printed certificate must have a valid QR code. No hand written, SMS or digital certificates will be accepted.

    • Chrisasaurus says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:33

      Expresstest or, if accepted, the test at Sofitel T5 is overnight

    • TGLoyalty says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:58

      I don’t think you do because the Emirates website doesn’t mention it for the arrivals from U.K. section.

    • KBuffett says:
      10 Oct10 October 12:23

      I am flying to Dubai tomorrow and cannot find anywhere to upload the test results or any other docs on BA manage my booking.

      • KBuffett says:
        10 Oct10 October 12:26

        It’s a little daunting as it’s my first time flying since Covid.
        I’m fairly certain all we require is the PCR test results (RT-PCR), hopefully we will be allowed to board with no hassles

  • Louise K says:
    10 Oct10 October 08:27

    One the legs on my cheap ex Par to Hawaii flights has been cancelled – SEA/HNL, original flight is cancelled and booked on to new flight departing 30 mins earlier.

    We are actually headed to Maui but I booked HNL as that was the only way to get the fare to work.

    What are the chances of getting them to move me to SEA/OGG? Not sure I can face trying to call!

    • Memesweeper says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:36

      How long till you fly? AA habitually make tweaks to the schedule throughout the year. I’d wait until close to travel dates then call up and rebook as further changes may happen.

      • Louise K says:
        10 Oct10 October 08:40

        Not until April so yes, might be worth sitting on it.

        Banner in MMB tells me I can change / cancel for refund but need to call.

        • Michael C says:
          10 Oct10 October 11:10

          Wasn’t this your mega-saving-fare, Louise?! Hope it works out.
          Maybe an initial attempt via chat? Takes forever, but can just leave a window open on your laptop, and I’ve actually managed a few changes this way that don’t involve credit card payments.

    • Terri says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:53

      Is OGG within 300 miles of HNL? Just had a look at the BA Trade support https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/traveltrade/bookings-policies/policies/standard-customer-guidelines#

      – if it is a 125 marketed ticket one of the options for a cancelled flight is –

      “Option 3 – change of gateway Rebook onto BA – any route
      IB, AA, AY, JL – Joint Business operated route
      BA/CZ – Joint Business operated route

      Routing Reroute to an alternative gateway within 300 miles radius of the original point of origin or destination
      Period Within 3 days before or up to 14 days after the original departure date (ticket validity may be extended)

      • Louise K says:
        10 Oct10 October 14:50

        Thanks for this.

        It’s a 125 ticket and the affected segment is a BA flight number on ALaska AS? Don’t see any info on Alaska flights.

        Maui / OGG is about 100 miles or so from HNL.

    • DaveL says:
      10 Oct10 October 11:15

      Depending where you are staying in Maui, you might decide to catch a Mokuele flight to Kapalua airport JHM from HNL… Beautifully scenic ride/experience (one of the highlights of our trip, though we flew JHM to KOA), and if you’re staying in Kapalua (e.g the RC) you land a short uber ride from the hotel vs a longer drive/minibus/taxi across the island (they don’t allow uber to the terminal at OGG)

      • Louise K says:
        10 Oct10 October 14:52

        Yes, I had looked at this before as we are staying up the west side. However, couldn’t get a reasonably priced large car hire so have rented from Avis at OGG. Price is now double what I paid when I booked the flights.

  • stevenhp1987 says:
    10 Oct10 October 08:32

    Should the booster appear in our NHS covid pass?

    Has the booster a few days ago and it doesn’t show in the app. Just the first two doses do.

    • Craig says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:34

      Not at the moment because it’s not required, it should be listed under your GP health record if the surgery have enabled access?

    • Tracey says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:44

      Mine took 4 days to be shown under the list of acute medicines. It still hasn’t appeared in the travel pass section. I’m hoping that at some point they change the travel pass to 3 screens and QR codes to include the booster.

    • Simon says:
      10 Oct10 October 08:58

      Mine is showing on the GP app but not NHS . I got my jab at the hospital as I’m a nurse there , said it will take a while to update to the nhs app

    • MD says:
      10 Oct10 October 10:54

      Had mine a couple of weeks ago and it still hasn’t appeared in the travel pass section. It did appear in my GP health record section after 3 days (although strangely only in the appointments section, not under acute medications like the first two). Looks like the app will need a system update for boosters to appear in the travel pass.

    • Andrew says:
      10 Oct10 October 11:18

      Had my booster on the 6th, it appeared under the Medicines tab on the App (NHS England) the following day.

      • His Holyness says:
        10 Oct10 October 11:47

        Plenty of people have had 3 doses who are stuck across borders due to the NHS not recognising doses from outside the UK. I’m hoping some countries will enforcing boosters for entry soon and get rid of the useless 1 dose J&J. How can it be that I’ve had 3 Pfizer and I am in the same legal state as someone with the J&J?

        Hoping to get my fourth dose in a few weeks, but officially, just a booster in the UK. My EU Covid Pass shows the 3 doses because they were able to recognise the British ones. You cannot have enough vax is my mantra!

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