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The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 12th October

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Comments (585)

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

  • Crafty says:
    12 Oct12 October 04:18

    Think this is the first time I’ve still been sat up commenting on one daily chat thread (owing to two likely Covid ridden children) as the next one has appeared. A grim milestone..

  • Anna T says:
    12 Oct12 October 06:55

    Good morning. Just wondering if lately any HFP readers have had success moving flights cancelled by BA to dates a year later even though initial booking was T-355? Best to go through Twitter or phone and to start with rights EU261 etc… or go softly first? Thanks

    • YH says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:19

      I did this a week or so ago over the phone. It can be moved up to a year from the original outbound flight date (not ticket issuing date).

      This a flight booked during the 50% Avios sale. No questions asked, it was simply rebooked.

      • BJ says:
        12 Oct12 October 07:38

        According to most comments this is no longer the case but I hope I share your good fortune when I try next month.

        • YH says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:54

          Just checked, I did this exactly 2 weeks ago today. Called up YouFirst and the booking was changed no questions asked.

        • Peter Taysum says:
          12 Oct12 October 10:47

          I wish I’d gone for Future Travel Voucher, I had NCL to SEA Fist and the reduced reduced Avios! Live and learn!

      • Harry T says:
        12 Oct12 October 07:48

        But the 50% Avios sale seats could only be booked up to June 2021… had you already moved the booking once?

        • BJ says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:11

          Is your 50% avios booking still in play too Harry? Ours is Japan/Thailand next March so hoping jt will not beed moved again.

          • Michael C says:
            12 Oct12 October 08:43

            Desperately hoping our 50% GRU/RIO for 28 Dec. is cancelled and moved to Xmas ’22. Oink, onk…are those pigs flying overhead?!

          • Harry T says:
            12 Oct12 October 09:30

            @BJ unfortunately I had to cancel mine last minute, as the outbound flight from INV was still in play (I would have been a no show) and I was getting push back from BA. I didn’t have time to try to hassle them before the flight as I had a postgrad exam the same week. I do regret not trying to punt it further into the future and then trying to rebook again if it had been cancelled again.

        • YH says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:55

          Yes I had already changed it once.

          Originally booked for March 2021, cancelled then rebooked to October 2021, and now cancelled and rebooked to February 2022.

          • HBommie says:
            12 Oct12 October 09:31

            I have a similar scenario, Miami flight next month and a cancellation sitting on the booking.

            Originally a 50% Avios booking for March pushed to November (cancellation allowed this) and now I may need to push it to March 22.
            If Joe opens up then I’ll leave it as is, here’s hoping!

          • Lady London says:
            12 Oct12 October 12:06

            You didnt have to do that HarryT. You are not required to decide by date of outgoing flight if they cancelled any flight on your booking.

            If the cancelled flight is not the first outbound flight then it will be smoother later if you advise you won’t be on it so as not to appear to beba no-show. The importanf thing is to let them know you are considering your options following their cancellation and will get back to them. You don’t have to get back to them by the date of the outbound flight.

            What amazes me is the number of people on here that call BA to ask for a flight replacement (when BA cancelled a flight) when it’s not even showing as available for cash online yet because it’s still more than approx 11.5 months forward.

            You wilk win against BA if you want a flight more than 1 yr ahead of your original outgoing (because the law overrides BA’s terms, wishes, ststements, incompetences, and incapabilities) but guys, give yourself a chance of getting it. Either try in MMB online (which sometimes reported to go over 12 months) or at least wait till all the flights you want are visible out/back avaikable for new bookings, before you call for your change/reroute.

        • Jonathan says:
          12 Oct12 October 10:49

          You could actually book them for a date prior to June & shift immediately for free using MMB to any date on sale (as long as TFC’s were identical).

    • Anthony says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:04

      I’ve tried on the phone and Twitter but they’ve refused to move the flights past the one year ticketing date, I’ve got it in writing from a chat session that they are refusing, even when I quote EU261. I believe my only option now is CEDR, does anyone have any experience of succeeding with this route?

    • StillintheSun says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:29

      I tried via twitter to move a flight to within a year of the original booked flights but outside of 1 year ticket validity. I only mentioned EC Regs post refusal and BA stuck to their script. Letter of claim then sent and issue appears to have been escalated within consumer complaints but not to a lawyer. So I am going to book alternative flights and MCOL them!

    • Mighty Hunter says:
      12 Oct12 October 10:40

      I managed it last Thursday. Booked 2 for 1 Voucher PUC in Avios half price sale for flight last January, flight cancelled and rebooked for this November. BA cancelled that too last week, amazingly I was able to rebook online for March next year.

      • Mighty Hunter says:
        12 Oct12 October 10:42

        So 17 months from original booking and 14 months from original flight

        • Anthony says:
          12 Oct12 October 10:55

          When I try to rebook online it says “unable to display as flights have been flown.”

  • YH says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:13

    I’m flying to Dubai tomorrow from a country that requires another PCR test on arrival. How long do the results take to arrive?

    I’m landing in the evening so my hope is to go to my hotel and have the result by the morning.

    • Tobias says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:54

      We flew QR recently there – landed around 9:30/10pm, swabbed prior to passport control and results back overnight by the time we woke up next morning. You are not told to isolate whilst you wait etc. Please note to depart Dubai you need a Covid Test. You can do this this in DXB T3 for £30 each – results are instant and printed for you.

      • Natasha says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:16

        Whats the name of that covid test for £30 in T3. How are PCR instant?

        • Blenz101 says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:34

          DXB have set up an onsite lab to process PCR tests with the results coming back in 3-4 hours. You take the test at T3 departure area, next to Costa.

          The reason they normally take time in the UK is the swab is collected in one location and then sent for processing elsewhere at a central lab. It is this which causes results to take 24 hours rather than the processing itself.

          Prices are capped by law in Dubai hence the reasonable cost.

        • Tobias says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:50

          It’s run by PureHealth (which are the same that swab you on entry – arrival is free but departure AED 150) and it’s signed as Rapid covid testing and/or Emirates Covid testing. Test is using the Abbott ID NOW machines and valid as fit to fly for departures. We came from the desert (Al Maha) and thought due to the rule change we wouldn’t need a test so it was very convenient DXB have the T3 test centre option which allowed us to keep our inbound.

      • Andrew says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:49

        You no longer need a PCR to depart Dubai when returning to the UK.

        • YH says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:58

          Unless you are transiting via a country which requires a PCR for transit, which I am…

      • Pablo says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:51

        Why do you need a covid test to depart dxb? Emirates website says test only required if the destination demands it.

        • Andrew says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:53

          You don’t – Tobias is incorrect.

          • Tobias says:
            12 Oct12 October 11:38

            Appears that is correct from Emirates website – test departing DXB only if destination requires. Dnata staff did say to us anyone departing DXB needs to have a test, however they may not be most up to date with each Govt’s restrictions and individual airline policies. Certainly QR require this for any transfers. Also a data point for DXB arrivals our friends on BA LHR-DXB were not swabbed, however, we were QR LHR-DOH-DXB.

      • YH says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:57

        That’s great news, thanks.

  • Andrew H says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:16

    John Lewis 4 Virgin points /£1 until 17th. Also my JL app has a one use 5% off voucher until month end, but not on Apple

  • John Caribbean says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:23

    I think there was some discussion a few days back of using the NHS app certificate to enter Portugal. FCDO says that’s fine, but the link to Portuguese immigration didn’t make a mention of third countries.
    Has one of you used the NHS app in the last few days?

    • Joe says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:27

      I also would be reassured to hear positive news on this – we are flying on Friday!

    • Paul says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:39

      I would not rely on the app for any country! It’s best to take hard copies of everything. If the app is accepted great but if you don’t have a signal, WiFi, get a stroppy immigration officer or lose phone, you still have a back up

      • Joe says:
        12 Oct12 October 07:42

        Agreed.

      • Harry T says:
        12 Oct12 October 07:49

        I just take my phone because I like to live dangerously.

      • John Caribbean says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:13

        I’ve downloaded the certificate and I’ll print one, but the guidance until the other day was that UK vaccination wasn’t recognised and so a lateral flow was required

        • TGLoyalty says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:18

          It changed on Friday

          Covid travel restrictions change on a daily basis.

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:51

      Take screenshots, add the covid pass to Apple wallet, take printouts…

      • CarpalTravel says:
        12 Oct12 October 09:03

        +1

        Pretty much what I do with all my docs when travelling! Unlike Harry T, I like to live mundanely! 😄

    • Lee says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:01

      You can download pass to your phone as well

    • Dave says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:14

      We entered on Sunday, NHS QR code accepted at immigration no problem. They did not ask for a negative test.

      BA.com rejected our pre-flight documents online however without a negative test. It seems they aren’t as up to speed with the latest rules.

    • Hannah says:
      12 Oct12 October 11:54

      I’m also keen to get an answer to this as we’re supposed to be flying on Saturday.

      The UK in Portugal twitter page has quite a few questions about it and they have just replied to someone to say the NHS COVID pass is valid and they’re currently working with the Portuguese authorities and airlines on the issue. Hopefully they get it resolved quickly!

  • Ming the Merciless says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:41

    Curve- email from them last week accusing me of having cards with different names on them. (Full name and shortened version there of.)

    Email this week accusing me of cash recycling and that they’d be shutting my account in 10 days unless I can prove otherwise.

    It looks like this ride is over!

    • Crafty says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:45

      Is the first accusation accurate?

      • Ming the Merciless says:
        12 Oct12 October 07:49

        Very accurate

        • BJ says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:20

          😀

          I’m getting my white card closed, I thought I hadn’t used it with curve but turns out I did so just once for £400. I was going to challenge it but have decided not to rock the boat, the card isn’t worth it.

        • Andrew says:
          12 Oct12 October 09:19

          You should raise a formal complaint that they don’t recognise your ethnic diversity.

          It’s not as if it’s uncommon abbreviation, we’ve had a leader of the Lib Dems who is a Ming in recent times. Bet they pronounce “Menzies” as Men-zees.

          A friend and his son has had similar issues with banking cheques, with organisations refusing to accept that “Ian” and “Jack” are normal Scots alternatives to John.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:47

      You showed no Merci so I doubt they would.

    • BuildBackBetter says:
      12 Oct12 October 07:55

      Be Merciful for the opportunities so far!

    • ChrisC says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:25

      Ming the Merciless and Ming the Vase?

      Saw your film on Saturday night (misstated in the title as Flash Gordon though).

      Like your cards it did not end well for you.

    • BP says:
      12 Oct12 October 09:18

      My activity to save the environment seems to have gone under the radar so far. Always after 5pm Friday and before 9am Monday. Much reduced now Creation is gone so I’ve limited it to once a month.

    • Dave says:
      12 Oct12 October 09:21

      I guess they aren’t about to do another funding round then!

  • Gustavo says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:53

    Good morning. I have got a BA Holiday (flight + hotel) to Vienna in December and BA just emailed saying they cancelled my return flight at 1840 and re booked me for the same day but 0740. There’s the whole inconvenience of having to leave the hotel at 5am plus missing a day in Vienna. I searched BA’s website and moved all flights to 7am (except the one on the Friday one – which is the next day flight).

    I was wondering if I’d be due any sort of compensation. I had a quick look at money saving expert on the flight compensation and I think because it’s more than 7 days I wouldn’t. To be honest I am happy to stay another night there and catch the original flight the next day. But I was wondering if there would be any compensation I could be seeking for staying another night on the same hotel.

    Thanks

    • Blenz101 says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:08

      What have BA holidays said to you? You seem to have looked on MSE and BA.com for flights but not at the terms relating to your package holiday which should be your first port of call.

      https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/legal/package-booking-terms-and-conditions

      This clearly sets out what they consider a significant change (12 hours) and also the scale of minimum compensation depending on how much notice you were given.

      I would suggest having a look over these terms to see what you are entitled to under the booking then speak to them and see what they will actually offer. If there is a grey area at that point then the collective wisdom here can advise how far you may be able to push them.

      Just to note if you have been looking at EU261 type compensation this does not apply in any event as you have booked a package holiday, UK/EU261 is flight only.

      • ChrisC says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:36

        Important point raised here (and it’s a mistake I’ve inadvertently made before) is that Packaged Holidays come under a different set of legal regulations and BA policies than flight only bookings.

    • Anna says:
      12 Oct12 October 08:10

      It’s not completely clear what you’ve done here – moved your return flight to the next day?
      However, as it’s a package holiday I think all you’re entitled to is a refund if you decided not to accept the flight change – I suspect BA will refuse to cover the cost of an extra night so you may have to investigate whether your insurance would reimburse you if necessary.

      • Anna says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:15

        When in December is the holiday? If it’s more than 10 weeks out BA owes you £0 compensation according to the Ts and Cs. Possibly they have taken this into account when changing your itinerary!

      • ChrisC says:
        12 Oct12 October 08:33

        He wants to move it to the following day to which I think BA hols may be amenable to doing in return for him paying for an extra nights hotel.

        I don’t think he’s able to move the flights himself – not something I think is possible in MMB at least I’ve never been able to.

        Also before deciding anything I’d reprice the trip anyway just to see if taking a refund or voucher and then rebooking would be cheaper.

        • Gustavo says:
          12 Oct12 October 08:51

          Hi Chris, yes what you said is what I was thinking of doing – calling BA to extend the holiday by one more night. I will reprice it on their website to check if it’s cheaper. The only option I have got at the moment is to accept their flight.

          My flight is due on Dec 6th and returning on Dec 9th, so less than 10 weeks.

          I will have a read of the terms as per Blenz101 comment as well.

          Thanks all.

          • Anna says:
            12 Oct12 October 09:04

            Apologies, I read that as you changed your flights to 7 am!
            But yes, it would be simple enough to cancel for a FTV then have this applied to a new booking.

          • Gustavo says:
            12 Oct12 October 09:13

            Hi Anna, thanks for your response. I guess my change falls short of the 12 hours (11 hours and 5 minutes!) so I will call them to see if that makes any difference to the “significant change” or if it’s a hard rule 12+ hours.

          • Lady London says:
            12 Oct12 October 12:20

            You have my sympathy Gustavo. I think it’s pretty nasty of BA to take away a day of your holiday and use their terms to claim that’s OK. Especially at the time you will have to turn up at the airport for such an early flight.

            Please go over t’s and c’s and be ready to enforce anything you can. Ask nicely first though.

            Personally I think morally owe you an extra night’s hotel free and a switch to following day’s flight if you want it, for decency. But they can hide behind their t’s and c’s not to do the decent thing. That’s why we need laws like EU261 – which does partially apply but is mostly superseded by the regulations governing things booked as holidays.

            Please post how it turns out.

          • Bagoly says:
            12 Oct12 October 18:02

            Another possibility would be to fly back from a nearby airport.
            Verona and Bologna look possible distance wise, but I don’t know whether the airports have train stations.
            And I don’t know whether the flight departure times from those cities are much better.

  • Sandgrounder says:
    12 Oct12 October 07:57

    It looks like Sweden have updated their own Covid entry website to match the FCO, and UK Covid certs are now acceptable for entry. We are on the ‘approved country’ list. Time to change my flights for next month I think, CPH shuffle no longer required.

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