The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 12th October

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Babyg says:

12 Oct12 October 10:16

Could somebody please tell me what are the cheapest DAY2 tests. I was hoping DAY2 PCR for entry into the UK was going to be replaced before my trip tomorrow.. alas it isnt. (i tired to look through the past few days comments but couldn’t find the latest answers), interested in the cheapest – (tick box for PLF)… cheers, would be a bonus if i would get result too.
- Graham Walsh says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:19
  
  Nationwide was best
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:31
  
  Where in the UK? Or postal? Biograd have a 19.99 in person for LPL or MAN that actually exists.
  - Babyg says:
    
    12 Oct12 October 13:38
    
    Good point, London (postal and in person)…
- Phil W says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:44
  
  Nationwide Pathology weren’t the cheapest (£40 pp) but I received the PLF code immediately, the tests arrived and results were supplied within 24 hours of posting. If Day 2 PCRs are required later in November, we’ll use Nationwide Pathology again.
Dan says:

12 Oct12 October 10:17

Current cheapest day 2 PCR test? Arriving back to UK on 21st Oct – still no idea whether it’ll change to LFT before then, but need the reference for the PLF….grrr!
- Andrew says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:19
  
  Wait until nearer the time then. You don’t need to complete your PLF until you fly back on the 21st.
Thywillbedone says:

12 Oct12 October 10:25

Morning all. I have holiday plans for Thailand in late December. Everything is currently cancellable for free but the ‘go/don’t go’ decision point is earlier than I would like driven by a hotel booking in the Andara Phuket which has a 45 day notice period or full amount is due. They are part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group. I was wondering if anyone has had success getting a hotel to relax it’s notice period? (I understand longer cancellation periods are often demanded by resort locations)

Thanks in advance!
Aston100 says:

12 Oct12 October 10:32

Good morning from Radisson Blu Marrakech where the twelve clothes hangars are stealable; the kettle looks worth five quid but probably cost five times that from a hustler in the Medina; number of sheets required per wipe = three.

Overall a really nice hotel.
- Amy C says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 14:59
  
  Going Marrakesh in 2 weeks, considering Medina Gardens in order to escape kids. If you’ve got any Marrakesh tips I’d be interested. Have a lovely time.
- Niall says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 22:21
  
  This is one of my favourite hotel reviews ever. Sheets per wipe should be a standard hotel review metric. Well done sir.
Hotinnewcastlesays says:

12 Oct12 October 10:34

Looking for some clarifcation – need to get to Vienna in about 10 days time for a two day trip. My options are fly to VIE or BTS (cheaper, so considering this) but I am getting confused re entry requirements, had a look at sherpa/FCO but just want to check my understanding – I am fully vaccinated (received second dose in March, not had booster yet):
1) Ok to get into Austria with vaccination status, no quarantine required and no testing pre-departure. Need day 2 test for plf on return – could be lateral flow but at present it is PCR
2) if I go to Slovakia, I need PCR pre-departure despite vaccination status and again Day 2 PCR on return
3) if anyone has any experience of getting from Bratislava to Vienna – would they recommend car hire of bus/train?
TIA
- Dave says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 13:23
  
  Answer 3 ….or hydrofoil. Trains are frequent (2 an hour?) cheap, easy to use, take about an hour but not glamorous…think commuter services.
  - Hotinnewcastlesays says:
    
    12 Oct12 October 17:08
    
    Thanks Dave…..! Would love Hydrofoil…..not sure the Mrs is that adventurous!
- Laura says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 14:03
  
  I took a bus. Nice and fast to do, I paid just a few Euros.Had to book in advance and quite busy, but that was in high summer a few years ago.
  
  I opted for the bus because the times were more convenient (the train was too early/too late). Think National Express type coach, although I think we got a free coffee on board. (I took a lot of coaches that summer and they have blurred into one a little bit)
  - Hotinnewcastlesays says:
    
    12 Oct12 October 17:09
    
    Thanks Laura, i was expecting it to be basic but sounds like more easier than trains, despite my love for trains!
    - Dave says:
      
      12 Oct12 October 17:47
      
      Invest some time here
      
      https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/vienna-to-bratislava-by-train.htm
      
      Every hour. As straightforward as catching a train from London to say Cambridge
Crafty says:

12 Oct12 October 10:37

Can’t go on holiday due to positive Covid test. Jet2 flights policy very clear no refunds or transfers. In practice, has anyone had a different answer from ringing them up? Don’t want to waste the time making a call, that I could be looking after my daughter, unless there’s a reasonable prospect of success…

(Yes I do have insurance – would prefer to avoid £100 excess, but obviously not end of the world.)
- Richie says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:43
  
  Look at what they did to Mr Huzar and his family.
- Rich says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 10:44
  
  Seems like you can rebook for free (as in no admin fee, but you pay fare changes). Any use?
  
  “You can amend your flight(s) admin-fee-free* if
  
  You, someone you live with or someone on your booking receives a positive COVID-19 test in the 14 days before your departure.”
  - Crafty says:
    
    12 Oct12 October 18:39
    
    Thanks, Rich. I shall investigate.
    
    I have already found out that Jet2 charges £15 to confirm you cancelled your flight (required for an insurance claim) and £25 to reclaim APD (which is £13 per adult). How on earth do they get away with this?
Phil W says:

12 Oct12 October 10:45

Yesterday I asked a couple of questions (New TV and Portugal entry requirements). I didn’t get back to look at the answers until after midnight. Just wanted to say thank you for the helpful responses, they are much appreciated.
- CarpalTravel says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 11:25
  
  👍
- Polly says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 23:31
  
  10 out of 10 for good manners
Shaun says:

12 Oct12 October 11:10

Hi, can anyone confirm what the Barclaycard (Hilton) compatibility with Curve and Che is like? Thanks
- fivebobbill says:
  
  12 Oct12 October 11:27
  
  Works fine with the first, second works but incurs fees