The HfP chat thread – Monday 25th October

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xcalx says:

25 Oct25 October 09:51

Day 2 test returning from Portugal. Is randox (£24) the HfPer choice. Thanks.
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:01
  
  21.50 with a code.
  I’ll probably be using them for my next trip, hopefully feedback will be positive on cheaper options such as http://www.simplytestme.co.uk for £12
  - xcalx says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 10:06
    
    Thanks, can a code be used if not buying the PCR test too.
    - Sandgrounder says:
      
      25 Oct25 October 10:22
      
      britishairways brings the LF down to 21.50 as a standalone. I’ve got a click and collect close to work so I should be able to get the test for 19.99, no code discount sadly.
      - Roy says:
        
        25 Oct25 October 10:39
        
        Am I right in thinking that Randox post (or allow you to click and collect) immediately you place the order, rather than insisting on posting it to arrive just before your return like most of the others?
  - AK says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 14:56
    
    From Which? article:
    Can I use a cheap test from a firm that’s not on the gov.uk list? No. Although there is at least one firm selling Day 2 tests for as little as £12 the DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) has told us that Day 2 travel tests must be booked via gov uk. Other firms can sell lateral flow tests but the ones for Day 2 travel are only available via gov.uk to get the right code.
    - Let's fly says:
      
      25 Oct25 October 16:55
      
      Big fans of Which, but underneath the government list it does clearly state
      
      About providers and minimum standards
      The providers listed on this page have declared they meet minimum standards for day 2 and day 8 tests (opens in new tab). Some providers may choose not to appear in this list. You can choose a different provider but you must check they meet minimum standards.
      
      The last sentence surely being pretty clear?
- Nick Burch says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:05
  
  Use simplytestme for £12 if they have any availability for your dates. Website looks a bit rubbish, but seems to actually work – ordered Friday morning and the test was on our doorstep when we got home on Sunday. Good email through Sunday explaining the steps to follow too. They keep selling out apparently though!
  - xcalx says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 10:14
    
    Thanks. I have sent my son both the above options.
- Gavin says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 11:49
  
  There’s a few super cheap collection options around £1 on the government website list, if you happen to live near a collection point for some of the companies. Otherwise, simplytestme mentioned already seems to be the cheapest by post. I don’t know why anyone would book a more expensive test if that one has availability!
- Phil says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 15:58
  
  For Roy…
  
  I ordered a test from Randox on 22nd for a test arriving back in the UK on 29th and I received the test kit via DPD on 23rd. Very efficient.
  
  The kit was shipped from “DPD Ireland”.
  
  I received a Flowflex kit, which is nasal swabbing only. (Yay!)
  - Roy says:
    
    26 Oct26 October 11:41
    
    Interesting – my latest box of NHS free lateral flow tests is Flowflex branded. I just opened it, and it’s nasal swab only (unlike my previous ones).
Gary says:

25 Oct25 October 09:52

Looking at BAH flight & car.
1. prefer to us BAPP for this transaction, but would Amex Plat car rental benefit still apply if Plat not used?
2. If BAH refunded, this comes as a voucher that can be used for BAH again? or also valid for future flights only booking? IIRC something about reply to BAH voucher email and apply to new booking but BA doesn’t really check what new booking consists of?
- Reney says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:25
  
  1. not a card dependent benefit so ok to use BAPP.
Andrew says:

25 Oct25 October 09:59

Planning a BA Holiday from LHR, out 27th November, back 3rd November.

I’m travelling with a mate who is based in Scotland. If I book for the two of us, will BA Holidays be able to add domestic flights to their half of the booking? They’d be coming down on the evening of the 26th, then connecting at LHR on the way back.
- Andrew says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:02
  
  Back 3rd December…
- Rhys says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:24
  
  The flux capacitor won’t take it!
Andrew H says:

25 Oct25 October 10:38

I know it’s a long way out, and plane allocation likely to change, but looking at BA Club back from New York, and virtually all plane allocation is 777s. Occasional 787 and I’ve seen one A350 out of Newark Thought that this was predominently a A350 route.

Obviously would prefer a A350… some 777s would have the new club suite from what I understand.

Alternate plan is to see what Virgin have in a month or so.

Alternative alternate plan is to book both BA and Virgin to see what happens. BA cost of cancelling is £70. What is Virgin cost?

Alternative alternative plan is just to go Premium Economy on Virgin. It’s a pretty reasonable seat and would save a lot of fees…
- Rhys says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:39
  
  I believe all 777 on New York are fitted with Club Suite now.
  - Andrew H says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 10:54
    
    A dummy booking on a 777 shows suites. Thanks Rhys!
- Gary says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 11:07
  
  VS reward flight is £30pp to cancel or change
Lee says:

25 Oct25 October 10:44

Arrived Portugal yesterday, no one had checked or even asked anything about vaccine pass or PLF from Manchester to Faro. No mask needed within hotel and restaurants.
- KP says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:49
  
  Surely the airline did at check in ?
  - Lee says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 17:10
    
    No, Ryanair doesn’t care at all
- RogerC says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 11:45
  
  We’re in Porto. Agree no interest in PLF but most people here are masked in the streets, let alone inside.
  - Lee says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 17:11
    
    Staying at Pine Cliff, was told no mask within resort.
Andrew says:

25 Oct25 October 10:50

Not sure where you are travelling to, but if it’s London-Scotland, if you are comfortable travelling Standard Class, you could try the new Lumo service instead?

Tickets from £19.90, and should be able to be booked online right up to departure for £69 each way.
- Lawro says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 11:05
  
  @ Andrew travelling from Euston-Manchester Piccadilly as a return ticket. I’ve also looked a split tickets but this only shaves about £0.50 off the price.
  
  @ChrisC – an idea how long it takes that voucher to come through after signing up?
  - Andrew says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 11:55
    
    Obviously it depends on when you are travelling and how willing you are to slow your journey to cut the cost, but have you tried London to Birmingham on Chiltern, then Birmingham to Manchester?
    
    Looking around a few dates in November, I’m seeing advance singles to/from Birmingham at £6.40 each and an open off-peak return between Brum and Manchester at £41
    - Dr Tom says:
      
      25 Oct25 October 18:19
      
      I’d try splitting at Crewe for that route.
ChrisC says:

25 Oct25 October 10:52

LNER have a £5 voucher if you sign up to their perks scheme and book via their app.

Nectar have a 500 point bonus (well I do as part of their ‘count up to christmas’ promo) for Avanti plus 2 points per £ spent.
- Andrew H says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 10:59
  
  never got the promo…
TJ says:

25 Oct25 October 10:57

Received my top tier status match with ITA’s frequent flyer Volare programme today (Italy’s ‘new’ national carrier). There’s no info as yet on the programme or indeed what the benefits are for the different tiers. But If ITA eventually joins SkyTeam then the top tier status could prove useful and it only takes minutes to apply.
- Ikaz says:
  
  25 Oct25 October 11:37
  
  When did you apply? What status did you use for match? I applied from BA gold over the weekend and am waiting for feedback
  - TJ says:
    
    25 Oct25 October 11:44
    
    Applied last Thursday. Used BA Gold.