The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 27th October

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• Olivia says:

  27 Oct27 October 11:16

  Due to fly to Abu Dhabi for the GP in December – does anybody on here have experience of the Al Hosn App and registering for this at the border along with testing facilities in the emirate?

  Flying with Etihad so PCR test required on both journeys, despite the UK only requiring lateral flow tests now for entry.

  • Rhys says:

    27 Oct27 October 11:36

    I wasn’t asked for the Al Hosn app a single time on my trip in Dubai. Might be different in Abu Dhabi but it didn’t seem to be in use in Dubai, despite what you read online.

  • blenz101 says:

    27 Oct27 October 11:49

    You will require the Al Hosn app in Abu Dhabi. It is not in use in Dubai with the exception of entry to Expo 2020.

    You can download the app in advance, there is an option for tourists when you register within the app. Your test results will be linked to the app and show a ‘green pass’ provided you get a negative PCR test. You will need this to access most indoor public spaces within AD such as malls and I imagine the GP as well.

    AD is much stricter than Dubai. The only type of test available in the UAE is PCR hence no mention of lateral flow. Test are however capped at 50 AED by law so 10 GBP which is cheaper than any self administered test you can bring with you.

    Also very easy to get someone come and take the test at your hotel room. Apps such as JustLife or UrbanCompany will easily allow you to arrange this if the hotel is applying any kind of mark up for the service.

  • Babyg says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:22

    Hi Olivia there are a few HfPers heading to Abu Dhabi… most of us staying @ the W (thanks to the HfP article on to snag a rewards booking there)… feel free to leave your contact details here (more useful if you are staying at the W hotel)… https://pointshaka.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/2021-12-formula-1-w-hotel/

    • Olivia says:

      27 Oct27 October 17:17

      Wow thanks will definitely take a look and even pop in to say hello! We missed the rewards booking (only booked to go 4/6weeks ago as were meant to be in Austin last week) but we’re on the Creation train and used points for the Crowne Plaza (apparently Ferrari team stayed there last year………) across from the West Grandstand where our seats are.

  • Ali M says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:43

    They always ask for Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi but are also happy with negative PCR and covid vacc certs if you have them.
    Dubai : never asked

• Andrew H says:

  27 Oct27 October 11:21

  Another hugely generous “spend £1 get 50 avios” on the BA Amex card today….

  • Reney says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:15

    Given I got nothing across several cards. “It’s better than nothing”.

  • JandeW says:

    27 Oct27 October 14:52

    Nothing on my BA Amex PP

• Phil says:

  27 Oct27 October 11:37

  Any views on best Terminal 2 lounge if I have Priority Pass and Amex Platinum please? Not a terminal I usually use…

  • Rhys says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:03

    Plaza Premium is pretty much your only choice?

    • Phil says:

      27 Oct27 October 12:05

      Appreciated.

• Terry S says:

  27 Oct27 October 11:42

  Following on from yesterday, my BA app shows I need 1125 TPs to retain gold. This is not true as my year end is Sep 8th. The June 2022 reduced TP offer doesn’t apply to me. I talked to BAEC this morning and the operator told me yes I qualify, so I asked her to check with a senior adviser. She did this then apologised saying no I don’t qualify. It’s badly worded on the website and misleading on the app.

  Think Rob may have clarified this some time ago but couldn’t find it.

  • Paasan69 says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:08

    This topic is also discussed on FT. I believe the consensus is that if you can manage to earn 1125 TP before June 30th 2022 you will retain gold at the lower threshold.

  • AJA says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:10

    There is much discussion over on FT regarding this. I still think despite what you were told this morning that, as I said yesterday, as long as you earn 1125 TP by 30 June you will be OK to retain Gold. I would screen shot what it shows in your BAEC and argue with them if you do earn that number of TP before 30 June 2022. BA needs to be clearer with their communications if that is not their intended policy.

    • Terry S says:

      27 Oct27 October 13:03

      Thanks guys. Doesn’t specifically say anywhere on my app or account that I’ll retain if I get the points by June (seem to remember it did before, but I might be wrong).
      Just says this on the exec club section of BA.com;
      Other ways we are supporting you and your membership

      ‘What’s more, we’ve reduced the amount of Tier Points needed to reach each Tier by 25% for those aiming to retain or reach a Tier up to June 2022.

      This results in lower Tier qualification thresholds, as shown below:

      Bronze: 225 Tier Points or 18 eligible flights
      Silver: 450 Tier Points or 37 eligible flights
      Gold: 1125 Tier Points’

• Aston100 says:

  27 Oct27 October 11:57

  I mentioned a few days ago about KLM providing refunds rather than vouchers.
  Update – I applied for refunds online. Quite straightforward.
  Less than a week later the money is back on my Amex. No admin fees or anything.
  Was supposed to take upto 60 – 90 days.

  This is impressive. I was disinclined to travel and yet I have been refunded in full in a handful of days for a non-refundable ticket.
  Only minor downside being I was going to cancel my card mid November and not have the MR clawed back, but have been caught out by KLMs efficiency (JDB rejoice!).

  Any other airline come close to this?

  • Pete M says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:43

    Qatar?

• Mark says:

  27 Oct27 October 12:02

  Any ideas on where I can spend £1 online on my Amex? Thinking of Amazon, but not sure where else.

  • Rhys says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:04

    Just use the card on your next purchase? It doesn’t have to be £1 exactly. It’s just at least £1.

  • Benilyn says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:05

    justgiving.com

  • Can says:

    27 Oct27 October 13:35

    I can give you my paypal

• Lady London says:

  27 Oct27 October 12:06

  Please don’t laugh.
  Can anyone suggest a phone number to do a new booking with BA Holidays? What I want isn’t available online, but I’m pretty sure they can do it.

  • AJA says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:14

    I think you might be hanging on a while but try: 0344 493 0787

    Not sure if calling BAEC and asking to be transferred works.

    Or if travelling in First call YouFirst.

    • Lady London says:

      27 Oct27 October 13:56

      Ta AJA.

  • AJA says:

    27 Oct27 October 12:16

    Not sure why you posted your comment 4 times?

• Lady London says:

  27 Oct27 October 12:07

  Please don’t laugh.
  Can anyone suggest a phone number to do a new booking with BA Holidays?

  What I want isn’t available online, but I’m pretty sure they can do it.

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