The HfP chat thread – Sunday 7th November

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JS says:

7 Nov7 November 10:09

UK to USA Testing Question….
Hi all, now that America is opening up for travel again, I’m planning on visiting New York on 17th November for 3 nights. I know how to order my return Day 2 test (and adding the D2 test reference from the order confirmation to my PLF) but what’s the easiest / most cost effective testing solution for outbound travel to America? Do the tests have to be in person or is remote monitoring allowed? If remote, how long before travelling do I need to order? I’ll be taking the test on Monday 15th due to other travel.
Many thanks
- Andrew says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 11:13
  
  Order anytime now. Either a LFT at a testing site or via video supervision at home.
  - David says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 11:54
    
    Randox do click and collect – for a discount so you can order the day before – I will be doing a PCR on the way out and lat flow return.
    - JS says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 13:16
      
      Why PCR?
      - JS says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 13:33
        
        Also been reading that Radox C&C are not supervised, so not suitable for the US?
- A says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:51
  
  Book the rapid antigen for £32 (with code) at expresstest at the LHR terminals, show up on the day of your flight with enough extra time to have the test and wait 35/40 mins for the result to be emailed to you, check in, done.
H says:

7 Nov7 November 10:11

Does anyone know how often LFT’s show up positive? I tested positive on 1/11 and will need to do a day 2 test when I come back from France on 29/11. What is the chance of this going wrong? I am surprised that the rules say I should not do an LFT for 90 days except if I come back from abroad!
- Rob says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 10:12
  
  1 in 1000 false positive IIRC.
- Anna says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 10:19
  
  When are you going to France? Surely you would want to test negative before you travel?
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 10:28
    
    My reading is the OP is already in France
    - H says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 11:21
      
      No – not in France. Am about half way through my self isolation in UK. Just read that you can test positive for some time when you are effectively not positive and worried about that. I am quite happy travelling given that it will be nearly a month after I tested positive.
- Tracey says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 10:33
  
  The rules say a PCR shouldn’t be done for 90 days, though this is a precaution against registering a positive when you’ve already had covid. Nothing wrong with doing an LFT,in fact you will have to do one on day2. Hopefully enough time will have past that you won’t still be positive.
  In the mean time I hope you are ok and the symptoms aren’t too bad.
  - Pete M says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 10:51
    
    Or can always buy a few of them and one of them will come back negative…
  - H says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 11:22
    
    And I have been lucky to have virtually no symptoms – what you might call a light cold. It was so light I was surprised when I tested positive.
    - John says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 12:09
      
      So you do have symptoms then. Not completely surprising that you tested positive. If you hadn’t been vaccinated it might be worse.
      
      Get some free LFTs when you can go out, and see what happens
idontflymuch says:

7 Nov7 November 10:20

Hopefully off to Mauritius in December, can anyone recommend a good annual travel insurance company to cover any covid related issues, I see many provides have some rather obscure get out clauses. Thank you
- HH says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 10:24
  
  As someone also going to Mauritius next month, I’m assuming they won’t be checking detailed clauses but will just want to see confirmation of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
  - Chrisasaurus says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 10:29
    
    I admire your lackadaisical approach to risk mitigation but my reading of the post was the OP wants adequately insurance cover for themselves rather than looking to tick a box for someone else
    - HH says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 10:39
      
      Fair enough, I read it differently as Mauritius require proof of covid-related insurance for entry.
      
      Considering you will have tested negative prior to flight, no tests are required after entry to Mauritius or to depart back to UK, I see negligible risk of being forced to seek in-country treatment / extended stay due to covid on a typical week-ish long trip.
- Marina says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 11:04
  
  Staysure been recommended on here before and I have just bought – lots of variables depending on your personal circumstances whether you have pre existing medical conditions, have Amex platinum etc – maybe just go on one of the comparison websites or look on money saver expert to see latest recommendations. Glad to see your going for annual policy my latest trip is for 12 nights and see from looking at the entry requirement T&C’s on having covid insurance it states should have in place for 14 days (no matter how long planned trip)
  - Marina says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 11:08
    
    Not Mauritius for my latest trip it’s Saudi, but might be the same for other countries
- BuildBackBetter says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:25
  
  Battle face and Trailfinders have also been recommended here.
- H says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:34
  
  Yes – I have some and will be seeing what happens. I have to say I expected the symptoms to be worse but that is the power of vaccination.
- Sam G says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:58
  
  Nationwide flex account is very worth a look. Their cover has been some of the best during the pandemic and the premium also offers breakdown + phone insurance
  - Aaron C says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 13:26
    
    Another vote for the Nationwide. We actually opened an account there just for the insurance. The fee is £13 a month which is about the same or less than a decent annual travel policy and it includes mobile phone and personal breakdown cover too.
    
    They also cover, in some circumstances, travel even when the FCDO recommend against travel.
    - Mikeact says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 13:59
      
      It all depends how old you are, particularly with the banks
    - Sam G says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 14:40
      
      Yes me too. They were offering cover as long as FCDO weren’t advising against all travel. vs all but essential travel like most other policies. You can also add on an extension to be abroad up to 6 months at a time and various other upgrades in their online portal. Bit of a underrated gem IMO!
    - JohnT says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 15:43
      
      Trouble is nationwide are stopping this after December.
      - Tracy Regan says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 16:23
        
        My mother said she’d been informed Nationwide are stopping this too. Are they stopping the insurance altogether or the age upgrade? Thanks.
      - Tracy Regan says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 17:31
        
        I’ve done a bit more research and I think Nationwide are stopping the free European cover with their basic account. As far as I can see the Flexplus will provide cover for Mauritius.
Zara says:

7 Nov7 November 10:30

Hi. Happy Sunday! Has anyone stayed at the CP Embankment on points? I am spire but it doesn’t look like they huge lounge access to spire if on points. Does anyone have any experience? Thank you
- Zara says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 10:31
  
  Give* lounge access
- SteveJ says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 11:14
  
  Albert Embankment? Yes stayed there a few weeks ago. No lounge access for Spire.
  - Zara says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 11:28
    
    Thanks SteveJ- Did they provide a room upgrade or any benefits?
    It has good reviews at least!
    - SteveJ says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 11:42
      
      Yes, they upgraded to a room with river view. And allowed for a late checkout. That’s what Spire Elite got us.
      
      If you plan to eat or drink there sign up for their Albert Card for 10% off.
- QFFlyer says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 11:42
  
  Points or not, lounge access isn’t a Spire benefit.
  - Zara says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 11:45
    
    Thanks we have a free night on my (spire) and husbands (basic) accounts. So if no real benefits at this hotel I’d rather use mine at another where a good upgrade is more likely. We don’t need the late checkout as we head to Hilton at the ageas bowl the next day.
    - John says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 12:11
      
      Prepare to be disappointed at Southampton
      - Zara says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 12:20
        
        Oh really- is it that bad? We’re going to go on before a day at peppa pig world as my eldest is turning 5
      - John says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 15:23
        
        Many other families will have the same idea
        
        See flyertalk reviews
Save East Coast Rewards says:

7 Nov7 November 11:19

Text from BA regarding upcoming flight, I’ve had similar before but not seen mention of VeriFLY priority lanes before. Any idea what airports have them and are they really aimed at those without fast track?:

Upload your COVID-19 travel documents into the VeriFLY app before your flight. Once verified, you can check in online and use VeriFLY priority lanes at selected airports. Visit https://www.ba.com/verifly
- John says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:13
  
  I think it’s just at the boarding gate or possibly at bag drop
- Paul says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:49
  
  I feel it may be a ‘carpet bombing’ text. Received mine this morning, not flying until Christmas Day…
Paul says:

7 Nov7 November 12:01

Waiting 3+ days as a Curve Metal holder to receive a reply from their support email! Is there another route to get in touch with them? Their in-app chat feature seems to take you to a dead end also.
- SteveJ says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:08
  
  Maybe post this on their Twitter feed? Find with many companies their social media teams can get things moving, as they don’t like the bad publicity.
  - Paul says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 12:22
    
    Great advice, will try that
Jimmy says:

7 Nov7 November 12:04

I wonder if there is a way to short curve! Id put a bit of money into that!
- Peter K says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:16
  
  ?
  - Jimmy says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 12:25
    
    Sorry not shot. Short.
    - Andrew says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 12:32
      
      ?
      - Clive says:
        
        7 Nov7 November 13:44
        
        Stock
David says:

7 Nov7 November 12:04

Does anyone think the LBA-LHR route will ever restart – otherwise I will have to rethink my miles strategy ie DUB/AMS.
- DAJ says:
  
  7 Nov7 November 12:39
  
  Nope! NCL an option but also consider MME codeshare with Loganair as an alternative.
  - David says:
    
    7 Nov7 November 12:57
    
    Getting to NCL is a bit of a Journey esp as I’m 3 miles from LBA.
    - Mighty Hunter says:
      
      7 Nov7 November 13:19
      
      Highly unlikely, I think.
      I saw the business case for the last restart a few years ago, and it was just about worth taking a chance. It started well, but iffy loads and too-frequent winter weather diversions to MAN make it a loser when other new routes are more promising.