The HfP chat thread – Friday 12th November

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Tarmohamed says:

12 Nov12 November 02:22

Have made a last minute plan to go to Disney Paris this weekend, what’s the cheapest day 2 testing? Not bothered if it shows up late or if it shows up at all…
- Tarmohamed says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 02:35
  
  Also, I’m assuming you can’t, but on day 2 I need to do a PCR Fit to Fly test as we’re also flying out elsewhere next week, is there anyway to not have to do the day 2 test?
  - Ls says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 05:48
    
    Your day 2 test can be lateral flow OR PCR. Just do a PCR to cover both bases.
  - Polly says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 21:31
    
    We are the same, back fm France Monday, PCR test for Singapore tues48 hrs before flying Thursday, we hope! Must ask Sam G for SIN updates ….
- Gary says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 06:04
  
  Issue is couldn’t find a fit to fly PCR test that would generate a UK PLF reference number the other day unless someone knows a provider that does?
  - Jonathan says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 06:34
    
    Book a Day 2 PCR to get the PLF code & that test will also work as fit to fly. The only difference is the code provided with a Day 2. I’ve done this multiple times with PCR’s & LFT’s. Randox, Qured & Chronomics all provide a result certificate for the Day 2 test that includes all of the info needed for Fit to Fly. The only potential issue would be if you need an in person test for fit to fly (eg. Dubai) & you book a postal Day 2.
    - Gary says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 06:45
      
      Thanks. Yes was looking for in person fit to fly PCR with PLF reference if such thing exists? Tempted to do dummy purchases but these in person tests usually carry a penalty or only voucher upon cancellation.
- MarkS says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 06:50
  
  Simply Test Me for lat flow.. 12£ and you get the code for the PLF straight away
  - Ali M says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 07:54
    
    this
  - Tarmohamed says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 22:59
    
    Thank you- seems to be easier to do both a day 2 test and a separate PCR test – works out the same, and very vague on PLF and fit to fly certs etc
mr_jetlag says:

12 Nov12 November 02:34

Morning all from Singapore. Grand Hyatt is a shadow of its former self… Club lounge now only for evening drinks and the pool, bars and garden wing are closed. Any alternative hotels of a similar calibre? IC is closed I believe and the newer Andaz is locals only. Was going to stick it out for my entire stay, but nah.
- Andrew says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 05:11
  
  Raffles is open I believe. From a search a few weeks ago with news of the flights for vaccinated visitors I did a quick search but most hotels seemed closed.
  - mr_jetlag says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 05:40
    
    Andrew thanks, will check them out.
- Sam G says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 06:07
  
  Check out Milelion blog, quite a few COVID times staycation reviews there. Andaz has gone downhill too from what he said !
  
  If you came in on the VTL you shouldn’t have any restriction after your first night & a negative PCR but some hotels do seem to be making up their own rules on that one
- BJ says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 06:19
  
  Go to Phuket, party island since (before) reopening if YouTube videos are anything to go by.
  - mr_jetlag says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 06:38
    
    BJ, best suggestion ever. I’m here for work but will investigate ease of traveling in/out. I was on the BA VTL so it seemed smooth enough but you never know these days.
    - BJ says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 06:47
      
      Good luck with it, the problem more likely getting back through Singapore to get home I guess.
    - trader363 says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 15:46
      
      Is there a BA VTL? Singapore gov webite says only SQ flights? and lists the specific flights aswell!
      - Rob says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 16:53
        
        Yes, all BA flights are VTL IIRC.
      - Polly says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 21:38
        
        Yes, we are on one next Thursday, who knows tho. Had 2 warning emails re situation could change and VTL could be cancelled.. can’t wait to get to W 0n Sentosa..
        Sam G always useful reading your updates, thank you for posting so much…
  - Whiskerxx says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 09:10
    
    And get locked up for 2 weeks if you, or anyone travelling close to you test positive on arrival. No thanks.
    - Polly says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 23:08
      
      Agree, we are pretty worried about that, but hoping for the best
- BuildBackBetter says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 06:40
  
  Capitol Kempinski is well regarded. You also have the Fullerton hotels along with Raffles mentioned above.
  Plus the usual premium ones from chain hotels like St Regis, Shangri-La, Ritz, JW and Conrad.
  Some good reviews on Milelion blog.
  - Jen T says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 07:35
    
    I don’t think Shangri-La Orchard Road is open to anyone except locals at the moment.
    - Sam G says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 08:43
      
      There are no official restrictions on hotels for VTL travellers (the list online is “non exhaustive”) but some hotels are choosing to either not accept VTL travellers for self isolation or at all, but you should check with your preferred hotel directly
      
      Lots of hotels are still closed either for commercial reasons or as they are in use as quarantine hotels
      
      Unfortunately regional travel is still pretty much impossible as you can’t re enter Singapore so no side trips ! You could add a Jetstar or Bangkok Airways sector to your BA ticket and transit back through Changi on the way back that is about it. Malaysia VTL coming though so hopefully not an issue for much longer
      - Polly says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 21:43
        
        That’s v useful info Sam, as we have hotel options in HKT too, but feared not being able,to get back via Changi.
        BJ, like your suggestion to pop over to HKT. Remember us beating the clock ahead of the virus going from Bali to HKt then home just before lockdown, gen advice then, get to HKT, better hospital! ..can’t believe are actually almost on a plane again…still don’t believe our BA11 VTL will take off next Thursday evening…
- Sarah says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 09:29
  
  The Fullerton Bay is great if that’s open
  - David says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:38
    
    Get a room with a pool !
Waddle says:

12 Nov12 November 04:26

Is there a number for BA that I can call outside normal work hours? All numbers I have found don’t open until 8.00am.
- H says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 05:51
  
  The Japanese number works quite well
  - roberto says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 06:13
    
    日本語を話す必要はありません
    - Eppleby Green says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 10:08
      
      Thanks for telling us that but I wish that I could speak some Japanese!
BJ says:

12 Nov12 November 06:31

Don’t get lazy readers, keep an eye on your IHG reward nights as the fluctuations in points required are dometimes crazy despite cash rates remaining relatively stable. Some may have seen my comment last week regarding my dislike of buying points in the 100% bonus offer despite a saving of close to 50% on BFR. Anyway, having done that, I just got a result again this morning with a near 25% reduction in the number of points required. Meanwhile points required for our SFO Hotel are now over one third more. So don’t book and forget, continue to monitor those reservations.
- Chrisasaurus says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:06
  
  And with that my CP Docklands booking checked and rebooked! 97k down to 45k, thank you very much 🙂
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:20
    
    Awesome result!
- Craig says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:09
  
  Thanks for the nudge, not sure it’s going to happen but IC Bali down to 21k a night in March. Frees up some points to book Thailand as a backup, just deciding between Phuket and Hua Hin?
  - Sam G says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 08:55
    
    How many nights? Hua Hin is more of a side trip from Bangkok , for a longer trip or if you are a beach lover then Phuket no question !
    - Craig says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 09:31
      
      About 16 nights Sam, Hua Hin just made the return a bit easier. But I agree Phuket looks like the best option, I’m going to start making bookings which will then give me two options to compare nearer the time.
      - Sam G says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 09:49
        
        oh for sure you want Phuket then – heaps to do to fill your time – do a couple of boat trips (highly recommend Simba) and I’d probably do 2 different hotels/areas for that length of time as well for a change of scene. I’d also hire a car for at least some of the time later in the trip – easiest done locally
        
        I like the IC Bali & 21k is a bargain ! but I find staying in that area a bit awkward if you are someone that likes getting out a lot to restaurants etc. Bali is still quite wet and humid especially in the afternoons by then whereas Phuket is hot and drier IME
      - BJ says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 11:26
        
        I agree with Sam, at wrong time of the day a van or taxi from BKk to Hua Hin is also going to be longer and more unpleasant than plane plus taxi to Phuket. With time you have I would do two centre …North plus Phuket. @Aston100 can share with you some of the suggestions he received for same.
      - Polly says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 21:47
        
        Definitely Phuket if you can. Love to risk popping over from SIN this visit…miss it so much.
- Anna says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:25
  
  I’ve swapped most of my points bookings for cash over the next 12 months, most ofl my hotels don’t seem to be offering great redemption values. Regent Berlin, IC Boston and others I’m getting better value booking via Emyr atm.
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:27
    
    Opposite for me, hitting major city centres in USA.
- Jen T says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:43
  
  Thanks for the nudge here too – San Francisco Kimpton Alton booked for next week… previously 110,000 for 3 nights (a good price per point compared to rates) but have just cancelled and rebooked for 84,000. I was checking my cash bookings to look for rate drops but forgot about that one. Thank you.
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:34
    
    Alton is a great value redemption all the way through next year. Rates have creeper up a bit but still fluctuate and compare favourably to cash. Toyed with it but in end we decided to slum it next door at HIX Suites. We’ll be in USA for a month so wanted to use suites to get kitchen facilities where we can, can only take so much eating out. However? If Alton goes below 40k I’ll rebook.
- Gareth says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:50
  
  Thanks BJ nice 16k saved in one go!
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:42
    
    Hood @Alan and @Gareth.
    - BJ says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 11:42
      
      *Good
- Alan Todd says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 08:14
  
  Cheers, approx 15k a night saved for a few nights in Venice in January…
- Scott says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 08:38
  
  Checked 2 of mine for overnights at JFK, and the first has dropped from 35k points to 32k points. 3000, so nowhere as good as others here, but still potentially £15 / $18 worth of points saved.
  My other night is holding at 30k.
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:44
    
    Keep monitoring, my Hollywood stay crept up steadily for a week then dropped 9759/night today.
- Mick S says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 08:47
  
  Great shout, thanks. Just rebooked a 3 night stay in the US in Feb. cancelled at 175,000 points and rebooked at 110,000. Top man. 🙂
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:39
    
    Excellent, that’s a free weekend someplace if you like … Kimpton DeW Amsterdam as cheap as 32k for example. 🙂
- Phil W says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 09:00
  
  We have ten days booked across the IC Singapore and Regent Singapore next April, and I check in on those reservations weekly at least. Every week nearly I’ve saved 4k-5k in points.
  
  It’s a pain in the @rse having ten different bookings but that’s the nature of IHG’s stupid redemption pricing policies now.
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:49
    
    It is a pain but worth it, what I did was set up the app on three devices which gave me two saved searches on each home screen. Thus, just a single tap on each stay is needed to scan the rates for six reservations. Takes seconds so have checked them daily.
- Alison Day says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 09:54
  
  Thanks for the nudge. Nearly 50% point reduction on Kimpton Chicago & CP O’Hare in January so have just rebooked.
- Ben says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 10:15
  
  Thanks
  
  Just saved 100,000 points for 5 nights in Nashville
- Dan says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 10:22
  
  Thanks! 39k saved over three nights at IC Miami.
  - BJ says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 11:52
    
    All great results @ Alison, Ben and Dan.
- BJ says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 11:19
  
  Good to see quite a few making decent savings 🙂 Even small savings can be worthwhile though as those few thousand might be the difference between enough and needing more for the next booking.
  - Jane says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 12:29
    
    I’ve cancelled and re-booked by Orlando booking (Hilton) 4 times in the last few weeks. saved about 50K points so far. will keep checking every week or two 🙂
  - Marco Polo says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 13:32
    
    Great point. Just saved 37000 points in 101000 at I C Cartagena in January
  - Tariq says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 19:27
    
    This definitely seems like something that we need an automated search site like ‘rewardnightfinder’ for…!
Anna T says:

12 Nov12 November 06:48

Morning. Is the Japan or US BA office currently happy to add returns at T-355 for 2-4-1 bookings at midnight? Thank you
- Jonathan says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:28
  
  US did it last week without a problem – called about 23:20 and was answered at 23:55
Paul says:

12 Nov12 November 07:34

Just had an offer from Hilton through on email 25% off book by Jan 31st stay by May 9th!
Briefly got excited as have been monitoring rates in Vienna for a stay in the new year. Despite rates being under 150 Euro days ago they are now over €250. Glad I booked before this “sale”
- Graeme says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:54
  
  +1. All my current bookings are now dearer. Will wait and see if another ‘50 off 250’ appears as it usually does before December.
Vin says:

12 Nov12 November 07:35

I have a query for the kind and knowledgeable folk on here.
BA have cancelled my December flight to BOM less than 3 weeks out – for some strange reason there are no scheduled flights on the day. I do need to travel so hoping they will re-route me. Will re-routing on a non-OneWorld airline mean I will lose the right to BA TPs (which I need to attain status this year) ? Anyone with similar experiences to share ? Thanks.
- Richie says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:47
  
  If there is a QR operated route via DOH that suits ask for that re-route.
  - Vin says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 07:52
    
    Thanks @Richie – yes there is one but with a very long stopover and I will effectively lose a day. Also, more transits/time will invariably involve more PCR-related issues 🙂
    - KP says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 08:47
      
      According to flyertalk BA seems to be pulling out of alot of Indian routes in Dec. Strange.
      - Vin says:
        
        12 Nov12 November 16:28
        
        @KP – I’ve just been off the phone with BA CS who inform me that the Indian government have apparently requested BA to reduce the flights coming from the UK to India. From 2 flights a day to BOM it’s now down to 1 a day or even less than 7 per week.
    - Richie says:
      
      12 Nov12 November 09:36
      
      Anything on Sri Lankan airlines?
- BuildBackBetter says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 13:26
  
  Re-route to Delhi? Internal flights aren’t a pain like before.
  - Vin says:
    
    12 Nov12 November 15:26
    
    @BuilBackBetter – my understanding was that to take an internal flight in India you needed a negative PCR, unless they’d accept the one you left the UK with and not insist on the result of the one done on arrival in Delhi (the resulst of which would probably take several hours). Do you know better/different ?
KBuffett says:

12 Nov12 November 07:37

Planning a stay in Turkey over Christmas. Any recommended resorts?
- Benilyn says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 07:42
  
  Istanbul will be freeeeeeeezing, personally would avoid and go when warmer.
- Can says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 09:20
  
  I hear most would be closed or worse with limited service. They may have a much smaller buffet compared to its normal glory, for example.
- Benilyn says:
  
  12 Nov12 November 11:44
  
  Okay I misread (too early), most resorts will be closed. Antalya is high/low 16/10 degrees & Bodrum 16/9 degrees.