The HfP chat thread – Sunday 14th November

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• Nigerian Prince says:

  14 Nov14 November 11:31

  I receive an email from Marriott with “… 1,500 Bonus Points Per Stay …” in the subject line but the bonus points is not mentioned in the email, and there’s nothing in my Marriott account promotion section, anyone know will I get the bonus points?

  • Nigerian Prince says:

    14 Nov14 November 11:50

    found a link to register for the promo but got “We’re sorry, but there was an error in directing you to this promotion…”

    • Cats are best says:

      14 Nov14 November 13:39

      I’ve had this problem all year, promotions don’t show, and trying to register direct results in that error message.

      Someone else on HFP mentioned the same issue a few months ago.

      As I’ve got some planned stays coming up I contacted Marriott( customer.care@marriott-service.com ) to get the promotion added, they did this, but I suspect the underlying issue with my account has not been fixed.

  • Rob says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:17

    Need to register but this should be open to all – some people always have IT issues though.

    • Nick says:

      14 Nov14 November 15:24

      Wouldn’t register for me either, CS told me I wasn’t targeted (despite receiving an email about it). Will follow up again since you say lots have issues.

• HH says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:07

  Anyone else unable to log in to shopping.ba.com ?

  • Nick says:

    14 Nov14 November 12:20

    You mean, using the logins that BA told all exec club members wouldn’t work for the whole weekend, and as repeated several times on this site? 😛

    • HH says:

      14 Nov14 November 12:27

      All articles and emails mentioned we’d be able to collect avios during this period — didn’t specify not through the shopping portal.

    • Andrew says:

      14 Nov14 November 13:09

      There was nothing to suggest the shopping portal wouldn’t work. I had a promotional email from them yesterday evening about the current escalating points offer.

      • Andrew says:

        14 Nov14 November 13:46

        The BA email specially said that the shopping portal wouldn’t work over this period – you can earn Avios on flights but the shopping portal requires you to log in and no one can log in to their accounts. So no, you can shop on the portal during this time. (Other Andrew here, not arguing with myself!)

      • David says:

        14 Nov14 November 23:05

        You didn’t read the email then, Andrew (first Andrew).

• Mikeact says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:25

  I am thinking of booking Richard Bransons ‘Moskito Island ‘ for a family week. Is this one that I should consider using Emyr for or is it direct book only via Virgin ? Thanks.

  • SteveJ says:

    14 Nov14 November 13:18

    No idea, but just ask Emyr, he’ll tell you if he can’t do it.

  • Rob says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:16

    No harm to ask …..

• Ian M says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:25

  Hi all,

  Has anyone been for a holiday in Dubai recently? I’m interested to hear what the corona restrictions are like there currently. In practical what the situation is with face masks currently, where are they needed to be worn etc?

  • Blenz101 says:

    14 Nov14 November 12:38

    Everywhere in public unless …

    – seated at a table in a bar / restaurant
    – alone indoors (celular office, hotel room etc)
    – in a car with only your own family (so you need them in a taxi)
    – barbers or undertaking medical treatment
    – undertaking vigorous exercise
    – pool or beach

    Depending on your hotel they may turn a bit of a blind eye if you are walking around corridors without one but generally people are compliant. Fines are heavy if you are caught without. You certainly won’t be able to take it off in the mall/metro without being approached by security if you are lucky, police if you are unlucky.

    UAE is under 100 cases daily as opposed to tens of thousands in the UK. Perhaps the compliance with the safety protocols put in place is a factor.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      14 Nov14 November 12:40

      “UAE is under 100 cases daily as opposed to tens of thousands in the UK. Perhaps the compliance with the safety protocols put in place is a factor.”

      So what’s the problem in European countries that have the same silly outdoor mask rules?

      • Blenz101 says:

        14 Nov14 November 12:58

        Well they are all in the northern hemisphere so generally living, eating and drinking is indoors again. Compliance with with the rules is low even where they do exist. Masks are worn as a token chin strap. Sunflower lanyards. Lower vaccination rates than the UAE, excluding Gib. More vulnerable populations. An anti-vax movement and mass protests.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          14 Nov14 November 13:08

          Well they are all in the northern hemisphere so generally living, eating and drinking is indoors again.

          Probably that.

        • Anna says:

          14 Nov14 November 13:08

          When I was in Edinburgh last month mask wearing seemed to be observed where required, yet infection rates are on a par with England (actually slightly higher in Scotland). Do they work or not? Or is it the amount of time spent outdoors v indoors which is the factor (so UAE – warm, outdoors v UK – damp, chilly, indoors)?

        • Worksop Dave says:

          14 Nov14 November 13:23

          It was 40 degrees in Delhi when they had their worst wave so hot weather isn’t necessarily as much of a factor as some people seem to think it is.

        • SteveJ says:

          14 Nov14 November 13:54

          @Worksop Dave, when it’s that hot everyone in Delhi is indoors in the AC. In effect the worst waves have been when everyone is indoors. That could be down to heat or cold.

        • Anna says:

          14 Nov14 November 13:57

          I was specifically referring to outdoors v indoors though (which does have some correlation to weather). Many Indians work long hours in offices and factories so don’t get much opportunity to spend time outdoors even if it’s very hot.

        • SteveJ says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:10

          @Anna you’re misunderstanding my point. The indoor working is year round. The outdoor socialising happens more when it’s cooler, less when it’s hot. The opposite of the northern hemisphere.

        • blenz101 says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:30

          This is the point I was making SteveJ. The numbers in the UAE have dropped dramtically now everyone is back socialising outside in the fresh air. During the summer months here everyone is indoors and outdoor spaces are converted and covered with AC cooled tents.

          Expo 2020 is also on which a cynic may consider a factor in the numbers reported.

    • Ian M says:

      14 Nov14 November 13:24

      Thanks for this. So even walking down the street on your own you need to wear a mask?

      • Froggee says:

        14 Nov14 November 13:46

        @Anna – the theory on Scotland (and it is just a theory) is it was slightly worse hit than England for the delta wave having got off a bit more lightly in prior waves. Therefore population immunity was lower. This coincided with the schools going back and Scotland led the world in covid cases for a bit. Yay us. It’s now settled down with cases less than England (1:85 vs 1:60). But who knows if this is higher population immunity after the recent record wave or masks/other restrictions. I don’t have strong feelings on masks either way and have come to the conclusion that we’d best just get it done with now me old ma has had her booster. I was almost pleased when the girl who sits next to my eldest at school had it last week but my son seems to have ducked it this time.

        • Char Char says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:18

          There are of course many factors that play a part but I highly doubt that face coverings which are often unsuitable with large gaps and the fact most people don’t wear them properly is going to play any part in prevention of transmission.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        14 Nov14 November 13:46

        Basically yep. Anywhere and everywhere outside your hotel / apartment unless you’re doing one of the permitted activities

        • Ian M says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:03

          Thanks. Not my bag really. I’ll look elsewhere for some winter sun!

      • Rob says:

        14 Nov14 November 14:14

        No-one walks down a street in the UAE …..

        • meta says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:27

          Well, not so much in Dubai, but Abu Dhabi is a very walkable city, especially the centre and the Corniche.

        • blenz101 says:

          14 Nov14 November 14:45

          Not realistically to get anywhere or see anything meta. Huge chunks of Dubai are also walkable within each masterplanned community including downtown and areas equivilent to the Corniche (larger in most cases) but you can’t get from area to area by foot in the same way as you could a European city in either city.

          There is also very little to see on the typical street. Some palm trees with fairy lights at best.

        • meta says:

          14 Nov14 November 15:47

          @blenz101 I was talking about Abu Dhabi, because Rob lumped it all under UAE which is not entirely correct. I don’t know, but I walked through Abu Dhabi on my first visit. From Sofitel to Qasr Al-Hosn, and all the way to Umm Al Emarat Park. Then from one end of Corniche to the Emirates Palace and Presidential Palace. You could even walk all the way to Sheikh Zayed Mosque if you wanted to. In that sense you can definitely walk it just like any European city. I took a taxi from mid-way, but just because most tourists don’t do it, it doesn’t mean it’s not possible. I actually found it absolutely much more interesting than being driven in a Lexus. But obviously that’s a matter of preference.

      • blenz101 says:

        14 Nov14 November 14:26

        If you are on your own on a street then there is going to be nobody to tell you to put it on or fine you for not wearing it. But as Rob say’s what street are you going to be walking down realistically in Duabi.

        The most likey scenario for you to be outside walking will be in the outdoor areas near malls and and tourist hotspots such as Le Mer, the Marina/JBR, Souk Madinat etc. Pedestrian traffic in those areas would be like walking down Oxford Street hence why the mask mandate remains. Go for a walk in the desert and you will be fine.

      • WearyTraveller says:

        14 Nov14 November 14:55

        Yes you need to wear a mask even when walking down the street on your own

        • Blenz101 says:

          14 Nov14 November 15:22

          As covered nobody ‘walks down a street’ in the conventional sense, beaches are also excluded. However, say you go for a stroll along the palm boardwalk 10km+ nobody is going to be wearing a mask and you will be naturally socially distanced. In the massively massively unlikely event you were stopped then you would be able to just say you were exercising by walking and therefore would also be exempt.

          If you try and walk around the outdoor areas of Souk Madinat or Dubai Mall fountains claiming to be exercising then your reason won’t fly and you clearly aren’t ‘alone’.

          Just some common sense is needed.

    • Can says:

      14 Nov14 November 16:22

      Perhaps :))

    • Ian M says:

      14 Nov14 November 17:27

      I’ve noticed people don’t wear masks at the T20 World Cup cricket matches. I take it the stadiums are exempt from the mask mandate for some reason?

      • Blenz101 says:

        14 Nov14 November 17:58

        You can go without a mask when eating or drinking and seated. So the stadium is no different to the cinema when you have a box of popcorn next to you, as you are ‘eating’.

        You can fly EK without a mask provided you keep the drinks flowing, alcoholic or not.

        • Ian M says:

          14 Nov14 November 18:22

          From what I can tell you don’t need to wear a mask in nightclubs either. Which seems odd. Packed nightclub dance floor no mask needed. But walking outside, mask needed.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          14 Nov14 November 20:05

          Well obviously there are fewer police in the nightclubs

          Also are we taking law or reality?

  • Ian M says:

    15 Nov15 November 01:18

    Talking about reality, the law can be viewed online. Wondering what real life is like on the ground.

    Looking at some clubs Instagram pages I saw videos from this weekend of packed venues with no one wearing masks, not even staff.

• Colin MacKinnon says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:30

  An amazing aviation story – albeit military. The star, a chap from the small town we live in who I first met when he was just a quiet schoolboy learning to fly.

  Full story here:
  https://www.airpilots.org/what-we-do/trophies-and-awards/award-winners/the-masters-medal/

  In summary:

  In an RAF Typhon in Iraq last year, Matthew pressed on with the mission despite multiple electrical problems. Then he had to shut down an engine and had radios fail during his emergency decent into the very airbase he was protecting due to potentially imminent rocket attack.

  Once down, his canopy wouldn’t open and in temperatures exceeding 40C he had to use handwritten scraps of papers to communicate with ground crew unfamiliar with Typhoons. Eventually, fire crew had to cut the canopy off with grinders just inches from his head! He was in the cockpit for more than eight hours. He had decided not to use the explosive release in case it killed some of the ground crew.

  Once out, he sent in his report to base before getting attention for himself.

  A remarkable story of service.

  As we remember today, be thankful for those who continue to put others before themselves.

  • Chris K says:

    14 Nov14 November 12:39

    Incredible. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  • Mike says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:45

    Colin when you next see him ask him what his nick name became after the “canopy incident”

• Vit says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:35

  Hi all, question re — amex travel spend £200, get £50 back, do you know if this is accumulative or need to be one-off? Thinking of booking fight to Samui but can add car to make it £200.

  • Gavin says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:55

    Accumulative is fine

    • Vit says:

      14 Nov14 November 21:38

      Many thanks, Gavin.

• Cranzle says:

  14 Nov14 November 12:52

  Is it acceptable to book a 3 night hotel stay directly with the hotel and then a fourth night via American Express FHR to avail of the 4pm guaranteed check out and 100USD credit?

  • Rob says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:15

    Totally fine.

• His Holyness says:

  14 Nov14 November 13:55

  Can it be true there isn’t a single lounge open in MAN after 5PM?

  • Lee says:

    14 Nov14 November 13:58

    Yes, and no PP card holder was allowed in two weeks ago

  • Travel Strong says:

    14 Nov14 November 14:52

    No lounge at all half of the week in BRS, any time of day. PP has been useless in 3 airports in the past week.

    Roll on New years referral bonus reset so I can get a couple of referrals in and ditch platinum!

    • GaryE says:

      14 Nov14 November 17:39

      Try Luton only open to midday and BFS no lounge open at all!

  • His Holyness says:

    14 Nov14 November 15:02

    What a dump, it’s an insult to the third world, actually I take it back, they often have very good service in their airports. Thankfully I only need to pass through this shack once a year.

    And yes, PP is useless. I guess Collinson just brimmed their coffers with money while not extending any paid memberships meaningfully and creaming it on the testing scams, meanwhile, they didn’t increase payments to airports which is why PP is effectively banned.

    • Lady London says:

      14 Nov14 November 15:22

      I am quite surprised there is any sympathy for Collinson and Priority Pass. They just let paid passes expire kmowing the services they gave access to simply weren’t available and made no.gesture to make sure people who’d paid.actually got something. I think there might have been a miserable 3 month extension far, far too late and still unuseable.

      I am not sure why editorially Mike Collinson/PP seem to have had unchallenging coverage on here when there was any.

      • His Holyness says:

        14 Nov14 November 18:18

        I agree. I reckon the reason why access to PP holders has declined is due to the payments made to the lounges staying the same despite a massive increase in costs and Collinson banking a fortune from what we have both said.

        It’s pretty smart actually. If the airline lounges can get together to collectively “accept” PP but basically don’t. Collinson will see loads of complaints from Amex, Barclays, Chase, well, all the card issuers plus their own Members and be forced to raise payments. Then, I predict, access will resume.

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