The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 16th November

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Save East Coast Rewards says:

16 Nov16 November 04:11

One thing about being in Florida is Tuesday’s chat thread appears while it’s still Monday.

The last two times I entered the US (Jan 2020 and a few days ago) I never had my passport stamped. The friend I was travelling with who has an Italian passport always gets his passport stamped into the US. This time he was travelling he was directly behind me and was dealt with the same border officer.

Any idea what it is that means I don’t get my passport stamped? I don’t have global entry, I did try many years ago but I couldn’t get a suitable interview appointment plus my need to travel to the US dried up for a few years, so I let my application lapse despite paying the fee.

What is the experience of other UK passport holders entering the US, do you get stamped?
- mr_jetlag says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 04:26
  
  If your friend was traveling on a visa instead of an ESTA, he gets stamped.
  
  Am in Singapore this month so the chat thread usually appears on my coffee break…
  - Polly says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 23:25
    
    Hoping to be in Singapore Friday evening on BA11… any further word on Malaysia opening? Love to pop up to Pen, when we are there…are you still at the Hyatt? Or moved by now?
- ChrisC says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 04:37
  
  I’ve not been stamped since April 2018 which is when I got GE.
  
  But the GE machine prints a slip with my details on and the entry and leave by date as a receipt as well as the slip to hand to an officer.
  
  Your entry and exit are still tracked though and you can check them here
  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search
  
  Perhaps your friend have some sort of visa that requires a stamp?
  - Oh! Matron! says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 09:07
    
    I have a B1/B2 and always have a stamp
    
    I’ve flown to the USA and back 70 times since 2012!!!! How cool!
  - davefl says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 09:59
    
    That’s really interesting. They have me coming in via the Tijuana land border but not going out. I always thought the discrepency on my record was the Rainbow Bridge crossing but that one is accurate.
  - Save East Coast Rewards says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 15:11
    
    Thanks for that travel history link, although it did confuse me that some of the three letter codes they use are non-standard. My trips to LAX were labelled LOS and DFW was DAL. My CWLCY trips showed as entering in NYC rather than SNN.
    
    My friend is also on an ESTA, the only difference I can see was he has an Italian passport.
    - davefl says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 16:13
      
      They’re CBP codes, not airport codes. Rainbow bridge out was 427, inbound is RBB. Dallas Love Field and Fort Worth airports are both DMA for Dallas Metro Area I assume.
      - Alan T says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 17:28
        
        I’ve always had my passport stamped entering under the VWP, and travelling on an ESTA.
Yuff says:

16 Nov16 November 07:08

Planning a trip to dubai.
Need to fly from Mallorca to either Paris, Brussels or Frankfurt fir a connecting flight.
2 adults doubled vaccinated and a 16 year old who will be double vaccinated but 2nd vaccination is 6 days before we fly.
I’m thinking Frankfurt might be the easiest connection as Belgium and France are tightening up their entry requirements for Brits.
Due to fly first week of Dec.
Anyone see any issue with my planned itinerary?
- Anna says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 07:59
  
  What are the rules for Germany – I know anyone not fully vaccinated currently has to quarantine but I don’t know at what point they class the 2nd jab as effective or if it applies to transit pax?
- Rich says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:08
  
  You say you’re transitting only and so your options seem sound to me. If you’re that concerned, have Emerates not recommenced flights ex MAD or BCN yet?
  - Rich says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 08:08
    
    Emirates!
    - Yuff says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 08:38
      
      Can’t get the dates I want from Madrid or Barcelona on points, although I might be able to get 2 redemption flights and one cash ticket but not even sure I can get those on the dates I’m looking for.
      We were planning to stay overnight which probably makes it more difficult.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:36
  
  If you’re flying from Mallorca the entry requirement for a “Brit” would be irrelevant
  
  What’s the entry requirement from another EU country … negative LFT should do. Need 14 days after 2nd jab in all EU countries.
  - Yuff says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 08:40
    
    We need a negative, in person, pcr test within 72hrs to get into Dubai anyway.
    Not flown within Europe since the pandemic started so not sure.
    Madrid was our first choice until the availability went 😥
    - blenz101 says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 09:55
      
      Be aware that the test you need to enter the UAE can’t have been used to enter another country. See the Emirates website.
      
      I can’t really see this every being picked up but obviously if you have a bilingiual test result in English/Spanish from a lab in Majorca a check-in agent in Germany could pick this up and require you to take a local test. Microscopic chance but be full aware of the rules and that you may not be considered 100% in compliance.
      - Yuff says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 10:41
        
        Thanks Blenz101
        If I knew how easy it was to travel within Europe, at the moment, it would make it easier to make a decision.
        Might end up flying back to the UK 🤦🏻‍♂️
Shaw West says:

16 Nov16 November 07:25

Etihad, Spend £500 get £200 landed on Amex Plat and Bonvoy
- Dave says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 07:38
  
  Nice, I used the spend £500 get £250 off last year. Still haven’t taken the flight admittedly but now have it as Etihad credit
  
  15% off up to a maximum of £150 on my Amex gold
- Tarmohamed says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:11
  
  Heads up. Won’t trigger on flights not departing the UK due to currency always being the country of departure.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 08:38
    
    That’s not why
    
    Amex get told exactly what flight you’ve bought and the offer terms are “ Offer only valid on flights departing from UK airports.”
    - Tarmohamed says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 15:28
      
      That term wasn’t in last years offer. Amex did eventually manually credit my account, but wasn’t worth the hassle
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 17:39
        
        It was in the offer earlier this year tbf.
- Dominic says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:59
  
  Dang, won’t have the Bonvoy card again until next year.
  
  Could have used that quite happily!
- Hulk says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 09:29
  
  The entry requirements for Abu Dhabi seem to be negative PCR 48 hours before departure. Is there anything else one should consider? Is it practical to travel there for a Christmas break?
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 09:52
    
    And on arrival still I believe.
    
    Possibly one after day 6 and 9 too if you are there that long.
    
    I know to go to the GP your PCR has to be no more than 48 hours old. Effectively means it’s a PITA to go for the 4 days.
  - blenz101 says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 10:05
    
    UK is on the Abu Dhabi green list. You just need a test 48 hours before departure assuming you are vaccinated. There is no quarantine.
    
    You will take a free test on arrival as you exit the airport, result in 90 mins. This result will be linked to the Al-Hosn app which will give you a green passs (assuming you test negative) to enter public spaces within the emirate.
    
    If you are flying Etihad as I undertand it you uneed a negative PCR to fly with them so coming back you need another PCR test which is capped at 50 AED / 10 GBP.
Joe says:

16 Nov16 November 07:43

Finally joined PAW and linked my first card if I have same card on airtime or virgin shops away will one interfere with the other.
Also it says all are exclusive discounts you won’t find anywhere else is that ever the case as all seem pretty standard to me.
- Andrew says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 10:02
  
  There’s more than one PAW.
  
  Some of the offers are targetted to specific employers. So a GSTT employee might get better London focussed offers than those on a generic NHS log-in. There is a distinct difference between the offers on my ex-employers site and my NHS version. Particularly the “Corporate Pricing” on the tab that doesn’t appear on my NHS version.
  
  Card clash is a real problem with the card linked rebates. If you always expect all, one or none of the offers to work – you won’t be disappointed.
  
  Have you ever seen a 25% rebate on Tesco anywhere else?
  - Joe says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 13:11
    
    Thanks Andrew. How did you guess it was a GSTT account 🙂 any stand out offers I should look at for then?
- Reney says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 11:43
  
  Airtime, Virgin SA and PAW have stacked for me in the past. As Andrew said, expect one and if the rest works that is a bonus.
Paul says:

16 Nov16 November 07:56

Just following on from a comment yesterday, can Asda Giftcards also purchase third party Giftcards in the same way that Morrissons GC’s can?
- Toaster says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:01
  
  It’s worked for me on the self serve tills with no issue.
- Benilyn says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:34
  
  And can I ask same question about Sainsbury’s?
  - Rui N. says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 08:45
    
    Doesn’t work
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 08:46
    
    No unfortunately not.
    - Paul says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 09:54
      
      So to confirm it works with Asda GC’s, but not Sainsbury’s?
      - Toaster says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 13:29
        
        On the hot and cold website someone reported that Sainsbury’s works on self serve.
        
        I think most store gift cards state in the terms that they cannot be used to purchase third party gift cards but in fact you can and its down to the checkout operator putting it through or refusing to try.
Mark says:

16 Nov16 November 07:59

Hotels.com / Tesco bank deal. Has anyone received their 750 clubcard points bonus for their stays during the promotion?
- John says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 14:04
  
  I have asked this a couple of times but no response
Paul says:

16 Nov16 November 08:10

Got some Monese gift cards yesterday – trying to get my hands on Tesco gift cards. I know Morrisons don’t stock them, do Asda? Any other route to get Tesco gcs? Thanks
- Harry T says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:34
  
  Lol
- Andrew says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 09:29
  
  Generally speaking the supermarkets don’t cross-market each other’s gift cards. The exception is usually John Lewis & Partners branded gift cards that can be used in Waitrose or M&S branded gift cards that can be used in their foodhalls.
  
  If you’d asked last week, I would have suggested using PAW to buy Tesco GCs with a 25% rebate.
  - Paul says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 10:13
    
    Can you use Asda Giftcards to then buy third party Giftcards as you can with Morrissons own Giftcards?
    - Andrew says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 11:12
      
      Just pop into your local branch of Associated Dairies and experiment? You won’t be stuck with them, you can still buy branded food and drink.
      
      Here’s a handy hack for shopping there!
      
      It’s a trick from when I used to finance nursing and care homes – and had to do site visits. Dab a spot of tea tree or peppermint oil between the second and third knuckle of your index finger. If you find your olfactory senses overwhelmed by other shoppers bodily odours, just raise your finger to beneath your nose and inhale.
      - Paul says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 11:34
        
        Good tip! Unfortunately Asda is my local, however if I can purchase third party Giftcards such as Amazon with their own branded Giftcards it will certainly sweeten the visit.
Diydegsy says:

16 Nov16 November 08:35

Anyone recently had experience of staying at the Sheraton Grand Park Lane on the intern rate, would love to know your experience as to what exactly is on offer now that things have opened up more and if the lounge is any good?
- Michael C says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 08:40
  
  Stayed a couple of months ago: summary was I would have had a few complaints if it had been full price, but just couldn’t at the rate we paid!
  Room gorgeous. Lounge open but dark/windowless. Minimal but tasty offerings (cream tea decent), arrived late: evening snacks tiny. Never a member of staff around.
  Public areas lovely.
  Breakfast fab!
  - meta says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 09:27
    
    I hope they learned from my recent stay and cleaned the bed sheets and that the lounge is actually a lounge rather than another place to sit. We got mid-way through the afternoon tea service and there was one scone left and no staff around…Breakfast was a total chaos when I stayed, but the hotel was full and not enough staff. I thought that the quality of food wasn’t great, but that’s more a matter of taste.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 09:38
      
      High prices, staff shortages and poor customer service … welcome to post covid lockdown, post brexit U.K. hospitality.
      
      Be glad you got the room at a great rate.
      - bazza says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 10:51
        
        Oh god here we go…. yawn..
      - Harry T says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 12:30
        
        Inb4 people pretend the staff shortages aren’t due to Brexit, as we are currently gallivanting into the sunny uplands…
      - His Holyness says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 18:34
        
        Hospitality is a $hit show all over Europe. Housekeeping issues from Paris to Warsaw due to labour shortages, Brexit?