The HfP chat thread – Tuesday 16th November

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Iain says:

16 Nov16 November 17:05

Can anyone help I am travelling from Heathrow with BA transiting Dubai then on with emirates to the Maldives . I want to go through airside transit and intend to travel with 2 pieces of hand luggage so that I don’t have to enter the country due to time constraints . However I only have an allowance on my emirates flight of 1 piece of hand luggage . Can anyone tell me if there is an airside baggage check in facility in Dubai T3 or suggest a better plan ( I have looked at the marhaba service which remains and option )
- Sam G says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 17:48
  
  Go to the gate. They’ll either just let you on or they’ll gate check it there
- Tarmohamed says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 22:04
  
  If you have an allowance with BA for hold luggage, check it in and go to the transfer desk at Dubai. I’m sure I’ve transferred from T2 to T1 at Dubai in the past without having to collect bags. Think it was from a Gulf air flight to a fly Dubai flight.
Manny_D says:

16 Nov16 November 17:33

Does anyone know how close to a trip you cancel and receive a voucher?

Flight and hotel are booked for mid-December through BA Holiday.

Just want to know on the off chance we test positive before the flight.
- AJA says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 17:37
  
  Have you paid the balance of the BA Holiday or have you just paid the deposit? If it is the latter you can cancel for a FTV 3 weeks before the holiday ie convert the deposit to a FTV. I have no idea if you can cancel any closer to the flight if you’ve paid everything.
  - ChrisC says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 18:24
    
    Still 3 weeks before even if you’ve paid in full.
    
    Based on the due date to pay the balance the 3 weeks excludes the day of departure.
    - ChrisC says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 18:38
      
      But BA Hols can be flexible but you would need to contact them at the approriate time and discuss options.
  - Manny_D says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 18:54
    
    Final balance is due in a week. Just trying to weigh up some options before paying the remainder. If it is flexible up until a day or two before the flight then it works out well, but if not I will have to evaluate.
    - MrHandBaggageOnly says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 19:51
      
      We had to cancel our BA Holiday about four days before we were due to travel due to Covid. Because it was under three weeks the options were limited, so we just pushed the trip back by a few months. Had to pay a £100, but the re-arranged trip was actually £140 less, so we ended up with £40 back.
James says:

16 Nov16 November 18:16

Cancelling an Avios reward flights question – the times have been changed on the flights. Will the taxes be refunded as cash, FTV or e-voucher? Will I still need to pay the £35 fee? Will be rebooking with cash.
Many thanks
- AJA says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 18:55
  
  Has BA cancelled your flight? I am guessing not and you are just not happy with the new flight times. If so and you want the Avios and cash back you will have to pay £35 per passenger to cancel. If you are happy to wrap up in a FTV you can cancel for the FTV for free ie without paying the £35.
- Simon says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 21:30
  
  If the time change is 4 hours or more, you can request a full refund with no penalty.
Paul says:

16 Nov16 November 18:19

For a complex reason I need to book a 3hr (maybe 4?) PCR test for my father for tomorrow. Googling only throws up Collinson at Heathrow as the only option, which is OK, but he’s not flying anywhere and the booking process seems to require flight details. Have tried phoning them but to no avail. Question is, could I just book the test and turn up without a flight, or am I going to have to book a flight and cancel just to get through booking, or indeed just make a flight up, presuming they only want it for certification reasons and cannot actually check any booking with airline? Anyone any experience of this somewhat bizarre situation or helpful suggestions?
- Harry T says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 18:25
  
  Could book a £5 throwaway Ryanair ticket to somewhere? I’m not sure they require you to present actual proof of flying but I haven’t used their services yet.
- AJA says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 19:00
  
  I don’t know any 3 hour PCR tests that are able to be booked if not actually flying. All booking sites require flight details and confirmation of booking so I am not sure just pretending you have a reservation on a flight will work. Boots will do a PCR test if you just want to be sure but it does not do turn around in 3 hours.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 19:14
  
  Lo haven’t done a 3 hr but in my experience of collinson’s request for flight details weren’t actually checked
  
  If they ask just give them the phoney details?
- Cats are best says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 19:15
  
  Biogroup also offer 3 hour PCR, clinics may be at more convenient locations than Heathrow, but way more expensive than Collinson.
  
  These rapid tests are offered for people urgently needing a ‘fit to fly’ document, which is why they want flight details.
  
  If he’s not flying, just choose a flight and put the details in, no one is going to check, let alone care, that he’s actually booked on it.
- Blenz101 says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 20:12
  
  Never had flight details checked. I think it is so they can prioritise or if you show up late for an appointment they can be clear the result isn’t going to be guaranteed.
  
  Just pick any flight in the schedule. They certainly aren’t going to ask for a ticket. You won’t have a boarding pass without a test. And no certificate contains flight details.
- KP says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 20:18
  
  Randox do it at raddison blu near Heathrow with a 4hr turn around
- Worksop Dave says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 22:27
  
  https://consumersupport.collinsonassistance.com/en/support/solutions/articles/80000157605-can-i-have-a-test-if-i-am-not-travelling-
- Lady London says:
  
  17 Nov17 November 02:24
  
  I’d put BA001 as the flight.
Dave says:

16 Nov16 November 18:42

Hoping your collective experience will alleviate my concerns though this may backfire!

Due to fly out to Bermuda in mid-December. That’ll be about 2 months since recovering from covid. A PCR test is needed both pre-departure and on arrival and I am worried one of these tests may still give a positive result. Recovery certificates are not accepted.

Just wondered what the experience of this seasoned group of travellers might be in terms of PCR results within 90 days of recovery?

Thanks in advance.
- Rob says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 19:14
  
  Rhys and I both travelled within a few days of recovering and passed PCR tests without an issue. The chance of this happening is slim.
- Anna says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 19:26
  
  Why don’t you get tested now, then if it’s negative you can stop worrying!
  - Dave says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 19:29
    
    Thanks, I don’t want take another test as if it does come back as positive I would need to go back into isolation…
    - Blenz101 says:
      
      16 Nov16 November 20:16
      
      Presumably a positive result would mean you still actively have covid but are just asymptomatic.
      
      So by not taking a test now you just potentially spread it not knowing your status. Would you do that with an STD?
      
      I guess if you fail it before your flight at least those sat near you will have been spared unlike those who came into contact with you in the previous month.
      - Dave says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 20:51
        
        Blenz there isn’t anything that is factually correct in your presumptions, but thanks for the uninformed moral advice.
      - Blenz101 says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 21:10
        
        Pardon me for suggesting someone who thinks they may test positive for carrying the active covid virus now should get a test and follow the guidance from the scientists trying to control this to prevent the spread.
        
        The most important thing is you don’t take anything now that will impact your freedom and ensure you get to Bermuda 🙁
      - Andy says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 21:20
        
        Blenz101, you aren’t supposed to get a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive one because viral load can be picked up in your system even though you haven’t been infectious for months. You’re only infectious at the start of your infection. A couple of weeks after you can’t pass it on and can’t catch it for a while even though you can test,positive
      - meta says:
        
        16 Nov16 November 21:20
        
        There is also a question of repeat infection. You can get infected again in short space of time. Chances are slim, but only you know about how you behave.
Benilyn says:

16 Nov16 November 18:45

Long shot, but anyone ever manage to eek out a deal from Hyperoptic (Broadband ISP)? Quite a small player so not sure if much traction.
- Blair says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 20:24
  
  Copious referral codes around for a sign up discount
- YC says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 20:25
  
  Dont know about negotiating a deal. But they are a solid provider and there is a £25 referral scheme.
- Benilyn says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 21:04
  
  Sorry I meant to say retention deal! Yep solid ISP
Brian Leworthy says:

16 Nov16 November 18:46

Is the US accepting NHS covid recovery certs? Thank you
- Nick says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 18:55
  
  In lieu of testing? No.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 19:43
    
    Surely ilo vaccination not testing
    
    Still think it’s a no though.
- Danny says:
  
  16 Nov16 November 20:30
  
  US accepts positive tests up to 90 days old in lieu of a recent negative test. Has to be accompanied by a signed healthcare letter clearing you for travel. See CDC website
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    16 Nov16 November 21:22
    
    Seems a lot of hassle compared to a cheap LFT
Nick says:

16 Nov16 November 18:56

So 5 years and multiple IT projects late… the GLP finally goes live tomorrow morning. Initial indications are that it’s working fine… but can’t wait for the first HfPer to find a bug!