The HfP chat thread – Thursday 18th November

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

• Pablo says:

  18 Nov18 November 11:26

  Any ideas for free or cheap parking near Stansted? I will need around 3 hours.

  • Robert Brooks says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:05

    Belmer Road, on the North side of the airport. It is where I used to go to watch planes. I have parked there for 8+hours frequently without problems. It is a bit of a drive to the terminal areas, but I don’t think there is anywhere else in the vicinity you could park for free for a duration. I hope this link works… https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.8921299,0.2392362,303m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

  • Memesweeper says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:26

    Takely

• Andrew H says:

  18 Nov18 November 11:31

  The Aer Lingus shopping site is fine (it’s a differently branded copy of the BA one). For anyone who uses the BA portal ten times before the end of the year, they can start doing bonus buys at the Aer Lingus one as it has the same 100,200,300 etc promotion…

  I’m at 5 items (1500 bonus Avios so far) and wanting to use the BA one again… when they fix it

  • PJJ says:

    18 Nov18 November 17:22

    Can you use the same outlet more than once, thus splitting your order

• berneslai says:

  18 Nov18 November 11:51

  Tesco clubcard. I’ve only ever bothered with the iPhone app and now I’ve been logged out. The security settings are now asking for digits from a clubcard I don’t physically have.

  Is there any way of remedying this without order a new card (10 days wait time)?

  • Mick S says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:08

    similar scenario here – i had to ring Tesco. during the waiting period I did find the plastic card.
    For future ref, once you logged into the app again then save the clubcard to apple wallet. Next time it logs you out you can still retrieve the number from the wallet.

  • Chris says:

    18 Nov18 November 14:14

    Did u add the card to your apple wallet? Shows full number on it.

  • Chrism20 says:

    18 Nov18 November 16:40

    Do you track it on AwardWallet? The number is also there

• Can says:

  18 Nov18 November 11:52

  Read on FT: Turkish lira keeps losing value, could be better and easier option for some for the holidays.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:16

    My experience in Turkey is that most places charge in Euros and then convert to Lira

    • Can says:

      18 Nov18 November 12:19

      Really? That may be true for hotels and flights, but for restaurants taxis etc I never thought so.

    • Aston100 says:

      18 Nov18 November 12:36

      Everywhere in that country accepts the Turkish Lira. Some touristy places may pretend they don’t until you walk away.

  • John says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:21

    Restaurant prices will just go up in lira terms to be the same in better currencies.

• Aston100 says:

  18 Nov18 November 12:03

  Any recommendations for a sim card for the USA please?
  2 weeks usage. I guess maybe 10gb data maximum.

  • Mick S says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:10

    can you existing provider just add Global coverage to your subscription for a period of one month? I done this in the past with Vodafone.

    • Aston100 says:

      18 Nov18 November 12:52

      Mick, my provider is Sky Mobile who are very cheap but basic (can’t even do Airtime). Any extras cost a lot.
      £6 per day for unlimited use abroad. This is their only option.
      I’ll be going with a 3 sim, as suggested by Soloflyer below.

      • Mick S says:

        18 Nov18 November 13:30

        It’s a great shout to be fair. Might actually go with this myself for my US trip in Feb.
        I’ve got the physical SIM card slot free in my iPhone, so I can just add the extra sim.

  • Can says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:11

    I always use T-Mobile in US

    • Soloflyer1977 says:

      18 Nov18 November 12:34

      Get a Pay As Go Three UK Sim – £15 for 1 month – 25GB UK data of which 12GB can be used in the US.

      • Aston100 says:

        18 Nov18 November 12:38

        Thanks. The 3 website is suggesting the £10 and £15 sims are in-store only.
        Maybe I’m doing it wrong?

        • Soloflyer1977 says:

          18 Nov18 November 12:41

          Just scroll down a little further and select order a free sim. Should be within in a few days.

  • Paul says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:48

    From Amazon, prepaid AT&T sim, 22GB 4G unlimited calls and texts, 14 days, was about £28 in September, used it for Canada, but USA compatible too, very easy, just activate before you go, then swap sim when you arrive.

    • Aston100 says:

      18 Nov18 November 12:50

      Thanks Paul.
      Going to try dual sims

    • Mel T says:

      18 Nov18 November 19:31

      Oh this is a brilliant option thank you – struggling for Canada options!

  • Jen T says:

    18 Nov18 November 16:33

    We use USA Pay As You Go SIM Card. Posted to us in the UK ahead of travel and activates as soon as we arrive. Unlimited data and hotspot tethering is very useful.

  • davef says:

    18 Nov18 November 16:34

    There’s only really 2 options, Ultra Mobile tourist pack bought at a TMobile store in the USA, or possibly an Inmotion airport location, or a prepaid sim at an AT&T store. None of the other networks do anything like it.
    3’s roam like home bought in the UK used to be an option but they’re scrapping it from next year or so I heard.

  • Mel T says:

    18 Nov18 November 17:47

    Another vote for Three PAYG – has worked well in California, Wisconsin, New York and Arizona/Nevada areas with no signal issues. Although looking at the small print anyone travelling after May 2022 would be best looking elsewhere – an extra £5 a day!!!

• FFoxSake says:

  18 Nov18 November 12:10

  What’s the best number to call for upgrading the cabin for an Amex BA 2 for 1 voucher booking? Or does any BA number work?
  Originally booked in Premium Economy but now Club has become available…

  • Spurs drive me mad says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:49

    Try on chat bottom right hand side of contacts page.

    • FFoxSake says:

      18 Nov18 November 13:29

      Amazingly I got through to an agent on the main BA 0800 number after only 10 minutes queuing, but they had to forward me to the Avios team 03444 933349 to make changes to previous booking.
      Less than 10 minutes in that queue and call was answered again. The Avios agent did warn me that because of the system upgrades it might not be possible, but I got lucky. He said he’d tried over 30 booking changes today and mine was the first one that actually went through!!

• Mycity says:

  18 Nov18 November 12:10

  Hi, looking for some advice/views please. I booked flights using a 241 to the states going next May, I booked the seat numbers as well using Avios questions I have are
  I know if you pay cash for seat reservations and cancel you done get the cash refunded, is this the same for using the Avios?

  Also if I cancel and go for a FTV what happens to the Avios used for the seat reservation? Does that all get bundled into the FTV?

  Finally assuming I have a FTV and I use it for say a European flight I assume and surplus miles and cash are refunded and not bundled into another FTV?

  • Mick S says:

    18 Nov18 November 12:14

    1. Yes, and you will get the voucher back, unless it has expired.
    2. Should get it all back (that is my understanding) if it’s all on the same booking
    3. I was told by BA it’s refunded, but someone on here said it becomes another FTV

    • mycity says:

      18 Nov18 November 14:45

      Thanks Mick

      • JohnT says:

        18 Nov18 November 16:30

        Was told cash refund of balance will be processed BUT after 10 weeks still no sign, however new flight not ticketed yet either. Got my 10k for £5k ba spend now so may try and chase again soon.

• Tom says:

  18 Nov18 November 12:36

  From Barclays Premier today:

  “More Premier benefits

  ….. we can now also offer you a great new benefit with tripAbrood.

  tripAbrood is an award-winning travel startup, putting the fun back into finding a family holiday. Using artificial intelligence, they allow you to explore and be matched to the best holiday accommodation for your family. tripAbrood can offer you up to 30% off other travel websites and you’ll also benefit from an exclusive 5% discount on any bookings made with them before 31 January 2022.”

  Anyone have any experience with this lot? I’ve never heard of them!

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.