The HfP chat thread – Monday 22nd November

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Thywillbedone says:

22 Nov22 November 10:18

Technical RT-PCR test question: are they always combined throat and nose swabs? Asking as I’d rather nearly gag than have my eyeball tickled.

Lastly, are Expresstest ‘PCR’ tests ‘RT-PCR’ tests? The FAQ on their website references RT-PCR but when you are booking, it only refers to a ‘PCR’ test. Need for trip to Thailand which expressly states pre-departure tests must be RT-PCR.

Thanks.
- Polly says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:44
  
  Ours was the full rt PCR before Singapore last week, v kind and well practiced, at T2 arrivals anyway
- marcw says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 12:38
  
  Technically, all COVID-19 “PCR tests” are RT-PCR.
- Gavin says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 13:25
  
  I understand all PCR tests are RT-PCR, but for Thailand I would want to make sure it says RT-PCR on the certificate just in case you get a problematic check-in agent or immigration official.
- Roy says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 16:23
  
  Halo Verify offer a saliva PCR test. I believe it’s valid for most countries but not all so you need to check – a couple of countries specify that it must be a nose and/or throat swab.
  
  https://www.haloverify.com/
  
  Though there was a report on here in the early days of someone ordering a test kit from Halo and not receiving it, and I think having difficulty contacting their customer service. Hopefully it’s settled down a bit now. Incidentally, these are the people that are offering the “Test and Rest” package at the Sofitel that Rob did an article about, so I don’t think it’s a complete fly-by-night operation.
  
  https://hfp2022.headforpoints.blog/2020/11/05/heathrow-hotel-coronavirus-test/
- Roy says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 16:26
  
  Yup, all PCR tests for COVID will be an RT-PCR test, since coronavirus is an RNA virus.
  
  Normal PCR is used for testing DNA samples., RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase PCR) is used for testing RNA samples.
- Thywillbedone says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 18:08
  
  Thanks folks. ExpressTest confirmed same to me by Twitter DM …they said cert does include reference to RT-PCR …(one of the reasons I asked is that their Day 2 arrivals test I did in October was a PCR but it did not state RT-PCR on the test, just PCR – and I’ve heard reports that unknowing border control people have been saying this is insufficient)
xcalx says:

22 Nov22 November 10:20

My son used Simply test me for the 2 day return test during half term. He has not received any results. Is there any way to check if they sent the results to DHSC. He has a holiday booked for Christmas and is worried he may be on some blacklist. Is he needlessly worrying. Thanks
- QwertyKnowsBest says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:23
  
  Nothing to worry about, had same problem with them. Charge back on CC.
- Ryan says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:31
  
  With these tests you actually don’t want them to return or for them to arrive late
  
  As Querty said, do a chargeback on your card and you’ll get refunded
  - Roger says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 10:56
    
    Why would you use charge back when you have already consumed the test.
    Not a good advice for such small amount
    - QwertyKnowsBest says:
      
      22 Nov22 November 11:18
      
      One test had no identification code on, which is a stipulated part of the email that they require from you. No response when I advised them of this. The other test had no email confirmation back which is part of the testing procedure, hence chargeback.
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:52
  
  Confused. Isn’t it an LFT? the result is in front of you after you take it.
  - Roger says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 10:55
    
    In fairness I did receive my results on Saturday about 8 hours after uploading on their website.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      22 Nov22 November 10:56
      
      It’s just confirmation of your result though.
      
      You know it says negative or positive. There’s no blacklist and nothing to worry about if you didn’t receive an email back confirming what you already know infront of you.
      - Roger says:
        
        22 Nov22 November 11:11
        
        Indeed
        Nothing to worry about but just a confirmation in case someone from track n trace follows up at least as a traveller you have followed up with the test provider for the results
  - Roy says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 18:05
    
    Yes, kind of, but the officially recognised result is emailed to you (and the government) after a professional interprets the photo you send. Unlink the free NHS tests, you can’t just self-report the results of a day 2 test.
    - Tariq says:
      
      22 Nov22 November 21:31
      
      Probably AI rather than a person TBH.
      - Roy says:
        
        22 Nov22 November 23:41
        
        At least in the case of Randox, claimed to be manual verification – and the certificate appears to contain the name of the person who reviewed it (“Results interpreted by Mr X Xxxxx, European Health Technology Ltd, UKAS ref xxxxx”). I did get my result back in a few seconds but I think I was just lucky as they say allow up to 3 hours.
        
        No idea if the gov’t rules allow automated analysis of the image…
- Rob says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:56
  
  If he uploaded the test he’s fine. The email back probably went to spam. It is, after all, totally obvious if the test is positive.
- xcalx says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:30
  
  Thanks to all. Sorry I should have said he hadn’t received conformation of receipt of negative result.
Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

22 Nov22 November 10:22

The cephalopod-themed website is doing 25% back on all hotel bookings through Expedia today. Max £150 rebate.
- Roger says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 10:53
  
  Vs 12% discount on Ebookers.
  I know which one I will use.
- Beardless Hipster says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 12:42
  
  25% is for UK hotel bookings only; 8% for all other hotel bookings
Tazzy says:

22 Nov22 November 10:42

I recently upgraded my BA Amex meaning I had hit the spend for 2-4-1 about 10 days ago. The companion voucher is still not showing in my account. Should I be worried? Previously it had always shown up more or less instantly
- Dave says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:24
  
  When I upgraded after hitting the spend target the voucher didn’t appear until I had made a purchase post upgrade.
Michael C says:

22 Nov22 November 10:51

STILL can’t log in to Exec Club on laptop!
- SteveJ says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:01
  
  Even with the workaround? Workaround been working fine for me since the weekend.
  - Michael C says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 11:51
    
    Cheers, was out of loop following frazzling w/end party with twenty 8-yr olds.
    Workaround v funny!
Mco says:

22 Nov22 November 10:57

My family member has 4500 avios due to expire this month. What is the best use for them? Domestic flight is either 4750 points + £49.34 or 3700 Avios + £ 64.34 both of which don’t make decent redemptions.
- Jpa says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:01
  
  Buy something through the BA shopping portal to extend the life of them.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 13:19
    
    Just eat usually posts quickly.
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:09
  
  Or transfer to a nectar card
  - Mco says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 13:27
    
    He won’t go as far as setting up accounts and what not. Easier to just buy a ticket. Are there any tickets around the 4500 mark? I thought domestic used to be 4500? But now showing as 4750 or 3700.
- AJA says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:25
  
  Check whether there was a random 1 Avios credited to the account in August. Many people got that which reset the expiry counter.
  
  If not transfer 400 Nectar Points to their account, it converts to 250 Avios and before last week was an instant transfer (trouble is this route is currently disabled due to the BAEC “improvements “)
  
  Rather than simply booking a redemption they could buy a flight to somewhere they want to go and use the Avios to reduce the fare – I think the option for x Avios for £20 discount is usually OK value.
  - Mco says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 13:28
    
    I was hoping to book a ticket and cancel for a voucher to use down the line so needed a route that allows me to cash out the exact 4500.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      22 Nov22 November 23:19
      
      No 4500 routes anymore.
Shaw West says:

22 Nov22 November 11:00

Nectar 40 points per £1 spend at Laithwaites and Averys. Stack nicely with the 25% off Amex Offer
Idrive says:

22 Nov22 November 11:19

I got a 2for1 voucher expiring tomorrow, i just found out that the last available date for the first flight must be today.
The original article on FTV extension quoted ‘once the cool off period passed’ cancel and wrap the flight into FTV. Yesterday someone said you can cancel same day.

is it safe to book now for a flight TODAY and immediately cancel to wrap it into an extended FTV?

I thought the voucher would expire on the date mentioned but it is not the case, thanks in advance
- Anna says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:29
  
  Yes you can cancel same day. You might need to find a workaround to get into your BAEC account to make the redemption atm but there’s a separate article pinned on this.
  - Idrive says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 11:46
    
    Thanks i managed to get through the account – luckily.
    I ll then book a cheap economy and wrap it, class can be changed anyway later
- AJA says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:29
  
  Yes book and then cancel immediately works or you could wait until later today if you want to. No need to wait until tomorrow to get the FTV though I don’t see how that would work anyway since the outbound flight has to be before 2-4-1 expires so would have to be for a flight today.
  - Idrive says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 11:46
    
    Thanks, will do that
- Rob says:
  
  22 Nov22 November 11:47
  
  There is a special link to request a voucher on BA’s covid page. If you use this link it should hopefully work.
  - Idrive says:
    
    22 Nov22 November 12:27
    
    Thanks all done, using the covid voucher page. I received two ftv numbers, one for each passenger. Much appreciated!