The HfP chat thread – Friday 26th November

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• Vit says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:18

  Thailand has now decided to drop its test & go package (i.e. 1 day quarantine in hotel waiting for pcr test result) from 1st December onward. It will be replaced by rapid test instead. Though it is understood this rapid test and transport from airport will still need to be booked through hotels.

  Those who are travelling in after 15th December are encouraged to not apply for Thailand Pass till early next month to not overload the system.

  • BJ says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:39

    Thanks for that. Sounds encouraging as long as this new variant doesn’t set everything everywhere two steps backwards in the coming months.

    • Vit says:

      26 Nov26 November 08:01

      @BJ, are you not planning to travelling over at all? We are thinking this is probably our best shot to see the families after a few year and again based on what you mentioned up there too. Too many moving objects currently. 🙄

      • BJ says:

        26 Nov26 November 08:25

        @Vit, we had Xmas but had to cancel as my partner just got Citizenship so applying for his passport is a priority. We anticipated this or covid causing problems so we booked Japan and Thailand for Songkran as backup so that proved to be a good call and is now the ball in play. One way or another we will visit Thailand before end of April all being well with covid situation. I’ll even confess to missing my MIL 🙂 Hope you have a great time, agree with grasping the opportunity ASAP now it has presented itself.

        • Wollhouse says:

          26 Nov26 November 08:40

          BJ!! Go wash your mouth out… missing your MIL;)!! Yes single location for now, but we’re there until mid March so MAYBE if it’s just rapid test we can add a hop or two. The rules change so quickly, so who knows. What I do know, is that my friends who run a hotel in Fishermans Village in Samui would be DELIGHTED to see you! Well, anyone to be honest 🙁

  • Wollhouse says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:47

    Hi Vit, where have you seen this? Can’t find anything. We’re already booked but flying after 1 Dec, and after Polly’s experience, a rapid test would be preferable. Actually….after MY previous Thailand PCRS too! Think they literally went into my brain. Deeply unpleasant all 3 times..

    • Vit says:

      26 Nov26 November 07:59

      😅😅😅 Yes that’s what I heard about pcr testing in Thailand too! They go straight into your brain.. I still need to do it though as I need the negative pcr test to fly in to Phnom Penh.

      I have heard mixed reviews on both camps of rapid test and pcr. Heard the US is dropping the pcr test and just do antigen rapid over all?

      Anyway, this is just breaking from Thai CCSA (equivalent to US CDC). For English, you may follow Richard Barrow on Facebook or twitter for latest updates.

      There are conflicting info as it may not be come into force till 15th Dec and not the 1st.

      • Wollhouse says:

        26 Nov26 November 08:07

        Thanks! Duh…Sorry, forgot to check Richard:( we fly 23 Dec so 15th would be great. Hope your trip goes well. I miss the days when I could bounce between Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand.

        • Vit says:

          26 Nov26 November 08:16

          I know! Too many hassle at the moment. I have applied for too many Thailand Passes now with plan changes. I am flying back from PP on 22nd Dec, booked test and go at Conrad. Will need to speak to them regarding changing to rapid test and transport only. Will report back as well if I got chance to.

        • BJ says:

          26 Nov26 November 08:32

          I know Vit has no option but I agree for the moment single country travels are much better. Why we are contemplating dropping Japan from our spring trip for Thailand alone despite loss of 50% avios booking.

        • Vit says:

          26 Nov26 November 09:17

          @BJ, yes no option as needing to see my dad and my 1 year old niece. 🙂 I would not decide now on the Japan trip thought as I think they are trying hard to reopen considering more than 80% of population are fully vaccinated now. I have flight booked with EVA using miles via TPE but don’t think it is possible in the next couple month though.

    • Polly says:

      26 Nov26 November 12:07

      Hilarious, am still traumatised after the 3 l had here! Awful…

      But now with this variant, we have been mulling over the fact, should we stay or should we go, or as one hfp ter said, run while we still can! But we really want to stay, and our friends here are saying that Singapore will shut down routes in so fast. They don’t mess around and wait like the U.K. did with India…anyway, just had a glorious swim, out to local dinner now, and hope for the best.

      BJ, know what you mean missing the MIL. We know so many people like that in Thailand also, such lovely people…but hope you will get back there next year as you have planned.

      • meta says:

        26 Nov26 November 12:35

        I am also not so sure with antigen tests. As we learned with Polly’s case other countries have more sensitive types and then there is a question what if someone on the flight tests positive… I would do it if there was really a need to see family or for business, but for leisure no way.

        • Polly says:

          26 Nov26 November 13:41

          Agree, Meta. We will actively seek out countries without that risk, not that many TBH. But are they still doing this isolation thing if someone near you tests positive on the plane? That’s quite wrong, esp if you are neg and asymptomatic…
          1 case of the new variant in Belgium now, BBC, closer to home. Guess w Singapore being so strict with VTL, let’s hope nothing develops here.

• ChrisC says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:21

  Sainsbury’s have 25% off wine and fizz if you buy 6 or more from now up to and including 1st December.

  Hic!

  • Craig says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:28

    Stacked nicely with the Monese gifts cards.

    • Andrew says:

      26 Nov26 November 07:47

      And redeeming Avios via nectar.

    • Mattb says:

      26 Nov26 November 10:14

      Used mine up yesterday, if my maths is correct it’s effectively a 40% discount so not too bad in the absence of double up.

    • Phil W says:

      26 Nov26 November 11:21

      Thanks for the heads up @ ChrisC and Craig. Had to get the wine delivered to my mum in England, because the Poison Dwarf here in Scotland has forbidden such deals. So the big risk is whether my mum finishes the Champagne and Prosecco before I get to it. On second thoughts, this might not turn out to be a great deal for me after all!

      • Anna says:

        26 Nov26 November 12:26

        By any chance do the supermarkets round Berwick and Carlisle do very well when these offers are on?! Booze cruise to England 🤣

        • Phil W says:

          26 Nov26 November 15:56

          I have been known to pop by Morrisons Berwick-upon-Tweed when some good alcohol deals are running!

        • Mike says:

          26 Nov26 November 17:33

          Last time I was in Berwick Tesco it was like a booze cruise destination!

• Andrew says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:26

  Morrison’s offer back on Amex – they’re becoming the new Sweaty Betty!

  • Wollhouse says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:51

    Well, hangs head in shame… but SB actually had a good sale for BF, and I get a teaching discount so the pricing was excellent so I wanted an offer. And… there wasn’t a bloody SB offer on any of my cards! Tiny one on the site that shall not be named.

• bafan says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:37

  If I book a Finnair flight through BA – will the OWE extra bag allowance on the Economy Light fare still stand or will they make me follow BA’s rules? I think I read either on here or FT that American were difficult with following the rule if it was booked with BA codes because BA don’t reciprocate on HBO fares.

  There’s no price difference than just booking direct with Finnair but the flights are expensive and I’d rather use the BA vouchers I have if possible rather than outlay cash.

  • AJA says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:47

    I believe your OWE benefits apply including lounge access etc even if you book the lite fare directly with Finnair. But I’d also book BA flight numbers as you earn more Avios and have vouchers to use.

• Josh says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:39

  Has anyone received their BA 241 voucher who triggered it in the last month? It’s now been 4 weeks since we hit the 10k spend and still absolutely nothing. Same with my other family member who triggered it 3 weeks ago.

  • ChrisM says:

    26 Nov26 November 07:55

    Funny, I was thinking that too. I defo hit the £10,000 and paid my account in full as always, but at the beginning of Oct a >£2000 airbnb cancelled on me and refunded, so balance went back down below £10,000. I really thought I would have had the email about the voucher, but it never came. Anyway, I’ll certainly earn it before my due date in Jan and it will be valid longer than expected.

  • Sandra B says:

    26 Nov26 November 08:48

    Got my email the other day.

    • Josh says:

      26 Nov26 November 09:06

      Was this after your statement for that month that you triggered it? I’m wondering if that’s anything to do with it

  • AFKAE says:

    26 Nov26 November 09:57

    My statement date is 13th. Triggered in November, received email from BA confirming voucher yesterday 25th.

  • TedL says:

    26 Nov26 November 12:12

    A purchase on the 18th November triggered my 241 and it arrived in my BAEC account yesterday, 30 months validity. My statement date is not till 5th December. The 10k for £5k spend also triggered with the same purchase and the 10k Avios were there immediately.

  • ACK says:

    26 Nov26 November 21:05

    I triggered a BAPP 241 on the 13th of Nov. Voucher landed in my BAEC account today, with 30 months validity. Will try to trigger OH’s too before the end of the year.

• captaindave says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:49

  Planning on Thailand for May 22 – visiting family ( including a new arrival 🙂 ) in Bangkok for a few days, then onward to one of the islands ( not decided which one yet.. ) then obviously back to BK.

  Any tips for getting good deals on the flights ? would prefer direct which will increase the cost i know. Would be a cash flight.

  Went a few years ago and took flights from Edinburgh, which saved a decent whack, but not a great plan in hindsight, as we used train from Totnes to Edinburgh and back…

  Thinking to fly from Dublin, but since Flybe’s demise i dont think anyone does DUB from my nearest airport ( Exeter )

  • Vit says:

    26 Nov26 November 08:06

    Congratulations with the new arrival! 🎉

    I’ll be counting down in Samui this year, after been to phuket a couple time. Staying at Centara Reserve, their newest addition, opening 1st Dec. Will report back. It was a good deal, room with pool access for £100ish a night!

    If you have IHG points, I would look at Kimpton Kitalay Samui as it will newly opening from 1st Feb as well so probably some good deals to be had.

    Enjoy! 😉

    • captaindave says:

      26 Nov26 November 17:58

      Thanks Vit !

      We stayed at Centara Villas on Samui when we went in 2016, really liked it there ( good free upgrade as well ) although there were only a handful of restaurants in the immediate area, but Centara ran a regular bus if you wanted to visit Chaweng etc..

  • Sam G says:

    26 Nov26 November 08:45

    How about ScootPlus from Gatwick? It’s like premium economy and isn’t bad for the price in my opinion!

    Otherwise direct you’re only looking at Thai and Eva who don’t do many discounts usually.

    If you want biz then I saw that Finnair have some good deals out of London, easy connection in Helsinki

    • captaindave says:

      26 Nov26 November 17:58

      Thanks Sam G..

      Will check those out, cheers !

• Kumar says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:52

  Boingo wifi which comes with VA+ card used to work for In flight wifi on VA and Etihad. Is it still the case?
  I will be flying tonight on Etihad and can report next week.

  • FCP says:

    26 Nov26 November 12:52

    I have not got it to work on KLM, ETIHAD or Saudia.
    ETIHAD was in September, 2 flights. Nothing.
    Let me know how you get on, I will be on ETIHAD again on Tuesday.

• Maciek says:

  26 Nov26 November 08:13

  So following the comments I went to my IHG account and indeed points from Creation haven’t been posting since September. The statements show points earned but points transferred is zero. No fee refund (anniversary in June), no response to my complaint (response was due yesterday).

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