The HfP chat thread – Thursday 2nd December

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• Robeto says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:35

  I managed to convert some Avios-Nectar about a day before it said you couldn’t do it anymore which was about 4 days ago.

  The points have left my Avios balance has anyone else managed to get the transfer through?

  I know it takes 10 days but I’m wondering if anyone did it a bit earlier and it worked out okay?

  • Peter K says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:55

    Reports on here suggest it can take up to 14 days. It’s certainly not instant.

  • Andrew says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:01

    Mine are usually 14 days on the dot, but others have reported a couple of days less. I would aim for expecting them 10-14 days from transaction.

  • Dave says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:16

    I did the request 24th Nov and I’m still waiting.

  • Peter Taysum says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:26

    It takes ten days to go through; states UP TO TEN DAYS, it will be exactly ten days, and mine didn’t clear until 12 noon. Plus, whilst “there” they aren’t until the following day if you try to buy petrol/use at Sainsburys. The work around is they phone Nectar and check ID then take them off manually as they haven’t updated with Sainsburys but are “at Nectar!”

    *breathes*

    • Lady London says:

      2 Dec2 December 11:12

      So it’s all just a slowdown technique when they had a perfectly working system that let you request it online instantly?

      Sounds a bit like the BA refunds button that also disappeared.

      • KK says:

        2 Dec2 December 16:38

        considering the theft that comes along with it, surprised?

  • Andy says:

    2 Dec2 December 13:41

    The two transfers I’ve done both took ten days

• graham says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:38

  Arriving at Terminal 5 on Monday, is there a Day 2 test centre in the terminal or is the Collinson at Cardinal point (10 min drive) the only one that offers “on site arrival” tests

  • Pete M says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:40

    Yea, Express Test: https://www.expresstest.co.uk/heathrow-terminal-5-arrivals/

  • Frankie says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:58

    Haloverify at the Sofitel. https://www.haloverify.com/heathrow-t5/

  • Alan S says:

    2 Dec2 December 14:03

    I’m interested where it is within Terminal 5.

    • Tariq says:

      2 Dec2 December 17:16

      The one that I saw last week, was at the far end of T5 on the ground floor, underneath where the BA arrivals lounge is.

• Secret Squirrel says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:38

  I have the Amex Marriott card, if I refer someone to one of the BA cards do I get any referral bonus?

  • WearyTraveller says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:43

    You’ll get the referral bonus of the card you’re referring them from. It doesn’t matter which card they apply for.

  • Rob says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:46

    Yes, 9k

• Andy says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:44

  Flying to Bangkok via Dubai with EMirates next week, got Priority Pass and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the best lounge option to use?

  • Andrew says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:50

    The Emirates lounge will be better than the PP options.

    • Andy says:

      2 Dec2 December 09:46

      Am economy though unfortunately

      • Blenz101 says:

        2 Dec2 December 11:34

        You can pay your way into EK if minded.

        Don’t have PP but if they offer similar to LoungeKey I would recommend the Ahlan lounge over Marhaba. It offers food cooked to order and a decent bar service plus a sleep area if your flight is a very late one.

  • Kevin says:

    2 Dec2 December 16:03

    Ahlan lounge at dxb has probably the best food I’ve seen in a lounge.

• Andrew H says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:49

  Virgin Atlantic 241; I assume the flight has to be completed by 2 years from the date of issue of the voucher?

  A little disappointed that 330 days from now they are not offering a A350-1000 on NYC>LHR (it’s a Saturday which may be the reason). No big deal – will stick with the BA flight I’ve booked – just that a one way on BA starting outside the UK cannot use any 241s so…120,000 Avios rather than ~83,000 Virgin points

  • JohnT says:

    2 Dec2 December 08:53

    Are any 241s the new ones – aren’t they valid for that?

    • Andrew H says:

      2 Dec2 December 08:58

      No they are old ones; currently only have the free BA personal as am running the BA accelerating business card.

      I doubt very much that I could take out a BAPP, get a 241 and edit my current booking to save 60,000 Avios. Or – get the BAPP – be no sign up bonus – run up enough spend to get the 241 and make a second booking; Avios flights likely to have gone by then

      • Andrew H says:

        2 Dec2 December 09:00

        (Just checked my vouchers in case I screwed up – from UK only)

        • Andrew H says:

          2 Dec2 December 09:03

          I could have kept the BAPP, got the new voucher and saved 60,000 Avios…instead of signing up for the Acc Business card and earning 60,000 Avios. Same difference in the end!

• Dave says:

  2 Dec2 December 08:52

  Morning

  My flight to Shanghai (avios J class) next Feb has been cancelled. BA service cancelled till July. So called for asking to rebook on another airline like FinAir, but they refused saying they are not obliged to rebook me. They only offer refund whiich I don’t want.
  I do need to fly there, may I know what are my options? Shall I quote EU261?

  • Anna says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:01

    Yes – recent reports suggest they will cave if you write to BA’s legal department. You are entitled to re-routing in your original cabin class, stick to your guns!

  • Maciek says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:04

    Quote “BA onto QR” policy update 19 dated 30 November 2021. They will rebook onto QR, you may need to speak to the supervisor if you get a pushback.

  • Lee says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:53

    Are you serious thinking travel to China next Feb? I won’t do that in next two years.

    • Dave says:

      2 Dec2 December 10:08

      Hi

      I am Chinese actually, probably only one on this website. Been 2 years since last time I went back

• Peter Taysum says:

  2 Dec2 December 09:10

  1. Off to Turkey with friend, two grown up children, one 13 and two 10. Adults have proof of vaccination; so to enter I believe we are fine. Under 12 are fine. 13 year old has “proof” of Covid in October but how do we demonstrate “recovery”? (I’m a Doctor, do I wear my stethoscope and a white coat and say she’s fine?!? 🤷🏽‍♀️) I would say “common sense” but…

  2. Coming back and I’m flying to Seattle so I think Newcastle airport D2 PCR (need to check it’s valid) to come out is isolation and enter USA.

  3. I can’t move Avios to Nectar “online” (since “upgrade” to BAEC) states this; can J do it manually @BA?!?

  Thanks for any advice…

  • Nick Burch says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:49

    10 (or maybe 14?) days after a positive NHS PCR, a recovery certificate should show up in your NHS app under the covid section. Would be alongside vaccination records if present. Not sure if your teen has access, and even can have access, so might need to ring and ask for one to be posted

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:

      2 Dec2 December 10:32

      I’m not sure what “proof” you have of the 13yr old’s Covid and if it is acceptable to the airline. They are the ones that matter in the first instance because they don’t want the cost of flying you back if you cant get in.

      We had the exact same issue (age and destination) back in October. In our case we did a couple of free LFT tests at home to test the likely outcome in advance and then paid for a LFT test to generate the necessary certificate. This was about 20 days after her positive PCR and she was fine. I don’t recall Turkey even asking upon arrival.

      If the NHS could just provide the certificate to those under 16 this wouldn’t even be an issue. Instead, you are left to fill in the blanks yourself. Oh, and do be sure not to mix up their LFT test with someone who doesn’t have covid!

      • Peter Taysum says:

        2 Dec2 December 12:44

        Positive PCR? (possibly lateral flow) test, after close contact at school. I’m not sure TBH, and as 13 not sure if they can use the app; will need to investigate.

        Agree, if they just opened it up to > 12s!

  • k says:

    2 Dec2 December 10:18

    Do you ever notice how Drs wear a stethoscope around their neck to distinguish themselves from any other pleb wearing plain clothes. Even when being interviewed at 11pm on Newsnight.

    Good luck wearing yours on arrival in Turkey.

    • Bazza says:

      2 Dec2 December 12:19

      In the hospital this normally tells us they are not a consultant or close to it…

      • Peter Taysum says:

        2 Dec2 December 12:40

        I’ll advise my colleagues we mustn’t use stethoscopes any more… 🤣🤣🤣

    • Peter Taysum says:

      2 Dec2 December 12:39

      🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

      Certainly when I was interviewed by BBC1, Channel 4, BBC Radio, etc I’ve always worn my stethoscope; most effective on the radio I find.

      Mostly I wear it on nights out trying to find a husband…

      • DaveyH says:

        2 Dec2 December 16:33

        Dentists being interviewed on TV always were their scrubs at home which I find very odd.

• Cranzle says:

  2 Dec2 December 09:17

  Has anyone received a recent retention bonus for Amex Platinum Charge?
  I’m seriously thinking about cancelling given that Priority Pass Lounge access has been denied for me, the travel insurance I can get elsewhere, the offers are available on other cards and FHR is closely matched by Emyr and my hotel status

  • Can says:

    2 Dec2 December 09:48

    I’ve got 50k

  • Js says:

    2 Dec2 December 12:12

    35k 2 days ago

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