Chat thread – Saturday 21st September

[Rob]

This is today’s chat thread.

If you have specific questions about Avios, hotels or credit cards, please ask them in the appropriate forum and not here. This thread is a good place to post interesting deals you have spotted or your general thoughts on travel and all things miles and points. Thank you for contributing.

[Peter K]

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

[Gordon]

Peter K wrote:

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

As a past frequent visitor to Le Mans, for the 24 hours race, a group of us used the train option, if your wife suffers from sea sickness, then I would definitely take the train. Drive straight on, get out and stretch your legs, You will be there before you know it. And feeling good for the start of your trip, I’d use this option every time. The last time I used a ferry was when I was 18 years old, when a group of I visited the Belgium beer festival, I was ill all the way, I’ve never taken a ferry again. That was 40 years ago. Although I believe they have improved now!

[Lumma]

Preposterous amount of mice running amok in the Galleries North lounge this morning. Not really what I’d expect to see with my hard earned Gold Sparrow status.

“Hey everyone, tuck your pants into your socks”

[tomtom135]

Just before I book some Lufthansa flights for work can anyone confirm you can still use the Platinum card to get in the lounges even on an economy ticket? Article on HFP is very useful but just want to check it hasn’t changed.

[GibsonJ]

BA complaints handling seems to have sunk to new lows. After 3 months I have received a generic reply to my complaint about numerous aspects of a flight from Boston to LHR. No mention of the flight actually booked, no addressing the concerns raised or any explanations. It’s an email that could be sent to anybody about any flight, and probably is. What to do next?

[JDB]

Lumma wrote:

Preposterous amount of mice running amok in the Galleries North lounge this morning. Not really what I’d expect to see with my hard earned Gold Sparrow status.

“Hey everyone, tuck your pants into your socks”

You need to move up to Platinum Hawk status, then you could deal with them easily. Also, for an English person, tucking your pants into your socks isn’t easy!

[ekposh]

GibsonJ wrote:

BA complaints handling seems to have sunk to new lows. After 3 months I have received a generic reply to my complaint about numerous aspects of a flight from Boston to LHR. No mention of the flight actually booked, no addressing the concerns raised or any explanations. It’s an email that could be sent to anybody about any flight, and probably is. What to do next?

Excellent question. I’m 2 months in and still waiting on a seat refund….

I’ve found an old school posted letter achieved better success.

[Blindman67]

Peter K wrote:

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

Used to use ferries frequenently in the days of Roll on-Roll over (Townsend Thorsen-Herald of Free Enterprise) and it was an OK budget option.

Just come back from the Dordogne via the Train and it was a great experience. Smooth check in-they put you on the next train if there’s space, runs 24/7 only 35 minutes to cross the channel, straight onto the motorway at either end.

France driving.
Need UK sticker
Beam benders for headlights (Ebay £6 IIRC)
European Car breakdown Insurance
Possibly a “Clean Air ” sticker (£4)
Warning Triangle, High Viz vest

You do NOT need a breathalizer kit any more
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/country/france/

Factor in the Tolls on you journey, they can mount up! Possible to avoid some but adds time and petrol to the journey

Fuel is Sans Plomb E10 for unleaded-Just slightly more expensive than over here.

Drive on the right 🙂

[NorthernLass]

Happy weekend all!

After bagging highly-coveted avios seats for a family holiday which cuts into next May half term, OH now can’t make it – am I right in thinking I can call BA and cancel his part of the booking? I dare not cancel the whole thing as cash prices on both BA and the LCCs are at the usual crazy school holiday level if the award seats don’t reappear.

[Peter K]

JDB wrote:

Lumma wrote:

Preposterous amount of mice running amok in the Galleries North lounge this morning. Not really what I’d expect to see with my hard earned Gold Sparrow status.

“Hey everyone, tuck your pants into your socks”

You need to move up to Platinum Hawk status, then you could deal with them easily. Also, for an English person, tucking your pants into your socks isn’t easy!

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Brilliant!

[AJA]

ekposh wrote:

GibsonJ wrote:

BA complaints handling seems to have sunk to new lows. After 3 months I have received a generic reply to my complaint about numerous aspects of a flight from Boston to LHR. No mention of the flight actually booked, no addressing the concerns raised or any explanations. It’s an email that could be sent to anybody about any flight, and probably is. What to do next?

Excellent question. I’m 2 months in and still waiting on a seat refund….
I’ve found an old school posted letter achieved better success.

After 8 weeks go to CEDR? I know that clogs up that too but it might make BA do something. To my mind these timescales of inaction shows how stretched BA is and also how many problems it is causing itself and how much it inconveniences its passengers.

I tried to book some reward seats yesterday and BA’s IT just kept falling over. Also coildn’t use the Avios app as it couldn’t send a text for 2FA. And the email a code option did absolutely nothing.I just gave up. Might try again today.

[Peter K]

Blindman67 wrote:

Just come back from the Dordogne via the Train and it was a great experience. Smooth check in-they put you on the next train if there’s space, runs 24/7 only 35 minutes to cross the channel, straight onto the motorway at either end.

France driving.
Need UK sticker
Beam benders for headlights (Ebay £6 IIRC)
European Car breakdown Insurance
Possibly a “Clean Air ” sticker (£4)
Warning Triangle, High Viz vest

Factor in the Tolls on you journey, they can mount up! Possible to avoid some but adds time and petrol to the journey

Drive on the right 🙂

So am I right in thinking you’re saying you can take your car on trains further south (Dordogne)? Thanks for the other info 👌

[Peter K]

Gordon wrote:

As a past frequent visitor to Le Mans, for the 24 hours race, a group of us used the train option, if your wife suffers from sea sickness, then I would definitely take the train. Drive straight on, get out and stretch your legs, You will be there before you know it. And feeling good for the start of your trip, I’d use this option every time.

Hmmm, that does sound like the best option. Thanks!

[AJA]

Is it just me but @Blindman67 driving a car is a bit of an oxymoron. I’m hoping you were actually the passenger? 🤔

[Michael C]

JDB wrote:

Lumma wrote:

Preposterous amount of mice running amok in the Galleries North lounge this morning. Not really what I’d expect to see with my hard earned Gold Sparrow status.

“Hey everyone, tuck your pants into your socks”

You need to move up to Platinum Hawk status, then you could deal with them easily. Also, for an English person, tucking your pants into your socks isn’t easy!

Great early-morning form, @JDB – following a nice kedgeree, I trust!

[ChrisBCN]

AJA wrote:

Is it just me but @Blindman67 driving a car is a bit of an oxymoron. I’m hoping you were actually the passenger? 🤔

Maybe he was travelling to the Dordogne to sell a Venetian?

[JDB]

Peter K wrote:

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

The tunnel is expensive but just a whole lot easier/quicker than the ferry and you emerge directly onto the motorway network within minutes of the train arrival, passports checked in the UK on departure by French officials. Don’t stay too near the coast as it will be more expensive and entirely anglicised. Most modern cars don’t need the headlight stickers (they adjust automatically or you can do it manually). The high viz for each person and triangle are essential. Watch out for speeding (the old 90 limit is now 80) as they have far more manned controls than we do and while the fines are generally lower than here they will hold you up for as long as they can. As mentioned above you do also need a pollution sticker in many cities. They are easy to obtain – see:- https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

[Blindman67]

Peter K wrote:

Blindman67 wrote:

Just come back from the Dordogne via the Train and it was a great experience. Smooth check in-they put you on the next train if there’s space, runs 24/7 only 35 minutes to cross the channel, straight onto the motorway at either end.

France driving.
Need UK sticker
Beam benders for headlights (Ebay £6 IIRC)
European Car breakdown Insurance
Possibly a “Clean Air ” sticker (£4)
Warning Triangle, High Viz vest

Factor in the Tolls on you journey, they can mount up! Possible to avoid some but adds time and petrol to the journey

Drive on the right 🙂

So am I right in thinking you’re saying you can take your car on trains further south (Dordogne)? Thanks for the other info 👌

Sorry no.

[GillyDee]

Good morning from the BA crèche; also known as BA 772 to Thessaloniki. 16 babies and counting plus another 20 toddlers or so. Might be a bit bored with “the wheels on the bus… “ by the time we get there.

[Blindman67]

AJA wrote:

Is it just me but @Blindman67 driving a car is a bit of an oxymoron. I’m hoping you were actually the passenger? 🤔

Don’t be silly.

The guide dog does the driving!

[Blindman67]

JDB wrote:

Peter K wrote:

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

Watch out for speeding (the old 90 limit is now 80) as they have far more manned controls than we do and while the fines are generally lower than here they will hold you up for as long as they can.

Also watch out for their speed cameras. Not as high viz as ours and quite sneaky at times.

Waze will tell you where they are-But apparently this is illegal in France.

[Gordon]

Blindman67 wrote:

Peter K wrote:

Mrs K wants to go to France to visit bricantes, having been inspired by Chateau DIY.
I’m assuming we will need a car to travel to bring things back.

I live up north so I’m wondering the best way to do this. Channel tunnel? Ferry from Dover? Other ferry or option (she is easily seasick so a much longer ferry may not suit)?

Also, the last time I took my car abroad was over 10 years ago. Anything else I need to think about?

Thanks in advance.

Used to use ferries frequenently in the days of Roll on-Roll over (Townsend Thorsen-Herald of Free Enterprise) and it was an OK budget option.

Just come back from the Dordogne via the Train and it was a great experience. Smooth check in-they put you on the next train if there’s space, runs 24/7 only 35 minutes to cross the channel, straight onto the motorway at either end.

France driving.
Need UK sticker
Beam benders for headlights (Ebay £6 IIRC)
European Car breakdown Insurance
Possibly a “Clean Air ” sticker (£4)
Warning Triangle, High Viz vest

You do NOT need a breathalizer kit any more
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/country/france/

Factor in the Tolls on you journey, they can mount up! Possible to avoid some but adds time and petrol to the journey

Fuel is Sans Plomb E10 for unleaded-Just slightly more expensive than over here.

Drive on the right 🙂

I would also add to that, stick to the speed limit! There are cameras on a lot of roads. “Rappel” means reminder, that includes the speed limits! gen·darmes also sit on the autoroutes, with cameras, hiding behind bridges.

[Peter K]

Blindman67 wrote:

AJA wrote:

Is it just me but @Blindman67 driving a car is a bit of an oxymoron. I’m hoping you were actually the passenger? 🤔

Don’t be silly.

The guide dog does the driving!

Well I hope you keep him on a lead as he does so!

[GibsonJ]

AJA wrote:

ekposh wrote:

GibsonJ wrote:

BA complaints handling seems to have sunk to new lows. After 3 months I have received a generic reply to my complaint about numerous aspects of a flight from Boston to LHR. No mention of the flight actually booked, no addressing the concerns raised or any explanations. It’s an email that could be sent to anybody about any flight, and probably is. What to do next?

Excellent question. I’m 2 months in and still waiting on a seat refund….
I’ve found an old school posted letter achieved better success.

After 8 weeks go to CEDR? I know that clogs up that too but it might make BA do something. To my mind these timescales of inaction shows how stretched BA is and also how many problems it is causing itself and how much it inconveniences its passengers.

I tried to book some reward seats yesterday and BA’s IT just kept falling over. Also coildn’t use the Avios app as it couldn’t send a text for 2FA. And the email a code option did absolutely nothing.I just gave up. Might try again today.

Thank you both. The CEDR scheme is great (my daughter used it really successfully a couple of years ago when BA failed to respond) but I think only covers delay compensation. Whilst we were delayed it was not long enough for compensation; my complaint was sadly about pretty much everything else – food, amenities, service, information about seat booking, baggage delay…perhaps someone on here has a ‘magic’ email address which can get complaints looked at properly.

Perhaps BA are getting lots of complaints about their complaints handling which is slowing them up. Or perhaps I’m being too charitable!