Head for Points

Updates: Passport Office strike, Priority Pass cafe access in Berlin, Qatar insurance requirements

Head for Points sent this email to their subscribers on March 18, 2023.

View this article online
   
A welcome bonus you can't miss. 40k points A when you spend 6k in the first 3 months and %% 20k points between months 14 to 17 when you make a purchase. Ends 30 March.
 
 
This email has been sponsored by citizenM
Affordable luxury in some of the
most exciting cities in the world
BOOK NOW
 
 
 
18 March 2023 by Rob Burgess

Updates: Passport Office strike, Priority Pass cafe access in Berlin, Qatar insurance requirements

News in brief:

Passport Office staff to launch a five week strike

The Public & Commercial Services Union has announced that over 1,000 Passport Office workers will launch a five week strike.

The action will start on 3rd April and run to 5th May.

Around 25% of Passport Office staff will be involved, with substantial delays in passport processing times predicted.

Workers at Passport Offices in Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport will join the strike. The Belfast office is still going through the process of balloting members.

It has been timed to hit the peak of applications as passengers submit in advance of Summer holiday plans.

The dispute is over an imposed 2% pay rise which the union believes is not acceptable.

You can see more on the PCS website here.

PCS union passport office strike

Priority Pass lounge access in Berlin update

Yesterday we reviewed the Tempelhof lounge at Berlin Brandenburg airport. This is the lounge used by British Airways, and can also be accessed by DragonPass cardholders. It cannot be accessed with Priority Pass.

Priority Pass cardholders can use the Moevenpick Cafe in the terminal, where you can claim €23 of free food and drink.

As many HfP readers will know, Priority Pass cards issued by American Express are NOT allowed to use restaurant partners. The only exception is The Grain Store at London Gatwick.

It seems that there are actually TWO global exceptions to the ‘no restaurant credit for Amex-issued Priority Pass cards’. The Moevenpick Cafe at Brandenburg is the second exception.

You can confirm this by looking at the American Express Lounge Collection website. If you search for Berlin, the Moevenpick Cafe shows up as one you can access.

Movenpick Cafe Berlin Brandenburg Airport LoV o oy ,,,

An update on the compulsory insurance requirement for Qatar

As we covered yesterday, the rules for requiring compulsory health insurance to enter Qatar have been loosened. It is no longer necessary to buy insurance from a company based in Qatar which is registered with the Ministry of Public Health – the list had been extended more widely, although we couldn’t actually find the list!

It turns out the list is here. The additional ‘valid’ policies are all from Middle East insurers which doesn’t help.

However …. visitqatar.com is now saying that compulsory insurance from a Qatari based company is only required if you are staying in the country for over 30 days. This obviously means that anyone on a stopover or short visit is exempt.

This doesn’t make a lot of sense because when you buy your insurance policy you have to pick a duration in order to calculate the price. One of the options is ’30 days’. If you don’t need coverage unless you are staying in Qatar for 31+ days, why do they sell a policy for stays of up to 30 days? The Ministry of Public Health website does not seem to mention the 30 day cut-off rule that visitqatar.com highlights.

 
 
Click here to read comments on this article
 
 Book now
 
DISCOVER MORE GREAT OFFERS
Avios
Top Avios earning bonuses

175 BA questions, answered

Avios peak and off-peak calendar
 
Hotels
Top hotel points bonuses

Get elite status from credit cards

Our luxury hotel booking service
 
Credit Cards
Top credit card bonuses

What is the best Avios credit card?

What Amex bonuses can you get?
 
 
tw   in   fb   mail
We’re always here to help you make the most of your Avios, Virgin Points and hotel points. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, send us an email at [email protected] or reach out on social media.
Please forward this email to any friends or family who you think may be interested in improving how they travel.

If you were sent this email by a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.
 
 
Head for Points
 
 

Text-only version of this email

News in brief: Passport Office staff to launch a five week strike The Public & Commercial Services Union has announced that over 1,000 Passport Office workers will launch a five week strike. The action will start on 3rd April and run to 5th May. Around 25% of Passport Office staff will be involved, with substantial […] View this article online Looking for a new loyalty credit card?  Click here for the best current offers A welcome bonus you can't miss. 40k points A when you spend 6k in the first 3 months and %% 20k points between months 14 to 17 when you make a purchase. Ends 30 March. This email has been sponsored by citizenM Affordable luxury in some of the most exciting cities in the world BOOK NOW 18 March 2023 by Rob Burgess UPDATES: PASSPORT OFFICE STRIKE, PRIORITY PASS CAFE ACCESS IN BERLIN, QATAR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS News in brief: PASSPORT OFFICE STAFF TO LAUNCH A FIVE WEEK STRIKE The Public & Commercial Services Union has announced that over 1,000 Passport Office workers will launch a five week strike. The action will start on 3rd April and run to 5th May. Around 25% of Passport Office staff will be involved, with substantial delays in passport processing times predicted. Workers at Passport Offices in Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport will join the strike. The Belfast office is still going through the process of balloting members. It has been timed to hit the peak of applications as passengers submit in advance of Summer holiday plans. The dispute is over an imposed 2% pay rise which the union believes is not acceptable. You can see more on the PCS website here. PCS union passport office strike PRIORITY PASS LOUNGE ACCESS IN BERLIN UPDATE Yesterday we reviewed the Tempelhof lounge at Berlin Brandenburg airport. This is the lounge used by British Airways, and can also be accessed by DragonPass cardholders. It cannot be accessed with Priority Pass. Priority Pass cardholders can use the Moevenpick Cafe in the terminal, where you can claim €23 of free food and drink. As many HfP readers will know, Priority Pass cards issued by American Express are NOT allowed to use restaurant partners. The only exception is The Grain Store at London Gatwick. It seems that there are actually TWO global exceptions to the ‘no restaurant credit for Amex-issued Priority Pass cards’. The Moevenpick Cafe at Brandenburg is the second exception. You can confirm this by looking at the American Express Lounge Collection website. If you search for Berlin, the Moevenpick Cafe shows up as one you can access. Movenpick Cafe Berlin Brandenburg Airport LoV o oy ,,, AN UPDATE ON THE COMPULSORY INSURANCE REQUIREMENT FOR QATAR As we covered yesterday, the rules for requiring compulsory health insurance to enter Qatar have been loosened. It is no longer necessary to buy insurance from a company based in Qatar which is registered with the Ministry of Public Health – the list had been extended more widely, although we couldn’t actually find the list! It turns out the list is here. The additional ‘valid’ policies are all from Middle East insurers which doesn’t help. However …. visitqatar.com is now saying that compulsory insurance from a Qatari based company is only required if you are staying in the country for over 30 days. This obviously means that anyone on a stopover or short visit is exempt. This doesn’t make a lot of sense because when you buy your insurance policy you have to pick a duration in order to calculate the price. One of the options is ’30 days’. If you don’t need coverage unless you are staying in Qatar for 31+ days, why do they sell a policy for stays of up to 30 days? The Ministry of Public Health website does not seem to mention the 30 day cut-off rule that visitqatar.com highlights. Click here to read comments on this article Book now DISCOVER MORE GREAT OFFERS Avios Top Avios earning bonuses 175 BA questions, answered Avios peak and off-peak calendar Hotels Top hotel points bonuses Get elite status from credit cards Our luxury hotel booking service Credit Cards Top credit card bonuses What is the best Avios credit card? What Amex bonuses can you get? tw   in   fb   mail We’re always here to help you make the most of your Avios, Virgin Points and hotel points. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, send us an email at [email protected] or reach out on social media. Please forward this email to any friends or family who you think may be interested in improving how they travel. If you were sent this email by a friend and would like to subscribe, click here. Head for Points  
Show all

The Latest Emails Sent By Head for Points

More Emails, Deals & Coupons From Head for Points

Email Offers, Discounts & Promos From Our Top Stores