Scams
Travel
10 November 2022

Beware of a British Airways scam doing the rounds

As the weather gets colder and the nights get longer, the idea of a New Year holiday in the sun becomes more and more appealing. But if the idea of a free holiday sounds appealing, please be aware that any invitations to a British Airways giveaway that are currently doing the rounds are not legitimate. The ‘British Airways Black Friday giveaway’, which Islanders have been sharing on social media and in local WhatsApp groups, is in fact a scam. British Airways have commented: “We are aware of a fraudulent promotion that is being shared via WhatsApp and social media, which has been reported. This message is not from British Airways and we advise anyone who receives it not to click any links and to report it as spam or delete it.” The Online Threat Alerts website reports that the ‘British Airways Black Friday giveaway’ promotion in fact contains a link that goes to a phishing website called shortlinks.su. They explain: “The website uses the ".su" top-level domain, which was designated for the Soviet Union (USSR). “The shortlinks.su website will attempt to trick visitors into completing surveys that steals personal information and may go to other phishing websites thats steals financial information. Therefore, if you were tricked into disclosing your financial information by the British Airways scam, please contact your bank for help.”
Money
Travel
18 July 2023

Travelling with a pushchair? Check your airline's pushchair policy before you fly.

Most airlines let you check in a fully collapsible pushchair for free, but some different restrictions apply regarding the size and weight of the pushchair and where it needs to be stored on the plane. To avoid being hit by extra charges when you check in make sure you’re aware of the restrictions. If you're flying with Jet2, for example, you’ll need to make sure that it weighs no more than 10kg. But with British Airways, the dimensions of your pushchair must not exceed 117 x 38 x 38cm. In Which magazine last month, they published a handy chart that gives details of the requirements for each airline. Airline Hold or cabin Weight or size restriction Air Canada Hold Must not exceed 25.5 x 92cm when folded. Larger strollers are subject to space limitations on the day, so are not guaranteed. Aer Lingus Hold  None. Air Malta  Hold  None. American Airlines Hold Stollers over 9kg must be handed in at the check-in desk. All other stollers can be checked in at the gate before boarding. British Airways  Hold Must not exceed 117 x 38 x 38cm. Cathay Pacific  Both No restrictions for the hold. Storing in the cabin is permitted if there is space on the day - must not exceed 7kg and 36 x 23 x 56cm Delta Hold None. EasyJet  Hold  None. Emirates Both For the cabin: ask at the check-in whether there's space on-board. No weight or size restrictions  Etihad Airways  Hold None. Eurowings  Both No restrictions for the hold. For the cabin: it must be a 'pocket buggy' - see airline's size restrictions for carry-on baggage. Jet2 Hold Must not exceed 10kg KLM Both For the cabin: must not exceed 15 x 30 x 100cm Lurthansa Both No restrictions for the hold. For storing in the cabin, it must be a 'pocket buggy' - see airline's size restrictions for carry-on baggage.  Malaysia Airlines  Hold  Max weight: 10kg Norwegian  Hold  None. Qatar Airways  Hold  None. Ryanair  Hold  None. SAS Hold Max weight: 23kg. Singapore Airlines Both Sum of length, width and height of stroller should not exceed 115cm for cabin. Max weight: 7kg Swiss Both No restrictions for the hold. For storing in the cabin, it must be a 'pocket buggy' - see airline's size restrictions for carry-on baggage.  TAP Air Portugal  Hold  None. TUI Hold  None. United Airlines  Both No restrictions for the hold. For the cabin: must not exceed 9 x 14 x 22in Virgin Atlantic Both No restrictions for the hold. For in the cabin, the following foldable buggies are permitted: GB Pocket, Britax Holiday, Silver Cross Jet, Babyzen YoYo. Vueling Both For the cabin: must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20cm. Max weight 10kg. Wizz Air Hold  None. For other handy travel tips check out our latest newsletter.
At Home
Travel
08 June 2020

HSBC CI to cease home and travel insurance

We recently became aware that HSBC CI & IOM are halting home & travel insurance to Islanders, so we asked them to explain the reason and if they might be able to offer the service in the future. Their Head of Communications, advised “HSBC in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man is changing the way that it provides travel and home insurance to its island customers. The current insurance provider is withdrawing insurance cover to island customers following changes to regulations by the UK Financial Conduct Authority which no longer allow a UK licenced insurer to invite renewals or take on new insurance business from residents in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. We apologise for the disruption to our customers. We are working to get a new insurance provider in place. Customers’ current insurance policies with us remain valid until their renewal date. Ahead of that renewal date, we’re writing to our customers explaining what’s happening. This doesn’t affect the packaged insurance services we provide as part of our Premier accounts.”
At Home
Travel
01 September 2023

British Airways departure gate requirements

Jersey Airport have issued an important update about British Airways flights. From 1 September 2023 all British Airways passengers will be required to show photographic ID for domestic flights when checking in and out at the departure gate. For details on requirements go to: Passports, visas and API | Information | British Airways  
At Home
Scams
Travel
15 August 2023

What to do if you've been scammed

We’re often contacted by islanders asking what to do when they think they’ve been scammed. If you think you've been targeted by fraudsters or fallen victim to a scam and lost money, report it to the States of Jersey Police on 612 612 or visit fraudprevention.je Get advice about cyber security by calling 500 050 or emailing hello@cert.je. CERTJE is run by security experts who can advise on risk and provide expert assistance in the case of a cyber security incident. Check out the latest scams with Which?: The latest scam alerts from Which? - Which? News
Health
Travel
16 August 2021

How much does a Covid test cost? Travelling during a pandemic

There’s no denying that travel during Covid is complicated, frustrating and risky. In our July newsletter, we highlighted some points to be considered prior to booking or taking any travel. Things to consider before you book/travel Not only should you have appropriate travel insurance, but you must also know the testing requirements (inbound and outbound), understand the traffic light system and be absolutely sure of the Covid-related restrictions for each part of your journey i.e. your airline, ferry, holiday company or hotel; destination entry point; onward destinations; and indeed return travel. Each country has different entry and exit requirements which can change at very short notice, so it’s essential that you regularly check the relevant country’s Government website, prior to your departure and return. It may be that when you booked your ticket a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours was required, but by the time you leave, that could have changed to a negative antigen (lateral flow) test no older than 48 hours. If you’re double-vaccinated some countries may not require a negative test result but will require proof of the vaccination. Many will need either a negative test result or proof of vaccination, as well as appropriate documentation and/or specific declarations relating to your health, where you have stayed and who you may have been in contact with prior to travelling. Jersey falls within the UK’s CTA (Common Travel Area) but it is still important that you check both the gov.je and gov.uk websites to ensure you comply with the regulations as of the date of travel for each of the four home nations. Getting a test Since our last newsletter, more pharmacies are offering both PCR and lateral flow tests, so we have again contacted the original four private PCR test providers, as well as several other Island pharmacies. As the table below shows, prices and services vary so it’s important to shop around to get both the best price and correct test for your situation. We’ve been unable to get a specific breakdown of a PCR test cost but know it includes the fixed rate of the private testing laboratory. These pharmacies and surgery receive many calls a day from people asking for advice, taking bookings, as well as providing tests that have associated administration and staff costs. It’s worth asking if you’re eligible for a discount, as although one-off PCR tests will cost the price shown below, discounts are offered for repeat tests, multiple/group bookings and family discounts are being considered by some providers. As well as PCR and antigen lateral flow tests, some provide antibody lateral flow tests which can detect if you have previously had the virus (within a certain timeframe). Most of the companies we contacted will ensure you are given the appropriate test for your destination or circumstance, as you may not need (or be charged for) the PCR test you thought you needed and booked. Self-test antigen (lateral flow) kits are becoming more widely available on the Island but, similar to the free NHS kits in the UK, the results are not likely to be accepted by your destination, although some travel companies might accept the result. Home tests may include instructions on how to carry out an online supervised test. Most require the antigen test to be supervised with a result certificate being provided by the pharmacy/surgery. Currently, the Government of Jersey continues to support inbound travellers and returning Islanders by providing free PCR tests at the border (which is not provided in the UK). We will continue lobbying them for the reduction of outgoing Covid testing costs, possibly by a co-funding/subsidy scheme of the current providers. Table of tests, costs and services Pharmacy/Surgery PCR Test AntigenLateral Flow Test AntibodyLateral Flow Test 7 David Place GP £140Results 24hrs £50Test and certificate £50 – Test and ‘standard’ certificate£75 – Test and ‘Certificate of Recovery’(must have had Covid and developed antibodies) Castle Quay PharmacyPrices updated20 December 2021 £145Results 24hrs £45Test and certificateresults in 30 minutes N/A Health Plus Pharmacy £145Results 24hrs £45Test and certificate N/A LV Pharmacy £145Results 24hrs £50Test and certificate £35Test and certificate Little Grove Pharmacy £140Results 48hrs(24hrs soon) £30Test and certificate£7Single home use kit £50Test only (includes level of antibodies) Reid’s Pharmacy £145Results 24hrs £50Test and certificate £50Test and certificate St Martin’s Pharmacy £130Results 24 hrs £30Test and certificate £30 Test and certificate Lloyds Pharmacy N/A £43.74Test and certificate N/A Cleveland Pharmacy N/A £8Single home use kit N/A Island Medical Pharmacy N/A £7.95Single home use kit N/A Le Quesne’s Pharmacy N/A £7.95Single home use kit N/A Boots Pharmacy N/A N/A N/A Co-Op Pharmacy N/A N/A N/A Roseville Pharmacy N/A N/A N/A St John’s Pharmacy N/A N/A N/A Prices correct as at 16 August 2021 unless stated otherwise