My grandson graduates high school this year, and I have always promised to buy him a beer when he did. He has just worked out that means a trip to London to buy it

Just getting my thoughts in order about what tickets to buy and what is involved. If things are still the same was thinking of getting the COVID test at LHR T5 the day before we fly back. But it got me wondering what happens if someone fails a test. Obviously they can't fly, but for how long and what stance does the airline take in cost of a new tickets. Trying to assess the risk in buying non-refundable tickets, or are flexible tickets now a better bet. Just wondered if anyone had been unfortunate enough to find themselves in that situation, and what happened.

Personally, if you can, I'd take a test a couple of days before, and if it's negative, isolate yourself as much as possible and take as many precautions as you can until getting another test at the airport on the flight date. At least then, you'll be less likely to be positive for the second test.

And if the first test is positive, you have more time to deal with the airline for changing the flight, and haven't travelled to the airport being positive.


I hope everything works out for you.

That is what I did when I flew from London to US last December. I took a lateral flow test every two days, for the fortnight before flying. Obviously not the complete answer, but I just didn’t want to travel up to London if it turned out I was unable to fly.

Thanks that is a good suggestion, I'll make sure to take some test kits with me.

If you have to change flights because of positive test, does the airline charge a change fee or make you pay if the cost of the ticket has increased since you first bought it?

All I can find is information about the outbound flight being changed because someone in the party tests positive up to 14 days before. Then BA waive the change fee but you pay any difference in the fare. I can't find anything about the flight back.

I'd look for travel insurance that will cover covid related costs. Airlines are starting to cut back on the help they provide.

I have been, but so far the cover is either for before the trip, or if on the return covers Covid medical expenses not travel related costs. Guess the costs and/or risks on the return are high enough that they have found people wont pay the premium for that.

I shall keep researching, not planning to book anything to May/June time so who knows what might be happening then. Just trying to get clear in my mind what risks I might be taking if we do travel.

Be aware you can potentially test postive for weeks after a Covid infection. The son of a friend of mine got stuck in London for 2 1/2 weeks after he tested positive on his pre-return Covid test.

Didn't realize it could be that long, was thinking more in terms of 5 days.

My daughter tested positive a couple of weeks ago... 2 days before coming back to USA. BA just cancelled her flight and she has a voucher to use for the next time.

Curious what the legal drinking age is in the UK? Thought you graduate high school at age 17 or perhaps 18.

The CDC advises that you can leave quarantine after 5 days. The virus will still be in your system but you supposedly are over the contagious period.

It's 18. My daughter will go in to her final year of school in September, she turns 18 in November and then finishes school the June after that.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Christmas