Hello, I'm going to summarize everything I've learned from this board about travelling in Envoy Class. Please let me know if I'm missing something!

ITIN: (Mr and Mrs dg1)
NOV 23 PIT-LGW 767
NOV 29 LGW-PHL-PIT A330, A320

On the way out --
PIT: Can check in at Envoy Line. How long in advance do I have to check in (I won't be checking any luggage)?

On the 767: Remember to get passes (do I need two for my wife and I, or just one?) for the Arrivals and also Fast Track pass through Customs.

On the way back:
LGW: Is there a special Envoy check in line or any way to avoid a crush of people? Is there a Club I can use before my flight out? Can I check in at this club? Anything else I should know about LGW? I'm coming from the Renaissance near the airport, just staying there one night.

On the A330: Any special passes/fast track things available here to get through customs quicker?

PHL: Anything special needed to get into the Envoy Lounge (got a 3.5 hour layover)? Any other tips?

PHL-PIT: No tips required -- I fly this route way too many times http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks!

On the way out --
PIT: Can check in at Envoy Line. How long in advance do I have to check in (I won't be checking any luggage)? I don't know, and a quick scan of usairways.com doesn't answer this. Do you have an old ticket jacket? I probably says there.

On the 767: Remember to get passes (do I need two for my wife and I, or just one?) for the Arrivals and also Fast Track pass through Customs.
After my CLT-LGW, the US Airways representative was standing at the jetway when we arrived with the Fast Track passes. The purser then distributed them to each Envoy Class passenger. It was basically a Envoy Class ticket jacket with a Fast-Track sticker on it. We received three for the three of us, but the jovial customs guy only collected one. Fast-track is a life-saver.

On the way back:
LGW: Is there a special Envoy check in line or any way to avoid a crush of people?
There is a dedicated Envoy Class check-in line, and presumably a First Class one, but when I was there US obviously did not offer First Class. It was very easy, no wait, just the "rigorous" security screening and a fast check-in. For the record, there was no priority check-in for Preferreds in coach. You'll be given a fast-track pass for express security clearance. Again, a life-saver.

Is there a Club I can use before my flight out? Can I check in at this club? [quote]
The lounge is a pretty sorry one. It is in the south terminal satelitte, and you will be given an invitation at check-in. It is a shared facility managed by the contracter that handles just about every foreign carrier at Gatwick. There were some cokes and coffee, and packaged cookies that were stale. Don't come early to hang in the lounge, unless they've changed it. The only cool thing is that it is on the ground level and you can see the ground crews at eye-level loading bags and fueling and such on the plane that happens to be at the gate (ironically a US 767 when I was there).

[quote]Anything else I should know about LGW?
After clearing security there is a big shopping area, before the branches for the South Terminal concourses and the train to the satellite (where you'll be departing). The departure monitors read for every flight "Stay in Lounge" up until about 30 minutes before boarding. Don't believe em. Its a ploy by BAA to get all passengers to stay in the shopping area.

On the A330: Any special passes/fast track things available here to get through customs quicker?
You'll be given fast-track pass at check-in for security. No such facilities in Philly.

PHL: Anything special needed to get into the Envoy Lounge (got a 3.5 hour layover)? Any other tips?
Never been there, but from what's said here, just a valid boarding pass. You'll probably want to check at the Envoy Class recheck desk if there is an earlier flight, or check at the Lounge. You might want to use the US Airways Club at B/C if your layover will be shorter and you won't want to shlep to B/C from A before your onward flight.

PHL-PIT: No tips required -- I fly this route way too many times

To get you in the mood, you might want to reread my 767 Envoy Class report. It'll take you a while to read though!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000543.html

Have a pleasant trip.

Thanks!

I have some family members going to LGW on Envoy next June and we're going Envoy to CDG
and back from LGW...so thanks for the tips so far...

Some more questions:
1) Does LGW and/or PIT provide golf/shuttle
carts for passengers for Intl? A couple of the people are a bit older and have trouble walking far (but still probably better than me). Are they hard to get or as easy as they are in PIT for domestic flights?
The lounge might be helpful on their way into
LGW as they might be connecting to a later
(i.e. hours) flight to Dublin.

2) Is there a lounge at CDG or does anyone have Envoy arrival tips for CDG?

3) We have a very long layover in PIT on the
return flight.
If you fly Envoy do you automatically get USAirways Club access (just show your boarding pass?) ?

How long does immigration/customs take
at PIT? I know it can be extremely long.
I've gone thru customs at JFK,PHL,DFW and
BOS. The last times thru BOS and JFK were
very long but it's been a few years.

Thanks a lot! Bill

Hey dg1,
if the club facility in LGW is really as bad as mentioned on this board you can also use the Admirals club when travelling in Envoy class. This American Airlines club is pretty decent from what I remember from last year and it is in the same terminal at Gatwick then the US flights. Pretty decent lounge with the normal very nice American club people at international lounges outside the US.They are mostly dealing with people who have paid hefty $$$$ for business or First class flights and treat you according.And with AA I have never experienced any detrimental treatment when flying on US and showing my US Airways club membership.
Have fun eurousair.

Any Envoy Class or International First Class customer has access to the Philadelphia Envoy Lounge and all 26 US Airways Clubs around the country. If you are flying XYZ-PHL/PIT/CLT-Europe, you will get club access in XYZ if there is a club there.

As for eurousair's suggestion, note that you must be a US Airways Club member to access the Admirals Clubs. An Envoy Class or International First Class boarding pass will not get you in. I think AA might be in the regular south terminal while US is in the South Satellite, so keep this in mind. Also, if you are a member of Continental Presidents Clubs or Delta Crown Room Clubs, they have lounges right in the shopping lobby after ticketing and security, so it is no problem getting to the satellite. If the Admirals Club is in one of concourses and not in the shopping lobby, you might have a problem.



1) Does LGW and/or PIT provide golf/shuttle
carts for passengers for Intl? A couple of the people are a bit older and have trouble walking far (but still probably better than me). Are they hard to get or as easy as they are in PIT for domestic flights?
The lounge might be helpful on their way into
LGW as they might be connecting to a later
(i.e. hours) flight to Dublin.

In my experience, Envoy Class doesn't get you much on ground except for priority check-in, baggage handling, and club access. There are no conceigres or anything. I'm sure this can be arranged as with any handicap passenger, but it is not an automatic or special for being in Envoy Class.

3) We have a very long layover in PIT on the
return flight.
If you fly Envoy do you automatically get USAirways Club access (just show your boarding pass?) ?
Yes

How long does immigration/customs take
at PIT? I know it can be extremely long.
I've gone thru customs at JFK,PHL,DFW and
BOS. The last times thru BOS and JFK were
very long but it's been a few years.

I haven't flown into PIT internationally. But they don't have that many international flights. Just US Airways to PIT, CDG, and FRA (I think). Look at the timetable and see when all these flights get it. If it is at all the same time, you might have a problem. If it is spread out, you'll probably be fine. Incidentally, CLT had only two int'l flights a day when I flew into there (1 BA and 1 US both to LGW), and the BA one was long cleared when we arrived. But they had very very few inspectors, so it took awhile. Luckily, we were 4th of the plane, so we were ok. Also, Atlanta is one of the bussiest int'l arrivals points since Delta has tons of European arrivals all within a couple hours and only one inspection facility, but Hartsfield has actually been my favorite international arrival point.

Originally posted by dg1:
On the way out --
PIT: Can check in at Envoy Line. How long in advance do I have to check in (I won't be checking any luggage)?


Last trip out (granted it was from CLT) I was able to check in an hour before departure with luggage. But that was when CLT had only the LGW flight - and since both PIT and CLT have 3 flights out (of course, not at the same time) I'd be wary of checking in less than an hour before.



On the way back:
LGW: Is there a special Envoy check in line or any way to avoid a crush of people? Is there a Club I can use before my flight out? Can I check in at this club? Anything else I should know about LGW? I'm coming from the Renaissance near the airport, just staying there one night.


As BizJet noted, there is a special Envoy line. And the Ogden lounge leaves much to be desired. If you want to use the Admirals Club, one thing to note is that while it's in the South Terminal - it is in another concourse. And as the satellite US operates out of is accessible by the train - plan accordingly if you want to travel between the 2.


PHL: Anything special needed to get into the Envoy Lounge (got a 3.5 hour layover)? Any other tips?


From the US website:

"First Class and Envoy Class customers departing from Philadelphia International Airport may work or relax in our exclusive First Class and Envoy Class Lounge where a dedicated multi-lingual staff is available. "

Well, since you're coming back through PHL, you are departing. I wonder if they intend the lounge to be for outbound only. But all you should need is your LGW-PHL boarding pass showing you're in Envoy + the ticket jacket (wonder if it's still that teal-ish color). Let me know how that goes as I'm thinking of changing my return to fly back on the 330 through PHL.

Have a good time over there.

Thanks again for the help!

A couple more questions... (not Envoy but not
worth starting a new thread)

Which gates does US Air usually arrive/leave
from at LGW/CDG?

Which zone is checkin at LGW?

Trival but just in case someone knows.

Thx!

US Airways departs out of the South Terminal Satellite at Gatwick Airport. There are only a handful of gates in the south terminal satellite.

I think they operate out of Terminal 1 at Paris Charles De Gaulle.

CLTFlyer: Both arriving and departing passengers have access to the Envoy Lounge at Philadelphia, but they'll probably mention to you to go to the US Airways Club at the B/C Connector (Philadelphia Marketplace) so you'll have less of a sprint if you lose track of time.

Hey, dg1 -- looking at your dates of travel, you do have one more thing you need to do:

Call 1-800-872-4738
Enter Bonus Request Number 2264

For paid trips in First or Envoy between the US and Europe (F and J classes), you get a 25,000 Dividend Miles bonus -- not bad!

Luckally have some clients flying me out in December, looking forward to the hefty bonus!

Enjoy the trip!

Thanks for the tips all, very interesting. I am a US Club member (comped from last year) and plan to get to Gatwick nice and early since I'll be staying at an airport hotel the night before and the flight doesn't leave till noon, so I'll probably check out the AA club.

I'm not flying in paid envoy, upgraded from a $300 roundtrip fare http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Ah the wonders of systemwides.

To add to the comment about PIT, I flew PIT-CDG roundtrip last year and customs was pretty fast. Took about 15 minutes. It was a bit slow early on but they opened up new lines. I believe all three international flights to PIT arrive close to each other so they just get all the customs agents in at once. Check the timetable to be sure.

My flight is scheduled to arrive at 3:00pm in PHL and there are ongoing flights at 3:50pm. I'm booked on the 6:30pm flight for now but maybe the air traffic and customs gods will smile and I will get onto the earlier one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks again folks! I look forward to the fast track facilities... I'm arriving at 5:30am, is it worth making the trek to the arrival facility to freshen up? Finally are there special passes given to the arrivals facility (from what was posted on this board two hotel rooms at the Hilton).

Flew PIT-CDG about 18 months ago. Not many international flights, so no special lounge. Also, since I started in another city, bags were not specially flagged for expedited handling, but it didn't matter because CDG was totally disorganized in that regard anyway. A bunch of small carousels, jammed beyond belief, with hundreds of passengers, charter and otherwise,all arriving about the same time. It was a mob, and we waited for an hour to get bags. No US personnel visible. It was worse on the departure. Again, check-in handled by contract people. In our case, the flight the day before had been cancelled, so there were double the number of people, many who could not get on. They simply cancelled the inbound that morning, and used the plane that had been stuck. Amazingly, knowing that this was the case, nobody from US was there, and the overstressed staff became most unhelpful. Then the French added to the chaos by closing one of the two departure check points. In France, they check your passport going out, as well. A little security breach (which closed the terminal for about 40 minutes) contributed to an even bigger backup there. Over an hour to make it to the gate. CDG has a crummy old terminal, and a very nice new one. Air France, and its affiliates get the good one. Everybody else goes in the dump. As for LGW, US does have its own people. Check in area is quite limited, but they are nice, and efficient. Fast Track gets you right through departure control ahead of normal passengers. Inside,they use a "generic" club which is available to many off-brand airlines, and is also a member of "Priority Pass". Looks like it was furnished around the time of Queen Victoria. Airport security is particularly tough, and they had a screening tent set up at the gate for a second look. I was selected a second time for scrutiny there. By the time they finished with me, pre-boarding had ended, so I got stuck for some time in the jetway, and lost overhead space. Luck of the draw! Onboard, service on all flights was great. Basically, this is a smaller airline with just a few daily flights to these places. As a result, handling overseas is often done by third parties, and that is hard to monitor, epecially when there don't seem to be any supervisory people from the company outside of LGW. The ride is good, but once you're over there you ARE on your own. Same experience at FCO.

dg1: Plenty of good accurate info here in the preceeding posts.

Regarding the Envoy/FC lounge in PHL: It is for international departures only. When you deplane in PHL, you'll immediately go to the lower level international arrivals for Customs... you won't even go near the Envoy lounge. A US Club near your departure gate for PHL-PIT will have to suffice.

Enjoy your trip.

Also, not sure if it's mentioned above, but you can not check-in at LGW at the (Ogden third party) lounge - it is through security near the gates and you'll get your pass to get in from the US Airways check-in. Easy process for a well travelled CP like yourself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Originally posted by dg1:
Thanks again folks! I look forward to the fast track facilities... I'm arriving at 5:30am, is it worth making the trek to the arrival facility to freshen up? Finally are there special passes given to the arrivals facility (from what was posted on this board two hotel rooms at the Hilton).

Granted it was last November, but the arrivals lounge pass was on the back of the Fast Track card the FA gave me before arriving. The Fast Track folks did not collect my card, so I had it for use when arriving at the lounge (which the Hilton rep operating the lounge then took from me). I think it is worth using to get a bit energized for the day. A shower plus some coffee and light breakfast works well. As you're on the first flight in (looks like) shouldn't be crowded. And I recall only 1 or 2 other Envoy passengers using the lounge when I was there.

bizjet: I seem to recall that Delta has moved their operations to the North Terminal. Thus, the Crown Room is likely to have moved there too.

geo -- I have a long layover in Philly.. are you telling me they won't let me IN to the envoy lounge there even if I made the trek over since I got nothing better to do and been to the PHL club many many times?

"On the 767: Remember to get passes (do I need two for my wife and I, or just one?) for the Arrivals and also Fast Track pass through Customs."

Do I have to ask for these (if so, what exactly do I ask for) or are they provided for all Envoy flyers??

Thanks to all for all the info!

Fast Track cards should be provided by the agent/flight attendant when deplaning or on decent, but ask for them if they don't appear.

Sadly, I wasn't given anything about an Arrival's Lounge at Gatwick, so I assumed there was none available. Ask if they don't materialize (the passes).

CLTFlyer is correct that Delta Air Lines operations are in the North terminal; that was an error on my part.

geo1004: I know that my father has used the Envoy Lounge without incident when arriving from Europe. You are dumped at the Lower Level of Terminal A, and must clear security (as I learned last year, you always must clear security after clearing customs since you could have gotten a knife/gun/etc out of your checked bag). Now that all terminals are connected within security, you can clear security in Terminal A, head to the envoy lounge, and then head back to B/C for the domestic connection. Do they check boarding passes to enter Terminal A? I don't think so, IIRC.

I flew out of terminal A last month on a rather boring PHL-PIT flight -- no restrictions on that terminal, just out of the way..

I'm going to try to get into the Envoy Club and let everyone know either way!

I have used the ENVOY lounge upon arrival in the USA/PHL on ENVOY class flights. Much better drink selection wine and spirits and food often shrimps and crab legs really nice so I think it is wirth the little detour. And after you collected your luggage and walk over the railway bridge back to the terminals you are back at the entrance to terminal A anyway when you come back to the main terminal so it is not that much of a detour.
Have fun eurousair

Silly me.... next time I'll know to backtrack to the intl. gates if I have a layover and hit the Envoy Lounge upon arrival (instead of the US Club).

[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 11-13-2000).]

Hey, geo, no matter the official line, US will do anything to make sure you're more comfortable.

This isn't United yet, you know!!

Actually, I now stand corrected too. The actual location of the Admirals Club (at least from AA.com) is:

Gatwick South Terminal International Departures, after passport control, on the left hand side of main Alders Duty Free Shop.

Meaning - no need to worry about going from one concourse to the other. Now you just have to budget time based on how long it'll take for you to get from the Int'l Departures area to the US satellite.

Meaning - no need to worry about going from one concourse to the other. Now you just have to budget time based on how long it'll take for you to get from the Int'l Departures area to the US satellite.

15 minutes max.

DG1- I hope you can find time to post a trip report about the A330!

OK, I'll post one now then http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif