Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - Upper Class

We're flying one way on points in Upper Class From LHR to YVR. I heard we get complimentary Lounge access at LHR. Do we also get a free Spa treatment there too? Any other perks I should be getting or asking for? What about when we land in YVR since we have to stay the night to continue on to SEA in the morning...this is all booked on one ticket.

I understand we don't qualify for the limo service.

Thanks for all your help.
Shane

You do indeed get access to the Clubhouse at LHR and it is a great lounge. It is certainly worth spending a few hours there. There are various free spa treatments (and some that you pay for), but it can get very busy so best advice is to book as soon as you arrive. You get to use the UC wing at LHR, which makes security quick and easy.

There won't be anything at YVR on arrival, I'm afraid.

Re limo -- you can use more miles to book it (17.5k, I think), but the value for money is usually pretty poor.

If you are really out to maximise perks, you could try the drive-through check-in at LHR, but you need a driver!

We're flying one way on points in Upper Class From LHR to YVR. I heard we get complimentary Lounge access at LHR. Do we also get a free Spa treatment there too? Any other perks I should be getting or asking for? What about when we land in YVR since we have to stay the night to continue on to SEA in the morning...this is all booked on one ticket.

I understand we don't qualify for the limo service.

Thanks for all your help.
Shane

THere is a full menu of the spa treatments (both the free and paid for) on the VS website in the club house section so have a read and choose a couple of possible options.

Once you have cleared security etc go straight to the CH and then straight to the spa to book and then find a seat and order a drink and food. You can always nip out to do some shopping later. This won't guarentee you a treatment but it might put you ahead in the queue!

If they are fully booked they will take your name and call you if there any no-shows.

RE: drive through check in...We have someone who will be dropping us off, if that's what you mean? What is this perk, just curbside drop off?

Are you able to book Spa treatments (the shave sounds really nice to me) before you arrive (I'm booked already) or only day of travel?

I think our flight is at one but plan on being there in the morning to take it all in on our way out.

RE: drive through check in...We have someone who will be dropping us off, if that's what you mean? What is this perk, just curbside drop off?

Are you able to book Spa treatments (the shave sounds really nice to me) before you arrive (I'm booked already) or only day of travel?

I think our flight is at one but plan on being there in the morning to take it all in on our way out.

DTCI is not the same as usual curbside checkin. it is a seperate check-in area (above the main check-in area) only accessible to people who use DTCI and leads directly to the private security channel. You need to contact VS to book an arrival slot and give them details of your car. You can't simply drive up and expect entry as they need your details to print of the luggage tags etc (also due to dept of transport security regulations).

You can only book treatments on the day. They did used to have an advance booking system but they changed it a couple of years ago to first come first served on they day. As I said earlier if they are fully booked they will 'wait list' you but the system is designed to reduce the number of no shows.

RE: drive through check in...We have someone who will be dropping us off, if that's what you mean? What is this perk, just curbside drop off?

I would definitely arrange DTCI since it is a wonderful experience, very exclusive, very smart, and well worth trying.

As UKTravelBear says however, this is not a drive up and drop off service. You actually enter a secure area of the airport up a ramp into the terminal, and to do this VS will need to know your arrival time (a 30 min range slot) and the registration number of the car being used to drop you off - you need to call and arrange this a minimum of 24 hours before drop off.

When you arrange it you should get an email confirmation with the details and location of DTCI - beware, the ramp is not signed so you need to look for it with care.

A video of the service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjLjHKLOcEc


I would definitely arrange DTCI since it is a wonderful experience, very exclusive, very smart, and well worth trying.

As UKTravelBear says however, this is not a drive up and drop off service. You actually enter a secure area of the airport up a ramp into the terminal, and to do this VS will need to know your arrival time (a 30 min range slot) and the registration number of the car being used to drop you off - you need to call and arrange this a minimum of 24 hours before drop off.

When you arrange it you should get an email confirmation with the details and location of DTCI - beware, the ramp is not signed so you need to look for it with care.

The Virgin Clubhouse is the best lounge i've been to. Does virgin have any other locations that compete?

lhr clubhouse is simply amazing

I am travelling upperclass SYD to London in July. Which are the best seats in upper class.

Downstairs in the nose of 747-400, or rows 4-8 on right or left (not middle) on A340 are my preference.


Steve

I am travelling upperclass SYD to London in July. Which are the best seats in upper class.

Downstairs in the nose of 747-400, or rows 4-8 on right or left (not middle) on A340 are my preference.


Steve

Should be an A346 and I'd go for 4-7K followed by 4-7A.

Should be an A346 and I'd go for 4-7K followed by 4-7A.

Is that the same for A343? Anything special about being within 4-7 as opposed to having 3&4 - in an A343 if that makes a difference compared to A346?

Can anybody recommend a decent priced car service to take advantage of the DTCI?

I'm not that far from the airport so don't feel like paying the GBP65 for the official service compared to GBP25 for a regular taxi.

Can anybody recommend a decent priced car service to take advantage of the DTCI?

I'm not that far from the airport so don't feel like paying the GBP65 for the official service compared to GBP25 for a regular taxi.

I used the service with a taxi. Ironically, the morning I was due to fly out of LHR last July, I got an email stating that I had been selected to now use the drive through service with a private car or taxi. So I dropped my rental car off at Hertz and called a taxi. When the taxi arrived, I called the phone number provided in the email (I will research and see if I still have it), gave them the registration of the taxi, make and model. Then followed the directions from the email to the private entrance at LHR. At the entrance, they can see the car, then they let you through.

Is that the same for A343? Anything special about being within 4-7 as opposed to having 3&4 - in an A343 if that makes a difference compared to A346?

Rows 3 and 4 are fine on an A343 because the forward cabin is much smaller than on an A346 and you don't want to be too close to the bar.

To me they are the same.

Here is a pic from 7K in a A346. As you can see, the middle "D" seats up to 7 face towards the "A" side, after that they switch to facing the "K" side.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/backdocLA/VirginAtlantic6K-A346.jpg



Here is a seat map from one of my upcoming flights that also shows the above.


http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/backdocLA/VS-SeatMap-A340-600.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21799741@N00/6855854195/


Is that the same for A343? Anything special about being within 4-7 as opposed to having 3&4 - in an A343 if that makes a difference compared to A346?

On the A346 I prefer to be in A9-12, facing the wall.