bmi diamond club - Is it worth using a Gold Upgrade voucher on LHR-DUB?

Got a trip to Dublin coming up and just wondering weather it is worth while using the Gold upgrade vouchers on the route?
Never flown it before, so not sure...

I have 6 upgrade vouchers, 4 of them with an expiry date, and the other 2 without.
I have a flight to TLV and a flight to DME later this year which I will try and use them on to upgrade to Business, so keeping 4 of them for that.

I know the LHR-DUB is just a one hour flight, so would you use a voucher for it?

What time is the flight? I find burning them on evening flights a better bet than day ones - I had a rather decent curry coming back from BHD the other week (vs. the more disappointing bento box going out).

I tend to burn them on short hops like this as I can rarely use them elsewhere. On that BHD trip I burned 4 (me + friend). Not great value, but about as useful as they were going to be to me at all given they were expiring ones (though if it helps, remember that Joanna has said they'll replace expired ones with new ones at the end of the year). I've retained my 2 unlimited ones.

Ive used mine before on BHD and DUB as i had no other real use for them. I did feel guilty for it though as i think its a waste.

I find the free meal deal in the back way better than what the bento box gives during the day, mostly these days it's a dry sandwhich.

The only difference really is that there is no B seat so you have a little wider seat on that side, legroom is the same poor crap.

Using it on DUB-LHR can be good if DUB security is busy because you can use the fast track with a business ticket.

But I find using it on DUB-LHR-DUB is a waist of them, but as they now expire it's better to use than to loose.

If I'm travelling on a fare that gets me sat at the front of ecenomy, I tend not to bother with a GUV as the benefit is marginal, and as a BD*G you'll get the lounge access anyway and a blocked seat next to you in economy.

You'll get a wider seat, same legroom, and (assuming they have a spare one, which often is not the case) a bento box with the dish du jour instead of the economy mealdeal (which, in some cases, can actually be better nosh than biz), a hot towel, maybe a newspaper, and a little pampering. Best used if you've had a hard day and in need of some TLC and economy is wedged, or if you have a colleague/special friend you need to impress.

There's also the possibility that one of the mid-haul planes will be operating the flight, in which case you'll get a nice big seat too.

Thanks guys!!!


and as a BD*G you'll get the lounge access anyway and a blocked seat next to you in economy.Do they really block the seat next to Gold members? is this regardless of the fare?


There's also the possibility that one of the mid-haul planes will be operating the flight, in which case you'll get a nice big seat too.Interesting you mention that.
I just had a look at the seat maps for Business (on expertflyer) for a couple of flights I was considering returning on from DUB.
Both are A320, but while one of them is showing the normal 3-3 configuration, the other is showing 2-2 (right hand side starting at row 2)
Does this mean it's a mid Haul configuration?

Thanks guys!!!

I just had a look at the seat maps for Business (on expertflyer) for a couple of flights I was considering returning on from DUB.
Both are A320, but while one of them is showing the normal 3-3 configuration, the other is showing 2-2 (right hand side starting at row 2)
Does this mean it's a mid Haul configuration?

Yes... Although i didnt know that it showed up on the seatmaps prior the flights, as these are usually last minute aircraft rotations.

Do they really block the seat next to Gold members? is this regardless of the fare?


I believe that is the case. So you get the siutation where you can get more shoulder room in economy (in A or C with the B blocked) than in business (in A or C with the 'mini-B' blocked)

IME you've a higher chance of getting one of the mid-hauls on the first/last flight of the day than in the middle

The block is not guaranteed though if it's full. They also try to block in Business (but due to the smaller cabin size, that may fill up more easily making blocks harder) on the 3-side. They do actually show up as blocked not occupied on the seatmap on the agents' computers (e.g. if you're asking about seat changes in the lounge and they show you it for a look yourself). Just one of the reasons I always pick BD over BA on Domestics if possible ^ :)

Thanks guys!!!


Do they really block the seat next to Gold members? is this regardless of the fare?

My last EDI-LHR flight saw me pre-allocated 8B and the nearest A, C, D, F seat was in row 15. As hand luggage only I stuck to 8B. What a horrible experience that was. Had a fellow GCH in 8C too.

They also announced that no breakfast paninis had been loaded for the BD51 06:30 too so had to have a thermonuclear toastie.

Grrrr!

Ive used mine before on BHD and DUB as i had no other real use for them. I did feel guilty for it though as i think its a waste.
I was even worse - I didn't use them on BHD routes and never used them on anything. No onger a *G and won't be again, so they are well dead.

Hi,

If you OLCI, you can get a seat in the A/C seats, in the rows 4-8, where there is this mini-B seat. If the flight is not too busy, then the gold block will stick, and you can have a B or E seat clear.

In terms of value for a GUV on the DUB route, it's quite variable. I agree with the comment above that the meal deal with the gold card is as good as the bento box.

If like me, you live in DUB and DUB-LHR is your primary BD route where GUVs work, then this is the only route where you'll use 'em*. I use the GUVs to get me a seat like 1C or 1D, where I can get a quick exit from the aircraft, and on to my connecting flight or train. The GUVs save me time!

Aidan

*(as mentioned previously, I also often fly LHR-RUH with BD, but the GUVs are useless on this route as there is no PE).

I was even worse - I didn't use them on BHD routes and never used them on anything. No onger a *G and won't be again, so they are well dead.

Do you want rid of them to a good home where they will be well fed and watered, or at least i will be when i take them for a walk?:cool:

Yeah it is worth the upgrade really because the upgrade vouchers are selling on ebay at £10 each average! ;) If you want some more just go buy some. Technically if you replace it then you have only payed £10 for the upgrade.. worth it in my books :D

I tend not to bother with a GUV......

Approaching the airport this evening for the flight home from cr@psville, I was feeling a bit like the tall bloke from the mi-time ad (but sadly, not quite as handsome) so stopped by at the check-in desk and enquired about the possibility of using a GUV. I had seen from OLCI that the front row of Y in the 320 was row 9, which isn't nornal, and indeed check-in confirmed that C seating would be 2+2, and they put a note on my reservation and told me to check again at the gate.

By the time I got to the podium, a G-MED 320 was pulling onto the gate, and even befofre I could whip out my GUV, I was greeted with "Ah, Mr Flyer ?, we've been expecting you" and in a jiffy I was unsnugged and given a boarding pass with a big fat C on it. "We saw you had a window seat in economy, so have given you a window seat at the front". Nice touch.
The passenger behind me, an inscrutable-looking Oriental lady, presented a whole wad of GUVs but was turned away with "sorry no meal for you".

After a quick pitstop in the lounge for a Leffe, I was soon sinking into my nice big ex-BA cradle seat. Seating was just the A+C seats in row 1, then 2+2 in row 2, so thats's what to look for in the seatmaps. Behind me sat the Oriental lady. By the time we took off the cabin was taking on the distinctive aroma of my local curry-house, which gave a clue for the dinner selections : the bento box with the usual fizzy apple slices and galaxy finger, with the choice of macaroni cheese, braised beef or a tasty lamb curry, which was only slightly cooler than the cheese in the toastie.

Service was a joy, the accomplished double act of Jason and Claudia dedicated to the 9 of us in the cabin, and I managed a sparkling water, 2 bottles of Californian white, a cuppa tea, then a large ajameson :), thoughtfully served with a little tumbler of iced water, followed by another, even larger ajameson :):), finished off with a piping hot towel. And all of that service in a flight lasting 39 minutes. ^

Straight into LHR on 27L, passing the corpse of the BA 777 which is now behind hoardings and has had the tail fin cut off so that no-one can see whats there anymore. Well no-one except those landing on 27L .:D

Incidentally, there's new "UK border" hall opened in LHR T1 international arrivals : you now turn left into what used to be the Flight Connections centre.

Super flight, best for ages. Well done bmi.

I am using a GUV on tonights LHR-EDI. I had OLCI'd into 4C in the snug but had not printed my BP. I went to the desk @ LHR and asked them to print it for me. Out spat 18C. GRRRR!!!!!!!

When I enquired the check-in lady said Biz was now up to row 8. That was a lot of seat sales I thought. Slight miffed I walked away as I only have hand luggage so want to get as close to the front as possible.

Then I remembed Oxon Flyer's post. Up to the ticket desk I went and asked if the plane was a 321 with 2+2 seating at the front. I was told it was. So I have used a GUV in the hope it's a BMED A321. I also have 1C on my BP.

Part 2 to come later.

Well the flight was a BMED A321 so was a GUV well spent in my opinion. Andrew and Michelle were excellent cabin crew.

The seats were good but could have been better. In the upright position they are not as comfortable as the Moscow C seat. However given the much better recline they would be better if you wanted a sleep. As I was driving at the other end I couldn't have any booze onboard so made do with some hot food and a couple of cups of tea. The tea was excellent and refills were plentiful.

The only poor point of the flight was the tosser in 2C who decided to try and stuff his bag into the overhead locker in 1C where my 2 bags were. When he tried this there were zero items in the overhead locker above his seat.

The convo went like this:

Me: 'You are squashing my laptop, can you move your bag?'
Tosser: 'No, it's ok'

Me 'No, it's not, your locker is empty, can you move your bag?'
Tosser: 'No, it's fine'

Me 'I want you to move your bag, you are damaging my laptop'
Tosser 'ok then'

If these planes start popping up regularly I might well need to get some GUV's off ebay.

Struck lucky again with the GUV yesterday on short-haul, though this time got one of the bmi mid-haul 320s (Delta Yankee) with the nice big leather seats up front.

Again OLCI was showing row 9 as the front Y row for this flight, so if you see that on your flight then its seems a reasonable indicator that you'll have a good reason to use a GUV.

well, are bmi treating me well at the moment. ^ My last 4 short-hauls have all been in mid-haul equipment, and my relationship with Delta Yankee, with her 50 inches of squashy leather, is blossoming nicely. At the moment, she's the GUVnor. :D

I wasted two of mine on a LHR-DUB for me and a co-worker, was hanging on to them, but have no real use for them so thought I may as well use them..... Would never bother if I am alone, but it's a nice touch to UG others...

tht

After a day without a lunch break I rather needed a hot meal tonight so used a GUV for the flight home. Had the obligatory "may not be a meal for you" conversation with the agent.

And surprise, surprise, Delta Yankee again, (four times now in a row I've had her .....:D). Settled into the back row of biz (the antisnug ?) and got absorbed with todays copy of "Metro" (not often you see that on the BRU run). Bento service began, everyone served except me, then the crew disappeared back into the galley. Drinks service then came around a few minutes later, I was last, and after being handed my bottle of plonk the conversation went something like this :

FA : Is there anything else I can get you ?
Me : Well, I really would appreciate something to eat.
FA : Oh. Didn't the supervisor tell you ?
Me : Tell me what ?
FA : That the ground crew have told us that the 'upgrades' know they're not getting any food.
Me : No she didn't. l I appreciate there may not be a meal for me, but are you saying there is no food at all ? Every other time there's been no meal, the supervisor comes and explains the situation and apologises. You've just ignored me.

Pause while FA goes up to the front to consult with the Supervisor, who is skulking in the galley. FA returns.

FA : Sorry, we don't have a meal for you.
Me : Well couldn't you at least get me a sandwich from the economy cart ?
FA : You'll have to pay.....
Me : But I'm a Gold card holder, and the least I'm entitled to is a free sandwich

Another pause, another consultation with the supervisor who is still skulking in the galley, and eventually a meal-deal chicken sarnie appears

FA : I'll need your card.
Me : My card is somewhere in my bag in the overhead
FA : Sorry, I do need your card

Pause while I move the drinks, fold up the tray table, and retrieve said card before handing it over and returning to munch mode.

The only time I saw the supervisor in the whole flight was a brief sortie out from the galley to bang down a cup of coffee onto my tray table, sullenly and without any eye contact.

Can I have my GUV back, please ?

So, it's a Get Upset Voucher? ;)

Not much of a reward for being in BD's top X%...

Oxon PM on the way to you with details of a very helpful bmi lady at Heathrow who would be very interested in your comments about the supervisor if you wish to pass on some feedback.

Not getting a meal is irritating, but at the same time you were prepared that it *could* happen. However a sulking attitude from the person supposedly leading the in flight service is not on. A fine example to set for the rest of her team. :td:

Not much of a reward for being in BD's top X%...

0.X% surely ? :D

0.X% actually :D

I hardly think short haul hops to BRU put you in that elite tier. The big boys are the long-haulers like myself and kevincm on the MAN-ORD-MAN 'will the plane go sick again' gauntlet of endurance.

Ok, maybe not then. :D

So, it's a Get Upset Voucher? ;)

Maybe, at least on shorthaul, we should, from now on, refer to them as an FUV ! ;)

572 BD sectors and counting.....

You anorak ! :D

Its like lotto... only without the excitement of winning anything other that the ride into the USA

Hey - I might finally work out this GUV business soon. Just got to concoct a 16k mileage run between now and Jan 28th....

And if he was a real anorak, he'd have a flight memory (http://my.flightmemory.com/kevincm) ;)

* Excludes actual entry into the land of the free and any pain related to ORD T5. But then if you are going through T5, sanity can be disposed of...

And if he was a real anorak, he'd have a flight memory (http://my.flightmemory.com/kevincm) ;)


The youth of today, you never had it so good ! :p

Before the worldly wide web thingy, my flight / FF account reconciliation consisted of a pile of paper tickets six inches high and a statement they sent out every month or three.....if you were lucky.

Although it would be interesting to do, I couldn't fill out flight memory for anything before 2001, as it's all gone now. Thankfully the taxman no longer requires me to keep it anymore.

A

FA : I'll need your card.
Me : My card is somewhere in my bag in the overhead
FA : Sorry, I do need your card



That crew member needs to be re trained or fired. I hope you got the name and send to the person at LHR crew ops.

They are perfectly capable of entering the number manually for damaged cards and Blue+ members who have just signed up online.

Sounds like she didn't want the hassle of dealing with a business class passenger (not physically) holding a Gold Card.

Last week I had a DUB crew on my EDI-LHR. I was advised in the lounge that a meal would almost certainly not be available and had MNA written on my boarding pass. Without prompting, the FSM went and got me a selection of sandwiches from the back and brought them to me. When I offered her my gold card she said she'd already got the number off the manifest and entered it. Job done!

I suspect we're being given boxes that would otherwise be used for crew meals so perhaps that is why last-minute GUVers on short haul are not very popular on board!

Used vouchers on 2 recent short haul flights, where I knew the aircraft was going to be a Mid Haul configured one.
Was never told anything about possibly not having a meal, and always served with everyone else

I suspect we're being given boxes that would otherwise be used for crew meals so perhaps that is why last-minute GUVers on short haul are not very popular on board!

I dont think so... The crew usually have seperate meal trays which ive seen them eating. Mind you the food did not look appealing. Alot of them seem to bring their own stuff onboard and heat it up.

Remember having read on here that bmi would replace any vouchers one still has after Dec that have the Dec 08 expiry date on them. Is that really the case? Still sitting on a bunch, so would like to know if they really expire end of Dec? Anyone knows for sure?