Weekend day trip fares
Jun 23, 2014, 4:43 am
#301
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Hampshire/Phoenix
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 346
Got back on saturday from Geneva. A very hot and clear sunny day!
Managed to grab a spot of breakfast in a packed Flounge.
Took the 08.20 flight that was delayed due to offloading someone's luggage, i slept through most of it anyhows.
Arriving at Geneva, read the advice given here and picked up a free train ticket at the end of carousel 5.
The tricky part was finding the train into the town centre but i grabbed one on platform 3 which took around 5mins.
If you are doing a bit of walking near the joncion i popped into small ice cream parlour called Glacier ArtyGlaces. They do amazing ice cream!! the zing on their sorbet is astounding!
Due to the weather i couldn't handle too much walking and called it quits around 4pm and headed back.
My sweaty boarding pass wouldn't let me into the security fast lane but traffic was surprisingly quick anyway.
Used my Priority pass to relax in the Swiss business lounge and take advantage of even more ice cream, taking one for the flight too was perfect as i looked out the window saying goodbye to Geneva.
Ticket cost £58 + 3k avios. Great day out and no hayfever attacks.
Managed to grab a spot of breakfast in a packed Flounge.
Took the 08.20 flight that was delayed due to offloading someone's luggage, i slept through most of it anyhows.
Arriving at Geneva, read the advice given here and picked up a free train ticket at the end of carousel 5.
The tricky part was finding the train into the town centre but i grabbed one on platform 3 which took around 5mins.
If you are doing a bit of walking near the joncion i popped into small ice cream parlour called Glacier ArtyGlaces. They do amazing ice cream!! the zing on their sorbet is astounding!
Due to the weather i couldn't handle too much walking and called it quits around 4pm and headed back.
My sweaty boarding pass wouldn't let me into the security fast lane but traffic was surprisingly quick anyway.
Used my Priority pass to relax in the Swiss business lounge and take advantage of even more ice cream, taking one for the flight too was perfect as i looked out the window saying goodbye to Geneva.
Ticket cost £58 + 3k avios. Great day out and no hayfever attacks.
Jun 23, 2014, 5:50 am
#303
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,245
I totally agree with you on the CE price, we went to Geneva in economy and they kept offering us an upgrade online for about an extra £500!! On our return journey Club had 3 pax and when I asked the CSD if we could upgrade onbourd, she said no. I think I read on here that they have an onboard pack to upgrade?
Our benefit would be the lounge/fast track as we are Bronze
Our benefit would be the lounge/fast track as we are Bronze
The old adage on here is that BA is happy to let their premium classes go empty in order not to cultivate the impression that you are guaranteed a cheap upgrade (or UuA) after buying a bargain basement economy ticket. That said I've always been offered sensibly-priced POUGs on the day trip fares.
Jun 23, 2014, 5:56 am
#304
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin
Programs: Meow Mix
Posts: 1,434
Jun 23, 2014, 6:40 am
#305
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
No worries. I'm willing to bet it's some issue with the weird BA flight operated by IB or something that's easier to handle from LHR.
Jun 23, 2014, 7:07 am
#306
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Cambridge, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,365
I suppose the flights are busy enough at weekends over the summer that they don't need to offer these fares.
Jun 23, 2014, 9:01 am
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,204
Nope, I think it was trialled at some point on longhaul but definitely not on shorthaul.
The old adage on here is that BA is happy to let their premium classes go empty in order not to cultivate the impression that you are guaranteed a cheap upgrade (or UuA) after buying a bargain basement economy ticket. That said I've always been offered sensibly-priced POUGs on the day trip fares.
The old adage on here is that BA is happy to let their premium classes go empty in order not to cultivate the impression that you are guaranteed a cheap upgrade (or UuA) after buying a bargain basement economy ticket. That said I've always been offered sensibly-priced POUGs on the day trip fares.
Jun 24, 2014, 6:14 pm
#310
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,204
Geneva is a good option (I did have a brief TR written but my browser crashed when I'd composed most of it).
Jun 25, 2014, 6:29 am
#311
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
If arriving at 10:55 (on the 8:20 departure), is that still enough time for a non-rushed day out?
(...not opposed to the earlier 6:40 one if needed)
Last edited by skye1; Jun 25, 2014 at 6:40 am
Jun 25, 2014, 6:46 am
#312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,204
...and my top option at the moment (just confirming weather forecast isn't too dismal).
I'll have a look for your TY.
If arriving at 10:55 (on the 8:20 departure), is that still enough time for a non-rushed day out? Not opposed to the 6:40 departure, if necessary, but wouldn't mind waiting until public transport opens up for getting to Heathrow.
I'll have a look for your TY.
If arriving at 10:55 (on the 8:20 departure), is that still enough time for a non-rushed day out? Not opposed to the 6:40 departure, if necessary, but wouldn't mind waiting until public transport opens up for getting to Heathrow.
I took the 8:20 departure and the last flight back. Make sure you get your free train ticket from the baggage reclaim area before heading to the station. Note the free ticket is outward only, you'll need to buy a ticket to get back to the station (still, not many cities give you any free travel!).
Funny thing is there's a regular rail ticket machine next to the one dispensing free tickets (as GVA rail station serves other destinations that aren't free) and there was a queue at that one, but no one getting the free tickets. Many of them I seen on the same train as myself going to Geneva.
From the city centre rail station the lake is walkable. Plenty of places to relax, have a meal, enjoy the scenery, go for a walk, etc. There's also boat trips on the lake including a lunch cruise (didn't get the details of this).
Trains are frequent, I aimed to arrive back at the city centre station 90 minutes before departure. Trains only take about 10 minutes. If you're unfamiliar with the airport you might want to leave a little sooner.
I was staying in a hotel the night before travelling, so I had a small bag with a change of clothes. I noticed lockers were available both in the airport and the station.
Jun 25, 2014, 7:16 am
#313
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
I lost the trip report as the browser crashed before I'd put it together.
I took the 8:20 departure and the last flight back. Make sure you get your free train ticket from the baggage reclaim area before heading to the station. Note the free ticket is outward only, you'll need to buy a ticket to get back to the station (still, not many cities give you any free travel!).
Funny thing is there's a regular rail ticket machine next to the one dispensing free tickets (as GVA rail station serves other destinations that aren't free) and there was a queue at that one, but no one getting the free tickets. Many of them I seen on the same train as myself going to Geneva.
From the city centre rail station the lake is walkable. Plenty of places to relax, have a meal, enjoy the scenery, go for a walk, etc. There's also boat trips on the lake including a lunch cruise (didn't get the details of this).
Trains are frequent, I aimed to arrive back at the city centre station 90 minutes before departure. Trains only take about 10 minutes. If you're unfamiliar with the airport you might want to leave a little sooner.
I was staying in a hotel the night before travelling, so I had a small bag with a change of clothes. I noticed lockers were available both in the airport and the station.
I took the 8:20 departure and the last flight back. Make sure you get your free train ticket from the baggage reclaim area before heading to the station. Note the free ticket is outward only, you'll need to buy a ticket to get back to the station (still, not many cities give you any free travel!).
Funny thing is there's a regular rail ticket machine next to the one dispensing free tickets (as GVA rail station serves other destinations that aren't free) and there was a queue at that one, but no one getting the free tickets. Many of them I seen on the same train as myself going to Geneva.
From the city centre rail station the lake is walkable. Plenty of places to relax, have a meal, enjoy the scenery, go for a walk, etc. There's also boat trips on the lake including a lunch cruise (didn't get the details of this).
Trains are frequent, I aimed to arrive back at the city centre station 90 minutes before departure. Trains only take about 10 minutes. If you're unfamiliar with the airport you might want to leave a little sooner.
I was staying in a hotel the night before travelling, so I had a small bag with a change of clothes. I noticed lockers were available both in the airport and the station.
(Happy to guest any into the F lounge that morning if any others are day-tripping on Saturday).
Jun 26, 2014, 10:40 am
#314
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 201
Now officially dead/suspended.....
"Sorry, this offer is not currently active.
Even though the offers have now ended, you can still find a great deal
Holidays and destination guides"
Hopefully just for the summer, but I enjoyed them whilst they were there.....
"Sorry, this offer is not currently active.
Even though the offers have now ended, you can still find a great deal
Holidays and destination guides"
Hopefully just for the summer, but I enjoyed them whilst they were there.....
Jun 26, 2014, 11:10 am
#315
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Hampshire/Phoenix
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 346
We left on the 09.20 from T5 and returned on the 21.15 and that was plenty of time for a day trip.