Hi everyone...my first post on the CO board after weeks of lurking.

In reference to OP elite check-in privileges-

Sometime in March this year me and a friend got to the extremely busy check-in area for Virgin at LGW for a (CO code) flight to MIA (a few VS flights seemed to be checking in at the same time, at all desks).We needed to check in quickly so we could move our car from the short stay a long stay car park so I looked for the CO concierge and asked her if she could get us into the queue in the BC line(I was a OP silver).

She disappeared, then came back saying we could. Once in the BC queue we were told twice we were in the wrong queue..but I explained that I was CO elite and appeared decisive as FCTSTY suggested. One didn't seem convinced saying only their own frequent flyers (or something similar) could queue here, but she nevertheless left us alone. We were OK after this.

Incidentally when I approached the CO concierge initially she asked us if we would be willing to go on a later flight if the plane was full (CO metal I believe) and offered us £200 ($280 then) 'cash' (in her own words)each plus meal vouchers. We gladly accepted - we might have even accepted without compensation!- considering our car was in short stay.

When we got to the front of the BC queue the check in clerk took our tickets disappeared then came back saying we were upgraded to Upper Class. For a second I wasn't sure whether to be pleased at getting the upgrade or displeased at not getting the bump (car would have to stay in short stay for 10 days) but I quickly reasoned I would happily pay as much as I would be paying for short stay parking, for an upgrade. Funnily enough the CO concierge was at the desk with us virtually trying to convince the VS clerk to bump us - explaining we had accepted... leading me to believe there was something for her (CO) in getting us bumped...he refused saying that they have seats for us. Was a lovely flight!