Share of Heathrow by Invitation?
Jul 26, 2011, 7:47 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,814
£300 to avoid what at worst is probably a 30 minute or so queue?!
You must be seriously minted, or seriously crazy!
Imagine the nice leisurely lunch you could have with that £300 following the immigration hell!
You must be seriously minted, or seriously crazy!
Imagine the nice leisurely lunch you could have with that £300 following the immigration hell!
Jul 26, 2011, 11:18 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, EK & VS Gold, Amex Cent
Posts: 1,736
It used to be something like £300 for USCopter from JFK-Manhattan back in the day. At one point it was included with Delta full-fare J. Now THAT would be worth £300. Car from plane to chopper to Tower 42/1 Canada Sq/Hilton Parklane or something.....
Jul 26, 2011, 11:59 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,805
I would give this a go with a group of people I knew if it were ever a viable option, I am not sure I would do it with a bunch of total strangers though.
Jul 26, 2011, 12:42 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tonbridge
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 2,034
I cannot imagine even in my most ostentatious moment paying $1500 + VAT for this - what a stupid price. Think of the margin.
Not even after an alcohol fuelled daytime F trip.
What next, being transported through the terminal in a litter / sedan chair whilst a member of BAA VIP services sprinkles rose petals before you, with Segway outriggers. £5000..... + VAT
Not even after an alcohol fuelled daytime F trip.
What next, being transported through the terminal in a litter / sedan chair whilst a member of BAA VIP services sprinkles rose petals before you, with Segway outriggers. £5000..... + VAT
Reading FT while eating, not such a good idea!
Jul 26, 2011, 12:45 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tonbridge
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 2,034
However the transiting between LHR and LGW must be a realy PIT, so if this included limo transportation, with passport service en route, then maybe £300. If someone else was paying!
Jul 26, 2011, 1:29 pm
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
Programs: Proud owner of 3 Mucci's (yes, 3!) the latest being Chevaliere des Bains Chauds, BA Silver (6 yrs)
Posts: 10,985
Statement removed as it appears to be causing offence.
(Shame I'm not allowed to express them as others have on here, but some always pick my posts to quote)
(Shame I'm not allowed to express them as others have on here, but some always pick my posts to quote)
Last edited by sunrisegirl; Jul 27, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Jul 26, 2011, 2:50 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Living the Essex dream
Programs: BA bronze
Posts: 1,472
^^
I'm sorry but I actually find it rather obscene that people can throw away money like this.
Say it's a 5 minute ride, that works out at £3,600 per hour. That's about a third of the annual basic salary of MF crew.
Clearly it would appear that some people have lost the perspective of how life is for a great many people struggling to survive on low salaries these days.
Unbelieveable.
I'm sorry but I actually find it rather obscene that people can throw away money like this.
Say it's a 5 minute ride, that works out at £3,600 per hour. That's about a third of the annual basic salary of MF crew.
Clearly it would appear that some people have lost the perspective of how life is for a great many people struggling to survive on low salaries these days.Unbelieveable.
Maybe you should just accept people have a differing opinion to you, have different priorites in their lives to you ? At the end of the day it's their money.. If we all thought the same, the world would be a boring place.
218
Jul 26, 2011, 2:53 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Europe
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 492
^^
I'm sorry but I actually find it rather obscene that people can throw away money like this.
Say it's a 5 minute ride, that works out at £3,600 per hour. That's about a third of the annual basic salary of MF crew. Clearly it would appear that some people have lost the perspective of how life is for a great many people struggling to survive on low salaries these days.
Unbelieveable.
I'm sorry but I actually find it rather obscene that people can throw away money like this.
Say it's a 5 minute ride, that works out at £3,600 per hour. That's about a third of the annual basic salary of MF crew.
Clearly it would appear that some people have lost the perspective of how life is for a great many people struggling to survive on low salaries these days.Unbelieveable.
I think we could close 95% of the service complaint threads in this forum by simply pointing to that figure.
Shameful.
Jul 27, 2011, 7:40 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,641
And it's a lot less expensive than a private jet.
From the marketing/advertising people, to the photographers and website designers, logistics providers (truck drivers to you and me) who ship in the food and wine for the lounge, interior designers and artists who kit the place out, security people, hosts, drivers right down to the person who cleans the toilets.
It may seem a lot, but providing a level of service in excess of that provided in the CCr to an even smaller number of passengers costs a great deal - and a lot of that comes right back to the UK Exchequer - 20% VAT for starters, plus all the tax on salaries by those employed in the operation, plus corporation tax (though I appreciate Ferrovial basically acquired LHR to avoid taxes, most of which it pays in Spain, but that's another matter).
If anything, I'd be encouraging people to take the plunge on things like this, most especially if they're from overseas as things like this can begin to have an effect on balance of payments.
More power to the suckers who purchase this, I say! There's one born every minute!
Jul 27, 2011, 7:58 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
Theres nothing 'obscene' in having a different set of priorities and means to fund them. Not sure that encouraging people not to spend money makes anyone's life better does it
Jul 27, 2011, 10:31 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Melbourne & London
Programs: QFWP, SQ PPS,QFLTG, EK Silver,SPG Gold, HH Diamond ,Amex Centurion
Posts: 192
I've used a similar service in Singapore called Jet Quay and I booked it through the Ritz Carlton. For $150 SGD I got picked up in a golf buggy and driven to a private lounge where immigration dealt with my passport. Whilst on the buggy, my luggage tag receipt was read out to someone on the other end of a mobile phone, who's job was to collect it and put it in the back of my awaiting car.
The $150SGD also included the ride from the airport to the hotel. Honestly I use it every time I am in Singapore. The Jetquay service also includes access to a lounge with a smoking area whilst my bags are found and loaded into the back of my awaiting car.
For about 70 quid, that's certainly worth it (especially as it includes the car ride to the hotel) I would recommend this to anyone in Singapore. However, I think that BAA needs to look at it's price point.. I'd not pay 300 quid, but i'd pay 70 quid...
James
The $150SGD also included the ride from the airport to the hotel. Honestly I use it every time I am in Singapore. The Jetquay service also includes access to a lounge with a smoking area whilst my bags are found and loaded into the back of my awaiting car.
For about 70 quid, that's certainly worth it (especially as it includes the car ride to the hotel) I would recommend this to anyone in Singapore. However, I think that BAA needs to look at it's price point.. I'd not pay 300 quid, but i'd pay 70 quid...
James