Surprising my folks, suggestions of a LHR T3 destination
Feb 23, 2017, 3:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
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Surprising my folks, suggestions of a LHR T3 destination
So I brought my parents a BA Holiday to Prague leaving on the 13th March.
I am flying to Sydney Ex-OSL on the 15th, I've currently have a Avios positioning flight booked out on the 14th, but thinking of surprising them at the airport and guesting them into the lounge.
Any suggestions of a suitable T3 departure on the Monday departing mid-afternoon (I finish a night-shift the proceeding night, due to finish 0830) either as a day trip to then get my reward flight on the following day or an alternative routing to be in Osl on the 14th (where I've already booked a hotel) and I'll then cancel the reward flight.
Many thanks in advance.
I am flying to Sydney Ex-OSL on the 15th, I've currently have a Avios positioning flight booked out on the 14th, but thinking of surprising them at the airport and guesting them into the lounge.
Any suggestions of a suitable T3 departure on the Monday departing mid-afternoon (I finish a night-shift the proceeding night, due to finish 0830) either as a day trip to then get my reward flight on the following day or an alternative routing to be in Osl on the 14th (where I've already booked a hotel) and I'll then cancel the reward flight.
Many thanks in advance.
Feb 23, 2017, 4:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Nice idea.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Feb 23, 2017, 4:11 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Not sure my folks would necessarily appreciate me cramping their style on the first night of their holiday though, hence thinking of alternatives. The TPs/avios aren't important in this instance, but flying ?BA ?OW out of LHR is for the lounge access.
Nice idea.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Feb 23, 2017, 4:17 pm
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The obvious ones are either VIE or BCN, both of which are easy to do back to back and are just before / after PRG. LUX is slightly more risky since you have to go landside, but it's often incredibly cheap, both base fare and any POUG, and it's a short flight.
Cathay would be good, but the GGL two guests facility doesn't apply there, but does at BA Flounge, and if your parents aren't regular lounge users then the dining area there will probably still impress. In any case they'll be happy just to see you I'm sure. However I guess you could slip away for a few minutes, pop next door to Cathay, deploy your innate charm on the reception ladies and it's possible they may agree to 2 guests.
Cathay would be good, but the GGL two guests facility doesn't apply there, but does at BA Flounge, and if your parents aren't regular lounge users then the dining area there will probably still impress. In any case they'll be happy just to see you I'm sure. However I guess you could slip away for a few minutes, pop next door to Cathay, deploy your innate charm on the reception ladies and it's possible they may agree to 2 guests.
Feb 23, 2017, 4:19 pm
#7
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Feb 23, 2017, 4:23 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
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The obvious ones are either VIE or BCN, both of which are easy to do back to back and are just before / after PRG. LUX is slightly more risky since you have to go landside, but it's often incredibly cheap, both base fare and any POUG, and it's a short flight.
Cathay would be good, but the GGL two guests facility doesn't apply there, but does at BA Flounge, and if your parents aren't regular lounge users then the dining area there will probably still impress. In any case they'll be happy just to see you I'm sure. However I guess you could slip away for a few minutes, pop next door to Cathay, deploy your innate charm on the reception ladies and it's possible they may agree to 2 guests.
Cathay would be good, but the GGL two guests facility doesn't apply there, but does at BA Flounge, and if your parents aren't regular lounge users then the dining area there will probably still impress. In any case they'll be happy just to see you I'm sure. However I guess you could slip away for a few minutes, pop next door to Cathay, deploy your innate charm on the reception ladies and it's possible they may agree to 2 guests.
I should probably also confess, although don't tell my parents who value their independence, but they aren't as young as they once were, and my mum is in a mobility scooter (which I have spoken to BA about and sorted the carriage of), but would be helpful if I was on hand for any issues or indeed disruption.
Feb 23, 2017, 4:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 223
Appreciated, shows I never graduated to that level.
Last edited by johnston21; Feb 23, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Feb 23, 2017, 5:02 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Cheapest one ways that day from T3 are £83.
Feb 23, 2017, 6:59 pm
#11
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Nice idea.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Am sure people will come up with flight suggestions, but what about alternatives that do not require you to fly out of T3:
1. Buy the cheapest one-way fare you can find out of T3 and do not fly it. (I assume you have status and your folks are flying club so you don't need a club flight to get access to lounges).
2. Buy a fully refundable J or F ticket, but again do not use it. Then move your OSL flight of 14th to 13th and stroll to T5 once you have brought your folks to their gate. Get your other flight refunded.
Feb 23, 2017, 9:56 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209
As LHR-HEL is T3 (whether operated by BA or AY) is LHR-HEL-OSL not an option? There's enough flights on this route that there should be one convenient to the PRG departure.
As CWS says you can't get two guests into a non BA lounge but if your flight is after theirs I'd certainly pay it a visit if you've not before.
As CWS says you can't get two guests into a non BA lounge but if your flight is after theirs I'd certainly pay it a visit if you've not before.
Feb 24, 2017, 12:14 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
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I think so, its not exactly a lot of hassle, my reasons are up thread and GF is a perfectly good lounge, particularly without the FT grey tinting spectacles on.
And I agree, I don't think I'll be booking a flight then cancelling it, it doesn't sit right with me but thanks for the suggestion in any case.
HEL is an option too, thanks for the suggestion, I'll tap in the suggestions to google flights later and book something this evening.
Many thanks!
And I agree, I don't think I'll be booking a flight then cancelling it, it doesn't sit right with me but thanks for the suggestion in any case.
HEL is an option too, thanks for the suggestion, I'll tap in the suggestions to google flights later and book something this evening.
Many thanks!