First time in First
Apr 12, 2019, 5:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 39
First time in First
Hello everyone!
Really enjoy the community here and this isn’t a groundbreaking thread. Just wanted to ask for some recommendations to make the most of my first time in first with BA.
Going to LAS 14th June and have to travel alone as my friends made alternative arrangments to get there. So how would you recommend I make the most of my time in LHR?
Im pretty sure on a previous thread I’ve read strong recommendations for an espresso martini? Loved it on the Emirates A380...
also with my ticket, am I allowed access to Concorde room?
So excited!
Really enjoy the community here and this isn’t a groundbreaking thread. Just wanted to ask for some recommendations to make the most of my first time in first with BA.
Going to LAS 14th June and have to travel alone as my friends made alternative arrangments to get there. So how would you recommend I make the most of my time in LHR?
Im pretty sure on a previous thread I’ve read strong recommendations for an espresso martini? Loved it on the Emirates A380...
also with my ticket, am I allowed access to Concorde room?
So excited!
Apr 12, 2019, 6:01 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,630
Another vote for the Cathay lounge, even with the new glitzy Qantas lounge IMHO it's by far the best. That said, if you like gin or salt & pepper squid then leave yourself time to drop in to the Qantas lounge too ^
If you're interested in a treatment at the Elemis Spa, then contact YouFirst 28 days out to book the timeslot you want. If you leave it to the day of travel then you might not get one.
Once you've visited those two lounges, and have had a treatment, then I'm afraid that's all there really is for someone travelling BA First.
If you're interested in a treatment at the Elemis Spa, then contact YouFirst 28 days out to book the timeslot you want. If you leave it to the day of travel then you might not get one.
Once you've visited those two lounges, and have had a treatment, then I'm afraid that's all there really is for someone travelling BA First.
Apr 12, 2019, 6:02 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 39
Thank you for the recommendation though! Will make the most of it!
Apr 12, 2019, 6:06 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 39
Another vote for the Cathay lounge, even with the new glitzy Qantas lounge IMHO it's by far the best. That said, if you like gin or salt & pepper squid then leave yourself time to drop in to the Qantas lounge too ^
If you're interested in a treatment at the Elemis Spa, then contact YouFirst 28 days out to book the timeslot you want. If you leave it to the day of travel then you might not get one.
Once you've visited those two lounges, and have had a treatment, then I'm afraid that's all there really is for someone travelling BA First.
If you're interested in a treatment at the Elemis Spa, then contact YouFirst 28 days out to book the timeslot you want. If you leave it to the day of travel then you might not get one.
Once you've visited those two lounges, and have had a treatment, then I'm afraid that's all there really is for someone travelling BA First.
May be a silly question, but where do I find this YouFirst to book spa? Just on manage my booking?
Ta again
Apr 12, 2019, 6:11 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,630
Apr 12, 2019, 6:44 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,573
If you were to do a one way avios redemption for a LHR T5 flight the same day as the return in F, you could use that to transfer into T5 where you can then show the incoming F ticket and use the CCR as an arrivals lounge in effect and to have breakfast and a sit on the terrace with an Espresso Martini. Then unload yourself from the redemption and go home.
It would be a shame to miss the CCR as part of the F experience, it's a very nice part of it, although I prefer the CX F lounge over pretty much anywhere for general travel - it's quiet, airy, and the food is usually pretty good.
It would be a shame to miss the CCR as part of the F experience, it's a very nice part of it, although I prefer the CX F lounge over pretty much anywhere for general travel - it's quiet, airy, and the food is usually pretty good.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:04 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 39
If you're interested in a treatment at the Elemis Spa, then contact YouFirst 28 days out to book the timeslot you want. If you leave it to the day of travel then you might not get one.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:48 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
If you were to do a one way avios redemption for a LHR T5 flight the same day as the return in F, you could use that to transfer into T5 where you can then show the incoming F ticket and use the CCR as an arrivals lounge in effect and to have breakfast and a sit on the terrace with an Espresso Martini. Then unload yourself from the redemption and go home.
It would be a shame to miss the CCR as part of the F experience, it's a very nice part of it, although I prefer the CX F lounge over pretty much anywhere for general travel - it's quiet, airy, and the food is usually pretty good.
It would be a shame to miss the CCR as part of the F experience, it's a very nice part of it, although I prefer the CX F lounge over pretty much anywhere for general travel - it's quiet, airy, and the food is usually pretty good.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:55 am
#11
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,913
Apr 12, 2019, 8:37 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,345
Don't forget to pre-order your main course on the outbound flight so that you get your first choice - you can do that in Manage My Booking from approx 30 days out. And another vote for the Cathay First lounge - it's so much nicer than the BA offering which is rather dingey in comparison.
How to maximise the First experience is quite a commonly asked question on here, so there are plenty of threads already with lots of good advice:
First time BA First
Just Flew BA First Class For The First Time...
First Time on BA F
My 1st Ever BA First Flight... Tips to make the most out of it?
There have of course been a few changes to the service since most of these were written, so do keep an eye on this thread too: New First soft product: your experiences
Oh, and be sure to book a window seat if you're travelling alone. I think that 2A or K are best if travelling solo, but 1A or K on the 747 are a pretty novel experience - they're reserved for golds but if you're not one of those then they will become available to book closer to the departure date (I think either 3 days or 24 hours out, but I'm sure someone else can confirm).
How to maximise the First experience is quite a commonly asked question on here, so there are plenty of threads already with lots of good advice:
First time BA First
Just Flew BA First Class For The First Time...
First Time on BA F
My 1st Ever BA First Flight... Tips to make the most out of it?
There have of course been a few changes to the service since most of these were written, so do keep an eye on this thread too: New First soft product: your experiences
Oh, and be sure to book a window seat if you're travelling alone. I think that 2A or K are best if travelling solo, but 1A or K on the 747 are a pretty novel experience - they're reserved for golds but if you're not one of those then they will become available to book closer to the departure date (I think either 3 days or 24 hours out, but I'm sure someone else can confirm).
Last edited by cosmo74; Apr 12, 2019 at 8:41 am Reason: added to response
Apr 12, 2019, 8:47 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 228
I was upgraded on checkin to First, from LHR to Beijing, back in January this year, this was in T5, so I was guided through to the first wing and into the 1st Lounge.
I had not found this forum at the time, and did not realise I had access to the Concorde room (thought it was for 'special' people), so I missed out on the experience.
Had I found this forum beforehand, I would have realised I could have gone in, so you're ahead of the game on me! (I'll have to wait until this September for my next opportunity to hit the Concorde Lounge)
Enjoy the whole experience, despite the plane being 5 hours late, I did
I had not found this forum at the time, and did not realise I had access to the Concorde room (thought it was for 'special' people), so I missed out on the experience.
Had I found this forum beforehand, I would have realised I could have gone in, so you're ahead of the game on me! (I'll have to wait until this September for my next opportunity to hit the Concorde Lounge)
Enjoy the whole experience, despite the plane being 5 hours late, I did
Apr 12, 2019, 9:05 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 250
I am also having my first BA F flight next week as a part of a TP run from GOT-HEL-LHR-PHL-MIA. I upgraded to F with Avios from LHR. I have had around 8 flights in *A F previously, but first time with BA. As a BA gold I reserved 1A This is purely a hobby and getting quite addicted to getting those 1500TP each year 
Regarding Elemis SPA, I tried to book early but they had no space left. Same with Cabana which already had waiting list. So you pretty much can forget pre booking anything there. But I rather spend my time in CCR for the 2h I have available.
Really looking forward to BA F on the 747. Considering of doing a BYOC also
This is purely a hobby and getting quite addicted to getting those 1500TP each year Regarding Elemis SPA, I tried to book early but they had no space left. Same with Cabana which already had waiting list. So you pretty much can forget pre booking anything there. But I rather spend my time in CCR for the 2h I have available.
Really looking forward to BA F on the 747. Considering of doing a BYOC also
