BA Virgin
Nov 24, 2022, 6:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 5
BA Virgin
Hello all – first time poster
As the title tries to suggest I am flying BA for the first time in well over a decade but am I fairly frequent leisure traveller to the US normally with Virgin.
I am looking for any tips or advice with my recent bookings with BA, what lounges you recommend, do you think that it is worth paying to reserve seats, is there anything that you can take as a memento of your flight (like the Virgin salt and pepper pots which have somehow occasionally managed to end up in my bag) and any other help/recommendations.
Also it’s our first time travelling Ex-EU as it seems the only way to get reasonably priced flights at the moment, we are not planning on dropping a leg as we have return flights booked to MAN, we have booked a hotel at Dublin airport (Maldron) for both trips on the way out which we are able to change.
There are 3 of us flying (2 adults and one 11 year old) and we are flying from Dublin to LHR (terminal 3) then on to Las Vegas (BA275) in March on the A350 with the same return, then in August we are flying Dublin to LHR (terminal 5) then to LAX (BA281) on the 777. We are booked in club world.
In between these flights (July) we have booked a return BA flight to Milan in economy from MAN via LHR, I am guessing that we should be bronze after the first trip so are there any benefits that we can use for these flights?
Thank you in advance for any help, especially with our lounge choice at each airport, with Virgin you do not get much choice as to which lounge you use so it’s one less thing to think about.
Also we are planning on booking a global entry interview at LAS (I don’t know why we did not do it before!) and does anyone have any experience/advice for this?
As the title tries to suggest I am flying BA for the first time in well over a decade but am I fairly frequent leisure traveller to the US normally with Virgin.
I am looking for any tips or advice with my recent bookings with BA, what lounges you recommend, do you think that it is worth paying to reserve seats, is there anything that you can take as a memento of your flight (like the Virgin salt and pepper pots which have somehow occasionally managed to end up in my bag) and any other help/recommendations.
Also it’s our first time travelling Ex-EU as it seems the only way to get reasonably priced flights at the moment, we are not planning on dropping a leg as we have return flights booked to MAN, we have booked a hotel at Dublin airport (Maldron) for both trips on the way out which we are able to change.
There are 3 of us flying (2 adults and one 11 year old) and we are flying from Dublin to LHR (terminal 3) then on to Las Vegas (BA275) in March on the A350 with the same return, then in August we are flying Dublin to LHR (terminal 5) then to LAX (BA281) on the 777. We are booked in club world.
In between these flights (July) we have booked a return BA flight to Milan in economy from MAN via LHR, I am guessing that we should be bronze after the first trip so are there any benefits that we can use for these flights?
Thank you in advance for any help, especially with our lounge choice at each airport, with Virgin you do not get much choice as to which lounge you use so it’s one less thing to think about.
Also we are planning on booking a global entry interview at LAS (I don’t know why we did not do it before!) and does anyone have any experience/advice for this?
Nov 24, 2022, 9:29 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Glasgow or London or elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Rewards Spire Ambassador
Posts: 142
Some advice added below - have a great trip!
Hello all – first time poster
As the title tries to suggest I am flying BA for the first time in well over a decade but am I fairly frequent leisure traveller to the US normally with Virgin.
I am looking for any tips or advice with my recent bookings with BA, what lounges you recommend, do you think that it is worth paying to reserve seats, is there anything that you can take as a memento of your flight (like the Virgin salt and pepper pots which have somehow occasionally managed to end up in my bag) and any other help/recommendations.
Also it’s our first time travelling Ex-EU as it seems the only way to get reasonably priced flights at the moment, we are not planning on dropping a leg as we have return flights booked to MAN, we have booked a hotel at Dublin airport (Maldron) for both trips on the way out which we are able to change. THE MALDRON IS WALKABLE TO/FROM THE TERMINALS - IF YOU LAND IN DUBLIN T1, TAKE THE WALKWAY TO T2 AND THEN HEAD OUT TO THE FRONT AND TURN RIGHT. THE MALDRON IS ABOUT 5 MINS WALK AND IS ON YOUR LEFT (OPP THE RADISSON HOTEL). I RECKON WALKING IS QUICKER THAN FINDING THE SHUTTLE BUS PICK UP AREA AND WAITING FOR A BUS).
There are 3 of us flying (2 adults and one 11 year old) and we are flying from Dublin to LHR (terminal 3) then on to Las Vegas (BA275) in March on the A350 with the same return, then in August we are flying Dublin to LHR (terminal 5) then to LAX (BA281) on the 777. We are booked in club world. IF YOU'RE FLYING FROM DUBLIN TO LHR YOU'LL EITHER GO TO T2 (IF ON AER LINGUS) OR T5 (IF ON BA). EITHER WAY FOLLOW THE PURPLE TRANSFER SIGNS AND YOU CAN EASILY GET TO T3 ON THE SHUTTLE BUS - YOU WILL NEED TO CLEAR SECURITY AGAIN AT T3.
In between these flights (July) we have booked a return BA flight to Milan in economy from MAN via LHR, I am guessing that we should be bronze after the first trip so are there any benefits that we can use for these flights?
Thank you in advance for any help, especially with our lounge choice at each airport, with Virgin you do not get much choice as to which lounge you use so it’s one less thing to think about. IN DUBLIN YOU ONLY HAVE THE CHOICE OF ONE LOUNGE (IF YOU'RE IN CLUB EUROPE ON BA). IT ISN'T BRILLIANT AND TENDS TO BE REALLY BUSY - IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SECURITY AND A BIT OF A WALK TO THE GATES. IN LHR T3 YOU'LL HAVE A CHOICE OF THE BA, CATHAY, QANTAS, AND AMERICAN LOUNGES. CATHAY IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS THE BEST, WITH QANTAS SECOND BEST. THEY DON'T ANNOUNCE BA FLIGHTS IN ANY OF THEM SO WATCH THE SCREENS. THE NOODLE BAR IN THE CATHAY LOUNGE IS GOOD.
Also we are planning on booking a global entry interview at LAS (I don’t know why we did not do it before!) and does anyone have any experience/advice for this?
As the title tries to suggest I am flying BA for the first time in well over a decade but am I fairly frequent leisure traveller to the US normally with Virgin.
I am looking for any tips or advice with my recent bookings with BA, what lounges you recommend, do you think that it is worth paying to reserve seats, is there anything that you can take as a memento of your flight (like the Virgin salt and pepper pots which have somehow occasionally managed to end up in my bag) and any other help/recommendations.
Also it’s our first time travelling Ex-EU as it seems the only way to get reasonably priced flights at the moment, we are not planning on dropping a leg as we have return flights booked to MAN, we have booked a hotel at Dublin airport (Maldron) for both trips on the way out which we are able to change. THE MALDRON IS WALKABLE TO/FROM THE TERMINALS - IF YOU LAND IN DUBLIN T1, TAKE THE WALKWAY TO T2 AND THEN HEAD OUT TO THE FRONT AND TURN RIGHT. THE MALDRON IS ABOUT 5 MINS WALK AND IS ON YOUR LEFT (OPP THE RADISSON HOTEL). I RECKON WALKING IS QUICKER THAN FINDING THE SHUTTLE BUS PICK UP AREA AND WAITING FOR A BUS).
There are 3 of us flying (2 adults and one 11 year old) and we are flying from Dublin to LHR (terminal 3) then on to Las Vegas (BA275) in March on the A350 with the same return, then in August we are flying Dublin to LHR (terminal 5) then to LAX (BA281) on the 777. We are booked in club world. IF YOU'RE FLYING FROM DUBLIN TO LHR YOU'LL EITHER GO TO T2 (IF ON AER LINGUS) OR T5 (IF ON BA). EITHER WAY FOLLOW THE PURPLE TRANSFER SIGNS AND YOU CAN EASILY GET TO T3 ON THE SHUTTLE BUS - YOU WILL NEED TO CLEAR SECURITY AGAIN AT T3.
In between these flights (July) we have booked a return BA flight to Milan in economy from MAN via LHR, I am guessing that we should be bronze after the first trip so are there any benefits that we can use for these flights?
Thank you in advance for any help, especially with our lounge choice at each airport, with Virgin you do not get much choice as to which lounge you use so it’s one less thing to think about. IN DUBLIN YOU ONLY HAVE THE CHOICE OF ONE LOUNGE (IF YOU'RE IN CLUB EUROPE ON BA). IT ISN'T BRILLIANT AND TENDS TO BE REALLY BUSY - IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SECURITY AND A BIT OF A WALK TO THE GATES. IN LHR T3 YOU'LL HAVE A CHOICE OF THE BA, CATHAY, QANTAS, AND AMERICAN LOUNGES. CATHAY IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS THE BEST, WITH QANTAS SECOND BEST. THEY DON'T ANNOUNCE BA FLIGHTS IN ANY OF THEM SO WATCH THE SCREENS. THE NOODLE BAR IN THE CATHAY LOUNGE IS GOOD.
Also we are planning on booking a global entry interview at LAS (I don’t know why we did not do it before!) and does anyone have any experience/advice for this?
Nov 24, 2022, 9:36 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA, UA, Marriot
Posts: 2,196
Dublin's great for a night out before you start the trip. The airport is an easy cab ride from the centre, so you may want to consider a hotel in the city rather than what is a relatively mediocre airport hotel.
Nov 24, 2022, 9:39 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA, UA, Marriot
Posts: 2,196
You'll have the ability to select seats for free one week before departure. You can also use business class check-in if you need to check bags.
Nov 24, 2022, 10:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hampshire UK
Programs: BA Silver, Virgin Red, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 148
Consider using the Enrolment on Arrival program rather than booking an interview, that’s what I did a month ago for my interview.
Mine was at SFO but they do them at LAS as well. For what it’s worth I just followed the Global Entry signs on arrival and there was an enrolment on arrival desk in the are, I was first to arrive so got seen straight away, those following had to write their names on a list attached to a clipboard and sit waiting on some provided chairs. The “interview” involved no questions whatsoever, just handed passport to officer who tapped away at his computer a bit, then handed my passport back and said you’re all set. Three minutes start to finish.
As I say that’s the SFO experience, who knows how consistent LAS may be!
Mine was at SFO but they do them at LAS as well. For what it’s worth I just followed the Global Entry signs on arrival and there was an enrolment on arrival desk in the are, I was first to arrive so got seen straight away, those following had to write their names on a list attached to a clipboard and sit waiting on some provided chairs. The “interview” involved no questions whatsoever, just handed passport to officer who tapped away at his computer a bit, then handed my passport back and said you’re all set. Three minutes start to finish.
As I say that’s the SFO experience, who knows how consistent LAS may be!
Nov 24, 2022, 12:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
Take a look at the lounge thread on the dashboard.
Depending on status , cabin or third party lounge membership, along with which terminal, will determine lounges.
Both las and lax have some of the better lounges in the USA.
Depending on status , cabin or third party lounge membership, along with which terminal, will determine lounges.
Both las and lax have some of the better lounges in the USA.
Nov 24, 2022, 1:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 833
Nov 24, 2022, 2:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
Nov 24, 2022, 2:06 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,563
Nov 24, 2022, 2:07 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
Nov 24, 2022, 2:16 pm
#15
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,153
A warm welcome to Flyertalk and the BA board bavirgin.
I've been through LAX a fair few times including when I had no status and long before i joined Flyertalk but now I do have status then I also endorse using the QF lounge where I've had some great experiences.
No views there though but on occasion in the past I've very happily wandered along to numerous gates not only to stretch my legs, but also just do a bit of proper plane spotting. I've done this in various airports across the globe as after a few hours it's nice to do something different but as always YMMV.
Pete
I've been through LAX a fair few times including when I had no status and long before i joined Flyertalk but now I do have status then I also endorse using the QF lounge where I've had some great experiences.
No views there though but on occasion in the past I've very happily wandered along to numerous gates not only to stretch my legs, but also just do a bit of proper plane spotting. I've done this in various airports across the globe as after a few hours it's nice to do something different but as always YMMV.
Pete
Last edited by PETER01; Nov 24, 2022 at 4:02 pm Reason: adding welcome!!