Looks like biz will be taking me to London during Christmas (Depart 25/Return 30). In consideration my company is allowing me to fly First. Having sampled BF several times was looking to try the JFK or EWR-LHR codeshare with Virgin in Upper Class.
Have a few questions.
1. How does it compare to BF
2. If I purchase a CO codeshare will I miss out on anything?
3. Can I use the arrival/departures lounge.
4. If I DO have to go coach what are the drawbacks in relation to CO?
5. If I buy a full Y what are the chances for upgrades?

1,4 - Virgin is superior to CO in both BF (upper class) and coach, and they have an economy plus section that is not allocated to CO codeshare passengers.

2,3 - The only virgin clubhouse accesible to CO passengers is the one in Newark terminal B. In London, with an upper class ticket you might be able to sneak into the clubhouse although CO is using another lounge which is not as good.

5 - Chances are slim because it is a codeshare and the metal carrier passengers have priority over you. It mainly depends on the load factor in the flight.

without any doubt Virgin coach is better than CO though I have noticed changes recently i.e. less goodies food not as good. Regarding BF v. Virgin Upper Class I am less sure, theres more chance to walk around with virgin (the skybar). I thought food was much better in BF. Everyone says BA business flat beds is the best but that doesnt help really!

This may have been your experience, but it does not mirror my experiences or the literature that CO provides with respect to
lounge benefits for CO (codeshare) passengers traveling in VS UC. CO/VS lounge reciprocity is explained here. I have also had this information confirmed by both CO and VS via private email.

It seems like some people have had good experiences, and others not so good. If you are at all concerned about your access, please print the above link and carry it with you while you travel.

Bottom Line: You should absolutely be granted access to all VS Clubhouse lounges on departure, but not the Arrivals Lounge at LHR on arrival. In lieu, you will have access to the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge at T3.

[This message has been edited by dsimon (edited 11-23-2002).]

1. CO codeshare is being offered at a very low price.

2. No limo,

3. No VS arrival lounge. No CO departure lounges.

4. drag your feet no space. get UC Z class for $1350.

5 see 4. forget UG.

As for OP UG's...I was flying LON-WAS-LON a lot this time last year (pretty much ever weekend) and was regularly given an op-upgrades (arouns 3/4 flights) on the IAD-LHR flights when taking them, but was only ever in the front of the bus once flying LON-WAS. Smile sweetly at the check-in agent when you check-in. If you have any status with CO speak to the CO international concierge that should be hanging around the check-in area, and make yourself known.

Steve

First of all hello to all. This my first post here after a long period of lurking. I'm flying the Virgin codeshare tomorrow am from Newark to Heathrow in coach class and returning via Continental coach class. My question is, will I retain Continental Elite check in and boarding priority with Virgin? No one at Continental can answer this one. Thanks.

the best piece of advice is the following: act like you belong. just like a New York city street. even if you are clueless, just look decisive. if you look lost, you will more likely be given the boot.

walk up and proactively given them your elite card first and then give them the flight info.

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 11-25-2002).]

This doesn't necessarily apply to Newark, but I recently accompanied a friend to Heathrow to check in for the CO codeshared, VS operated service to JFK. Asked about checking in somewhere other than the standard coach line. First response was no (from a very unfriendly agent at the service desk). So we proceed to the economy line where the ticket is checked while waiting(along with a quick show of the elite card). After explaining the situation, the agent apologizes (at length) for the confusion and personally escorts us to the premium economy/upper class area where we had a mere two people in front of us. Much better than the wait of 40 or so people in front of us in the other line.

I would imagine Newark would probably have the same policy. As FCTSTY said, just act like you belong and be friendly to the agents. You should be fine.

VS has just about the worst seat pitch in Y in the industry.

I think VS is still offereing great UC deals. Check their website.

Well, we'll give it a try and see what happens. Thanks for the responses. I'll report back upon my return.

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!

Speaking of Virgin Codeshare, the Continental website does not list Virgin as an airline partner. Can I accumulate elite mileage for flights on Virgin? If so, why is this information not available on the Continental website? With that in mind, are there other Codeshare partners (that allow me to accumulate elite mileage)not listed on the Continental website?

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Storm

You definitely get CO/VS codeshare miles.

I believe that the Virgin arrangement is not a true code share which is why it is not advertised as one. Continental buys a fixed block of seats in UC and Y which they resell as their own flights from EWR/JFK to LHR (These are treated as if they were a mini CO flight). Any other VS flights or seats not booked through CO will not get you CO miles.

Keith