Just started DONE4 ex-BKK (currently in Aust).

Given the recent thread about the xONEx validity tool, I realized that there is (no longer) a LHR-VCE flight. Was there one? I am pretty sure I had checked before (although I have done stupid things before) - was there one that is now gone? Is VCE only serviced out of LGW? Is there likely a seasonal service ex-LHR? We are going to be travelling early July 2005.

Given that only LGW-VCE exists, can't see how QF and the TA got this wrong. There was several round of checking of the routing and validity by QF - they didn't seem to pick up the fact that LHR-VCE is not a OW serviced segment. Is it likely that given their apparent error in issuing the ticket (open dated so no flight numbers were assigned) they will re-issue without charging the fee?

It seems my options seem to be:

• re-issue to LGW-VCE - unlikely as we are only transiting through London and don't fancy the trip between LHR and VCE just to connect to this flight - especially since we will be travelling with an infant.
• re-issue to LHR-BCN-VCE-BCN-LHR - issue here is that BA flight to BCN don't line up well with our arriving flight from LAX (we may be forced to take BA282 instead of BA268). If taking IB that would mean changing terminals which again I would like to avoid - so would take a BA flight to BCN. What is IB J like intra-europe? Is BCN easy to transit through? (I am only using 2 segments in Europe so the extra segments would not be a problem).
• I couldn't find AY flying into VCE - do they not service VCE?
• forgo VCE altogether and not use those segments

Any other options? Any comments/suggestions welcome.

I believe that you would have no problem getting the ticket accepted at check-in for LGW-VCE. No reissue necessary.

But whenever I am getting tickets issued and there is any possibility of an airport change I ask for them to be issued to the city code (LON, CHI, NYC, etc.) which certainly makes it even less likely that there would be a problem. EMECO in CAI and CX at HKG certainly have no problem issuing like that.

No chance of adjusting your schedule to permit transfers between LHR and LGW? Other than taking a couple of hours I don't suppose it's too painful. I've never done it myself but remember seeing a Gatwick Transfers sign at LHR the other day, so I expect there's a direct coach service.

I think folks have asked here about the consequences of skipping a couple of segments. You might take a look at those threads and decide if that's a $75+ activity, or likely to go unnoticed.

IB J is comparable to Club Europe. Maybe better food and wine though (depends on the route, rather ironically the IB regional jet flights have better catering than mainline). The transfer to LGW is notorious for being of unpredictable duration (the buses can get stuck in traffic for hours on some days, apparently, though most of the time it is no problem). Baggage cannot be through-checked if doing this transfer (you must lug it from LHR to LGW yourself).

IB catering has now been reduced AFAIK , i read somewhere so i doubt if this is true that it is better than BA
I read cold sandwich and a bit of fruit

If you need to know more about the transfer situation between airports, PM me. It is not unknown for me to give a car ride between the two airports if I am around. It can be a pig of a journey at the wrong time of day but before 1530 it is usually OK.

It is costly, �17 single. You might be able to ask BA for a ticket as they have changed airports on you. Good luck with that one.

Happy landings

spotwelder

Thank you all for the info. And spotwelder thanks for the offer - although considering it will be mrs alect and mini-alect I don't fancy imposing that on anyone.......

christep has advised that LHR-VCE can be used on the LGW-VCE without re-issue - anyone had experience with similar situation?

If faced with LHR-LGW transfer (both ways) cf. re-issue what would you chose?