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#253057 by michaeljtodd
03 Feb 2008, 23:05
Hi all

We are going with a couple of friends to LA later this year, using milage rewards for the seats. They do not know they are flying Upper Class however and we dont plan on telling them until we Checkin.

My question is what would people here think is the better surprise, getting the chauffer car and checking in that way, obviously once they are in the car they will get a clue as we are staying the night before near Heathrow. Or should we get to Terminal 3 in a taxi or shuttle then just walk past the normal desks to the Upper Class desks?

It will be our first time with Virgin since they did the checkin area out so not sure what to expect.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks as always
#433576 by gingerflyer
03 Feb 2008, 23:28
I would have said that if you are staying nearby, unless you have lots of miles, then probably the Upper Class check-in would be my suggestion - you still get to use the dedicated security area....although having not used the CDC check-in before, I can't comment on whether that is better...
#433577 by preiffer
03 Feb 2008, 23:33
Hmmm - with the new improvements, for 'wow factor', I'd go for limo, personally...

Especially if they've never done it before. Nothing worse than when they get back (having flown Upper Class), someone saying 'hey - that advert - did you do THAT???' and them saying, 'errrr... no - we checked in as normal'.
#433578 by NS
03 Feb 2008, 23:34
I'd use the normal check-in procedure as this would delay the moment of surprise.

Could you also convince your friends that you'd secured them CH access through being a FF? In that way, they may only realise the treat of flying UC when they are asked to turn left upon boarding??
#433579 by NS
03 Feb 2008, 23:37
Originally posted by preiffer
Nothing worse than when they get back (having flown Upper Class), someone saying 'hey - that advert - did you do THAT???' and them saying, 'errrr... no - we checked in as normal'.


Got a point there... [|:)]
#433582 by honey lamb
04 Feb 2008, 00:31
Originally posted by NS
I'd use the normal check-in procedure as this would delay the moment of surprise.

Could you also convince your friends that you'd secured them CH access through being a FF? In that way, they may only realise the treat of flying UC when they are asked to turn left upon boarding??


Actually I'm doing that in a couple of weeks time. I'm taking my niece to South Africa and she doesn't know that she's flying UC and I'm not going to tell her and surprise her when she is on the plane. When I meet her in T1 she will be told that UC check-in and lounge access will be because of my gold card.

Because of that, I can see your dilemma although in my case the CDC is not an issue as we have connecting flights into LHR. I'd agree with preiffer about the 'wow' factor and if you are gold can you not say this is why you are getting these perks?

I know I'm just dying to see my niece's face and I imagine you are feeling that way too about your friends.
#433596 by DragonLady
04 Feb 2008, 09:20
Originally posted by preiffer
Hmmm - with the new improvements, for 'wow factor', I'd go for limo, personally...

Especially if they've never done it before. Nothing worse than when they get back (having flown Upper Class), someone saying 'hey - that advert - did you do THAT???' and them saying, 'errrr... no - we checked in as normal'.


I'd echo the same simply for the bling effect. Howevere if I inderstand correctly there are 4 of you travelling which will neccessitate 2 CDCs being booked (max of 3 passengers per car). If you can cope with 25,000 miles being slurped on a very short run then go for it!
#433629 by pjh
04 Feb 2008, 17:43
Originally posted by michaeljtodd
Hi all
We are going with a couple of friends to LA later this year, using milage rewards for the seats. They do not know they are flying Upper Class however and we dont plan on telling them until we Checkin.



Originally posted by honey lamb
Actually I'm doing that in a couple of weeks time. I'm taking my niece to South Africa and she doesn't know that she's flying UC and I'm not going to tell her and surprise her when she is on the plane.


What kind people you are [:)]. ([:?] Note to self; reevaluation of friends and family needed)

Paul
#433685 by zootvd
05 Feb 2008, 03:21
Like everyone else had said, it depends on how many miles you're willing to spend. There's no point in doing DTCI if you're going like three miles max... Sure, you might save a bit of time, but if you're checking in @ T3, you're going to be saving lots of time checking in @ UC Check-In anyway, since you go almost directly to the security channel....

If you want to feel like a rock star and not even look at the crowds, then go for Drive Thru check-in...
#433728 by porsche911
05 Feb 2008, 14:58
Go with check in and then say due to being a FF you can use the Clubhouse. I would leave it if possible till they realise when they board they are in UC.
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