V-Flyer

At the end of November I am booked to fly JFK-LHR UC on VS004 arriving at Terminal 3 at 07:10. I then have a flight from LHR to VIE on British Airways, departing at 10:55 from Terminal 4. I wonder if some of you old hands could give me the benefit of your experience and answer a few questions for me. First, should I be able to check my luggage through from JFK to VIE? I couldn't get a direct answer to this from either Virgin or BA. Next, assuming that I don't have to clear customs in London, will I have time to take advantage of the Revival Lounge before transferring to Terminal 4? Last - I am somewhat confused because some Heathrow information websites say that the T3 to T4 transfer is by bus and others say that it is via Heathrow Express, free of charge. Which is correct? It would be a great help to me if I could have a clearer picture of what to expect as I'm not as young as I used to be! Thank You!:)

I can't give a direct answer, but Heathrow has a special centre called "Flight Connections", which deals with all this.

My travel never ends at LHR and I always have a follow-on flight to ORK. I have never had a difficulty in having checked my luggage through from JFK. Just ask at the VS desk when you check in.

With regard to transfer to T4 at LHR you can use the Flight Connection Centre which is a bus transfer. Just follow the signs for the flight Connection Centre. BUT (and it's a big but) the flight Connection Centre is airside and you then cannot use Revivals as it is landside. What I do is exit to landside and use Revivals before going on to T1 for my connection. If you choose this option (and you have loads of time to do it) then your transfer will be via the Heathrow Express which will be a subway walk to the station.

FWIW Revivals, if you have time is well worth it. It really does set you up for your onward flight

Hello rapariga:

Yea, the whole thing is confusing and what you said is correct , but let me try to make it clear.

Connection - If you connect using the Flight Connections Center you do use a bus and would not have to clear immagration and customs (as you are not connecting to the the channel islands, UK or Ireland (republic or Northern) but would not be able to use Revivals as it is after customs (walk out of customs, walk straight, right before the Travelex counter, left after the tunnel for tthe Heathrow Express, and take the lift or stairs to the second level, make a right and you are there)

What I do and what I suggest you do is check your bags to LHR. This way when the immagration officer asks you why are coming to the UK you ahve to get your bags and use the Revivals lounge and there would be no other way to get the bags. So you claim your bags, clear customs go to the Revivals lounge, relax and then take the Heathrow Express (free in coach) to T4 and get on your BA flight to VIE.

Recap - Bus if xfering using the Flight Connections Center
HEX if clearing and using Revivals ** Both are free

Revivial is after immagration and customs

Luggage - VS will check your bags to BA but BA will not check your bags to VS while is B.S.! You can storage your luggage in Revivals while you are there and carts are free at LHR unlike in the States.

I hope this is helpful. Ask if you are still confused. I was my first time ( and not just arriving at LHR :))

Benjamin

What I do and what I suggest you do is check your bags to LHR. This way when the immagration officer asks you why are coming to the UK you ahve to get your bags and use the Revivals lounge and there would be no other way to get the bags.

Why collect your bags if you are only transferring? I usually have what I need for Revivals in my carry-on. I haven't had a problem with Immigration but then I have an EU passport. Perhaps a different passport would make it a bit more difficult but proof of an onward journey should help.

Originally posted by honey lamb

What I do and what I suggest you do is check your bags to LHR. This way when the immagration officer asks you why are coming to the UK you ahve to get your bags and use the Revivals lounge and there would be no other way to get the bags.

Why collect your bags if you are only transferring? I usually have what I need for Revivals in my carry-on. I haven't had a problem with Immigration but then I have an EU passport. Perhaps a different passport would make it a bit more difficult but proof of an onward journey should help.

I do not know but they always look at my funny when I enter the UK to use Revivals. I travel on my US passport so that may be why.

But now when I connect to BD I will be forced to go though immagration as BD does not accept connecting bags unless you travel on the same PNR and I do not as I travel VS on award tickets (Amex MR points mostly).

Bennie Koz Koz

- If you have a single ticket taking you from JFK-VIE, then you can check your baggage right through to VIE no matter what.
- If it is two seperate tickets, you might find it a little more difficult, but just ask at checkin and they should be able to do it.
- On arrival in LHR, the choice is yours. As has been mentioned before, if you take the airside flight connections route, you will be taken by coach to T4. If you want to go to Revivals (assuming you have a US, UK, EU or other passport that does not require a visa) then you can go through immigration and visit the Revivals lounge with no problems.
- If you have checked your baggage through, you do not need to collect it. Enjoy the lounge and take the Heathrow Express Train to T4, use the boarding card you were given in JFK and go straight through security and find your gate. No checkin required.
- If you had to collect your bags in LHR, remember that you will have to checkin again at T4, so allow enough time to take the Heathrow Express, and checkin again.

Hope that helps!
AF

- If it is two seperate tickets, you might find it a little more difficult, but just ask at checkin and they should be able to do it.

I have had two separate tickets and it has never been a problem

Originally posted by honey lamb

- If it is two seperate tickets, you might find it a little more difficult, but just ask at checkin and they should be able to do it.

I have had two separate tickets and it has never been a problem

I will be flying Belfast - LHR - HKG in October and was thinking of booking the BHD-LHR and LHR-HKG legs seperately online (in a vain attempt to say that I was saving money on the economy Belfast leg and booking UC for the long haul). However, BMI have stated that they would no longer be prepared to book the luggage the whole way through as the trip would be 2 seperate tickets. This is a new rule introduced in August (previously it wasn't an issue), so it might be worth checking. Although I,ve now got a good deal, called the UC agents package apparently, through a travel agent, which is one ticket and about £500 cheaper than I could get on the net.

Also, I never made it to Revivals due to the long security check-ins, what with the number of flights arriving at LHR in the morning. Hope to catch a later return this time but its down to my boss....

My thanks to all for your most welcome and useful advice!

Rapariga