V-Flyer

I have been checking the traffic for the last few weeks to get to Gatwick and even at 6.30am in the Morning it looks rammed, perhaps not helped by the turn in the weather. So decided to travel to Gatwick by train from Watford with a change at Clapham Junction. The day before I decided to purchase some packing cubes (which are great!) and some GF food supplies from Marks and Spencer’s. Online checkin completed with seat 9K having been selected 2 months ago. My friends have now moved from row 17 to the bubble, still not sure how I will be surprising them on the plane? Having been checking for G’s for one of my friends on the outbound and on the return, still nothing showing although I think the outbound is more likely so it looks like PE on the way back, which is not too much of a problem especially as I normally find it easier to sleep in PE as opposed to UC for some strange reason. A quick 45 minutes in the gym and I was ready for an early night after setting alarms for 5am on two phones. Fast forward to 2am and I have only managed 1 hours sleep so watched Monday Night Football (49ers at the Rams) to kill time till 5am. Cab booked for 6.30am to take me to the station.

Cab arrived 5 minutes early and was at Watford a good 20 minutes before the train was to depart. Southern Train and I was disappointed with no First Class despite a First Class ticket. Train soon filled up and made for a very slow and uncomfortable journey (smelly as well) and I just made my planned connection at Clapham Junction. Next train was far better and was soon at Gatwick. Check in was very quick and the agent was very friendly and I was on my way through a very quick and friendly security. Straight to the lounge for a GF English brekkie with a couple of glasses of champers. Have to say out of all my visits the staff were very attentive without being too intrusive. Had a massage and now ready for my flight to Vegas.

Confirmed upgrade also obtained for one of my friends for just £60 and no miles as there was a little bit of confusion at the ticket desk.

I left boarding to the very last minute and made my way on to the aircraft. Confirmed that my friends were already onboard upstairs so little chance of bumping into them during this stage of the flight. Glad to see one of my friends kept his upgrade to Upper (apparently he was told in the lounge that they wanted to take if back of him after paying for it, a call to the flying club sorted out the confusion) - there was one spare seat in Upper but this was taken by a famous card player who was going back home to Vegas after dealing with some other business in the UK. I assume he paid cash on board? Welcome drinks were had and the crew came around to introduce themselves and it was evident at this early stage that this would be a good flight. I swapped seats with 10K to be in front of my friend in 11K. Cabin was clean and in good condition. Took off in a westerly direction for a very smooth flight, can’t remember any major bumps along the way. Discussed surprising my friends with the senior cabin member in Upper and he said he would go and speak to the 2 attendants who were looking after the bubble and that something would be sorted after the dinner service. Lunch was served approx 90 minutes into the flight and I was served first. I have to say that the starter (I believe it was Onion Soup with GF bread) was actually edible, a good start to the meal! However the main of cardboard, sorry chicken, was very bland and a very small portion which only covered half the plate. Dessert was 6 items of fruit and again was very tight on the portion sizes. Washed down with a Red Wine. At this stage I went upstairs to the bubble with my friend who was going to film what had been planned. I was to serve glasses of champagne to my unsuspecting friends sat in PE. The 2 female flight attendants were great and were happy to have their pictures taken beforehand as well. My friends were shocked that I had made this trip after all, I guess that they did suspect I would make it but once the doors of the plane were closed those thoughts had gone. Really enjoyed that surprise. Later on in the flight spent a good couple of hours at the bar with 2 of my friends from upstairs which again was nice of the crew to allow us to do. The bar area was quiet for most of the flight and I saw only 2 other passengers avail themselves to it. Towards the end of the flight I declined the second part of the meal service and ate what I had brought on board from M&S. The crew were even happy to plate it for me but I said I was happy to eat it as it was. Did not manage any sleep (can’t ever seem to sleep well on Upper) and we were soon flying over some fabulous desert before LAS came into view. Smooth finals but a very heavy landing. Quiet interesting being next to the nose wheel which you can hear turning once it it retracted on take off. Did not manage to get any tips from the famous card player as he slept for all of the flight, although he did wish me luck for the trip as we disembarking (whilst he was counting a big roll of £50 notes, I believe he made a nice little donation to Virgins charity!). Immigration was fairly quick by US standards despite being behind both a BA and AF plane. Agents were friendly and were joking that it was quick to get through today but that you should try to never be behind a plane from Mexico. A young lady from the BA flight did faint in the line as it was quiet warm in the hall. Customs however was a lot longer to get through as there was only 2 officials working, the one I had to deal with was fairly rude and unfriendly, a simple point and “come” and then “go” whilst wearing a surgical mask.

I did suffer from an upset tommy upon landing, I believe this may have been caused by Gluten in the Lounge. Upon reflection the server was a little unsure as to what had and what did not have gluten in it as she was happy to give me a Sausage for breakfast then said it was best to avoid. So therefore not sure about the rest of the meal.

This trip was broken down into 2 stays. The Bellagio which in my opinion is starting to go downhill. Light did not work in bathroom for nearly 24 hours, some of the staff were rude, long lines to check in and very very busy. Second half was at The Palazzo. Very impressed, private check in, use of the Prestige Lounge and apart from the staff in the Cafe, friendly and efficient staff. After nearly 20 trips to Vegas this was also the first time I visited Fremont Street, definitely different from the strip experience. Also managed to come 4th in one of the tournaments at the Venetian so the cost of the holiday was not too expensive!

Return trip report to follow, warning this report will not be good.

Oh I'm so glad that the surprise worked out so well

Thanks for the TR. And well done on getting the upgrade for £60!

Great TR, WPIL. Glad it went so well.

We're off to Vegas next year and I've been looking into hotels. The prestige thing at the palazzo looks really interesting, could you tell us some more about it? What rooms you got, what the extras are like etc?

Hi etk

2 of the guys in our party had signed up for the following

"For Palazzo, I'm still working on it but I'm pretty sure we can get upgraded to a big suite with prestige benefits by signing up to

http://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hot ... ambassador

which I've already done. It costs $200 but comes with a free weekend night at Palazzo and a guaranteed upgrade"

To sum up the benefits, you have a private check in on the 23rd floor (check in at the Bellagio took 30 mins with the the long lines) - you have access to the lounge for free breakfast between 7am to 10am which was nice, then free drinks and some food between 5pm and 8pm. The room was fantastic as well! You do have to remember you may not always make it to the lounge each day as your body clock will be all over the place!