V-Flyer

To quote the remake of Thunderball "Never say never again".

The trip to Las Vegas had been booked at the last minute, so I whilst I had secured Z fares on the outbound, I could only get an S fare for the return. Like many a good V Flyer, I had diligently checked every day before departure to see if a mileage upgrade had become available (even 1 for Mrs Buns would have sufficed) but to no avail

Whilst in Las Vegas, I continued to check and even took the unprecedented step of calling Flying Club, to be told I could get an upgrade for £1,400 per person Resigned to fate, I did online check in the day before and at least managed to get into the upstairs cabin. Expertflyer was telling me there were still 4 Upper seats available, but I did not hold out my chances.

After a relaxing morning, we made our way to the Airport in our hire car. Now this is a point to note - the car rental centre is about 5 miles away (if not more) from the Airport. Once you have returned your car, you have to trudge with all your luggage across the Centre and then take a 10 minute bus ride back to the Airport

When we arrived at check in, I was resigned to the fact we would being in PE, but plucky Mrs Buns asked the check in agent if mileage upgrades were available. After a few anxious minutes the answer came back "YES!!" I glady parted with 25000 miles and Mrs Buns stumped up the $100 per person

Now walking on air, we were quickly through security and made our way to the shared lounge. What a disappointment, a windowless crowded room - so much so we had to stand until the BA flight was called. At least we managed to get a seat, but I was grateful when the flight was called.

We boarded via L1 and we' were grateful to be in our seats even if they were at the back of a full cabin.

Top marks to the FSM who personally welcomed every UC passenger Needless to say the crew followed her excellent example and the service throughout was exemplary.

Hot towels and drinks were distributed after take off and the crew worked hard to make sure the dinner service was completed as soon as passengers wanted so they could make the most of the night flight.

Dinner:

Starters
Mesclun salad
Tomato and lentil soup
Maryland crab salad

mains
Seared beef filet
Pan roasted chicken
Vegetable Thai curry
Mozzarella and prosciutto salad

Pudding
Mango cheesecake
Lemon pudding

Again, I went for the soup and Mrs B the crab - we both had the beef and I have to say the beef was not tough, but in fact very tasty. After a glass of port both Mrs Buns and I settled down for a restful night.

The only thing I will say about the breakfast is I ordered the porridge and it is one of those you can buy in the supermarket and just add water.

The only downside was waiting for our luggage at Gatwick (don't forget your £1 coin for the trolley) but all in all another excellent VS perfronce with the added bonus of a miles upgrade at such a low cost.

Thanks for reading

buns

Thank you for an encouraging TR. Great that you got your UC seats. A reminder to us all to never give up !

Congratulations on the upgrade - shows that being persistent really can pay off!

The LV is quite pokey when packed and although staff are fairly friendly it's definitely nothing like a CH experience but the soup is usually nice and I tend to repatriate a bag or 2 of crisps.

When I hire a car I usually drop off my luggage at the airport (tends to cost around $2 for quick park at the airport, checkin opens 4 hours before departure) then head off for a final diet buffet lunch at Aria with a view of their pool area before dropping off the hire car for the hand luggage only bus ride back that was mentioned .... annoying that they charge for the luggage trolleys on the departures side at LAS so I cruise the parking lot for a freebie :-)

Buns

Thanks for both the TRs, which sound as if they were (LV "CH" excepted) great bookends to your trip.

"The Imitation Game" did take liberties with the facts, but a lot of people sat around making miniscule amounts of progress day by day wouldn't be terribly gripping. As I understand it though they over personalised the issue they did have to carefully manage which intercepts they acted upon and therefore who survived and who didn't. Puts "they were slow serving my side of the cabin" into perspective...

Shame about the lounge I guess, but am doing this flight in mid-May so at least I know what to expect. I just pray everyone will be so knackered from Vegas that they'll mostly sleep on the way!

Thanks for the TR and congratulations on getting the Upper Class reward seats. I hope you had a great time in Las Vegas.

Thanks for TR, and what luck to get on day (LAS is usually very busy in UC as we all know!)

Sleep on the LAS flights - you are talking crazy. Last flight I was back from, I was one of 4 pax who were up at bar for half the flight

Don't expect it to be quiet, the crew like the route, and were glad in our case of the company/chat.

I'll certainly be making use of the bar, but hope to get a few hours kip in at worst, since I have a 6 hour wait in LGW for my connection