Opinions please!! - Should I upgrade?

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I was wondering peoples opinions....

Im off to sunny florida next month, and because im not wholly keen on flying, im looking to have a more enjoying experience by upgrading my seats.

Now I have to seats and three options;

1- There and back on econ
2- Prem econ BOTH ways
3- Econ there and Upper Class back

Do you think Prem. Econ is worth doing it there and back?
Or, because im flying back at night, get my way through the forward flight in econ and then go upper class back where I can hopefully get some kip!

What do you lot think as I havn't flew on virgin (or any other plane for that matter) in years!

Cheers all, londonguy



Edit by mod.. thread title altered to make subject clearer...Nick

[mcmbenjamin]

PE both ways

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
PE both ways

I agree- get a seat upstairs and it will be worth it.

Do you think there is significant difference in prem con then? (i was verging towards econ there and UC back!)

[Nottingham Nick]

A couple of questions.. have you priced up and checked availability on your various options?

Have you read the various trip reports for this route?

Depending on the class of ticket you have, and the number of people in your party, you may find that the UC 'kip' turns into an expensive nights sleep.

There are lots of other factors.. the lounge at MCO is nothing to write home about, compared to the Clubhouse at LGW. There are only edit 14 suites on the LGW - MCO planes, so availability is often an issue.

I am with Ben and Steven.. if you want to have a better flight PE upstairs is the way to go.. again subject to upgrades being available at 'the right price'.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for that, I have been looking at the trip reports with interest!

I have checked availability and indeed price, that is the reason why I've come up with them three scenarios (as Im not a rich person thus UC one way and econ the other would be the only way I could do UC!).

I thought about the lounges, it is a factor. I just thought that as I will be wide awake for the flight to MCO, I probably wouldnÕt need the bed/extra space so much as I would on the return flight.

Decisions, decisions!

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
There are only 24 suites on the LGW - MCO planes

Think that should be 14?

I'm off to Orlando next week, and I get one Upper and one Premium sector and can choose which is which.
I've chosen to have the outbound in Upper, so that I get to enjoy the Lounge and 9 hours of pure indulgence.
I'll still get sleep in premium on the return and work from home on my return.

All of these value questions really do come down to the individual and what they need.

When I travel on business I need Upper, I need the sleep, especially if I'm going to HKG for 5 hours... but for my holidays, if I'm paying I'm happy chilling in the back and spending the cash on a fantastic hotel and some good duty free!

I would Y there and J back, if your flying from MAN i would do the outer leg Y because the lounge is pants, and then J back - because your flying west you'll make use of the suites to sleep.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by V-Ben

Think that should be 14?

Thanks Ben... I have made the edit. [:I][:I]
More haste, less speed. [n][:w]

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

Thanks Ben... I have made the edit. [:I][:I]
More haste, less speed. [n][:w]
Nick

S'ok... I always have to double check when somethings posted here that there hasn't been a policy change I've missed! LMAO

[Nottingham Nick]

What... like someone put an extra 10 suites on each LGW plane while you had a couple of days off? [8D]:)

Nick

Another vote for PE both ways

Enjoy[8D]

Miopyk

UC out, EC back

PE both ways and hope for an upgrade

I couldn't do EC anymore, so it would have to be PE both ways for me too, but it is a difficult choice because there's no place like Upper !!!!!

I am with AndyK and I do this trip a lot. My reasons are this:

I don't think PE is a really blow you away product unlike UC which is especially if you have never flown it before. Therefore you might as well go Upper to experience the service

You want to be fresh and in tip top shape for when you hit the parks and there is no better way than arriving in UC ! You may even get the limo transfer depending on ticket class. Indeed you can get picked up in the UK and use kerb side check in which is really cool

When you return to the UK you will be so knackered you'll kip on the wing so you may as well be in economy [|)]

The lounge at MCO is very poor as Nottingham Nick said so you may as well use the Gatwick lounge which is really nice.

In addition once you flown out in UC you will upgrade to premium anyway on the way back

P.S if you are going to the Disney parks check this guide out it will save you hours http://www.tourguidemike.com/index.asp

Yep the way I look at the return journey is, the holiday is pretty much over. Whereas on the outward leg you're excited, energetic, and got that holiday feeling. So flying out in the better class only magnifies that feeling. Coming back, who cares, the fun is over!

Another vote for PE both ways:D

Hmm, everyone has a point. Flying Upper Class does make the whole airport / plane thing very exciting and very much the start of the holiday.

While PE is better than Economy its definately not going to impress and WOW like UC. I find it hard to sleep in Economy or PE so you might as well fly back Economy.

My vote is therefore changed just because I dont think I would be able to resist the temptation of Upper. I've also done the UC out and Economy back combo and actually got upgraded to PE on the way back anyway which was nice

[Nottingham Nick]

Can I just add? That - IF you decide to do UC one way, I would STRONGLY suggest that you do it outbound.

You have the advantage of the LGW Clubhouse, and the full experience of the suite, when you do it on the daylight flight going west. You also have the advantage of being one of the first off the plane, and at the front of the immigration queues (depending on what planes have landed just before you. [:(!] )

Just me personal view, but I think you would enjoy your trip more if you did it that way.

Nick

Another vote for PE both ways, but a word of warning...do it once and you'll be hooked! I went PE in October to MCO ad have either paid on the day for PE upgrades or paid in advance on all flights since.

However, if I had to choose it'd be PE on the way back for at least a fighting chance at some shut eye.

Oh and I am not loaded either (teacher), but happily sacrifice other luxuries for a decent flight. And don't forget PE is 150% miles and more tier points.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

This is actually a no brainer! Why pay all that money for UCS and sleep through it. Daytime flights in the pointy bit are so much better than night time ones. If you are paying the money enjoy it to the full. I can honestly say that I have had my best sleep on a plane in PE on the upper deck (row 80). If I try and sleep in UCS on the return flight I subconciously feel I am missing something. So for me it would be UC outbound economy back

I'd go for UCS out and Y back - you make the most of your money then:D

VS.

[honey lamb]

My choices would be UC out and Y in if you really want to experience the UC product. There really is no point in paying that amount of dosh to sleep when you could be doing such things as enjoying the really nice menu which has just been rolled out, having a drink and a chat at the bar and just reclining and being pampered. In addition the anticipation of UC in the run up to the holiday really makes it worthwhile. We have friends who are travelling in UC for the first time next week and their excitement is palpable. We are telling them what to expect, have linked them into V-Flyer, have forwarded on menus etc and it is a joy to watch their excitement. This wouldn't be happening if it were at the end of the holiday.

Having said that, if really put to the pin of my collar the thought of travelling in Y is such that, if I could only afford one UC segment I could really see the argument for PE each way

I'm in th UC out Y back camp too- coming home is allways an anti-climax for me. Much better to start the journey off with the CH and comfort on board on the outward leg (particularly if you've not flown for a while and don't particularly like flying anyway).The only problem with travelling in UC is that it is addictive!