We have booked UC to Orlando with Virgin Holidays. Will we get UC Luggage tags?
Originally posted by mitchja
All pax travelling Upper Class and any Flying Club Gold card holders should get Upper Class tags.
As we found out AGAIN at JFK yesterday, other than maybe a saleable item on EBay, UC tags mean nothing. [:(!]
As mentioned in other threads, the priority of the bags is controlled by the bar code on the label the check in agent wraps round the bag handle, not the tags they have on them.
Nick
Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
As mentioned in other threads, the priority of the bags is controlled by the bar code on the label the check in agent wraps round the bag handle, not the tags they have on them.
Nick
That's only from UK airports though Nick (and even then it doesn't always work), all US airports still have a manual system where the A/C loaders look for Upper and Premium bag tags (that is when check-in agents actually remember to attach them).
Regards
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
Originally posted by maz
Thanks for the replies.
Our pack arrived today with ordinary luggage labels! The only indication we are UC is the code on the tickets ZIT - well I hope so anyway! It isn't mentioned on the ininary they sent, though it has previously when looking online!
Do VH still issue paper tickets? Has been a while since we used VH (& yes we were provided with paper tickets then) but I'd have thought, being a sister company of VA, they would make life simpler for all involved by simply issuing e-tickets? I haven't been issued with a paper ticket, on any airline I've flown on, for ages, would feel very strange to carry one these days!
Yes VH do still send out paper tickets (the multi-layered ones as mentioned). An E ticket is basically an email from VS confirming all your details, and this acts as your tickets, saving VS money by not having to send out paper tickets to you.
Here is a guide that explains what the info on the ticket mean, this might help you understand it a bit better.
Neil:)
Here is a guide that explains what the info on the ticket mean, this might help you understand it a bit better.
Neil:)
I wonder why VH do still issue paper tickets, it must cost them a fortune preparing & sending paper ones? As mentioned earlier, I personally haven't come across paper tickets for a long time. I thought for a moment perhaps its a thing that tour operators (as opposed to airlines) do but those tour operators we've used in recent years, eg. Kuoni, all issue e-tickets.
Originally posted by mitchjaOriginally posted by Nottingham Nick
As mentioned in other threads, the priority of the bags is controlled by the bar code on the label the check in agent wraps round the bag handle, not the tags they have on them.
Nick
That's only from UK airports though Nick (and even then it doesn't always work), all US airports still have a manual system where the A/C loaders look for Upper and Premium bag tags (that is when check-in agents actually remember to attach them).
Regards
Not so sure about this James, they were implementing the system at LAX nearly 2 years ago... It does rely on the check-in agent beign able to do their job properly though, especially if you are an Au and travelling in Y. Our agent struggled with the basics on Sunday, obviously hadn't had the training to remeber to rip out the remainder of the I94W...
Thanks,
Richard
Originally posted by maz
Well it is a flight ticket like I have had previously, with the multi layers - not sure what an e ticket is!!
I know the Z of ZIT is the lowest UC code, but what is the IT?
Z is the Upper Class fare and IT is short for itinerary which means the Z fare is booked as part of a holiday package. There was some talk ages ago about V Hols trialing e-tickets but I guess nothing has come of this.
You now actually get ATB tickets from V Hols (the card ones with a magnetic strip on the back which can be read by self-service check-in machines)
Richard, dont get me started on priority baggage with VS being Au and flying in Y [:(!] It doesn't even work from LHR so remote stations have got no chance at all.
Regards
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
maz - we've just returned from our Orlando trip in UC. We received ordinary luggage labels through the post but additional blank UC labels were attached at check-in at Gatwick. Arriving in Orlando our bags came out on a dedicated PE/UC belt. On the return check-in they were whisked away from us at the UC desk and we didn't see them again until they re-emerged as priority at Gatwick. Don't worry - the itinerary doesn't mention UC either. You won't be forgotten!
Now, one word of caution about reserving seats...we reserved ours nearly a year in advance. I checked my booking regularly and it always showed our original seats but when we came to use online check-in they had changed! Luckily we could still reserve the original ones. On the return flight we did not have this problem. I'm told that this can happen if the flight changes (although I'm really not sure why it happened to us since nothing appeared to change). Certainly nobody at VS could explain - even they had our original seat numbers!
Also, the priority boarding at Gatwick is a bit of a joke. By the time the Clubhouse has called you for the flight, you'll find that nearly everyone is already boarding! I guess if you turn up at the gate early enough then you'll be invited to board first. We were too busy being pampered in the Clubhouse. You'll have a great time. It was our first time in UC and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now, one word of caution about reserving seats...we reserved ours nearly a year in advance. I checked my booking regularly and it always showed our original seats but when we came to use online check-in they had changed! Luckily we could still reserve the original ones. On the return flight we did not have this problem. I'm told that this can happen if the flight changes (although I'm really not sure why it happened to us since nothing appeared to change). Certainly nobody at VS could explain - even they had our original seat numbers!
Also, the priority boarding at Gatwick is a bit of a joke. By the time the Clubhouse has called you for the flight, you'll find that nearly everyone is already boarding! I guess if you turn up at the gate early enough then you'll be invited to board first. We were too busy being pampered in the Clubhouse. You'll have a great time. It was our first time in UC and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks Ric! I look forward to reading your report if you do one. I will go and check our seats, though they were the ones I booked last time I looked. I didn't think they would change the UC ones!
It would have probably looked pretentious to have UC labels on the cases on arrival at the airport anyway, but it will probably be the only time we will travel UC, so I didn't want to miss anything!
It would have probably looked pretentious to have UC labels on the cases on arrival at the airport anyway, but it will probably be the only time we will travel UC, so I didn't want to miss anything!
OK, I'll try to get that trip report done soon. The seat allocations were more important for us since we were travelling with two children (aged 6 and 10). We wanted the two front rows (6A, 6K, 7A and 7K) since they are closest together (the cabin narrows at the front). The thing about the seat allocation is that the booking summary doesn't seem to match the 'actual' seat allocation. I suspect (but can't check now) that if I'd explicitly gone into the 'seat map' each time to check (rather then relying on the summary) then I would have seen the allocation change. Why it changed is still a mystery to us.
That is strange, particularly with being able to have your original seats anyway.
We are flying from Manchester, so don't have the clubhouse perk Gatwick has, though we can go in the Escape Lounge. I guess I will be down at Departures in good time so hopefully can get boarded quickly to enjoy the cabin for longer!!
How was the Delta Lounge at MCO?
Oh, and how was the trip overall? We(well just me, to be honest) are getting quite excited.
We are flying from Manchester, so don't have the clubhouse perk Gatwick has, though we can go in the Escape Lounge. I guess I will be down at Departures in good time so hopefully can get boarded quickly to enjoy the cabin for longer!!
How was the Delta Lounge at MCO?
Oh, and how was the trip overall? We(well just me, to be honest) are getting quite excited.
I know it's strange...but true. Something must have changed with our flight. I met another passenger whilst on holiday who had similar problems. Her whole family were pre-allocated a row of seats (in economy) that didn't exist at check-in!
The Delta Lounge was much better than I had expected having read some of the comments here. True, it doesn't offer the same services (hot food, treatments etc.) but it is much more spacious and has a very relaxing atmosphere. It was practically deserted in the evening. There is a free bar and some bar snacks and a couple of TV's. I saw some ethernet ports so if you have a laptop I guess you can just plug in. I found it very relaxing.
Without going into too much detail here the overall trip (flights + 14 days Disney) was amazing. I guess it all depends on your expectations. I certainly wasn't disappointed. I'd choose to fly that way every time if I could.
The Delta Lounge was much better than I had expected having read some of the comments here. True, it doesn't offer the same services (hot food, treatments etc.) but it is much more spacious and has a very relaxing atmosphere. It was practically deserted in the evening. There is a free bar and some bar snacks and a couple of TV's. I saw some ethernet ports so if you have a laptop I guess you can just plug in. I found it very relaxing.
Without going into too much detail here the overall trip (flights + 14 days Disney) was amazing. I guess it all depends on your expectations. I certainly wasn't disappointed. I'd choose to fly that way every time if I could.
It would have probably looked pretentious to have UC labels on the cases on arrival at the airport anyway, but it will probably be the only time we will travel UC, so I didn't want to miss anything
Maz,
Sure you will have a fab trip.
We have some spare silver UC Tags if would like them, if you PM your address I will forward them on to you.
Regards
Nevil
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