Some first timer questions!

Now that its finally sinking in that we are flying UC [:D] I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, so I have a few newbie questions and some Do's 'n' Dont's I just really want to try and have the best possible time we can!

So, here goes -

Is it acceptable to ask for a glass of champagne at 7am in the clubhouse?

Do they have eggs benedict in the Gatwick club house?

We just go in, sit down and someone will come and take our food/drink orders right?

When we get to the gate, if its choc a bloc and chaos with no dedicated check in lines, should I just join the masses or make my way to the desk and show my boarding card?

Do you get offered sleepsuits on day flights?

I would prefer to wear my own pyjamas (dont worry they are not flanelette with teddy bears on, they look like a 'leisure suit'IYKWIM)Is it OK to change into these once on board, even before take off?

When you have the meal, can you have desert AND cheese or is it one or the other?

On day flights can I have my seat made into a bed so I can lounge back and watch tv?

Any recommendations for what treatment to have at the Cowshed? I dont want to be covered in massage oil before the flight, so am looking for treatments that dont leave me feeling like an Esso slick

What treatment should I book for my hubby? was thinking about the shave? is that good? I cant ask him because he actually doesnt know that Iv upgraded the flights its a suprise [:D]

Can my girls have a treatment? a haircut or maybe nails painted?


Well I think thats about all for now, Im sure I will have loads more closer to the time, Thanks for your help! [y]

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Now that its finally sinking in that we are flying UC [:D] I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, so I have a few newbie questions and some Do's 'n' Dont's I just really want to try and have the best possible time we can!

So, here goes -

Is it acceptable to ask for a glass of champagne at 7am in the clubhouse?

Do they have eggs benedict in the Gatwick club house?

We just go in, sit down and someone will come and take our food/drink orders right?

When we get to the gate, if its choc a bloc and chaos with no dedicated check in lines, should I just join the masses or make my way to the desk and show my boarding card?

Do you get offered sleepsuits on day flights?

I would prefer to wear my own pyjamas (dont worry they are not flanelette with teddy bears on, they look like a 'leisure suit'IYKWIM)Is it OK to change into these once on board, even before take off?

When you have the meal, can you have desert AND cheese or is it one or the other?

On day flights can I have my seat made into a bed so I can lounge back and watch tv?

Any recommendations for what treatment to have at the Cowshed? I dont want to be covered in massage oil before the flight, so am looking for treatments that dont leave me feeling like an Esso slick

What treatment should I book for my hubby? was thinking about the shave? is that good? I cant ask him because he actually doesnt know that Iv upgraded the flights its a suprise [:D]

Can my girls have a treatment? a haircut or maybe nails painted?


Well I think thats about all for now, Im sure I will have loads more closer to the time, Thanks for your help! [y]

OK, I'll try and answer those that I can.

You can ask for a glass of champagne at any time you like

Don't know about Eggs Benedict at LGW

Just sit down and someone should come to you. If not just stroll up to the bar.

Depends on how choc a block it is and how comfortable you feel about pushing in. I'd advise waiting for the second call

If you want a sleepsuit on a day flight you must ask for one and there's only a limited number available

You can wear what you want on board (within the realms of good taste) and changed before take-off

Yes, you can have cheese and dessert

Yes you can convert the seat to bed and watch TV

The cowshed is in LHR but treatments are available in LGW.

I've heard the gentlemen on this board recommend the shave

My son always had a haircut

Hope this helps

Here's a link to VS website with LGW Clubhouse treatments and how to book

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/whatsonboard/clubhouses/lgwclubhouse.jsp

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Is it acceptable to ask for a glass of champagne at 7am in the clubhouse?

It is not only accetpable, it is obligatory ... the staff raise their eyebrows when you ask for coffee, not champagne!

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Do they have eggs benedict in the Gatwick club house?

If not, take a Calour Gas Stove and whisk them up yourself!

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
We just go in, sit down and someone will come and take our food/drink orders right?

If you smell, they won't LOL - yes, they'll be very attentive!

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
When we get to the gate, if its choc a bloc and chaos with no dedicated check in lines, should I just join the masses or make my way to the desk and show my boarding card?

Your flight is often called in the lounge when economy boarding is underway, I tend to wait for the final call before heading to the gate, by when the economy section is often fully boarded. You can head to the front of the queue at any time when the gate is open if you want to spend more time trying out your seat.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Do you get offered sleepsuits on day flights?

Ask and thee shall be granted. Just do it early on the day flights.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
I would prefer to wear my own pyjamas (dont worry they are not flanelette with teddy bears on, they look like a 'leisure suit'IYKWIM)Is it OK to change into these once on board, even before take off?

I'd go for pink velour with fluffy elephants if I were you - actually, I rarely see people use their own PJs but if you want to, nothing's stopping you.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
When you have the meal, can you have desert AND cheese or is it one or the other?

Oh yes, and wine, and port, and champagne, and seconds of both if they're available.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
On day flights can I have my seat made into a bed so I can lounge back and watch tv?

Gosh, you do want it all don't you. Well why not! However, bear in mind the the bed really is a bed so you're lying flat and unless you can bag an extra pillow or two you might not be wonderfully comfortable ... others may disagree.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Any recommendations for what treatment to have at the Cowshed? I dont want to be covered in massage oil before the flight, so am looking for treatments that dont leave me feeling like an Esso slick

Then don't go for the sunning spa spray machine thing - or is there one at LGW!

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
What treatment should I book for my hubby? was thinking about the shave? is that good? I cant ask him because he actually doesnt know that Iv upgraded the flights its a suprise [:D]

Be exotic, book him a collagen eye treatment - it's actually rather soothing and moisturizing before a flight.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Can my girls have a treatment? a haircut or maybe nails painted?

Oh yes [:D].

Fantastic info from you lot once again [oo]

Ever heard the saying ''No such thing as a stupid question?'' well now you all know different, there are plenty of stupid questions and they all just happen to be asked by me [:I]

no not at all.

I was the very same a few years ago when i joined!

If it hadnt been for this site i wont have tried upper class and i am quite addicted now!

If you havent already done so have you enrolled for a virgin atlantic frequent flyer card??

If not can i recomend you as you will get miles for your forthcoming trip and i will also for recommending you.

info here:


http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... /index.jsp

Scorpio,

I am already a member of flying club, but my hubby and eldest daughter havent joined yet, are you sure you can claim the miles for them because we are booked with VH which is (I think) a H class ticket so not eligable for this?

It would be fantastic if you could get the miles, you would rack up 20,000 miles just for recommending my hubby and daughter! [:0] Thats more than I get for actually taking the flight!!! LOL

yes you do get some miles how much i cant seem to remember as i book with VH all the time and always get miles of some kind,pm me if you want me to send an email to you for your hubby and daughter.

looking to book for jamaica again next year flying upper class again so any points is a help!!!

Is it right that you don't get normal miles/tier points if UCS booked through VH? I have booked to Dubai in October through VH and thought you got booked in Z class?

Originally posted by Scorpio
yes you do get some miles how much i cant seem to remember as i book with VH all the time and always get miles of some kind,pm me if you want me to send an email to you for your hubby and daughter.

looking to book for jamaica again next year flying upper class again so any points is a help!!!

However if you (Ptarmigan)recommend them using the link on the VS website) then you get the points(sorry Scorpio[:I])

I'm really not sure about how it works with VH? I dont know why but Iv got it in my head that the ticket is booked on H class? If it is booked in Z class then we should be entitled to the miles/tier points, on my flight I will get just over 18,000 miles and 10 tier points, havent a clue what I will get if the ticket is in H class (or even if there is such a thing as H class, maybe I just dreamed that!)

Originally posted by dan87027
Is it right that you don't get normal miles/tier points if UCS booked through VH? I have booked to Dubai in October through VH and thought you got booked in Z class?

Z class is miles and tier point earning. Same rate as D and J.Fare code section on the site explains all.

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
I'm really not sure about how it works with VH? I dont know why but Iv got it in my head that the ticket is booked on H class? If it is booked in Z class then we should be entitled to the miles/tier points, on my flight I will get just over 18,000 miles and 10 tier points, havent a clue what I will get if the ticket is in H class (or even if there is such a thing as H class, maybe I just dreamed that!)

H= VH in PE[:D]

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
I'm really not sure about how it works with VH? I dont know why but Iv got it in my head that the ticket is booked on H class? If it is booked in Z class then we should be entitled to the miles/tier points, on my flight I will get just over 18,000 miles and 10 tier points, havent a clue what I will get if the ticket is in H class (or even if there is such a thing as H class, maybe I just dreamed that!)

H class is discounted Premium Economy as explained here. It is used by VH for that class and Z is used for Upper Class and therefore miles and tier points earning

Originally posted by DragonLady

Originally posted by Scorpio
yes you do get some miles how much i cant seem to remember as i book with VH all the time and always get miles of some kind,pm me if you want me to send an email to you for your hubby and daughter.

looking to book for jamaica again next year flying upper class again so any points is a help!!!

However if you (Ptarmigan)recommend them using the link on the VS website) then you get the points(sorry Scorpio[:I])

Ohhhh I didnt think I could do that because we are all in the same home address, I think I must be getting muddled, Im sure I read a thread by somebody who didnt get miles for recommending their spouse and kids (over 12) and when they asked VA about the missing miles they were told they were not entitled to the miles because of the class ticket they were on and they were all at the same home address?
Thats why when I joined FC I didnt bother to invite my hubby and daughter because I didnt think we would get the miles for it, was just going to get them join at some point before we actually went on hols.

Take it H fares in PE through VH are miles/tier points earning in the same way as VS fares?

Thanks honey lamb answered my question before I'd even asked it. What service!

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by dan87027
Thanks honey lamb answered my question before I'd even asked it. What service!

We aim to please [:D]

Dragon lady and Honey Lamb, thank you so much for the info, it doesnt take much to confuse me, Im not the brightest star in the sky and my head is swimming with codes, tier points and miles at the moment!!! [:o)]

Thanks for clearing it up, I think I might actually have a grasp of it all now [:I]

[honey lamb]

There has been a suggestion on this thread that H class fares do not earn miles. Just to clarify matters for everyone all classes earn miles as can be seen in this table from the VS website

I'm confused. We upgraded from an economy ticket to UC (G) last year on our return, and we got miles for that flight. Just exact miles flown, but we still got miles... Has this changed? Does this mean even though we payed for an economy ticket, but upgraded to UC with miles we won't get ANY miles for the flight??? [?] help?

Originally posted by Ptarmigan
Now that its finally sinking in that we are flying UC [:D] I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, so I have a few newbie questions and some Do's 'n' Dont's I just really want to try and have the best possible time we can!

So, here goes -

Is it acceptable to ask for a glass of champagne at 7am in the clubhouse?

Do they have eggs benedict in the Gatwick club house?

We just go in, sit down and someone will come and take our food/drink orders right?

When we get to the gate, if its choc a bloc and chaos with no dedicated check in lines, should I just join the masses or make my way to the desk and show my boarding card?

Do you get offered sleepsuits on day flights?

I would prefer to wear my own pyjamas (dont worry they are not flanelette with teddy bears on, they look like a 'leisure suit'IYKWIM)Is it OK to change into these once on board, even before take off?

When you have the meal, can you have desert AND cheese or is it one or the other?

On day flights can I have my seat made into a bed so I can lounge back and watch tv?

Any recommendations for what treatment to have at the Cowshed? I dont want to be covered in massage oil before the flight, so am looking for treatments that dont leave me feeling like an Esso slick

What treatment should I book for my hubby? was thinking about the shave? is that good? I cant ask him because he actually doesnt know that Iv upgraded the flights its a suprise [:D]

Can my girls have a treatment? a haircut or maybe nails painted?


Well I think thats about all for now, Im sure I will have loads more closer to the time, Thanks for your help! [y]

Champagne at 7am? As slinky says obligatory (lots of us prefer the mojito though in the CH- bit of an apperitif).
LGW CH menu is a bit limited (bacon/sausage sandwiches are good).
IMHO LGW CH staff are much more attentive[y].
Wait till the CH staff direct you down to the gate -can be a bun fight down there.
Sleep suits are carried (but not many) and be prepared for a fight (only day flight I've actually been refused one on is BGI[V]).
Leisure suits are fine (shell suits are not[:0]).Changing is also OK.Using the loo is recommended .Passengers have been known to strip off (to nothing[:0])in the main cabin (crew ,Mr DL,DB and I were aghast!!
Desert and cheese (with Port[:D]).
Lounging back in bed mode and watching TV may be a bit uncomfortable without lots of pillows (be prepared to snaffle them).
I've never felt like an oil slick after the Back Down to Earth massage[:?]. Best treatment at LGW IMHO (and Mr DL's).
Treatment for hubby? I'd say the Back down to Earth too (it's done in a proper treatment room on a proper couch).Shave is good too.
Girls can have a haircut ( or their nails painted).Dragonbaby usually has a French polish done (and then promptly smudges it because she's fiddling with some piece of electric gadgetry).
Be warned that this UC lark should carry a government warning (about dangers to future bank balances). Once bitten forever smitten (as the old saying goes)[:D].
Enjoy.
DL

Originally posted by bardgal
From VS website:

Reward flights and Miles Plus Money fares inclusive of classes G, I, U, T, E or O do not qualify for miles or tier points, please check for any restrictions at the time of booking.

I'm confused. We upgraded from an economy ticket to UC (G) last year on our return, and we got miles for that flight. Just exact miles flown, but we still got miles... Has this changed? Does this mean even though we payed for an economy ticket, but upgraded to UC with miles we won't get ANY miles for the flight??? [?] help?

Miles are earned in original booking class (see honey lamb's link).

Reading this has made me wonder whether I should have upgraded to UC. I booked two K class PE seats a few weeks ago when VA dropped thier prices. I'm still on red tier as we usually go M+M and I get my miles from using my VA credit card. I also have only 30,000 miles and as I cannot get past the £888 each cost for upgrading one way, I guess I'll have to stay with PE (which I'm quite happy with) but you know the one about the grass being greener. I would gladly pay £888 each for the return journey but it doesn't seem to be an option when I look at my booking online. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your UC seats and I'll join you one of these days.

Katie

Originally posted by DragonLady

Originally posted by bardgal
I'm confused. We upgraded from an economy ticket to UC (G) last year on our return, and we got miles for that flight. Just exact miles flown, but we still got miles... Has this changed? Does this mean even though we payed for an economy ticket, but upgraded to UC with miles we won't get ANY miles for the flight??? [?] help?

Miles are earned in original booking class (see honey lamb's link).

Thanks. I thought that was how it should work. [y]