This is the main V-Flyer Forum for general discussion of everything related to flying with Virgin-branded travel companies.
#256864 by Credit Crunch
08 Nov 2008, 16:44
We're travelling UC to MCO next week to see family & because our daughter is off work ill, ( not serious ! ) we've made a late booking for her to travel with us - problem is it's in Economy as we can't afford the cost of an UC ticket !

Just wondering what chance there is of getting her upgraded at check in, or if not possible, whether she'll be allowed to join us in UC for some or all of the flight.

She's a bit delicate at the moment so we're concerned about leaving her alone 'down the back' for 9 hours !
#459512 by David
08 Nov 2008, 16:54
If you ask the FSM, a visit is probably not out of the question. I very much doubt anyone would be happy with her spending the whole flight with you in Upper after having purchased an economy ticket.

David
#459513 by Guest
08 Nov 2008, 17:00
Except access to the CH, I would say highly unlikely. I was sat at the bar recently with a lovely American Couple who had their children (in their 20's) 'down the back' - she asked the FSM if her daughter could join them at the bar for a drink as she was feeling delecate (recent long term relationship break up), the reply was a very firm but polite no - 'the bar and cabin was for UC pax only' but they could certainly 'go down the back' to visit their daughter.

I would try for a miles or £££ upgrade at checkin tho - even to PE if you can't stretch to UC.

Hackneyguy
#459521 by easygoingeezer
08 Nov 2008, 19:38
I should think they would allow a visit but not all the flight as others travellers might not appreciate someone on an economy fare getting upper class service, to be honest I might be miffed myself. Are there any PE fares available or why don't you sit in the back.

One flight when there was J2000 seats in upper a mum and dad went from upper and collected their two small kids from EC and tried to have them stand in between them and the seats in front ( my seats ) after an hour I had to complain as the adults were being proper
up themselves but not prepared to pay for their kids to fly in the cabin they wanted to fly in.
#459522 by HighFlyer
08 Nov 2008, 19:58
The issue i forsee that you might have with inviting guests to the bar is that you are on a LGW flight and the bar is very small (only having two seats) and faces into the cabin. On the LHR 744's the bar seats five and faces PE, therefore making it much easier for a guest to visit without impacting any UC passengers. Do ask the FSM but be prepared for them to say no.

I'd certainly ask about the possibility of upgrading with cash or miles on the day, they'll very likely offer a cash upgrade option (sometimes it good value, sometimes its not) but the likelihood of getting a free upgrade will be slim so I wouldnt bank on that approach.

One positive is that she'll get to enjoy the Clubhouse with you.

Thanks,
Sarah
#459523 by buns
08 Nov 2008, 20:06
As Sarah has already said, on the presumption that there are two of you (both travelling in UC), then your daughter being in the Clubhouse does not present a problem.

I suspect that the flight is already heavily booked (the collapse of other airlines has made seats a premium on the route) so don't bank on getting an upgrade[:I]

The FSM will be the arbiter of any visit to the UC Cabin - but as others have said, be prepared for a 'No'

buns
#459524 by Credit Crunch
08 Nov 2008, 20:29
Thanks for the assistance folks. We don't expect the freebies, just to be able to sit on our seat would be fine.

I've just tried to use miles for an upgrade to either UC ( or PE downstairs ) but there's no availability. Will try to use miles & also enquire about the cost of an upgrade at check in.

If we cant, we'll take it in turns to keep going back to see how she's doing.

At least we can all use the CH which will help !!

Cheers everybody.
#459527 by Treelo
08 Nov 2008, 20:50
Don't suppose it would be bending the rules too much (other than take-off and landing) for one of you to swap with your daughter for an hour or so during the flight [:w]
#459529 by Credit Crunch
08 Nov 2008, 20:57
Originally posted by Treelo
Don't suppose it would be bending the rules too much (other than take-off and landing) for one of you to swap with your daughter for an hour or so during the flight [:w]



Ssshhhhh !! I didn't want to mention that here !! [y][:w]


Thanks though. [y]
#459531 by HighFlyer
08 Nov 2008, 21:23
Do check with the FSM if you want to swap seats. As i mentioned before, there are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on your flight so it will be noticed by other passengers.

I'd definitely ask on the day about upgrades to PE. All bets are off when you get to the airport so even if you can't get her into UC (which is unlikely given the small number of seats - but not impossible) at least you'll know she'll be in more comfy surroundings.

Thanks,
Sarah
#459534 by Treelo
08 Nov 2008, 22:29
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Do check with the FSM if you want to swap seats. As i mentioned before, there are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on your flight so it will be noticed by other passengers.

I'd definitely ask on the day about upgrades to PE. All bets are off when you get to the airport so even if you can't get her into UC (which is unlikely given the small number of seats - but not impossible) at least you'll know she'll be in more comfy surroundings.

Thanks,
Sarah


I do appreciate the fact that the FSM has the utimate veto but, in the scheme of things, does it really matter who is sitting in the UC seat and the Y seat so long as the UC fare has been paid?
#459536 by Credit Crunch
08 Nov 2008, 22:34
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Do check with the FSM if you want to swap seats. As i mentioned before, there are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on your flight so it will be noticed by other passengers.


Thanks,
Sarah



Thanks, would definately speak to FSM first.


Joking earlier ! [:D]
#459538 by Decker
08 Nov 2008, 22:46
Originally posted by Treelo
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Do check with the FSM if you want to swap seats. As i mentioned before, there are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on your flight so it will be noticed by other passengers.

I'd definitely ask on the day about upgrades to PE. All bets are off when you get to the airport so even if you can't get her into UC (which is unlikely given the small number of seats - but not impossible) at least you'll know she'll be in more comfy surroundings.

Thanks,
Sarah


I do appreciate the fact that the FSM has the utimate veto but, in the scheme of things, does it really matter who is sitting in the UC seat and the Y seat so long as the UC fare has been paid?


Ultimately yes - if two people end up sharing the UC Service then they should be sharing the fare.
#459544 by slinky09
09 Nov 2008, 00:49
Originally posted by Decker
Ultimately yes - if two people end up sharing the UC Service then they should be sharing the fare.


Absolutely, if you want to take advantage of the UC service then book the cabin. Thanks Decker - as always in complete agreement.

By all means ask the FSM if a short get together at the bar, space permitting, can be done, but don't de facto upgrade someone without paying for it.
#459550 by Guest
09 Nov 2008, 09:40
Originally posted by Decker
Originally posted by Treelo
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Do check with the FSM if you want to swap seats. As i mentioned before, there are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on your flight so it will be noticed by other passengers.

I'd definitely ask on the day about upgrades to PE. All bets are off when you get to the airport so even if you can't get her into UC (which is unlikely given the small number of seats - but not impossible) at least you'll know she'll be in more comfy surroundings.

Thanks,
Sarah


I do appreciate the fact that the FSM has the utimate veto but, in the scheme of things, does it really matter who is sitting in the UC seat and the Y seat so long as the UC fare has been paid?


Ultimately yes - if two people end up sharing the UC Service then they should be sharing the fare.


Absolutely. To be honest if I saw this happening, as a paid UC pax, I would definatley have a quiet but firm work with the FSM (whether they had agreed it or not) - it is NOT on !
#459580 by Neil
09 Nov 2008, 14:35
We had some family make a visit to our suites when we were flying back from MCO. It wasn't for long and we checked with both the FSM and CSS before hand but they were allowed to come sit on the ottoman and chat with us for a while.

I though agree that swapping seats during the flight is not on and something I would be unhappy about if happened on a flight I was taking.

Neil
#459589 by n/a
09 Nov 2008, 16:21
Originally posted by Neil

I though agree that swapping seats during the flight is not on


Not to mention I'd get grease on my hands and haven't the proper tools, anyway. Good advice, as usual, Hull! [y]

GJ
Virgin Atlantic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 182 guests

Itinerary Calendar