Policy Change regards Drive-Thru Check In

[Pete]

Hi All,

In the last week Virgin have changed policy at drive-thru check in so it is now restricted to Upper Class passengers in J & D only.

No longer can you use it on mileage limo transfers or where you have made your own arrangements with Tristar. This is due to traffic congestion causing problems with the BAA.

Pete

Pete,

Is this only for LHR or does it include LGW too? I've not seen much traffic congestion around the LGW drive-thru area.

If it's LGW too then i am officially miffed! [V]

Was hoping to redeem 10k miles (once i've earnt them!) to start the Viva Las V-Flyer celebrations in style in November.

[buns]

Pete

any word about those who may have already "paid" with miles for the service[?]

buns

[Pete]

Not 100% sure about LGW - I was told it applies to Drive Thru rather than Drive Thru at a specific airport. My guess is that it is at both.

As for reward limo transfers, they are definately affected by this policy change. No longer will those be using Drive Thru.

Pete

[preiffer]

quote:Originally posted by pixuk
As for reward limo transfers, they are definately affected by this policy change. No longer will those be using Drive Thru.

Well, that's a real blow in that case - They've effectively turned a 10,000 mile reward into a taxi journey. The drive-thru checkin was, to my mind, the only possible reason I would have considered spending 10k miles on a car with them.

I also wonder how this affects non-J passengers riding along with mum & dad, etc.

[HighFlyer]

Bummer!

I was literally this weekend going to book miles rewards limos for the two Z fare trips i have to/from LHR

[:(]

[Decker]

No real loss there HighFlyer - you could only book reward limos in conjunction with reward bookings, not Zs.

I just called the premier team as I have a UC reward with Limo transfers booked for my parents in September. It does apply to LGW too [:(] however they did say its for a trial period initially. I booked my reward in Jan so I hope they will let them still use it[?] Will let you know how I get on............

Wonder what the policy is if say I travel on a J, mrs jag on a Z and junior on a reward.

[HighFlyer]

quote: No real loss there HighFlyer - you could only book reward limos in conjunction with reward bookings, not Zs

Double bummer! LOL

Although it does also knock the Tristar idea on the head too!

[Decker]

Yeah we squeezed our last Tristar through LHR a week or so back anticipating this move on VSs behalf. Whilst it is undoubtedly down to congestion it also serves to ensure that a Z fare can't be brought to a highly profitable J/D level by the simple addition of a TriStar fare

Wonder what the policy is if say I travel on a J, mrs jag on a Z and junior on a reward.

anybody in the know have any thoughts?

Originally posted by Decker
Whilst it is undoubtedly down to congestion it also serves to ensure that a Z fare can't be brought to a highly profitable J/D level by the simple addition of a TriStar fare

The lowest D advance purchase fares which do qualify for car transfers aren't that much different than the Z fare plus 4 transfers from the South East.

If I look at LHR-BOS fares for July, and discount the "ZHMEG" fare, which I think is a Z promo fare which doesn't qualify for miles/tps (defeats the object if you ask me!):

ZHAP (standard, 42 day advance purchase) £2064.00
DHAP1 (28 day advance purchase) £2589.00

Cheers,
Mike

I have travelled on a J ticket recently (since the change) with a friend who was on a companion ticket and we both shared the car and got through drive through with no problems at all - am guessing (and feel free to correct me anyone) but as long as one of the PAX is on a D or J class fare any other people in the car should be okay

Originally posted by jaguarpig

Wonder what the policy is if say I travel on a J, mrs jag on a Z and junior on a reward.

anybody in the know have any thoughts?

[Decker]

Mike

ah well we £50 Tristar range punters...... ;)

So are they going to be informing the driver if you can use drive-thru? Otherwise are they really going to turn you away when you get there? Particularly at LGW this seems a bit of a waste.

[Pete]

Methinks the driver will know whether you're entitled to use Drive Thru, as it'll be Virgin who will dictate the drop off point (ie, Drive Thru or outside the terminal building).

Pete

The driver can tell on their instructions by having an ICC number (in car checking) The secret will be to get this number with your booking with Tristar. Knowing that you can ring up 10 times and get 10 difference answer on using the drive through check in, I have not given up hope of finding a way to work the system!