Heathrow with the family

I'm a gold cardholder travelling with my family (my wife and two kids), with Virgin Atlantic, next month in Economy. I know the rules for the Clubhouse say one guest. Does that exclude my Children? Will I be able to do any of:

- Drop bags with my family at the upper desk?
- Use the private security channel at LHR?
- Get the family into the clubhouse?
- Board the plane with other gold cardholders?

If not free are there any options to pay for access to these privileges that don't involve paying for Upper Class tickets? My kids are both under 12. I'd really like them to see the full Virgin experience

I've already applied for family membership but sadly that only gets my wife silver status and miles for me.

Thanks for any tips in advance!!!

[Nottingham Nick]

Hi

Welcome to V-Flyer.

From the previous discussions on this subject, I think the only thorny issue is Clubhouse access for your children.

As a Gold card holder you can buy extra Clubhouse passes - on a space available basis, but given the age of the children, I doubt that can ever be cost effective.

You could ask nicely at the entrance to the Clubhouse on the day of your flight, but past experiences suggest a polite refusal is the most likely outcome - especially if the Clubhouse is busy.

I don't think the check-in, security channel and boarding together will be an issue, especially as (I assume) you are a party on a single booking.

Nick

[Darren Wheeler]

Welcome to V-Flyer [y]

Yes you can you the UC check-in with the family.
Yes to the private channel too.
The CH is a slightly trickier matter. Officially you can have one guest only, but it has been reported that your children can be accomodated, but it's down to the manager on the day.
You should be able to board together as you are travelling as a family. priority boarding can be patchy so be warned.

Hoppe that helps

Thanks. Yes, we're all on one ticket. The humiliation of walking down the stairs after a 'polite refusal' will probably stop me trying; not the best way to start a holiday! Any idea how much it would cost to take the extra two guests in?

[Darren Wheeler]

You can but ask. If the CH is quiet or a weekend you may be lucky. I'd say for the want of a few steps and a polite 'Sorry but no..' I'd take the risk.

Adult guests are 60 but for children, 30 has been mentioned. Try the free line first. How old are they?

They're 7 and 11 and very well behaved but rather too young to be left outside. Perhaps I could offer to assign them to shoe shine duty?

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by knigma
Perhaps I could offer to assign them to shoe shine duty?


LOL - earning their passage at a young age, that's what I like to see. [:D][}:)]

It may be worth putting a call in to the Premier Team. As we know from previous discussions, all of these rules are subject to constant review; and what one person is told on a particular day doesn't always set a precedent.

There may be variables on the day depending on your route and the loads.

Please let us know if you have any success.

Nick

I will advise. I'm travelling alone tomorrow so I'll also see what I can find out at the door.

If I was you, I would leave the wife and kids in the main Terminal and then go and ask at the Clubhouse Desk. Just explain you are with your family and you would like to use your gold card to enter the Clubhouse, but you cannot leave the kiddies outside. Even if they say no, YOU still have the right to go on in, so it's not really awkward to say that you are just going to run and let them know.

quote:Originally posted by Galley Guy

If I was you, I would leave the wife and kids in the main Terminal and then go and ask at the Clubhouse Desk. Just explain you are with your family and you would like to use your gold card to enter the Clubhouse, but you cannot leave the kiddies outside. Even if they say no, YOU still have the right to go on in, so it's not really awkward to say that you are just going to run and let them know.


Sounds like good advice to me [y] Go for it knigma.

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler


priority boarding can be patchy so be warned.



Patchy on because VS get it so wrong! VS would not turn a gold pax family away when travelling together.

Hope you and the family manage to get into the CH.

Have a good trip.

Dominic

[HighFlyer]

Rightly or wrongly, families with children get to board before everyone else so if anything the OP probably need not worry about that aspect [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Rightly or wrongly, families with children get to board before everyone else so if anything the OP probably need not worry about that aspect [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah


I thought that was for babies/toddlers, not children 7 and 11

[HighFlyer]

quote:Originally posted by Penny_L
I thought that was for babies/toddlers, not children 7 and 11


So did I, but from my travels it seems that many parents see it as a cue for them regardless of how old their children are, and the gate staff never seem to say anything.

Thanks,
Sarah

[RichardMannion]

We're going to use the same principle for our party bus to San Francisco next month as daddy Decker will be with us.... [:w]

[Decker]

Who's your daddy...

well i can imagine the tantrums if there are no limes on board

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
We're going to use the same principle for our party bus to San Francisco next month as daddy Decker will be with us.... [:w]



[V][V][V][V][V] Richard you are mischievous at times[:D][:D][:D]

buns