CDC - what time?

We are flying to MIA on Gs and are going to book a car to pick us up from Reading - cruising back to Southampton so will train home to Wales, hence the Reading hotel which is easy by train.

Given our 1300 flight, and the relatively short distance, what time is reasonable to ask the car to meet us? We'd like PLENTY of Clubhouse time

When I booked a car (yes I cashed in miles) they asked me what flight I was on and then the lovely lady suggested a time to me.

She suggested a 1.30 pick up to get me to LHR by 3 for a 4.40 departure to BOS so I think they have suggested times in their system,

I suggested a 12 noon pick up instead so I could enjoy the CH and she had no problem with that


AA route planner suggests it takes 36 minutes from Reading station to LHR so that might give you a guide.

Add that to how much time you want in the CH + 30 minutes for boarding then subrract that from 13.00 and you'll have your departure from hotel time

We always work on the principle that we are just waiting around to go so lets just go and wait at the other end.
In this case it's at the clubhouse so no hardship.
I'd get up, have breakfast at the hotel and leave.
Dick D

3 hours in clubhouse, so you want to be checked in before 9.30-10am
So my guess would by 8am to allow time for delay/traffic.

Reading Station to LHR in 36 minutes? Maybe at night with clear roads on a fast motorcycle and no speed cameras. 8am departure from Reading to LHR? Right in the middle of the rush hour, forget it.

As someone who lives close to the route you are taking, unless you are flying on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday then forget leaving Reading at 8am. The traffic will be grid lock. You don't say where in Reading you are staying but I've known it take 40 mins from the M4 to the town centre in the mornings.

My advice is to stay as close to the M4 as possible, then get the car to meet you at the hotel at 8.45am. By the time you have got your bags in the car and the driver has negotiated the town traffic you should hit a reasonably clear M4 around 9am for the run to LHR. I imagine it will take 50-60 minutes door to door if there aren't any problems on the M4.

But be warned, the 'Heathrow Corridor' is appalling for traffic a lot of the time, it once took an hour from my home in High Wycombe to LHR T5 leaving High Wycombe at 5am on a Tuesday morning. It's only 18 miles......

We are booked at the Novotel, which looks to only be about 1 1/2 miles from the M4. It was the best priced, acceptable hotel at the time, but we may cancel if something better comes up. The Hilton was £189 which for room only is ridiculous!

Sounds as though we'd better aim for a reasonable start then, as we'd like a nice time in the Clubhouse and it's likely to be busy in the morning I think. It will be a Thursday.

Edited to add - Just swapped to the Madejski Stadium hotel, which is very near J11.

We are booked at the Novotel, which looks to only be about 1 1/2 miles from the M4. It was the best priced, acceptable hotel at the time, but we may cancel if something better comes up. The Hilton was £189 which for room only is ridiculous!

Sounds as though we'd better aim for a reasonable start then, as we'd like a nice time in the Clubhouse and it's likely to be busy in the morning I think. It will be a Thursday.

Edited to add - Just swapped to the Madejski Stadium hotel, which is very near J11.

A better hotel & location gilly imho.

Madejski Stadium hotel? Good call. It's very close to the M4 and not far from the G Casino and a number of restaurants. If the car meets you at 8.45am I would imagine you will be at LHR an hour later from there. Enjoy your trip.