Do different classes of UC receive different treatment?

Enjoy your first Upper Class, having flown quite a few times now, the cabin crew are lovely and professional, make good use of the bar.

Having flown it many times just for leisure I have found the staff lovely, its a great experience.

They are in no way snobbish and have to agree the z-celebs always want people to know who they are (I never care haha).

Enjoy

Platinum Leo

I'm not too sure of your flight times, but if you're on a day flight they may not have the sleep suits out so make sure you ask for one. On a night flight they're put out for you.

Even if you don't wear it or like it, it's a good souvenir to have! I've given away quite a few to family and the like!

Yes, no escort through security or from the lounge to plane. No constant introductions of every crew, having slippers presented at my feet, a visit from the on-board 'chef'. I quite enjoy being called 'luv' and left to it. Maybe they have USB (UnSocialbleBu**er) on my flyingclub number?

I often use the escort to the seat and from the aircraft service esp when I know the aiport is "mess" such as LAX or DXB. And like Slinky I appreciate them knowing how I take my gin and what wines and food I prefer without asking. The only question I need to hear is "The usual Mr HG ?", I have yet to be called "mate" or "love" and would object strongly if anyone did - however I do ask the CC to call me by my first name.

Getting off topic, but I am frequently escorted from the aeroplane at the arrival gate through immigration and customs in the US - saves a heck of a lot of time being whisked to the front and at DC and busy times at JFK it is a godsend ... so yes, there is actually another level of service, but most wouldn't notice it, and especially for the OP this won't affect anything you experience.

Though like you HG, I do try and ask the CC to use my first name ... the last time anyone called me Mr Slinky regularly was probably my house master chastening me!

Hi guys,

Really, thank you so much for all the advice and suggestions. We're flying VS23 out and in on VS08. Our destination is Redondo Beach. Been to L.A. six or seven times, so hiring a car and doing a lot more travelling on our own this time.

We have organised a 'road trip' to Las Vegas which is something I've always wanted to do. We are staying at the Mirage and got tickets for LOVE. We also have tickets for a band called 'Human Nature' the night before, at the Imperial. They have rave reviews on Trip Advisor. We both love Tamla Motown, Atlantic, Stax and other soul music, so we will be in seventh heaven.

Also planning on visiting Griffith Observatory (again) but first time since it has had its upgrade (my hobby is astronomy).

We are also hopeful of meeting up with ex-Radio 1 and Radio Luxembourg DJ (Emperor Rosko) for dinner. He's not a bosum buddy or anything like, very far from that. My husband worked with him a couple of times way back when hubby was a club DJ. We had also done a couple of soul music shows on Rosko's now defunct Internet radio show. Anyway, hubby emailed Mike asking him he wanted to meet up for dinner. He said to phone him when we got to the West Coast. If that works out I'll add it to my TR. I suspect he'll be too busy to meet us country yokels though.

Of course the 'spring chickens' on this forum will be wondering 'who the heck is Emperor Rosko?' Google him... he was quite a cool dude in his day. 8D

We're also planning on staying a couple of nights with a girl friend who lives near Paso Robles. Her Aunt and Uncle have a restaurant on the central coast at Morro Bays and she really wants us to sample their fayre. Wine tasting is planned also of course! ii)

Once again, thanks for your support... what a truly great forum this is! The best forums are the ones that are full of people giving friendly advice with a huge dollop of good humour, and this forum is right up there with the best of them! y) xx

[buns]

Wendy

Thanks for your comments about thr Site- you can be assured of plenty of helpful folks around here (if sometimes too helpful ). Havea fab time and let the flights take thier course and you will enjoy it all the more.

Emperor Rosko :0 That does take me back - I recall being at a private gig he did and he was just as good as he was on the Radio

Enjoy

buns

WendyT - I'm in the same position as you, flying UC for the first time at the end of March - I may not get the chance again for a few years, so will enjoy it to the full; and I encourage you to do the same.

We can compare experiences via our trip reports on our returns!

slinky09 have you been offered this immigration service at MCO? It's the only VS USA airport I have visited and could've really seen value in it. I use eGate at DXB so it's no real issue here.

On our return from LA, there were some famous celebs on board who certainly went out of their way to ensure everyone else in UC knew they were there. However the cabin crew treated the rest of 'us' very well. Wonderful flight both ways.

It's usually the zelebs who behave the worst IME. My last flight from LAX in December had 3 "famous" bods and a "mega" star in the cabin . None were divaesque and the "mega" star went completely unrecognised by the rest of the passengers . Not even any of the usual fawning by the crew (which is probably why nobody recognised him !).
DL

Agree - there have been celebs on a few UC flights I've done, and they've all kept very low profiles. I imagine zelebs must be a right pain in the behind!

slinky09 have you been offered this immigration service at MCO? It's the only VS USA airport I have visited and could've really seen value in it. I use eGate at DXB so it's no real issue here.

I have never, and never will want to, visited MCO, so I can't help with an answer to that. I can tell you that at IAD it is fantastic, since the immigration there is a version of hell, just like MIA!

Wendy,

Never fear - I've flown two round trips in Upper on rewards and never felt that I've had less than anyone else in the cabin.

The last time I flew was in May last year and the CC were superb on both legs of the trip (superb ++ coming back). I think it depends a lot on the crew you have the day you fly. Certainly on the return trip last time - I felt like I'd been given rockstar treatment from the moment I stepped onto the plane to the moment I stepped off it.

Lounge access is the same whether you are on rewards or not.

The only difference I can see is the chauffeur driven service available to some - which doesn't bother me as I generally get a domestic connection into LHR.

Ditto, I've only ever taken 4 flights in Upper (the rest in Y and PE) and all have been reward flights or upgrades, am not rich enough to buy outright UC fares ) .
Each flight has been brilliant, so do not worry at all.
Savour every moment of UC, get there early to enjoy the Clubhouse (3 hrs in my experience is too short to maximise enjoyment ) and just enjoy yourself.
Oh, and don't forget that travelling UC is possibly the worst decision you will ever make ): , you'll never want to travel in any other class again.........

I saw them escort an extremely well known UK comedian from Lounge to Plane about 6 months ago, so its still being done.

Alas, he was stuck waiting interminably for his bags at JFK like everyone else, and people started to recognise him. He posed for photos with whomever, and was the model of politeness and honorable behaviour. Kudos.

Wooooooooooohooooooooooo... it just gets better... received an email earlier today asking if we would like to take part in the 'drive in' trial... errrr.... yes please!!!



Back to the throes of finding enough to pack to merit the humungous amounts of luggage allowance... only kidding. ):

Wooooooooooohooooooooooo... it just gets better... received an email earlier today asking if we would like to take part in the 'drive in' trial... errrr.... yes please!!!



Back to the throes of finding enough to pack to merit the humungous amounts of luggage allowance... only kidding. ):

Thats good

From what I have heard, the private car DTCI trail, is no longer a "trial", but more permanent, but VS don't want to shout out about it.

One day I will fill up the 3 (4 with gold card) bags! Need to go on a long holiday for that though.

I asked about the DTCI, even though I am will be travelling down to LHR by taxi from oop north. The CS rep said to call a few weeks before the flight and they will see who else is due at our estimated arrival time and if there are no "offical" cars then we should be ok to use it.

Very interesting thread this as me and mine will be UC "virgins" too. Got the bug last year when we went to India in Emirates Business Class.

A few questions if I may as this seems an appropriate thread.

1. I have seen mention of UC luggage tags - do these still exist ? I know they are just cosmetic, but still nice to grab a few before we get there so I can have them all ready.

2. Cowshed. Am I correct in assuming that the treatments are charged at £15 per 15 mins over the initial free 15 min period ? <Just read that back and its confusing> I should have asked, how do we know how much each treatment costs ?

3. We are on VS7 and VS8, are the sleep suits available on both these flights ?

4. How many folk can you invite in the CH ? There will be 4 of us, inc 2 kids (who paid the same fare) so could I offer up 4 passes to the good folk here when the time comes ?

5. This immigration "escort" service... is that available to anyone or just those very FFs and celebs ?

[honey lamb]

A few questions if I may as this seems an appropriate thread.

1. I have seen mention of UC luggage tags - do these still exist ? I know they are just cosmetic, but still nice to grab a few before we get there so I can have them all ready.

2. Cowshed. Am I correct in assuming that the treatments are charged at £15 per 15 mins over the initial free 15 min period ? <Just read that back and its confusing> I should have asked, how do we know how much each treatment costs ?

3. We are on VS7 and VS8, are the sleep suits available on both these flights ?

4. How many folk can you invite in the CH ? There will be 4 of us, inc 2 kids (who paid the same fare) so could I offer up 4 passes to the good folk here when the time comes ?

5. This immigration "escort" service... is that available to anyone or just those very FFs and celebs ?

To answer your questions

1. Yes, they are available. You should see them at check-in and they will probably attach them to your bag.

2. See here for a list of treatments and their prices

3. Yes, sleep suits are available on each flight but you have to ask for them on the VS7. They are not routinely distributed on daytime flights.

4. Each UC passenger is entitled to one guest. Check on the Itinerary Calendar to see who might be flying with VS on that date

5. I'm afraid us ordinary mortals are not normally escorted to immigration. the only time for me was when I had a tight connection, made even tighter by delays at LHR

Hope this helps

Thanks honey lamb.

Is there anyway of getting the tags posted to me in advance ? dont want to waste time when there is a lounge to get to

For point 4.. Any early birds on VS7 on the 23rd July will be in luck

Thanks honey lamb.

Is there anyway of getting the tags posted to me in advance ? dont want to waste time when there is a lounge to get to

For point 4.. Any early birds on VS7 on the 23rd July will be in luck

Personally I wouldn't worry, I have never filled the tags in (even when they have arrived with my ticket and never been given the chance to at check in). Just have a slip inside my bag with details on, and it will get barcoded anyway.

If you still want the tags in advance, I guess you could phone up and ask, but I don't know what the response would be.