V-Flyer

Hey everyone.

Tomorrow see's my first UC experience, LHR - SYD so i'm hoping to get a few tips before I fly out.

I get the CDC service so I presume all I need to do is check in online the evening before, and then await the driver, who will drop me in the lounge? Is this correct?

Although I have previously been in the LHR lounge before, it was very early and short lived so didn't get chance to experience anything apart from a glass of fizz and bacon sandwich. Hopefully I should get a good 3 hours in there so any advice as to what to do would be greatly appreciated.

Also, for the HKG clubhouse, as I'll hopefully get an hour in there and have never been in, so any advice would be great.

Basically, any advice what so ever as to how to make the whole experience as memorable as possible, as this may be the last UC trip for a while.

Thanks in advance, and if anyone is in the CH, I'll wear a rose in my button hole! and have a copy of the evening standard under my arm!

Dear Aspence7,
Have you or your travel agent called up to book the car and informed them the pick up time and place? Just because you are entitled to the CDC, doesn't mean you automatically get it so please check that ASAP.

As soon as you get in the lounge, you should try and book a treatment or a hair cut and then go and enjoy the fizz as these are all done on a first come first served basis now. Also, there seems to be some need for you to have a mojito?!

You need to phone and book the CDC - it just dosen't turn up at your door - so do it NOW.

They will drop you off at DTCI where you will get your boarding card, you then go through the private security chanell (which has the same standards as 'normal' security so the same liquids rules apply).

When you arrive at the CH go straight to the spa and book a treatment THEN go and fins a space to sit etc etc (check the VS website for the treatments available).

Enjoy !

I have a pick up time arranged, this has already been done. Do I still check in online as normal then?

And thoughts regarding the HKG clubhouse?

aspence7 wrote:And thoughts regarding the HKG clubhouse?

Nice haven, head straight to it once through and "stickered-up" and book a shower, then sit back and relax, nice staff, foods good and nice vantage point to look down on the boarding gate..
NH

Where do you have to go when disembarking at HKG then? Through customs or just through passport control and back into departures?

I'd still do OLCI if I were you - it means you should get the seat you want. I always do, and don't bother printing off my boarding pass (as my printer is old and the barcode never works if I print it at home!) and they always give you a 'proper' boarding card.

my other tip is ask for your sleep suit as soon as you get on board and get changed before you take off - there's plenty of time to do all that and get settled!

aspence7 wrote:I have a pick up time arranged, this has already been done. Do I still check in online as normal then?

Phew ! it's just that you gave the impression of not pre-booking your CDC!

Yes I would still do OLCI because (a) as Rich says you should get your chosen seat and (b) you could get the magical SEQ1 !

What is the magical SEQ1?

It means you are the 1st person to check-in for that particular flight.

It bestows no extra privilidges and is a tad (well lot) geeky but some v-flyers place much store on getting it !

I love the HKG CH, Northernhenry is right when he says book a shower, they are fabulous and I am convinced they help with jet lag. I then sit on the terrace in one of the loungers and just relax with a glass of champagne and some sorbet (don't ask me why but it's become a bit of a tradition)! Have a wonderful flight, I am very jealous!

aspence7 wrote:Where do you have to go when disembarking at HKG then? Through customs or just through passport control and back into departures?

At HKG after you disembark the aircraft there will be staff to direct you appropriately. Those leaving the aircraft will go through immigration and customs while passengers going onwards will be given a sticker and directed to the gate area or, for UC and Gold passengers, to the Clubhouse.

honey lamb wrote:

aspence7 wrote:Where do you have to go when disembarking at HKG then? Through customs or just through passport control and back into departures?

At HKG after you disembark the aircraft there will be staff to direct you appropriately. Those leaving the aircraft will go through immigration and customs while passengers going onwards will be given a sticker and directed to the gate area or, for UC and Gold passengers, to the Clubhouse.

Adding to HL's expertise, at HkG when you disembark you go through security to enter the terminal proper (and note, the liquids rule applies, so if you buy a bottle onboard in duty free, security will confiscate it). Then upstairs and up to the floor above the main terminal floor for the clubhouse (it's above a few shops very close to the gate VS uses.

As to showers - if you want one, make the act of booking it the very first thing you do in the clubhouse, there are only two or three, and it gets busy.

Another tip at Sydney, if you have (and ISTBC) only one suitcase plus carry on, you can self declare no bad stuff and fast track customs - last time I did this was a bit of a haze ii) and others will know better.

Just to re-iterate what others have said about the HKG CH. Get off the plane quickly (they usually use both doors to disembark) and get up there quickly to book your shower.
On arrival into SYD your UC boarding pass will get you through fast track immigration (clearly signed) which can be a godsend as the arrivals hall in the early am is like a zoo.
DL

I presume the HKG showers provide towels do they?

slinky09 wrote:Another tip at Sydney, if you have (and ISTBC) only one suitcase plus carry on, you can self declare no bad stuff and fast track customs - last time I did this was a bit of a haze ii) and others will know better.

I will be taking 2 bags plus carry on, what does this mean I have to do then? Also, i'll be taking a few presents over, how does this work regarding tax and declaring them? None of the items are worth more than £25 though

aspence7 wrote:I will be taking 2 bags plus carry on, what does this mean I have to do then? Also, i'll be taking a few presents over, how does this work regarding tax and declaring them? None of the items are worth more than £25 though

My advice will be to declare!

Having watched a few episodes of 'Nothing to Declare' which is based at SYD then the rule appeares to be - declare everything.

People only get into trouble and get fined etc when the don't declare, even though he items themselves are perfectly legal to take into Oz.

Would I be liable for any additional tax on the items then?

Just one more question, where do the magical pick and mix sweets hide in the CH?

Between the pool table and the huge TV screen.
They are on a shelf, there are usually a line of jars full of different sweets.

Nick

Yes big fluffy towels and everything you will need including hairdryer, in the shower at HKG.

All the help is very much appreciated guys/girls.

All set to go (nearly) so see you in the CH

tontybear wrote:

aspence7 wrote: y) My advice will be to declare!

Having watched a few episodes of 'Nothing to Declare' which is based at SYD then the rule appeares to be - declare everything.

People only get into trouble and get fined etc when the don't declare, even though he items themselves are perfectly legal to take into Oz.

A tip for those not traveling UC - take something you don't mind losing (low value) and declare it. You are placed into a queue that is often shorter than the 'nothing to declare'. SYD is a bit of a nightmare to get through.

Why something low value?

In the many times I've been to Australia, it seems that Customs is far more concerned about food items being brought into the country as opposed to Christmas presents.

Tinkerbelle wrote:In the many times I've been to Australia, it seems that Customs is far more concerned about food items being brought into the country as opposed to Christmas presents.

unless the pressy is food of course !