V-Flyer

What is the policy regarding someone flying UC (or being Au) taking a guest(s) with them to check in at the UC check in desks if the guests aren't flying UC? And the same question regarding the private security channel at LHR?

I seem to remember it is 1 guest each, but that doesn't seem to be stated anywhere on the VS site. If correct, is it strictly limited to 1 guest?

Any first hand experiences most welcome y)

Thanks,
Neil

When we have taken guests its been fine, for both check in and security but we only had 1 each.

They might get twitchy at check-in, but I can't see how they control the private security for guests?

Oh good grief, don't tell me that this is yet another thing I'm going to have to contend with when flying Y - I've got 2 trips lined up, both with my wife and 2 little children. I've already expressed some concerns about being able to get them into the clubhouse (will post results later on, one trip from LHR, one from LGW), but I will be seriously narked if they refuse to check us in at the UC desk.

What next - I can go through the fast track channel but they have to queue up? I'm seriously beginning to wonder if Virgin really value their AUs... but hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

ratechaser wrote:Oh good grief, don't tell me that this is yet another thing I'm going to have to contend with when flying Y - I've got 2 trips lined up, both with my wife and 2 little children. I've already expressed some concerns about being able to get them into the clubhouse (will post results later on, one trip from LHR, one from LGW), but I will be seriously narked if they refuse to check us in at the UC desk.

What next - I can go through the fast track channel but they have to queue up? I'm seriously beginning to wonder if Virgin really value their AUs... but hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

Calm down dear, it's only a question

The reason for my question was two fold really. Firstly my parents are flying ex LHR in UC and their friends in PE, and I just wanted to check if they could all use the security channel.

Secondly, we (as 2 Au's) are flying ex MAN with some family (2 adult and 3 kids) and again wanted to know if we could all use UC check in, or if they would have to use Y check in.

I have taken two guests at UC check in a few times with my gold card without issue, but then we have been on the same booking.

I would hope it is a common sense thing - if passengers are on the same booking they should be able to stay together.

If they aren't on the same booking then, it should depend on how busy it is, how many guests there are and if the passenger asks nicely; rather than demands all his / her party be allowed. 8D

With regards to Clubhouse entry, it is quite clear in the T&C that each gold card holder can take one guest. If they allow extra guests, even if they are children, then this should be seen as a bonus as opposed to a right.

Nick

Ok, calmed down, and I'll just hope for common sense to prevail then! And also trust to luck (and my own smooth charms) with the ladies at the CH door...

I'm by no means a DYKWIA type, but it would be nice to get some benefit from AU status when not traveling on business - because when I am traveling on business, all those benefits are part of the ticket anyway.

what's a DYKWIA type???

Miss G wrote:what's a DYKWIA type???

Don't you know who I am ?
Zeleb type statement usually.
DL

Miss G wrote:what's a DYKWIA type???

Don't You Know Who I Am, someone who thinks they should receive extra benefits/access to things just because of who they are (usually Z list celeb types etc)

ahhh, I see, I wonder if that ever actually works

I can't speak too generally but whenever faced with this situation in work I'll check them in and I know alot of others would too.
Not sure that helps too much but there you go

Miss G wrote:ahhh, I see, I wonder if that ever actually works

There is a story about such a chap going to the podium with one US Airline shouting his mouth off and elbowing people out of the way and him shouting 'DYKQIA' in response to which the agent got on her microphone and made an annoncement 'There is a gentlemen here who does not know who he is. Can anyone help him?'

Generally they get short shrift from everyone and I guess the CC somehow manage to get their revenge on such persons as well as the scorn of other pax

We recently flew UC out of LGW for MCO.

Our 2 adult daughters were on a separate booking ref & flying in Econ (I love them but not THAT much ) & I was able to check them in with us at the UC desk, we all got the fastrack stickers & we were, naturally, able to take them into the CH.

As an aside, they were upgraded just as they boarded & thought I had something to do with it so didn't like to disillusion them :w

R-P

Ah, I've learned something else tonight then - I need to make sure that we get stickers for fast track then out of LGW? I had assumed that an imperious wave of the old AU card would do the job

depends what time you are there, fast track only opens at 7am at Gatwick South terminal.

It's a 9.25 flight and we're staying over at the Hilton the night before, so I sincerely doubt I'll be wanting to go through before 7am!

ok, I normally go in the clubhouse for 7am, so am there too early to use the fast track channel

Ah well, as I've said before, I'm trying to beg, wheedle, blag, etc etc, my 2 children (and wife) into the CH on my gold card, so I figure that if I go too early and they say no, it's a long time to be hanging around with the masses.

ratechaser wrote:It's a 9.25 flight and we're staying over at the Hilton the night before, so I sincerely doubt I'll be wanting to go through before 7am!

so you are doing the twilight check-in if you are staying over

Definitely, with OLCI earlier in the day because we've not exactly got top Y seats (actually in the N bucket, booked late via an agent...). Might see if there's any chance of a miles upgrade to PE as well, I know it's not an upgradable fare, but the consensus I've seen on these boards seems to be that it's always worth a go...

ok, wasnt sure if you knew about twilight check-in as you mention earlier about using the UC check-in desks, and there isnt at twilight, its all just one line

ratechaser wrote:Definitely, with OLCI earlier in the day because we've not exactly got top Y seats (actually in the N bucket, booked late via an agent...). Might see if there's any chance of a miles upgrade to PE as well, I know it's not an upgradable fare, but the consensus I've seen on these boards seems to be that it's always worth a go...

Your less than 'top' seats more down to the late booking than being in the N Bucket but OLCI is the way to go to try and get something better and no harm in asking re an upgrade

enjoy

Yet another thing I didn't know! Well, no big deal really, as it was really more a bag drop given that I'll have done OLCI already. But I wonder if it makes any difference at all asking them about a miles upgrade when I drop the bags versus holding off till the next day and going to the UC desk... the snob in me thinks the latter might be more appropriate...

There is nothing to stop you doing OLCI then going to bag-drop and asking and if nothing then to ask again in the morning

Not sure of the official policy but last time we travelled from LHR there were 6 of us (on the same booking) 2 of us where AG and the rest where AU. We all went in the group to UC check in and it wasn't an issue, the agent even directed us all to the lift for the private security channel, which we all went through

Only issue was we could only take 2 of the group into the CH as guests and the other 2 had previously purchased CH entry via VH.