V-Flyer

Friends

as many of you know off to NBO from LHR on Friday. Managed to upgrade from UC to PE with miles- but even more surprisingly I have managed to keep it a secret from my wife (although I did have to bareface lie and say we were in W when she asked today). My question- how do I keep it a secret at LHR? I can explain the clubhouse as being booked through VH, but what about the private security channel etc.? Does VS have people floating at the check in lines who can prep the PE counter to 'miraculously' allow us through the channel as it is our honeymoon (and not to say you're in the wrong line!)?

Anyone managed this? Advice gratefull received though at the current rate she will know by Wednesday as she keeps giving me that little stare.

Thanks,
JB

You could say that they let you use the private channel because you have clubhouse access? Not sure how to explain using UC desk or the boarding pass though...

Just dont use the private channel and use the PE/Y channel then she neednt know until you board. As it is your board pass that opens the gate and not an attendant she will twig.

Hadn't thought about NOT using the channel... oops. Clearly joining this site has affected the white matter....

hectershouse wrote:Just dont use the private channel and use the PE/Y channel then she neednt know until you board. As it is your board pass that opens the gate and not an attendant she will twig.

There is no seperate VS Y/PE channel - well there is but its called 'main departures'. And surely part of flying UC is being able to use the private channel.


As to the subterfuge it all depends on how au-fait your bride to be is with VS and UC in particular.

There are VS floaters but how will you prime one of them if your good lady is with you?

I know other v-flyers have done the 'little white lie' thing - am sure they will be along soon to advise.

Hopefully your wife won't recognise the seat numbers as UC.

As you've paid for UC, I would make use of the private security channel, after all it's a good benefit when busy! As suggested above, just say it came with the CH passes from VH!

Have a great time, can't wait fo the TR to see if you managed to keep the suprise!

Thanks tonty. I don't think she'll notice the purple BP etc. I do like the way this forum flags the 'au' of au-fait as Gold status- that's definitely not us!

Hope it all works out for you; I've had great fun with "the white lie" it in the past few years. In the past - but no more I think - I've even managed to use the UC desk without the other half twigging after stating loudly that "well, there's no one else there and I'm sure they won't turn us away".

I even managed it at Vegas once with a secret PE upgrade by pretending a fuming "this isn't good enough" fit at the length of the Y queue, storming over to the PE check in and whilst gesticulating in an angry manner quietly explained to the agent what was going on. They played along, treating me as a difficult customer they just wanted to be rid of when my red faced and deeply embarrassed family joined me at the desk.

I'd go for the CH access = private security gambit too, unless you know that's a non starter. It all adds to the experience.

Paul

PS I can go and speak to one of the VS staff because 'clearly he will have forgotten something and he needs to sort it out because he is an idiot so let's not get involved.' ALthough she obviously thinks with better grammar.

tontybear wrote:

hectershouse wrote:Just dont use the private channel and use the PE/Y channel then she neednt know until you board. As it is your board pass that opens the gate and not an attendant she will twig.

There is no seperate VS Y/PE channel - well there is but its called 'main departures'. And surely part of flying UC is being able to use the private channel.


.

Lets not split hairs - both you and the Op (more importantly) knew what I meant |:)

Completely off the wall, but why not just announce it to her (could print something nice using a computer and put it into an envelope) beforehand? Either on the day on the wedding or the night before (complete with glass of champagne) or give it to her on the way top the airport?

I am suggesting this because I think that half of the fun of flying UC (if you don't fly it too often) can be "the build up" and enjoying the "whole" airport experience.... if that makes sense? Why hide it when you can enjoy the whole experience?

Whatever you decide, have a fab honeymoon (sounds like it will be y) )

Like Boo Boo I would come clean beforehand - what's the point of keeping it a secret until you get to the aircraft door ?| ?
Rejoice in the joy of the purple BP and private security channel and enjoy the CH without the worry of "being rumbled". If she's going to be shopping in DF she'll have her mitts on the BP anyway, and if she's ever flown VS she'll know that purple is not the colour of your BP in Y or W ): ): .
Let her enjoy all the pre-flight perks as they should be enjoyed .
DL

DragonLady wrote:Like Boo Boo I would come clean beforehand - what's the point of keeping it a secret until you get to the aircraft door ?| ?
Rejoice in the joy of the purple BP and private security channel and enjoy the CH without the worry of "being rumbled". If she's going to be shopping in DF she'll have her mitts on the BP anyway, and if she's ever flown VS she'll know that purple is not the colour of your BP in Y or W ): ): .
Let her enjoy all the pre-flight perks as they should be enjoyed .
DL

I agree. I brought a niece to JNB in UC with miles and although I got to the CH without spilling the beans, I decided en route to the gate to tell her. Apart from the fact that we nearly fell off the walkway, so excited was she, her excitement was palpable and texts to all and sundry followed. Tell her in the Clubhouse and let her enjoy the full experience and the excitement from the earliest opportunity

Hmmm... I think on reflection I will take us to the UC check in and see if she twigs- I'll give her the clues!

jbis wrote:Hmmm... I think on reflection I will take us to the UC check in and see if she twigs- I'll give her the clues!

You may well get an invite to use the drive thru checkin as part of the "trial" ! 8D

On re-reading the OP
"as many of you know off to NBO from LHR on Friday. Managed to upgrade from UC to PE with miles"

Tell me this was a typo and not some new VS marketing spin of "upgrading" people from UC to PE!!

Ed

On re-reading the OP
"as many of you know off to NBO from LHR on Friday. Managed to upgrade from UC to PE with miles"

Tell me this was a typo and not some new VS marketing spin of "upgrading" people from UC to PE!!

Is that not the right way round??! I was told it was a special offer!!

TFIC

I've managed to get away with it twice, once when taking my cousin back home from SYD, She cried!! I think I was lucky in that the people I've been flying have just never cottoned on that they've been upgraded - perhaps if you don't make a thing about it, she might not even know...

It's all about getting to the doors and turning left...

hectershouse wrote:You may well get an invite to use the drive thru checkin as part of the "trial" ! 8D

I did this morning! Can I take a taxi from the heathrow express station? And apparently no longer a trial- all UC.

I am besides myself with excitement- and I have travelled a lot on planes. Now all I have to do at Ascot tomorrow is win big and say hello to the Queen and I'm sorted!

JB

jbis wrote:

hectershouse wrote:You may well get an invite to use the drive thru checkin as part of the "trial" ! 8D

I did this morning! Can I take a taxi from the heathrow express station? And apparently no longer a trial- all UC.

I am besides myself with excitement- and I have travelled a lot on planes. Now all I have to do at Ascot tomorrow is win big and say hello to the Queen and I'm sorted!

JB

Which Heathrow Express Station? Paddington? The one at T5? The one in the middle between T1 and 3?

If it's the first one, no problem but for the other ones there would be as you have to give about 30 minutes notice and the registration of the car to be able to access the DTCI

You have to pre-register the car so no you cant take a taxi from a rank. You could pre-book one the day before and have the reg number but without that the barriers wont work (see easy going geezers trippie of last week of being turned away because his car was pre-registered)

I would tell her as others have said so she can enjoy the whole experience - but also, because trying to keep it a secret could stress you out & it could spoil the whole thing with you being on edge.
Have a great time.