V-Flyer

Good morning all. Just wondering if any of you seasoned UC flyers could answer a quick question for me please? If we arrive at UC wing in our own car, can we get it parked for us from there? If so, any recommendations as to which company to use?

Not at the moment. I rang UC support yesterday to arrange and was told that as Purple Parking had gone bust (PP provided the service) it wasn’t currently available. VS are currently negotiating with another company to provide the service but there’s no indication as to when this will be reinstated.

I know this won’t really help the O.P but ....

I booked the Upper Class DTCI using Purple Parking valet service at the top of the ramp just before PP went bust. This is for a trip in April for 3 of us.

Paid £199 for the privilege via Upper Class support. Included valet parking at the wing, and collect from Car Park 3 on return.

When I found out about the demise of PP, UC support said that they weren't sure what was going to happen.

I contacted Holiday Extras who took over the PP bookings....they passed me to Maple Manor who were honouring the PP bookings.

So, I called Maple Manor, initially I got a call handler who didn't know what I was talking about. "Just drive to the meet and greet on level 3 and park your car " he said.... Then I got a "manager" on the phone.

After some discussion, explanation and enquiring to other MM staff, he confirmed that MM parking chap would be at the wing to meet us and take the car away ..all per previous arrangements with PP over the last couple of years.

I am wary of the response from MM... maybe it will all come good but, I'll be calling them the day before just to confirm things.
Alternatively, you can drive your car to the wing, drop off any passengers and baggage and take your car to the car park yourself. Then back to the UC check in area and up in the lift to security.
I did this in November..there was a thread on a similar subject here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=296600 My contribution is the 6th post down thread

As Chumba said previously, I believe that the valet parking facility is now withdrawn but, I hope that the do bring back this facility it really is a "millionaire" feeling having the car collected just as you walk into the wing... Plus the added advantage of 3 of us not having to haul all our bags from a car park.

Hope this helps
Paul

My apologies, I should’ve added that UC support did say that existing bookings would be honoured by another comomay, but the agent didn’t say who that was.

I would hope if MM do a good job, then they will get thbetter contract to carry it on.

Thanks all. Think we’ve decided to get a taxi now - can’t possibly miss out on the DTCI experience! We booked a limo to take us last year & it was so special. Still trying to squeeze my lovely husband into parting with the money so we can go ‘posh’ again, as opposed to a normal taxi. But hey, if I still get dropped at the UC wing with the super speedy check-in, I’ll bravely soldier on ... (I’ve clearly become a monster having flown UC twice now - is there any other way?! Hurrah for air miles!)

I know it's a bit late in the day, but when I was searching for the same thing I came across this
https://www.vipheathrow.co.uk/heathrow- ... ur-service

I can't decide how legitimate the website is. Also can't find any reviews on an independent site. But in theory I guess the 'chauffeur' could drop you in your own car at DTCI?

As an update, I had booked a flight in PE and had booked valet parking with LHR direct. Today 4 G’s came up on my flight so I grabbed them. Whilst booking I asked for the upper class support line to book the DTCI, as I didn’t have it to hand.

The booking agent said you don’t need to ring them anymore as all call centre agents are trained to deal with UC. I asked about using my own car and the DTCI. The agent said that they don’t arrange the parking anymore, they haven’t renewed the contract after PP went bust. But I could arrange with whoever was doing my parking for them to meet me at the drop off point and take the car. I queried this as previously no one was allowed in the upper class wing unless staff or passengers. The agent confirmed that as I’d booked with Heathrow parking their staff could access the wing as they worked at the airport.

I rang Heathrow parking and they had never heard of doing this! Their duty manager is getting back to me once he’s looked into it.

Later I rang the upper class support line and discussed what the agent had told me earlier, they categorically stated you can not do this, even with Heathrows own parking.she said that the only way currently you can use your own car is if you are dropped off in it and it’s driven away by the same driver. You can collect a meet and greet driver en route to the wing, but the driver can’t access the wing and then meet you there.

So I’ve ended up booking the wing, will drop everyone off then drive out and drop the car at valet just outside then head back into the terminal and up th elevator to the wing.

A bit of a faff but no other way to do it.

Hurry up VS sort out someone to do your parking from the DTCI !