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More diminution of the UC product?

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 19:09
by AlanA
Well,
if the posting on here is to be believed
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php ... st10139681

When you buy your LGW clubhouse entrance from Virgin holidays, you now get the treatments as well!

So, £2,000 for a seat and clubhouse, or £35 for the clubhouse and £800 for a seat and possibly as good a quality food in PE??

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 19:27
by RichardMannion
I know my experience of UC is normally different to others havign going and got a name for myself, but I have found UC still tob e very good even with the changes that have happened. UCS was a huge step in the right direction; there was the whole debate about GNF and I experineced GNF first hand last week and was not that dismayed to be honest. In my opinion, no great changes than before (aside there was a whole group of us sat at the bar eating dinner gone midnight!). I did make some observations about GNF and the lack of its disclosure at check-in or in the CH (so you coudl then have a big meal) and I have fed these back to the appropiate people at VS already for action.

In regards to treatments, the priority will always be AU's and passengers in J. So work is being doen to make sure this is the case and to remind these qualifyign passengers that they can pre-book in advance. Non-Qualifying passengers (VH, Au guests etc) will have to be booked on the day if there is availability. I know the prices for CH access via VH are due to go up next year too. I'm still happy to pay the £1300 for Z to MCO even though I am in effect paying for CH access that I don't need as I get in via Au and via Centurion. I liek the UCS and I liek the E2E service. PE is very good too but its not UC.

Thanks,
Richard

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 20:38
by Nottingham Nick
I think the posters on the disboard were very lucky. The VH website clearly says that the £30 fee doesn't include treatments.

Don't let's get into another debate about people not getting things they aren't entitled to, I still haven't recoevered from the fast track passes in PE saga [}:)][8D];)

Nick

BTW, Alan, I like that word 'diminution' [y][y]I can see me using that at work a bit in the future ;)

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 22:50
by Vegascrazy
When we flew UC a few weeks ago to SFO we had Rhinestone Cowboy treatments in the CH. Later on, once on board the IBT came round chatting to each passenger explaining/apologising that she probably wouldn't have a chance to get round to everyone in the course of the flight. She also had paperwork telling her who had received a treatment in the CH earlier that morning and explained to us that as we had already had a treatment it put us down the priority list on the flight. No problem with that, makes sense I guess, just wondered if anyone else has encountered the same thing?

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 22:54
by Nottingham Nick
Originally posted by Vegascrazy
just wondered if anyone else has encountered the same thing?


It has been mentioned quite a lot in other threads. I was under the impression that it happened more on the shorter east coast routes, but I suppose it depends on how many people want to take advantage in the air.

We were lucky when we flew UC in July, we got treatments both on the ground and in the air.

The whole issue of the IFBT and priority cards was discussed at mega length in this thread

Nick

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 23:54
by Paul H
Can anyone please explain what IFBT, GNF and IBT mean?
We are going to travel in Upper Class and we wouldn`t want to look too strange when we don`t know what the anacronyms mean.
Is there some sort of training course we can attend prior to travelling?
Thanks, Paul H (T,PH):D

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 23:57
by preiffer
Originally posted by Paul H
Can anyone please explain what IFBT, GNF and IBT mean?
We are going to travel in Upper Class and we wouldn`t want to look too strange when we don`t know what the anacronyms mean.
Is there some sort of training course we can attend prior to travelling?
Hi Paul,

For a lot of words, just hovering the mouse over an underlined word will tell you - such as: VS

IFBT and IBT are the same - In-Flight Beauty Therapist
GNF - "Good Night Flight", details here on va.com

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 11:25
by RichardMannion
Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Originally posted by Vegascrazy
just wondered if anyone else has encountered the same thing?


It has been mentioned quite a lot in other threads. I was under the impression that it happened more on the shorter east coast routes, but I suppose it depends on how many people want to take advantage in the air.

We were lucky when we flew UC in July, we got treatments both on the ground and in the air.

The whole issue of the IFBT and priority cards was discussed at mega length in this thread

Nick


I had the Rhinestone treatment at Cowshed on my flight to HKG, and then also got a treatment on board (and J was completely full). So I am not entirely sure about the validity of the statement, but then I can't remember the last time I didn't get a treatment on board.

Thanks,
Richard

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 12:33
by HighFlyer
To add to the above, on my last two VS flights my travelling partner had a treatment in the Clubhouse and then a massage on board, in fact he seemed to be one of the first to be picked by the IFBT. I had presumed that he wouldnt get a treatment after having one at the CH but that wasn't the case here.

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 12:35
by preiffer
Last 4/5 flights, I've had a haircut in the CH, and a massage onboard. [y]

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 14:56
by AlanA
Funnily enough, my last flight to and from MCO, I did not have an on board treatment, nor the use of revivals on the way back, nor V-Port, nor a copy of Carlos...I don't think these services will be available on the next trip to MCO in november either.
Am I travelling with the same Airline??? [}:)][}:)]

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 16:22
by Jimmy Mc
Originally posted by AlanA
Funnily enough, my last flight to and from MCO, I did not have an on board treatment, nor the use of revivals on the way back, nor V-Port, nor a copy of Carlos...I don't think these services will be available on the next trip to MCO in november either.
Am I travelling with the same Airline??? [}:)][}:)]


I am not sure the LGW aircraft have an IFBT area onboard which would suggest to me why you didnt have one on your MCO flights, in fact it looks like none of the LGW routes carry the IFBT service. Can anyone confirm if this is the case? As for VPORT - well, we wait paitently for the day LGW routes come up to the standard of those ex LHR.

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 16:39
by jaguarpig
I think AlanA's previous post answers your question:D[}:)]

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 17:06
by Nottingham Nick
Jimmy

I think you missed the large dose of irony in Alan's post. [}:)];)

Nick

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 17:39
by David_Doyle
Originally posted by AlanA
nor a copy of Carlos...


Although I was caught out at first by the post, I have to say I've really never seen a copy of Carlos on board! I've done LHR-JFK and back mainly ( about 4 times ), with CPT-LHR as well. Is there a particular flight criteria for it's issue that I'm not aware of?

David.

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 17:45
by Richard28
Originally posted by David_Doyle
Originally posted by AlanA
nor a copy of Carlos...


Although I was caught out at first by the post, I have to say I've really never seen a copy of Carlos on board! I've done LHR-JFK and back mainly ( about 4 times ), with CPT-LHR as well. Is there a particular flight criteria for it's issue that I'm not aware of?

David.




I've had it on both SFO and MCO flights.....

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 17:49
by Littlejohn
In answer to David-Doyle's post, Carlos should be on most flights, but in the UC cabin only.

At the risk of being flamed, I'm going to say that you havenÕt missed much. To me it's Islington-babble, poseur, journalism combined with a large dose of oh-so-clever graphic design. IMHO I have yet to see an article that is both interesting and intelligible at the same time.

There, got that off my chest!

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 17:52
by preiffer
Originally posted by sailor99
IMHO I have yet to see an article that is both interesting and intelligible at the same time.
Agree with most of that 99, but I have to say the Las Vegas article in August's edition was actually quite interesting reading - about 3/4 pages.

I do struggle with the value of the overall publication though... [B)]

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 14:48
by gilly
Originally posted by AlanA
Well,
if the posting on here is to be believed
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php ... st10139681

When you buy your LGW clubhouse entrance from Virgin holidays, you now get the treatments as well!

So, £2,000 for a seat and clubhouse, or £35 for the clubhouse and £800 for a seat and possibly as good a quality food in PE??


I was the "poster" in question and yes, I can assure you I am to be believed! And we actually paid over £1200 each for our seats!

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 15:18
by Scrooge
Originally posted by gilly
Originally posted by AlanA
Well,
if the posting on here is to be believed
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php ... st10139681

When you buy your LGW clubhouse entrance from Virgin holidays, you now get the treatments as well!

So, £2,000 for a seat and clubhouse, or £35 for the clubhouse and £800 for a seat and possibly as good a quality food in PE??


I was the "poster" in question and yes, I can assure you I am to be believed! And we actually paid over £1200 each for our seats!


Ok he's not being argumentative,Alan's just pointing out that the cost of UC your now paying double the price of PE+clubhouse entry for what...more legroom...guess you could say the same about going coach to pe though...at least the legroom part.

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 15:21
by locutus
You also get 10% off the clubhouse price from VH for being a FC member. [i]

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 16:14
by jaguarpig
I was the "poster" in question and yes, I can assure you I am to be believed! And we actually paid over £1200 each for our seats!


Thats a lot of money for PE,next time you book look at the prices direct from VS,I got 2 UC tickets this August LGW-MCO for well under £3000.The VH upgrades have become a lot less attractive than they used to.

Wow that dibb forum is bright[:0][8D]:D

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 16:17
by Scrooge
Originally posted by jaguarpig
I was the "poster" in question and yes, I can assure you I am to be believed! And we actually paid over £1200 each for our seats!


Thats a lot of money for PE,next time you book look at the prices direct from VS,I got 2 UC tickets this August LGW-MCO for well under £3000.The VH upgrades have become a lot less atractive than they used to.


If you think thats bad take a look at LAX-LHR for late sept/early oct next year..over $2400 pp[:0]

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 16:30
by jaguarpig
But thats LAX, I would have had to pay the thick end of £5k to LAX at the same time,have a look at MAXJET I know you have to get to JFK but they had an unbelievable offer on ex-JFK $750 rtn to STN inc taxes enter NYTIMES into the promotion box(just checked and its finished[n]) They are still cheap for what looks a good product, if they can keep the service going on one aircraft.At £850 return I think we are going to give them a go next year.

PostPosted: 18 Nov 2005, 16:37
by Scrooge
Originally posted by jaguarpig
But thats LAX, I would have had to pay the thick end of £5k to LAX at the same time,have a look at MAXJET I know you have to get to JFK but they had an unbelievable offer on ex-JFK $750 rtn to STN inc taxes enter NYTIMES into the promotion box(just checked and its finished[n]) They are still cheap for what looks a good product, if they can keep the service going on one aircraft.At £850 return I think we are going to give them a go next year.



we are looking at that,problem is this trip is for 14 people,12 of whom live in the LAX area..plus the miles..all those miles I could earn refering 10 people(10 is the limit) 75k miles free sounds so nice[^],but then again the extra $17k sounds kind of bad[:0]..so who knows,well be figuring it all out next week.

btw MAxjet is something we are looking hard at,getting to JFK from LAS isn't the biggest problem in the world and we can hop on Nikki (nobody say a word) for the flight down to whereever it is we all end up going.