Driving to LHR - we beat our flight!

BA cancelled our 08:55 shuttle from MAN at 04.45. Transferred us to a flight tomorrow. We are UC on VS0011 16:45 from LHR today. Rang and was told it was our only option. So we cancelled our MAN to LHR and return on June 9. Full refund. We cancelled our MAN parking (refunded). Booked T3 at LHR parking. Jumped in the car. We live just outside Chester ( just in N Wales). The motorway gods were on our side even on BH Friday. We arrived in the Virgin Lounge sooner than the drive to MAN, shuttle to LHR and transfer from T5 to T3. Extra cost was the petrol.
Lots of time in the lounge and champagne in hand. BA are not In our good books!

BA shuttles (from EDI to LHR) have let us down so many times in the last few years, even booking a day before and having a night in LHR. They have so many excuses ....

Enjoy the Clubhouse and have a great flight

David

The last two times we've flown from LHR we opted to drive down from the North West instead of flying. If it's a morning flight, we've driven the day before and stayed in a hotel close to LHR overnight. There's probably not much in it if the motorway is clear and can be much more leisurely. There are also packages available on sites such as Holiday Extras where you can book a hotel and parking for your car at the hotel for the entire trip instead of having to book hotel and car parking separately.

The only issue is coming back and after a night flight and how awake you feel. Last week, we had to stop at Warwick services on the way back for a nap, but we weren't in a rush to get back so it wasn't an issue, though I acknowledge driving after a long, overnight flight isn't for everyone.

I have looked at rail options, but for us it would involve having to go to Euston first and either: -

*Walk to Euston Square for a Tube to Paddington for an Elizabeth Line/HEx to LHR
*3 stops on the Northern Line to Tottenham Court Road for the Elizabeth Line to LHR
*3 stops on the Victoria Line to Green Park for a Piccadilly Line to LHR

If only the Heathrow Spur wasn't the first branch to be scrapped from HS2.

Update: We arrived home after our BOS to LHR flight yesterday (June 9) at 10am. So spent an hour in Revivals, showered and had breakfast. We had parked in LHR T3 Business Parking (as it was BH weekend Friday on the day we left and nothing much available to us) - Business Car park Shuttle bus was empty and frequent - 10 mins transfer max. So Sunday driving up to N Wales was not at all bad and we decided not to stop en route. 4 hrs as expected. First thing we have done is claimed Expenses (fuel + parking) and UK261 comp. Let's see how that goes !!
Go on BA - prove to us you are human after all . Stress is priceless ...