V-Flyer

Had a great journey from the Millenium Broadway hotel in a huge long wheelbase SUV with every comfort one could possibly ask for. Our driver knew about some problems leading up to JFK so took some back roads which ensured we arrived a little more quickly.
We had booked our tickets on the discounted miles offer for economy class but decided to try for an upgrade to PE on the day. After drop off, went directly to the ticketing desk to ask about the cost and were advised we couldn't pay for the upgrade but should be able to do so with miles only as it was a mileage ticket. I didn't realise this so just handed him my silver card to check if there were sufficient miles to do this. After about 15 minutes on the phone, it was done. There were about 8 seats left in PE but of course the window/aisle combinations had gone so were given a centre and aisle in the middle section.
Once checked in, we took our bags to the bag drop off area and headed downstairs to the security queue. Is it just a JFK thing that you have to do this, because in Vegas the bags go on the belt behind the check in clerk?
Queued for an hour and a half to get to the scanners with loads of people pushing in which makes you so frustrated. Then, we were advised that as we were travelling PE we could use the business class line which there was hardly any queue. I wish they'd have told us this at check in [:(!]
We were extremely lucky in the centre section of PE in that the third seat wasn't occupied so I moved from the right side of the plane to the left after take off. The main reason being that someone from the other side of the plane kept blocking the aisle talking to the H&K passengers to my right so when anyone wanted to get past they had to stick their A** in my face.
We were about an hour late for take off due to the huge line of planes waiting to take off but once in the air everything went smoothly. The pre-take off drinks were served and the drinks round about an hour after take off. Bottles of water and the amenity packs/blankets and pillows were already on the seats. Menus were given out and the meal service was about an hour after the drinks service. Hey, whaddya know - bangers and mash! and an extremely dry chicken breast with veggies.
Watched Night at the Museum and managed to get some sleep on the return leg. I'd caught a cold in NY and kept dosing myself with tablets so it may have been that which assisted sleep or the bigger seat in PE. Who knows, but at least I managed to grab about an hour this time.
Approximately 1 and 1/2 hours before landing a muffin and tea/coffee was served and had a nice smooth run into LHR.
The joys of being in PE is that you get off the plane fairly swiftly and therefore the lines for immigration aren't too bad. Got through within 20 minutes and the baggage belt hadn't even started rolling. When it did though, our cases were about 5 and 10th off. Very quickly sped through customs and headed back to the departure area of T3 where Purple Parking greet you with your own car. All done and dusted by 7.50am.
Straight back up to the M40 and in work at my desk by 9.30am [:0]

Thanks for the report!

1 hours sleep...then straight to work....OMG....

Thanks for the return TR[y]

Being able to obtain a miles upgrade has given Mrs Buns some hope that she will be able to use her miles that she has accumulated after all[:D][:D][:D]

BTW what row were you in?

Thanks

buns

nice couple of tr's thanks. we had the same issues with JFK earlier this month, both inbound and outbound so we feel for you, and work as a well glutton for punishment eh !

Finished work at 4pm that day so wasn't too bad.

We were in row 22, the last but one before economy.

Again, row 23 which is middle only, the toilet door opens onto this row so I don't imagine the best for sleep either.

Lynnewob - I too am currently taking advantage of the mileage redemption sale and fly back from JFK on the 10 on Thursday. Can I ask how many miles did they deduct from your account for the upgrade - was it the standard 10,000 miles?

Thanks

Jonathan

Thanks for the TR. This is what I hated about NY check in, we were in UC and was asked down to the Y check in to save us waiting, then people were lining up behing us (plus we had SO many bags!) it was chaos! [n]

Dominic

Hi Jonathan
We were advised it was going to be 20k miles - didn't ask if that was each or between us. The miles haven't been deducted from our FC account yet so can't double check I'm afraid.

Then, we were advised that as we were travelling PE we could use the business class line which there was hardly any queue. I wish they'd have told us this at check in

Thanks for pointing this out. All staff at JFK working PE check-in have now been advised to clarify this for PE pax.

Lynnewob - thanks for the info, just got back home and managed to upgrade to PE as well although the agent at the ticket desk told me it was 12,000 miles (I will expand further in my trip report which will follow).

On another note, Virj, when I checked-in at PE yesterday (9 August), the agent didn't advise me that I was able to use the business class line and I only did so because of this trip report. However, I guess something like this takes time to filter through to all the staff.

Jonathan

On another note, Virj, when I checked-in at PE yesterday (9 August), the agent didn't advise me that I was able to use the business class line and I only did so because of this trip report. However, I guess something like this takes time to filter through to all the staff.

Precisely. I only brought it up at the station yesterday, so it may take a few days for all staff to be informed (taking days off into consideration).

I've also replied to your TR, jtlc2345.